Scorched

The Scorched is a faction of intelligent ghouls in Appalachia. They are described as being halfway between feral and sane and have the ability to use weapons.

Background
The Scorched mostly consist of former West Virginian residents and military personnel who banded together into small primitive groups before regressing. Like the marked men of the Divide, they cling to the remaining few pieces of clothing and equipment from their former lives as reminders of their former selves, ranging from overalls and pitchforks to uniforms and assault rifles.

In addition to the shriveled, burned skin typical of ghouls, the Scorched possess green crystalline growths throughout their body, piercing through their skin in irregular patterns. The full significance of these growths is unknown, but according to preliminary field research done by the overseer of Vault 76, the Scorched appear to be normal ghouls infected with some manner of fungi that the scorchbeasts spread wherever they land (hence the name "Scorched").

Some of the Scorched also possess a hive mind, sometimes stating "we are one" when attacking, as detailed in the overseer's Flatwoods log.

At times, the growth will overtake its host and root them where they stand, causing them to slowly decay into human-shaped fungal bioforms before crumbling to dust.

Appearances
The Scorched appear only in Fallout 76.