Path of Parasites

******TRIGGER WARNING! This subclass has features and descriptions that may trigger Trypophobia. ********



Barbarians are known for going to extreme lengths to gain the upper hand in battle. Some barbarians take those extreme lengths to dangerous and terrifying levels, however. Path of Parasite barbarians allow their bodies to become host to a deadly swarm of parasitic creatures that enhance their physical prowess. Over time, these barbarians become nothing short of shambling husks, walking hives for their uncontrollable infestation. All barbarians want that extra edge, but the Path of Parasites asks 'how far are you willing to go?'

Hatchery

Starting at 3rd level, your body becomes infested with a dangerous parasite. Writhing egg sacs begin to appear in deep open pits embedded in your flesh. When you enter a rage, your increased energy awakens your parasites and causes them to hatch, violently bursting out of the husk that is your body.

For the duration of your rage, the awakened parasites swarming all over your body constantly search for other sources of food. Whenever you deal melee damage to a creature, some of your parasites crawl into the open wound you created, burrowing deep under the skin of the creature.

A creature damaged this way gains a "Parasite" stack. Creatures with Parasite stacks take 1d4 necrotic damage per stack at the start of their turn. A creature infested with Parasite stacks may use an action on their turn to deal 2d10 slashing damage to themselves to carve out the tunneling parasites. If they do so, they remove all stacks.

Deadly Host

Starting at 6th level, the parasites living inside you have hollowed out your body cavities for hive structures and egg clusters, and can quickly reconstruct their new home to better suit their needs. When you enter a rage, your parasites sense the change in conditions and reshape your body for combat.

Whenever you enter a rage, you may choose to lose up to 5 points of your Armor Class. When you do so, unnecessary body parts slough off and fall to the ground while your striking arm becomes reinforced with fibrous membranes. For the duration of your rage, any melee weapon attack you make deals bonus necrotic damage equal to the amount of sacrificed armor class you chose.

Parasitic Perfection

At 10th level, you have reached near completion. Almost your entire body has been replaced by your parasites and the structures they grow within. Eggs and larva squirm through your bloodstream, your skin seems to move constantly with sub-dermal tunneling. Even your eyes have the occasional grasping tendril wriggling around.

Whenever you take damage, thousands of parasites burst forth from your body and begin to tunnel their way into any open orifice they can find from a nearby creature. Whenever a creature deals melee damage to you, it gains a Parasite Stack. In addition, you now implant two Parasite Stacks instead of one from the Hatchery feature.

Assimilation

Beginning at 14th level, you have become a perfect host for your parasites, with very little of your original body left unchanged. Your parasites now spread outward in a writhing mass from your flesh, digging into new hosts through the mouth, nostrils, eardrums, or corneas.

Whenever a creature ends their turn within 20 feet of you, you may have that creature gain three Parasite Stacks. In addition, your parasites have evolved grasping hooked tendrils and barbs to stay put within these new hosts. A creature must now deal 3d12 slashing damage to dig out these more persistent parasites.