Changes

[[Summary::Creatures inhabited by parasites which change their very being into something without self, without personality, perhaps without a soul. Zombies that yet still live, they seek to spread as a plaugeplague.]] Born of horrible magically engineered spider-like creatures, they burrow into mortal flesh and take control of its nervous system, filling the body with a host of terrible chemicals while spawning. Those afflicted turn pale, with viens veins clearly visible and eyes yellowed with sickness. Their hair often falls out and they lumber with a unsteady gait, chanting in unison with each other. The physical changes, accompanied by the unbending grasp of the hivemind they share, makes them all look all the same with their individual personalities lost.

Assimilated, while intelligent, have no free will. If left alone, most will wander aimlessly with no purpose until given one by the will of the hivemind as a whole, or by the mysterious Overminds. In combat they attempt to employ the talents of its the host body, but have no qualms sacrificing themselves for other assimilated. For what is death to them, for they are all the same, they are all one mind.

This template is an aquired acquired template which may be applied to any [[SRD:Aberration|aberration]], [[SRD:Animal|animal]], [[SRD:Dragon|dragon]], [[SRD:Fey|fey]], [[SRD:Giant|giant]], [[SRD:Humanoid|humanoid]], [[SRD:Magical Beast|magical beast]], [[SRD:Monstrous Humanoid|monstrous humanoid]], or [[SRD:Outsider|outsider ]] that possesses a nervous system.

The host of parasites inside and out of outside the host body provides provide protection, increasing the creature's natural armor by 1 plus 1 point for every 5 HD (to a maximum of +5 at 20 HD).

'''Assimilated Traits ([[Ex]]):''' Creature The creature is immune to [[SRD:Poison|poison]], [[SRD:Sleep_Effect|sleep effects]], [[SRD:Paralyzed|paralysis]], [[SRD:Stunned|stunning]], [[SRD:Disease|disease]], and [[SRD:Death_Effect|death ]] effects. They It is no longer require to eat, sleep, or breath breathe as the parasites take control of all such functions on the behalf of the host. In addition they are , it is not subject to critical hits, nonlethal damage, ability drain, or energy drain. Immune Assimilated are immune to damage to its their physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution), as well as to fatigue and exhaustion effects. They have immunity to any effect that requires a Fortitude save (unless the effect also works on objects or is harmless). They are not at risk of death from massive damage and automatically stabilize if reduced to less than 0 hit points, and they still die if reduced beyond -10 hit points. As not only their body but also mind and soul have been corrupted and dispersed into the hivemind, they are not affected by raise dead and reincarnate spells or abilities. Resurrection and true resurrection can affect assimilated creatures. These spells turn assimilated creatures back into the creatures they were before becoming assimilated.

'''Darkvision ([[Ex]]):''' Creature The creature gains darkvision out to 60 ft.

'''Fast Healing ([[Ex]]):''' Creature The creature gains fast healing 1.

'''Hivemind ([[Su]]):''' Connected by an empathic web which spreads across the plane, an assimilated is never quite alone. When within 100 ft to another hivemind it assumes the form of telepathy between fellow assimilated only. If an assimilated is under the control of an [[Overmind (3.5e Monster)|overmind ]] (see below), the overmind may see through the creature's senses as if they were its own or even assume direct control if nessicary, out to the range of the overmind creature. Cutting off the effects of the hivemind is difficult. An antimagic field suppresses it, and a successful dispel magic check against 11 + assimilated creature's HD, also suppresses it for a duration of 1d4 rounds. Regardless if , whether under control or wandering aimlessly, an assimilated creature has no free will (and thus are is unsuitable for player characters). If the assimilated creature is rendered helpless, the parasites (and thus the template) may be removed from the assimilated creature via surgery with a successful DC 50 Heal check. Failure by more than 10 points always proves fatal for its host. Surgery takes at least 10 minutes, and is subject to complications if not done within a controled controlled environment.

'''Overmind:''' Strange creatures known as overminds are capable of commanding assimilated creatures as their slaves, or taking control of one using their the body as their own. Those possessed by the will of the overmind are obvious, as their insides and parasites glow with an unholy and unsettling light.

As part of a hivemind, the assimilated are often found in groups and rarely alone. The goals and purposes of the hivemind are unclear, but what is known is that the spread of the hivemind is paramount, by any means nessicarynecessary. Morals, ethics, compassion... such concepts are discarded. There is only growth.

More mysterious is are the creatures known as [[Overmind (3.5e Monster)|Overminds]], which seem to serve as hubs for hivemind activity, granting them a personality, one single personality, which may use the assimilated creatures as they see fit.

+[[Level Adjustment::-0]]