Bio-Zombies

[TLDunn213]

Specimens of the Liminal Lurker type: Gardner, have been obtained and analyzed. The results are disturbing.

They seem to be a type of Bio-Zombie, and the early prototype of a new addition to the ranks of the Yun-Xi hordes. Quite probably the newest shock troops although other uses are possible.

First let's cover how Bio-Zombies are made and how they function. Once we have this information it becomes easier to understand what they are likely to be used for.

There are in fact a few different types of Bio-Zombies, and we will cover each in detail later. But the basic process is the same. A living or newly dead creature/person is placed on a bed of Mimic Moss with will then form a pod around the subject. It is here that the deviations begin. The Mimic Moss will form several additional pods near to the first. Then the transformation/creation process begins. Spores from the Mimic Moss will start replacing the cells of the original creature in the main pod while that same placement is being replicated in the other pods.

When the process is finished the central pod will open releasing an F type Bio-Zombie while the other pods will release S type Bio-Zombies. 

The other type is M type. These are created by adding various Bio-Mantic compounds to the pod at various points in its development. 

The Gardners seem to be an M type that was then reused as a template for additional S types without need for further modifications. Interestingly the Gardner specimen I have seems to have started with a Gith as its initial template. I should do some more research into what happened to them after their initial rebellion. 🤔

 

The ZaRak have a process for creating custom mercenaries without fossilizing the template creature. More about that elsewhere and later as it doesn't really pertain to the topic at hand even though the process is quite similar.

The Yun-Xi seem to be using the ZeRek method, or something close to it. With no interest in preserving the original subject. Not terribly surprising given that the Yun-Xi and the ZeRek both serve Yuuxath.

 

Edited October 3, 2025 by TLDunn213

[TLDunn213]

The important thing to remember when speculating on the tactical uses of Bio-Zombie troops is that they are part of a system involving the Mimic Moss from which they form. 

It is also important to remember that Mimic Moss is a type of Chaos Fungus. Specially it is the base from which all the other types arise. 

With these details in mind it becomes easier to understand that any and all possible Chaos Fungus abilities are potentially available to the Bio-Zombies being deployed. Which can lead to some rather frightening abilities and tactics.

There is the mental impact of seeing something that looks like a fallen companion coming at you; not just once but in numbers.

Because they are made of Spores any battlefield where fighting continues for more than a few days will become covered in Mimic Moss allowing the Bio-Zombies to use the fallen from both sides as either templates or raw materials for replacement/repair of their troops. Bio-Zombies that are fighting on a field of Mimic Moss gain a healing factor similar to that of Trolls.

It is unclear as to how strong this could become if a Troll were used as the base creature. There are, thankfully, practical limitations on how fast something can regenerate.

Another ability/tactic available to Bio-Zombies is the use of spore clouds. When seriously damaged a Bio-Zombie can dissolve into a cloud of Spores which can infect anyone nearby who happens to inhale them. 

This opens the way to several options.

First the spores can remain basically dormant with just enough activity to establish a link to the Mimic Moss creating spies who are unaware of being spies. 

Once enough information has been gathered the Spores can be activated to a mind control level allowing sabotage and assassination activities to be employed. 

Or the Spores can grow rapidly killing the victim and forming a new patch of Mimic Moss in whatever graveyard is being used for the fallen.

There are, of course, counter measures that can be used against these tactics. Healing Spells and Potions can destroy the Spores. And burning the dead prevents them from being used as resources by the enemy. And Fire of any type can destroy both the Bio-Zombies and the Mimic Moss they are spawned from.