Altern 87 y 8 Gyuiyui 19)

®
XENOLOGIST’S
GUIDE
 BAKER  DRADER  WINTER 

It’s a dangerous galaxy out there.
No space opera setting would be complete without

strange planets teeming with hungry or hostile
aliens. Vicious predators, territorial mineral beings,
carnivorous plants, sharp-toothed swarms, space
eels . . . if you can imagine a dangerous alien creature,
it’s out there somewhere. The Xenologist’s Guide is
a compendium of more than 50 new adversaries for
the Alternity® Science Fiction Roleplaying Game. It
includes:
• Adversaries from threat rating 1 to threat rating
12, including minions, champions, and bosses.
• Fascinating and deadly aliens such as the
murderous kwlls, the ghostly druu shilkas, and the
mayzods—a species of genetically engineered living
weapons.
• A detailed creature design appendix to help you
create your own alien adversaries.
Sug. Retail: US $24.95

Printed in USA
XENOLOGIST’S
GUIDE
 Richard Baker 
 Darrin Drader  Steve Winter 
Sasquatch Game Studio, LLC | Auburn, WA 98092 | sasquatchgamestudio.com
1
Mission Guide
CREDITS CONTENTS
Xenologist’s
Protostar
System Design Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

ALTERNITY:
Reading the Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Richard Baker, Creatures by TR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
David Noonan,
ALTERNITY:
Aliens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
and Stephen Schubert Aondha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Aphar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Creature Design Araxi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Richard Baker, Be’abac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Darrin Drader, Bnax Spore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
and Steve Winter Braanki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Briith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Bygnari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Editing
Chradnur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Dale Donovan Comostor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Druu Shilka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Creative Direction Ech-Huru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Richard Baker Feshorm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Grilskib . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Cover Illustration H’naal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Ilian Tasz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Klaus Pillon Jelmorg Swarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Kwll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Cover Design Llaoth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Corey Macourek Lorvin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Mayzod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Interior Illustrators Myarreen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Justin Mayhew, Nesh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Orvhu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Erebus (Giorgio De Michele),
Quonsoo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Jesse Mohn,
Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Claudio Pozas Skiarth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Surznon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Art Direction Tazecrab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Richard Baker Tethys Shark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Tuz-Vilagi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Production Specialist Ty’Cli . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Umchaci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Nissa McCormack
Vysnar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Xayon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Xenobiologists
Yinth Dragon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Scott Congreve, Ziz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Christopher Cronen, Zyllek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
George Velez Appendix: Creating Aliens . . . . . . 69
Alternity is a registered trademark of Sasquatch Game Studio LLC. Sasquatch Game Studio
and the Sasquatch logo are trademarks of Sasquatch Game Studio LLC. All characters and the
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2
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Complex life is extraordinarily rare in the universe. Earth’s biosphere
is a thin film of water and air between the planet’s molten interior
and the stark vacuum of outer space. Chances are good that micro-
bial life exists elsewhere in our Solar System, but as far as we can
tell, the evolution of multicellular life requires nearly ideal conditions
to persist across billions of years. The odds of life arising may actu-
ally be rather good, but whether a planet’s biosphere survives long
enough for a biosphere such as Earth’s to develop appears to be a
much more challenging question. Our Earth appears to be a winner
holding a one-in-a-million lottery ticket.
Fortunately, there are a lot of planets playing this particular
lottery.
If you have billions of opportunities to score a one-in-a-million
success, you’ll eventually amass an impressive number of suc-
cesses. That’s the story the Alternity® game chooses to tell about
our galaxy, whether it’s depicted in the wormhole-gate explorations
of the Protostar™ campaign setting or a classic voyage of discovery
in a homebrew setting of your own design. The right sort of tech-
nology can bring hundreds or thousands or—to paraphrase Carl
Sagan—billions of life-bearing planets within the reach of a team of
intrepid heroes. Each one could harbor its own marvelous biosphere
filled with creatures no human has seen before.
The Xenologist’s Guide offers a small sampling of dangerous,
helpful, or interesting creatures native to other planets. Naturally,
the collection is biased toward things that PCs need to interact with.
Alien bunnies and minnows might be biological wonders, but if they
don’t pose a threat to an Alternity hero or provide some unusu-
ally valuable resource, they’re not going to make an appearance
here. The aliens described in this book are not intended to serve
as representations of a planetary ecology—they are each the most
important, dangerous, or surprising species on the planet where the
heroes encounter them.
Many of these creatures are monsters in the sense that they’re
creatures the heroes only interact with in combat. You can get a lot
of use from this Xenologist’s Guide as a gallery of foes to fight, and
that’s fine. Don’t forget that this is a science-fiction game, though,
and that in many cases the players may find it more rewarding to
figure out how and why creatures are dangerous. Sometimes it’s
better to study a problem and devise a solution instead of just
shooting it!
Introduction 3
Mission Guide
READING THE ENTRIES

Xenologist’s
Each alien in this book is presented with game statistics that

describe what sort of creature it is, what sort of actions it can take,
Protostar
This entry is often

referred to as “the how hard it is to defeat, and various special traits and abilities it may
ALTERNITY:
stat block.” possess. For game purposes, creature means anything that has a
physical existence and is alive or artificially animated.
ALTERNITY:
THREAT RATING, SIZE, TEMPLATE, TYPE

Threat rating, size, template, and type provide the basic game
description for what an adversary is—how dangerous it is, how big
it is, how it fits in a combat scene, and what sort of creature it is.
Many game rules interact with these basic descriptors; for exam-
ple, EMP weapons are most effective against mechanical beings
and worthless against living creatures that have no cyberware or
See Combat
powered gear.
Difficulty, page Threat Rating (or TR) is the creature’s “level” on a scale from 1
204, Alternity (a challenge suitable for beginning heroes) to 13 (a deadly, danger-
Core Rulebook. ous challenge even to maximum-level heroes). If you want to create
an easy fight, choose adversaries whose threat rating is below the
heroes’ level; if you want a hard fight, choose adversaries whose TR
is higher.
Size is important because small creatures are more difficult
targets (see Attacks, page 144, Core Rulebook). Common sizes from
smallest to biggest are: Tiny (a rat), Small (a child or an average
dog), Medium (most adult humans), Large (a horse or small car), and
Huge (an elephant or truck).
Template is the creature’s basic role in combat: minion, stan-
dard, champion, or boss. When you build a combat scene, you can
substitute 3 minions for 1 standard adversary, or 2 standard adver-
saries for 1 champion adversary, or 4 standard adversaries for 1 boss
adversary.
3 Minions = 1 Standard
2 Standard = 1 Champion
4 Standard = 1 Boss
Type describes a creature’s basic nature: animal, humanoid,

mechanism, enigma, or xenosoph. Enigmas are weird things such
as plant monsters or energy beings, and xenosophs are intelligent
aliens that aren’t humanoids or enigmas. Some creatures also have
subtypes, such as (alien) or (aquatic).
4
Reading the Entries
INITIATIVE AND SPEED
The creature’s initiative-check score and its movement rate are
noted on this line. Initiative is based on Agility and Focus, just like
PCs, and may include a default step bonus: for example, 13/18/23
(+1 step).
Speed depends on the creature’s physical form, and always
refers to a 2-impulse move action. Unless otherwise stated, this is
ground speed. Some creatures also have the ability to fly or swim.
Flying creatures must move each time they take an action in order
to stay in the air, unless they have the ability to hover. (Many natural
fliers have actions that combine moving and attacking.) Gaining
elevation in normal or heavier gravity is treated like moving in slow
terrain—the flyer pays 2 meters of movement to move forward
1 meter and gain 1 meter of elevation.
AWARENESS AND SENSES

For most creatures, Awareness is simply a Focus ability check. If
senses are “normal,” that means they’re average for a human. Any-
thing else (for example, low-light or thermal vision) is a special trait.
ABILITIES
The creature’s ability ratings, expressed as shorthand skill scores
for Average success; for example, Str 16+, Agi 15+, Vit 13+, and so
on. Creatures can get Excellent or Stellar successes on their ability
checks by achieving a check result 5 or 10 higher than the score
given. Most adversaries have only one or two specific skills. They
default to ability checks against the key ability for any other skill
checks they need to make.
If you need to know the actual ability rating instead of the check
score, just subtract the shorthand score from 20 (so a Strength
check of 16+ means a Strength rating of 4).
Intelligence: In addition to a skill score, the Intelligence ability
notes whether a creature’s basic intellect is instinctive, animal, pro-
grammed, or sentient.
• Instinctive: Low-order animal with limited behaviors, such as
a worm, jellyfish, or scorpion.
• Animal: Higher-order animal with complex behaviors, such as
most vertebrates.
• Programmed: Machine intelligence designed to act only
within a narrow set of functions. Full AI is better described as
sentient, not programmed.
• Sentient: Self-aware intelligence ranging from near-human to
superhuman capability.
Reading the Entries 5

Mission Guide
ACTIONS
Xenologist’s
This section describes the actions the creature typically takes

in combat. The most common entry here is some form of attack.
Protostar
Attack actions list the speed (impulse cost), range (melee or range
ALTERNITY:
category), targets (usually 1), and attack score for the attack form,
followed by the damage inflicted by an Average hit or an Excellent/
ALTERNITY:
Stellar hit and any special effects. An attack action that targets a
spread affects 2 targets that are adjacent to each other, or 1 target
Reminder: If an effect
says “wound” without otherwise.
a damage number Damage is given as either physical or energy; if the damage has
attached, mark off no type, then it bypasses armor. Creatures that score Stellar hits
the lowest available
wound box. deal a bonus wound box of damage.
Creatures also have access to all normal actions and action
modifiers (see Actions page 141, Core Rulebook). However, low-
intelligence creatures don’t usually bother with clever tactics such
as the evade or aim action modifiers.
CHANGING THREAT RATING ON THE FLY

You may find that a particular alien would be perfect for
the scene you’re preparing for your players, but its Threat
Rating just doesn’t fit with the team’s average level. No
problem—you can change a monster’s Threat Rating with a
few simple adjustments. First, find the difference between
the creature’s given TR and your new target TR. For example,
if an alien is TR 6 but you want it to be TR 2, the adjustment
is –4. Then adjust the following stats:
• Attack Score: Subtract the adjustment from the

creature’s skill score with its attacks.
• Attack Damage: Add one-half the adjustment to the
damage of the creature’s attacks.
• Durability: Add the adjustment to the upper figure
of the light wound range, and adjust higher wound
severity values accordingly. For example, if a crea-
ture’s durability track is normally (1−8)  (9−11) 
(12−14)  (15+)  and you’re applying an adjustment
of –4, its wound track becomes (1−4)  (5−7) 
(8−10)  (11+) .
• Skill Scores: Subtract the adjustment from any
other skill-check target numbers that are relevant
for the scene.
• Minions: For minions, just use the minion template
for the desired TR.
6
Reading the Entries
REACTIONS
If a creature has any special reactions it can take during combat,
they’re described in this section. Just like the heroes, creatures
using reactions delay their next action by some number of impulses
(usually 1). Creatures without a Reaction section can still use generic
reactions that are available to any creature (for example, making a
Dodge check when exposed to a blast).
DEFENSE
This section describes how difficult it is to attack and damage
the creature.
Size: If the creature’s size makes it easier or harder to attack, it’s
noted here.
Armor: The creature’s resistance value against physical and
energy attacks. In many cases, this represents a tough hide or
unusual physiology, not actual armor the creature wears.
Immune: Some creatures are immune to certain types of damage
or effect. If the attack hits, the creature ignores the effect.
Life Support: The creature doesn’t need to breathe and can
ignore vacuum or inhaled toxins.
Wound Boxes: The creature’s wound boxes and the effects it
suffers when it’s wounded. Some creatures, especially higher level
champions and bosses, may have two or more severity levels for
the same damage amount. When such a creature takes a wound,
use the lowest available severity listed for the adversary.
Most creatures also suffer a wound effect for receiving a serious
wound. Wound effects happen the first time (and only the first time)
that a creature sustains a wound in that row.
OTHER
Special traits and characteristics not described elsewhere are
noted here. If a creature actually has some amount of skill points
in a specific skill, it’s listed here along with its shorthand skill score
for an Average success. Standard gear or valuables might also
appear here.
Reading the Entries 7

Mission Guide
ADVERSARIES BY THREAT RATING

Xenologist’s
TR Creature Role Page

Protostar
1 Aphar Champion 12
ALTERNITY:
1 Bnax Spore Minion 15

1 Defender G300 Champion 48
ALTERNITY:
1 Feshorm Boss 26
1 Vysnar Minion 63
1 Tethys Shark Standard 59
1 Orvhu Standard 46
2 Helot L5 Boss 49
2 Lorvin Standard 39
2 Mayzod Scrabbler Minion 40
2 Nesh Sanctioner Champion 45
2 Tazecrab Standard 58
2 Ty’Cli Standard 61
2 Zyllek Thrall Champion 68
2 Yinth Dragon Boss 65
3 Briith Bruiser Champion 18
3 Chradnur Standard 20
3 Kwll Hunter Minion 35
3 Kwll Swordmaster Standard 36
3 Mayzod Soldier Standard 41
3 Saber Gunbot Minion 53
3 Zyllek Minion 67
4 Bygnari Champion 19
4 Grilskib Standard 27
4 Mayzod Bombardier Champion 42
4 Mayzod Strafer Standard 41
4 Myarreen Champion 44
4 Tuz-Vilagi Standard 60
4 Xayon Infiltrator Standard 64
5 Braanki Worker Minion 17
5 Comostor, Wild Standard 21
5 Druu Shilka Boss 22
5 H’naal Technician Minion 31
5 Kwll Instigator Boss 37
5 Mayzod Sniper Champion 43
5 Skiarth Champion 56
8
Adversaries by Threat Rating
TR Creature Role Page
6 H’naal Savage Minion 30
6 Ilian Tasz Champion 32
6 Myrmidon XJL Standard 51
6 Umchaci Boss 62
7 Braanki Warrior Standard 16
7 H’naal Eradictor Standard 28
7 H’naal Overlord Boss 29
7 Interdictor Mk. 6 Champion 50
8 Araxi Champion 13
8 Ech-Huru Spawn Minion 25
8 Jelmorg Swarm Boss 33
9 Be’abac Standard 14
9 Ech-Huru Raider Champion 24
9 Quonsoo Standard 47
9 Surznon Minion 57
10 Aondha Boss 10
10 Aondha Spawn Standard 11
10 Ziz Champion 66
11 Overseer 730 Standard 52
11 Llaoth Champion 38
12 Warspite Z9Z Boss 54
Adversaries by Threat Rating 9

Mission Guide
ALIENS
Xenologist’s
Protostar
AONDHA
ALTERNITY:
It’s difficult to say where one individual aondha stops and another
ALTERNITY:
begins. The aondha are a race of intelligent spacefaring oozes.

They are pink or red in color, and possess a hive-mind intelligence.
An individual aondha is microscopic, and doesn’t function as a sen-
tient being in its smallest form. It is only through collectively integrat-
ing that the aondha achieve sentience and, oddly enough, individu-
ality. They are also xenophobic to an unreasonable degree, and are
inherently prejudiced against lifeforms that are not collective.
Aondha are amorphous and generally take whatever shape is
necessary to accomplish a given task. Most importantly, aondha
can divide during combat, increasing their numbers. When combat
is over, the aondha merge back together. If this is impossible
(because one portion of it has been killed or its spawn are too far
away to return), the separated aondha become new individuals and
grow into fully formed aondha over the course of a month. Aondha
can digest anything remotely organic (including carbon fiber and
advanced polymers), but can’t consume metal or stone.
Aondha don’t bother to use weapons in personal combat.
However, they are a technological species and create buildings,
infrastructure, and starships as needed. Their technology is com-
parable to human, although it generally takes the form of techno-
organic crystal.
AONDHA
TR 10 Large Boss Enigma (Alien)
Senses normal; Awareness 14+
Initiative 10/15/20; Speed 20 meters
Str 13+ Agi 16+ Vit 7+ Int 15+ (sentient) Foc 14+ Per 18+
ACTIONS
Acid Blob 2 impulses; Medium 1 or 2 targets; Attack 7/12/17; Damage
2d4+2/6 energy, and the target suffers damage over time (acid, passive
resist Endurance 2).
Grab 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets, up to 4 m away; Attack 7/12/17 (+1
step); Damage 2d8+2/6 physical, and the aondha grapples the target if
it beats the target’s Hand to Hand check. The aondha can grapple up to 3
Medium-sized or smaller targets at the same time.
Consume 3 impulses; Melee up to 3 grappled targets; Effect each target
must make an Endurance check (–2 step penalty). On a success, the
target suffers 1 wound (acid). On a failure, the target suffers 2 wounds
(acid), and the aondha heals 1 wound box.
10 Aliens
Aondha
REACTIONS
Divide 2-impulse reaction. When hit by any attack other than a blast or
area effect, the aondha can choose to ignore the normal damage inflicted
by the attack and instead divide, creating a new aondha spawn adjacent
to it. The original aondha then suffers 3 wounds. An aondha can only use
Divide three times per combat scene.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the aondha.
Immune Acid, poison, sonic, and stun.
Regeneration, Rapid At the end of each action round, the aondha heals 1
wound box unless the wound was inflicted by radiation damage.
(16+ dmg)  dead Loses cohesion in wet splat
(16+ dmg)  can no longer use Divide Leaking protoplasm
(16+ dmg)  releases one grappled Pseudopod shot away
target
(13 to 15 dmg)  retreats 4 m as a Recoils but keeps fighting
reaction
(1 to 12 dmg)  Quivers like jelly
OTHER
Skills Dodge 14+, Engineering 13+, Mechanics 13+, Willpower 14+
AONDHA SPAWN
TR 10 Medium Standard Enigma (Alien)
ACTIONS
Acid Blob 2 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 7/12/17; Damage 2d4+0/4
energy, and the target suffers damage over time (acid, passive resist
Endurance 2).
Grab 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 7/12/17 (+1 step); Damage 2d8+0/4
physical, and the target must make an Athletics check or be grappled.
Consume 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled target; Effect the target must make
an Endurance check. On a success, the target suffers 1 wound (acid). On a
failure, the target suffers 2 wounds (acid), and the aondha spawn heals 1
wound box. No, the spawn can’t
DEFENSE divide. That way
Immune Acid, poison, sonic, and stun. lies madness.
(16+ dmg)  dead Loses cohesion in wet splat

(16+ dmg)  releases grappled target Pseudopod shot away
(13 to 15 dmg)  retreats 4 m as a reaction Recoils but keeps coming
(1 to 12 dmg)  Quivers like jelly
OTHER
Skills Dodge 14+, Engineering 13+, Mechanics 13+, Willpower 14+
Aondha 11
Mission Guide
APHAR
Xenologist’s
Guard-beasts popular on many worlds due to their utility as protec-

tors as well as their loyal natures, aphars are mammalians with dark
Protostar
fur, strong jaws filled with sharp teeth, and eight clawed legs. In
ALTERNITY:
combat, aphars attack with a powerful bite and rake

with however many claws they can bring to bear.
ALTERNITY:
Aphars in the wild are pack creatures. The

most dominant personality, male or female,
assumes the alpha position. They are difficult
to domesticate as adults, but if adopted as
newborns they imprint on whomever they
spend the most time with.
APHAR
TR 1 Medium Champion Animal
Initiative 11/16/21 (+1 step); Speed 40
meters
Str 15+ Agi 15+ Vit 16+
Int 19+ (animal) Foc 16+ Per 16+
ACTIONS
Multi-Attack 4 impulses. The aphar makes
two attacks; either Claw and Bite against
the same or different targets, or two Claw
attacks against the same target.
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 16/21/26
(+1 step); Damage 1d6+4/8 physical, and the
target must make an Athletics check or be
knocked prone.
Claw 3 impulses;
Melee 1 target;
Attack 16/21/26
(+1 step);
Damage 1d6+2/6
physical. If the attack hits, the
aphar makes a second claw attack against that target.
DEFENSE
Armor 3 physical, 3 energy
(10+ dmg)  dead Drops to the ground
(10+ dmg)  speed reduced to 30 m One or more legs crippled
(7 to 9 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Screeches in blind fury
(4 to 6 dmg)  moves 6 m and uses Bite as Bares fangs and pounces
a 1-impulse reaction
(1 to 3 dmg)  Shakes head and glares
12 Aliens
Aphar
ARAXI
Hulking rock-like creatures that consume metal by means of an
oxidizing slime, araxi pose a serious threat to explorers. Araxi have
three limbs arranged equally around their starfish-like bodies, with
a writhing mass of feeding tendrils below and three stalked eyes on
the upper surface of their bodies. When lying still, they look a little
like heaps of pinkish-gray boulders.
Araxi are about as intelligent as dogs, and can understand (or
speak) a few words of human speech if trained to do so. They can
be trained to trade heavy labor for food (in their case, labor for
refined metals). In the wild, araxi head straight for humanoids wear-
ing or carrying refined metal such as weapons, tools, or some forms
of armor, battering them into submission to slurp up the tasty treat.
ARAXI
TR 8 Huge Champion Enigma (Alien, Mineral)
Senses normal, metal sense (see below); Awareness 15+
Str 7+ Agi 19+ Vit 12+ Int 18+ (animal) Foc 15+ Per 18+
ACTIONS
Slam 3 impulses; Melee spread; Attack 9/14/19 (+1 step); Damage 1d6+5/10
physical, and the target must make an Athletics check or be knocked prone.
Oxidizing Tendrils 3 impulses; Melee 1 prone target; Attack 9/14/19
(+2 steps); Effect The target gains damage over time (acid, 1 wound,
active resist Endurance ends effect). The target must counter the attack
with an Endurance check, or the largest metal item they carry or wear
becomes damaged (–1 step penalty to checks requiring the item). A dam-
aged item that is damaged again suffers a –2 step penalty to checks, and
is destroyed if damaged a third time.
REACTIONS
Bash Back 1-impulse reaction. When the araxi is wounded by an adjacent
attacker, it uses Slam against the triggering creature.
DEFENSE
Huge Enemies gain a +2 step bonus to attack the araxi.
Immune Acid, poison
(16+ dmg)  incapacitated Sinks to ground, twitching
(16+ dmg)  loses its reaction Rusting slime drains from body
(14 to 15 dmg)  becomes slowed Rocky chunks blasted away
(11 to 13 dmg)  distracted until its Retracts eyes and flails tendrils
next action
(1 to 10 dmg)  Ignores the attack
OTHER
Metal Sense An araxi can sense the presence of metal ore and objects
within Close range.
Araxi 13
Mission Guide
BE’ABAC
Xenologist’s
Be’abacs are large creatures with rubbery gray skin, a cluster of

eyes in the center of their foreheads, tusks, and wide mouths with
Protostar
large teeth. Their hands and feet are clawed, allowing them to climb
ALTERNITY:
easily and defend themselves from other aggressive creatures.

Pronounced
BAY-ah-back. Despite their size, they are nimble and dexterous. They are semi-
ALTERNITY:
intelligent and use tools, although technologically advanced tools or

weapons (anything above TE 3) are beyond their understanding.
Be’abac clans live among rocky cliffs and caves. They are typ-
ically nonaggressive away from their lairs, but they are territorial
and may attack intruders venturing into their territory. In addition,
be’abacs do not forget when an individual kills one of their kind, and
they go to great lengths to even the score.
Be’abacs have a simple language of grunts, growls, and hoot-
ing calls that can carry for several kilometers across the crags and
valleys of their native mountains.
BE’ABAC
TR 9 Large Standard Humanoid (Alien)
Senses normal, low-light vision; Awareness 13+
ACTIONS
Multi-Attack 5 impulses. The be’abac attacks twice, using Bite and Spear
against the same or different targets.
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step); Damage 1d8+3/7
physical.
Spear 4 impulses; Melee or Medium 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step);
Damage 2d8+0/4 physical. On an Excellent or better success, the target
must make an Athletics check or be knocked prone.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the be’abac.
(16+ dmg)  Incapacitated Screams and falls over
(14 to 15 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Reeling, swings wildly
(12 to 13 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Howls in pain
(1 to 11 dmg)  Grunts in annoyance
OTHER
Gang Up The be’abac gains a +2 step bonus to its melee attack if at least
one other friendly creature is adjacent to the target instead of the
normal +1 step bonus.
Mountain Native The be’abac ignores slow terrain resulting from snow, ice,
and slopes. It climbs at twice the normal climbing rate.
Skills Athletics 10+, Endurance 12+, Stealth 12+, Survival 13+
14 Aliens
Be’abac
BNAX SPORE
Balloon-like plants native to the mountainous jungles of their home-
world, bnax spores resemble colorful flying jellyfish. Most of the time
they drift with the wind, but they are drawn by the scent of blood or
rotting flesh, seeking nutrient-rich carcasses in which to root their
dangling tendrils. When the winds aren’t helpful, the spores skewer
animals that come within range of their barbed tendrils and wait for
the victims to exhaust themselves and die.
Strangely enough, something about the spores’ weird neural
systems generates interference against psionic abilities. Live bnax
spores are caught and sold offworld to individuals worried about
psionic spying. (Clipping the barbs from a captive spore is simple.)
Rooted bnax spores eventually grow into bnax trees, which are
unremarkable except for their very unusual method of spreading
their seeds.
BNAX SPORE
TR 1 Small Minion Enigma (Plant)
Initiative 15/20/25; Speed fly 10 meters
Str 19+ Agi 18+ Vit 17+ Int 20+ (instinctive) Foc 17+ Per 20+
ACTIONS
Tendril 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 16/21/26 (+1 step); Damage 1/5
physical. If the attack inflicts a wound on a living creature, the spore is
attached to the target (see below).
DEFENSE
Small Enemies suffer a –1 step penalty to attack the spore.
(1+ dmg)  dead Pops open, sinks to ground
OTHER
Minion Attack The spore’s attack deals one wound if its damage overcomes
the target’s armor. Stellar attacks deal only one wound, but ignore armor.
Attach A spore that inflicts a wound with its tendril attaches itself to its
target. An attached spore takes no further actions after it attaches.
When a spore attaches, the target must make an Endurance check or
become weakened. If a spore attaches to a weakened target, the target
must make an Endurance check or become dazed, and if a spore attaches
to a target that is already dazed, the target must make an Endurance
check or become slowed. Removing a spore by yanking out the tendril is
a 3-impulse action; this inflicts 1 wound box of damage (armor does not
apply). An attached spore can be removed without causing further injury
with a successful Medicine (treatment) check.
Psionic Interference Creatures attempting to use psionic skills within 20
meters of a bnax spore suffer a –1 step penalty to their check for each
spore within range, to a maximum penalty of –3 steps for three or more
spores.
Bnax Spore 15
Mission Guide
BRAANKI
Xenologist’s
The braanki are an intelligent

cybernetic species descended from
Protostar
insect-like creatures. They have a

ALTERNITY:
tough chitinous covering, and their

mantis-like heads feature antennae
ALTERNITY:
and mandibles. Braanki are bipeds with

three arms that end in deft, well-articu-
lated hands. Their cybernetic implants
boost intelligence, as well as enhancing
vision, hearing, and strength. Without the
cybernetics, braanki would only be clever
animals. At some point in the race’s development, an
unknown alien race picked the braanki to dominate their
home planet, and fitted them with self-replicating cyber-
netic enhancements to make that happen.
Cybernetic implants are mechanically introduced
to braanki while they are still in the egg. The first
enhancements are basic interfaces that allow braanki
technicians to access the brain and nervous system
directly. After they hatch, braanki add additional
systems as they grow and tie them into the
“seed” devices. Most braanki have stan-
dardized cybernetic suites for each of their
castes, but some individuals acquire unique
systems for special purposes. This usually involves modifying
human-built cybernetics to interface with braanki systems.
Braanki society is divided into five castes: controllers, workers,
warriors, philosophers, and artists. Each caste is valued in braanki
society, but there are far more workers and warriors than the
others. Philosophers incorporate most aspects of learning: scientific
research, religion, and teaching, while artists include entertainers
as well as artisans. Controllers are the planners and managers of
the braanki civilization, overseeing the installation of cybernetics
and determining the function of that each new braanki while it is still
in the egg.
BRAANKI WARRIOR
Warriors are the most xenophobic of the braanki castes. Their
natural response is to destroy anything that might pose a threat to
braanki interests. Their primary weapon is a powerful plasma-orb
generator implanted in one arm.
TR 7 Medium Standard Xenosoph (Alien)

Senses normal, thermal vision; Awareness 13+
Initiative 7/12/17 (+1 step); Speed 20 meters
16 Aliens
Braanki
ACTIONS
Plasma Orb 4 impulses; Very Long blast 2 (4) meters; Attack 10/15/20 (+1
step); Primary Damage 2d6+3 energy; Secondary Damage 2d6 energy.
Powered Slam 4 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 10/15/20 (+1 step);
Damage 2d6+2/6 physical, and the target must make an Athletics check
or be knocked off-balance.
REACTIONS
Rapid Repair 1-impulse reaction. When wounded by an attack, the braanki
can attempt a Resilience check. On a success, it heals 1 wound box.
DEFENSE
Immune Bleeding, insane
(16+ dmg)  dead Falls over, twitching
(13 to 15 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Cyber systems shorting out
(10 to 12 dmg)  slowed Impeded by damaged limbs
(1 to 9 dmg)  stunned 1 impulse Pauses, then resumes attack
OTHER
Skills Dodge 12+, Piloting 12+, Resilience 12+
BRAANKI WORKER
When a braanki community or project is threatened, workers form
an important defensive reserve. If the warriors can’t handle a threat,
the workers seek to overwhelm it through sheer numbers. Their
laser implants serve as potent weapons as well as cutting and
welding tools.
TR 5 Medium Minion Xenosoph (Alien)
ACTIONS
Laser Implant 3 impulses; Long 1 target; Attack 12/17/22 (+2 steps); Damage
3/7 energy.
Cybernetic Claws 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 12/17/22 (+1 step);
Damage 2/6 physical, and the worker grapples the target if it beats the
target’s Hand to Hand check.
DEFENSE
Immune Bleeding, insane
(1+ dmg)  dead Falls over, thrashing
OTHER
Minion Attack The worker’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
comes the target’s armor. Stellar attacks deal only one wound, but ignore
armor.
Skills Computer 15+, Driving 14+, Mechanics 13+
Braanki 17
Mission Guide
BRIITH
Xenologist’s
Big, strong, and always ready for a fight, briith are intelligent human-
oids from a high-g world who often seek employment as bodyguards
Protostar
or soldiers of fortune. The typical briith stands 2 meters tall and

ALTERNITY:
weighs over 120 kilos, and their gray, pebbly hide is tough enough to
turn a knife blade or a bullet graze. Their admittedly brutish appear-
ALTERNITY:
ance leads many humans to regard them as slow-witted, but briith

are as smart as humans—they simply tend to be direct in their deal-
ings and incurious about things that don’t immediately affect them.
Briith are renowned for taking their commitments seriously and
expecting others to hold up their ends of deals. As a result, they’re
highly regarded as mercenaries and enforcers. More than a few crime
lords keep a few briith close at hand to serve as muscle. More techni-
cally minded briith make good engineers, and plenty of tramp freight-
ers have a briith or two in the engine room. If those briith aren’t afraid
to grab a heavy wrench and beat a would-be pirate into submission,
well, that shouldn’t surprise anybody. Briith don’t scare easily.
BRIITH BRUISER
TR 3 Medium Champion Humanoid (Alien)
Initiative 13/18/23 (–1 step); Speed 20 meters
ACTIONS
Chainsaw Bayonet 4 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+2 steps);
Damage 1d6+2/7 physical and target must make a Resilience check or
begin taking damage over time (bleed). If the attack result is Excellent
or Stellar, the briith can make a free melee attack with a –1 step penalty
against any target within reach.
Sonic Bore 4 impulses; Close spread; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage
1d8+2/7 energy, and target must counter with an Endurance check or be
stunned 3 impulses.
Unarmed 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24; Damage 1d6+0/4
physical.
DEFENSE
(12+ dmg)  incapacitated Falls with a mighty thud
(12+ dmg)  –3 step penalty to all checks Staggers, but keeps coming
(9 to 11 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Roars in anger
(6 to 8 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Wipes away blood and grins
(1 to 5 dmg)  Snorts in derision
OTHER
High-g Adaptation Briith suffer no penalty from high-g environments and
reduce the penalty for extreme-g environments by 2 steps.
Skills Coercion 15+, Mechanics 15+, Security 15+
Gear Hardmesh uniform, sonic bore, chainsaw bayonet
18 Aliens
Briith
BYGNARI
The bygnari is an aquatic creature that has evolved to be a dangerous
predator in swamps, marshlands, and tidal flats as well as underwater.
Its skin absorbs oxygen directly from air as well as water, allowing it to
survive for up to three days outside of water. Its body is shaped much
like a fish, although it has tentacles that it uses to move about on land.
The tentacles are also equipped with powerful bioelectric cells that
generate lethal shocks. In combat, it grabs its prey with its tentacles
and then devours it with its viciously sharp, shark-like teeth.
Despite the fact that bygnari are not sentient, they have found
their way to the oceans of many worlds for two reasons: First, byg-
nari often attach their eggs to the hulls of ships that land in water or
marshland. Second, bygnari are highly prized as intimidating guard-
beasts. Criminals and individuals who don’t particularly care what
happens to trespassers use bygnari to protect water-based installa-
tions and strongholds. They are extremely adaptable and can make
their homes in cold, warm, fresh, and salt water.
BYGNARI
TR 4 Medium Champion Animal (Alien, Amphibious)
Initiative 11/16/21; Speed 10 meters/40 meters underwater
ACTIONS
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step, or +3 steps vs. a
grappled target); Damage 1d10+3/7 physical.
Tentacle Grab 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step);
Damage 1d6+3/7 physical, plus Shock (see below). In addition, the bygnari
grapples the target if it beats the target’s Hand to Hand check.
REACTIONS
Fury 2-impulse reaction. When hit by an attack, the bygnari moves up to 2
meters on land or 4 meters in the water and uses a Tentacle Grab attack
against any target within reach.
DEFENSE
Immune Electricity
(13+ dmg)  incapacitated Rolls sideways and falls still
(13+ dmg)  –3 step penalty to all Writhes uncontrollably
checks
(10 to 12 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all Thrashes and snaps
checks
(7 to 9 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all Dark ichor spurts from wound
checks
(1 to 6 dmg)  Ignores the hit
OTHER
Shock A creature hit by the bygnari’s tentacle grab must make an Endur-
ance check or suffer an additional wound of 1d8 energy (electricity).
Bygnari 19
Mission Guide
CHRADNUR
Xenologist’s
Heavy and muscular, chradnurs resemble long-necked rhinoceroses

with gray, leathery skin and jagged horns atop their hard heads.
Protostar
They have a reputation for being territorial and foul-tempered.

ALTERNITY:
Decades ago, ranchers interested in raising chradnurs for the

superior leather of their tough hides (and big-game hunters look-
ALTERNITY:
ing to stock game preserves) established chradnur herds on a

number of worlds. Chradnur leather is supple, attractively textured,
and as strong as many synthetic materials. It’s valuable enough
that poaching and overhunting is a serious problem even on well-
managed worlds.
Chradnurs are normally found in small herds of three to five.
Despite their aggressive behavior they are herbivores, and their
long necks help them reach leaves and other vegetation in the
trees. Unlike many other animals that relegate herd defense to a
handful of dominant individuals but otherwise flee from danger, a
chradnur herd reacts to threats with a fierce, unified charge. Every
member of the herd does its best to trample, gore, and stomp to
death anything that any individual regards as strange or threatening.
CHRADNUR
TR 3 Large Standard Animal (Alien)
ACTIONS
Improved Charge 4 impulses. The chradnur moves up to 30 meters and uses
Gore.
Gore 4 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage 1d8+2/6
physical, and the target must make an Athletics check or be pushed 2
meters and knocked prone.
REACTIONS
Stomp 2-impulse reaction; Trigger an enemy falls prone adjacent to a
chradnur; Effect the chradnur attacks the triggering enemy. Melee 1
target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage 1d8+4/8 physical.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the chradnur.
(12+ dmg)  Dead Collapses in a heap
(9 to 11 dmg)  can no longer use Stomp Staggering, but still fighting
(6 to 8 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Bellows in anger
(1 to 5 dmg)  Snorts and stomps
OTHER
Blood-Crazed The chradnur gains a +1 step bonus to attack if it’s wounded.
Extra Durability The chradnur has more wound boxes than normal.
20 Aliens
Chradnur
COMOSTOR
Comostors are rust-colored bipedal saurians with the intelligence
of great apes and a nearly endless supply of courage. They are
aggressive and intelligent enough to use simple tools such as clubs
or thrown rocks; while they have clawed hands, they typically prefer
to batter their foes with blunt, heavy objects.
In the wild, comostors gather in small troops of nomadic hunt-
er-gatherers that are usually led by the eldest female; males are
foul-tempered loners that generally drift away from their troops as
they reach maturity. Comostor troops have been known to make
use of some simple herding and trap-building behaviors to take
down large prey, but in most cases they rely on sheer ferocity to
swarm and overwhelm prey—or intruders in the troop’s territory.
Comostors can be trained to wear armor and use just about any big,
heavy weapon, making them useful as assault-beasts and brutal
bodyguards. They tend to stay loyal to the individuals they’re con-
ditioned to obey unless they are abused, at which point comostors
are likely to turn on their former masters. Most trained comostors
can learn to recognize a few hundred words and key command
phrases or gestures, although their own linguistic ability is limited to Usually, “Food now?”
no more than a word or two at a time.
COMOSTOR, WILD
TR 5 Medium Standard Animal (Alien)
ACTIONS
Club 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 12/17/22 (+1 step); Damage 1d6+4/8
physical. On an Excellent or better success, the comostor can make
another Club attack against the same target.
Claw 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 12/17/22 (+1 step); Damage 1d6+2/6
physical.
Thrown Stone 3 impulses; Close 1 target; Attack 12/17/22; Damage 1d8+2/6
physical.
DEFENSE
(14+ dmg)  incapacitated Screams in rage, falls
(11 to 13 dmg)  dazed for rest of scene Head sways, staggers
(8 to 10 dmg)  gains +1 on damage rolls for Hisses in cold fury
rest of scene
(1 to 7 dmg)  Ignores the attack
OTHER
Fast Charge The comostor pays 0 impulses to use the Charge action modi-
fier. It gains a +1 step bonus to its attack rolls during this action.
Skills Stealth 14+, Survival 13+
Comostor 21
Mission Guide
DRUU SHILKA
Xenologist’s
A strange, extradimensional monster that normally exists in fifth-

dimensional space, the druu shilka is normally invisible and intangi-
Protostar
ble in our space. It becomes visible and semi-tangible by projecting

ALTERNITY:
itself into our reality. The druu shilka can see into normal space
while remaining five-dimensional, albeit with Poor visibility. When it
ALTERNITY:
spies an opportunity to catch a victim alone, it enters normal space

and physically attacks. Simply being near the creature causes para-
noia and hallucinations.
When visible, the druu shilka has a long, tube-shaped body with
Vision is covered
on p. 176, a tri-beaked head in front and numerous translucent tentacles trail-
Core Rulebook. ing behind it. In order to survive in our dimension, it brings a bubble
of fifth-dimensional space with it, and it must remain within this
zone of distorted reality. Although it’s possible to force a druu shilka
back to its 5-D state by collapsing this bubble, few people under-
stand the science involved.
The druu shilka are solitary creatures that reproduce at the end
of their natural lives by dividing into three new individuals. They are
intelligent, but attempts to communicate with them (even telepathi-
cally) have so far met with failure.
DRUU SHILKA
TR 5 Large Boss Enigma (Alien, Extradimensional)
Senses normal, transdimensional sight; Awareness 13+
Initiative 9/14/19 (–1 step); Speed fly 40 meters
AURA
Distortion Zone A living creature that begins its action within 10 meters of
a druu shilka in normal space must make a Willpower check. If the check
fails, the acting creature determines its action randomly (see the Insane
status, page 163, Core Rulebook).
22 AliensShilka
Druu
ACTIONS
Dimension Shift 2 impulses. The druu shilka shifts from normal to 5-D space,
or vice versa. The druu shilka must be in normal space to take any actions
other than moving.
Double Attack 4 impulses. The druu shilka makes two tentacle or distortion
bolt attacks.
Distortion Bolt 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack
12/17/22 (+1 step); Damage 1d10+1/5 untyped, and
target is considered to be in the distortion zone at
DIMENSIONAL SCIENCE
the start of its next action. Detecting a 5-D druu shilka
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 12/17/22 requires specially built scien-
(+1 step); Damage 1d8+4/8 physical. tific equipment and expertise
REACTIONS in weird physics that aren’t
Reflect 2-impulse reaction. When targeted by an commonly studied. Modifying
energy ranged attack, the druu shilka can attempt a sensor device to detect a
a Dodge check as an opposed check to counter 5-D druu shilka is a complex
the attacker’s check result. If the opposed check skill check against Science
results in the failure of the original attack, the (–2 step penalty) requiring 3
druu shilka redirects the attack against a different successes. Building a projec-
target of its choice within 10 meters. The original tor that can force a dimen-
attacker attacks the new target at a –2 step sion shift requires 6 suc-
penalty. cesses (1 hour per check).
DEFENSE
5-D A druu shilka in 5-D is immune to detection or
attack by creatures in normal space.
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the druu shilka.
Stun Resistant Stun effects on the druu shilka are treated as daze effects
instead.
(14+ dmg)  destroyed Fades to nothingness
(14+ dmg)  dazed for rest of Flickers in and out of reality
scene
(11 to 13 dmg)  cannot use Reflect Too tangible to bend space
reaction
(8 to 10 dmg)  aura only 3 m for 5 Distortion zone weakens
impulses
(1 to 7 dmg)  No visible effect
OTHER
Dimensional Proximity A druu shilka in 5-D disrupts normal space within
Medium range in unpredictable ways. Common effects include headaches,
flickering lights, sudden computer failures, a sense of being watched, or
an inexplicable mist or fog.
Skills Dodge 12+, Science 11+, Stealth 12+
Druu Shilka 23
Mission Guide
ECH-HURU
Xenologist’s
It may seem unfair to describe an entire species as monstrous, but

in the case of the ech-huru, the description is apt. They are cruel,
Protostar
rapacious tyrants who see all other intelligent races as enemies to

ALTERNITY:
be destroyed or slaves to be subjugated. This greed and aggression

is coupled to brilliant, inventive minds that have mastered advanced
ALTERNITY:
technology. The only thing stopping the ech-huru from conquering

the known galaxy is the fact that they hate each other even more
than they hate other species, and constantly thin their own num-
bers in ruthless campaigns of murder and vendetta. Only under the
threat of swift and certain destruction does an ech-huru submit to
the will of another of its kind, and even then its obedience lasts only
until it can undermine or assassinate its leader.
While their behavior and social norms are sufficiently vicious to
qualify them as monsters, the ech-huru are physically monstrous too,
The alien on the at least to human eyes. They resemble two-ton cephalopods with four
cover? That’s
an ech-huru. eyes and fanged mouths at the top of the body, and their six-meter
tentacles are strong enough to rip a metal hatch from its hinges.
Their hide is tough, black, and rubbery, with markings in light blue or
sullen orange. Ech-huru do not bother with clothing, but they do wear
weapon harnesses and protect their vital organs with armor plates.
Ech-huru ships tend to be small, fast, and heavily armed; they don’t like
serving together in large crews, and rarely gather together in fleets.
The homeworld of the ech-huru is the planet Echu, a swampy
world choked in toxic mists. The strongest individuals rule over
slave-labor industrial fiefs in a feudal arrangement of shifting alle-
giances and the brutal oppression of lesser native species.
ECH-HURU RAIDER
Ech-huru are most often encountered as solitary ravagers who
attack ships or stations to seize valuable resources. Some use
humanoid mercenaries or criminals as cannon fodder.
TR 9 Huge Champion Xenosoph (Alien, Amphibious)
Initiative 13/18/23 (+1 step); Speed 25 meters, swim 25 meters
ACTIONS
Plasma Bore 4 impulses; Very Long 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step);
Damage 2d6+4/8 energy. The weapon creates a 3-meter minor blast
around the primary target that deals 2d6 energy damage (the primary
target is not affected).
Tentacle Rush 4 impulses; the ech-huru moves up to 6 meters and makes
two tentacle attacks against the same or different targets.
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step); Damage
2d6+2/6 physical, and the target must make an Athletics check or be
knocked prone.
24 Aliens
Ech-Huru
DEFENSE
Huge Enemies gain a +2 step bonus to attack an ech-huru.
Armor 8 physical, 5 energy (ablative)
(17+ dmg)  dead Thrashes weakly, hisses, dies
(17+ dmg)  –2 step penalty to all Writhes wildly, enraged
checks
(15 to 16 dmg)  stunned 1 impulse Rocked back on its tentacles
(12 to 14 dmg)  uses Tentacle Rush as Lunges for nearest enemy
reaction
(1 to 11 dmg)  Glares at attacker
OTHER
Reach Ech-huru can make melee attacks against targets up to 5 meters away.
Hardy Biology Ech-huru gain a +3 step bonus on Endurance and Resilience
checks. If incapacitated by exposure to vacuum, ech-huru fall dormant
and can survive in that state for up to 30 days.
Skills Coercion 12+, Endurance 12+, Engineering 11+, Science 11+, Willpower 12+
Gear Carbon fiber armor, plasma bore (neither fit Medium humanoids).
ECH-HURU SPAWN
Ech-huru are parthenogenic. They have no emotional attachment to
their offspring and treat them as useful soldiers—or slaves—until the
juvenile becomes large and intelligent enough to pose a threat, at
which point the parent drives out its offspring.
TR 8 Medium Minion Xenosoph (Alien, Amphibious)

Initiative 13/18/23; Speed 25 meters, swim 25 meters
ACTIONS
Plasma Lance 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 9/14/19 (+1 step); Damage
5/9 energy.
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 9/14/19; Damage 4/8 physical.
DEFENSE
Armor 6 physical, 3 energy (ablative)
Skulk If the ech-huru spawn has cover, an attacker must make an Aware-
ness check to target the spawn with a ranged attack.
(1+ dmg)  dead Dies in a thrashing frenzy
OTHER
Minion Attack The spawn’s attack deals one wound if its damage overcomes
Hardy Biology Ech-huru gain a +3 step bonus on Endurance and Resilience
checks. If incapacitated by exposure to vacuum, ech-huru fall dormant
and can survive in that state for up to 30 days.
Skills Endurance 14+, Engineering 13+, Willpower 15+
Gear Carbon fiber armor, plasma lance.
Ech-Huru 25
Mission Guide
FESHORM
Xenologist’s
A large, hungry, and stupid ambush predator of the forests, the

feshorm attempts to eat anything smaller than itself that happens by.
Protostar
It resembles a 6-meter long centipede with a stocky, bulbous body

ALTERNITY:
and a set of powerful mandibles. The tough carapace is a dappled

green-gold color, blending in well with its surroundings. The crea-
ALTERNITY:
ture has a long, barbed tongue that can grapple smaller prey and
drag it to the waiting jaws.
FESHORM
TR 1 Large Boss Animal (Alien)
Senses low-light, thermal; Awareness 13+
Initiative 10/15/20; Speed 20 meters, climb 10 meters
ACTIONS
Slam 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets; Attack 16/21/25 (+1 step); Damage
1d8+2/6 physical, and target must make an Athletics check or be knocked
prone.
Tongue Barb 1 impulse; Close 1 target; Attack 16/21/25 (+1 step); Damage
1d6+0/3 physical, and the target is grappled.
Drag 1 impulse; Close 1 target grappled by tongue barb. The feshorm pulls
the target 6 m closer. The target can use a 1-impulse reaction to attempt
an Athletics check to resist being dragged.
Crushing Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled or prone target; Attack 16/21/25
(+2 steps); Damage 1d8+5/9 physical.
REACTIONS
Thrashing Body 1-impulse reaction; the feshorm uses its Slam against an
adjacent enemy that hits it with an attack.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the feshorm.
(10+ dmg)  incapacitated Collapses, spurting ichor
(10+ dmg)  slowed for rest of Twitching legs ripped off body
scene
(7 to 9 dmg)  releases grappled Buzzes loudly, retracts tongue
target
(4 to 6 dmg)  distracted until next Twists and snaps at air
action
(1 to 3 dmg)  Clacks mandibles
OTHER
Ambush Attack The feshorm hunts by lurking in thick brush or trees and
waiting for prey to wander within reach of its tongue. A foe that enters
the ambush area makes an Awareness check to spot the feshorm; a
group of foes make a group skill check instead. If the check fails, the
feshorm gains a +3 step bonus on its tongue barb attack and gains tacti-
cal surprise.
Skills Stealth 14+
26 Aliens
Feshorm
GRILSKIB
Sentient mineral beings composed of living crystal, grilskibs are
actually the evolved form of nanobots that escaped into a subter-
ranean crystal cavern. They take the form of hulking Medium-sized
bipeds made of translucent amber, light brown, or orange-colored
stone. Pulses of light flicker inside their vitreous forms. They
are alive, but the architecture of their brains is roughly similar to
advanced computer technology. Although they are not inherently
evil, they tend to think of organic life as inferior—best to put it down
when it gets in the way.
Grilskibs live in large subterranean communities. Communica-
tion between grilskibs is silent and electronic, although they have
been able to patch into the electronic communication equipment of
other species.
GRILSKIB
TR 4 Medium Standard Enigma (Alien, Mineral)
Senses normal, low-light; Awareness 16+
ACTIONS
Laser Ray 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+2 steps); Damage
2d4+1/5 energy.
Grab 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step); Damage 2d4+1/5
physical, and the grilskib grapples the target if it beats the target’s Hand
to Hand check.
Crush 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled target; Attack 13/18/23 (+3 steps);
2d4+3/7 physical.
REACTIONS
Revenge 2-impulse reaction. When wounded by an attack, the grilskib makes
a laser ray attack with a +2 step bonus against the enemy that wounded it.
DEFENSE
Absorb The grilskib is immune to laser damage and effects. When hit by a
laser attack or effect that deals at least 5 damage before applying the
grilskib’s immunity or armor resistance, the grilskib heals 1 wound box.
Immune Bleeding, poison, fire
Life Support The grilskib ignores most environmental conditions.
(13+ dmg)  destroyed Shatters in an explosion!
(10 to 12 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Chips fly from injuries
(7 to 9 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Red lights pulse in body
(1 to 6 dmg)  Appears unaffected
OTHER
Death Burst The grilskib explodes 1 impulse after it loses its last wound box.
Blast 4 (8) meters; Primary Damage 2d4+2 physical; Secondary Damage
1d6 physical.
Grilskib 27
Mission Guide
H’NAAL
Xenologist’s
A race of telepathic conquerors who colonized (or subjugated)

scores of worlds millions of years ago, the h’naal left mysterious
Protostar
ruins and artifacts of anomalous technology throughout the galac-

ALTERNITY:
tic regions humankind is now beginning to explore. Each newly

discovered site contributes to the emerging picture of a long-lost
ALTERNITY:
empire based on the widespread and callous use of mental

compulsion to keep the lower classes in their place. No h’naal
ruins less than 900,000 years old have yet come to
light, leading most human experts to conclude
that the race retreated from this part of space
or went extinct long ago. As for what might
have defeated or destroyed such a dangerous
species before the rise of humankind, well, no
one knows.
Unfortunately for the younger species of
the galaxy, the h’naal are not extinct. Their
citadels are hidden in remote systems that are
protected by hazards such as black holes, neutron
stars, or highly variable or unstable stars. From
these secret refuges, h’naal keep a wary eye on
the rise of younger species nearby, occasionally
removing outposts or colonies established in
their territory or destroying ships that venture
too close. They are intelligent and cautious, revealing themselves
only when they are certain they can capture or eliminate all wit-
nesses and prevent any report of their existence from reaching
human civilization.
H’NAAL ERADICATOR
Eradicators are the warriors of the h’naal. Resourceful and deter-
mined, they know neither fear nor pity, taking whatever action is
necessary to advance the overlords’ (see below) interests. The only
thing that prevents the h’naal eradicators from burning a dozen
worlds and enslaving a dozen more is the species’ unwillingness to
reveal its existence.

Senses normal, low-light, thermal; Awareness 13+
ACTIONS
Heat Ray 3 impulses; Long spread; Attack 10/15/20 (+1 step); Damage
1d10+3/7 energy and target must make Dodge check or begin taking
damage over time (fire, active resist 1).
Tentacle Flurry 5 impulses; the h’naal makes three tentacle attacks against
up to 3 targets.
28 Aliens
H’naal
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 10/15/20; Damage 1d6+2/6
physical.
REACTIONS
Psychic Retaliation (1/scene) 1-impulse reaction; Trigger a living enemy
within Close range attacks the h’naal; Effect the triggering creature must
make a Willpower check or become impaired (active resist 1).
DEFENSE
(16+ dmg)  dead Collapses, spurting ichor
(13 to 15 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Lashes tentacles in pain
(10 to 12 dmg)  stunned 1 impulse Staggers under big hit
(1 to 9 dmg)  moves 2 meters as free action Advances after grazing hit
OTHER
Telepathic Contact The h’naal can communicate telepathically with any
creature it can see within Long range. If they do not share a language, it
can only convey feelings and images.
Skills Coercion 14+, Endurance 12+, Stealth 14+, Survival 13+, Willpower 10+
Gear Crystalmesh armor, heat ray
H’NAAL OVERLORD
Most h’naal possess some amount of telepathic ability, but the
overlords are a caste of h’naal who hone these powers into a potent
mental arsenal. Overlords can easily dominate the minds of weaker-
willed creatures around them, driving them temporarily insane or
even compelling their victims to forget about them altogether.
In combat, the overlord relies on Cloud the Mind to remain hidden
from most of its foes, and uses Compulsion Wave and Mental Com-
mand to make them attack each other.
TR 7 Medium Boss Xenosoph (Alien)

AURA
Cloud the Mind Living creatures the h’naal is aware of within Medium range
must make Willpower checks when they begin their action. If the check
fails, the acting creature does not see the h’naal and is unaware of its
existence until the acting creature’s next action.
ACTIONS
Heat Ray 3 impulses; Long spread; Attack 10/15/20 (+1 step); Damage
1d10+4/8 energy and target must make Dodge check or begin taking
damage over time (fire, 1 wound, active resist 1).
Compulsion Wave 3 impulses; Medium up to 3 targets within a 10 m area;
Effect the target must make a Willpower check or become temporarily
insane.
Tentacle Flurry 4 impulses; the h’naal makes three tentacle attacks against
up to 3 targets.
H’naal 29
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 10/15/20; Damage 1d6+4/8

physical.
REACTIONS
Protostar
Mental Command 1-impulse reaction; Trigger an insane target within

Medium range begins its action; Effect the h’naal chooses which insanity
ALTERNITY:
effect applies to the target’s next action.

ALTERNITY:
DEFENSE
(16+ dmg)  dead Topples over, quivering
(16+ dmg)  –2 step penalty to all Shrieks, splattering ichor
checks
(13 to 15 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all Dark ichor seeps from wounds
checks
(10 to 12 dmg)  loses Cloud the Mind Flinches, losing concentration
until next action
(1 to 9 dmg)  moves 2 meters as Recoils from grazing hit
free action
OTHER
Skills Coercion 12+, Endurance 11+, Science 10+, Telepathy 10+, Willpower 10+
Gear Crystalmesh armor, heat ray
H’NAAL SAVAGE
Survivors of a ruined civilization, h’naal savages are feral scaven-
gers cut off from the remaining citadels of their race by the destruc-
tion of their wormhole networks and teleportation chambers. They
eagerly adopt any advanced weapons or devices that fall into their
clutches, regardless of their origin.

AURA
Mind Static Living creatures within 6 meters of an angry h’naal savage
must make Willpower checks when they begin their action. The acting
creature has a –1 step penalty to this check for each additional h’naal
within range. If the check fails, the acting creature becomes dazed and
weakened until the end of its turn.
ACTIONS
Trispear 3 impulses; Medium or Melee 1 target; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step);
Damage 4/8 physical.
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step); Damage 3/7
physical.
30 Aliens
H’naal
DEFENSE
Shield The h’naal savage has 50 percent cover against attacks from the front.
OTHER
Minion Attack The savage’s attack deals one wound if its damage overcomes
Skills Stealth 12+, Survival 12+, Willpower 12+
Gear Shield, trispear (a primitive weapon that accommodates a two-tentacle
grip).
H’NAAL TECHNICIAN
Technicians are civilized h’naal of the lower classes. They avoid
close combat with inferior aliens unless an eradicator or overlord is
on the scene to lead them into battle.

AURA
Mind Whispers Living creatures within 6 meters of a h’naal technician are
distracted. Creatures trained in Willpower and other h’naal are immune to
this aura.
ACTIONS
Force Beam 3 impulses; Long 1 target; Attack 12/17/22; Damage 3/7 phys-
ical and target must make Athletics check or be pushed 2 meters and
knocked prone.
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step); Damage 3/7
physical.
DEFENSE
OTHER
Minion Attack The technician’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
armor.
Skills Engineering 13+, Mechanics 13+, Science 13+, Willpower 14+
Gear Armored mesh harness, force beam pistol.
H’naal 31
Mission Guide
ILIAN TASZ
Xenologist’s
Towering crystalline beings that hail from another galaxy altogether,

the ilians are recent arrivals in human space. Rumors suggest that the
Protostar
few so far encountered by humans are refugees fleeing a devastating

ALTERNITY:
war. A militaristic race, ilians are divided into numerous rival citadels
that compete for status under the rules of a complex code of honor; the
ALTERNITY:
Tasz hail from one such citadel. An ilian citadel is bound by common
purpose and philosophy instead of blood, since ilians are asexual and
do not keep track of physical relation.
A typical ilian stands 3 meters tall and weighs about 600 kilograms.
Its body is composed of conductive crystals held together by some sort
of magnetic resonance; limbs and heads often appear to be physically
The species name unattached, merely levitating in place. (They are in fact connected; the
is ilian. The Tasz invisible energy fields that knit together an ilian are just as much a part of
are an order of
its body as the visible crystals.) Their “faces” are exotic, colorful gemstones.
“knights” who rule a
prominent citadel. Ilians are masters of an advanced technology based on specialized crystal
growth and the manipulation of energy fields.
ILIAN TASZ
TR 6 Large Champion Enigma (Alien, Mineral)
ACTIONS
Martial Strike 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step); Damage
2d6+2/6 physical. If the attack hits, the ilian can make a free Martial Strike
attack against the same or different target (to a maximum of three attacks
in one action).
Shard Thrower 3 impulses; Long 1 target; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step); Damage
1d10+4/8 physical. The weapon creates a 2-meter minor blast around the primary
target that deals 2d6 physical damage (the primary target is not affected).
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the ilian.
Immune Bleeding, fire, poison
Vulnerable The ilian loses one extra wound box when it is wounded by an elec-
tricity attack.
(15+ dmg)  incapacitated Falls to ground in pieces
(15+ dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Important nexus shattered
(12 to 14 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Crystal nexus damaged
(9 to 11 dmg)  distracted until next action Energy fields fluctuating
(1 to 8 dmg)  Just absorbs the attack
OTHER
Skills Coercion 14+, Dodge 16+, Science 13+
Gear shard thrower (a projectile weapon that hurls razor-sharp crystal), alloy
armor bands
32 Aliens
Ilian Tasz
JELMORG SWARM
Jelmorgs are diminutive creatures only 8 to 16 cm across. They
resemble land-dwelling starfish the size of small rodents, although
they’re able to scuttle around at a surprising speed and individuals
can have from three to nine limbs. They live in tightly-packed colo-
nies, and most of the time they’re docile and harmless. However, jel-
morgs become very dangerous when they hunt as a swarm, which AP stands for armor
triggers behavior similar to a feeding frenzy among sharks. On their piercing (page 105,
home world, their natural prey are creatures much larger than them- Core Rulebook).
selves, with tough exoskeletons that the jelmorgs saw through with
their tooth-lined limbs before predigesting the prey’s flesh with acid.
Their ability to defeat most personal defensive suits makes them a
significant danger even to well-armed explorers.
JELMORG SWARM
TR 8 Huge Boss Animal (Alien Swarm)
ACTIONS
Gnaw 3 impulses; Melee every target inside the swarm; Attack 9/14/19;
Damage 1d8+5/9 physical, AP 2. If the attack inflicts a wound, the target
suffers damage over time (acid, passive resist Endurance 2). A target
already suffering acid damage doesn’t suffer from repeated hits.
DEFENSE
Huge Enemies gain a +2 step bonus to attack the jelmorg swarm.
Horde Attacks against a jelmorg swarm are made with a –5 step penalty
unless the weapon has the autofire, blast, ignite, irradiate, or spread
special ability.
(16+ dmg)  “dead” Survivors devour each
other
(16+ dmg)  distracted until its next Jelmorgs turn on their
action wounded
(14 to 15 dmg)  base size reduced to 6 m Swarm losing cohesion
(11 to 13 dmg)  Frenzy (see below) The swarm speeds up!
(1 to 10 dmg)  They don’t even notice
OTHER
Frenzy Once the jelmorg swarm takes a wound of 11 to 13 damage, its speed
increases to 30 m and its Gnaw attack takes 2 impulses instead of 3.
Swarm The jelmorg swarm has a base size of 8 meters. It can occupy
and move through the same spaces as other creatures and vice versa
without penalty. It can move through any opening that’s at least 10 cm in
diameter.
Jelmorg Swarm 33
Mission Guide
KWLL
Xenologist’s
Clever, ambitious, and grasping, the kwll are a sophisticated

humanoid species who created a cultured pre-atomic civilization
Protostar
before human explorers stumbled across their homeworld. Many

ALTERNITY:
peoples suffer terribly from the shock of meeting outsiders with

vastly superior technology, but the kwll proved more adaptable than
ALTERNITY:
most. They set their sights on catching up to the tech level of the
galaxy around them as quickly as possible, employing diplomacy,
espionage, and guile to keep their more advanced neighbors from
dominating them until they could meet other species on an equal
footing. Before humans made contact with the kwll, kwll technology
was roughly analogous to human tech of the 19th century: steam,
firearms, and steel. In the years since, kwll have leapfrogged whole
eras of technology, mastering electricity, electronics, atomic theory,
advanced chemistry, and more.
Physically, a kwll is a six-limbed predator with a coat of sleek,
oily fur and a short, pointed snout concealing a fang-filled mouth. It
bears a passing resemblance to Earth’s seals or sea lions, although
kwll are not good swimmers and dislike water. Its torso is long
and flexible, and its limbs are short and strong. A typical kwll
stands a little shorter than a human, averaging around 1.4
meters in height, but it is stocky and strong beneath its
sleek coat, weighing a good 70 kilograms or more
despite its short stature. Its eyes are dark and
the fur of its underside is noticeably lighter
than the dark, striped fur of its back. A kwll
needs little protection against the ele-
ments and generally wears little cloth-
ing other than weapon har-
nesses, tool belts, and sashes
or short capes whose principal
purpose is displaying jewelry
and allegiance emblems.
Kwll society is organized in
a dizzying array of polities, city-
states, and self-styled empires,
but the real power lies in the
hands of aristocratic families who
constantly jockey for control of the most valuable
institutions and states. Relations between two
kwll nations are often much more complex
than they appear, as most of the important
decisions are made behind closed doors
by aristocrats who may be trading influence
or favors in one area to realize some subtle
gain in an entirely different arena. A kwll sees
34 Aliens
Kwll
little distinction between competing peacefully and competing with
assassinations and acts of sabotage; humans are often shocked by
how quickly kwll resort to lethal force, and how quickly they resume
negotiations after blood has been spilled.
While kwll constantly feud with each other and shift alliances at
the drop of a hat, they have a phenomenal ability to cooperate on
one hand while backstabbing their allies on the other. Because of
this flexibility, they remain surprisingly united in their dealings with
other species. Aristocrats of different families collaborate to pursue
species-wide goals of technology transfer and diplomatic trouble-
making much more easily than their internal rivalries would seem to
allow. Kwll are also very, very good at using deceit and misdirection
to get what they want or deflect the suspicions of others. They’ve
even figured out how to use human lobbyists, PR firms, and alien-
rights activists to maintain an unthreatening image in human worlds.
KWLL HUNTER
No self-respecting kwll goes anywhere without at least one sharp
instrument somewhere on its person. Bodyservants, artisans, mer-
chants—it doesn’t matter. Kwll are always ready to murder those
who threaten them, those who cross them, or those whose deaths
might earn them favor with higher-ranking families. In diplomatic set-
tings, kwll resort to stealth and obfuscation to conceal their involve-
ment in any killings that they deem necessary.
TR 3 Medium Minion Humanoid (Alien)

Initiative 11/16/21 (+2 steps); Speed 20 meters
ACTIONS
Shri-Dart 3 impulses; Close 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage 2/6
physical.
Twin Blades 4 impulses; the hunter makes two joor-knife attacks against
the same or different targets. Each attack has a –1 step penalty.
Joor-Knife 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+2 steps); Damage
2/6 physical.
DEFENSE
Improved Evade The hunter pays 0 impulses to use the Evade action modi-
fier. When it evades, enemies attacking it suffer a –3 step penalty to their
attack rolls.
(1+ dmg)  dead Silently crumples to ground
OTHER
Minion Attack The hunter’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
armor.
Skills Deception 14+, Dodge 12+, Stealth 12+
Gear 3 shri-darts, 2 joor-knives
Kwll 35
Mission Guide
KWLL SWORDMASTER
Xenologist’s
Important kwll are surrounded by retinues of highly trained warriors

from mid-ranking families who serve as bodyguards, enforcers, and
Protostar
problem-solvers for their principals. Kwll are perfectly comfortable

using guns, but if the opportunity presents itself they prefer to settle
ALTERNITY:
things with a blade instead.

ALTERNITY:
TR 3 Medium Standard Humanoid (Alien)

ACTIONS
Tunvun-Pistol 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step);
Damage 1d6+2/5 physical, and target must make an Athletics check or be
knocked prone.
Twin Blades 4 impulses; the swordmaster makes two zwu-sword attacks
against the same or different targets. Each attack has a –1 step penalty.
Zwu-Sword 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+2 steps); Damage
1d8+2/6 physical, AP 1.
REACTIONS
Riposte 1-impulse reaction; Trigger an enemy misses the swordmaster with
a Melee attack; Effect the swordmaster makes a zwu-sword attack
against the triggering enemy.
DEFENSE
Improved Evade The swordmaster pays 0 impulses to use the Evade action
modifier. When it evades, enemies attacking it suffer a –3 step penalty to
their attack rolls.
(12+ dmg)  dead Silently slumps to the ground
(9 to 11 dmg)  loses Twin Blades action Drops a blade, clutches wound
(6 to 8 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Bares fangs at enemy
(1 to 5 dmg)  Ignores grazing hit
OTHER
Skills Deception 14+, Dodge 12+, Misdirection 12+, Stealth 12+, Survival 13+
Gear Tunvun-pistol, 2 zwu-swords
36 Aliens
Kwll
KWLL INSTIGATOR
Part spy, part assassin, part agent provocateur, the instigator is a
kwll who poses as a diplomat while carrying out all kinds of covert
actions in the service of its aristocratic masters. An instigator often
has access to technology otherwise banned to the average kwll.
TR 5 Medium Boss Humanoid (Alien)

ACTIONS
Autofire 4 impulses; the instigator makes a flechette gun attack at a
–2 step penalty against each creature in a 6-meter square area.
Silenced Flechette Gun 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 12/17/22
(+2 steps); Damage 1d6+2/6 physical (1d6+5/9 against a target at Close
range).
Flashing Blades 3 impulses; the instigator makes three joor-knife attacks
against the same or different targets. Each attack has a –1 step penalty.
Each target hit by this attack must make a Resilience check or begin
taking damage over time (bleeding, passive resist Endurance).
Joor-Knife 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 12/17/22 (+2 steps); Damage
1d6+5/9 physical.
REACTIONS
Counterattack 2-impulse reaction; Trigger an enemy misses the instigator;
Effect the instigator moves up to 6 meters and makes a flechette gun or
joor-knife attack against a target of its choice. The instigator can’t use
Counterattack in consecutive actions.
DEFENSE
Improved Evade The instigator pays 0 impulses to use the Evade action
modifier. When it evades, enemies attacking it suffer a –3 step penalty to
their attack rolls.
(14+ dmg)  dead Topples over, quivering
(14+ dmg)  loses Counterattack Clutches wounds, covering up
(11 to 13 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all Bares fangs and hisses
checks
(8 to 10 dmg)  slowed until end of Briefly knocked off-stride
next action
(1 to 7 dmg)  Ignores grazing hit
OTHER
Skills Culture 12+, Deception 12+, Influence 12+, Misdirection 12+, Stealth 12+
Gear Flechette gun, 2 joor-knives, hardmesh clothing
Kwll 37
Mission Guide
LLAOTH
Xenologist’s
A hulking alien beast covered in tough bone-like armor, the llaoth’s

size and power are enough to make it a predator to be feared.
Protostar
Unfortunately, evolution didn’t stop there: The llaoth is also naturally

ALTERNITY:
psionic and possesses the ability to stun or kill its prey at range with
savage telekinetic blows. It doesn’t hunt humans per se since people
ALTERNITY:
look nothing like its usual prey, but it is aggressive and territorial; the
llaoth’s instinctive response to encountering creatures it hasn’t seen
before is to lash out in an effort to eliminate potential competition.
A llaoth is a one-ton quadruped with thick, clawed legs, a lashing
tail, and a blunt, bulbous head that looks more like the prow of a
ship than a face. Its mouth is small and hidden under its chin, and
Pronounced
“loww-th” or its six eyes are deeply embedded in bony crevices. Most of the
“yoww-th.” space inside its massive, distended skull is taken up by its teleki-
netic organs.
LLAOTH
TR 11 Large Champion Animal (Alien, Psionic)
ACTIONS
Telekinetic Slam 3 impulses; Long 1 or 2 targets within 4 m of each other;
Attack 6/11/16 (+1 step); Damage 3d6+0/4 physical, and the target must
make an Athletics check or be knocked prone.
Ram 4 impulses; Melee spread; Attack 6/11/16 (+1 step); Damage 1d10+6/10
physical.
REACTIONS
Tail Lash 1-impulse reaction; Trigger an enemy ends its action within 4 m of
the llaoth. Melee 1 target; Attack 6/11/16; Damage 1d10+4/8 physical, and
the target must make an Endurance check or be stunned 3 impulses.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the llaoth.
Telekinetic Deflection Physical attacks against the llaoth suffer a –3 step
penalty. Energy attacks suffer a –1 step penalty.
Psionic Resistance The llaoth has resistance 3 to mind bolts (and similar
psionic attacks).
(16+ dmg)  dead Rears up, shrieks, falls
over
(16+ dmg)  stunned 1 impulse Staggered for a moment
(16+ dmg)  armor reduced by 3 Bony plate cracked by hit
(14 to 15 dmg)  distracted until next action Ichor spurts from wound
(1 to 13 dmg)  Stamps ground angrily
OTHER
Skills Dodge 15+, Psychokinesis 12+, Willpower 9+
38 Aliens
Llaoth
LORVIN
Lorvins are colorful, amphibious creatures that resemble newts with
brown, blue, and orange markings. They are roughly the size and
weight as a dog and possess wide mouths filled with small teeth.
Individually, lorvins tend to be curious and even playful. However,
their innocuous appearances conceal their true natures: They’re
pack hunters and they can be dangerous in groups, especially when
hunting. A typical hunting group consists of three to six individuals,
and their aggressiveness increases with their numbers. Lorvins can
also be fiercely protective over their lairs, especially when their
eggs or young are present. Lairs are usually found in shallow lakes,
rivers, or in wet caves; lorvins prefer well-hidden burrows where
their egg clutches can be kept damp.
Lorvins have a venomous bite, but that’s not their most danger-
ous weapon. Their natural language is infrasound. They chatter
constantly amongst themselves, so simply being near a group of
lorvins can sicken most humans. Despite their facility at commu-
nication, lorvins are no smarter than most other animals, so their
low-frequency rumblings and hoots convey little more than basic
emotions or warnings to one another. Lorvins have proven untrain-
able for all practical purposes, though they have been known to
befriend members of other species and follow them around, leading
to master-pet relationships.
LORVIN
TR 2 Small Standard Animal (Alien, Amphibious)
AURA
Infrasound Chatter A living creature that begins its action within 20
meters of at least two lorvins must make an Endurance check or become
impaired until it is no longer within range of two lorvins. The check suffers
a –1 step penalty for each additional lorvin after the first two.
ACTIONS
Poison Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+1 step); Damage
1d6+1/4 physical. If the attack inflicts a wound, the target must make an
Endurance check or take damage over time (poison, passive resist Endur-
ance). The target is impaired until the poison damage ends.
DEFENSE
Small Enemies suffer a –1 step penalty to attack the lorvin.
(11+ dmg)  Dead Stumbles and falls still
(8 to 10 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Yowls in pain
(5 to 7 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Hisses and snaps at foe
(1 to 4 dmg)  Yips and flinches back
Lorvin 39
Mission Guide
MAYZOD
Xenologist’s
Mayzods are an alien

species whose technology
Protostar
is derived almost entirely from

ALTERNITY:
genetic engineering. Their highly

regimented society comprises
ALTERNITY:
dozens of subspecies, each

one bred for a specific
task. Everything needed
to carry out those tasks,
from tools to ranged weapons to
energy and ammunition for those weapons, is incorporated in their
genetic code and produced biologically. Even their genetic labs are
living creatures engineered for the job of breeding other, special-
ized subspecies.
Much about mayzod culture remains unknown, because they are
unrelentingly hostile to other intelligent creatures. The most popular
hypotheses maintains that humans have yet to meet a mayzod bred
Humans don’t for the job of diplomacy. Without more contact—which so far has
know what they call always ended in one side or the other being annihilated—it’s impos-
themselves and just sible to say if such a mayzod exists.
named them after
the Mayzod system, Mayzod subspecies vary tremendously. Common attributes
where they were first include a carapace, six (rarely eight) limbs, multifaceted eyes, and
encountered. segmented bodies. The mayzods described here are the most fre-
quently met breeds. Other types have been encountered, but they
either flee or die before they can be captured.
MAYZOD SCRABBLER
Nonintelligent workers, scrabblers generally ignore nonmayzod
creatures unless the intruders actually enter mayzod structures or
tunnels, or interfere with the scrabblers’ tasks.
TR 2 Small Minion Xenosoph

ACTIONS
Pincer 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25; Damage 2/6 physical.
DEFENSE
Small Enemies suffer a –1 step penalty to attack the scrabbler.
(1+ dmg)  dead Curls up and dies
OTHER
Minion Attack The scrabbler’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
comes the target’s armor. Stellar attacks deal only one wound but ignore
armor.
40 Aliens
Mayzod
Swarm Attack The scrabbler gains a +1 step bonus with its Pincer attack
for each other scrabbler attacking the same target in this impulse, to a
maximum of +3 steps for 4 creatures attacking the same target.
Sudden Death At any time, the scrabbler can cause its own death simply by
willing itself to die. This happens as an autonomic response if it’s rendered
unconscious by enemy action.
MAYZOD SOLDIER
Bred for suicidal loyalty and courage, mayzod soldiers gladly accept
their own deaths if it leads to the destruction of an enemy. One claw
is genetically modified into a biological rifle that fires a dense slug of
calcium carbonate (like an oyster’s shell) and resin.
ACTIONS
physical.
Slug Thrower 4 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 14/19/24; Damage
1d8+0/4 physical (1d8+3/7 physical with AP 3 at Close range).
Jump Attack 5 impulses. The soldier jumps up to 10 meters and makes a claw
attack at any point during its move.
DEFENSE
(12+ dmg)  dead Claws close spasmodically
(9 to 11 dmg)  loses Jump Attack Multiple legs hang limply
(6 to 8 dmg)  moves 4 m as a reaction Advances relentlessly
(1 to 5 dmg)  Ignores the attack
OTHER
Sudden Death At any time, the mayzod soldier can cause its own death
simply by willing itself to die. This happens as an autonomic response if it’s
rendered unconscious by enemy action.
MAYZOD STRAFER
Smallest and least intelligent of the mayzod warrior breeds, strafers
are dangerous nevertheless because they are built to rain down
death from the air. A threatened community’s first response to a
threat usually comes in the form of flights of strafers that intercept
intruders kilometers away from the mayzod lair.
TR 4 Small Standard Xenosoph (Alien)

Initiative 9/14/19; Speed 10 meters, fly 30 meters (hover)
Mayzod 41
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
ACTIONS
Strafe 5 impulses. The strafer flies up to its speed and makes up to three
Spikespewer attacks against different targets that are each no more
Protostar
than 3 m from one of the other targets.

Spikespewer 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step);
ALTERNITY:
Damage 1d8+1/5 physical. If the attack wounds the target, the target suf-
fers damage over time (bleeding, passive resist Endurance or successful
ALTERNITY:
Medicine treatment ends the effect).

physical.
DEFENSE
Small Enemies suffer a –1 step penalty to attack the strafer.
(13+ dmg)  dead Plunges to ground
(10 to 12 dmg)  drops 20 m if flying, takes Wings fold, suddenly loses
falling damage if hits ground altitude
(7 to 9 dmg)  loses Strafe Struggles to throw its spikes
(1 to 6 dmg)  uses reaction to evade until Weaves and dodges
next action
OTHER
Sudden Death At any time, the strafer can cause its own death simply by
MAYZOD BOMBARDIER
This massive creature is a living artillery piece the size of an elephant.
It lobs huge balls of incandescent plasma at enemies that explode
on contact.
TR 4 Huge Champion Xenosoph (Alien)

ACTIONS
Plasma Lobber 4 impulses; Very Long blast; Blast 3 (6) meters; Attack
13/18/23; Primary Damage 2d8+2 energy; Secondary Damage 1d8+2
energy. A creature that fails its Dodge check to avoid the blast (or
chooses not to dodge) suffers damage over time (fire, active resist
Dodge). This weapon is capable of direct or indirect fire.
Plasma Barrage 5 impulses; Very Long area; Area 10-meter square; Effect
The bombardier fills the area with continuous bursts until its next action.
Any creature that begins its turn in the area or enters it takes 1d8+2
energy damage and suffers damage over time (fire, active resist Dodge).
Indirect fire only.
Batter 4 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets; Attack 13/18/23; Damage 2d6+0/4
physical.
DEFENSE
Huge Enemies gain a +2 step bonus to attack the bombardier.
42 Aliens
Mayzod
(13+ dmg)  dead (Death Burst) Explodes in blast of plasma
(13+ dmg)  slowed for rest of sceneLimbs can’t support its
weight
(10 to 12 dmg)  loses Plasma Barrage Plasma glowing through
carapace
(7 to 9 dmg)  distracted until next action Flinches from the attack
(1 to 6 dmg)  Buzzes in deep, angry tone
OTHER
Death Burst The bombardier explodes 1 impulse after it loses its last wound
box. Blast 5 (10) meters; Primary Damage 1d8+3 energy; Secondary
Damage 1d8 energy.
Sudden Death At any time, the bombardier can cause its own death simply
by willing itself to die. This happens as an autonomic response if it’s ren-
dered unconscious by enemy action.
MAYZOD SNIPER
Stealthy and clever, the sniper is capable of more independent action
than most other mayzods. It often serves as a scout for mayzod forces.
TR 5 Medium Champion Xenosoph (Alien)
ACTIONS
Venomous Claws 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets; Attack 12/17/22 (+1 step);
Damage 2d6+2/6 physical, and the target must make an Endurance check
or become dazed by poison (passive resist, Endurance).
Plasma Thrower 3 impulses; Long spread; Attack 12/17/22 (+1 step); Damage
1d10+4/8 energy, and a creature hit by this attack must make a Dodge
check or begin taking damage over time (fire, active resist Dodge).
REACTIONS
Counterattack 2-impulse reaction. When hit by a melee attack, the sniper
uses its Venomous Claws attack against the triggering creature.
DEFENSE
(14+ dmg)  dead Set ablaze by its own plasma
(14+ dmg)  plasma bore only hits 1 Chunks missing from carapace
target
(11 to 13 dmg)  loses Counterattack Reactions jerky and
uncoordinated
(8 to 10 dmg)  speed reduced to 20 m Slowed by missing leg
(1 to 7 dmg)  Ignores the attack
OTHER
Sudden Death At any time, the sniper can cause its own death simply by
Skills Acrobatics 13+, Stealth 11+, Survival 13+
Mayzod 43
Mission Guide
MYARREEN
Xenologist’s
Myarreens have biological characteristics of both plants and ani-

mals. They show signs of primitive intelligence roughly on par with a
Protostar
dimwitted dog, but having no brain and no central nervous system,

ALTERNITY:
it’s impossible to be sure. What’s certain is that they’re efficient

carnivores, and they’re devilishly hard to spot in thick foliage. They
ALTERNITY:
attach themselves to trunks of trees and let their vinelike tendrils

hang to the ground among normal foliage. When prey gets close,
the myarreen grabs it with a tendril and hoists it to the mouth.
A myarreen has a body the size and shape of an oil drum with
flesh that’s indistinguishable from tree bark. At one end is a mouth
ringed by four vinelike tendrils; at the other end are shorter tendrils
that anchor the myarreen to its perch.
MYARREEN
TR 4 Large Champion Enigma (Plant)
ACTIONS
Grab 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets (reach 8 m); Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step);
Effect the target is grappled. It can have up to four targets grappled at
one time.
Drag 1 impulse; Melee 1 or 2 grappled targets. The myarreen pulls the target
4 m closer. The target can use a 1-impulse reaction to attempt an Athletics
check to resist being dragged.
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 adjacent grappled target; Attack 13/18/23 (+3
steps); Damage 2d6+1/5 physical, and the target must make an Endur-
ance check or become impaired by the myarreen’s sedating saliva (active
resist Endurance).
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the myarreen.
(13+ dmg)  dead Sinks to ground, twitching
(13+ dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Growing noticeably weaker
(10 to 12 dmg)  one grappled target released Tendrils thrash uselessly
(7 to 9 dmg)  uses Drag as a reaction Convulsively tightens grip
(1 to 6 dmg)  Seems unfazed
OTHER
Minor Camouflage The myarreen gains a +2 step bonus on Stealth checks to
hide in its native terrain.
Ambush The myarreen hides with its tendrils deployed, threatening any-
thing within 8 m of its body. A creature that enters a myarreen’s ambush
makes an Awareness check to spot the tendrils before entering. If the
check fails, the creature is automatically hit by the Grab attack, and the
myarreen gains tactical surprise.
44 Aliens
Myarreen
NESH
The nesh live according to fairly rigid social norms. However, individ-
ual nesh sometimes test the limits of what their society will accept,
the same way humans do. Furthermore, when outsiders visit the
Neverending Grove, someone must interact with them and protect
the All-Tree’s designs against alien interference. Enter the nesh
sanctioners, who combine the duties of ambassadors with those of
telepathic secret police.
Nesh sanctioners serve as watchdogs over their fellow nesh and
as liaisons to outsiders, both on the nesh homeworld and in the
galaxy at large. They are a peculiarly militant diplomatic corps, as
ready to wield a gun as a treaty agreement.
NESH SANCTIONER
ACTIONS
Double Attack 4 impulses. The sanctioner makes two knife attacks.
Knife 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+2 steps); Damage
1d4+4/8 physical.
Sonic Bore 4 impulses; Close spread; Attack 15/20/25 (+1 step); Damage
1d8+2/6 energy, and the target makes an Endurance check. If the target
fails to counter the attack success, it is stunned for 3 impulses.
DEFENSE
(11+ dmg)  dead Folds up and crumples to ground
(11+ dmg)  –3 step penalty to all “I serve the All-Tree!”
checks
(8 to 10 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all Grunts in pain, flinching
checks
(5 to 7 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all “This is your last warning!”
checks
(1 to 4 dmg)  “This is pointless. Surrender now.”
OTHER
Communion The nesh sanctioner can make Influence checks and Coercion
checks while communicating telepathically.
Empathy The nesh sanctioner gains a +2 step bonus on Empathy checks to
assess someone’s mood, and it suffers a –2 step penalty on Willpower
checks to avoid mental manipulation.
Rapport The nesh sanctioner can communicate telepathically with up to
five sentient creatures at one time. All must have Intelligence 2 or higher,
and all must be within 1 km of the nesh sanctioner. This communication is
conducted at the speed of normal speech.
Skills Culture 14+, Empathy 13+, Influence 14+
Nesh 45
Mission Guide
ORVHU
Xenologist’s
Clever pack predators descended

from genetically engineered
Protostar
guard-beasts that
ALTERNITY:
escaped into the wild

long ago, orvhus are
ALTERNITY:
highly aggressive
and territorial. They
employ sophisticated
stalking tactics,
sending one or two
pack members
out into the open
to drive poten-
tial prey into an
ambush by the
rest of the pack.
Orvhus are lean, scaly
quadrupeds that look a little bit
like lions with leathery crests
instead of manes. Their
scales are a mottled dark
blue and light blue in color,
and they have powerful clawed feet.
ORVHU
TR 1 Medium Standard Animal (Alien)
Senses low-light, scent; Awareness 14+
ACTIONS
Claws 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 16/21/25 (+1 step); Damage
1d6+2/6 physical, and the orvhu grapples the target if it beats the tar-
get’s Hand to Hand check.
Rend 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled target; Attack 16/21/25 (+2 steps);
Damage 1d6+4/8 physical.
DEFENSE
Armor 2 physical, 2 energy (5 vs. lasers)
(10+ dmg)  dead Goes down thrashing wildly
(7 to 9 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Snarls and snaps at air
(4 to 6 dmg)  moves 6 meters Springs away from pain
(1 to 3 dmg)  Yips but keeps coming
OTHER
Scattering Hide The orvhu has improved armor against lasers and similar
effects (see Armor, above).
46 Aliens
Orvhu
QUONSOO
Quonsoos are better known by their common nickname, “space
eels.” They aren’t eels at all, or even particularly eel-like, but once
that tag was applied, it stuck. Quonsoos are little more than hollow
cylinders of leathery, translucent tissue, more akin to tough sea
cucumbers than eels.
Quonsoos thrive in cold vacuum, crushing and consuming any-
thing that fits into their tubelike bodies. They sense their surroundings
and move through space by manipulating gravity. They are greatly
feared by spacers who do extravehicular work in asteroid belts.
Whenever a spacer disappears, space eels are likely to be blamed.
QUONSOO
TR 9 Large Standard Enigma
Senses normal, low-light, gravitational; Awareness 14+
Initiative 12/17/22; Speed 2 meters, fly 25 meters (in space only)
ACTIONS
Engulf 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step); Damage 1d10+4/9
physical, and a Medium or smaller target must make a Dodge check or be
swallowed by the quonsoo. The quonsoo can only engulf one creature at
a time. An engulfed creature is grappled, but the quonsoo is not. Anything
outside the quonsoo has total cover from the engulfed creature.
Constrict 3 impulses; Melee 1 engulfed target; Attack 8/13/18 (+3 steps);
Damage 1d10+4 physical.
REACTIONS
Eject 1-impulse reaction; Trigger An engulfed creature wounds the quonsoo;
Effect The quonsoo spits out the attacker. The triggering creature moves
10 meters away from the quonsoo and is stunned 3 impulses.
DEFENSE
Immune Poison, radiation
Indistinct The quonsoo is hard to see in space. Awareness checks to spot it
there take a –3 step penalty, and attacks against it from Medium range
or longer suffer a –3 step penalty.
Shared Risk Attacks against the quonsoo that score an Excellent or Stellar
success inflict an Average success on any engulfed creature.
Life Support The quonsoo ignores most environmental conditions.
(16+ dmg)  dead Corpse shrinks by 50 percent
(15 dmg)  no longer Indistinct Flesh gains a milky appearance
(12 to 14 dmg)  moves 10 m as a reaction Jets toward attacker
(1 to 11 dmg)  Ripples silently
OTHER
Gravitational Sense A quonsoo can detect anything that has mass. It can
sense objects behind other objects and inside other objects, but it must
make an Awareness check to discern otherwise-hidden creatures.
Quonsoo 47
Mission Guide
ROBOT
Xenologist’s
Xenologists don’t have much reason to study robots, of course, but

robots are among the most common adversaries heroes face. Wher-
Protostar
ever humans travel, they bring robot workers, guards, sentries, and
ALTERNITY:
war machines. Armed robots are gener-

HACKING ROBOTS ally considered to be restricted or military
ALTERNITY:
equipment, and few private citizens can

It’s hard to hack a robot that’s
legally own them. However, corporations
trying to kill you; the last thing the
and oppressive governments often pro-
original programmers want is for
tect their facilities or key executives with
you to steal control of the robot
top-of-the-line combat robots. Likewise,
and turn it against them. Gaining
criminals with sufficient resources don’t
control of a robot in a combat scene
let laws and regulations deter them from
is a complex skill check against
programming ordinary labor robots to
Computer, usually requiring 6 to 10
serve as effective foot soldiers and mod-
successes. Security and military
ifying them to carry as much firepower as
robots are protected by encryption
possible.
that imposes a penalty on your
Control Authority: Each robot is pro-
checks (typically a number of steps
grammed to respond to the vocal orders
equal to half the robot’s TR). You’ll
or wireless command signals of humans
also need a computer or datapad
authorized to give it commands. Estab-
to establish a wireless connection,
lishing command authority is part of boot-
or the tech-appropriate equivalent.
ing up a robot or reassigning it to a new
For extra security, some robots
task, and it’s not easy to alter—you need
don’t accept any data connections
some combination of facial recognition,
unless they’re in the presence of a
passwords, remote verification, or control
unique ID-signal device, such as a
devices (usually in the form of a bracelet,
key fob, command baton, or special
pin, or baton). Multiple robots can be
rank insignia. It’s impossible to hack
slaved to the same control device; it’s
those robots unless you have the
not unusual for a human site supervisor
proper signal device.
to have control over a number of robots
on that site. Control authority can also
be delegated; a robot may follow routine
direction from a low-ranking human supervisor, but require a direct
order from a high-ranking supervisor before it does something dan-
gerous or illegal.
DEFENDER G300
An inexpensive commercial model often found serving as a facil-
ity sentry or a personal bodyguard, the Defender G300 is rugged
and reliable. The robot has a sturdy base with six wheels, a 1.5-
meter torso, and tentacle-like manipulator arms. Its weapon is
mounted in a turret-like housing atop its body. It can easily handle
stairs or rough terrain by rotating its suspension, although it can’t
climb ladders.
48 Aliens
Robot
TR 1 Medium Champion Mechanism (Robot)
Str 14+ Agi 16+ Vit 15+ Int 16+ (programmed) Foc 15+ Per 19+
ACTIONS
Double Attack 4 impulses; the Defender makes two sonic pulser or two
tentacle attacks against the same or different targets.
Sonic Pulser 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 16/21/26 (+1 step); Damage
1d8+0/4 energy, and the target must make an Endurance check or be
stunned 3 impulses.
Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 16/21/26 (+1 step); Damage
1d6+0/4 physical, and the Defender grapples the target if it beats the
REACTIONS
Protect 1-impulse reaction; Trigger an adjacent ally is attacked by an enemy
the Defender is aware of. The Defender exchanges places with the ally
and becomes the target of the attack.
DEFENSE
Life Support The Defender ignores most environmental conditions.
(10+ dmg)  destroyed Topples over, smoking
(10+ dmg)  Loses Double Attack One side shorts out
(7 to 9 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks “Repairs required.”
(4 to 6 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Pieces of casing shot away
(1 to 3 dmg)  “Target designated hostile.”
OTHER
Wheeled Slow terrain costs the Defender 4 m of movement instead of 2 m.
Skills Medicine 14+, Security 14+
HELOT L5
The Helot is a heavy-labor robot that is basically a walking, self-
directed forklift for handling heavy cargo and bulk materials. It has a
bipedal chassis with two large manipulator arms that end in adjust-
able forks. The chassis includes a 250-kilo counterweight on its
back, plus the ability to deploy four additional stabilizing “feet” when
needed for heavy lifts. The Helot weighs in at a hefty 1 ton, but can
lift loads of up to three times that weight. Naturally, that’s
the kind of Helot
Helots are programmed for safety and carefully monitor their described here.
environment to avoid endangering nearby humans. However,
criminals have been known to reprogram Helots to serve as brutal,
walking tanks.
TR 2 Large Boss Mechanism (Robot)

Robot 49
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
ACTIONS
Double Attack 4 impulses; the Helot makes two lift-arm attacks against the
same or different targets.
Protostar
Lift-Arm 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+1 step); Damage

2d6+0/4 physical, and the Helot grapples the target if it beats the tar-
ALTERNITY:
get’s Hand to Hand check.

Crush 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 grappled targets; Attack 15/20/25 (+3
ALTERNITY:
steps); Damage 2d6+0/4 physical.

Bulldoze 5 impulses. The Helot moves 10 meters straight ahead and tram-
ples or bashes through Large or smaller creatures and objects in its path.
Area Effect 3 m by 10 m path; Damage 2d6+2 physical, and target pushed
4 m and knocked prone. A creature in the area can make a Dodge check
as a reaction to move out of the area.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the Helot.
Life Support The Helot ignores most environmental conditions.
Stun Resistant Stun effects on the Helot are treated as daze effects instead.
(11+ dmg)  destroyed Lurches to a halt
(11+ dmg)  Loses Double Attack One side shorts out
(8 to 10 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all Hydraulic fluid splatters
checks
(5 to 7 dmg)  uses Bulldoze as reaction Lumbers toward attacker
(1 to 4 dmg)  Warning lights blink
INTERDICTOR MK. 6
The Interdictor is a commercially available combat robot designed
to provide serious firepower against distant targets from the air or
from the ground. It features advanced repulsion-field thrusters that
provide a low-speed flight capability, as well as a rugged tripedal
chassis to allow ground-based operation when the terrain favors
it. The robot can store up to 24 missiles in its internal magazine,
selecting between different weapons depending on the situation.
(Z-missiles with general-purpose blast and armor-piercing acid war-
heads are described below.) Perhaps its most dangerous weapon is
its fiendishly clever tactical programming. The Interdictor is a smart
and resourceful opponent, with a lethal knack for opportunity fire.
TR 7 Medium Champion Mechanism (Robot)

ACTIONS
Skirmish 3 impulses. The Interdictor moves up to 6 m and makes a Z-Missile
attack.
Z-Missile, Blast 4 impulses; Very Long blast 3 (6) meters; Attack 10/15/20
(+1 step); Primary Damage 2d10 energy; Secondary Damage 2d6 energy.
50 Aliens
Robot
Targets that fail to dodge are pushed 4 m from the blast origin and
knocked prone.
Z-Missile, Acid 3 impulses; Very Long 1 target; Attack 10/15/20 (+1 step);
Damage 2d6+1/5 energy (AP 3), and targets suffers damage over time
(acid, passive resist Endurance).
Slam 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 10/15/20 (+1 step); Damage 1d8+2/6
physical.
REACTIONS
Opportunity Fire 2-impulse reaction; Trigger an enemy within Long range
moves out of cover; Effect the Interdictor makes a Z-Missile attack
against the triggering enemy. The Interdictor can’t use Opportunity Fire
on consecutive actions.
DEFENSE
Life Support The Interdictor ignores most environmental conditions.
Stun Resistant Stun effects on the Interdictor are treated as daze effects
instead.
(15+ dmg)  destroyed Explodes!
(15+ dmg)  loses Opportunity Fire CPU damaged
(12 to 14 dmg)  loses fly speed, descends 10 m Thrusters knocked out
each impulse until it lands Gold plating and
(9 to 11 dmg)  can’t attack at L or VL range Targeting sensors damaged hot paint jobs are
(1 to 8 dmg)  “Engaging.” popular too.
OTHER
Death Burst The Interdictor explodes 1 impulse after it
loses its last wound box. Blast 3 (6) meters; Primary
Damage 2d10 energy; Secondary Damage 2d6
energy.
Skills Dodge 10+
MYRMIDON XJL
Designed for the brutal sport of robotic
arena fighting, the Myrmidon often
doubles as an elite bodyguard or
assassin in its owner’s service. Using
arena-fighters as muscle is something
of a status symbol in some criminal
circles, and gangsters have been known
to spend lavishly on customizing their
favorite fighter’s weapons outfit or
combat programming.
Most gladiator models are bipedal robots that wield
powered melee weapons, but the variations on the basic
design are countless.
Robot 51
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
TR 6 Medium Standard Mechanism (Robot)

Protostar
ALTERNITY:
ACTIONS
Vibrosword 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step); Damage
1d8+3/7 physical.
ALTERNITY:
REACTIONS
Block 1-impulse reaction. When targeted by a melee attack, the Myrmi-
don can make a vibrosword attack as an opposed check to counter the
attacker’s check result.
DEFENSE
Life Support The Myrmidon ignores most environmental conditions.
Battle Shield The Myrmidon has 50% cover (–2 step penalty) against melee
and ranged attacks originating from in front of it.
(15+ dmg)  destroyed Winds down like broken toy
(12 to 14 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Servos grind, losing balance
(9 to 11 dmg)  loses Battle Shield Shield shot away
(1 to 8 dmg)  “Lethal mode ACTIVE.”
OTHER
Skills Athletics 11+, Dodge 11+, Performance (arena combat) 14+, Resilience
12+
OVERSEER 730
A machine designed to serve as an instrument of tyranny, the Over-
seer is a powerful surveillance and intervention robot that special-
izes in monitoring restive populations and eliminating insurgents
wherever it finds them. Not only is it an effective combat robot,
it also serves as a local command node, coordinating the efforts
of allied robots in its vicinity and devising clever plans for accom-
plishing its tasks. Its chassis consists of a spherical torso ringed by
repulsion-field generators and powerful metallic tentacles. It has a
coffin-shaped prisoner compartment on its back for capturing and
transporting those who resist its commands.
TR 11 Large Standard Mechanism (Robot)

ACTIONS
Infrared Laser 3 impulses; Very Long 1 target; Attack 6/11/16 (+1 step);
Damage 1d8+6/10 energy.
Stunning Tentacle 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 6/11/16 (+1 step);
Damage 1d8+4/8 physical, and the target must make an Endurance check
or be stunned 3 impulses.
52 Aliens
Robot
Capture 3 impulses; Melee 1 stunned or unconscious target of Medium size
or smaller; Effect The Overseer uses its tentacles to move a subdued
target into its prisoner compartment, which is filled with anesthesia gas.
A living creature that begins its turn in the compartment must make
an Endurance check or be incapacitated for 1 minute. A creature in the
compartment is grappled by the Overseer, but the Overseer is not grap-
pled and can move normally. Prisoners can break out by defeating the
Overseer in an opposed Athletics check. Prisoners can’t be targeted by
enemies outside—the Overseer provides total cover.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the Overseer.
Life Support The Overseer ignores most environmental conditions.
(16+ dmg)  destroyed “Action… not… permitted… “
(16+ dmg)  any captive released Hatch cracked, prisoner falls out
(14 to 15 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all Shudders, sparks flying
checks
(1 to 13 dmg)  “Do not resist. It is pointless.”
OTHER
Command Nexus Non-Overseer mechanisms within Medium range of an
allied Overseer gain a +1 step bonus on all attacks and cannot become
dazed, distracted, or slowed. The Overseer perceives everything an allied
mechanism in its command aura perceives.
Skills Coercion 12+, Computer 9+, Dodge 9+, Empathy 11+, Security 9+
SABER GUNBOT
It’s generally illegal to disable a nonmilitary robot’s safety settings
and fit it out with weapons, but that doesn’t stop people who need
cheap, disposable firepower from doing exactly that. The Saber
gunbot is a fairly common “upgrade kit” that includes basic targeting
optics, tactical software, and a replacement behavior card with the
safeties disabled. Criminal gangs and people running illicit busi-
nesses in dangerous neighborhoods are the most common users
of Saber gunbots, but sometimes miners or colonists on dangerous
planets fit out labor robots to guard against indigenous wildlife.
The gunbot’s weapon is typically a cheap SMG welded onto
one forearm.
TR 3 Medium Minion Mechanism (Robot)

ACTIONS
SMG Burst 4 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage
2/6 physical. The burst inflicts two wounds instead of one (see Minion
Attack, below).
Slam 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage 2/6
physical.
Robot 53
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
DEFENSE
(1+ dmg)  destroyed Topples with a shower of sparks
Protostar
OTHER
ALTERNITY:
Minion Attack The gunbot’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
comes the target’s armor. Stellar attacks deal only one wound but ignore
ALTERNITY:
armor.
Skills Mechanics 16+
Gear SMG (welded to arm), 2 spare magazines (in storage compartments).
WARSPITE Z9Z
The Warspite is essentially a robotic tank—an autonomous combat
vehicle designed to locate, identify, and then neutralize enemy
forces with the application of heavy firepower. Unarmored humans
on foot have little chance against a Warspite that’s locked in on their
position; taking out a Warspite usually requires top-line powered
armor and sustained heavy-weapons fire. The Warspite’s chassis is
a sturdy, tracked hull with a microfusion power plant that provides
a field endurance of 6 months or more for routine patrols. Atop the
hull is an armored turret equipped with highly capable sensors and
weapon systems. The Warspite is 5.5 meters long, 2 meters wide,
and 2 meters tall, weighing in at 10 tons with a full ammunition
load—it’s comparable to a small armored fighting vehicle.
Warspites (and similar heavy combat robots) are military assets
and generally kept under close control. Unfortunately, there is a lot
of money to be made by selling military-grade fighting machines
to local dictators or megacorps with special “security” concerns.
Warspites occasionally fall into the hands of people who want to fix
problems with the use of excessive firepower and who don’t really
care if anyone gets hurt in the process.
TR 12 Huge Boss Mechanism (Robot)

ACTIONS
Open Fire 4 impulses; the Warspite uses two different ranged attacks
against different targets.
Heavy Neutron Cannon 3 impulses; Very Long 1 target; Attack 5/10/15 (+1
step); Damage 2d8+2/6 energy, AP 6.
Heavy Plasma Hurler 3 impulses; Very Long blast 4 (8) meters; Attack
5/10/15 (+1 step); Primary Damage 3d8 energy; Secondary Damage 2d8
energy.
Antipersonnel Flechettes 2 impulses; Medium spread; Attack 5/10/15 (+1
step); Damage 1d10+4/8 physical, or 1d10+7/11 physical at Close range.
Slam 4 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets; Attack 5/10/15 (+1 step); Damage
2d8+0/5 physical.
54 Aliens
Robot
REACTIONS
Counterfire 0-impulse reaction; Trigger an enemy within Medium range
hits the Warspite; Effect the Warspite makes an Antipersonnel Flechettes
attack against the triggering enemy. The Warspite can’t use Counterfire
on consecutive actions.
DEFENSE
Huge Enemies gain a +2 step bonus to attack the Warspite.
Life Support The Warspite ignores most environmental conditions.
Stun Resistant Stun effects on the Warspite are treated as daze effects
instead.
Force Shield The Warspite is protected by energy fields that absorb
damage. All energy and physical attacks that hit the Warspite hit the
force shield instead. The force shield has armor 5 and durability as below:
(16+ dmg) 
(13 to 15 dmg) 
(10 to 12 dmg) 
(7 to 9 dmg) 
(1 to 6 dmg) 
When the force shield loses its last wound box, it fails. (Any extra wounds
inflicted by the attack that destroys the force shield bleed through to
the Warspite and are subject to its normal armor.) Once a force shield is
destroyed, all subsequent attacks in the scene ignore it.
(19+ dmg)  destroyed Stops and starts smoking
(19+ dmg)  becomes dazed and Systems shorting out
slowed
(17 to 18 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all Targeting system damaged
checks
(15 to 16 dmg)  Counterfire requires 1 Defenses overloaded
impulse
(1 to 14 dmg)  Barely a scratch
OTHER
Skills Dodge 10+, Mechanics 12+, Security 12+
Robot 55
Mission Guide
SKIARTH
Xenologist’s
Tall, gaunt, amphibious bipeds, skiarths are brutal and bloodthirsty.

Their limbs feature strong swimming fins, and their webbed hands
Protostar
end in massive claws. The head is a strange mix of humanoid and

ALTERNITY:
fish, with a wide-lipped mouth, slits for a nose, and large, black eyes.
Skiarths spend most of their time in the ocean, but they are more
ALTERNITY:
than capable of pursuing intruders onto the land.

At this point, skiarths are little more than semi-intelligent mon-
sters, but thousands of years ago they were the most advanced
species on their world, with sprawling cities. Nuclear annihilation
caused by warring states brought an end to their once-great civili-
zation, and they retreated to the seas and began a slow but steady
de-evolution. They now live in small familial units that are hostile
toward other groups of their kind.
Skiarths are violent savages, but they understand brute force.
Offworlders sometimes enlist them as mercenaries and raiders.
SKIARTH
TR 5 Large Champion Xenosoph (Alien, Amphibious)
ACTIONS
Claw Frenzy 4 impulses. The skiarth makes two claw attacks against the
same or different targets. If it hits the same target with both claws, it
grapples the target and can use Rend as a free action.
physical.
Rend 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled target; Attack 12/17/22 (+3 steps);
Damage 2d6+2/6 physical, and the target must make an Athletics check
or be thrown up to 5 m and knocked prone.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the skiarth.
Extreme Regeneration At the end of each action round, the skiarth heals 2
wound boxes unless the wound was inflicted by fire or radiation damage.
A dead skiarth can’t regenerate.
(14+ dmg)  dead Dies crawling toward slayer
(14+ dmg)  slowed for rest of the scene Crippled by serious blow
(11 to 13 dmg)  distracted until next action Roars and slaps at wound
(8 to 10 dmg)  knocked off-balance Jolted by a hard hit
(1 to 7 dmg)  Just makes it madder
OTHER
Blood-Crazed The skiarth gains a +1 step bonus to attack if it’s wounded.
Skills Athletics 11+, Stealth 14+, Survival 13+
56 Aliens
Skiarth
SURZNON
Fierce primate-like aliens from
a savage world, surznons
gather in huge troops that
often number in the hun-
dreds. These troops are
highly aggressive, hunting
down any potential food that
catches their attention and over-
whelming prey with wave after wave
of furious assaults. Nature has also
provided surznons with a dangerous
missile weapon: they can pluck out
the spines on their forearms and fling
them with deadly accuracy. A caustic
venom in the spine inflicts an agoniz-
ing wound. While they are not sentient,
surznons have learned to recognize
guns as weapons that kill from a dis-
tance, and they know to screen their
approach with cover when attacking
armed parties.
SURZNON
TR 9 Medium Minion Animal (Alien)
Initiative 11/16/21 (+1 step); Speed 30 meters, climb 15 meters
ACTIONS
Fling Spine 3 impulses; Close 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step); Damage 4/8
physical, and if the spine inflicts a wound on a living target, the target
becomes impaired (active resist, Endurance).
Maul 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 8/13/18 (+1 step); Damage 5/9
physical.
DEFENSE
Improved Evade The surznon pays 0 impulses to use the Evade action modi-
fier. When it evades, enemies attacking it suffer a –3 step penalty to their
attack rolls.
(1+ dmg)  dead Leaps up shrieking, then falls
OTHER
Minion Attack The surznon’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
armor.
Skills Dodge 13+, Endurance 13+, Stealth 13+
Surznon 57
Mission Guide
TAZECRAB
Xenologist’s
The tazecrab is an opportunistic scavenger with a shocking mode of

attack—literally. It resembles a crab or lobster, with six long legs and
Protostar
a hard, full-body carapace. Its small claws are equipped with three
ALTERNITY:
pincers instead of two, but those are purely for handling food; two
oversized antennae are its weapons. These antennae can telescope
ALTERNITY:
from a length of 0.2 meters to 2 meters in a fraction of a second; a

moment after the antennae are extended on either side of the taze-
crab’s prey, a powerful bioelectrical shock jumps from one antenna
to the other, passing through the prey’s body to stun or kill it. The
first shock is the largest. Subsequent shocks are noticeably weaker
until the tazecrab has a moment to rebuild its charge.
Tazecrabs are clumsy and comical at first glance, and they’re
also rather cowardly. Lone tazecrabs avoid attacking more numer-
ous opponents, skulking along a few dozen meters behind larger
creatures and waiting to see if any meals are left behind. They grow
bolder as their numbers increase, however. And, since they can’t tell
the difference between a sleeping human and a dead human, they’re
likely to attack when a group of explorers tries to camp for the night.
TAZECRAB
TR 2 Small Standard Animal (Alien)
ACTIONS
Shock 2 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25; Damage 1d6+0/4
energy, or 1d6+3/7 energy if charged (see below). If the tazecrab suc-
ceeds with a charged Shock, the target must counter the attack result
with an Endurance check or become impaired (active resist Endurance).
Recharge 2 impulses. The tazecrab gains a +2 step bonus on its next Shock
attack. The tazecrab begins a scene with its Shock attack charged.
physical.
DEFENSE
Small Enemies suffer a –1 step penalty to attack the tazecrab.
(11+ dmg)  dead Sparks erupt from cracked carapace
(8 to 10 dmg)  Recharge requires 4 One antenna amputated
impulses
(5 to 7 dmg)  knocked prone Kicks itself upside-down in spasm
(1 to 4 dmg)  Loses a leg, but doesn’t seem to care
OTHER
Camouflage The tazecrab gains a +4 step bonus on Stealth checks to hide in
its native terrain (salt marsh and coastal terrain).
58 Aliens
Tazecrab
TETHYS SHARK
The principles of convergent evolution naturally lead to the rise
of familiar forms on many different worlds. Humans exploring new
worlds naturally name new creatures they encounter after examples
of superficially similar creatures from Earth. The Tethys shark is an
excellent example; it looks like it would be at home in Earth’s seas.
However, it’s actually native to the vast ocean within the icy shell of
a Europa-like moon. The creature is eyeless, compensating for its
blindness with keen senses of echolocation and electroreception.
It’s fast, smart, aggressive, and social, gathering with others of its Named for Earth’s
primordial sea, not
kind into deadly packs to take down large prey. the moon of Saturn.
Naturally, few humans go swimming a hundred kilometers under
the ice of gas-giant moons. However, specialized ice-mining colo-
nies and science outposts have been established within Europan
worlds of unusual interest. Tethys sharks are sometimes intro-
duced to other planets to serve as marine colony protectors, or are
trained to deliver and retrieve scientific equipment. In some cases,
Tethys sharks escape human control and revert to their predatory
(and dangerous) habits—or even turn on the facilities they are sup-
posed to protect.
TETHYS SHARK
TR 1 Medium Standard Animal (Alien, Aquatic)
Senses blind, echolocation, electrosense; Awareness 14+
Initiative 13/18/23 (+1 step); Speed swim 40 meters
ACTIONS
physical, and the target suffers damage over time (bleeding, passive
resist Endurance or successful Medicine treatment ends the effect).
DEFENSE
Armor 2 physical
(10+ dmg)  dead Goes limp and starts to sink
(7 to 9 dmg)  stunned 2 impulses Drifts aimlessly for a moment
(4 to 6 dmg)  retreats 10 m as a reaction Recoils, backing off
(1 to 3 dmg)  Ignores the injury
OTHER
Blind The Tethys shark is eyeless. However, in water its echolocation and
electrosense allow it to “see” up to 200 meters, and it suffers none of the
combat penalties for being blind as long as it can “ping” its target with
echolocation or sense its target’s bioelectric field. Loud sounds or electric
discharges “blind” the Tethys shark for 5 impulses.
Swarm Attack The Tethys shark gains a +1 step bonus with its attack for
each other shark attacking the same target in this impulse, to a maximum
of +3 steps for 4 creatures attacking the same target.
Tethys Shark 59
Mission Guide
TUZ-VILAGI
Xenologist’s
Native to the volcanic moon Tuz-Vilag, the tuz-vilagi are lifeforms

based on silicone compounds and sulfur dioxide. Their native envi-
Protostar
ronment is a volcanic hell with temperatures that routinely approach

ALTERNITY:
900° C; molten rock is no more dangerous to them than the ocean

is for humans. Human explorers named them after their homeworld,
ALTERNITY:
since they found the species’ name for itself unpronounceable. In

fact, humans hardly recognize their language as speech at all.
A tuz-vilagi resembles a 1.5-meter worm with a body made of
thick ring segments. Its blood and tissue are semisolid silicone com-
pounds as hot as a blast furnace. It can create and extrude manipu-
lative tendrils from its body. The creature often wears a harness and
carries tools or weapons made from highly heat-resistant alloys. It
can endure vacuum or inert atmospheres for hours.
With species that come from two such mutually incompatible
environments, one might wonder how humans and tuz-vilagi ever
meet. The answer is in space. The tuz-vilagi are intelligent tool-users
with interplanetary travel. They are wary of humans, having encoun-
tered greedy prospectors, and some greet human intruders with
weapon fire. Others are willing to trade.
TUZ-VILAGI
TR 4 Small Standard Enigma (Alien, Mineral)
AURA
Body Heat Resolve at end of impulse 8. Creatures within 4 meters of a tuz-
vilagi must make an Endurance check or suffer 2d4 energy damage (fire).
ACTIONS
Bolt Thrower 4 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step);
Damage 1d6+3/7 physical, AP 2.
Slam 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step); Damage 1d6+3/7
physical, and the target begins taking damage over time (fire, active
resist 1).
DEFENSE
Small Enemies have a –1 step penalty on attacks against the tuz-vilagi.
Immune Acid, fire, poison
(13+ dmg)  incapacitated Freezes in black, rocky crust
(10 to 12 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Writhes in agony
(7 to 9 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Molten blood splatters ground
(1 to 6 dmg)  Recoils, looking for cover
OTHER
Skills Empathy 14+, Engineering 14+, Mechanics 14+
Gear Bolt thrower, containment suit (essentially vacuum armor).
60 Aliens
Tuz-Vilagi
TY’CLI
A species of small, sentient flyers from a lush forest world, ty’cli are
primitive hunter-gatherers who prefer to avoid contact with outsid-
ers. However, the alien ruins and rich biosphere of their homeworld
often brings human explorers into their territory.
Physically, a ty’cli reminds most human observers of a dragonfly.
It has long, slender limbs, translucent wings, compound eyes, and
small mandibles. Its skin is tough, leathery, and hairless, and has an
iridescent sheen in the right lighting. However, the ty’cli is actually
more like a mammal than an insect. On the ground, it adopts an
upright, bipedal stance, freeing its forelimbs for tool use. Its lan-
guage consists of complex clicks, chirps, and whistles.
Ty’Cli society is tribal. Most tribes are merely skittish and seek to
avoid contact with humans. Some tribes, however, are highly xeno-
phobic and choose to confront intruders rather than flee from them.
A hostile ty’cli tribe fighting in its home territory can be a serious
challenge despite their simple weapons; the ty’cli are masters of
stealth and hit-and-run attacks.
TY’CLI
TR 2 Small Standard Humanoid (Alien)
Initiative 9/14/19; Speed 20 meters, fly 50 meters
ACTIONS
Hit and Run 4 impulses. The ty’cli moves up to its speed and makes an
attack at any point during its move. If it finishes its move in a spot with
cover or concealment, it can make a Stealth check to hide.
Bow 3 impulses, reload 1 impulse; Medium 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+1
step); Damage 1d6+1/5 physical and poison (see below).
physical and poison (see below).
DEFENSE
Small Enemies have a –1 step penalty on attacks against the ty’cli.
(9+ dmg)  incapacitated Folds up and tumbles to ground
(6 to 8 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Screeches and shudders
(3 to 5 dmg)  can’t fly in next action Shot through wing
(1 to 2 dmg)  flies 10 m as a reaction Clicks and darts for cover
OTHER
Poison Ty’cli have a venomous bite, and often apply their natural venom to
their arrows. A creature wounded by a ty’cli bite or arrow must make an
Endurance check or suffer damage over time (poison, passive resist 1).
While poisoned, the target is also impaired.
Gear Bow, 12 arrows.
Ty’Cli 61
Mission Guide
UMCHACI
Xenologist’s
Umchaci are ambulatory carnivorous plants with strong tentacle-like

roots and cactus-like spines dangling from shoots that resemble
Protostar
fruit. Their intelligence is comparable to a dimwitted reptile, but they

ALTERNITY:
are leaps and bounds more aware than the vast majority of plants.
Researchers have never found this creature’s planet of origin, and it
ALTERNITY:
is believed that the species was created in a lab and unleashed on

the universe as a form of terrorism.
Umchaci are patient and stealthy, slowly creeping close enough
to shower potential prey with their quills. They then follow the
wounded prey until the victim succumbs to its poison.
UMCHACI
TR 6 Medium Boss Enigma (Alien, Plant)
ACTIONS
Root-Tentacles 3 impulses; Melee 1 or 2 targets; Attack 11/16/21 (+1 step);
Damage 2d8+0/4 physical, and the umchaci grapples the target if it beats
the target’s Hand to Hand check.
Crush 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled target; Attack 11/16/21 (+3 steps);
Damage 2d8+0/4 physical. If the attack inflicts a wound, the target is also
affected by Poison Quills (see below).
Fling Quills (1/scene) 3 impulses; Close up to 3 targets within a 6 m area;
Attack 11/16/21; Damage 1d8+3/7 physical. If attack inflicts a wound, the
target is also affected by Poison Quills (see below).
REACTIONS
Quill Cloud 1-impulse reaction. Trigger the umchaci suffers a wound of 12 to
14 severity; Effect the umchaci regains Fling Quills if already used, and
uses Fling Quills against all targets within Close range.
DEFENSE
Immune Bleeding, poison, stun
(15+ dmg)  dead Has become chopped salad
(15+ dmg)  –1 step penalty to checks Green blood oozes
(12 to 14 dmg)  uses Quill Cloud reaction Shakes violently, throwing
quills
(9 to 11 dmg)  releases grappled target Root-tentacle severed
(1 to 8 dmg)  Sways and quivers
OTHER
Poison Quills A target wounded by umchaci quills must make an Endurance
check or suffer damage over time (poison, passive resist Endurance). The
target is impaired until it successfully resists the damage over time.
Minor Camouflage The umchaci gains a +2 step bonus to Stealth checks to
hide in its native environment.
62 Aliens
Umchaci
VYSNAR
Small predators that gather in bands sometimes numbering in the
hundreds, vysnars look like tiny dinosaurs with colorful scales of
red and blue. They have no forelimbs and stand hunched over on
two legs, their oversized heads and strong jaws balanced by a long
tail. When hunting, they coordinate with each other by broadcasting
the location of prey with high-pitched
chirping noises, summoning their
fellows to the potential meal.
Vysnars are nomadic and prefer
warm, open plains; a large band of
vysnars chews through the local ecology
like a ravaging horde and then moves on
to a new hunting ground. Most colonists
and explorers consider them little more than
vermin to be eradicated whenever they
appear, but quite a few have spread beyond their
homeworld by stowing away on starships.
VYSNAR
TR 1 Tiny Minion Animal (Alien)
Senses normal, thermal; Awareness 15+
ACTIONS
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 16/21/26 (+1 step); Damage 1/5
physical.
Mob Attack 3 impulses. Five vysnars within 10 meters of each other acting
at the same time can make a mob attack. Instead of making attack
checks, the vysnars threaten all targets adjacent to at least one member
of the mob. Each threatened creature must make a Dodge check with a
step penalty equal to the number of adjacent vysnar attackers or suffer
one wound. Creatures in Tough armor are immune to Mob Attack.
DEFENSE
Tiny Enemies suffer a –2 step penalty to attack the vysnar.
(1+ dmg)  dead Emits a loud chirp and is still
OTHER
Minion Attack The vysnar’s attack deals one wound if its damage over-
armor.
Vysnar 63
Mission Guide
XAYON
Xenologist’s
Derived from both human and alien DNA, xayons are a species of
six-limbed hybrids seeking a place in human society. The genetic
Protostar
experimentation that created them took place only two generations

ALTERNITY:
ago, and as far as anyone can tell, xayons have been around for less
than 50 years. Only a few thousand xayons exist today; most humans
ALTERNITY:
have never met a xayon and don’t quite know what to make of them.
Xayons arose as packs of roving hunter-gatherers on their
isolated homeworld. In the species’ first years, many xayons were
taken from their homeworld as laborers or slaves. Those days are
mostly behind them, but quite a few xayons still struggle to elevate
themselves from the exploitation and discrimination they faced early
on. Some xayons do so by trying to excel in respectable profes-
sions. Others resent their treatment at human hands and choose
lives as hard-hearted mercenaries, rebels, or outright criminals.
XAYON INFILTRATOR
Initiative 11/16/21 (+1 step); Speed 20 or 30 meters (see Quadruped Shift)
ACTIONS
Double Attack 4 impulses. The xayon makes two pistol or vibroblade attacks
with a –1 step penalty on each attack.
Plasma Pistol 3 impulses; Medium 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step);
Damage 2d4/2d8 energy.
Vibroblade 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 13/18/23 (+1 step); Damage
1d6+3/7 physical, AP 2.
Unarmed 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 13/18/23; Damage 1d4+0/2
physical.
DEFENSE
Instinctive Dodge When the xayon uses the Evade action modifier, enemies
take a –2 step penalty to their attacks.
(13+ dmg)  incapacitated Staggers and falls
(10 to 12 dmg)  –2 step penalty to all checks Roars in anger
(7 to 9 dmg)  –1 step penalty to all checks Wipes away blood and grins
(1 to 6 dmg)  Snorts in derision
OTHER
Quadruped Shift As a 2-impulse action, a xayon can shift to quadruped loco-
motion, increasing its speed. It can’t use Double Attack in quadruped form.
Shifting out of this form of locomotion is also a 2-impulse action.
Skills Acrobatics 12+ (+1 step), Computer 14+, Security 14+, Stealth 12+
Gear Nanoweave suit, 2 plasma pistols, 2 vibroblades.
64 Aliens
Xayon
YINTH DRAGON
The fire-breathing dragon is an age-old myth on Earth, but on the
planet of Kapteyn II one can find an alien beast that comes close
to the legend. The yinth dragon is a large saurian beast with four
stumpy legs, a barrel-like body, a long, barbed tail, and a maw full of
serrated teeth. Dense, armored scales of rust-brown or brownish-
yellow cover its body. The dragon’s fire comes from two organs
in its thick neck that each store a reactive compound. The dragon
expels the compounds from its gullet; a few meters from its maw the
compounds react and ignite, bursting into flame in open air. A slow
and plodding hunter, the dragon’s favorite tactic is to get just close
enough to badly burn its prey with a gout of fire, then follow the
wounded target until it collapses from its injuries. In some cases, this
may take days, but the dragon is patient and relentless.
YINTH DRAGON
TR 2 Large Boss Animal (Alien)
ACTIONS
Quick Snap 2 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+1 step); Damage
1d8+2/6 physical.
Fiery Belch 4 impulses; Blast creates a 2 (4)-meter blast within Close range;
Attack 16/21/25 (+1 step); Primary Damage 2d6+4 energy; Secondary
Damage 1d6+4 energy. A target that fails its Dodge check against the
blast begins damage over time (fire, active resist Dodge). The target of
the blast must be the closest enemy in the line of fire. The dragon must
wait at least 4 impulses after using Fiery Belch before it can use this
attack again.
REACTIONS
Tail Lash 1-impulse reaction when an enemy ends its turn adjacent to the
dragon; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25; Damage 1d8+2/6 physical, and
the target must make a Resilience check or be stunned 3 impulses.
DEFENSE
Large Enemies gain a +1 step bonus to attack the yinth dragon.
Armor 5 physical, 2 energy (5 vs. fire)
Stun Resistant Stun effects on the dragon are treated as daze effects
instead.
(11+ dmg)  dead Falls over on its side, burning
(11+ dmg)  –1 step penalty to Lurches clumsily, keeps
checks coming
(8 to 10 dmg)  armor reduced by 2 Scales shot away
(5 to 7 dmg)  moves 6 m as a Lunges toward nearest target
reaction
(1 to 4 dmg)  Snorts and shrugs
Yinth Dragon 65
Mission Guide
ZIZ
Xenologist’s
Named after the titanic bird from Terran mythology, the ziz is a
flying predator from a low-g desert world of towering mesas. At first
Protostar
glance it appears reptilian, combining a long, snake-like, scale-

ALTERNITY:
covered body with the vast leathery wings of a pterodactyl. The

resemblance ends there, however: the ziz has three pairs of wings,
ALTERNITY:
and it flies by undulating its body. The middle set of wings provides
most of the lift, while the fore-wings and tail-wings give the creature
astounding mid-air agility. The ziz’s sharp beak looks imposing, but
is useful as a weapon only when the creature is grounded. While on
the wing, it slashes at prey with a serrated bony disk at the end of
its long and flexible tail.
ZIZ
TR 10 Huge Champion Animal (Alien)
Initiative 8/13/18; Speed 10 meters, fly 40 meters
ACTIONS
Swoop 5 impulses. The ziz flies up to its speed and makes up to three Slash
attacks against different targets along its path. It can use this action only
while flying.
Slash 3 impulses; Melee 1 target within 4 m; Attack 7/12/17 (+1 step);
Damage 2d6+4/8 physical.
Bite 3 impulses (can’t be used while flying); Melee 1 target; Attack 7/12/17
(+1 step); Damage 2d6+2/6 physical. On an Excellent or better success, the
ziz can use Slash as a free action against a different target within reach.
Wingover 1 impulse. The ziz turns in any direction while flying up to 10
meters. (It does not need to move from its current position to perform
the wingover.)
DEFENSE
Huge Enemies gain a +2 step bonus to attack the ziz.
Improved Evade The ziz pays 0 impulses to use the Evade action modifier.
When it evades, enemies attacking it suffer a –3 step penalty to their
attack rolls.
(16+ dmg)  dead Collapses, thrashes, and dies
(16+ dmg)  can’t fly; must land Large wings shredded
(16+ dmg)  loses its reaction Small wings heavily damaged
(13 to 15 dmg)  distracted until its next Arches its neck and screeches
action
(1 to 12 dmg)  Glares at attacker
OTHER
Silent Flyer In darkness, blowing dust, or other conditions of reduced visibil-
ity, creatures have a –2 step penalty on Awareness checks to notice a ziz
approaching on the wing.
Skills Dodge 12+, Stealth 12+
66 Aliens
Ziz
ZYLLEK
The zyllek ranks among the most feared of space gremlins. The
creature itself isn’t very imposing: about the size of a person’s palm,
looking like a cross between a giant, squishy flea and a fuzzy good-
luck doll. The reason they’re so frightening is that zylleks are neural
parasites. The “fuzz” is actually a bundle of neurons that can bore
into the tissue of just about any carbon-based lifeform. The zyllek’s
boring neurons merge its nervous system with the victim’s, giving it
full access to the victim’s body and mind.
A creature under a zyllek’s control is known as a thrall. The
preferred spot for a zyllek to attach is somewhere along the spine.
Once it’s attached, the zyllek flattens itself against the body so it’s
concealed beneath clothes. A zyllek thrall can seem perfectly
normal under casual observation. Close scrutiny for
uncharacteristic behavior, or narrow questioning for odd,
non sequitur answers can reveal the truth.
A zyllek without a host is about as intelligent as
a smart bird. When a zyllek gains control over a
sentient creature, it effectively becomes a zyllek
super-genius. Its primary urge is to spread its progeny.
When zylleks suddenly gain access to weapons, space-
ships, and science, they focus on seizing resources needed
to industrialize the spread of their kind. An undetected cadre
of zyllek thralls can cause shocking amounts of trouble.
ZYLLEK
Without a host, a zyllek is not much of a physical threat. However,
they are naturally furtive and stealthy, and they instinctively seek out
targets that are asleep or alone.
TR 3 Tiny Minion Animal (Alien)

Initiative 8/13/18; Speed 10 meters, jump 2 meters
ACTIONS
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 14/19/24 (+1 step); Damage 1/3.
Neural Infiltration 6 impulses; Melee 1 distracted, stunned, or unaware
target; Attack 14/19/24 (+3 steps); Effect The zyllek links itself with the
target’s nervous system. The target must counter the attack with a
Willpower check, or the zyllek takes control of the target’s thoughts and
actions. The target gains a +4 step bonus on its Willpower check if it’s
awake. Once per day, a controlled creature can resist the effect with a
Willpower check (–3 step penalty).
REACTIONS
Elude 1-impulse reaction. When targeted by a melee attack, the zyllek can
attempt a Dodge check. If it succeeds, the zyllek moves up to 10 meters
and the attack automatically misses.
Zyllek 67
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
DEFENSE
Tiny Enemies have a –2 step penalty to attack the zyllek.
Protostar
(1+ dmg)  dead (see Neural Hangover) The horrible thing is squished!
ALTERNITY:
OTHER
Minion Attack The zyllek’s bite deals one wound if its damage overcomes
ALTERNITY:
the target’s armor. Stellar attacks deal only one wound but ignore armor.
Neural Hangover If the zyllek controlling a creature is killed or removed,
the previously controlled creature is stunned for 6 impulses, and then
impaired (passive resist Willpower 2).
Skills Stealth 11+
ZYLLEK THRALL
Together, a zyllek and its host are a formidable adversary. The para-
site fuels its host on adrenalin and forces it to ignore horrific injuries.
This thrall is a human pilot under the influence of a zyllek master.
TR 2 Medium Champion Humanoid (Alien, Human)
ACTIONS
Quick Shot 2 impulses; Long 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+2 steps); Damage
1d6+3/7 energy.
Surprising Strength 2 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack 15/20/25 (+1 step);
Damage 1d8+2/6 physical, and target must make an Athletics check or be
knocked prone.
REACTIONS
Ignore Pain 1-impulse reaction. When the thrall is hit by an attack, it can
attempt an immediate Resilience check to reduce the damage by 5.
DEFENSE
Stun Resistant Stun effects on the thrall are treated as daze effects
instead.
(11+ dmg)  incapacitated “You haven’t beaten us . . . ”
(11+ dmg)  dazed until end of next How is he still on his feet?
action
(8 to 10 dmg)  knocked off-balance Rocked back on heels, shrugs
(5 to 7 dmg)  moves 2 m as a reaction “We’ll deal with you later.”
(1 to 4 dmg)  Glances at injury, no reaction
OTHER
Abandon 1 impulse after the thrall is incapacitated, its zyllek master
detaches. The zyllek appears adjacent to the incapacitated thrall.
Skills Computer 14+, Mechanics 14+, Piloting 11+, Resilience 11+
Gear hardmesh uniform, laser pistol.
68 Aliens
Zyllek
CREATING ALIENS
The universe is a big and dangerous place, and we’ve only
scratched the surface of inimical creatures your heroes might
encounter. This section expands on the Creating Adversaries sec-
tion on pages 255−259 of the Core Rulebook. Begin by coming up
with a description for your adversary—not only what it looks like,
but where and why it exists in your game. Next, create a stat block
that uses game mechanics to illustrate your creation by following
these steps:
1. Choose a Threat Rating (1 to 13). This is the level of hero
team you expect this adversary to be a fair fight for. If
it’s higher than 10, it’s a difficult challenge even for high-
level heroes.
2. Choose a Template. Template describes the creature’s
role in combat: Is it encountered in mobs, small bands,
or alone? Your choices are minion, standard, cham-
pion, or boss.
3. Get the Stats. The template tables later in this section
provide you with the basic attack score, durability, and
average damage for an adversary of your chosen TR.
4. Choose a Size and Type. Decide how big your creature
is (Tiny to Huge), and then choose a type (animal, enigma,
humanoid, mechanism, or xenosoph). Size and type
describe how the creature interacts with game effects and
environments, and also govern the creature’s ability scores.
These in turn influence its defensive skills and initiative.
5. Choose Attacks, Defenses, and Actions. Refer to the
glossary of adversary abilities at the end of this section.
Choose at least one attack and one defense, or more for
Champions and Bosses. You can choose additional abilities
if you want.
6. Initiative and Speed. Figure out the creature’s initia-
tive-check score, and choose a speed that seems appropri-
ate for its size and body configuration.
7. Add Wound Effects and Penalties. Some adversaries
suffer wound penalties similar to player characters, but
many don’t. Instead of taking a –1 step penalty on actions
for a moderate wound, a creature might be stunned, driven
back a few steps, lose a special attack form, or be pro-
voked into a sudden retaliation.
Let’s go into each of these steps in further detail.
69
Mission Guide
THREAT RATING (TR)

Xenologist’s
The threat rating determines how challenging the monster is in a

fight, and scales in the same way that characters advance by level.
Protostar
A TR 3 adversary is a typical foe for 3rd level characters to face,

ALTERNITY:
and a bit more challenging for 1st level characters. As the threat
rating increases, the adversary’s accuracy and damage with attacks
ALTERNITY:
increases, and its defenses and wound boxes also scale up. In general:
• An average combat scene pits the heroes against an equal
number of standard adversaries of the heroes’ level. An easy
combat scene features standard adversaries whose TR is
2 lower than the heroes’ level, or two adversaries of equal
level for every three heroes.
• A challenging combat scene pits the heroes against stan-
dard adversaries whose TR is 2 higher than the heroes’
level, or three adversaries of equal level per two heroes.
• A climactic combat scene features adversaries whose TR is
3 or 4 higher than the heroes’ level, or two adversaries of
equal level per hero.
• You can replace one standard adversary with three min-
ions. You can use one champion adversary in place of two
standard adversaries, or one boss adversary in place of four
standard adversaries.
3 Minions = 1 Standard
2 Standard = 1 Champion
4 Standard = 1 Boss
• Increasing the number of standard adversaries by 50
percent is about the same as increasing the average TR of
These guidelines the adversaries by 2. This means you can substitute two
expand on the
advice presented standard adversaries of TR +2 for three standard adversar-
on pages 204–205, ies, or three standard adversaries of TR –2 for two standard
Core Rulebook. adversaries of TR +0.
2 (TR+2) standard = 3 TR standard
3 (TR–2) standard = 2 TR standard
ADVERSARY TEMPLATES
Next, choose the base template for the creature.
STANDARD
Standard adversaries comprise the majority of the foes your heroes
encounter. In addition to the basic game statistics, a standard adver-
sary should have a special ability of your choice. A typical combat
scene features one standard adversary per hero.
70 Creating
Threat Rating
Aliens(TR)
CHAMPION
Champion adversaries are more formidable, and require more
resources to take down. Champions generally take twice as many
hits to defeat as standard foes. In addition to its basic game statis-
tics, a champion adversary usually has an attack, aura, or reaction
that gives it the ability to make twice as many attacks as a standard
adversary (or attack two targets at the same time), as well as two
special abilities.
BOSS
Boss adversaries are the toughest challenges heroes face. They’re
designed to take the place of four standard adversaries in a typical
combat scene, but they require more than just four times as many
wound boxes—they also need to have comparable offensive output.
Faster attacks, higher damage, and multiple attacks are easy ways
to increase output, and adding reactions can help keep a scene
interactive. Bosses also have ways of mitigating control effects,
such as reducing stun durations or using a reaction to get additional
resist chances.
When creating your own boss adversary, use the statistics
provided for the boss’s threat level and give it three or four special
abilities.
MINION
Minions are weak adversaries who usually go down with a single hit.
Individually, they aren’t much of a threat to most heroes, but they
can wear down heroes with a large number of light wounds and
clutter up a battlefield, preventing the heroes from getting at more
important adversaries. Minions have a few special rules for attacks
and damage.
• Minions have one hit box. Any hit that penetrates armor
defeats a minion.
• An average hit from a minion’s attack overcomes armor
equal to 1 + half its TR. An Excellent hit overcomes armor
equal to 5 + half the minion’s TR.
• When a minion hits a target and overcomes the target’s
armor, that target takes a 1-damage wound.
• Stellar hits from minions deal only one wound, not two, but
ignore armor.
• A minion inflicts a step penalty on enemy attacks equal to
half its TR (rounded down) or has armor equal to its TR –1.
(You can create a combination of attack penalties and armor
by dividing the minion’s TR between the two approaches
before figuring the defensive benefit.)
Adversary Templates 71
Mission Guide
Minion Defense: Most high-threat adversaries get tougher

Xenologist’s
through improved durability, but since minions can’t soak up

hits, high-threat minions need to be harder to hit or more heavily
Protostar
armored to remain a challenge for high-level heroes. The minion

could be a Small target, it could have defensive abilities such as
ALTERNITY:
improved evasion or deflection screens, or it could have a tough

hide or wear some sort of armor. The minion template table pro-
ALTERNITY:
vides some guidelines for an appropriate amount of defense.

A high-threat minion can combine
both accuracy penalties and armor;
AVERAGE DAMAGE RANGES a defensive ability that penalizes
Looking for a die expression that gives an attacker’s skill check by 1 step
you a good average damage result? is roughly equivalent to 2 points of
Here you go. armor. For example, a TR 7 minion
could have a deflection screen that
4 d4+1, d6 penalizes attacks by 3 steps, or 6
5 d4+2, d6+1, d8, 2d4 points of armor, or a weaker screen
6 d4+3, d6+2, d8+1, d10 that penalizes attacks by 2 steps and
7 d6+3, d8+2, d10+1, 2d6 2 points of armor.
8 d6+4, d8+3, d10+2, 2d6+1
9
10
d8+4, d10+3, 2d6+2, 2d8
d8+5, d10+4, 2d6+3, 2d8+1
TEMPLATE TABLES
The following pages provide adversar-
11 d8+6, d10+5, 2d6+4, 2d8+2, 2d10
ies’ base statistics by threat rating. The
12 d10+6, 2d6+5, 2d8+3, 2d10+1
adversary’s attack skill score, defense
13 2d8+4, 2d10+2, 2d12
skill score, durability, and average
14 2d8+5, 2d10+3, 2d12+1 damage output are listed for each TR.
15 2d8+6, 2d10+4, 2d12+2 These are guidelines, not mandates—
you can build a creature with an inac-
curate attack that deals more damage
if it lands, or a creature whose attack carries a crippling status effect
but deals less damage.
Attack: This is the creature’s target number for an Average
success with an attack. As always, beating this number by 5 or more
results in an Excellent hit and beating it by 10 or more results in a
That’s good, because
bad guys are more
Stellar hit, which deals two wound boxes instead of one.
interesting when Defense: The creature’s skill check for defensive skills such as
they’ve got strengths Dodge, Endurance, Resilience, or Willpower. This is usually an ability
and weaknesses check since most adversaries aren’t trained in those skills, and it
for the heroes to
figure out. varies widely from creature to creature and skill to skill. Most adver-
saries are significantly better in one or two of these defensive skills,
and significantly worse in others.
Wound Boxes: The creature’s durability, with the damage
required to inflict a wound of that severity. The last box in the Critical
column serves as the creature’s mortal wound box (if there’s only
one, that’s both the critical and mortal wound for the creature).
72 Creating Aliens
Adversary Templates
Damage: The typical damage the creature deals with a success-
ful attack, listed with both Average and Excellent damage results.
Armor Penetration (Minion): The “damage” inflicted by the min-
ion’s attack, which simply indicates whether or not it overcomes the
target’s armor.
Defense Modifier (Minion): The minion’s defense against attack,
expressed as either an accuracy penalty on an attacker’s skill check
or the resistance value of its armor.
MINION ADVERSARY TEMPLATE

Armor
TR Attack Defense Penetration Defense Modifier
1 16 16 1 none
2 15 16 2 1 armor
3 14 15 2 –1 step or 2 armor
4 13 15 3 –1 step or 3 armor
5 12 14 3 –2 steps or 4 armor
STANDARD ADVERSARY TEMPLATE

Light Moderate Severe Critical/
TR Attack Defense Wound Wound Wound Mortal Wd. Damage
1 16 16  1–3  4–6  7–9  10+ 5/9
2 15 16  1–4  5–7  8–10  11+ 5/9
3 14 15  1–5  6–8  9–11  12+ 6 / 10
4 13 15  1–6  7–9 10–12  13+ 6 / 10
5 12 14  1–7  8–10  11–13  14+ 7 / 11
6 11 14  1–8  9–11  12–14  15+ 7 / 11
7 10 13  1–9 10–12  13–15  16+ 8 / 12
8 9 13  1–10  11–13  14–15  16+ 8 / 12
9 8 12  1–11  12–14  15  16+ 9 / 13
10 7 12  1–12  13–15  16+  16+ 9 / 13
11 6 11  1–12  13–15  16+  16+ 10 / 14
12 5 10  1–12  13–15 16+  16+ 11 / 15
13 4 9  1–12  13–15 16+  16+ 12 / 16
Adversary Templates 73
AL-
Mission Guide
Xenologist’s
CHAMPION ADVERSARY TEMPLATE
Protostar
1 16 16  1–3  4–6  7–9  10+ 7 / 11
TERNITY:
2 15 16  1–4  5–7 8–10  11+ 7 / 11
TERNITY:
3 14 15  1–5  6–8  9–11  12+ 8 / 12
4 13 15  1–6  7–9 10–12  13+ 8 / 12
5 12 14  1–7  8–10 11–13  14+ 9 / 13
6 11 14  1–8  9–11  12–14  15+ 9 / 13
7 10 13  1–9 10–12  13–15  16+ 10 / 14
8 9 13  1–10 11–13 14–15  16+ 10 / 14
9 8 12  1–11  12–14  15 16+ 11 / 15
10 7 12  1–12  13–15  16+  16+ 11 / 15
11 6 11  1–13 14–15 16+  16+ 12 / 16
12 5 10 1–14  15–16 16+  16+ 12 / 16
13 4 9 1–15  16+  16+  16+ 13 / 17
BOSS ADVERSARY TEMPLATE

1 16 16 1–3  4–6  7–9  10+ 7 / 11
2 15 16  1–4  5–7  8–10 11+ 7 / 11
3 14 15  1–5  6–8  9–11  12+ 8 / 12
4 13 15  1–6  7–9 10–12  13+ 8 / 12
5 12 14  1–7  8–10  11–13 14+ 9 / 13
6 11 14  1–8  9–11 12–14 15+ 9 / 13
7 10 13  1–9 10–12 13–14 16+ 10 / 14
8 9 13  1–10 11–13 14–16  16+ 10 / 14
9 8 12  1–11  12–14 15–16  16+ 11 / 15
10 7 12  1–12  13–15  16+  16+ 11 / 15
11 6 11  1–13  14–15  16+ 16+ 12 / 16
12 5 10  1–14  15 16+ 16+ 12 / 16
13 4 9 1–15  16+ 16+ 16+ 13 / 17
74 Creating Aliens
Adversary Templates
TYPE
A creature’s type describes its basic nature: Is it an animal that
evolved on some world, a human (or human-like alien), a mechan-
ical creation such as a robot, or something else altogether? Type
determines a creature’s innate vulnerabilities and resistances—for
example, animals need to breathe but mechanisms don’t. The
combination of size and type provides the creature’s ability ratings
and initiative score. The baseline ability ratings for creatures of five
primary creature types (animal, enigma, humanoid, mechanism, and
xenosoph) are provided below.
ANIMAL
In game terms, animals are living creatures that move, eat, and
breathe. They are not sentient and generally don’t use tools or
weapons, although some highly intelligent animals use improvised
clubs. Animals have no special immunities or resistances from
their type.
Size Str Agi Vit Int Foc Per Initiative
Medium 15+ 15+ 16+ 19+ 16+ 18+ 11+
Animal Intelligence: Animal intelligence is usually 0 (instinctive)
or 1 (animal), resulting in a check of 20+ or 19+. On rare occasions
very smart animals or animals with hive minds might have an Intelli-
gence rating of 2 or more (18+ check).
Animal Focus: Animals tend to have keen senses and well-
developed instincts. A rating of 3 to 6 is typical.
Animal Personality: For animals, Personality measures the
ability to cooperate with others of their kind. Solitary creatures have
Personality ratings of 1 or 2; social creatures such as herd animals or
pack hunters fall in the 2 to 5 range.
ENIGMA
Living creatures that don’t resemble anything encountered on Earth,
enigmas range from fairly mundane beings such as giant amoebas
or motile carnivorous plants to weirder forms of life such as energy
beings, electrical or magnetic lifeforms inhabiting otherwise inor-
ganic materials, and just about anything else not easily explained.
Enigmas are alive, but they are immune to effects that impact
biochemistry or ordinary vital processes such as disease or poison.
Some don’t breathe and therefore can’t inhale gas or be harmed by
vacuum or suffocation.
Medium 15+ 16+ 14+ ? 16+ 17+ 12+
Type 75
Mission Guide
Abilities: The ability checks recommended for enigmas are

Xenologist’s
rough estimates. Enigmas tend to have high Vitality ratings because

their bodies lack the complex organs or systems found in animals or
Protostar
mechanisms, but other than that just about anything goes. After all,
an enigma with a body of molten alloys is likely much, much stron-
ALTERNITY:
ger than an enigma that’s an insubstantial being made of plasma.

ALTERNITY:
HUMANOID
Humanoids are living creatures close to human in their ability to use
tools, communicate with one another, organize societies, and so
forth. They have no special immunities or resistances.
Humanoid Intelligence, Focus, and Personality can vary widely,
but most ability ratings are in the 2−7 range (check score of
13+ to 18+).
Medium 16+ 17+ 17+ 17+ 17+ 16+ 14+
MECHANISM
Artificial beings such as androids or robots are mechanisms. They’re
self-directed entities that move and interact with their environments,
relying on their programming or intelligence to govern their actions.
They do not need to breathe, eat, or rest, although most have some
sort of battery or fuel reservoir that can be depleted over time.
Mechanisms are immune to effects that impact a living creature’s
biochemistry or vital processes such as bleeding, poison, disease,
and psychic damage. Because they don’t breathe they ignore
vacuum, and they can’t suffocate or drown.
Medium 13+ 16+ 15+ ? 18+ 20+ 14+
Mechanism Intelligence: Varies widely. Mechanisms designed
for simple tasks have an Intelligence rating of 1 or 2, for a check of
19+ or 18+ (programmed). Mechanisms designed for complex tasks
have Intelligence ratings of 3 to 6, while a clever, adaptive mecha-
nism could easily be smarter than a human, with a rating of 7 to 10
and a check of 13+ to 10+ (programmed).
Self-aware, free-willed mechanisms have (sentient) intelli-
gence instead of (programmed) and usually fall in the 5 to 8 range
(15+ to 12+).
Mechanism Focus: Most mechanisms are extremely focused,
but only in the sense that they zero in on their primary purpose and
ignore things that don’t impinge on their task; a Focus rating of 1
or 2 is typical. Mechanisms with tasks that require them to monitor
their surroundings and good sensors have a Focus rating of 3 to 5
(check 15+ to 17+).
76 Creating Aliens
Type
Mechanism Personality: Programmed mechanisms have no Per-
sonality to speak of; a rating of 0 (check 20+) is typical. Mechanisms
designed with “friendly” interfaces or personality emulation have
a rating of 1 to 3. Anything better requires a sentient, free-willed
mechanism that has the opportunity to learn how humans interact.
XENOSOPH
Short for xenosophont, the xenosoph is an intelligent, nonhumanoid
alien being—the “Bug-Eyed Monster” of classic science fiction. If
the creature’s biological processes are highly unusual, it’s probably
an enigma; if it’s an alien that is more or less the size and shape of
a human, then it’s a humanoid; and if it’s not intelligent, then it’s an
animal. This type covers creatures who aren’t any of those things.
Like humanoids, xenosoph Intelligence, Focus, and Personality
can vary widely, but most ability ratings are in the 2−8 range (check
score of 12+ to 18+).
Medium 14+ 16+ 15+ 17+ 16+ 17+ 11+
ADDITIONAL DESCRIPTORS
Special descriptors provide extra detail about a creature to help the
GM to decide how it fits into the universe and whether it’s suscep-
tible or immune to any unusual effects or conditions. For example,
(aquatic) creatures breathe just fine in water, but don’t do well
on dry land.
(Alien): The creature is not descended from Earthly lifeforms.
Characters unfamiliar with the creature’s planet or native ecosystem
suffer a –2 step penalty to skill checks to interact with the creature.
(Amphibious): The creature can survive in both air and water.
(Aquatic): This is a water-breathing creature that normally lives in
water. Some aquatic creatures can hold their breath and get along
on land for a time (usually 10 to 20 minutes). Aquatic creatures gain
a +2 step bonus to attack nonaquatic creatures in the water.
(Human): It’s a person like you or me.
(Mineral): A creature whose body is made from silicon, crystals,
exotic metal oxides, or substances we think of as minerals is a living
enigma. It ignores damage over time effects from bleeding, fire,
and poison. A mineral creature is also immune to gas, vacuum, and
suffocation.
(Plant): Plants—at least the kind you might fight—are living enig-
mas, but they’re immune to damage over time effects from bleeding
and poison, and they ignore disease, insanity, and psychic damage.
They don’t really breathe in the same way animals do, and ignore
gas and suffocation.
Type 77
Mission Guide
SIZE
Xenologist’s
Size is, of course, how big the creature is. A creature’s size directly
impacts its physical statistics. In general, larger creatures tend to
Protostar
be stronger and more resilient, while smaller creatures are more

ALTERNITY:
agile. (Remember, ability checks improve when the target number

is lowered.)
ALTERNITY:
Defense Bonus
Size Modifier Armor Str Agi Vit Initiative
Tiny –2 steps 0 +4 –4 +2 –4
Small –1 step 0 +2 –2 +1 –2
Medium — — — — — –
Large +1 step 2 –2 +2 –1 +2
Huge +2 steps 4 –4 +4 –2 +4
Defense Modifier: Unusually small or large creatures are harder

or easier to hit. Anyone attacking the creature takes this penalty (or
gains this bonus) on its attack roll.
Bonus Armor: Large and Huge creatures gain extra armor to
shrug off all those extra hits they take. When you select the crea-
ture’s defenses, add extra armor for its size.
Str, Agi, Vit: The base physical ability ratings for a Medium-sized
creature are given in the type descriptions (see above). Adjust the
ability check values for the creature’s size.
Initiative: Changing a creature’s Agility impacts its initia-
tive score.
ATTACKS, DEFENSES,
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Adversaries are more than just an attack score and a durability
track—they have one or more specific attack forms, special actions,
reactions, defensive abilities, and special traits. Not every creature
should have one of each, but at a minimum an adversary should
have at least one attack form. Creatures described earlier in this
Otherwise, it’s not
an adversary. It’s book may feature slightly different versions of these attacks and
a target.] defenses—they’re starting points, not hard-and-fast rules.
Simple creatures don’t need anything more than an attack form
and (optionally) a defense form. Players don’t expect big stupid
brutes to do anything other than come right for their heroes and
stand up to some punishment. Minions shouldn’t have more than
a couple of abilities, while adversaries intended to last longer
should have more. Consider one offensive and one defensive
ability for standard foes, two or three for champions, and four to six
for bosses.
78 Creating Aliens
Size
Attacks: Different weapons (or natural attacks) available to
the creature.
Attack Actions: Actions that include one or more attacks. These
abilities are good for showing complex attack forms involving move-
ment or multiple targets.
Defenses: Armor, resistances, and immunities that reduce the
effectiveness of attacks against the creature.
Reactions: Anything the creature can do in response to an oppo-
nent’s action.
Special Abilities: Conditional bonuses or unusual abilities that
don’t belong in any other category.
ATTACKS
Below are some sample attacks your creatures may have. Use the
attack score and damage figures appropriate for the creature’s
template and threat rating (see Template Tables, on pages 72–74).
“TR+X” means that the damage for the attack is higher than normal;
increase the creature’s base damage by the value of X.
Bite 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage by

TR physical.
A simple attack that doesn’t have any special effects.
Blast 4 impulses; Close, Medium, or Long 3m/6m blast; Attack by

TR; Primary Damage by TR energy or physical; Secondary Damage
by TR–4 energy or physical.
This is an area-effect attack such as a grenade or bomb of
some kind. Some creatures might be able to use a blast attack
with a range of 0 centered on themselves; a zero-range blast
automatically hits its aiming point and affects all creatures
nearby. If the attack does not allow a check to resist or reduce
damage, then reduce the average damage by 3.
Bleeding Attack 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack by TR; Damage

by TR–3 physical. If the attack wounds the target, the target suffers
damage over time (bleeding, passive resist Endurance or successful
Medicine treatment ends the effect).
An attack against a vital area or with a natural weapon that
causes excessive bleeding. A creature that drinks blood or
fights with a razor might have a bleeding attack. Damage over
time is described under Status Effects (see Core Rulebook,
page 162). Extremely dangerous bleeding can deal 2 wounds
instead of 1, or require 2 or more successful resists.
Attacks, Defenses, Special Abilities 79

Mission Guide
Claw 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage by

Xenologist’s
TR–3 physical. On an Excellent or better hit, the creature can make

a second claw attack against the same or different target.
Protostar
A simple, low-damage attack that can trigger a free

ALTERNITY:
second attack.
Crush 3 impulses; Melee 1 grappled target; Attack by TR (+4 steps);

ALTERNITY:
Damage by TR physical.
An attack that crushes or constricts a target that’s already
been grabbed. Make sure the creature has a Grab attack to set
up its use of Crush.
Fire or Flame Attack 4 impulses; Close 1 target or spread; Attack

by TR (+1 step); Damage by TR energy, and the target must make a
Dodge check or suffer damage over time (fire, active resist Dodge).
The target is impaired until the fire damage ends.
This could be fiery breath, a flame pistol, or a Molotov cocktail.
Many fire attacks include the spread special ability, which
allows the creature to attack two targets at the same time if
they’re adjacent to each other. Damage over time is described
under Status Effects (see page 162, Core Rulebook).
Gore 4 impulses; Melee; 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage

by TR physical, and the target must make an Athletics check or be
pushed 2 meters and knocked prone.
A slow but powerful ramming or head-butting attack that can
knock the target down.
Grab 3 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage by

TR–3 physical, and the [creature grapples the target if it beats the
An attack that does a little damage while grappling the target
so that it can be subjected to a different, more dangerous
attack in a future action (for example, Crush).
Maul 4 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage

by TR physical, and the target must make an Athletics check or be
knocked prone.
A takedown attack for a creature attacking with a flurry of
claws and fangs.
Poison Attack 3 impulses; Melee, Close, or Medium 1 target; Attack

by TR (+1 step); Damage by TR–3 physical. If the attack wounds the
target, the target suffers damage over time (poison, passive resist
Endurance). The target is impaired until the poison damage ends.
An attack that injects poison into the target, causing damage
over time (see Status Effects, page 162, Core Rulebook).
80 Creating Defenses,
Attacks, Aliens Special Abilities
Smash 4 impulses; Melee 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage
by TR+3, and the target must make an Athletics check or be
knocked off-balance.
A bashing attack from a big, strong creature.
Stunning Attack 3 impulses; Melee, Close, or Medium 1 target;

Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage by TR–5 energy or physical, and the
target must make an Endurance check or be stunned (3 impulses).
An attack that inflicts a little damage but has the chance to
stun the target; a taser or a concussive impact would fall into
this category.
Weapon 3 impulses; Melee, Close, Medium, Long, or Very Long 1

target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage by TR energy or physical.
A simple attack for any creature armed with a weapon.
Weapon, Heavy 4 impulses; Melee, Close, Medium, Long, or Very

Long 1 target; Attack by TR (+1 step); Damage by TR+3 energy
or physical.
A weapon that trades attack speed for extra damage.
Weapon, Light 3 impulses; Melee, Close, Medium, Long, or Very

Long 1 target; Attack by TR (+2 steps); Damage by TR–3 energy
or physical.
A weapon that trades damage output for extra accuracy.
ATTACK ACTIONS
Attack actions combine an attack with some other activity to better
describe special tactics or attack methods. Most creatures with an
attack action also have a default attack that they can use when it isn’t
possible to use the behavior or tactic the attack action describes.
Below are some sample attack actions your creatures may have.
Assassinate5 impulses. The creature makes an [attack] against Don’t assassinate

an unaware target. If the attack wounds the target, the target must PCs very often.
make a Resilience check or immediately lose its top wound box in Players hate that.
addition to the attack’s normal effects.
A potentially lethal attack, if the target can be surprised.
Combined AttackThree [creatures] within [distance] meters of each

other acting at the same time can combine their attack. Instead of
making attack checks, the [creatures] choose a target point. Any
creature within [distance] meters of the target point must make a
Dodge check or suffer one Average hit from [an attack]. Targets
behind cover add their cover bonus to their Dodge checks.

Mission Guide
This ability is a great way for low-threat minions in large num-

Xenologist’s
bers to challenge higher-level heroes. The distance should be

2 meters per creature involved, so a group of 3 creatures within
Protostar
6 meters of each other can volley into a 6-meter-radius area.

ALTERNITY:
Double Attack4 impulses. The creature makes two [attacks], each

at a –1 step penalty.
ALTERNITY:
This ability is good for dual-wielding creatures, or creatures

with multiple natural attacks.
Improved Charge4 impulses. The creature moves up to its speed

and uses [attack].
This is essentially the charge action modifier applied to one of
the creature’s attacks, but it allows the creature to move up to
its full speed and attack at the same time.
Jump Attack5 impulses. The creature jumps up to [distance] meters

and makes an [attack] attack at any point during its move.
Handy if you want to give a creature some kind of run-by
attack or a death-from-above move. The distance should be
about half the creature’s normal speed.
Mob AttackFive [creatures] within 10 meters of each other acting

at the same time can make a mob attack. Instead of making attack
checks, the [creatures] threaten all targets adjacent to at least one
member of the mob. Each threatened creature must make a Dodge
check with a step penalty equal to the number of adjacent mob
attackers or suffer one Average hit from [an attack].
This is the melee version of Combined Fire. It’s good for low-
threat minions heroes encounter in large numbers.
Rampage5 impulses. The [creature] moves [distance] meters and

makes up to three [attack] attacks against different targets at any
point in its move. If the [creature] knocks down a target with its
[attack], the [creature] can move through the target’s space.
Good for a big, strong creature trampling everything in its path,
but you could also assign rampage to a fast melee character
like a cyber-samurai or use it as a “strafe” ability. The knock-
down ability could be derived from the attack it rampages with,
or a rampage might add the potential to knock a target prone if
the [attack] hits and the target fails an Athletics check.
REACTIONS
Reactions can be either offensive or defensive in nature. Some
provide a creature with an ability to make extra attacks when it’s not
the creature’s turn, and others trigger special defenses that cost
the creature a little time. Below are some sample reactions your
creatures may have.
Block1-impulse reaction. When targeted by a melee attack, the

[creature] can make a [melee attack] as an opposed check to
counter the attacker’s check result.
Most adversaries
This ability allows a skilled combatant to parry an don’t need
enemy attack. reactions. Save
them for champions
Counterattack2-impulse reaction. When hit by an attack, the [crea- and bosses who
ture] moves up to [distance] meters and uses [attack action]. are likely to be
outnumbered in a
Useful for creatures with quick reactions, especially champions combat scene.
or bosses. The distance should be relatively short, such as 2
or 4 meters.
Deflect1-impulse reaction. When targeted by a physical ranged

attack, the [creature] can attempt a Dodge check as an opposed
check to counter the attacker’s check result.
The ranged version of the Block reaction.
Elude1-impulse reaction. When targeted by a melee attack, the

[creature] can attempt a Dodge check. If it succeeds, it moves up to
[distance] meters and the attack automatically misses.
This ability is good for quick adversaries who avoid getting
bogged down in melee battles.
Human Shield1-impulse reaction. If the [creature] is targeted by an

attack while it is grappling another creature, the grappled creature
becomes the target of the attack, and the [creature] releases the
grappled creature.
This reaction is both defensive and offensive.
Ignore Injury1-impulse reaction. When hit by an attack, the [crea-

ture] makes a Resilience check (+2 step bonus). On a success, it
increases its armor by 5 against the triggering attack.
This reaction allows you to build an adversary whose armor is
situational or unreliable.
Opportunity Fire2-impulse reaction. When an enemy within [range]

moves out of cover, the [creature] can use [attack] against the trig-
gering creature.
A powerful offensive reaction that punishes careless enemies.
You can instead use a trigger of “finishes its action without
cover” for a reaction that’s a little less punishing.

Mission Guide
Protect1-impulse reaction. When an adjacent ally is targeted by an

Xenologist’s
attack, the [creature] exchanges places with the targeted ally. The
[creature] now becomes the target of the attack.
Protostar
An excellent ability for a bodyguard.

ALTERNITY:
Reflect2-impulse reaction. When targeted by an energy ranged

attack, the [creature] can attempt a Dodge check as an opposed
ALTERNITY:
check to counter the attacker’s check result. If the opposed check

results in the failure of the original attack, the [creature] redirects
the attack against a different target of its choice within [range]. The
original attacker attacks the new target at a –2 step penalty.
Some creatures might only be able to reflect certain kinds of
attack—for example, a mirror drone that reflects lasers but not
other kinds of energy attacks.
Repair, Rapid1-impulse reaction. When wounded by an attack, the

[creature] can attempt a Resilience check. On a success, it heals 1
wound box.
This ability represents a form of regeneration that requires
some effort on the part of the creature, slowing it down by
making it use reactions.
Revenge2-impulse reaction. When wounded by an attack, the

[creature] makes an [attack action] attack with a +2 step bonus
against the enemy that wounded it.
A straightforward offensive reaction.
Sudden Move1-impulse reaction. When hit by an attack, the [crea-

ture] can move up to [distance].
This reaction could allow a creature to retreat when injured,
seek cover, or make a sudden rush to close in on an enemy.
DEFENSES
Three basic ways to improve a creature’s defenses exist: reduce
the accuracy of incoming attacks, give it armor to reduce damage,
or provide it with extra durability to it can just soak up more hits.
Avoid giving a creature multiple types of defenses; it’s more inter-
esting when adversaries have both strengths and weaknesses
in their defense. Below are some sample defenses your crea-
tures may have.
Absorb The [creature] is immune to [energy] damage and effects.

When hit by an [energy] attack or effect that deals at least 5 damage
before applying the [creature]’s immunity or armor resistance, the
[creature] heals 1 wound box.
Most creatures with an absorption ability are limited to a spe-
cific “special effect,” not all energy damage.
Armor, Heavy The creature gains +4 physical or energy armor.

A creature’s wound boxes already incorporate a certain
amount of armor as they increase in levels, and most creatures
have armor in the 1 to 3 range. Heavy Armor increases these
nominal values.
Debilitating Aura The [creature] is surrounded by a [distance]-meter

aura. All creatures that begin their action in the aura or enter the
aura during their action must make an Endurance check or become
[weakened]. Creatures protected by [life support] ignore the aura.
Auras typically represent a sickening or intoxicating odor,
psychic static, or a bioenergy emanation of some kind. Effects
could include impaired, slowed, weakened, or even some form
of damage over time. Life support typically blocks the aura.
Defensive Skill Melee attacks against the [creature] suffer a –1

step penalty.
This reflects special expertise or training in close combat.
Deflector Physical attacks against the [creature] suffer a –3 step

penalty. Energy attacks suffer a –1 step penalty.
A device or ability that deflects physical projectiles away from
the protected creature.
Extra Durability The creature has 50 percent more wound boxes

than normal for its template and TR. A standard creature gains 2
extra wound boxes, while a champion gains 4. Additional wound
boxes are added one at a time to the creature’s durability track,
beginning with the lowest wound band first. Do not add an extra
wound box to the creature’s top wound band.
Force Shield The [creature] is protected by energy fields that

absorb damage. All energy and physical attacks that hit the [crea-
ture] hit the force shield instead. The force shield has armor 5 and
[durability track]. When the force shield loses its last wound box,
it fails. (Any extra wounds inflicted by the attack that destroys the
force shield bleed through to the [creature] and are subject to the
creature’s normal armor.) Once a force shield is destroyed, all sub-
sequent attacks in the scene ignore it.
A typical durability track for a force shield is:
(13+ dmg) 
(10−12 dmg) 
(7−9 dmg) 
(1−6 dmg) 

Mission Guide
Some force shields could be much stronger, with better armor

Xenologist’s
or more wound boxes. Others might regenerate, healing a lost

wound box at the end of each action round.
Protostar
Immune The creature is immune to a specific form of attack or

ALTERNITY:
status effect. It ignores damage or effects caused by that type of

attack. It’s possible to be affected by only part of an attack; for
ALTERNITY:
example, a creature immune to poison can still suffer physical

damage from a poisoned arrow or blade. Examples include: bleed-
ing, cold, disease, distracted, electricity, gas, heat, insane, poison,
psychic damage, radiation, stun, weakened.
Some immunities are based on simple game states such
as poison or distracted. Others are based more on “special
effects”—the game doesn’t usually care if energy damage
comes from a flamethrower or a lightning gun, but an alien
made from molten metal could be highly resistant to heat
attacks but vulnerable to electric attacks.
Improved Evade The [creature] pays 0 impulses to use the Evade

action modifier. When it evades, enemies attacking it suffer a –3
step penalty to their attack rolls.
Good for creatures whose primary defense is not getting hit.
Creatures of TR 8 and higher inflict a –4 step penalty to enemy
attacks with Improved Evade; creatures of TR 11 and higher
inflict a –5 step penalty.
Indistinct The [creature] is hard to perceive. Melee attacks against it

suffer a –1 step penalty. Ranged attacks suffer a –3 step penalty.
This defense is good for representing a blurring, cloaking, or
distorting effect that makes the creature hard to see.
Insubstantial Physical attacks against the [creature] suffer a –5 step

penalty; energy attacks suffer a –2 step penalty.
The creature is not actually solid, so physical objects tend to
pass through it without any harm.
Life Support Immune to most environmental conditions.

Life support provides a creature with a sealed, self-contained
So don’t try environment. It can ignore vacuum or poisonous atmo-
swimming in lava. spheres, and tolerate conditions of extreme cold to extreme
heat. Energy damage from an attack still affects the pro-
tected creature.
Regeneration, Rapid At the end of each action round, the [crea-

ture] heals [1] wound box unless the wound was inflicted by
[effect] damage.
Extreme regeneration could heal 2, 3, or even all wound boxes
at the end of the action round. Most forms of regeneration have
an Achilles’ heel—a specific type of injury that can’t be instantly
repaired, such as radiation or silver bullets.
Size All creatures provide a step bonus or penalty to attacks against

them based on their size: Tiny –2 steps, Small –1 step, Medium 0
steps, Large +1 step, Huge +2 steps.
Skulk If the [creature] has cover, an attacker must make an Aware-

ness check to target the [creature] with a ranged attack.
This ability represents an adversary you just can’t pinpoint
when it’s got some clutter, foliage, or broken terrain to hide in.
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Special abilities often modify attacks or defenses, or say something
about how a creature is typically encountered. Choose one or two
special abilities that help describe the creature and make it better at
what it should do in a combat scene. Don’t add too many—it’s easy
to overlook special abilities in the middle of a tense combat scene.
Below are some sample special abilities your creatures may have.
Ambush The [creature] usually begins a combat scene in a position

of ambush. A foe that enters the ambush area makes an Awareness
check to spot the [creature]; a group of foes make a group skill
check instead. If the check fails, the [creature] gains tactical surprise.
Anybody can set an ambush. Save this ability for creatures that
can suddenly lunge out of complete concealment, like trap-
door spiders or alligators lurking in muddy ponds.
Blood-Crazed The [creature] gains a +1 step bonus to attack if

it’s wounded.
Camouflage The [creature] gains a +4 step bonus to Stealth checks

to hide in its native environment.
Caution The [creature] imposes a –1 step penalty to enemy attacks

against it if it’s wounded.
Cheap Shot The [creature] gains a +1 step bonus to attack a dis-

tracted or unaware opponent in addition to the normal bonuses for
such an attack.
Death Burst The [creature] explodes 1 impulse after it loses

its last wound box. Blast [distance/distance meters]; Primary
Damage [damage by TR] energy; Secondary Damage [damage by
TR–4] energy.

Mission Guide
Be careful with death burst effects—sometimes they just punish

Xenologist’s
the heroes who are trying to be good team players by accept-

ing the risk of getting close to a dangerous foe.
Protostar
Finisher The [creature] gains a +3 damage bonus when attacking a

ALTERNITY:
wounded, distracted, or unaware target.

This ability is best for a creature that ordinarily does average or
ALTERNITY:
low damage—creatures that inflict high damage already don’t

really need it.
Gang Up The [creature] gains a +2 step bonus to its melee attack if

at least one other friendly creature is adjacent to the target instead
of the normal +1 step bonus.
This ability works best for creatures likely to be encountered in
large numbers.
Initiative Modifier You can assign a creature a modifier on initiative

checks; a creature with unusually fast reflexes might have a bonus
of +1, +2, or +3 steps, while a creature that is especially ponderous
or lethargic might have a penalty.
Savage The [creature] inflicts +2 damage vs. prone targets.

Naturally, this is most suitable for a creature that has some abil-
ity to knock down its enemies.
Swarm Attack The [creature] gains a +1 step bonus with its attack
for each other [creature] attacking the same target in this impulse, to
a maximum of +3 steps for 4 creatures attacking the same target.
This ability works best with creatures encountered in large
numbers, such as minions.
Tactical Comm 3 impulses; the [creature] reports to allies in the area.

If reinforcements are available, taking a moment to call them
on a radio is the first priority of most sentient foes.
INITIATIVE AND SPEED

Creatures generally determine their initiative check and speed
the same way heroes do: The initiative-check score is equal to
20 – (Agility + Focus), and speed is 20 meters unless there’s a good
reason for making a creature faster or slower.
Because these characteristics don’t directly affect a creature’s
damage output or resilience, the design concept should drive these
determinations. A hulking rock-monster ought to have a terrible
initiative check regardless of its TR. Decide if your creature has
poor, typical, or good reflexes and speed, and assign an appropriate
value as described here:
88 Creating Aliens
Initiative and Speed
Initiative Check Initiative Modifier Base Speed
Awful 16+ –2 steps 5 meters
Poor 14+ –1 step 10−15 meters
Typical 12+ (none) 20−25 meters
Good 10+ +1 step 30−40 meters
Very Good 8+ +2/+3 steps 40+ meters
Initiative Check: How good is an initiative check of 13+? About
average, really. If a creature’s combined Agility and Focus are 10
or better, it’s unusually good at initiative checks—make sure your
creature concept works for an alien that routinely beats some of the
heroes to the punch.
Initiative Modifier: If you want a creature with average Agility
and Focus scores to act faster or slower in a combat scene than
expected, you can assign a modifier to its initiative checks. In gen-
eral, you don’t need to do this for creatures whose initiative scores
are already good or poor.
Base Speed: Quadrupeds, flyers, and big creatures are usually a
little faster than normal. A high speed lets a creature get into melee
range faster than expected, while a slow speed isn’t much of a prob-
lem for creatures with ranged weapons.
WOUND EFFECTS AND PENALTIES

The default assumption is that adversaries just take step penalties
on their checks once they become wounded, as shown here:
Moderate Wound –1 step
Serious Wound –2 steps
Critical Wound –3 steps
However, wound effects provide the opportunity to model unique
behaviors. Some possibilities include:
Creature is/becomes [status] The creature suffers a status effect

when this wound box is marked off. For example, the creature
could be knocked prone or become distracted.
Creature loses [ability] The creature loses one of its attacks or spe-
cial abilities. For example, a battle robot armed with a laser and a
grenade launcher might lose its grenade launcher attack..
Creature uses [ability] as a reaction After the creature sustains the
wound, it immediately gains a reaction to use the stated ability.
For example, a deadly gunfighter might have the ability to return
fire at the enemy who wounded her.
Creature gains [ability] Finally, some adversaries may become
more dangerous when wounded. For example, an alien beast
might become hasted when injured, reducing the impulse cost of
actions by 1.
Wound Effects and Penalties 89

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System Design Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Reading the Entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

READING THE ENTRIES

Each alien in this book is presented with game statistics that

This entry is often

THREAT RATING, SIZE, TEMPLATE, TYPE

Type describes a creature’s basic nature: animal, humanoid,

AWARENESS AND SENSES

Reading the Entries 5

This section describes the actions the creature typically takes

CHANGING THREAT RATING ON THE FLY

• Attack Score: Subtract the adjustment from the

Reading the Entries 7

ADVERSARIES BY THREAT RATING

TR Creature Role Page

1 Bnax Spore Minion 15

Adversaries by Threat Rating 9

begins. The aondha are a race of intelligent spacefaring oozes.

(16+ dmg)  dead Loses cohesion in wet splat

Guard-beasts popular on many worlds due to their utility as protec-

combat, aphars attack with a powerful bite and rake

Aphars in the wild are pack creatures. The

Be’abacs are large creatures with rubbery gray skin, a cluster of

easily and defend themselves from other aggressive creatures.

intelligent and use tools, although technologically advanced tools or

The braanki are an intelligent

insect-like creatures. They have a

tough chitinous covering, and their

and mandibles. Braanki are bipeds with

TR 7 Medium Standard Xenosoph (Alien)

or soldiers of fortune. The typical briith stands 2 meters tall and

ance leads many humans to regard them as slow-witted, but briith

Heavy and muscular, chradnurs resemble long-necked rhinoceroses

They have a reputation for being territorial and foul-­tempered.

Decades ago, ranchers interested in raising chradnurs for the

ing to stock game preserves) established chradnur herds on a

A strange, extradimensional monster that normally exists in fifth-­

ble in our space. It becomes visible and semi-tangible by projecting

spies an opportunity to catch a victim alone, it enters normal space

It may seem unfair to describe an entire species as monstrous, but

rapacious tyrants who see all other intelligent races as enemies to

be destroyed or slaves to be subjugated. This greed and aggression

technology. The only thing stopping the ech-huru from conquering

TR 8 Medium Minion Xenosoph (Alien, Amphibious)

A large, hungry, and stupid ambush predator of the forests, the

It resembles a 6-meter long centipede with a stocky, bulbous body

and a set of powerful mandibles. The tough carapace is a dappled

A race of telepathic conquerors who colonized (or subjugated)

ruins and artifacts of anomalous technology throughout the galac-

tic regions humankind is now beginning to explore. Each newly

They have a reputation for being territorial and foul-tempered.

A strange, extradimensional monster that normally exists in fifth-

glance it appears reptilian, combining a long, snake-like, scale-