Ophiosinensis
"Zombie Bugs" | "Zombie Parasites" | "The Parasites"
I. Introduction (http://remnants.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=8794.msg55433#msg55433)
II. Description (http://remnants.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=8794.msg55434#msg55434)
III. History (http://remnants.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=8794.msg55435#msg55435)
IV. Range & Ecology (http://remnants.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=8794.msg55436#msg55436)
V. Reproduction (http://remnants.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=8794.msg55437#msg55437)
VI. Notable Figures & Note for the Players (http://remnants.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=8794.msg55438#msg55438)
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______I. Introduction
As if those in the heavens look down upon us and laugh, it seems these Parasites were created as a joke to the divine, themselves, and on all mortal creatures.
Most have common fears--fear of death, of zombies, of bugs, of horrific and grotesque deaths. Ophiosinensis are all of these things wrapped into one! These Parasites can be found just about anywhere in the universe, and exist solely for the purpose of finding host bodies of any species to devour the brain of and take control over the host body. This is considered their final metamorphosis: a sentient parasitic space bug that took over the body of your loved one and now roams the world wearing their skin suit.
______II. Description
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/283132129880309760/945184444732542996/PXL_20220221_050522307.jpg)
Temp image by meeee
A Parasite is traditionally found by themselves in a pale, flexible carapace, with a slight oplacent sheen. Depending on age they can range in length between 17 and 50 cm (6.7 and 19.7 in). As they get older their bodies continue to grow, and thus finding one over 21.59 cm (8.5 in,) as it's typically encouraged for them to find host bodies before they get too large to fit in a typical sentient creature's skull. They are incredibly robust, able to enter hibernation for seemingly unlimited amounts of time, survive in the vaccuum of space, extreme hot or cold temperatures, under vast amounts of pressure, or even at the bottom of seas. They are known to be nearly impossible to kill.
Their exoskeleton is composed of overlapping segments, ending in a tail that allows for dynamic movement in air or water. They have 8 legs, with the front pair used to grab things while the others provide locomotion. They have one pair of large, compound eyes with 12 color cone photoreceptors (in comparison to the average human's 3.) They have four sets of jaws with which to chew and eat food, and a pair of adept mandibles that help them break into the host skull, make a hole and pull them inside as they start to eat the brain.
Like a mosquito, they feature a proboscis located underneath their tails. This proboscis is typically hidden in a sheath underneath the Parasite's body, but it extends and hardens when they are ready to attack their prey. Ophiosinensis aim for the base of the skull where it meets the top of the spinal column, and secrete a specific kind of saliva through this which is used to aid in the paralysis of their prey, poisoning the host's brain and slowly killing them.
Similar to terrestrial isopods, they are capable of curling up into a perfect sphere to protect themselves or hide. They are hunted for their exoskeletons which are often used in jewelry and accessories for exorbitant prices, due to the dangerous nature of hunting them.
______Hosts
Upon selection of a host and full integration into the host body's system, Ophiosinensis slowly change color over time to a pitch black and hardened exoskeleton, and they grow to fit snugly inside the skull of the host.
Ophiosinensis are capable of incredible feats of biomatter conditioning; while they are not only telepathic and often use this as a means of communication in their species, they are able to interface with the brains of any biological creature they deem fit, through a process known to them as ""growing pains."" As the Parasite's original body grows and stretches to fill the skull of its host and fully take it over, it leaves them feeling hyper-sensitive and usually constantly in pain as they receive input from the nerves of their body as well as the host's. For a period of several weeks they regularly excrete a thick viscous black mucus from the various orifices of their host body--this is completely natural, the literal secretions that the parasite is pushing out of the old host. So it sometimes looks like they have nose bleeds, are crying, or coughing up blood. To them it's mildly uncomfortable and really not that different from having a runny nose.
As they push out the host's old fluids, they slowly consume the host's original brain as their body grows to fill that void. Through this process they absorb all of the host's memories, knowledge and a perfect copy of their personality. Eventually the Parasite's body becomes rooted inside of the host's as they command the host's cells to replicate and change as they see fit, such as mending the broken link between the spinal fluid and themself, any wounds, or changing physical appearance (such as changing dentition to fit a carnivorous diet.)
When taking on a host body, the Parasite absorbs the brain and any inherent biological powers that body possessed. A parasitized Pilot would still have all the original powers and abilities, as would a shapeshifter, mage, etc. These are often things taken into consideration by the Ophiosinensis as it considers options of what host body to seek--many deliberately pick host bodies to suit their specific needs (or even personal aesthetics.) However, not all are so lucky--a Parasite may be forced to pick a host out of desperation in a dangerous situation, and unfortunately once the process of integration has begun it's impossible to switch.
A Parasite can reanimate a recently deceased body within 2 days of death.
Typically, the only giveaway that a host body has been taken over by a zombie parasite is that their sclera change to black and the irises tend to take on some kind of bioluminscent glow, which can also be found in the fluids they secret once the host's original fluids have been cleared out. It is considered honorable, and highly encouraged, for an Ophiosinensis to change or alter the host's face in some way so as to not completely desecrate their memory, or imply that they are trying to become a "doppelganger" of that person. Once they complete the takeover of the host's body, they are their own separate person. The only times where a Parasite may opt not to follow this tradition, and keep as close to the original host as possible, is for the purpose of infiltration and spywork, which is rare.