Starfinder: Goriate
Goriate Combatant CR 14 XP 38,400
Neutral Large monstrous humanoid
Init +0; Senses Darkvision 60 ft..; Perception +25
Defense HP 250
EAC: 28; KAC: 34
Fort: +16; Ref: +18; Will: +18
Defensive Abilities: DR 15 against all physical attacks, spiked body
Offense
Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Bite +28 (8d8+26 P, Crit bleed 6d4), or two claws +24 (8d10+28 S Crit bleed 6d6), or grab (see core rule book for more information)
Ranged: +24 (5d12+14) maximum range 100 feet.
Space: 10 feet, Reach 10 feet.
Offensive abilities: Trample (8d8+26 half blunt, half piercing Crit knockdown)
Statistics
Str +12; Dex +0; Con +6; Int -4; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills: Athletics +30
Other Abilities: Infection, scream of despair
Languages: None
Ecology
Environment: Anywhere
Organization: Solitary, small groups (1d4)
Special Abilities
Infection (Ex): The Goriate’s body is filled with a genetically engineered virus. Any time a victim takes physical damage from the creature, they must make a Fort save (DC 20) or become infected with the virus. Even the acid attacks carry the virus and the subject must make a saving throw! The virus works quickly. Each hour the victim will lose 1d3 points of Wisdom and once the score reaches zero, they will become savage animals with minimal intellect. They will only seek to infect others and feed. Also after infection has set in, the body of the victim will begin to show abnormal bone growth, with the bones coming out from the flesh of the victim. In 48 hours the victim will be covered from head to foot in the growths, gaining a natural damage reduction against all physical attacks, and a significant armor casing. If the victim is treated with any type of medicine or magic which cures disease, the virus will be destroyed and the lost Wisdom will return at the standard rate. Note that 1 in 100 victims will turn into the Goriate variant, the rest become Zugaikotsu.
Scream of Despair (Ex): The Goriate, as a standard action, can let loose a terrifying bellow. Anything within 100 feet of the monster must make a Will save (DC 20) or become shaken for 2d6 rounds. If the victim fails by 5 or more, they are rendered unconscious for the same period of time. The creature can use this ability once per day. All variants of this species are immune to the effects.
Spiked Body (Ex): The creature has jagged bone spurs covering its body, and as such anything attempting to attack it with natural weapons will suffer 14d4+28 points of damage with each attack, and the attacker might contract the virus which will turn it into Zugaikotsu as well.
Trample (Ex): As a full-round action, the Goriate can move up to twice its speed and literally run over any opponents at least one size category smaller than itself. The Goriate merely has to move over the opponents in its path. The Goriate does not need to make an attack roll; each creature whose space it moves through takes damage. A target of a trample can make a REF save (DC 20) for half damage. If it attempts the save, it can’t make an attack of opportunity against the trampling Goriate due to the creature’s movement. The Goriate can deal trample damage to a given target only once per round.
This is the second and final variant of the Zugaikotsu virus. Where the vast majority of the victims of this genetically altered virus become armored, flesh-eating, mindless monsters, the virus alters this one even further and turns the victim into a massive, hulking brute.
The average Goriate stands around ten feet in height and can weigh in excess of a fifteen hundred pounds. The creature is covered in head to toe with the same heavy bone-growth, giving it an incredibly strong natural armor. The creature is shockingly fast for its size and weight, and can easily charge targets – which it will often do.
Due to the size of the monster, its metabolism is likewise gargantuan, which means unlike its much smaller brethren, the creature is almost always seeking food to consume. Humanoids who are attacked by this creature rarely live long enough to allow the infection to overcome them, as they are eaten, flesh, organs, bones and all.
In combat the creature relies on simple tactics. The Goriate always begin a fight by letting loose a horrible bellow, one which can fill the hearts and souls of those who hear it with unbridled terror, leaving them shaken. After it has used this ability, It loves to charge, especially if there are large numbers of victims bunched together. Once it is in among targets, it will flail about with its claws, slashing and tearing and it will attempt to grab victims in order to bring them up to bite and eat.
They are found in large packs of Zugaikotsu, although they do not give a damn about their smaller brethren, often trampling or even attacking them in order to get at potential sources of food. Witnesses have seen them grab Zugaikotsu and toss them aside, or in the case of dealing with tough creatures or even vehicles, using them as a club.
If food has the high ground, or is in a building or structure where the Goriate can pick up small objects and hurl them with great effectiveness. This is considered a standard action, and it can only make a single ranged attack per round.
Only the Kushi are shown any kind of respect, as the acid the creatures are able to hurt the Goriate’s. They will avoid hitting the smaller variants and will even halt a charge if one happens to be in the way.
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.
