Graboids are massive burrowing creatures that move at astonishing rates beneath the surface. It is said that these creatures were deadly predators that lived millions of years ago on a backwater desert planet. They were exclusive to that world, but were eventually caught and shipped off world. Many believe this was done by various military factions or even terrorist groups, as these underground predators are difficult to kill and can strike at any time.  

Physically, these creatures appear as a long, ruddy brown slug (although albino's have been seen) with are an average of 14' in length and weigh around 1500 pounds, but there have been specimens discovered that are of truly monstrous proportions, being double in size, and weigh in at over 5000 pounds. For creatures of such a massive size, they are expert ambushers and often take their prey before the prey even has an inkling that they are in serious trouble!

These creatures have very tough hides which are covered in small rock-like projections that help them travel through the dirt and soil. There are no visible eyes on these creatures and their mouths are huge maws with three shovel-like sections that open up to reveal three tongues that look like eyeless horned snakes, each with a mouth of their own.

Graboids hunt by sensing vibrations in the ground and will wait patiently for a creature to come close. When the creatures are moving, it is easy to see where they are, as they create a ‘wake’ of displaced dirt when they charge prey. If they remain perfectly still, they will allow prey to approach and then strike. The only way prey can sense they are near is by a successful perception check versus the creatures stealth roll.

These massive creatures have two main methods of attack. The first is they will simply come up from beneath a target and bite, causing hideous damage. The creature’s second attack is the snake-like tongues. The Graboid has three of these tongues and can use them separately or all at once. The creature has two methods of attack with the tongues – it can bite, or it can attempt to grapple a target, following the standard grappling rules. The creature can attempt to grapple up to three targets at once. Furthermore, the tongues have an extended range, and can attack targets that are up to 25 feet away from the main body of the monster.

Graboids are able to travel through almost any type of dirt or soil but are incapable of traveling through solid rock, concrete, metal or the like. They will avoid any terrain littered with these hazards, so they are typically found in deserts, plains or similar terrain. If they chase prey to such locations, the Graboids will remain in the vicinity, waiting patiently until the prey believes they are safe and attempt to flee, at which time the monsters will attack.

When an infestation is discovered, it is usually a small pack, but if it turns out the territory they inhabit proves to be a good place to hunt, the creatures will spawn Shriekers, who will in turn create Ass-blasters and eggs. A location can be over-run in no time when this occurs.

The eggs of these creatures can remain dormant for centuries or longer. If they hunt a location clean, kill and consume all the prey, the Graboids will eventually starve to death, but not before the Ass-Blasters lay eggs. So a location which was originally haunted by these monsters can be Graboid-free for thousands of years, but if conditions prove to be good – prey returns and becomes abundant, the eggs will hatch and the terror will begin once again.

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.