At the onset of this side quest roll a die to select one of your party members. The Parasite becomes obsessed with that party member.

The earliest encounters with the Parasite are barely worth a mention. A fearless fox who watches the party pass. A bird that flies into the tavern while the party drinks and sings. It's only once one of the party members makes a perception/spot check (hard for current level) that they notice the eyes. The silvery white and glossy eyes of the creature that stares unblinkingly at the party... or rather at a specific member therein. Slowly, over the course of your desired amount of time, the Parasite moves from one body to the next, getting closer and closer to something akin to the party member it is obsessed with. Even going so far as to take over NPCs of the same race or class. Anything to get closer to the party member it has become obsessed with.

Parasite Rules:

• There is only one Parasite
• The Parasite is a 3-inch long, black and mucous-covered snake/slug/worm.
• The Parasite is medium speed but quite stealthy.
• The Parasite's mucous is not only for ease of locomotion but also has numbing properties to ensure that its chosen host cannot feel it.
• The Parasite enters its chosen host via any cavity it can fit in.
• The Parasite can also be transferred directly through purposeful expulsion.
• The Parasite burrows through the host's body to connect with the brain stem and take over control. This process can sometimes cause pain, but is generally numbed by the secreted mucus.
• The Parasite cannot control anything that does not have a brain.
• If the Parasite leaves the host wilfully, the host is killed.
• Killing the host of the Parasite does not kill the Parasite. After D4 hours the Parasite will emerge from its dead host to find another.
• The Parasite can tunnel through most dirt and soil, so burying a body does not stop it.
• Burning the host body while the Parasite is still inside, or striking and killing the Parasite itself can kill it.
• If you have been infected by the Parasite consuming a poisonous concoction will kill it... and probably you. Antidotes consumed too early will also relieve the Parasite.
• The Parasite cannot speak languages but can communicate non-verbally or with grunts and groans, sobs and moans.
• While it cannot communicate back, it can glean a great deal from the chemical responses of its host and often understands the general idea of things that are said to it.
• The Parasite does not want to harm its desired host.

The final goal of the Parasite is to make their chosen party member its host. It will do whatever it takes to complete this task. This includes destroying the rest of the party if necessary. However, the Parasite prefers subterfuge. Some tactics may include:

• Controlling a small child and whimpering until the party finds it.
• Controlling something very fast and quiet so as to sneak into the party's camp, find the desired member while they sleep, and vomit into their mouth - transferring the Parasite.
• Controlling a perceived 'love interest' (this may take several attempts to get right) and attempting to seduce the desired party member. Then vomiting into their mouth while kissing.
• Controlling something enormously strong and pinning the desired party member for transfer.

The Parasite does not quit. Once it has found a desirable host it will attempt to take that host until it succeeds or is killed. The time between sightings may differ and, especially at the onset, may be quite far between.