Skyfire Centurion (Starfinder Archetype)
(art by Will Maccabe on Artstation)
One thing I love about the Starfinder setting is how much of it, at least the parts associated with the Pact Worlds system, were extrapolated from one paperback book, Distant Worlds, which filled out the solar system that Golarion is part of in Pathfinder.
From that book, we can see how locations, cultures, and organizations evolved into the modern day, and one such example was the Skyfire Legion of Triaxus.
Millenia ago during the quasi-medieval age of Pathfinder, Triaxus was roughly divided into two main regions, the dragon-ruled Drakelands, and the Allied Territories that resisted dragon rule, with the Skyfire Mandate isthmus connecting the two as a constant battleground between them. (Oh, and also the continent of Ning, but it’s not relevant to the story)
The Skyfire Mandate was defended from Drakeland incursions by the Dragon Legion, an army of ryphorians and their dragonkin allies that fought to hold the line, but as time passed and civilization developed, the Drakelands became more interested in economic domination than territorial domination and turned to capitalism (yay?), especially when space travel became feasible to increase their wealth with business across the gulf of space.
This meant that the Skyfire Mandate was no longer a contested territory, threatening to render the Legion obsolete. However, while what they once guarded was no longer important, their mission to protect those who could not protect themselves. And so they rebranded as the Skyfire Legion and changed their focus, becoming a band of mercenaries that offers their services to those living far beyond Pact and Near Space and the protections of the Stewards.
Wherever greedy corporations or alien empires threaten those on the fringe, the Skyfire Legion will answer the call if someone reaches out to them, making them almost like anti-Hellknights in the same vein that the knights of Golarion are, though in a different way.
Traditionally, the Legion is made up primarily of ryphorians and dragonkin, but anyone can potentially join, and with their training, might even emulate a mundane reflection of the psychic bond dragonkin have with others, though few if anyone actually rides dragonkin into battle anymore.
As mentioned above, these centurions learn how to form bonds with their allies, though these are not telepathic in nature and somewhat more temporary. Essentially, but training for at least an hour, they can establish a bond as they recognize the needs and shortcomings of their ally to work better with them. At the base level, this means that they provide better fire support and better encouragement aboard a starship. Later on, they can expend resolve to form a bond instantly.
They can also speak words of advice in combat, briefly giving their allies the benefits of their combat training.
Concentrated firepower is a deadly thing, and when a centurion and their bond-mate focus their fire, timing it together, they can become more accurate together and overwhelm defenses.
Their bond even stands firm against death, allowing them to heal their bond-mates faster, and even get their ally back up and standing despite their injuries, though doing so takes up some of their focus.
Teamwork is the name of the game with this archetype, and there are lots of ways that characters of any class can utilize this. A combat-focused class might bond with a less combat-savvy ally to grant them the benefits of their feats, or do the same with a fellow combat class and take advantage of concentrated fire to bring down big foes. Meanwhile, more supportive classes might instead focus on providing harrying fire and support. Additionally, this archetype can grant bonds with creatures of lower intelligence too, meaning that a mechanic’s drone or any character’s creature companion is also a viable option, perfect for a duo that work in synch with each other.
Unlike the partner bond of dragonkin, the bonds established by this archetype are semi-permanent, able to be switched as needed as long as there is time for it. However, exactly what the warrior does with that flexibility can vary a lot. Do they swap their bonds regularly to fit the mission, or do they keep their bonds to a select few, even potentially one individual? Why do they choose that path?
Most of those who meet her think if Ulga as a loner among the mercenary company she works with, and the orc does little to dissuade that idea. However, to those that actually serve with her, she is in fact a caring companion and ally, one that has learned to fight well alongside any she serves alongside.
Newly graduated as full members of their merc company, the party are sent on a mission to aid a colony with a serious and unusual problem with indigenous animals. When they arrive, they are ambushed by vasporans, alien predators that use accelerated molting for defense and mobility. An autopsy of the slain beasts, however, reveals an unusual blend of artificial hormones meant to increase aggression.
Outpost DNL-461 is located on an icy world far from it’s star, but it is a valuable observatory despite the inhospitable climate and wildlife. However, it is manned by Jorbis, an old man who keeps everything running between supply runs, with only his drone companion for company. The bond the two share is incredible, and it is sometimes as if they are one being in combat.