As mentioned in my post for Where the Silence Screams, I found some old body/parasite horror stuff that works well with a game I thought up at around the same time. I went through and cleaned it up so that it wasn't just pure word vomit, and added a few things to it.
Quick warning: I am planning on adding some, if not all, of this into Where the Silence Screams, so I'd advise against reading through this unless you are okay with spoiling some minor aspects of that story.
- Stage 1
- The host starts to feel a compulsion to be near others
- Stage 2
- Periodic bouts of coughing give a calming effect and a short-term version of Stage 1 to others.
- Stage 3: the Hollow Soul
- The parasite is now fully in control of the host
- Their body is disfigured as the parasite takes over the muscles and learns how to use them directly.
- Their mind is reduced to an animalistic need to hunt
- Group A
- Stage 4: the Wretch
- Tentacles sprout from limbs as the tendrils the parasite uses become thicker and are unable to be fully contained by the body.
- They start to exchange information with other infected they meet through an alien language, although they remain solitary hunters.
- Sub-group 1
- Stage 5: the Aberration
- Three Wretches join together and fuse to form a tentacled mass of limbs
- The mingling of three minds scrambles them as they fight over control of limbs, reducing them to base instincts and only coming together somewhat whenever hunting prey
- Stage 6: Cyst
- Three Aberrations fuse, rooting themselves in place
- If their tentacles manage to grab a Wretch, they can transmit a strange type of fungi that gives them limited control over them. This also blocks the Wretch from evolving into the B group
- It can quickly infect a person if they draw blood
- Stage 7: Tumor
- Forms when a Cyst merges with five controlled Aberrations
- If it gets a hold of a Wretch, it can implant a fungus with basic instincts, allowing the head to detach and crawl using tentacles
- Empty bodies can only carry out the simplest of instructions that are left behind by the detached head that stores the consciousness of the Wretch.
- Fungi interact with the spores from Puppet Masters and allow them to gain some control over them. It also gives them greater control over the Wretches.
- Stage 8: Hive
- WIP - don't like the previous version
- Sub-group 2
- Stage 5: Puppet Master
- A fungus establishes a symbiotic relationship with the parasite, causing the head to turn into a porous ball with tentacles sprouting from the holes in it.
- Spores allow them to communicate with others and control Hollow Souls and Wretches.
- Stage 6: Conductor
- Forms whenever an Aberration merges with a Puppet Master
- Spores allow greater control over Hollow Souls and Wretches, and give some modicum of control over Puppet Masters.
- Group B
- Stage 4: Hooked Horror
- Parasite forms a basic protective carapace in patches, replacing the skin in vulnerable parts
- Hands form into keratin hooks
- They hunt in packs
- Sub-group 1:
- Stage 5: Primal Hunter
- The hooks become blades, consuming the upper arm
- Packs become looser
- Carapace spreads to cover more of the body
- Stage 6: Berserker
- Faster
- Carapace becomes thinner and more aerodynamic
- Blades become barbed
- Enters a frenzy occasionally
- Sub-group 2:
- Stage 5: Armored Hunter
- The carapace spreads to replace all skin and strengthens
- Ambush predators (like Velociraptors)
- Stage 6: Spined Warrior
- Spikes grow from the back
- They learn to use basic tactics
- Commands Hooked and Armored Hunters
- Stage 7: Artillery Sergeant
- Spikes become detachable and can be shot in a spray
- Commands Hooked, Armored, and Primal Hunters, and Spined Warriors
- Creates battalions led by Spined Warriors
- Tougher carapace
- Stage 8: ___ General
- Commands Hooked, Armored, and Primal Hunters, Berserkers, Spined Warriors, and Artillery Sergeants
- Uses advanced tactics
- Larger spikes can be aimed slightly
- Stronger carapace
