STAGE I: OVOMORPH

Large leathery objects, Ovomorphs are the beginning of the alien life cycle. They come in various sizes from 0.6 to 1.2 meters tall. While most open with four petals at the top, some only have a single slit that opens to reveal the Facehugger it carries within. These eggs are lifeforms in their own right, able to protect their precious cargo from blunt trauma and forced entry, while also sensing movement and awakening the parasite within accordingly. Naturally occurring alien eggs are generated in one of two forms—either they are the result of a transformation perpetrated on a living host, causing it to metamorphose into an Ovomorph, or they are simply birthed by a Queen. Queen produced eggs are hardier and healthier than those produced through ovomorphing.  
OPENING THE EGG
If a potential host comes within ENGAGED range of an Ovomorph, the host must make a MOBILITY roll each Round to not disturb it. If it fails, the egg will open and release a Facehugger. An Ovomorph can release its Facehugger even at SHORT range—roll a Stress Dice each Round. On a 1, the Facehugger is released.  
CONTAINMENT AND TERMINATION PROTOCOL
If you shoot an egg with a rifle, the bullet is likely to deflect off its rubbery hide. Fire is a proven method of sterilizing them, and explosives do the trick as well. Keep in mind that the eggs are essentially vats of acid, and when exploding will cause acid damage accordingly. Extreme cold can make an egg dormant.

OVOMORPHING: WHICH CAME FIRST— THE ALIEN OR THE EGG?

When isolated from a hive, a Drone will begin collecting hosts, typically incapacitating them by partially crushing their skulls. It will then cocoon its victims in a secreted saliva resin, introducing a series of enzymes and growth hormones to the hosts in order to transform them into alien eggs. This process is called ovomorphing. Using the developing barb on its bladed tail, the Drone inserts genetic material from M. noxhydria into the host’s eggmorphing body, allowing the newly formed egg to incubate a new Facehugger and thus continuing the alien’s life cycle. If conditions are right, a new Queen will be along in short order. The ovomorphing process typically takes 24–36 hours (four to six Shifts) to complete.
Genetic Descendants


Cover image: by DALLE

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