MUTANT — HIVECALLER

PARASITES

Living organisms implanted into hosts. They gestate over time, unlocking stronger detonation effects — or being triggered early for immediate impact.

GESTATION

Parasites gain +1 Gestation at the start of each of the host's turns in combat, and +1 Gestation per 1 Hour out of combat. Higher Gestation unlocks stronger detonation effects.

DETONATION

Spend a Quick Action to detonate a parasite early. Some require a minimum Gestation before detonation is possible.

STACKING

A host can carry only one parasite at a time unless an ability states otherwise.

CONTROL

Marrowvine

Melee LVL 2+

Control

Halves target's movement and gives −1 to Initiative flips while active. Detonation (requires Gestation 2): target becomes Staggered until end of next turn and takes 3 damage.

Dreamleech

Melee LVL 3+

Control

At the start of each host turn: Willpower save (TN 10 + PHY) or lose their Quick Action. Detonation (requires Gestation 4): host is Stunned for 1 round.

DEFENSIVE

Huskweaver

Self or Ally LVL 5+

Defensive

Activates at Gestation 2+. Once per combat: automatically negates all damage that would drop the host to 0 HP. Gestation 4+: also heals 3 HP on activation.

DISRUPTOR

Griefworm

Melee LVL 4+

Disruptor

Detonation (requires Gestation 2): AoE 10ft — all creatures pass Willpower (TN 10) or become Distracted. At Gestation 4+: 20ft AoE and save is Panicked (TN 12).

HEALING

Revitalising Brood

Self or Ally LVL 5+

Healing

Gains +1 Gestation each time host takes damage (max 1 bonus/round). Detonation (Quick Action, any time): host recovers HP equal to current gestation. At Gestation 3+, can stabilise a dying host at 2 HP.

NECROTIC UTILITY

Deathmaggot

Dead creature only LVL 7+

Necrotic Utility

Detonate to reanimate as a drone (10 rounds). Quality scales: G1–2: 1 HP · 2 dmg, G3–4: 4 HP · 4 dmg +Hit, G5+: 8 HP · 7 dmg +Hit + Bleeding (1) on hit.

OFFENSIVE

Burrowbloom

Melee LVL 1+

Offensive

Host takes 1 untyped damage at the start of each of their turns. Detonate as a Quick Action to deal damage equal to total gestation.

Neurospike

Melee LVL 1+

Offensive

Target suffers Disadvantage on all Willpower and Foresight checks while active. Detonation (requires Gestation 3): host must pass Mental Defence (TN 12) or become Panicked until end of next turn.

Spawn Bloom

Melee LVL 3+

Offensive

Host takes 1 damage at start of each of their turns. Detonation (requires Gestation 3): spawns 1–3 Hive Spawns (Quick Action) depending on gestation at detonation.

Spinebrood

Ranged (30ft) LVL 6+

Offensive

Only one active at a time. Detonates automatically the next time the Hivecaller hits the host with any attack. Damage: G1–2: 3, G3–4: 6, G5+: 10 + Bleeding (2) for 2 turns.

OFFENSIVE (AREA)

Broodburst

Melee LVL 6+

Offensive (Area)

Only one active at a time. Gestation 2: host becomes Slowed (persists). Detonation (requires Gestation 4, Quick Action): all within 10ft of host take 5 damage (8 at G5+).

UTILITY

Synaptic Bloom

Ally only LVL 3+

Utility

Shared sensory link with the ally at any range. Gestation 2: ally gains +1 to Void Reading tests. Gestation 3: ally gains +1 to Initiative. Detonation (G3+): ally gains Advantage on next flip.