Arahtess(Juvenile)

The Arahtess is a parasite of all the humanoid races in this world. Through their phases of life, they, in one way or another, depend on these humanoids to thrive. The eggs of an Arahtess are laid within a Paralyzed body, procured by their mother. 100s of eggs hatch within these not-quite-cadavers, where they begin to digest their host for sustenance. These babies are violent, and will kill most of their siblings in competition for resources, until only a fraction of the babies remain. Eventually, after some time eating, the remaining offspring burrow out of the body, now Juveniles.

The Arahtess has a round, sleek body no larger then a closed fist, but has 4 long, thin, flexible, many-jointed legs, giving it the size of a small dog. It's exoskeleton is a shiny, deep black, so that you could not spot it in the night. Juvenile Arahtess usually travel with their siblings, and attack groups of people that have either the same amount or less individuals then it's own group. Each of the Arahtess' legs come to a point, and can inject a venom which causes loss of consciousness and short-term amnesia. The Arahtess attacks by leaping, legs first, at a person, piercing it's limbs into them, and letting the venom put them to sleep. After which, it crawls into the victims mouth, and curls itself up into the stomach. When the person awakes, the amnestic effects of the venom go to work, and they cannot remember being attacked. Instead, from the victims perspective, they were living their life, and then blacked out, before awaking.

While the victim lives life, the Arahtess feeds off what their victim eats, allowing their legs to thicken and elongate. It continues to fold it's legs onto itself in order to fit into the stomach. A fifth, egg laying limb begins to grow as well. Victims often report a constant feeling of hunger, as the Arahtess takes the nutrients of food eaten for itself. After the Arahtess has grown to maturity (usually in about 2 weeks), the creature begins to prepare for it's final stage of life. It grows hair-like organs into the nose of the victim, allowing the creature to smell and hear the outside world. Then, it waits. It doesn't want to reveal itself in a populated area, or it will be quickly killed. So it waits, up to a month, perhaps even longer, waiting for it's host to be in the perfect position. It wants a few people around, so it has quick and easy access to more victims, without the threat of being ganged up on. Maybe the victim's alone in the house, with their spouse and kids. Maybe their huddled around the campfire with friends, isolated in the wilderness. Or maybe, a group of adventures walk by the victim on some lone path.

Once it finds it's perfect opportunity, it sprouts. Sometimes, three limbs come out the mouth, while two other unravel into the legs, letting it walk. Other times, 4 limbs go to 4 limbs, piercing out the hands and feet, with the 5th extra limb growing out of the throat, choking the screams. Yet other times, all 5 limbs creep out the mouth or burst out the stomach, leaving the body to simply hang along the source of the limbs. Whatever way the Arahtess chooses, it now hunts. It's limbs are now covered in a paralyzing venom, which it uses to make living bodies for it's eggs, so they have fresh meat to eat.

When dealing with an Arahtess, trust nothing. Not your friends, who could be hosts. Not your memories, which are alterable. And not the bodies, because they are alive. Watch their eyes, and watch how they follow you.