Slagovore

[bar1scorpio]

here's a thought, possibly already introduced, and I haven't worked out bonuses, but....

The Slagovore metabolism is a cunning one, serving the multiple purposes. Combining a Lithovore's ability to draw nutrients directly from mineral sources, and a Liquivoric design on digesting food with acid outside the body, into a weapon. This is the first piece of Biotech to be able to digest Metal to survive.

An extrememly rare phenomenon, using alien dna, this is a host armor with a probiscus that can pierce robot enemies, and attack them from inside out with acid. The most cunning part of this metabolism though, is that it can then feed off of it's enemies, turning metallic substances into part of it's form, or reducing the machine's weapons into a nigh-unusable sludge.

This was the cheif purpose behind the creation of this metabolism, to deny, through battle, resources to the enemy. The Machine just can't go out and salvage destroyed bots when they've been attacked by a Slagovore. The sludge itself is still acidic, damaging any metal-based machine attempting to remove it.

Upside: For the first time, a destroyed bot is destroyed, permanently. Also, the sludge left by the slagovore, while acidic (sdc corrosion to organics) doesn't react to the nanobot plague! It's now completely useless to the machine!

Downside: To feed, a Slagovore *has* to be in combat. There's no way to feed the creature otherwise. Stealth, running, aren't an option. The slagovores distinctive insectoid faces and metallic coloring also equate to a huge Bull's Eye. Most NEXUS personas have a reason for attacking Slagovores with a vengeance. The Sludge they leave renders machines unrepairable, and the acidic qualities of it corrode at any battlefield they're left behind on. The sludge itself is a toxic, environmentally hazardous substance.

[taalismn]

hmmm....interesting... a rust monster....any other specifics? Any additional bonuses(or penalties) from being a Slago/Metallovore? How much on average does a slagovoric HOst Armor or War MOunt have to devour per specific time period to remain alive....can it survive for longer periods at much reduced speed/ability, in a lethargic state, living off slowly dissolving a pile of metal filings in its stomach(s)?

[bar1scorpio]

Slagovore Metabolism -

The question that sparked a research race was asked in an almost flippant manner. "Why can't we just eat machines?" The person is sometimes credited as the Noble of a great house, a crackpot General in a battle driven fury, and sometimes an innocent young child, their true identity lost to generations. However, the answer was nearly a century in the making, as librarians from a variety of Great Houses, working alone, and sometimes, in tandem, devised possibly one of the most ingenious weapons in humanity's fight against the machine. A host armour that feeds on metal, steel and alloys.

Using alien DNA to craft a digestive system unlike any other, the Slagovore uses both components of a Lithovore's mineral digesting traits and a Liquivore's acid-based digest first, ingest later feeding habits.

Feeding: The Slagovore must eat 30 to 60 pounds of inert, mettalic liquid "Slag" per day. If it gorges itself on 80 to 120 pounds in one "feeding", it can co 2d4 days without feeding and without suffering any ill effects.
Feeding is done via a Probiscus-like "Vacuu-Injector" Tentacle. More later.

Sleep Requirements: The Slagovore's odd alien metabolism also means it only needs 1d6x10 minutes of rest/inactivity per day, generally during late-night/early morning hours. The Slagovore always sleeps facing North.

Color of Host Armor: The host armor has a highly disctinctive mettalic "grain" to it. Colors range from rusty, to chrome-polished. Sometimes appearing to have slivers of metal growing out of it.

Special Senses: Unique ability to sense operating machinery (not inert metal) in a range of 6 miles away. It somehow manages to "
smell" machines. Proximity of macines is also marked by increased aggression/anxiety in the host armor & pilot.

Bonus Bio-E Points 30 additional Bio-E points

Bite Damage The Vaccuu-Injector Probiscus - see below!

Bonuses +4 on initiative (when fighting machines only!). +6 to Roll with Impact/Fall +3 to strike (when fighting machines only!) + 2d6x10 to main body MDC, 1d4x10 to extremities. Machine Lore: 60% Machine Technology: 60% Tracking: Robots: 60% Astronomy & Navigation 60% (compass ability!)

The Vaccuu-Injector Probiscus. A bizarre, alien form of feeding, hand tailored over a series of decades to compliment the Slagovore. This is a rapid-moving tentacle, that can be placed at any point in the body. It retracts to a length of 1-3 feet outside the body, and extends anywhere from 8 to 20 feet in length, depending on where it's anchored on the host armor.
The Probiscus works on multiple levels as a weapon. As a direct damage weapon, it's as good as any other tentacle or bone-blade weapon. However, on a successful strike, it sprays an loose, rapid-acting acidic compound into it's machine victim. At the same time, a series of "mini-lungs" expand, drawing in nearly 1 pound of dissolved slag! All this is able to happen in the Probiscus' 1 melee attack!

MDC of Probiscus 3d6 + 10 for a small, (8ft) + 20 for medium (12-16ft) 3d6x10 for a long (18-20ft)

Payload One automatic on the mouth, +2 per arm (one shoulder/upper arm, one forearm), + 2 per leg (appearing on the thigh) + up to 8 on the shoulders & back. However, while each probiscus tentacle attacks with it's own melee attack (+1 APM per melee!) Placing tentacles on the back restricts use of wing packs, on the forearms or shoulder removes a weapon slot there, etc...

Bio-E Cost: 15 points per small, 20 per medium length, and 25 per long.

Damage: 1d8 MD direct damage from the sperak-point of the probiscus, + any strength bonuses. However, the digestive acids are where the probiscus really pays off. 2d8 MD per round for 2d6 rounds! In addition to this, because the damage is directed internally at the enemy, roll automatically on the Optional Robot Combat Damage Tables once per successful strike, per round of acid damage!

The Slagovore is often seen rushing into the fray, feeding while it fights, it's tentacles slashing out wildly in every direction, immobilizing enemy units for other resistance fighters to finish off.[/b]

[Aramanthus]

Very nice! It's a wicked addition!

[bar1scorpio]

Forgot to mention, (I posted this right as I was heading off to work). The Probiscus has it's own "brain" and set of sensory organs. Each has it's own action, seperate from the main armor, and during that action, it can either strike (+4 vs machine only) or parry (+6!)

During a lull in battle, or afterwards, a slagovore will often disgorge excess digestive acid onto any robots not totally wrecked.... the result is a series of toxic, filthy Slagpools that the slagovore can return to and feed at. The slagpools are also a mixed blessing, though. Yes, the resources are now unusable to the machine, the Slagovore also has a spot to feed away from battles, but it's also a set place where it will feed now, and the Machine is quickly learning to stake out these 'watering holes'. Of course, Slagovore pilots are also learning to sneak in on their pools, and go in as groups for a 'feeding frenzy', that at times will leave the precious pools larger than when they were last visited.

Final Upside: Unlike any host armor before you, you can put a permanent hurt on the machine. The acid & microbe producing slagovore renders the robots & machines it destroys unsalvagable to the machine.
While it's not very usefull with a wingpack, the metabolism has been made available to all Dreadgaurd, Outriders, and Roughnecks.

Final Downside The only way to feed is to fight. Without battle the host armour will starve. This has given the Slagovore the reputation as being a 'forlorn hope'. Unlike any other splicer, the Slagovore has to be in the battle. It doesn't have the option of running & hiding, nor does any group travelling with it.
It's also a specialist, which may also be why several houses didn't mind crafting them as a team. It's only useful against machines, and not other splicers. The acids only do SDC damage to organic substances & living tissue.
And finally, more than any other metabolism before it, the Slagovore's distinctive look & tentacles mean the wearer has painted a big, red bullseye on itself. It'll take the brunt of the hostilities from enemies, but can also deal out a heavy amount of damage.

[Aramanthus]

It is a very interesting idea. It would be interesting to try it out.