By Vanessa Hoskins

Have you ever had a beloved family pet expire due to old age, illness, or getting hit by an errant enercycle? The Pet Revitalization Project (PRP) would like to help return your best friend back to your side. This Eoxian company will use special silicon-based technology to revitalize your pet, keeping their personality, friendliness, and loyalty intact*. Many will find their pets stronger, more resilient, and hardier than before revitalization; works great on guard animals!

Though this technology was previously only available to the richest and most well connected individuals, new sources of resin and modern techniques have driven the cost of revitalization down. The PRP would like to extend these savings to you and your family. If you and your family are without the means to afford pet revitalization, the PRP has set aside a fund to aid in the swift return of your perished pet.

Pet revitalization is only viable for a short time after a pet’s expiration without proper body preservation techniques, leading some owners to preemptively revitalize their pets, ensuring their pets will remain with them always. Don’t you want your best friend to be your best friend forever? Contact the PRP today!

This message has been paid for by the Pact Worlds Commission for Unliving Rights, the Eoxian General Council, and the Eoxian Office of Pact Worlds Ambassadorship.

*Less than 10% of revitalized animals experience side effects such as insatiable rage, unshakable ennui, or empty compliance.

Mummified squox from Alien Archive 4, illustration by Olli Slyusareva

REVITILIZED PET SQUOX — CR 5

XP 1,600
Silicon mummy squox (Starfinder Alien Archive 4 75, Alien Archive 2 118)
N Tiny undead
Init +5; Senses blindsense (scent) 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +11

DEFENSE — HP 70
EAC 17; KAC 19
Fort +7; Ref +7; Will +6
Defensive Abilities constructed shell, silicon casing (25%); DR 5/adamantine; Immunities undead immunities

OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +13 (1d6+7 P)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Offensive Abilities squox tricks

STATISTICS
Str +2; Dex +5; Con —; Int –4; Wis +0; Cha +3
Skills Acrobatics +16 (+20 to balance, escape, or tumble), Athletics +11 (+19 to climb), Stealth +16
Other Abilities solar battery (1 point), unliving

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Constructed Shell (Ex) For effects targeting creatures by type, a silicon mummy counts as both a construct and as undead (whichever type allows an ability to affect them for abilities that affect only one type, and whichever is worse for abilities that affect both types)

Silicon Casing (Ex) A silicon mummy’s protective exterior and nonfunctional organs limit critical damage; the mummy has a 25% chance to ignore the extra damage dealt by a critical hit and gains a +4 bonus to saves against critical hit effects.

Solar Battery (Ex) A silicon mummy can absorb solar energy in the form of Solar Reserve Points (SRP), which they can spend in place of Resolve Points. For every 8 hours a silicon mummy spends exposed to the light of a star, the mummy gains 1 SRP, to a maximum number of SRPs equal to one-third their CR (1 for a mummified prophet). For every week a silicon mummy absorbs no stellar energy, they lose 1 SRP. However, the mummy can intentionally enter a state of hibernation to lose only 1 point per 20 years, and although the mummy is aware of their surroundings and can fully animate as a move action, they are staggered for 1d4 hours afterward. As a swift action, a silicon mummy can expend 1 SRP to enhance either their next melee attack, ranged attack, or spell before the end of their turn. An enhanced attack gains a +2 circumstance bonus to its attack roll and deals an additional 3d6 damage if it hits. An enhanced spell increases the spell’s saving throw DC by 2.

Squox Tricks (Ex) A squox can use Acrobatics to jump instead of Athletics. In addition, a squox can use its Acrobatics bonus as its attack bonus when it attempts a dirty trick, disarm, or trip combat maneuver. If the squox succeeds at a dirty trick maneuver, it can choose only between the entangled and off-target conditions. A squox’s tail, two front paws, and mouth count as hands free for a disarm attempt.

PLOT HOOKS

Game Masters might consider the following plot hooks as a means of integrating a revitalized pet into any Starfinder game.

• The PCs attempt to break into the home of a corporate executive, only to find an augmented squox guarding the interior.
• A PC takes the Squox Companion feat, but later wants to ensure their little friend can survive the rigors of higher-level combat.
• Murders in an Aballonian archology trace back to a group of silicon mummy animals, kept as house pets and guard animals that have somehow formed a telepathic network and started to attack those who would abuse them.

By Chris Sims

The Haunter of the Dark, an aspect of the chaotic evil Outer God, Nyarlathotep, whispers to its loyal servants, the grioths (Starfinder Alien Archive 4 40–41), that something dire has awakened in the depths of the Pact Worlds sun. An elder being long imprisoned has broken free and moves toward the realm of mortals. Reading the portents, a grioth eclipse seer named Drenrika has determined that her raiders should be on Castrovel in the city of Candares during a springtime blood moon there in order to learn more about the burgeoning evil. And so, Drenrika enacted the eldritch rituals required to open a portal to Candares during the lunar eclipse.

Drenrika opened her gate in Candares’s Temple of the Dawnflower, an edifice almost as old as the city itself. Murderous grioth raiders mercilessly dealt with the temple’s clergy and poured into the city streets to murder and loot. They took out power substations to plunge parts of the city into darkness.

A survivor from the temple, a damaya lashunta mystic named Syell Yllsuoda, reports that the grioth leader remains in the sanctuary, awaiting something. Taking her down might close the grioth portal and strand the raiders without hope of reinforcements or retreat. The PCs are just the force for this decisive strike.

Grioths in the Sanctuary — CR 8

After fighting through the shadowy city streets, the PCs come to the Temple of the Dawnflower. Within its sanctuary, just beyond an ancient orrery, stands a lightless portal (represented with a “P” on the map) issuing a frigid wind. This portal is a powerful magical phenomenon of the conjuration school. A PC can suppress it for 1d4 rounds with a targeted dispel magic (dispel check DC 15) plus 1d4 rounds per 5 points by which the check exceeds the DC. If Drenrika dies or retreats through the portal, it closes 1 round later. To non-grioths, this portal is like a solid plane of stone.

From Starfinder Flip-Mat: Solar Temple.

Creatures: Drenrika (D) and her six grioth guards (G) wait in the gloom near the orrery, the eclipse seer perched on the device. They gaze up through the transparent dome, its apex 60 feet overhead, at the blood moon.

Grioths (6) — CR 1

XP 400 each

CE Medium monstrous humanoid

Init +4; Senses blindsight (sound) 60 ft., see in darkness; Perception +10

DEFENSE HP 17 EACH

EAC 11; KAC 12

Fort +1; Ref +3; Will +6

Defensive Abilities void adaptation; Immunities cold; Weaknesses light blindness, vulnerable to sonic

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (Ex, average)

Melee bite +7 (1d4+2 P plus psychotomimetic saliva)
voidglass longsword +7 (1d8+2 S; critical demoralizeAR)

Ranged bruiser decoupler +5 (1d4+1 A; critical demoralizeAR)

Offensive Abilities mindshock

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 1st)
1/day—detect tech, lesser confusion (DC 12)
At will—daze (DC 11), detect magic

TACTICS

During Combat The grioths open with mindshock. Half the grioths engage the PCs in melee, while the other half keep aloft and mobile, engaging if their comrades fall. Their main goal is to keep the PCs off Drenrika.

Morale While Drenrika lives, the grioths fight to protect her. If she dies or flees, these raiders try to flee through the portal.

STATISTICS

Str +1; Dex +4; Con +0; Int +0; Wis +2; Cha +0

Skills Acrobatics +10, Athletics +5, Intimidate +10, Mysticism +5, Stealth +5

Languages Aklo, Grioth; telepathy 60 ft.

Other Abilities no breath

Gear second skin, bruiser decouplerAR with 2 batteries (20 charges each), voidglass longsword

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Mindshock (Su) Once per day as a standard action, a grioth can unleash a wave of violent psychic energy. Each non grioth creature within 30 feet takes 2d6 damage and is shaken for 1d4 rounds. A creature that succeeds at a DC 12 Will save takes half damage and negates the shaken condition. This is a mind-affecting effect.

Psychotomimetic Saliva (Ex) Grioth saliva is laced with psychotropic toxins that overload a victim’s neurological pathways, causing intense, rapid fire hallucinations, confusion, and violent seizures. Creatures that are immune to mind affecting effects are immune to this poison.

Psychotomimetic Saliva

Type poison (injury); Save Fortitude DC 12

Track Wisdom; Frequency 1/round for 6 rounds

Cure 1 save

Drenrika. Illustration by Tom Ventre from Starfinder Alien Archive 4 Pawn Collection

Drenrika — CR 6

XP 2,400

Female grioth eclipse seer (Alien Archive 4 40)

CE Medium monstrous humanoid

Init +2; Senses blindsight (sound) 60 ft., see in darkness; Perception +13

DEFENSE HP 75

EAC 17; KAC 18

Fort +5; Ref +7; Will +11; +1 vs. mind-affecting effects

Defensive Abilities void adaptation; Immunities cold; Weaknesses light blindness, vulnerable to sonic

OFFENSE

Speed 30 ft., fly 40 ft. (Ex, average)

Melee bite +11 (1d6+6 P plus psychotomimetic saliva)

Ranged liquidator disintegration pistol +13 (1d10+6 A)

Offensive Abilities mindshock

Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)
1/day—hold person (DC 18), inflict pain (DC 18)
3/day—command (DC 17), detect thoughts (DC 17), lesser confusion (DC 17)
At will—daze (DC 16), psychokinetic hand (DC 16)

TACTICS

During Combat Drenrika flies and uses high perches to maintain distance from her attackers. She casts her spells to separate the PCs and throw their attack into chaos. While she fights, she barks at her troops in Grioth, saying things such as, “We must hear the prophecy! Drive these fools away!”

Morale When she falls to 19 or fewer Hit Points, Drenrika retreats through her portal.

STATISTICS

Str +0; Dex +2; Con +1; Int +2; Wis +5; Cha +3

Skills Acrobatics +13, Intimidate +18, Mysticism +18, Physical Science +13

Languages Aklo, Grioth; telepathy 100 ft. (150 ft. with voidglass armor)

Other Abilities no breath

Gear voidglass zeizerer diffractor IIPW, liquidator disintegration pistolAR with 2 batteries (20 charges each)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Mindshock (Su) As grioths, but the Drenrika can use this ability three times per day, and the DC is 16. A creature that succeeds at the save is immune to Drenrika’s mindshock for 24 hours.

Psychotomimetic Saliva (Ex) As grioths, but the DC is 16.

Treasure: The grioths have their gear. For more on voidglass equipment, see the grioth entry in Alien Archive 4.

Development:Moments after the grioth portal closes for good, a lumyr sombrian (Alien Archive 4 112) named Lashta manifests as the blood moon slowly brightens. Drenrika’s visions were right. The sombrian bears a prophecy…

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With the release last month of the Starfinder Flip-Tiles: Alien Planet Starter Set, Game Masters now have nearly limitless options when mapping out exciting encounters on a variety of alien worlds, from verdant jungles to barren wastes. Future expansions, including next month’s Starfinder Flip-Tiles: Alien Planet Moonscape Expansion, will provide even more options. If you’re strapped for time, feel free to run the following encounter from contributor Vanessa Hoskins and let us know how it worked in your campaign in the comments below.

Botanical Wardens — CR 8

A group of kiirintas (Starfinder Alien Archive 4 62) botanists on Stabrisis-14 are creating an interstellar botanical garden, featuring plant species from all across Near Space. Leading this program is a headstrong kiirinta named K’voo za Vivza, whose ambitious nature and tendency to overreach has upset the Builders of the K’voo tribe.

When a shepherd blossom, a rare species of harpy jasmine from Castrovel, started exerting control over other plant creatures in the garden, Vivza was at a loss as to how to proceed. Her requests for aid have been ignored by the Builders, and the other Reflectors of the K’voo tribe aren’t equipped for such an aggressive task. The shepherd blossom has moved deep within the botanical garden and is using a small cadre of carnivorous plant to defend itself against all intruders. Vivza turns to the PCs for help, hoping they can end the shepherd blossom’s control over the other plant creatures, but desperately hopes that they can preserve the other plants in the area. She hopes that by disrupting the shepherd blossom, the other plant creatures will cease to be hostile and can be guided back to their portions of the garden.

Creatures: A single mature shepherd blossom has gathered other aggressive plant creatures around itself, intending to keep them there until it is ready to pollinate the area with fresh buds. It has managed to gather two lumocanthas from the Veskarium Gardens exhibit and a single supenga pup from the nearby Desert Garden enclosure. While the resulting bloom of several shepherd blossoms might be interesting, it would cause enough chaos in Vivza’s Near Space botanical garden project to shut it down permanently. The supenga pup stays near the shepherd blossom, ready to pursue any threats while the two lumocanthas stand near the hiking trails nearby, ready to fire their laser spines on anything that moves.

Illustration by Mirco Paganessi

Sheperd Blossom — CR 5

XP 1,600
Variant harpy jasmine
N Medium plant
Init +0; Senses blindsense (thought) 60 ft.; Perception +16

Defense — HP 60
EAC 16; KAC 17
Fort +6; Ref +2; Will +8
Immunities plant immunities; Resistances fire 5
Weaknesses vulnerable to cold

Offense
Speed 5 ft., climb 5 ft.
Melee vine +12 (1d6+9 B plus grab)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 5th)

• 3/day—hold person (DC 17), song of the cosmosCOM (DC 17)
• 6/day—charm person (DC 16), lesser confusion (DC 16), wisp ally
• At will—dancing lights, ghost sound (DC 15)

Offensive Abilities verdant call

Tactics
Before Combat The shepherd blossom stays near its plot, hoping to bud soon. However, it continuously searches for more plant creatures to help protect itself during its reproductive cycle.
During Combat The shepherd blossom uses verdant call on any plant creatures not under their control, otherwise they uses their magic to ward off powerful creatures or befriend them and convince them to care for their offspring.
Morale The shepherd blossom protects its young buds until death.

Statistics
Str +5; Dex +0; Con +3; Int –3; Wis +1; Cha +2
Skills Athletics +11

Special Abilities
Verdant Call (Su) Once per day as a full-round action, a shepherd blossom can create psychic echoes that resonate with nearby plant creatures, creating an intense feeling of empathy for the shepherd blossom. This functions as a 5th-level dominate person spell (CL 5th, Will DC 15) but only affects plant creatures. The shepherd blossom can target any single plant creature it is aware of within 600 feet.

Lumocantha (2)— CR 2

XP 600 each
HP 25 each (Starfinder Alien Archive 4 68)

Tactics
During Combat The lumocanthas focus their laser spines on any creature stained by one of their dye capsules, otherwise they fire on the closest non-plant that has moved from their square in the last round.
Morale These plants fight until destroyed as long as the shepherd blossom lives. As soon as the shepherd blossom is destroyed, or if the lumocanthas are otherwise moved out of the range of its verdant call, they become docile.

Supenga Pup — CR 5

XP 1,600
HP 75 (Starfinder Alien Archive 4 120)

Tactics
Before Combat The supenga patrols around the shepherd blossom’s glade, searching for predators.
During Combat The supenga pup focuses its attention on whatever creature is attacking the shepherd blossom, or whatever creature is closest to the blossom; the supenga generally ignores paralyzed targets.
Morale This plant fights until destroyed as long as the shepherd blossom lives. As soon as the shepherd blossom is destroyed, or if the supenga is otherwise moved out of the range of its verdant call, it becomes docile.

Map created using Starfinder Flip-Tiles: Alien Planet Starter Set, cartography by Jason Juta.

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