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Myceloid

Myceloid CR 4

This shambling fungus creature bears a strong resemblance to a rotund human, but with a mushroom cap for a head.

XP 1,200
NE Medium plant
Init +0; Senses blindsight (scent) 30 ft., darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +10

DEFENSE HP 50

EAC 16; KAC 18
Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +3; DR 5/slashing; Immunities plant immunities; Resist cold 10, fire 10, sonic 10
Weaknesses vulnerability to electricity

OFFENSE

Speed 20 ft.
Melee claw +12 (1d6+9 S plus purple pox)
Offensive Abilities spore cloud, spore domination

STATISTICS

Str +5, Dex +0, Con +3, Int –1, Wis +1, Cha +0
Skills Sense Motive +10, Stealth +15, Survival +10
Languages Undercommon; telepathy 60 ft. (myceloids and purple pox victims only)

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Spore Cloud (Ex)

Once per day as a standard action, a myceloid can expel a 10-foot-radius burst of spores centered on itself. This cloud persists for 1d3 rounds. Any creature caught in this cloud or that moves through it is exposed to the myceloid’s purple pox disease—a creature need save only once against any one spore cloud, however, before becoming permanently immune to that particular spore cloud’s effects. The spore cloud does not hamper vision.

Spore Domination (Su)

Once per day, a myceloid can charm a creature infected with purple pox as per charm monster (DC 13).

ECOLOGY

Environment any underground
Organization solitary, pair, band (3–24), or colony (25–250)

The walking fungi known as myceloids feed off of decaying organic matter like many other fungi, yet unlike typical mushrooms or molds, they take particular pleasure in feeding from the rotting bodies of humanoids. Myceloids claim to be able to taste things like “innocence,” “despair,” and “hope” in the ripeness of rancid meat, although whether this is true or simply part of the myceloids’ twisted sense of humor is unclear.

Most myceloids have deep purple caps studded with white lumps, and paler purple necks and bodies of tough, leathery fungus. Their spores grow tenaciously in living flesh, causing a rapid spread of painful purple lesions that, in advanced stages of the sickness, sprout tiny purple mushrooms; plucking these mushrooms is painful to the victim and causes bleeding. This condition, known as purple pox, is the method by which myceloids both season their meat and procreate.

Myceloids prefer to capture victims alive for later infection and control. To a myceloid, a living creature has three uses—first as a slave, second as a host from which to birth new myceloids, and finally as a banquet to feast upon once the first two destinies have played out.

Purple Pox

Type disease (inhaled or injury); Save Fortitude DC 13; Track physical and mental; Frequency 1/day

Effect The victim takes all penalties from progressing on both the physical and mental disease tracks. At the befuddled state, it must make a DC 13 Will save each day to avoid becoming compelled to seek out the nearest myceloid colony in order to offer itself up for spore domination. At the dead state, the victim’s body becomes bloated over the course of 24 hours, after which it bursts open, releasing a fully-grown myceloid.

Cure 2 consecutive saves

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Alien Bestiary (Starfinder) © 2018, Legendary Games; Lead Designer: Jason Nelson. Authors: Anthony Adam, Kate Baker, John Bennet, Eytan Bernstein, Robert Brookes, Russ Brown, Duan Byrd, Jeff Dahl, Robyn Fields, Joel Flank, Matt Goodall, Robert J. Grady, Jim Groves, Steven T. Helt, Thurston Hillman, Tim Hitchcock, Nick Hite, Daniel Hunt, Mike Kimmel Marshall, Isabelle Lee, Jeff Lee, Lyz Liddell, Jason Nelson, Richard Pett, Tom Phillips, Alistair J. Rigg, Alex Riggs, Wendall Roy, Mike Shel, Neil Spicer, Todd Stewart, Russ Taylor, Rachel Ventura, Mike Welham, George Loki Williams, Scott Young.