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Description
As always, a contest entry done right on the deadline day. Oh well! here's some blurb on this lousy louse:

Name: Ixoigo
Blood Type: Sectid
Zoh: Venom/Trap
Specifics: Cannot battle on own when mature
Fusion Compatibility: Arbora, Necro, Xeno
Juvenile dimensions: Length 2'06", Weight 35 lbs
Mature dimensions: Length 2'11", Weight 60 lbs
Habitat: swamps, rainforests

"An uncommon sectid with an infamous life cycle, Ixoigo are one of the few known monsters to have a higher overall usability in their juvenile state than when mature.

Beginning life as four-inch long cryptically-colored larvae, Ixoigo scuttle about the forest floor, consuming detritus for a period of four to six weeks, going through a series of molts in the process. After their fourth molt a healthy juvenile will have reached a length of around 2 feet, and will begin seeking live prey. It is this nymphal stage that is considered most amenable to training by a monseer, as it has not yet developed the intimidating intellect of a full adult.

Parasites by nature, adult Ixoigo are invariably found latched onto the heads (or nearest equivalent) of large herbivores or carnivores local to their habitat. Unlike many animal parasites however, is their total dominance of the relationship. An Ixoigo's fourth pair of legs have evolved into extremely long, thin, branched structures that are used to invade the host's muscles and spine. By secreting specific doses of its venom from these filaments, the Ixoigo is able to control the host's body as if it were its own. This union is permanent, and all attempts to separate parasite from host have led to the death of both. The adult Ixoigo is in fact incapable of locomotion on its own, its limbs having atrophied and most of its body mass having converted to brain tissue.

In battle, juvenile Ixoigo will use their already-developed filament structures as nets and tripwires, combining them with neurotoxic aerosols to neutralize direct offensive efforts. They are, however, somewhat fragile in close quarters. Adults are extremely soft-bodied and rely almost entirely on the natural defenses of their host, though their often-increased intelligence compared to their hosts usually means they can use these abilities more strategically."

The high intelligence of adult Ixoigo precludes them from being trained by anyone who is not at least equivalent in skill to an advanced Beji, or even Aaji, as only these sorts of people possess the breadth and depth of knowledge that garners the monster's respect.

It is rumoured that certain Monster tribes in the deep swamps and forests look to Ixoigo-infested individuals as leaders, though these claims have yet to be substantiated with evidence.

Recent advancements in medicine have produced supplements that Monseer may feed to their Ixoigo nymphs to delay the onset of maturation. The oldest known nymph in captivity is 15 years old and counting, thanks to this treatment.

There have been a small number of cases where Ixoigo have attempted to parasitize human beings, with at least one human death recorded (cause of death was determined to be fracturing of the cervical vertebrae due to the weight stress placed upon the neck). The causative factor is believed to be high Zoh levels in the human victim, though any other variables, such as type, remain unknown.

Best of luck to all entrants!

Contest here: narsilion.deviantart.com/

Description
As always, a contest entry done right on the deadline day. Oh well! here's some blurb on this lousy louse:

Name: Ixoigo
Blood Type: Sectid
Zoh: Venom/Trap
Specifics: Cannot battle on own when mature
Fusion Compatibility: Arbora, Necro, Xeno
Juvenile dimensions: Length 2'06", Weight 35 lbs
Mature dimensions: Length 2'11", Weight 60 lbs
Habitat: swamps, rainforests

"An uncommon sectid with an infamous life cycle, Ixoigo are one of the few known monsters to have a higher overall usability in their juvenile state than when mature.

Beginning life as four-inch long cryptically-colored larvae, Ixoigo scuttle about the forest floor, consuming detritus for a period of four to six weeks, going through a series of molts in the process. After their fourth molt a healthy juvenile will have reached a length of around 2 feet, and will begin seeking live prey. It is this nymphal stage that is considered most amenable to training by a monseer, as it has not yet developed the intimidating intellect of a full adult.

Parasites by nature, adult Ixoigo are invariably found latched onto the heads (or nearest equivalent) of large herbivores or carnivores local to their habitat. Unlike many animal parasites however, is their total dominance of the relationship. An Ixoigo's fourth pair of legs have evolved into extremely long, thin, branched structures that are used to invade the host's muscles and spine. By secreting specific doses of its venom from these filaments, the Ixoigo is able to control the host's body as if it were its own. This union is permanent, and all attempts to separate parasite from host have led to the death of both. The adult Ixoigo is in fact incapable of locomotion on its own, its limbs having atrophied and most of its body mass having converted to brain tissue.

In battle, juvenile Ixoigo will use their already-developed filament structures as nets and tripwires, combining them with neurotoxic aerosols to neutralize direct offensive efforts. They are, however, somewhat fragile in close quarters. Adults are extremely soft-bodied and rely almost entirely on the natural defenses of their host, though their often-increased intelligence compared to their hosts usually means they can use these abilities more strategically."

The high intelligence of adult Ixoigo precludes them from being trained by anyone who is not at least equivalent in skill to an advanced Beji, or even Aaji, as only these sorts of people possess the breadth and depth of knowledge that garners the monster's respect.

It is rumoured that certain Monster tribes in the deep swamps and forests look to Ixoigo-infested individuals as leaders, though these claims have yet to be substantiated with evidence.

Recent advancements in medicine have produced supplements that Monseer may feed to their Ixoigo nymphs to delay the onset of maturation. The oldest known nymph in captivity is 15 years old and counting, thanks to this treatment.

There have been a small number of cases where Ixoigo have attempted to parasitize human beings, with at least one human death recorded (cause of death was determined to be fracturing of the cervical vertebrae due to the weight stress placed upon the neck). The causative factor is believed to be high Zoh levels in the human victim, though any other variables, such as type, remain unknown.

Best of luck to all entrants!

Contest here: narsilion.deviantart.com/