Symbiant

Symbiants are people who have been infected with resen spores. Player characters who are afflicted by the spores are assumed to be able to resist complete takeover, whether that be by sheer willpower or partial immunity to the effects of the spores.

Symbiants have the unique ability to take certain life forms such as molds and other fungi onto their own bodies to form mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships. Generally, the symbiote is granted protection and nourishment by the host, and the host is able to use any unique properties of the symbiote, such as resistance to certain toxins or the releasing of spores for self-defense.

Symbiants are generally shunned and untrusted by others (if not outright hunted), and so they have a hard time gaining access to towns and the amenities within. Fortunately for symbiants with lesser infections, their condition can be easy to mask by simply wearing clothing over any body parts hosting a symbiote, so long as the symbiote is not too fragile or too large to be covered.

Symbiants become hungry more quickly due to their constant nourishing of the symbiotes they host. The more symbiotes, the more quickly the symbiant becomes hungry. Using the powers of hosted symbiotes also usually costs the symbiant an amount of energy.

On the pro side, symbiants receive a blanket resistance (though not immunity) to all poisons and diseases, and they also resist mental attacks as the spores fiercely resist any foreign attempts to claim what they consider their host. They also heal wounds naturally over time.

On the con side, symbiants are always hungry and are constantly battling to keep control of their mind, so they have difficulty focusing on mental tasks such as channeling or meditation. There are even times when they may temporarily give in to the influence of the spores and lose control of their actions for a time. They are also often mistrusted or even hated, and will have trouble gaining access to most towns and outposts unless they can conceal their condition.