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Template Grafts | Universal Monster Rules


Anacite

Source Alien Archive pg. 10
Anacites are native to Aballon, the Pact World closest to the sun. A race of machines left behind by eons-departed masters, these constructs developed the capacity for evolution and self-improvement, creating an entire mechanical ecosystem.

The most common design for anacites is a basic arthropodan form of silvery metal, with multiple legs for efficient travel and claws or manipulators for accomplishing their assigned tasks. Depending on their role, however, an anacite might be anything from a bulldozer-sized mining specialist to a floating electronic brain designed for advanced problem-solving, and even those anacites who fit the stereotypical metal-insect design usually have a modification or two, and almost all anacites can reconfigure parts of themselves to adapt to their circumstances.

In the uncounted millennia since the departure of the so-called “First Ones,” anacites have not been idle. The two primary factions of anacites, Those Who Wait and Those Who Become, have very different ideas of their purpose in life, yet the two are more alike than different. While they variously wait for the First Ones to return or work toward taking on their progenitors’ mantle, anacites endlessly strive to acquire wealth and influence in preparation for their great goal’s fulfillment.

While “anacite” officially refers only to the sentient varieties of Aballonian machines—those capable of learning and participating in Aballonian society—many offworlders use it as a catchall term for the world’s mechanical life. Dragonflylike wingbots are an example of Aballonian technobiology. These artificial creatures lack basic sentience yet nevertheless reproduce and fill one of the planet’s ecological niches. These 4-foot-long machines whir from ridge to ridge on wings glittering with solar panels, feeding on the blazing light of the sun. Wingbots can be territorial, and they occasionally attack offworlders or other anacites.

Aliens in the "Anacite" Family

NameCR
Anacite Ambassador6
Anacite Laborer7
Anacite Predator Drone10
Anacite Wingbot1/2
Dustar1
Monitor3
Sentry3

Anacite, Dustar

Source Starfinder #34: We’re No Heroes pg. 57

Dustar CR 1

XP 400
N Small construct (technological)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +10

Defense

HP 17
EAC 11; KAC 12
Fort +0; Ref +0; Will +2
Defensive Abilities concealed weaponry; Immunities construct immunities
Weaknesses light dependency

Offense

Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft.
Melee serrated edge +4 (1d4+1 S)
Ranged polishing laser +7 (1d4+1 F; burn 1d4)
Offensive Abilities innocuous trick

Statistics

STR +0; DEX +4; CON —; INT +2; WIS +0; CHA +1
Skills Acrobatics +5, Athletics +5 (+13 when climbing), Bluff +10, Disguise +10, Stealth +10
Languages Common (can’t speak); shortwave 100 ft.
Other Abilities unliving

Ecology

Environment any (Aballon)
Organization solitary or flock (2–12)

Special Abilities

Concealed Weaponry (Ex) An anacite dustar can project a whirling and serrated edge around their circular frame and conceal their polishing laser within their carapace. When not in use, these weapons are hidden from sight. A creature unaware of the dustar’s concealed weaponry must succeed at a DC 16 Perception check to notice them. The anacite can deploy or retract one of these weapons as a swift action or as part of making an attack or full attack with it. The anacite can’t be disarmed of such a weapon, but while deployed, the retractable weapon can be sundered as an item with a CR equal to the dustar’s CR.
Innocuous Trick (Ex) An anacite dustar looks like a simple housecleaning tool, but is actually programmed to ambush intruders. As a full action, an anacite dustar can move up to their speed and then make an attack with one of their concealed weapons. After their movement, the dustar can attempt a Bluff check opposed by their target’s Perception check; if the dustar is successful, their target is flat-footed against the attack and takes 1d4 additional damage on a hit.
Light Dependency (Ex) An anacite dustar can acquire power from dim or brighter light, and can store power generated in this way. The dustar can operate in darkness for 2 hours. After this time, the dustar gains the sickened condition until they return to an area of dim or brighter light.
Polishing Laser (Ex) The anacite dustar’s pop-up laser is ostensibly used to polish metals as the dustar goes about their rounds, but can be lethal. The polishing laser has a range increment of 30 feet.
Shortwave (Ex) An anacite can communicate wirelessly. This ability acts as telepathy, but only with other creatures with the shortwave ability or constructs with the technological subtype.

Description

Anacites are truthful and peaceful by nature, but are surprisingly capable of deception or violence when necessary, especially when confronted by organic intruders from beyond Aballon. To safeguard their businesses, factories, homes, and public buildings, anacites developed the dustar.

These small constructs have domed shells and glide silently across the floor on dozens of tiny legs concealed beneath their carapace. Every day, they go about their work: sweeping floors and walls, sucking up dirt with tiny vacuums mounted on their underside, and disintegrating this debris in a specialized internal chamber. They even polish glass, metal, and other materials with a simple pop-up laser—but every anacite dustar is also a hidden spy and potential assassin. Typically communicating with higher-ranking anacites, such as monitors or ambassadors, the dustar keeps an eye on non-anacite visitors while pretending to be a simple cleaning robot. When intruders threaten to trespass into sensitive areas, the dustar doesn’t issue a warning, which would blow their cover. Instead, they inform other anacites of the danger, coordinate with other dustars within communication range, and lay a trap to exterminate the threat.