Bone Tooth

Description

The Bone Tooth is widely regarded as a disease by those who have never experienced it. In reality, this “disease” is actually a symbiotic entity that attaches itself to a host in a false form of a beneficial relationship. The method for contracting the host is as simple as fluid transfer from one host to another.

When attached internally, the Bone Tooth will communicate, in simple terms, its desire to feed off of the calcium of the host. In exchange, the symbiote provides the ability to temporarily transform part of the host body into super-hardened bone. The bone is hard enough, when used as a shield, to deflect sharpened swords and other weapons. Blunt weapons can damage it but usually only superficially and the bone is quickly grown back. If the bone is used as a weapon, the point is sharp enough to penetrate light armor (non-plate mail).

An important note is that the victim is not capable of refusing the symbiote. In addition to latching itself to the internal bone structure of the host, it also will burrow tendrils into the brain and “convince” them that the symbiosis is a good thing. The symbiote will also suggest to the host that he needs to find ways to replenish his calcium intake. The longer that the symbiote can feed, the better.

If, for some reason, the symbiote is unable to transfer itself to a new host after completely depleting the calcium from the current victim, it will die in a matter of hours.

Interaction

The only form of interaction that they engage is a “feeling” that is felt by the host. When the Bone Tooth first merges with the host, the victim knows that the merge is happening but accepts it as a good thing.

There is a mutual feeling that the symbiote will need calcium and that the host has enough in its body (and always producing more) to sustain the symbiote. In addition, the host also understands its new abilities and how to control them.

Combat

The Bone Tooth, per se, does not engage in combat. However, it can transform parts of the host into bone but this is not instantaneous. It takes several seconds for the transformation to take place. So, it’s generally best that the host decides what needs to be done before combat starts.

The bone-like structures are dense and durable against edge weapons and provide some protection against blunt weapons. If the structure is damaged in combat, it can easily repair itself in a matter of minutes.