Soul Merger

Monsterpedia

Mandragora

Monster Level - II (Contested)

Soul Type - Composite

Intelligence - Low Animal

Strength - Weak

Magic - Strong

Rarity - Uncommon

These creatures appear as normal herbs or plants, frequently mimicking useful labyrinth foliage. However their roots appear as a malformed human, about two to three feet tall. Their 'arm' roots have hard spikes on the end, and their 'mouth' contains spiky teeth. Most dangerous however is their voice, which can cause serious ear injuries and sometimes even internal damage.

Mandragora were considered a trap for a long time. However research eventually discovered they had the same attack impulse as most monsters. They're just terrible at pulling themselves out of the soil they hide in. As such trembling beneath a plant should be considered signs of a possible mandragora. Even with monster classification they're a very odd specimen. Their abilities are closer to Level I monsters, but they're never encountered in the first layer of a labyrinth.

As might be guessed, most encounters with these creatures occur when trying to harvest useful plants. Carelessly pulling out plants by their roots can lead to a deafening scream followed by an angry vegetable attempting to murder you. While the secondary attacks of a mandragora are closer to comical than lethal, dealing with it leaves delvers at risk of being killed by the monsters summoned by the yell.

Mandragora, like slimes are easy to stop, but hard to kill. cutting through the mouth area will leave the creature unable to scream, and damaging the central root enough will prevent it from moving. However like potatoes the creature will re-sprout from the roots if left to sit. Permanent destruction requires fire or acid.

Some people claim mandragora slivers can be used to create strong potions or salves. This is incorrect. The top leaves can be used like the plant its mimicing, but the body is a monster and if its intact, its alive. Keep it out of your insides, because if it takes root there you'll have a bad time.

Merge

Common Name : Sprouthead

Benefits : Leaf access, photosynthesis, powerful voice

Weaknesses : Dangerous voice, pruning requirements

A well known if fairly rare merge, Sproutheads get their name from the most obvious feature : leaf sprouts that pop up on the top of their head and back. These leaves can be of any type, though each merge gets their own plant. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the selection either, not matching the original mandragora's camouflage. They also tend to get darker skin, and a glossy look to hair.

Less visible but quickly apparent is they get the mandragora's ability to scream and yell incredibly loudly. While they themselves are protected from their own voice, others are not. And it can be quite bad if a sudden shock or moment of excitement results in a scream that seriously injures nearby people. This leads to the merge being fairly unpopular.

The sprouts are also part of the person's body and are connected to the nerves. Which means they get in the way sometimes, and have to be pruned. While it hurts less than a finger, it's still more uncomfortable than nail or hair cuts.

It's unfortunate you can't tell what leaves you get from this merge before you take it. Having a constant supply of coca leaves or even mint might be useful. But it's more likely you'll end up with carrot fronds or oak leaves.