Symbiont

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A symbiont is a creature that closely interacts with another organism. Some of them cause beneficial effects, offering boosted strength, speed, sanity, durability, influence, or immunity. Others are parasitic, invading their host and thriving at its expense. A parasite could inject venom, spread disease, drain some vital resource (e.g. oxygen, blood, food, water, MP), lay eggs, or even take complete bodily control. There are also symbionts which do both.

Most symbionts by far are tiny. Many are invisible to the naked eye. Others are large enough to fight in combat. Regardless of its physical dimensions, when a symbiont bonds with or intrudes upon a potential host, the creature must make a Vitality check. Those who pass the check render their own bodies inhospitable and repulse, eject, or destroy the invading organism. Creatures who fail the check become easy prey and face the side effects, whether beneficial, detrimental, or some combination of the two. Most symbionts remain until resources dry up. Some live for mere hours, but others endure for a lifetime. Some badass symbionts can even outlive their host and seek a fresh one.