[Idea/Request] Daedric Termites

[MaarIizRah]

This is an idea that the author of the mod Player Exhibitionist made a post about.  I really liked the idea, but can't mod worth a damn (obviously, I mean, I made this topic, after all), so I decided to just write down and post what I would like to see in such a mod if anyone can and wants to have a go.

 

Basic Synopsis: Mod adds "termite" creatures that can enter the player's inventory and (secretly) eat its contents, finally eating equipped items once empty.
Could call them Stoneaters, Stoneater Termites/Moths, Steelbane Bugs/Termites/Moths, or Daedric Termites/Moths.
- Daedric Termites/Moths would fit the spell mentioned later, and give clause for their apparent maliciousness.

 

Function Idea 1: Binary infestation: Items will be eaten at a set rate, configurable in MCM.

Vector ideas:
An item that begins an infestation when picked up. Could start a quest, but that would ruin the secrecy aspect.
A quest, either started voluntarily (like Thief) or involuntarily (like Cursed Loot), that starts an infestation and sends the player to stop it.
- The originator of the idea suggested a letter sent to the player as punishment for something, which would start an infestation.

- Courier: "I got this parcel for you. Could've sworn there was a letter too, but I guess not." (Misses out on the secrecy bit, but it's funny to me).
An event (like Naked Dungeons or Cursed Loot) that initiates an infestation.

 

Function Idea 2: Progressive infestation: Infestation would be a range, with higher infestation eating items faster, and a configurable minimum infestation level for items to be eaten at all.

Vector ideas:
An item that slowly increases infestation over time while in the player's inventory. (Could be a delivery quest and/or random loot).
A spell that eats an equipped item on the target, but builds infestation while charging/cast.
Spriggan attacks could build infestation. Could be specific spriggans. Could also be certain other creatures. Edit: Like Chaurus, for example.
Could include a mechanic for certain items to increase or decrease infestation when eaten by the termites.
- Example: Infestation reduced when a scroll of fireball is eaten, but increased when a potion of healing is eaten.
Possibility to randomly gain infestation when sleeping in wilderness. A configurable range if progressive, with a chance of none, or a set chance if binary.
- Should probably increase infestation chance/buildup with time slept.

 

Function Idea 3: Individual infestation: Individual items get infested, and will be eaten after a configurable time, even if stashed away.

Vector ideas:
An item that cannot be eaten, but will periodically infest other items in the inventory it's in.
Infested items can spread infestation, potentially causing exponential growth (this would depend on the settings).
Progressive infestation vectors could apply by having a chance to infest an inventory item.
A spell, enchantment or consumable that gives infested items a marker, allowing them to be identified.

 

Wider applications: Primarily ways for a character's infestation to interact with the environment.
Container infestation: Any container interacted with while infested may become infested, with a greater chance if more items are stashed.
- The container itself should not be able to be eaten, just it's contents, and the infestation would decay over time or when the container is empty.
- This would discourage trying to save your gear by stashing it when an infestation is discovered.
Furniture like chairs or beds could be able to be infested with Individual infestation.
-Though never eaten, they could be able to infest the player when they interact with it. Also would have decaying infestation.
Some way to simulate or imply infestations affecting NPCs. Not necessarily tied to an NPC having an actual infestation vector.
- Could take the form of missing items, nude NPCs, damaged apparel, token "dead termite nest" items, etc.
Could include a mechanic to actively (or accidentally) infest NPCs, slowly deleting their items as well.
- Could happen when pickpocketing, or, if we're feeling especially mean (or if an MCM toggle is on), just by talking to or being greeted by them.
- Probably not a great thing, as a lot of NPCs could be stripped over time. Could include a mechanic for NPCs to get new stuff after a while.

 

Solutions: Ideas for ways to clear infestation/end infestation quests.
A specific location or character one has to get to, perhaps pay, in order to end the infestation/quest.
A consumable or spell that reduces progressive infestation or removes binary infestation.
- Both could have consequences or cheaper variants with consequences(more applicable to the consumable).
- For example, there could be a consumable worth 1000 gold that clears all infestation, along with one worth 300 that clears infestation but instantly eats some items.
- Example 2, for individual infestation, a spell that instantly burns all (or only some) infested items, including the source item.
- Example 3, a spell that maxes infestation (or accelerates, for binary) for a short time (enough to eat several items), then drains/clears infestation.

- The original post mentions arousing the player and allowing the termites to eat things they normally can't as potential consequences.
A consumable or spell that allows you to make an item immune to the termites.
- Any of the spells could come with temporarily reduced mana regen, to increase the commitment and effective cost. (Mana is free, after all).

 

Miscellaneous
MCM toggle to allow/disallow eating quest items and unique items. Maybe even toggles to allow/disallow various other types of items (potions, keys, enchanted items, Devious Devices etc.).
- Could have the options, per item type: Never eat, eat or eat first (increased chance).
MCM setting to encourage/discourage termites to eat equipped items first.
-Perhaps a configurable percentage chance to eat an equipped item instead of an inventory item.

MCM setting to change the pace of eating.

- Binary: Timer between eating.

- Progressive: Timer at max infestation, minimum infestation to start eating, maybe infestation gain rate multiplier.

- Individual infestation: Time to eat item once infested, chance to infest another item.
Could have an MCM toggle to remove/restore "removed item" notifications. Probably default on. Could also have a toggle for other infestation-related notifications.
Could include Break Undies Plus-level armor damage. That would be high commitment though.

 

Well, that was a wall of text. You may be able to tell I put some thought into this.

I generally think function 2 or 3 would be more interesting, but I suspect function 1 would be easiest to code.