Bloom Wraith

Bloom Wraiths are a terrifying embodiment of the Bloom's insidious corruption, blending human-like cunning with the alien savagery of the Bloom. These humanoid creatures haunt the inner depths of Bloom Zones, preying on the unprepared and adding to the growing horror of the Bloom’s influence.   Bloom Wraiths serve as a haunting reminder of the Bloom’s ability to corrupt and destroy not just life, but identity, transforming people into relentless horrors bound to its will. Those who face them must prepare for a battle of both survival and sanity, as these creatures embody the very essence of the Bloom's insidious power.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Bloom Wraiths resemble twisted echoes of their former selves, humanoid in shape but grotesquely altered by the Bloom. Their bodies are composed of a mix of human tissue and fungal growths, with Bloom spores constantly wafting off their bodies in a faint, eerie mist.   Their skin, where visible, is pallid and riddled with fungal veins that glow faintly in dim light. Their faces are often obscured by fungal growths, leaving only shadowy hollows where their eyes once were. Clawed hands and vine-like tendrils sprout from their arms, making them formidable in close combat. Their movement is unnervingly fluid, a combination of human grace and Bloom-fueled unnatural flexibility.  

Abilities

Spore Cloud: Bloom Wraiths exude a cloud of infectious spores that can cling to their victims. Prolonged exposure to these spores significantly increases the risk of Bloom contamination and can cause hallucinations or disorientation.   Bloom Step: A Bloom Wraith can momentarily phase into the surrounding plant matter, vanishing and reappearing elsewhere within a short distance. This ability makes them incredibly difficult to pin down and allows them to ambush prey with horrifying efficiency.   Latching Tendrils: Using vine-like appendages, Bloom Wraiths can ensnare their prey, restricting movement and drawing victims closer to infect them further.   Predatory Instinct: These creatures exhibit a terrifying level of intelligence in their hunting tactics. They work in small packs, coordinating ambushes and herding their targets into dangerous terrain or Bloom hotspots.   Terrifying Visage: The sight of a Bloom Wraith can invoke a primal fear, triggering panic or hesitation in all but the most resolute. Those who stare into the shadowy remnants of their hollow faces often claim to hear faint whispers or cries for help.  

Weaknesses

Bloom Wraiths are particularly vulnerable to fire and cleansing magic, as these can disrupt the fungal growths that sustain them. However, they are highly resistant to physical damage due to their regenerative properties and the Bloom’s protective influence. Their tendency to rely on stealth and ambush makes them less effective in direct, well-lit combat, where their movements are easier to track.  

Encountering a Bloom Wraith

Bloom Wraiths are most commonly encountered in the innermost parts of Bloom Zones, where the infection is most severe. Bloom Hunters and BRASC squads venturing into these areas often mark them as a top-tier threat.   Their presence is often signaled by the eerie quiet they create, as animals and lesser creatures flee from their approach. Survivors of Bloom Wraith attacks frequently describe feeling as though they were being watched long before the creature emerged.

Behaviour

Bloom Wraiths are relentless predators, drawn to movement and sound. They stalk their prey with unnerving patience, often shadowing intruders for hours or days before striking. Their attacks are precise and brutal, designed to incapacitate and infect rather than outright kill.   Despite their primal behavior, they exhibit an unsettling intelligence, seemingly aware of their environment and able to exploit weaknesses in their prey. Some researchers speculate that Bloom Wraiths retain fragments of memory or instinct from their former lives, adding a tragic element to their monstrosity.
Bloom Wraith by Appie Pie Design
Genetic Ancestor(s)


Cover image: by Appy Pie Design

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