By Joe Blomquist
This encounter is a prequel for the Mechageddon! Adventure Path that represents the player characters’ (PCs’) ongoing training after enlisting in the New Valor Defense Force. Run this encounter after completing Simulation 1: Valko Derby, after the PCs have leveled up and created their own mechs (or upgraded the mechs from Simulation 1 to tier 2).

THE LAST STAND OF KARNATH! — CR 6

After catching Firefight’s notice playing Valko Derby, the PCs were invited to step out of the valkopods and become the real huzkars by joining the New Valor Defense Force. NVDF training is comprehensive for all recruits, regardless of prior vocation, to prepare them for military duties and potential challenges from combat training and mech repair to physical fitness and aircraft piloting. All potentially dangerous training occurs in simulated environments utilizing some of the galaxy’s best virtual reality technology. As a result, NVDF training pods are a familiar sight to every NVDF recruit, even if they aren’t offered many chances to train in the simulated valko cockpits. But with the placement exam schedule communicated well in advance, the prevailing mood is a flux of excitement and anxiety as everyone hopes for the chance to prove themselves. Read or paraphrase the following to set the scene.

Commander “Raptor” Wano’s voice issues a disembodied message as his training assistant, Lieutenant Bastian-5, helps the recruits into individual cockpits in the training center’s testing chamber. “Recruits! Today is your placement exam. Do well and you might find yourself in the 3rd battlegroup as the 13th, 14th, or even 15th Valko squadron under my command! Thanks to an agreement with Storyteller Productions, today’s exam will feature colossi from the popular Kaiju Riot holovid series. As you know Lt. Bastian-5 is a huge fan of those movies—time to make them proud. Today you get to be the heroes!”

Art by Guilherme Olivieri

Culture or Profession (Charisma-based) (Recall Knowledge)

The Kaiju Riot! series of films is well-known on Daimalko and has small cult followings all over the galaxy. NVDF recruits have likely seen one or more of the films and that film knowledge could help them in the upcoming simulation. For more benefits of watching these films, see Trivial Knowledge, below.

10+: The Kaiju Riot! series follows the often-terrible exploits of a lone colossus, Gadrakor. In early films, Gadrakor brutally destroyed several Daimalkan settlements. Critics applaud these early films for teaching the benefits of environmentalism through cinematic media. Eventually, Gadrakor became a hero, defending Daimalko against unspeakable horrors.

15+: Pop star Jollys Vass got her start with the hit Don’t Fall, a ballad written from the perspective of two damai lovers who were separated during Gadrakor’s rampage in Kaiju Riot! 1. In that film, Gadrakor’s characteristics were based on questionable information about an illusive colossus called a drakogor. In the years since, groundbreaking field research about real drakogors has provided new material for the sequels.

20+: In Kaiju Riot! 3: The Doom from Beyond, Gadrakor teams up with a nearly invulnerable mechanical version of himself from the previous film, Mechagadrakor, to face a demonic version of himself, the space emperor colossus King Gadrakor.

25+: Gadrakor and his iterations have all the same abilities as a real drakogor: they can absorb energy attacks to power their breath weapons, which deal sonic damage, and have a hardened mantle that adds to their natural armor. Encourage the PCs to swap out their simulated mechs’ weapons to avoid giving the enemy an advantage.

The Mission

The PCs’ simulated mechs begin in the center of Karnath, an ancient Daimalkan city lost to colossi attacks long ago. The simulation completes almost instantly, finalizing the holographic details of a breezy spring afternoon with streets empty except for the PCs. A Daimalkan orb rests in a hollow built into the bronze statue the PCs’ mechs are positioned around. Four wide streets wind in all four cardinal directions leading away from the monument. Tall office buildings and empty residences line each block except for the planetary transit landing pad northwest of the PCs.

When the PCs are ready to begin, Commander Wano’s voice gives the final orders before the simulation begins. “The Gadrakors have only one goal: Destroy the orb. To pass this exam, you only have to stop them. Defeat all your enemies and protect the orb. Good luck, recruits.”

PCs and Mechs: This encounter is designed for four level 2 PCs. As part of their ongoing training at the NVDF Academy, the PCs have been learning the ins and outs of various mech configurations to better prepare them to their assignments as huzkars in the new modular Apex valkos, or as support crew for others who are assigned that role. As a result, players should create Tier 2 mechs for their PCs using the rules in Starfinder Tech Revolution.

Map: This simulation uses the monument side of Starfinder Flip-Mat: Metropolis. The PC’s mechs begin the encounter huddled in the middle of the map around the monument. 1 square represents 10 feet of terrain.

Trivial Knowledge: Watching the Kaiju Riot! film series has given the PCs prior knowledge of their opponents’ capabilities. The PCs can attempt the normal Recall Knowledge checks to identify their foes’ abilities prior to the beginning of the encounter. They may attempt these checks using Culture or an appropriate Profession skill instead, using the same DCs.

Creatures: The three holographic colossi the PCs face are inspired by the popular holovid, Kaiju Riot 3: The Doom from Beyond. The three kaiju begin the encounter near the edges of the map and have a single goal in mind: destroy the orb at the center of the monument the PCs are protecting. The colossi act well as a team, contrary to their adversarial roles in Kaiju Riot 3. King Gadrakor relies on its roar and fearsome presence to throw the PCs off, while Gadrakor tries to draw them away from the monument or take them out with its breath weapon. Mechagadrakor is the key to their strategy. If nobody attacks Mechagadrakor, it moves adjacent to the monument and spends the next two turns attacking the orb. The other two eventually attempt the same tactic until the PCs target them with attacks. All three colossi fight until they are destroyed.

Gadrakor — CR 3
Unique Variant Drakogor
XP 800
N Huge magical beast (colossus)
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, sense the masses; Perception +8
Aura frightful presence (80 ft., DC 12, shaken 1d4 rounds)

DEFENSE HP 40
EAC 14; KAC 16
Fort +7; Ref +7; Will +4
Defensive Abilities Resistances electricity 5, fire 5

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee bite +12 (1d6+7 P; critical burn 1d10) or claw +12 (1d6+7 S; critical bleed 1d6) or tail slap +12 (1d8+7 B; critical knockdown)
Ranged particle laser blast +9 (1d4-3 F; critical burn 2d6; range 60ft.)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Offensive Abilities breath weapon (60-ft. cone, 4d6 E&F, Reflex DC 12 half, usable every 1d4 rounds), living battery, roar (DC 12)

STATISTICS
Str +4; Dex +1; Con +2; Int +0; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +13, Intimidate +8

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Living Battery (Ex) Drakogors recharge their breath weapons by consuming energy attacks. When a drakogor takes at least 10 damage from any weapon that targets its EAC, as a standard action on their next turn they redirect the energy into a breath weapon dealing the same type of damage as the attack.

Roar (Su) Gadrakor’s roar creates unsettling vibration. Gadrakor roars as a standard action. Creatures within 100 feet must succeed at a DC 12 Fortitude save or become sickened for 1d4 rounds. Creatures who are shaken from Gadrakor’s frightful presence are panicked for 1 round (no save). Once a creature has been exposed to Gadrakor’s roar, it cannot be affected by any other drakogor’s roar for 24 hours. This is an emotion, fear, mind-affecting, and sense-dependent effect. Other drakogors are immune.

Mechagadrakor — CR 3
Unique Variant Drakogor
XP 800
NE Huge construct (colossus)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +8

DEFENSE — HP 40
EAC 15; KAC 17
Fort +3; Ref +3; Will +0
Defensive Abilities hardened mantle; Immunities construct immunities

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee bite +12 (1d4+7 P; critical burn 1d10) or claw +12 (1d4+7 S; critical bleed 1d6)
Ranged particle laser blast +9 (1d8+5 F; critical burn 2d6; range 60 ft.)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Offensive Abilities breath weapon (60-ft. cone, 4d6 So, Reflex DC 12 half, usable every 1d4 rounds), living battery

STATISTICS
Str +4; Dex +1; Con –; Int +1; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +13, Intimidate +8
Other Abilities unliving

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Living Battery (Ex) Drakogors recharge their breath weapons by consuming energy attacks. When a drakogor takes at least 10 damage from any weapon that targets its EAC, as a standard action on their next turn they redirect the energy into a breath weapon dealing the same type of damage as the attack.

Hardened Mantle (Ex) Mechagadrakor has a +4 racial bonus on saving throws against critical hit effects. In addition, it reduces the damage it takes from a critical hit by 3 to a minimum of 1 unless reduced by other means.

King Gadrakor” Art by Sophie Medvedeva

King Gadrakor — CR 3
Unique Variant Drakogor
XP 800
LE Huge magical beast (colossus)
Init +0; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, sense the masses; Perception +8
Aura frightful presence (80 ft., DC 14, shaken 1d4 rounds)

DEFENSE HP 40
EAC 14; KAC 16
Fort +7; Ref +7; Will +4
Defensive Abilities ferocity; Resistances fire 10

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee bite +12 (1d6+7 P plus grab) or claw +12 (1d6+7 S plus grab) or tail slap +12 (1d10+7 B; critical knockdown)
Ranged particle laser blast +9 (1d4 F; critical burn 2d6; range 60ft.)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Offensive Abilities breath weapon (60-ft. cone, 4d6 A, Reflex DC 12 half, usable every 1d4 rounds), roar (DC 14)

STATISTICS
Str +4; Dex +1; Con +2; Int +0; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills Acrobatics +8, Athletics +13, Intimidate +8

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Deadly Grasp (Ex) When King Gadrakor succeeds at a combat maneuver to maintain a grapple, it can make a tail slap attack as a move action.

Roar (Su) King Gadrakor’s roar creates unsettling vibration. King Gadrakor roars as a standard action. Creatures within 100 feet must succeed at a DC 14 Fortitude save or become sickened for 1d4 rounds. Creatures who are shaken from King Gadrakor’s frightful presence are panicked for 1 round (no save). Once a creature has been exposed to King Gadrakor’s roar, it cannot be affected by any other drakogor’s roar for 24 hours. This is an emotion, fear, mind-affecting, and sense-dependent effect. Other drakogors are immune.

Development: The orb has 100 Hit Points. If it takes enough damage to reduce it to 0 or below, the orb is destroyed and the simulation ends in failure. If the PCs manage to defeat their foes, the simulation ends in victory the moment the last Gadrakor falls and the opening chords to Jollys Vass’ triumphant Don’t Fallstart to play.

CONCLUSION

If the PCs successfully protect the orb, when the simulation ends they are formally offered spots in the NVDF’s 3^rd Battlegroup as huzkar recruits. The next step in their training will be piloting brand new Apex mechs! If the simulation ends in failure, the PCs can enter remedial training before attempting the placement exam again, or accept positions in Valko Support, Infantry, Tank command groups, or even as Skywatch air support pilots. At this point, the group is ready to level up once more and begin their Mechageddon! campaign.

Map by Damien Mammoliti

This encounter serves as a prequel to the Mechageddon! Adventure Path, framed as the player characters (PCs) trying out an arcade game that doubles as a recruitment tool for the elite Daimalkan mech corps known as the New Valor Defense Force. Run this encounter during downtime when the PCs are exploring a space station or city. The PCs might be invited to play through a Valko Derby simulation at an arcade, a recruitment center, a festival, or a resort on Daimalko or anywhere in the galaxy—whatever makes the most sense for your campaign.

Valko Derby — CR (varies)

Valkopods—more often called mech pods in the Pact Worlds—are specialty game consoles found at high-end arcades, military recruitment centers, trade shows, and in the homes of some affluent collectors. The 6-foot half-globe pods are constructed of durable plastics with transparent aluminum and structural steel frames. The pods are programmed to simulate the experience of being in the cockpit of a mech, starship, or other war vehicle. Hyper-realistic terrain and foes generated by the simulation provide a challenge for the operator, and the simulation provides a score based on the operator’s reactions and maneuvers.

Valkpods aren’t just for fun. A form of this technology is used for military training in the Pact Worlds, Veskarium, and on Daimalko, where the tech was initially tested. Networking connections allow many pods to sync simulations for large-scale experiences while the simulated feeds are broadcast to viewing terminals, betting houses, and infosphere sites. Read or paraphrase the following to set the scene.

---

Holos blast a hypercolored message above a row of globular arcade cabinets, each large enough for a person of any conceivable anatomy to fit comfortably inside. “Mech pods—Play Now!” The signs repeating flash is accompanied by booming music and the roar of simulated laser cannons. A humanoid pilot dressed in a red and white suit stands outside the massive cabinets. A crowd of excited people bustle around her. “Hey there! Ever ride in a mech before?” She calls. “Now’s your chance. Our sponsor, Apex, installed this set of networked valkopods—you call them mech pods in the Pact Worlds. Apex engineers programmed a special simulation just for today: A demolition derby! Want to play?”

---

Art by Denis Medri

Resa "Firefight" Prosst (LN female ifrit) is a decorated pilot. After acing her training, she was promoted quickly to squad leadership and earned a role as DCVG (Deputy Commander Valko Group) of the 3rd Battlegroup of the New Valor Defense Force, a military sworn to protect the city of New Valor from rampaging colossi. She’s not just here for public relations—she’s tasked with recruiting high-scoring players to join up with the NVDF.

On Daimalko, huzkars (the local name for mech pilots) are minor celebrities as well as military personnel. Most Daimalkans regard mech pilots as heroes since many are injured or even perish defending cities from colossi, terrifying monsters that move through populated settlements like unstoppable forces of nature. Without mechs, Daimalko would be unlivable; in fact, the entire planet was decimated by the colossi’s first emergence many years ago. Rebuilding has only been possible because of organizations like the NVDF.

Derby Rules

Once the derby program loads, the PCs find themselves virtually piloting humanoid-shaped Daimalkan mechs within a massive digital stadium divided into zones by glowing markings. Each team begins the match in the goal zone that matches their team’s colors. The PCs are blue and begin in the southern zone. Enemy players’ mechs are red and begin in the northern zone.

As soon as the starting siren sounds, the teams can move around the map and engage their foes. Roll initiative to determine the order in which players and enemies act. Teams score points in two ways. If a mech makes it to the opposing goal, the pilot scores 2 points for their team. If a pilot scores a final blow on an enemy mech (destroying it), they score 4 points for their team. If a mech is destroyed, it cannot score points even if it is already inside the enemy goal, and that player (PC or enemy) is out of the battle for the remainder of the match. During the match, a glowing holographic display above the simulated stadium displays each team’s current score. Once all mechs on one team have been defeated or six rounds have passed, the match ends. The entire field glows in the winning team’s colors as a victory celebration and final scores are displayed.

The Map: This simulation uses the digital side of Starfinder Flip-Mat: Stadium. One square on the map represents 10 feet to accommodate the Huge combatants. The programmed terrain simulates a massive sports arena. Once the match begins, the tiered bleachers are filled with a simulated audience. Any mech that moves into (or is forced into) spaces outside the play area and into the crowd suffers an automatic system failure based on the chart found in Starfinder Tech Revolution page 114. Enemy mechs forced into the crowd are staggered until they return to the play area.

The glowing circle in the middle of the arena temporarily boosts a mech’s movement speed. Whenever a mech begins its turn inside the circle, the mech’s base speed increases by 10 feet.

PCs and Mechs: This encounter is designed for four 1st-level characters. The mech pods are programmed to use simulated representations of dozens of different mechs, but for this program, all players use the same type of mech: the duello class valko. For the duration of the simulation, the PCs’ mechs have blue glowing stripes to differentiate them from their opponents, which are red. If you’d prefer to adapt the simulation for different mech models, the PCs can instead build tier 1 mechs using the rules in Tech Revolution.

The basic duello class mech is detailed below.

Duello Class Valko — Tier 1

Huge skirmisher
Operators 1; PP 1 (2/turn, max 6)
Speed 60 ft.
Senses blindsense (vibration) 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., low-light vision

DEFENSE
HP 19; SP 5; Hardness 0
EAC 19; KAC 20
Fort +3; Ref +4
Immunities construct immunities

OFFENSE
Base Attack Bonus +8
Melee scythe (upper limb—1d6+5 S)
Ranged laser rifle (frame—1d6+1 F; critical burn), missile battery (frame—1d4+1 F&P)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with scythe)
Strength +4

Creatures: The simulation always pits teams against their each other in even numbers. So, for each PC, one opposing duello mech appears with red glowing stripes inside the opposing goal. The enemy mechs are piloted by other players in their own valkopods networked together with the PC’s valkopods.

As soon as the sirens denote the start of the derby, the two duello opponents on the outside edges of the opposing team run up the sides of the arena. They intend to get to the blue goal as fast as possible and lend fire support to their allies from there. The remaining enemy mechs choose individual targets, focusing on PCs who lead the charge across the arena. They use up as much ammo as possible from a distance before switching to scythes for melee combat. All enemy mechs fight until destroyed.

Red Team Duello Mech — CR 1

XP 400
N Huge construct
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +5
DEFENSE HP 20

EAC 12; KAC 14
Fort +1; Ref +1; Will -1
Immunities construct immunities

OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft.
Melee scythe +9 (1d6+5 S)
Ranged laser rifle +6 (1d6+1 F; critical burn 1d4) or missile launcher +6 (1d4+1 F&P)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with scythe)

STATISTICS
Str +4; Dex +2; Con -; Int +1; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills Athletics +10, Piloting +5
Languages Common
Other Abilities unliving

Development: If either team moves all surviving mechs into the opposing goal zone, the simulation ends and that team wins. If either team defeats every enemy mech, they win by default. If both teams end the derby with an equal number of combatants in the opposing goal, the simulation resets, allowing all players to return and try again.

When the match ends, the PCs exit their valkopods and notice a crowd watching a holovid of their match. Firefight’s eyes are intent on the screen as she takes notes on a datapad. She gets the PCs’ attention as soon as she notices them.

GREETINGS HUZKAR! YOU HAVE BEEN RECRUITED BY THE NEW VALOR DEFENSE FORCE

Firefight takes note of players who show enthusiasm and skill during the simulated battles. She sees the PCs’ potential and eagerly tries to recruit them. If the PCs beat their opponents, she plays to their egos, praising them and saying that “New Valor needs your help,” or “all of Daimalko is in danger!” If they lost the match, she asks if they’d like another shot at winning, but “for real this time.” She answers the PCs’ questions about her organization, explaining that they’re a military corps who defend the city of New Valor from colossi attacks. They’re based on the distant planet Daimalko (unless the PCs begin this encounter on Daimalko, they’ll need to take a shuttle there for further training). If the PCs are interested in joining, she sets up an appointment for them at a nearby recruiting office where they can fill out formal applications and complete their physical assessment.

VALKO DERBY COMPETITIVE PLAY

If players are interested in using the Valko Derby rules for PVP matches, replace the NPC mechs with even teams of players. If there’s an odd number of players, include an NPC to fill the empty slot.

Map: Firefight specifically programmed this Valko Derby to reference her love of the sport kaijuball, but any map can be holographically recreated for a battle. Throwing in cover and level-appropriate hazards or traps isn’t just an option, it’s encouraged!

Mechs: The duello class valkos are perfect mechs for low-level PCs, but if your players want to customize their own, build mechs appropriate to the average level of the PCs using the rules in Tech Revolution. Both sides should build their mechs with the same amount of Mech Points in their pool and should limit movement to ground based for a fair challenge.

Map by Damien Mammoliti

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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