Of all the bizarre forms of life that struggle to survive the oft-hostile subterranean world, the humble grotto gatherer has mystified many environmental scientists who have studied them. Although scientists lack many of the facts of their origin, they agree the highly adaptable creature is an apparent visitor to this part of the galaxy. It appears that its “seeds” are highly resistant to temperature and pressure, so it’s likely that, first, comets and, later, space transports carried it through space. Once the seeds hit atmosphere, if the combination of air, moisture, and gravity is within a certain tolerance range, the seeds begin to develop into new oozes, which immediately make their way to the nearest subterranean entrances. Most immature gatherers never make it. However, unlike other star tossed, circumstantial strangers to known space, the grotto gatherer seems to benefit its adopted worlds and has quickly adjusted to life on many alien worlds.

This stealthy predator inhabits the vast plains of Tarak III, where it preys on the great herds of herbivorous kavamadu feeding on the tall grasses. The creature’s broad back is covered with stiff fur similar in coloration and texture to the grassland foliage in which it lurks. Grassy fur also grows atop the head and the upper-facing portions of the forearms. When hunkered down, the predator looks like a clump of grass amid the open savanna. Several short, sharp horns project from the snout of the broad, flat head, with enlarged nostrils to the front and slit eyes at the sides. The creature has no jaw or mouth, breathing completely through its nostrils. Small forearms end in razor claws, which are used with the horns to subdue prey. Muscular rear legs give a mauler incredible speed and amazing power to leap on victims from concealed locations.

The desert realm is a paradox in many ways. Ar first glance, it appears to be a bleak, desolate wasteland with little to offer the imagination. Those who probe deeper, however, find it holds a multitude of secrets. It seems improbable that the oft hostile environment could support life, but a wide variety of creatures manage to survive its embrace. Birds of prey soar over the desolate landscape, reptiles pass between its dunes, rugged planes brave the harsh sun, and the humble duskdigger burrows beneath the surface in an endless quest for nourishment.

Of all the creatures that shun the light of the sun and cling to the darkness of the subterranean world, none have the cunning nor the murderous instinct of the dread, diabolical predator known as the dire lurker. These fiendish creatures use their ability to cloak themselves in darkness to mask their approach when stalking prey. When not on the hunt, they prefer to hide amid stalactites of vaulted cavern ceilings while scanning their subterranean realm for the next victim to toy with. The netherworld horrors have been known to pursue prey for days and sometimes pass up quick kills in order to wear down their intended targets before finishing chem off. People who have been fortunate to survive the attack of a dire lurker claimed the beast seemed co feed off their fear. It’s unknown as to whether the creatures physically devour the terror they cause or are merely fulfilling sadistic desires, bur some speculate that the sole survivors of groups who were slain by dire lurkers were purposely left alive co tell of their experience. In any case, people do not enter their domain without good reason.

Space holds innumerable dangers to overcome in traversing its vast expanse, but none are as insidiously dedicated to destruction as the silent hunter known as the charybdis devourer. Floating through space, these creatures, which appear to be mere asteroids, are in truth predators of the void seeking any solid matter they can find for sustenance. They hunt through the appearance of harmlessness and calculated manipulation of the force of gravity to bring both starships and minor astral bodies to their doom.

Some say that to look upon the chalsamar is to view the face of the Creator. These crystalline creatures have evoked both wonder and awe among those who gaze upon the heavens, but they amazingly still remain an enigmatic force. Although there have been few recorded sightings in known history, scientists, sages, and a growing number of learned folk feel these beings could be as old as the universe and may have been given life when the early universe to form heavenly bodies. Many cults on remote space colonies worship the chalsamar as divine harbingers, and they sacrifice “infidels” to stay their “righteous” wrath.

The people of Earth have given the galaxy many gifts and innovations; of them, the borkine is certainly the most dubious. Created during the early colonial period of Terran expansion, chis beast of many burdens is a genetically engineered amalgamation of several Terran species of herd and farm animal, including cows, horses, camels, pigs, alpacas, sheep, and many others. It’s designed to live anywhere people can live, and thrive in a number of environments effectively. The original name of this creature was the “OmniBeast” but over the centuries the term “borkine” has come to be the common moniker through interstellar legend and the proliferation of “bork” based food produces.