Gravemind-like Plant Entity [Archive] - Wizards Community

Gravemind-like Plant Entity [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fithero
10-14-07, 09:48 AM For my game that ill be running with the amnesiac character, i want to include a full on hive mind foe.

Basic idea is that this plant like creature sends out all these spores, which infect any living creature, and add it to the hive mind.

Its a fungus based creature, but what would the background and story be for such a thing? Its motivations and goals, what it is and where it came from?

Also, i think ill have to make up a template for creatures "infected"... that could take some time.

Any ideas people?

Peace

Ps: If your having trouble picturing it, think of the Gravemind from the Halo series.
HarlequinHelsing
10-14-07, 01:24 PM Sounds like a sentient Yellow Musk Creeper (FF).
Master_Vega
10-14-07, 04:21 PM For my game that ill be running with the amnesiac character, i want to include a full on hive mind foe.

Basic idea is that this plant like creature sends out all these spores, which infect any living creature, and add it to the hive mind.

Its a fungus based creature, but what would the background and story be for such a thing? Its motivations and goals, what it is and where it came from?
What are its motivations? How about feed, gather knowledge, perhaps have it thing it is helping the victims because the hive mind is 'better' than individuality?

Also, i think ill have to make up a template for creatures "infected"... that could take some time.
If you want to make the infected like the flood, increase their strength, decrease their dexterity and constitution (don't eliminate it, as the infected are still living and subject to fortitude effects). Give them the Endurance and Diehard feats as a racial feats; it helps with the 'fight until nothing is left' image. Increase movement speed by 10 (unless you have spore carriers; reduce their speed to 10.)
The infected usually start with half or less of their total HP because of the circumstances of their capture (IE: they usually get smashed up pretty badly before the spores get to them.)
... Of course you might not be going for a total flood rip-off. :P What do you want the infected to be?
Fithero
10-14-07, 07:49 PM I get the impression that the infected change a bit out the outside, but the real changes happen on the inside.

Since they're now plants, they dont need to breathe, so their lungs probably turn into some form of spore producing sacks/glands.... or whatever. They no longer have blood, which is probably replaced with sap or they might have done away with the whole circulatiory system all together.

They dont need to breathe or sleep but they still need to eat and drink. Do you think these things could be done by photosynthisis (spelling?... come on! its a big word!) or should the infected creatures still need to eat and drink normally. If so, do you think they would be trying to eat meat?

As for their outside appearance, i think their skins would look more dusty/rubbery, theyd have small mushrooms growing out of the bodies randomly.

Also, im considering their being different "stages" in the infection, each getting stronger, representing the time of being infected. Im not sure on how to represent this though.

Cheers
Master_Vega
10-14-07, 11:55 PM I get the impression that the infected change a bit out the outside, but the real changes happen on the inside.

Since they're now plants, they dont need to breathe, so their lungs probably turn into some form of spore producing sacks/glands.... or whatever. They no longer have blood, which is probably replaced with sap or they might have done away with the whole circulatiory system all together.
So they're immune to critical hits, or is there a part of them that connects to the hive?

They dont need to breathe or sleep but they still need to eat and drink. Do you think these things could be done by photosynthisis (spelling?... come on! its a big word!) or should the infected creatures still need to eat and drink normally. If so, do you think they would be trying to eat meat?[quote]
Photosynthesis, kinda like the light synthesized your paper's thesis... I think that reminder will probably hurt more than help, but I had to post it. :P
More about the photosynthesis stuff after I stop quoting your post.

[quote]As for their outside appearance, i think their skins would look more dusty/rubbery, theyd have small mushrooms growing out of the bodies randomly.

Also, im considering their being different "stages" in the infection, each getting stronger, representing the time of being infected. Im not sure on how to represent this though.

Cheers

Stages of infection (I'll just go with four of them for now):

1. Immediate post-infection. After ten minutes of incapacitation (and several failed fort saves), the host comes under full control of the spores. In this state, which lasts for twenty-four hours, the creature is still effected by critical hits as the spores still rely on the hosts nerves system and internal organs to run the body. Despite their current symbiotic nature, the spores may operate the host body in conditions beyond where it would normally operate (treated as having Diehard.)
Little to no change in physical ability scores; mental scores change as directed by hive-mind rules (assuming the rules for hive-minds change mental scores. >_> ) Creature gains slam attack as zombie.

2. Twenty-four hours post-infection. The spores have sprouted throughout the host and now do not rely on the bodies normal functions to move it. Limited photosynthesis allows the creature to go without food for twice as long as the host body would normally be capable of. In addition, the creature now breaths through the skin of the host's body, and so it need not use the creature's lungs. The creature gains resistance to poisons (not sure how much). Creature is now immune to critical hits.

3. 1d6+2 days post-infection. The infection finishes replacing the host body's muscles. It may now gain all necessary sustenance through photosynthesis alone, though it can still ingest food (plant, meat, so long as it's organic). When the creature ingests food as the host would, it regains HP at twice the normal rate (2xHD). Strength and constitution increase moderately, and dexterity decreases incredibly.
Creature gains spore breath attack (20ft cone) 1/day.

4. 1d2 weeks +1d4 days post-infection. Creature no longer needs host body, and has completely digested it at this point. The creature's movement speed drops to half the normal. It's strength increases once more by a large margin, as does its constitution (that or the constitution disappears altogether like with constructs). Dexterity drops to a deplorable level. Creature gains natural armor. The creature may no longer consume as the host did, and so it loses the ability to regain twice the normal number of HP (through resting) by eating. Any weapons the host had are grown into/emulated by the creature.
The creature gains spore breath attack (20ft cone) 3/day.

How's that?
Fithero
10-15-07, 04:11 AM I like it up until stage 4, i think the creature should still be at least a little recognisable as the creatures who they were before.

Apart from that, good work, i like it all alot.

Peace
Master_Vega
10-15-07, 12:08 PM Hey, that works. :P

I just thought the plant would eventually replace everything with more "efficient" pieces eventually.
'Tis your creature, though. :P
Something I wanted to add to my post last night, but was unable to (darn firewall...): Stages 2-4 (2-3 since 4 doesn't matter anymore) could expel a cloud of spores (10ft, probably) when killed.

Are you going to take care of all the mechanical stuff, or do you want help with that as well?
Fithero
10-15-07, 09:00 PM I looked at that yellow musk creature in FF and i think thats a pretty good base for the creatures, apart from the dying in a few days part.

I like the stages actually, but i recon the whole "spore breath" and "spore cloud" will only occour in the later stages. Otherwise when the character is taking these things on to begin with, he'll be facing fort saves every round :eek:

I think the head creature of the hivemind will be along the power levels of a quasi-deity (just so youve got an idea of the creatures power level.)

All good folks, cheers for your help Master_Vega
Master_Vega
10-15-07, 10:05 PM Makes sense (the near/at-deity level).

If you have to explain why the things suddenly get "spore breath" and "spore cloud" later on in the campaign, it was the creature evolving its methods of contagion. ;)

Unfortunately, I don't have any books with the initials FF (probably something of Farun [sp?]), so I probably can't really offer any particular advice there. :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fithero 10-14-07, 09:48 AM	For my game that ill be running with the amnesiac character, i want to include a full on hive mind foe. Basic idea is that this plant like creature sends out all these spores, which infect any living creature, and add it to the hive mind. Its a fungus based creature, but what would the background and story be for such a thing? Its motivations and goals, what it is and where it came from? Also, i think ill have to make up a template for creatures "infected"... that could take some time. Any ideas people? Peace Ps: If your having trouble picturing it, think of the Gravemind from the Halo series.
HarlequinHelsing 10-14-07, 01:24 PM	Sounds like a sentient Yellow Musk Creeper (FF).
Master_Vega 10-14-07, 04:21 PM	For my game that ill be running with the amnesiac character, i want to include a full on hive mind foe. Basic idea is that this plant like creature sends out all these spores, which infect any living creature, and add it to the hive mind. Its a fungus based creature, but what would the background and story be for such a thing? Its motivations and goals, what it is and where it came from? What are its motivations? How about feed, gather knowledge, perhaps have it thing it is helping the victims because the hive mind is 'better' than individuality? Also, i think ill have to make up a template for creatures "infected"... that could take some time. If you want to make the infected like the flood, increase their strength, decrease their dexterity and constitution (don't eliminate it, as the infected are still living and subject to fortitude effects). Give them the Endurance and Diehard feats as a racial feats; it helps with the 'fight until nothing is left' image. Increase movement speed by 10 (unless you have spore carriers; reduce their speed to 10.) The infected usually start with half or less of their total HP because of the circumstances of their capture (IE: they usually get smashed up pretty badly before the spores get to them.) ... Of course you might not be going for a total flood rip-off. :P What do you want the infected to be?
Fithero 10-14-07, 07:49 PM	I get the impression that the infected change a bit out the outside, but the real changes happen on the inside. Since they're now plants, they dont need to breathe, so their lungs probably turn into some form of spore producing sacks/glands.... or whatever. They no longer have blood, which is probably replaced with sap or they might have done away with the whole circulatiory system all together. They dont need to breathe or sleep but they still need to eat and drink. Do you think these things could be done by photosynthisis (spelling?... come on! its a big word!) or should the infected creatures still need to eat and drink normally. If so, do you think they would be trying to eat meat? As for their outside appearance, i think their skins would look more dusty/rubbery, theyd have small mushrooms growing out of the bodies randomly. Also, im considering their being different "stages" in the infection, each getting stronger, representing the time of being infected. Im not sure on how to represent this though. Cheers
Master_Vega 10-14-07, 11:55 PM	I get the impression that the infected change a bit out the outside, but the real changes happen on the inside. Since they're now plants, they dont need to breathe, so their lungs probably turn into some form of spore producing sacks/glands.... or whatever. They no longer have blood, which is probably replaced with sap or they might have done away with the whole circulatiory system all together. So they're immune to critical hits, or is there a part of them that connects to the hive? They dont need to breathe or sleep but they still need to eat and drink. Do you think these things could be done by photosynthisis (spelling?... come on! its a big word!) or should the infected creatures still need to eat and drink normally. If so, do you think they would be trying to eat meat?[quote] Photosynthesis, kinda like the light synthesized your paper's thesis... I think that reminder will probably hurt more than help, but I had to post it. :P More about the photosynthesis stuff after I stop quoting your post. [quote]As for their outside appearance, i think their skins would look more dusty/rubbery, theyd have small mushrooms growing out of the bodies randomly. Also, im considering their being different "stages" in the infection, each getting stronger, representing the time of being infected. Im not sure on how to represent this though. Cheers Stages of infection (I'll just go with four of them for now): 1. Immediate post-infection. After ten minutes of incapacitation (and several failed fort saves), the host comes under full control of the spores. In this state, which lasts for twenty-four hours, the creature is still effected by critical hits as the spores still rely on the hosts nerves system and internal organs to run the body. Despite their current symbiotic nature, the spores may operate the host body in conditions beyond where it would normally operate (treated as having Diehard.) Little to no change in physical ability scores; mental scores change as directed by hive-mind rules (assuming the rules for hive-minds change mental scores. >_> ) Creature gains slam attack as zombie. 2. Twenty-four hours post-infection. The spores have sprouted throughout the host and now do not rely on the bodies normal functions to move it. Limited photosynthesis allows the creature to go without food for twice as long as the host body would normally be capable of. In addition, the creature now breaths through the skin of the host's body, and so it need not use the creature's lungs. The creature gains resistance to poisons (not sure how much). Creature is now immune to critical hits. 3. 1d6+2 days post-infection. The infection finishes replacing the host body's muscles. It may now gain all necessary sustenance through photosynthesis alone, though it can still ingest food (plant, meat, so long as it's organic). When the creature ingests food as the host would, it regains HP at twice the normal rate (2xHD). Strength and constitution increase moderately, and dexterity decreases incredibly. Creature gains spore breath attack (20ft cone) 1/day. 4. 1d2 weeks +1d4 days post-infection. Creature no longer needs host body, and has completely digested it at this point. The creature's movement speed drops to half the normal. It's strength increases once more by a large margin, as does its constitution (that or the constitution disappears altogether like with constructs). Dexterity drops to a deplorable level. Creature gains natural armor. The creature may no longer consume as the host did, and so it loses the ability to regain twice the normal number of HP (through resting) by eating. Any weapons the host had are grown into/emulated by the creature. The creature gains spore breath attack (20ft cone) 3/day. How's that?
Fithero 10-15-07, 04:11 AM	I like it up until stage 4, i think the creature should still be at least a little recognisable as the creatures who they were before. Apart from that, good work, i like it all alot. Peace
Master_Vega 10-15-07, 12:08 PM	Hey, that works. :P I just thought the plant would eventually replace everything with more "efficient" pieces eventually. 'Tis your creature, though. :P Something I wanted to add to my post last night, but was unable to (darn firewall...): Stages 2-4 (2-3 since 4 doesn't matter anymore) could expel a cloud of spores (10ft, probably) when killed. Are you going to take care of all the mechanical stuff, or do you want help with that as well?
Fithero 10-15-07, 09:00 PM	I looked at that yellow musk creature in FF and i think thats a pretty good base for the creatures, apart from the dying in a few days part. I like the stages actually, but i recon the whole "spore breath" and "spore cloud" will only occour in the later stages. Otherwise when the character is taking these things on to begin with, he'll be facing fort saves every round :eek: I think the head creature of the hivemind will be along the power levels of a quasi-deity (just so youve got an idea of the creatures power level.) All good folks, cheers for your help Master_Vega
Master_Vega 10-15-07, 10:05 PM	Makes sense (the near/at-deity level). If you have to explain why the things suddenly get "spore breath" and "spore cloud" later on in the campaign, it was the creature evolving its methods of contagion. ;) Unfortunately, I don't have any books with the initials FF (probably something of Farun [sp?]), so I probably can't really offer any particular advice there. :P