Cordycep Mind Taker
Slow but deadly. Devoid of its humanity, it
endlessly wanders the swamps in search of
prey. This form is a later stage of infection by
a deadly fungus. It was first spotted near
Frothloch in Kallonia, but reports of sightings in
other places are slowly rising.
The creature prefers the damp areas abundant in decaying
plant matter and waterlogged terrain as they provide ample
humidity and a decaying environment perfect for hiding.
It has the appearance of a twisted, decaying, humanoid being.
Or to be more precise, one could call it a grotesque fusion of
decayed flesh and a thriving fungal infection. Its body, once
possibly human or perhaps elven, now seems like a wretched
mockery of its former self. The entire body is fully overtaken
by fungal growths, which erupt from the corpse's skin, creating
images akin to feverish nightmares. The limbs are contorted into
unnatural angles, and the creature seems to drag them more
than properly use them. Most Cordycep Mind Takers have no
eyes, but if they do, they are clouded, milky white, devoid of any
semblance of intellect.
Cordycep Mind Takers possess an uncanny ability to
enter a slumber whenever there is no visible prey in sight. At
such a times, they blend into the surroundings, becoming
nearly invisible in the marshlands near Kallonia. Sometimes,
the last thing a person sees is the milky white eyes glowing
with an otherworldly malevolence as a Cordycep wakes up
to immediately launch the attack. Though maybe the most
unnerving aspect is the strange clicking sound Mind Takers emit
whenever they try to locate their prey. It is similar to clattering
sticks or unnaturally big insects, though some dwarves told me
it reminded them of rusted machinery.
A fight with a Cordycep Mind Taker usually begins with an
ambush. If the victim survives the attack, in the prolonged
battle this creature is not particularly fast, but it possesses
surprising strength and resilience. It moves with a bizarre,
twitching gait, making it unpredictable and challenging to
anticipate. It doesn't care about protecting itself and just
continues its relentless attacks, driven by the fungal entity's
insatiable hunger for more hosts.
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