Adapted from Vesk - Starfinder Wiki and Lizardfolk Ancestry- Archives of Nethys
The Vesk are a proud and formidable reptilian species, renowned throughout the Starfall Galaxy for their martial prowess, unyielding honor, and a deep-seated warrior culture. Their imposing physiques, sharp claws, and powerful jaws are matched only by their unwavering discipline and tactical acumen. In Starfall, the Vesk's destiny is inextricably linked to the ancient Scale Hegemony. They are not merely allies, but a core component of the Hegemony's awakened legions, zealous in their commitment to the Frog-Mages' prophecies and the grand, primordial order they seek to restore. For the Vesk, joining the Hegemony was not subjugation, but the discovery of a greater purpose, a cosmic conflict worthy of their unmatched fighting spirit.
Core Identity: Martial Honor and Unyielding Duty
Vesk are defined by their code of honor, which dictates every aspect of their lives from personal conduct to battlefield tactics. They value strength, courage, loyalty, and the pursuit of mastery in all things, especially combat. For a Vesk, true glory is found in overcoming challenges and defending their chosen cause with unwavering resolve. Their intimidating presence often belies a strategic mind and a deeply loyal, if fiercely independent, spirit. The Yom and Dei are understood through a warrior's lens: each moment of existence is a battle to be won, each resource a spoil of a just conflict, all in service to a greater, prophesied destiny. Their loyalty to the Scale Hegemony is born of conviction, not coercion, seeing in the Frog-Mages' ancient wisdom a path to cosmic redemption.
Societies Across the Spheres
Vesk society is highly structured, emphasizing military hierarchy, personal duels to settle disputes, and a strong sense of collective duty. As part of the Scale Hegemony, their social fabric has seamlessly integrated with the Frog-Mages' ancient directives.
Outer Sphere (Hegemony's Vanguard & Awakening Chambers): The vast majority of active Vesk are found in the Outer Sphere, forming the vanguard of the Scale Hegemony's awakened forces. They spearhead incursions into new systems, secure strategic resources, and stand guard over the massive cryo-pyramids that house their dormant brethren and other Hegemony legions. Their disciplined warbands establish highly fortified garrisons, often incorporating their own brutal, yet honorable, martial traditions into the Hegemony's ancient strategic doctrines. They are fierce adversaries to the Free Worlds Union and any other faction that interferes with the Hegemony's awakening.
Inner Sphere (Rare Legates & Ancient Guard): A rare few Vesk may be found in the Inner Sphere, serving as ancient guardians of dormant Hegemony cryo-pyramids or as highly respected, if intimidating, legates of the Frog-Mages. They observe the "younger" species with a mix of disdain and detached curiosity, seeing the squabbles of the Commission and the lingering influence of the Vaelen as insignificant compared to the coming cosmic threat. They might even engage in duels to preserve ancient Hegemony honor if their territory is challenged.
Frontier (Undaunted Scouts & Primal Combatants): Vesk scouts, often on solo missions of extreme self-testing, venture into the Frontier. Here, their martial prowess and resilience are pushed to their limits against Rift-Taint phenomena and unpredictable threats. They might establish temporary, camouflaged outposts within stable Rift-Burgs, providing crucial intelligence back to the Hegemony regarding the Maelstrom's chaotic currents and any nascent dangers that align with their ancient prophecies.
Connection to the Rift and Martial Philosophy
The Vesk approach the Rift with the same pragmatic, honorable ferocity they apply to all challenges. While they may not have the innate psychic sensitivity of the Lashunta or the deep biological connection of the Khi'Myr, their disciplined minds and physical resilience allow them to confront the Rift's chaotic energies with unyielding resolve. Many Vesk warriors learn to channel Mana not through spellcasting, but through raw, disciplined martial techniques, infusing their attacks with kinetic energy or even minor temporal distortions.
The Rift-Storm Cataclysm was a period of immense challenge that the Vesk faced with grim determination. Their highly organized military structure and their ability to endure extreme conditions allowed many to survive the initial devastation, either by taking refuge in their fortified territories or by being among those awakened from Hegemony cryo-pyramids to assist in containment. They view Rift-Taint as a corruption to be purged, a challenge to their strength and the natural order. Their martial philosophy often incorporates elements of enduring chaos and turning adversity into strength, making them formidable foes against Rift-born abominations.
The Vesk approach the Rift with the same pragmatic, honorable ferocity they apply to all challenges. While they may not have the innate psychic sensitivity of the Lashunta or the deep biological connection of the Khi'Myr, their disciplined minds and physical resilience allow them to confront the Rift's chaotic energies with unyielding resolve. Many Vesk warriors learn to channel Mana not through spellcasting, but through raw, disciplined martial techniques, infusing their attacks with kinetic energy or even minor temporal distortions.
Unique Vesk Traits
Vesk are physically imposing, with broad shoulders, powerful tails for balance, and thick scales that offer natural protection. They are fiercely loyal to their comrades and their chosen cause, but their concept of honor can sometimes be misunderstood by other species. Their language is guttural and direct, often accompanied by impressive roars or snarls in combat. Stories of Vesk in Starfall often center on their legendary duels, their unwavering resolve in battle, and their pivotal role as the enforcers of the Scale Hegemony's ancient, galaxy-spanning prophecy.Vesk Mechanics
Vesk are a Humanoid, Vesk ancestry.
Hit Points: 8
Size: Medium
Speed: 25 feet
Ability Boosts: Strength, Constitution, and one Free Ability Boost.
Ability Flaw: Intelligence.
Languages: Common, Vesk. You can learn additional languages equal to 1 + your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Choose from the list of common languages and any other languages to which you have access.
Traits: Humanoid, Vesk, Low-Light Vision.
Vesk Heritages
At 1st level, choose one of the following Vesk heritages.
Desert Strider Vesk: Your lineage adapted to arid, scorching environments. You gain fire resistance 1, and environmental heat effects are one step less extreme for you (e.g., incredible heat becomes extreme).
Iron Scales Vesk: Your scales are unusually thick and durable. You gain resistance 1 to piercing damage.
Jungle Hunter Vesk: You are adept at moving through dense, natural environments. You ignore difficult terrain caused by undergrowth or jungle flora.
Scaled Shaman Vesk: Your ancestral connection to the natural world and the primordial energies is strong. You gain a cantrip from the divine or primal spell list (your choice). You can cast this spell as an innate spell at will. A cantrip is heightened to a spell rank equal to half your level rounded up.
Territorial Vesk: You possess a strong instinct for defending your space. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Perception checks to notice creatures attempting to sneak or hide within your immediate territory (typically a 30-foot radius).
Vesk Ancestry Feats
You can select Vesk ancestry feats from the following options.
1st Level Feats
Fearless Display (General):You can strike fear into your enemies. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Intimidation checks to Demoralize.
Natural Weapons (General): Your claws and teeth are effective in combat. You gain a claw unarmed attack that deals 1d4 slashing damage and a bite unarmed attack that deals 1d4 piercing damage. Both have the unarmed trait.
Territorial Mark (General): You mark your territory. You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Survival checks when tracking creatures within a territory you have recently marked (requires 10 minutes to mark a 30-foot radius area).
Vesk Weapon Familiarity (General): You are trained with doshko, frost-whips, and tactical shotguns.
Vesk Lore (General): You are well-versed in the history, honor codes, and martial traditions of your people. You gain training in Vesk Lore. If you were already trained in Vesk Lore, you instead become an expert.
5th Level Feats
Aggressive Instinct (General): Your predatory instincts enhance your combat speed. When you use the Stride action, you can gain a +5-foot status bonus to your Speed for that action.
Hardened Scales (General):Your scales provide exceptional protection against bludgeoning attacks. You gain resistance 2 to bludgeoning damage.
Rift-Endurance (General): Your body and will are resilient to the chaotic energies of the Rift. You gain a +1 status bonus to saves against Rift-Taint and temporal distortion effects.
9th Level Feats
Combat Reflexes (General): Your reflexes are honed for battle. You gain an additional reaction per round.
Threatening Presence (General): Your imposing demeanor makes you a natural leader in combat. When you critically succeed at an Intimidation check to Demoralize, the creature is frightened 2 instead of frightened 1.
13th Level Feats
Unstoppable Charge (General): When you Stride and then Strike at the end of your movement, your Strike deals an additional 1d6 damage if you moved at least 10 feet.
Warrior's Resolve (General): Your indomitable will fortifies you against mental attacks. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to Will saves against fear effects.
17th Level Feats
Apex Predator (General): Your martial prowess is unparalleled. When you critically succeed at a Strike, your target is also flat-footed until the end of your next turn.
Prophecy's Enforcer (General): Your commitment to the Hegemony's prophecy allows you to overcome extreme odds. Once per day, when you are reduced to 0 Hit Points, you can choose to make a single Strike as a reaction before falling unconscious.Here are a few adventure hooks designed to appeal to a Vesk Player Character, leveraging their unique traits, homeworld lore, and cultural values:
Hegemony Vanguard: Awakening the Dormant Legions:
Hook: A newly detected, ancient Scale Hegemony cryo-pyramid has been located in a contested region of the Outer Sphere. It's vital to the Hegemony's grand awakening, but a rival faction (e.g., Free Worlds Union forces, Grolak marauders, or a Commission black-ops unit) is attempting to seize, sabotage, or destroy it before its dormant legions can be roused. The Vesk PC's war-band is tasked with securing the site, activating its complex defenses, and ensuring the successful awakening of their brethren.
Vesk Appeal: This hook directly plays into the Vesk's core values of unyielding duty, loyalty to the Hegemony, and martial prowess. The PC would relish the opportunity for direct combat against multiple foes, proving their strength in defense of a sacred objective. It offers a chance to demonstrate strategic acumen and unwavering resolve in a high-stakes conflict crucial to their people's destiny.
Purging the Rift-Taint: The Corrupted Bastion:
Hook: A long-silent Hegemony outpost on the Frontier, established to monitor a particularly volatile Rift-Burg, has begun emitting disturbing, corrupted signals. Reconnaissance reveals it has been overrun by aggressive Scarred and a virulent form of Rift-Taint, twisting the environment and its former Vesk inhabitants into monstrous parodies. The Vesk PC is part of a small, elite strike force sent to purge the corruption, retrieve any vital intelligence, and eliminate the tainted threat, demonstrating the Hegemony's resolve against chaos.
Vesk Appeal: This appeals to the Vesk's view of Rift-Taint as a corruption to be purged and a challenge to their strength. The PC would confront abominations born of the Rift, testing their resilience and martial philosophy against unpredictable foes. Success would bring honor and a tangible victory against the forces that threaten the primordial order the Hegemony seeks to restore.
The Honor Duel of the Ancestral Relic:
- Hook: An ancient Vesk relic—perhaps a legendary doshko, a piece of ancestral armor, or a data-shard containing the battle-chants of a revered Hegemony ancestor—has been discovered by a non-Vesk archaeological team (e.g., Mnemosyn scholars, Human corporations, or opportunistic Ysoki scavengers) in the Inner Sphere. This team, unaware of its true significance or its sacred nature to the Vesk, intends to publicly display, study, or sell it. A Vesk Legate or a high-ranking officer tasks the PC with retrieving the relic, peacefully if possible, but by force if necessary, to uphold Hegemony honor and prevent its desecration.
Vesk Appeal: This hook challenges the Vesk PC's sense of honor and duty to their ancestors and the Hegemony. It could involve a complex blend of intimidation, negotiation (which might be a challenge for a direct Vesk), and ultimately, a series of duels or direct confrontations to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. The PC would earn immense glory by restoring the relic to its rightful place within Hegemony archives.
Prophecy's Enforcers: The Unyielding Threat:
- Hook: A newly deciphered Frog-Mage prophecy speaks of an emergent "cosmic threat" or "unyielding foe" that must be confronted to ensure the grand primordial order. This threat could be a powerful, ancient Barathu mind attempting to assimilate a system, a rogue Cerebral Nexus seeking to dominate galactic thought, or an emergent Scaleglitch entity consuming Mana-wells. The Vesk PC is chosen to lead or be part of a vanguard to confront this threat, proving their commitment to the Hegemony's destiny and their martial prowess against a truly formidable adversary.
Vesk Appeal: This directly taps into the Vesk's sense of greater purpose and their role as the Hegemony's enforcers. The PC would be motivated by the sheer scale of the challenge and the opportunity to prove their unmatched fighting spirit against a foe worthy of their might. This would involve high-stakes combat, strategic planning, and the chance to fulfill an ancient prophecy, bringing immense honor to themselves and their war-band.
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