Mesmer

Template:Class 2 Fauna The Mesmer is an aggressive fauna species found in deep caves of certain biomes, and the Bulb Zone.

Appearance

The Mesmer is a small, colourful fish with three design patterns; its four large skin panels are bluish white capable of emitting green bioluminescent glows at night, with violet stripes and are surrounded by a thin translucent blue film. The patterns on these panels radiate and ripple when the creature is mesmerising its prey.

The Mesmer's body is ridged, shimmers purple, and ends in two small teal-coloured flippers in place of a tail, which it uses to paddle itself through the water. It's head is bulky and speckled with white dots, while ending with a teal maw. Behind its head, right above and below, are two smaller blueish fins. Its binocular eyes feature horizontal, "S" shaped pupils and yellow sclerae.

When attacking, the Mesmer's head opens up, revealing its soft, slimy body and four pink stalks topped with sharp teeth. These stalks surround its toothless true mouth.

Behavior

The Mesmer is capable of manipulating the player's mind, causing them to hear the PDA telling them to approach the Mesmer, the messages are as follows:

"It is your primary directive to swim closer to that beautiful creature... Swim closer... Swim closer now... It looks so friendly... Do not resist... Don't struggle... Go closer"

If the Mesmer succeeds in attracting the player, it will attack by opening its body and thrusting it's spiked tentacles towards the player, removing 35% of the health bar, it will then flee.

It can be also seen using this behavior as a self-defense against other larger fauna, fauna of the same size, or even against its own kind. It will also use this as a hunting strategy, able to catch small fauna using it. 

The Mesmer will often home in on either the Seamoth, Prawn Suit, or Cyclops and attach itself to their fronts if a player is inside. This does not cause any damage, however.

It should be noted, that if a Mesmer is killed while using it's hypnosis on a creature or the player, its hypnosis will not cease, and will continue until the creature manages to get away or the player runs out of oxygen. The player has a hard time breaking free from the Mesmer when it is using hypnosis.

Energy Value

×400

×50

Audio

<soundcloud url="https://soundcloud.com/kamakazi/mezmer-trip" height="166" width="100%" class="soundCloud"></soundcloud>

Future Plans

•  The Mesmer may be able to hypnotize the player while inside Prawn Suit or Seamoth at a later date. Currently, this is undecided.

Data Bank Entry

Small, carnivorous lifeform with a unique hunting mechanism that enables it to hypnotize its foes. Outer Wings: The mesmer swims using a number of wings which can be angled up and forwards in the event of an attack. Tiny lenses on the surface can be tilted independently to create mesmerizing patterns capable of subduing the target. Outer Shell: Predators become transfixed, at which point the mesmer opens the jawlike recess in its protective outer shell and eats its victim alive. Assessment: Avoid - Don't even look at it

Gallery

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  Front view

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  Side profile

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  Dorsal view

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  Bioluminescence

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  Size comparison to the player

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  The Mesmer using its ability on a Hoverfish

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  A Mesmer in the Bulb Zone

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  A Mesmer in the Mushroom Forest

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  Mesmer Egg

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  A Mesmer with its mouth open, showing its fleshy blue innards.

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  Mesmer drawing in the player

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  Concept Art

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  Model from Sketchfab

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