Spore carrier

Spore carriers are reanimated dead humans, colonized by Beauveria mordicana, a mutated entomopathogenic fungus. They are creatures found in the Mojave Wasteland as well as Zion Canyon and Big MT in 2281.

Background
Beauveria mordicana was originally an entomopathogenic fungus designed for pest control. When a pest is exposed to the fungal spores, the fungus infests it and begins to colonize the host body. The host eventually dies due to failure of body functions, as the colony expands through its body. However, the dead body continues to be controlled by the fungal colony, allowing it to move around and infect more pests by spraying spores around the host body. While effective in the long term, it still takes between 10 to 20 days to kill its prey and achieves limited effectiveness when dealing with unsocial pests. The fungus was originally developed at the X-22 botanical garden at the Big MT, though the technology was eventually shared with Vault-Tec, to enable botanical experiments at Vault 22.

As with many technologies coming out of the Big MT, the fungus was a Pandora's box. Once the Vault scientists began experimentation with the fungus, they effectively signed their death warrant. While ostensibly designed to provide effective means of long-term pest control, the fungus was perfectly capable of infecting human bodies. Fungal spores gradually spread through the Vault, slowly infecting the population. The first confirmed infection was Dr. Harrison Peters, who also provided insight into the development of the infection. It begins with pneumonia as the fungus invades the lungs, eventually transforming into chills, a fever, and a terrible racking cough. The fungal colony causes the body to actively reject anti-fungal treatments, leading to death due to organ failure. As with smaller pests, the fungal colony continues to grow and develop. Eventually, it spreads far enough to establish control over the deceased person's body, becoming a highly aggressive spore carrier, a mindless beast whose sole purpose is spreading the spores. The widespread infection led to a collapse of the social order in the Vault. By 2096, it was abandoned and a party of 118 survivors made way for the Zion Canyon. The dead eventually mutated into spore carriers or became stationary colonies of the fungus.

Biology
A body colonized by the fungus regresses to a feral state, as the colony warps it to make it a more effective spore carrier. This infection vector has green, wrinkled skin (reminiscent of a bark) with stiff, leaf-like protrusions on the back, allowing it to blend in with foliage. The hands and feet possess only four digits and no fingernails. The body is also incredibly flexible and agile.

The spore carrier will typically lay dormant among vegetation. However, once a threat is detected, it will rise out of its slumber and attack ferociously, exhibiting similar behavior to a feral ghoul. It may also spontaneously spray irradiated spores to further damage and infect the target of its attack.

It should be noted that spore carriers have a limited habitat, present only in areas where infected persons were present, such as Vault 22, the X-22 botanical garden, and isolated pockets in the Zion Canyon.

Gameplay attributes
In game terms, spore carriers are a melee enemy, focusing on closing in on the player and attacking at melee range. Their attacks deal large amounts of damage, with an increased chance of damaging and crippling limbs. Carriers may also explode, dealing a great deal of damage, or spontaneously attack with a spore burst.

The best counter is to use a weapon with a large spread, such as shotguns, once detected, or the flamer to check vegetation for carriers and destroy them effectively.

Notable spore carriers

 * Patient Zero

Spore carrier
The basic, most common type. Will usually be found hiding in vegetation and attacking anyone who wakes them up (for example, by bumping into them).

Spore carrier beast (Honest Hearts)
Spore carrier beasts are an exclusive variant found in the Zion Canyon (Honest Hearts). They are stronger, more dangerous, and usually accompanied by spore plants.

Spore carrier brute
Brutes are an advanced form of a spore carrier, being larger, tougher, more lethal, and, of course, more aggressive. They are usually mixed in with regular carrier populations.

Spore carrier runt
Smaller than the typical spore carrier, runts are fast and may be dangerous if they aren't put down fast. They are perhaps the most horrifying type of carrier: They are children and infants infected, killed, and claimed by the fungus.

Spore carrier savage
Savages are the top dog when it comes to spore carriers, representing the most dangerous and resilient form of a carrier.

Spore carrier scavenger (Old World Blues)
Savages are bodies overrun by the original version of the fungus developed at Big MT. Typically found in the X-22 botanical garden in the crater, they are extremely dangerous due to their speed, resilience, and level.

Appearances
Spore carriers appear in Fallout: New Vegas, and it add-ons Honest Hearts and Old World Blues.

Behind the scenes

 * Beauveria is a genus of fungi typically known to parasitically infect insects. Beauveria mordicana seems similar in effects to the endomopathogenic fungus Cordyceps unilateralis, which assumes control of the infected organism's immune system and continues to grow post-mortem.