The Masters are an exceedingly rare version of the Demoniacs. Unlike the common version, these Nanite-infused creatures are still completely self-aware, and retain their memories and intellect. The difference is the vast majority of these creatures are bent on infecting the populace with their nanites, turning everyone into demoniacs. Only one in a thousand Demoniacs turn out to be masters.

They are fully capable of appearing to be normal humanoids, and can interact with others without arousing any suspicion. They are the planners, and they will spend months, sometimes years, devising a plan to take over anything from a major city to a country or even a planet. The Masters are also fully capable of creating more masters, but will only do so when they need ‘help’ from them. This typically will occur when they are dealing with a large population, or an area where the population happens to be scattered across a great deal of territory.

These creatures are also fully capable of planting caches of Nanites in strategic locations such as morgues and funeral homes, leaving the traps dormant until they are ready to activate and infect the dead, creating a large number of demoniacs to be used at nearly a moment’s notice.

Unlike regular Demoniacs, the outer appearance of the masters is never the same. They all have the basic appearance of a robot, or someone wearing form-fitting armor, but that is the extent of it. The coloration varies from master to master. This includes the eye-color and even patterns of light which are visible across their bodies.

Even the weapons they carry and even have built into their bodies vary. Some stick with the standard claws, while others grow razor-edged teeth, some have retractable blades, or even blades which follow the outside of their arms. There are those who even use whip-like weapons or ranged weapons. They are also capable of using any weapon they get their hands on, and ignore conditions like unwieldy.

Sometimes when a master is created, it  will reject the programming of the nanites and will go ‘rogue’, and as such instead of attempting to infect and convert the populace, it will instead hunt down and destroy any infestation, and will even work with others to take down other masters. Unfortunately, these masters are rare, only being produced when an extremely strong-willed individual is infected and is able to fight the programing inherent with the Nanites.

Starfinder Creature Index

Chris Van Deelen is the creator and contributor to over half of the Wisdom from the Wastelands series, contributor to the Swords of Kos: Hekaton anthology. He also wrote Creatures of the Tropical Wastelands, and 100 Oddities found in a Car. As prolific as he is, Chris Van Deelen continues to write and produce material which will be in publication soon. Not only is he a prolific content creator, he also has a wide selection of fiction and stories! If you like his work, please follow his personal author page on Facebook and on Twitter to keep up with his latest news and game content.