Link to Tavern page in GDD: https://crawl.develz.org/tavern/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11576.
Adding to devwiki by and_into at dpeg's request. Initially proposed by n1000, but it seems s/he subsequently abandoned thread.
Originally named “Griggy the Thorned”.
I'll post here a slightly revised version of my take on n1000's initial proposal, which had widest support of any of the concrete proposals. (A few alterations to some numbers, and changes to incorporate good points from Viashino wizard and dpeg in the above linked thread.)
The god of wild vines and undergrowth, Udzu relishes the pestilential spread of brambles. Udzu strives to make the world into a private garden that Udzu alone lords over.
Udzu appreciates it when devotees make room for bramble infestation (killing things).
Armor of thorns (upon joining, passive) — Spines (scales up with char lvl). Immunity to barbs, spines, webs, and nets. So long as you worship Udzu you cannot wear body armor, regardless of piety level. You get +6 AC. Each additional star of piety beyond the first gives +2 AC (maximum +18 AC from this source at six stars).
Fling Barbs (*, active) — Projectile targeted, range 6. Cost: 2 MP, small piety and hunger. Ranged damage that causes barb status on target.
Vestment of Thorns (**) — Dense natural growths cover more of your body. Chooses Gloves or Cloak slot. So long as you worship Udzu you cannot wear the chosen piece of armor. If you have at least three stars of piety, you receive +2 AC and one of two bonuses, as follows. If gloves blocked: Chance for constriction upon attacking enemy in melee; you can only constrict up to one enemy at a time in this way. If cloak blocked: Upon striking an enemy in melee, chance to cause the enemy's next attack to be fumbled (“thick roots trip your assailant”).
Whip Vine (***) — Projectile targeted, range 6. Cost: 5 MP, moderate piety and hunger. Constricts target at range; you will continue to constrict the target so long as you do not move, though you may take other actions without breaking the constriction (cast spells, attack, etc.) Only one enemy at a time may be constricted in this way.
Regalia of Thorns (****) — Dense natural growths cover more of your body. Chooses Headgear or Boots. So long as you worship Udzu you cannot wear the chosen piece of armor. If you have at least five stars of piety, you receive +2 AC and one of two bonuses, as follows. If boots blocked: As an active ability, for 3 MP and small hunger cost you can “root self” for bigger boost to AC; retracting roots takes 30 aut. If headgear blocked: As an active ability, for 6 MP and moderate piety and hunger cost you can summon a dense, immobile 1-tile wall of rough undergrowth and foliage that blocks LOS; this counts as an ally and has an HP meter.
Briar Patch (*****, active) — Cost: 8 MP, high piety and hunger. You surround yourself with nettling briars that entangle and damage enemies unfortunate enough to wander into them. Beware, however, for while you will take no damage from the thorns, the briars are so dense that they will limit even your movement.
Natural Selection (******, active, free) — You can choose either Vestment or Regalia, and are presented with option to switch the blocked armor slot to the other type in that category, or else remove the growth entirely (freeing up the armor slot but losing the bonus). This ability may only be used twice per game.
Whatever current set of growths have been chosen for your character, and any alterations made by natural selection, shall remain regardless of leaving/rejoining the god, etc. etc.
