Spore carrier

Spore carriers are reanimated dead humans, colonized by Beauveria mordicana, a mutated entomopathogenic fungus. They are creatures found in the Mojave Wasteland as well as Zion Canyon and Big MT in 2281.
==Background==
After the Great War, the scientists within Vault 22 conducted agricultural-based initiatives, with the goal of sustaining the Vault population with plants grown within its confines.Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collectors Edition pp. 292-294: "[1.09] Vault 22""Vault 22 was a "green" vault, filled with scientists dedicated to their experiment: keeping the entire population of the vault alive with plants grown with its confines. The experiment could be said to have exceeded all expectations, but with horrific side-effects. Many have attempted to locate the data the scientists left behind, but so far nobody has returned alive. The vault is open, but warning signs surround it from people lucky enough to survive their initial encounter with the vault's inhabitable. Don't forget to check the Hollowed-Out Rock on the right side of the gully, across from the "Keep Out!" sign."(Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition Tour of the Mojave Wasteland) Designed as a green Vault, people selected for populating it were dedicated to goals surrounding plant life and crop expansion. One of the experiments revolved around Beauveria mordicana, a fungus designed for pest control.Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, Vault 22 expedition, entry 6 The Vault scientists began experimentation, it became airborne.Patient ZeroVault 22 terminal entries; terminal, case 162 update Fungal spores gradually spread through the Vault, infecting the population.Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, case 173 (group) 
After several inhabitants became sick with a pronounced cough, scientists were confused and attempted to pinpoint the cause. The first confirmed infection and fatality was Dr. Harrison Peters.Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, case 162Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, case 164 (group) The subsequent reanimation of his corpse frightened and bewildered the scientists, who attempted to contain those who were ill. When exposed to B. Mordicana spores, the host is slowly overtaken by the fungus.Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, Vault 22 expedition, entry 9 The affliction kills within 10 to 20 days, but the pathogen within continues to thrive, causing reanimation to occur.Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, Vault 22 expedition, entry 8Vault 22 terminal entries; terminal, species 3 In response to the outbreak, the remaining scientists attempted to eradicate those who had reanimated by releasing and then igniting gas in the lower levels of the Vault.The Courier: "How did you get this whole gas thing set up so quickly?"Keely: "That's a very good question! Actually, I didn't come up with it. The systems were already set up to pump the gas when I first arrived here. I believe the scientists were in the process of attempting to ignite the gas just as we're about to do. And by we, I mean you, of course."(Keely's dialogue) This triggered a defensive reaction from the carriers, who attacked the scientists.The Courier: "What happened to the scientists, then?"Keely: "Something prevented them from igniting the gas, obviously. I suppose it's possible that the gas triggered some kind of defensive reaction. Hordes of previously slumbering creatures may have awoken and entered a killing frenzy, ripping the hapless scientists into quivering, bloody chunks. You'll have to let me know when you get back from going downstairs."(Keely's dialogue)
A group of Vault 22 survivors, numbering more than one hundred, organized an expedition to Zion Canyon in 2096. Many members of the group were infected by the Beauveria mordicana, and would eventually succumb to become spore carriers.Year: 2096
Spore carriers can also be found in the X-22 botanical garden in Big MT, the source of the Beauveria mordicana used in Vault 22's experiments.Old World Blues endings: "The Biological Research Station, obsessed with seeding everything in sight, requested a transfer to the X-22 Botanical Garden... so that it might, in its own words, "sensually fertilize the garden's smooooth contours." The Garden sent back a polite refusal, saying it had prior commitments with a Vault it had helped infect before the war. A unique spore carrier named Patient Zero, implied to be the first of its kind, still roams the facility.
===Gameplay attributes===
Spore carriers are quick and use melee attacks. If they are not killed quickly, they explode and deal large amounts of damage, breaking limbs and giving a large dose of radiation. When they are hiding in vegetation, they are hard to spot and will not appear on the Courier's compass, nor be targeted via V.A.T.S. until they move. 
However, their health meter will become visible if they are injured by an area-of-effect weapon, like a flamer or grenade, immediately revealing their presence. While a spore carrier is getting up or sleeping, attackers in sneak mode who manually attack the spore carrier will receive a critical.
==Variants==
===Spore carrier===
The most common of all spore carriers. They hide in vegetation.
===Spore carrier brute===
Spore carrier brutes are found in the same areas other spore carriers are found, with higher HP.
===Spore carrier runt===
Runts are the smallest and weakest of the spore carrier family. Runts are created from either the infected corpses of childrenVault 22, common areas; Doctor Bailey's family unit room: Contains the spore infected remains of Doctor Bailey, his wife and their child. or smaller than average people.
===Spore carrier savage===
Savages are encountered rarely but are essentially a more dangerous form of spore carrier brutes.
===Spore carrier beast (Honest Hearts)===
The spore carrier beast is only found in Zion Canyon in the Honest Hearts add-on. They have the highest HP.
===Spore carrier scavenger (Old World Blues)===
This variant of spore carrier appears only in the Old World Blues add-on at the X-22 botanical garden.
==Notable spore carriers==
* Patient Zero
* Dr. Bailey (named "spore carrier" in-game)
* Elizabeth Bailey (named "spore carrier" in-game)
* Marsha Bailey (named "spore carrier" in-game)
* Dr. Harrison Peters
==Notes==
* Spore carriers, as well as tunnelers, are based on the animation skeleton of the trogs seen in The Pitt.
* It's possible to sneak up next to a dormant spore carrier. They can be interacted with, which only produces the UI message "Spore carrier is unconscious."
* With the Honest Hearts add-on, spore carriers will sometimes drop spore carrier sap.
* For the purposes of combat, their "head" is only their skullcap, which is their weak point. It gibs when damaged enough, exposing the cranial cavity. The same is true of behemoths, in the games in which they appear.
* Spore carriers make the same sound as feral ghouls upon death.
* The Sporemaster of Atlantic City is another humanoid plant-based mutant named for the spores it emits.
==Appearances==
Spore carriers appear in Fallout: New Vegas, and its add-ons Honest Hearts and Old World Blues.
==Sounds==
* Hissing spore carrier
* Conscious spore carrier
==Gallery==
Hidden spore carrier.jpg|A spore carrier hiding within some flowers in Vault 22
FO3 ant nectar.png|Spore carrier sap
Patient Zero.jpg|Patient Zero
Spore carriers FD.jpg|Spore carriers in Vault 22's food distribution
Fallout Magic Corpsejack Menace.png|Magic: The Gathering card
==See also==
* Spore plant
==References==
Non-game
Category:Fallout: New Vegas creatures
Category:Honest Hearts creatures
Category:Old World Blues creatures
Category:Flora
de:Sporenträger
es:Portador de esporas
pl:Nosiciel
ru:Споронос
uk:Споронос
zh:孢子攜帶者