Blazozoid

A blazozoid is a ball of creamy white flame made entirely of fiery plasma, like a small comet or an oversized void sprite, often trailing a tail of blue fire at starship speeds. Well fed, one can reach 60 feet across; a starving one shrinks below 10 feet and takes on a faint yellow tint.

Blazozoids talk telepathically and usually ignore passing starships unless provoked. They approach only to beg passage across the flame-sea or to feed; refuse the ride, or meet a hungry one, and it attacks.

It rams its target, a person or a whole ship, for 8d6 and then clings, burning through anything it touches, air and water included. Living creatures in contact save vs. breath weapon or ignite, taking 5d6 each round of contact; pulling free takes a Dexterity check. Objects save vs. magical fire or catch fire, taking 3d6 more per round until separated and doused.

Fire of any kind cannot hurt it. A weapon that hits must save vs. normal fire or be destroyed, though it still deals full damage; weapons of +3 or better are safe. Cold and water attacks work normally.

Found only in the void between worlds, never on worlds or inside the flame-sea, a blazozoid sets any flame-sea within 100 feet ablaze. Entering it is suicide: the blast destroys everything within a mile, the blazozoid too. Those caught must save vs. dragon breath to live and are flung 1d10 miles, taking 1d10 damage per mile.

All blazozoids are offspring of a vast living star called the Lone Flame, which does not consider material beings alive, let alone intelligent, and so believes itself the only mind in existence. To test this it has sent millions of fragments of itself to the edges of creation to seek another living star. Blazozoids carry its beliefs unchangeably, so they treat mortals as food or, at best, transport.

They cannot breed and come only from the Lone Flame's substance. They feed, or refuel, by converting matter to energy. Deep in the void near a crystal shell, one always wants something from a passing ship, either a meal or a ride to the next shell, and may offer a service in return. Unless the crew arranges food for the long trip, it may turn on them on arrival. To cross the flame-sea it must be fully sealed in a fireproof shell of iron, stone or force; simply putting it below decks ends in disaster.