Vegepygmies

(Mobile russet sporesowers)
Small Plant
Initiative: +2
Senses: Darkvision 60ft, low-light vision, Perception +4
Speed: 30ft
ACs: KAC: 14 EAC: 13 CMan: 22 (+2 Dex, +2/1 Natural armor)
HP: 7
DR: 5 / Kinetic or Fire, Immunity Electric
Fort: +3 Ref: +2 Will: +2
Attack (melee): Scrapheap spear +2 (1D6+2 Kinetic)
Attack (ranged): Acid spray +3 (1D4+1 Acid, 15ft) Recharge D4 turns
STR +1 DEX +2 CON +1 INT-1 WIS +0 CHA +0
Feats: Opening volley
Skill: Perception +4, Stealth +9 (+14 while in russet mold environment), Survival +4
=== Description ===
Vegepygmies are semi-sentient humanoid plants who exist for the sole purpose to propagate a russet mold infestation on a planet, space station or spaceship. Vegepygmy infestation generally begin either with a spore bag bursting onboard a ship or in a dark cave on a planet. Russet mold does not require water and can grow on pretty much any surface, but is purged naturally by exposure to intense heat or UVB light over a short period of time. Any living being who dies in the general area of the russet mold will have its body decomposed by the mold, which will then use the natural nutrients and minerals to create vegepygmies. While small rodents and animals require multiple deaths to create a single vegepygmy, once enough of the mold-like horrors are created, they will begin hunting larger and larger preys. An average sized sentient individual (Terran or Lashunta, as an example) will generate 1d3 vegepygmy, whlie a small creature (Gnome or Ysoki) would generate 1d2 creatures. Over a short period of time, an infestation can easily cripple a ship or spacestation, especially once the russet mold begins being introduced into the life support system.
==== Terran knowledge: ====
The first russet mold infestation witnessed by the Confederation was on a derelict Imperial frigate. Marine forces were deployed and combat was intense, until the ship was destroyed by the Terran ship in order to prevent additional infestation. Medical screening of the marines proved that the russet mold was not airborne or infectious by touch, except for some exceptional sporesowers. A lack of contact with Russet mold reduces drastically the Terrans operational reactions.
==== Protectorate knowledge: ====
The Protectorate was affected by multiple Russet mold infestations over time, as it appears the original Russet mold comes from a planet that is under Protectorate quarantine. Reactions to mold infestation is generally rapid and direct, with the destruction of the infested area with laser fire and flamethrower, or in the case of a ship-wide infestation, with the scuttling of the ship. While the procedure is drastic, fears of russet mold infestation requires such measures.
Category:Monster
Category:Russet Mold