Broodbomb

A Broodbomb is a variation of Organic Grenade used in combat that utilizes the natural aggressive swarming behavior of a multitude of various parasitic insect species native to Elysium.   A variation of weaponry that utilizes “Live-Ammo”, Broodbombs are something of myth in the Weapon’s Dealer community. The reason for this being, is that so little information actually remains of this weapon from throughout the years. So little in fact, that much of the community believes that it’s entire concept is, by necessity, largely speculative.   Lack of concrete evidence also hinders the believability as while references have been found in several documents from later years detailing such a weapons existence, it remains uncertain if these accounts of the so-called bomb are indeed fact or fiction, for the descriptions are so fantastical that they often lead others to bear a considerable amount of doubt on the true nature and practicality of their functionality, which in and of itself has proven to be very difficult to recreate. Should the weapon have existed its use in combat was very simple; combining the functionality of a grenade with an aggressive, and oftentimes poisonous, swarm of insects that would target the closest victim within range.   The swarm would then, as the story goes, follow this specific target, attacking again and again, injecting their victim with tremendous amounts of poison until they either fled or expired. How this was done however remains a mystery; details regarding everything even down to the containment measures for such creatures have not been properly documented, though many often speculate that it involves an easily shatterable container, like glass or even pottery, since pottery was easier to make in a pinch.   The type of insect’s also used in such weaponry is also never truly specified. Though one can gander that any type or any combined mixture of type would probably do, in what little descriptions that CAN be found within the near bare text’s, Plunderflies were seemingly one most commonly used in such weaponry, and knowing the insects famous erratic and aggressive behavior, it is not so surprising to assume that it indeed became a crowd-favorite.   Plunderflies are also known to be highly parasitic as well as territorial. While many insects typically will sting and then move on to find a place to nest, Plunderflies, similar to their name, will Plunder the bodies of unsuspecting victims. Their reputation for aggression can be owed to its venomous bite. The toxins in their saliva would cause hallucinations, in some cases causing the victim to become extremely violent and attack nearby individuals. Unless the infection is treated, the victim then goes into a series of convulsions and seizures. If the toxin isn't treated before it progresses beyond this point, the victim can't be saved. The final stage is paralysis which is then followed typically by respiratory failure and brain death.   This venom is the creature's primary weapon, used in both hunting and brooding. When hunting they continue the act of biting their victim and fleeing, stalking from the sidelines as it suffers from the effects of the venom until death. In brooding however, Plunderflies will only inject enough venom to incapacitated their victims. From there, females will then burrow into the skin before proceeding to lay her eggs. It is presumed the victim's body is used to provide both body heat and food for the hatchlings, which would then start the slow process of eating the host from the inside out while the victim's heart still beats.   Typically, a single egg-cluster is laid in the abdomen of the victim, which is then closed up by the brooder to ensure no disturbances against the cluster. The egg hatches within a considerably short- time period, believed to be aided in part by the warmth generated, and the larva feeds upon hatching. As the larva feeds on its host, it saves the vital organs, such as the heart and central nervous system, for last. By waiting until the final larval instar, it ensures the host will not decompose before the larva has fully developed, as fresh flesh is typically needed to ensure a healthy brood. Because of this, that it is unsurprising to assume as to why Plunderflies may have been a common insect to use during warfare; an ideal item to flush out entrenched or barricaded opponents.