Starfinder: Skill Eater
Skill Eater Spellcaster CR 1 XP 400
Chaotic neutral small fey.
Init +4; Senses: Low-light vision; Perception +5
Defense HP 16
EAC: 10; KAC: 11
Fort: +3; Ref: +3; Will: +4
Defensive Abilities: Pass wall
Offense
Speed: 20 ft.
Melee: Touch +3 (see drain skill)
Space: 2.5 ft., Reach: 5 ft.
Offensive Abilities: Drain skill
Spells: Detect thoughts (CL 1)
Statistics
Str -2; Dex +4; Con +1; Int -1; Wis +2; Cha +0
Skills: Acrobatics +10, stealth +10
Other Abilities: Meld with book
Languages: Common, sylvan
Ecology
Environment: Any non-cold
Organization: Solitary, pairs, small bands (2d3+2), medium bands (4d4+4)
Special Abilities
Drain Skill (Su): If the skill eater makes a successful touch attack, the victim must make a Will save (DC 13), or lose 1d2 skill ranks from a random skill. For every skill point the creature steals, they will gain 2 hit points (temporarily). This can be used to heal any damage they have sustained. The temporary hit points will last for 48 hours, at which time they will then lose the hit points, and the victim will then regain the lost skill ranks. The creatures cannot drain more than a total of 8 skill ranks before they are satiated, and once this happens, they will flee. Note that if a target’s ranks in a skill reach zero, they cannot use that skill until either the creature is killed, or 48 hours has past. Note that a lesser restoration will instantly restore the lost points, and will automatically drain the Skill Eater, causing it to lose the extra hit-points.
Meld with book (Su): As a full round action, the creature can merge with any physical book present. There is no limitation to the duration it can stay melded, and it can only be detected by any ability or spell which can detect life.
Pass wall (Ex): This ability can be used a maximum of 4 times per day and acts exactly the same as Operative Phase Shift Escape ability.
Distantly related to the Tome thief, these little creatures are far less intelligent. They have a similar appearance, being about 2-3 feet in height, and weighing about 5 pounds. The flesh is obsidian in coloration, and they have the same bright red eyes. There is no visible mouth, and the arms are un-usually long and seem to fold in upon themselves.
These creatures haunt any location where there are books, and is often at odds with the Tome Thieves, as they will attempt to make their homes in the latter’s libraries. This often leads to conflict between the two, with the Tome thieves often killing these creatures, as they are larger and far stronger.
Which doesn’t say much.
The little creatures have a very strange method of feeding. They actively seek out skilled individuals and then attempt to ‘touch’ these people. Doing so means a temporary loss of skill in one or more skill areas, which then go to bolster the little creatures, making them tougher to dispatch.
For the most part, the creatures are perfectly content in staying hidden and quietly draining those around them of their skill ranks. Most of the time, this goes un-noticed, but sometimes when more than a few are involved, the loss of ability will be noticed, and an investigation will begin.
As it turns out, locked doors and walls will not stop these creatures from getting to a target to feed, and they can use this ability to escape pursuers or from anyone who might have noticed their presence. Also, If there are any books present, they can simply meld into the book, disappearing completely from sight.
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, and the recently released 'Swords of Kos: The Rite'. 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.
