No-Prep Character: Vizaix

Last week we revealed the five new-to-Starfinder species making their debut in Starfinder Alien Character Cards, which are available now: gnoll, grippli, kitsune, kobold, and samsaran. While that blog provided the creature subtype grafts GMs need to make NPCs of these new species, sometimes you just need one now. If you find yourself in that situation, feel free to use Vizaix here to gnoll-ify your game tonight!

Vizaix, Reluctant Mercenary

Vizaix owes his life to a ysoki scavenger named Arlos who helped him narrowly escape being press-ganged by Akitonian munitions smugglers. Vizaix is known to smile at Arlos’s jokes from time to time and even calls the ysoki his friend, but he has trouble believing other people like him, given gnolls’ reputations as bloodthirsty cannibals. It doesn’t help that Vizaix has trouble reading others’ emotions and intentions—he relies heavily on Arlos in most social situations.

Arlos recently encouraged Vizaix to put his skills to good use, explore Near Space, and make a few more friends. The gnoll is offering his services as a mercenary, hired security, or hunter, especially with smaller crews where he won’t have to remember so many names. When he wants to ease into conversations with potential employers, Vizaix tells one of Arlos’s jokes—even if he doesn’t “get” them himself, he has found that the jokes help others see him as more than just a gnoll and a soldier.

When he is overstimulated—especially after a battle or heated social confrontation—Vizaix needs several minutes alone to calm his anger. He recenters himself by methodically checking his equipment and muttering punchlines. Though he is uncomfortable around others, he values teamwork and has a stronger sense of personal accountability and morality than many gnolls, especially when it comes to his companions.

Illustration by Matthias Kinnigkeit

Vizaix — CR 3

Gnoll soldier
N Medium humanoid (gnoll)

Init +4; Senses blindsense (scent) 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +8

Defense HP 40
EAC 14; KAC 16
Fort +5; Ref +3; Will +4

Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee natural weapons +8 (1d6+5 S)
Ranged squad machine gun + 11 (1d10+4 P)
Offensive Abilities fighting style (hit-and-run), natural weapons

Statistics
Str +2; Dex +4; Con +1; Int +1; Wis +1; Cha –1
Skills Athletics +13, Piloting +8, Profession (mercenary) +8, Survival +13
Feats Deadly Aim, Far Shot, Opening Volley
Languages Common, Gnoll, Ysoki
Other Abilities rugged travel
Gear squad defiance series, squad machine gun with 80 heavy rounds, 2 incendiary grenades I, screamer grenade I

Special Abilities
Natural Weapons: Vizaix can attack with a special unarmed strike that deals lethal damage, doesn’t count as archaic, and threatens squares.
Rugged Travel: Each time he moves, Vizaix can move through the first square of nonmagical difficult terrain at normal speed.

Plot Hooks

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

• Vizaix has learned that his most recent employers are using funds from their last job to fund an illegal poaching outfit. He has inside knowledge about their plans, and their ship, but he needs help to sabotage their efforts.
• The ysoki, Arlos, is looking for someone to go in search of Vizaix, who was working security on a starship in the Diaspora that has been missing for 3 months.
• Vizaix hates the instability of mercenary life, but he is having trouble getting more permanent employment. He asks to accompany the PCs on a mission, hoping his association with them leads to further opportunities.

Mike Kimmel
Developer