New Race Concept: Athe

Athe (āth); plural: athes (ā’-thēz): Athes are a form of obligated symbiont, composed of a worm-like parasite and a humanoid host. It is known as an obligated form of symbiont because both the parasite and the host entirely depend on each other for survival. Athe parasites have been known to live a thousand years or more and often bring a perspective on things otherwise not available to shorter lived beings. The parasite and host completely share memories and thoughts while they are joined.

Athe: Parasite without Host	CR 1
LN Diminutive Aberration
Init -4; Senses Blind, Listen +2, Spot +2
Languages Understands Common, cannot speak, telepathy with host
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10
(Size +4, Dex -4)
hp 5 (1 HD)
Immune blindness, electricity of the athe pool (see Ecology, below), gaze attacks, and effects that rely on sight
+4 racial bonus on saves against death effects
Fort -2, Ref -3, Will +8
Speed 15 ft, swim 30 ft
Melee —
Ranged —
Space 1 ft; Reach 0 ft
Base Attack +0; Grapple -17
Abilities Str 1, Dex 3, Con 4, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 12
Special Qualities Life Affinity, Symbiosis
Feats Iron Will, Lust for Life (Will) B
Skills Concentration +1, Hide +8, Knowledge (arcana) +6, Spellcraft +6, Swim +7
Immunity to Electricity (Ex) The parasite is immune to the electricity of the athe pool (see the Ecology section, below). This immunity extends to its current joined host as well.
Life Affinity (Ex) A parasite that is raised from the dead (through the use of raise dead, resurrection, or similar effects) does not suffer from a loss of a level or point of Constitution. They also gain a +4 racial bonus on saves against death effects. Additionally, the parasite gains the Lust for Life feat as a racial bonus feat. When joined, the benefit of this feat extends to the athe. Life affinity does not extend to the host.
Character Level Taken by… 1-4 Parasite 5 Host 6-9 Parasite 10 Host 11-14 Parasite 15 Host 16-19 Parasite 20 Host Symbiosis (Ex) The statistics, above, describe the parasite without the host. Each parasite can only join with a specific race of humanoid creature as its host. During character creation, you must choose a specific Humanoid subtype that has a level adjustment of +0, such as Humanoid (human) or Humanoid (elf). After this choice is made, it cannot be changed later. The parasite can join with any creature that matches its chosen subtype and that is not already joined to another athe parasite.      Each 5th character level must be taken by the host; all other levels must be taken by the parasite. For quick reference, refer to the chart above.      All class levels of the host and parasite stack with each other, as if they were one creature with combined class levels. Thus if the host has 1 level of cleric, and the parasite has 4 levels of cleric, they behave as a 5th level cleric.      While joined in symbiosis, the athe behaves as a single creature with the following characteristics.      Size: As the host humanoid.      Type: As the parasite, Aberration. It also has the racial subtype of the host humanoid. Thus an athe with an elf host would be an Aberration (elf), and still be treated as an elf for all requirements, but not treated as a humanoid.      Hit Dice and Hit Points: The athe is considered to be a creature of the combined total Hit Dice of both the host and the parasite. Likewise, they share a combined total of hit points. However, use only the host’s Constitution modifier to determine bonus hit points per Hit Die. If reduced to 0 or fewer current hit points, the host’s body falls unconscious (or dies, whatever the case may be), but not the parasite. If the parasite is removed from its host’s body (either because the host has died or for any other reason), the parasite has current hit points equal to one-quarter of the athe’s full normal hit points (regardless of any damage inflicted on the host) but may heal up to its own full normal hit points through magic or rest, as normal. A parasite without a host uses its own Hit Dice and its own Constitution modifier to determine bonus hit points per HD.      Speed: As the host humanoid.      Armor Class: As the host humanoid.      Physical Attacks and Damage: As the host humanoid, using the combined base attack bonus from both the parasite and the host. All attack rolls use the Strength or Dexterity of the host, as appropriate to the attack form. Use the host’s Strength or Dexterity to determine the bonus to damage, as appropriate to the attack form.      Class Abilities: The athe uses all of the class features of the classes that it shares, those of the parasite as well as those of the host.      Base Saves: The athe uses both the base saves of the host and the base saves of the parasite, combined. Fortitude uses the host’s Constitution modifier, Reflex uses the host’s Dexterity modifier, and Will uses the parasite’s Wisdom modifier.      Ability Scores: Use the physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution) of the host humanoid. Use the mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) of the parasite. When the character gains an increase to an ability score (at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, or 20th level), the increase is applied to either the host or the parasite, depending on the ability score chosen. Physical ability score (Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution) increases are added only to the host, while mental ability score (Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma) increases are added only to the parasite.      Skills: Use the combined totals of ranks of both the parasite and the host. Use the better racial skill bonus of either the host or the parasite, whichever is better in a given situation.      Feats: For each feat slot, the obligated symbiont uses either the parasite’s or the host’s feat, whichever is better. These must be chosen immediately after resting at least 8 hours, and cannot be reselected until you rest for 8 hours again. The host and the parasite each have to maintain legal feat stacking for itself, but this does not extend to the athe. Thus, the athe still only has a total number of feats that it can use equal to a normal creature of its HD. Human-athes enjoy the bonus feat slot that all humans gain as well. Lawful Good Neutral Good Chaotic Good Lawful Neutral True Neutral Chaotic Neutral Lawful Evil Neutral Evil Chaotic Evil      Alignment: The athe has an alignment that is one step removed from the host (towards the parasite). If they are only a step away from each other, use the alignment of the host. This combined alignment is not considered to be an alignment change for the host, for the parasite, or for the athe. The athe cannot be True Neutral unless both the host and the parasite are True Neutral. Refer to the alignment chart above for quick reference. Thus a Lawful Evil host joined with a Chaotic Neutral parasite would become a Neutral Evil athe.      Separation: A host that has been joined to a parasite (as well as a parasite that has been joined to a host) cannot survive alone more than 96 hours without being rejoined, either back to their symbiotic partner or joined to a new symbiotic partner. Voluntary separation can occur, but is emotionally devastating to the host, who will usually lie in a stupor of depression for days or weeks afterward. Voluntary separation may only take place if both the host and parasite are willing, and requires as much time as joining (see below). Some parasites keep harems of hosts to switch between, as the need requires, with each host having their own set of class levels. This can be difficult to juggle the limited 96 hours of separation between large numbers of host bodies. A parasite or host that has ever been joined dies 96 hours after separation if it has not already joined again by that time.      Since it lacks appendages and a mouth, a separated parasite has no physical attacks that it can take and cannot cast spells with Verbal, Somatic, Material, or Focus components, but it can still perform purely mental actions, such as spell-like abilities or activating mental magic items. Warlock athe parasites retain their ability to activate their eldritch blast while separated, for example, although being blind they have a 50% miss chance since their target has total concealment from them.      Joining: Joining requires 20 minutes, during which time both the parasite and the host are helpless. This time is reduced by 1 minute per total HD of the athe. In the event that the host is killed, the parasite may be placed onto the bare flesh of a new host of the appropriate Humanoid subtype, and it will painlessly burrow into the body of the host about the mid section, leaving the host fatigued afterwards. The parasite retains all memories of its own, as well as all memories of all of its previous hosts.      Replacement Hosts: When a host dies, a new host is required within 96 hours in order to keep the parasite alive. The parasite sends telepathic emotions of distress to the nearest athe pool (on the same plane). The athe pool community sends out a replacement host humanoid as soon as possible, which should arrive within 1d6 days, anywhere in the world, as long as the parasite is within close proximity to civilization. This time may be adjusted by the DM for especially remote areas. If the host is late in arriving, the parasite may join to a humanoid other than its chosen subtype of humanoid. This is always a temporary situation because it is poisonous for the temporary host, and only slightly lengthens the time before death for the parasite. While joined to an inappropriate humanoid, the parasite gains a Fortitude save each day to avoid dying after 96 hours (DC 15, +3 per additional day). Meanwhile, the temporary host suffers 1d4 points of Constitution damage per 24 hours that it remains joined. This ability score damage cannot be restored through magic or natural healing until after separation occurs. While joined to a temporary host, the athe behaves as normal for a joined symbiont, combining and merging statistics with the host. All temporary hosts count toward the athe’s lifetime limit of hosts. If the temporary host has more class levels than a host should for the athe’s character level, the athe is nauseated until separation occurs.      Lifetime Total Number of Joined Hosts: The total number of different hosts that a single parasite can join with during its lifetime is 10. It’s common for a single parasite to live the lifetime of one host until it dies of old age, and then be joined to a new host, and thus live out several normal humanoid lifetimes.      Athe parasites never suffer the effects of old age (good or bad), and are considered to be nearly immortal, if not for the limit of 10 hosts.      Magic Item Slots: A separated parasite has the following magic item slots: Nonhumanoid armor, face, head, 2 rings (on tail), shoulders, throat, torso, and waist; but lacks the following magic item slots: Arms, feet, and hands. A joined parasite cannot wear magic items, but all magic items that affect the host also affect the parasite, but bonuses granted by the same magic item do not stack for the athe.      Spellcasting and other Effects: All harmless spells and effects that affect a joined host also affect the parasite, although any bonuses granted by the spell or effect do not stack for the athe. All mind-affecting spells and effects affect the athe. A remove disease that affects an athe instead acts as a slay living spell on the parasite, and the parasite gains its racial bonus against death effects in this case. All other spells and effects affect only the host and not the parasite.
Skills The parasite has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line. The bonus has been included in the Swim modifier above.
Ecology Parasites that have never joined a host live in pools of electrified water underground. When they become of age they leave the pool to join with a host for the first time. The parasite can live for up to 96 hours outside of the pool before joining its first host. In the event that a host dies, a parasite may or may not re-enter the pool, but still must find a new host within 96 hours of leaving the previous host.      Any non-athe that comes into contact with the athe pool takes 10d6 points of electricity damage per round, or 20d6 points of electricity damage if totally submerged.
Typical Physical Characteristics A parasite alone appears as a tear-drop shaped, fleshy worm the size of a domestic house cat, with no visible eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils, or any other appendages—not even hair. Even though the parasite lacks some obvious features, it can still hear as well as a normal human, and can still taste the environment they exist within (although this may be suppressed while joined). They are naturally blind and cannot speak or smell.      While joined they often exhibit a special lust for life, taking extra time to enjoy looking at things, loving to talk, enjoying touching and manipulating things with their hands, and delighting in all manner of fragrances, even unpleasant odors, since these are things they cannot experience while separated.
Alignment Usually any Neutral.
Society The name of the athe derives from the name of the host and the name of the parasite. The first name is that of the host, while the last name is that of the parasite. Athe parasite names are normally one or two syllable words, with no double consonants or blended consonants. Host names are normal for the individual humanoid subtype race.      Relationships between two individually joined parasites may not continue if either parasite joins to a different host. This is called Reassociation and is frowned upon, bringing shame and dishonor upon the two parasites. For example, the obligated symbiont Sondista Kabak enters a relationship with Y’nar Halar. At some point the host Sondista dies, and the parasite Kabak joins with a new host, Berkel. Now at this time, Berkel Kabak cannot continue or re-enter the relationship with Y’nar Halar, otherwise they will be participating in Reassociation and new hosts will not be provided to the guilty parties.
Typical Treasure Standard treasure.
For Player Characters Racial ability modifiers for the parasite: Str -10 (minimum 1), Dex -8 (minimum 1), Con -6 (minimum 1), Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +2. Racial ability modifiers for the host are normal for the host creature. Roll two separate sets of ability scores—one for the parasite, one for the host—and assign them individually to each creature. Each new host gets its own set of rolled ability scores as well.
Creature as Characters Favored class any and as host. Level adjustment +0.