Radscorpion

Radscorpions (a portmanteau of radiation and scorpion ) are a type of mutated arthropod common across the former United States wasteland.

Radscorpion
One of the most common pests across the wasteland, most radscorpions encountered across the wasteland are highly mutated, giant descendants of the Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) native to West Africa. Imported and bred in large numbers due to their popularity as a pet, the once docile creatures evolved into aggressive nocturnal predators with a venomous sting, ranging in size between a sofa and car. Unlike most venomous species, whose venom becomes diluted the larger they become, the radscorpions' only became more potent. The venom is essentially a powerful neurotoxin, acting on potassium and calcium channels, which combined with their strength allows radscorpions to incapacitate and kill large prey. Packs of radscorpions are known to be a threat to livestock and even humans, especially in situations where antivenom is in short supply.

Due to its high tolerance for different climate conditions, radscorpions have spread across the North American continent, thriving in climates as diverse as the arid New California and temperate Commonwealth. Even blasted, irradiated expanses like the Capital Wasteland are comfortable enough for radscorpion populations. Their ability to burrow beneath the ground and hide under rocks or similar debris certainly helped its spread, allowing the tough arthropod to protect itself against adverse environmental conditions. Their color acts as natural camouflage in many environments. In fact, radscorpions exhibit a diverse range of exoskeleton colorations, ranging from copper brown, through pale gray and blue, to black. Albino radscorpions are also known to exist and the few that are not killed early on in their life usually become one of the most dangerous predators in the wasteland.

When encountered, radscorpions are notable for their aggressive behavior and relentless pursuit of prey. The venom sac and stinger are a particular threat, as the radscorpion will always try to attack with it first, incapacitating its prey, and follow up with powerful pincer strikes to deliver the killing blows. Their thick exoskeleton offer good protection, capable of withstanding even firearms and attacks with melee weapons.

Radscorpions are frequently hunted by wastelanders, both to control their population and to procure their body parts. The potent venom in their sacs can be processed into a potent antivenom with rudimentary medical skills or diluted for use as an exotic food ingredient, and while their flesh and eggs can be cooked to make a variety of dishes, including steaks, omelettes, radscorpion en croute or steamed radscorpion tails in drawn butter. 

Bark scorpion
A mutated striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) commonly found in the southwest regions of the North American continent, this creature experienced the same kind of radiation-induced mutation as its distant cousin. It is larger, faster, and its venom is several orders of magnitude more powerful as a result. Like the scorpion it is descended from, the bark scorpion primarily aims to incapacitate its prey with its powerful venom, rather than use its claws for the purpose. The venom is known to cause strong nausea, dizziness, and damage to internal organs, rapidly incapacitating – potentially killing – large prey such as humans.

It is also a very social animal, living and hunting in larger packs, perhaps as a survival mechanism. Bark scorpions are significantly smaller, weaker, and less armored than the mutated Emperor scorpion; as an invasive species, the latter commonly prey on bark scorpions whenever their territories overlap. 

Small radscorpion


Juvenile radscorpions are weaker and their venom is less powerful. They are usually encountered as part of larger scorpion packs.

In one instance, a juvenile radscorpion has been genetically engineered and imbued with dramatically heightened intelligence. The Professor's radscorpion was one of a kind, found in Broken Hills.

Radscorpion


 The mature radscorpion is the most common type encountered across the wasteland. Depending on the environment, their behavior can deviate between populations, as can their coloration, ranging from copper brown to black. The one common denominator is that they are a common pest and threat to human habitation.

Giant radscorpion


A very old radscorpion that survived long enough to reach the size of a large brahmin or even a pre-War Corvega. They frequently bond with another old individual to hunt. As each giant radscorpion is extremely strong, well armored, and has venom even more potent than that of a regular scorpion, they are frequently the hunter, rather than the hunted.

Albino radscorpion


Albino radsorpions suffer from a congenital disorder that manifests as a lack of carapace pigment. If an albino radscorpions survives into adulthood despite complications resulting from this disorder, it typically becomes one of the most dangerous predators across the wasteland, capable of going toe to toe with deathclaws and sentry bots.

Radscorpion queen


The term queen is used to refer to giant radscorpions that are the heads of radscorpion packs in the Mojave Wasteland. They are the largest and most resilient of their kind, large enough to fill an entire room.

Bark scorpion


The adult bark scorpion is distinguished by its small size and mottled, brownish carapace. Unlike the Emperor scorpion, these attack by flanking their prey and stinging with their incredibly potent venom. Their light weight also allows them to jump short distances, closing in for the kill with surprising agility.

Bark scorpion hunter


Hunters are older bark scorpions, distinguished by their size and heightened aggression. They are typically more resilient and their venom is more damaging. Hunters usually work in tandem with their younger brethren.

Glowing radscorpion


 A heavily mutated radscorpion found in the Carbon crater and the ruined portions of the Vault near Carbon, Texas. Long term exposure to radiation resulted in their bodies absorbing it and starting to glow, in a process similar to that of a glowing one. Glowing radscorpions are distinguished by their pale brown color and a green aura visible even in daylight. Any attacks by the radscorpion irradiate the victim on contact, and the buildup of radioactive heat inside the creature tends to result in green smoke seeping through cracks in the armor once it's disposed of. 

Spitting radscorpion


Another variety of radscorpion found in the Carbon crater and the ruined portions of the Vault near Carbon, Texas. This particular breed evolved the ability to spit radioactive venom at great ranges. Their claws tend to be severely underdeveloped, used mostly for eating, shielding its head, and self-defence only in an emergency. They are distinguished by their yellow-green coloration with red markings on the back and head. 

Gigantic radscorpion


 A singular radscorpion found in the Carbon crater near Carbon, Texas, the gigantic radscorpion grew to the size of a semi-trailer as a result of intense radiation and favorable environment of the crater. It is an apex predator, equipped with massive claws that are both potent weapons capable of reaching distant targets and effective shields against any incoming damage, including firearms. The deadly stinger and thick carapace complete the ensemble. The gigantic radscorpion has two weaknesses, however: It has a single red eye in the center of its head and exposed limbs supporting its massive claws. Determined foes can exploit these to cripple and eventually kill this unique creature. 

Behind the scenes

 * A similar breed of mutated scorpions also appears in the 1977 post-apocalyptic movie Damnation Alley, which was one of many sources of inspiration for the very first Fallout.
 * Radscorpions were originally meant to be a result of radiation and FEV exposure, but this idea was since scrapped. Fallout Bible 1 Fallout Bible 0: "3. Are the radscorpions a product of the FEV virus? When you talk to the doctor, Razlo, in Shady Sands, he tells you that they were once American Emperor Scorpions but that he has no idea how they mutated because radiation alone couldn't have done it.  For that matter, what about all of the other creatures of the wasteland?  Which ones have been mutated by FEV and which ones haven't?  Maybe in the bestiary each creature could have a stat that shows it's level of FEV infection." "Answer:
 * The radscorpions are a result of a combination of radiation and the FEV virus, and Razlo in Shady Sands is correct - they were originally Emperor Scorpions that have grown... big.
 * FEV-Infected Critters in the wasteland include almost all the ones you've seen in F1 and F2: Mantises. Most species of rats. Gecko lizards. Brahmin Scorpions Ants Various varieties of plants, including the Venus Flytrap. Rumor has it some dogs were affected, but no one's seen any, so for now that's just rumor. Of course, the centaurs are a mash of human, dog, and various other parts... but hey, who knows how that mutation came about. Grey was probably messing around in one of his labs.
 * Creatures not mutated by FEV probably did not survive the aftermath of the Great War, with the possible exception of cockroaches... and perhaps normal ants, though there are FEV-infected versions of these species.
 * No one knows where those bird noises in Vault City came from.
 * I'll try to include a chart of FEV-infected creatures in future additions as well as other critters that you may not have seen in F1 and F2. Most likely a great majority of insects were affected (they tend to breed much faster, and their mutations tend to become evident pretty quickly as the generations advance), possibly beetles, some spiders, cockroaches, and other creatures."