The name comes from the Chinese term "yao guai" (妖怪), which translates to "monster" or "demon." The name was given to the creature by the descendants of the Chinese that were living in internment camps at the time of the Great War.
The yao guai is a mutated bear of debatable origin species and radiation is likely the cause of its mutations. Possibly mutated from the black bears native to the region, these yao guai are generally larger than their unmutated predecessors and are more aggressive.
The physical build of the Appalachian variant does not seem to drastically deviate from pre-War bears as much as the yao guai in the Capital Wasteland and Zion Canyon. Comparatively, they are overall less dog-like in their posture and movement and sport thicker patches of fur and more body fat. Since their upper body, chest and arms are not as massive, the Appalachian yao guai have a more traditional bear-like posture and gait.
When yao guai are encountered, there are typically two or three in the area. Yao guai can outrun a player character unless the player character is sprinting. They have a powerful melee attack, and their strikes frequently stun the player character for a few seconds. They will pursue a player character into an open sided shed but not into a shed or building with a doorway, even if the doorway is open. When the player character enters the building, they will retreat to the edge of the area; when they detect the player character exiting the building, they will again pursue. They are sensitive to explosives and flamers.
A charred, fleshy yao guai infected with the Scorched Plague. All regular yao guai variants have a corresponding Scorched variant with the same stats, abilities, and items. They may become Scorched when attacked by scorchbeasts or the scorchbeast queen, becoming allies with other Scorched creatures.
Yao guai are the only non-humans that are known to become ghouls.
Yao guai are a potential candidate for taming. If found alone in a random encounter, the player character can send the tamed beast to their C.A.M.P. for defense.
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