Medusa's a.k.a. Brain Worm Symbiote
Created by Kirk Smith (put his name in the subject when sending email).
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Description: . They are thin worm like creature six to eight inches
long that vary in color from white, gray and black. Regardless of color the
all have the same effects. They are also known as medusa's, because those
who have a lot often look like they have a head full of small wiggling
snakes. They prefer host's that have a high P.P.E.tm but will attach themselves to any living
creature that can sustain them. They are viewed by magic users and other
creatures as a minor pests similar to how ordinary people view ticks or
leeches. However supernatural beings who get a dozen or more of these
attached to him can run into serious problems, most notably the draining
of precious P.P.E.tm.
Host Type: Humanoids and intelligent beings of all kinds,
including creatures of magic and the supernatural. They attach themselves
by burrowing their heads under the scalp and attaching themselves to the
skull.
Hit points: Each Brain worm has 5 M.D.C.tm .
Average life span: Each has a life span of 6D6 years.
Alignment: Effectively anarchist, low/animal I.Q., driven by
an animal instinct to survive.
Attributes: Not Applicable
Reproduction: They reproduce once every three years bearing
2D4 offspring each.
Cost: Between 1-2 million credits for two.
Natural Abilities: The brain worms feed of the host's
P.P.E.tm in return they turn the host
into a minor M.D.C.tm creature. Each
brain worm feeds off of 5 P.P.E. in return it provides the host with 10
M.D.C.tm. So if someone had five
brain worms they would have 50 M.D.C.tm.
(alternatively the can feed on I.S.P.tm if the game master chooses but they
would probably require a little more I.S.P.tm. )
Side Effects: Reduce P.B. by 1 for every two brain
worms because they have a habit of wiggling around uncontrollably and can
cause people who are not used to them to become distracted and
uncomfortable. Reduce M.E. by 1 for every three brain worms, this is due
to the fact the draining of P.P.E.tm
and leeching of brain waves and thoughts makes the host more vulnerable
to psionics. They also tend to make the host a little absent minded, -3% per
brain worm on 2D4 + 2 skills (each brain worm may not effect the same
skills so player characters can spread out the penalties without drastically
reducing skill percentages, unless they have a lot of brain worms). This
also gives the host a bonus of +1 save vs. anyone trying to read their mind
or thoughts, this is a one time bonus adding more brain worms will not
effect it.
Means of Elimination: They are fairly easily killed and fall
off when they die. Removal causes no permanent side effects other than a
hole in the hosts scalp which can be stitched back together with minor
surgery.