Starfinder: Kushi
Kushi Combatant CR 3 XP 800
Neutral Medium monstrous humanoid
Init +0; Senses Darkvision 60 ft..; Perception +8
Defense HP 40
EAC: 12; KAC: 17
Fort: +5; Ref: +7; Will: +4
Defensive Abilities: DR 3 against all physical attacks, acid explosion, spiked body; Immunities: Acid
Offense
Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Bite +12 (2d3+6 half P, half Acid Crit bleed 1d4), or two claws +8 (2d4+6 S Crit bleed 1d6)
Offensive Abilities: Acid spit
Statistics
Str +3; Dex +0; Con +4; Int -4; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills: Athletics +13
Other Abilities: Fresh meat, infection
Languages: None
Ecology
Environment: Anywhere
Organization: Solitary, small groups (1d4)
Special Abilities
Acid Explosion (Ex): If the creature takes more than 10 points of piercing damage from a single attack, it will explode in a shower of acid. This has an 20 foot area of effect, and anyone caught in the area must make a Ref save (DC 12) or suffer 2d4+6 points of acid damage. A successful save indicates half damage.
Acid Spit (Ex): The Kushi are capable of spitting vile stomach acids at targets. This is a ranged attack in a 15 foot cone. Anything caught in the area of effect must make a Ref save (DC 12) or suffer 2d4+6 points of acid damage. A successful save indicates half damage. The creature can use this ability up to 4 times per day.
Fresh meat (Ex): As a full round action, the Zugaikotsu’s can emit a piercing scream which is for all intent and purposes a dinner bell. Any Zugaikotsu’s within 1 mile will come running towards the location at their full movement speed.
Infection (Ex): The Kushi’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 12) 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 10 victims will turn into the Kushi variant, the rest become Zugaikotsu.
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 1d4+2 points of damage with each attack, and the attacker might contract the virus which will turn it into Zugaikotsu as well.
Kushi, also known as spitters or droolers, are a variant of the creatures known as Zugaikotsu. They are created through the same method – requiring a victim to have failed a saving throw and allowed the virus to run rampant, but instead of becoming a standard Zugaikotsu, they turn into these acid-spitting monsters.
Physically the Kushi appear almost the same as the other version, although the stomach appears to be engorged and is straining against the bone armor covering it. There is a strong scent of acid surrounding the creature, and strings of thick, viscous fluid drip constantly from the jaw.
They are rarely found alone, and are always mixed in with groups of Zugaikotsu. On average for every 9 Zugaikotsu, there will be one Kushi. Due to the similar appearance, they are often missed when mixed in with a pack, much to the horror of those having to defend against the creatures.
When the creatures engage in combat, they will first use their caustic spit, spewing out the powerful stomach acids in an arc, coating any targets within that range. The acid is powerful and can inflict terrible burns on those unlucky enough not to dodge. It will continue to use this attack, even if there are Zugaikotsu in the area of effect (they are NOT immune to the acid!), not caring if friend or foe is struck.
Once the Kushi have used up their acid attacks, or if a target gets within biting or clawing distance, they will engage with their teeth and claws. If a target is bitten, the damage inflicted is half piercing and half acid. What makes these creatures particularly dangerous is if they are struck by a piercing attack which inflicts 10 points or more damage, the creature will burst! It is killed when this happens, no matter how many hit points it currently has, spraying stomach acids far and wide.
A good tactic to use against these creatures is to shoot it at a range, causing it to explode if it is in amongst regular Zugaikotsu. This can often destroy or at the very least soften up the pack.
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.
