Echolocation. The Bloater can't use its blindsight while deafened. In addition, whilst deafened, the Bloater is considered blinded.
Keen Hearing. The Bloater has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
Reckless Frenzy. The Bloater has advantage on attack rolls against a target that has made a noise audible to the Bloater since the end of the Bloater's previous turn.
Toxin Sacks. The Bloater has three sacks of mycotoxin on its body. These sacks can be attacked (AC 15; 20 hit points; resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks that aren't adamantine; vulnerability to fire damage). Destroying a sack deals 20 necrotic to the Bloater and decreases the recharge range of Mycotoxin by one. If all three sacks are destroyed, the Bloater cannot use Mycotoxin.
Multiattack. The Bloater uses Mycotoxin if it is available. It then makes two Pummel attacks.
Pummel. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d12 + 5) bludgeoning damage. Instead of dealing damage, the Bloater can grapple the target (escape DC 16). Whilst grappled this way, the target is restrained. If the grappled target is reduced to 0 hit points, it is killed instantly as the Bloater tears it apart.
Mycotoxin (Recharge 4-6). The Bloater lobs a ball of mycotoxin at a point it can see within 40 feet which then explodes in a 10-foot-radius sphere which remains until the end of the Bloater's next turn. When the sphere appears, a creature not infected with Cordyceps must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw, taking 18 (4d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the creature fails by 5 or more, it becomes infected with Cordyceps. A creature must also make this saving throw whenever it ends its turn in the sphere.
Description
In rare circumstances, a humanoid infected with Cordyceps survives for several years turns into a Bloater. Their entire body is covered in thick layers of fungus which is highly resistant to damage. Like Clickers, a Bloater is completely blind and relies on sound to see, though their echolocation has degraded due to the continued fungal growth. Due to their increased bulk, Bloaters are incredibly strong and highly resistant to harm as their fungal plates act like armour. Like other infected, Bloaters are extremely aggressive but they are slow and uncoordinated. This is compensated by their strength and brutality which is demonstrated when they grab their prey and tear them in half with ease. Curiously, Bloaters carry distinct sacks of Mycotoxin which they can pull from and hurl pods of toxic spores.
Cordyceps
Cordyceps are a parasitic fungus that takes control of the host's brain. This fungus is not sentient. Like all life, it only seeks to grow and spread. Most strains of this fungus cannot survive in warm-blooded animals or break through the skulls of mammals, but this strain of the fungus has mutated and made certain species of humanoids the perfect hosts. Once the fungus has taken hold, it will begin to consume the brain of the victim but not allow it to die. Instead, it pilots it and directs it into a scenario where it can spread to another potential host. Eventually, the fungus will overtake the whole body of the host, leaving it nothing more than immobile fuel to help eject fresh infection spores.
Due to their similar biology, the following races are susceptible to infection by the Cordyceps:
- Aasimar
- Elf
- Gnome
- Goliath
- Half-Elf
- Halfling
- Human
- Kalashtar
- Kender
- Orc
- Shifter
Other creatures can become infected with the fungus but they do not suffer any ill effects from it and any infection within their system dies within 1 week. Though they suffer no ill effects, the infection can still be spread by an unsuitable host if they bite another creature.
Infection occurs when a spore finds its way inside of the host either by consumption, inhalation, or being bitten. From there it travels through the bloodstream until it reaches the brain. From there it begins to grow and take over. Since the infection is from a parasitic fungus, most methods for repelling disease do not work. Spells such as Lesser Restoration do not work and Greater Restoration can only heal an infected creature within the first 48 hours before the creature enters the first stage of infection. Once a creature enters the first stage of infection, there is no going back except for a Wish spell.
Stage 1 Cordyceps Brain Infection
A creature enters the first stage of infection 48 hours after the fungus enters its system. At this stage, the fungus has reached the brain and the host loses their higher brain function (and with it, their humanity), rendering them hyper-aggressive and incapable of reason or rational thought. Infected at this stage are classified as Runners as they are defined by their speed, clumsy attacks, and their tendency to swarm their targets.
Stage 2 Cordyceps Brain Infection
A creature enters the second stage of infection after two weeks. At this stage, the fungus begins to alter the creatures sight as fungal growths begin to sprout from the head which corrupts their visual cortex. The infected at this stage are known as Stalkers, known for their pseudo-echolocation, and their discretion upon spotting a victim at a distance.
Stage 3 Cordyceps Brain Infection
After a year of infection, the infected enters stage three. The face becomes scarred and obscured with fungus, rendering the infected completely blind. To compensate, these Clickers develop a primitive form of echolocation. By this point, the host's skin is covered in mould and scaly fungal growths. Most infected do not survive past this stage as the parasite consumes too much of the body.
Stage 4 Cordyceps Brain Infection
In very rare cases a Clicker may survive for a decade, at which point stage four begins. Hardened fungal plates form over the body which increase the bulk and strength of the infected. Now called a Bloater, they remain highly aggressive but become much slower. However, they are far more resilient and resistant to harm.
Stage 5 Cordyceps Brain Infection
So far, only one stage five infection has even been found which took twenty-five years to form. Dubbed the Rat King, this superorganism is comprised of a Bloater, several Clickers, and several Stalkers. The Rat King is unique as it requires several infected to be sealed in a room so full of spores that as the fungus grows, it conjoins the infected into one mass.
Cordyceps Hives
Like most fungi, the Cordyceps prefers to grow in dark, damp environments. These may include basements, tunnels, and other underground areas away from the surface. When an infected nears its death, it will retreat to an ideal environment. From there, the flesh of the deceased host will be consumed to fuel the dispersal of infection spores. If enough infected gather in one spot, a hive will form where the air becomes dense with spores. A single breath of this air will guarantee infection and unless the eyes, mouth, and nose are completely sealed, holding your breath will not prevent this.
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