Feedback:User/XxxTenebraexxX/Lixus Parasite (Water Breathing)

Another creature that I had posted upon Guildwars2guru, the Lixus was devised under the knowledge that we'll be exploring the depths of Tyria. Designed to be an alternative to the concept of consumable items in order to obtain "Water Breathing" the Lixus won't make these concoctions obsolete...but more so be a permanent alternative with some pros and cons of it's own...namely in the reaction of the NPC world. Greater still was the reaction I got from the community of the community. Few had any problems with the concept itself...but expressed extreme disgust at the thought of a parasite being used to further their character...exactly how I anticipated and incorporated the communal reaction to be. Thus, not only will the NPC world of Guildwars 2 harbor this "racist" mentality towards these parasites...but the actual PLAYER community will as well. You'll truly have individuals who're disgusted by the concept, tolerant but displeased, accepting, embracing, and even potentially people who LOATHE anyone who uses the parasites. This varied degree of player mentality was greatly desired...but not nearly as expected...I was overwhelmingly pleased to see people disgusted by the concept...yet holding no TRUE problem with it. This alone, in my opinion, makes it a good idea.

Regardless, the Lixus strange little creature that latches onto you, appearing like a fleshy backpack with eyes and tendrils coiled about various areas of your body. It binds with the host, namely via the tendrils wrapped tightly around the throat, and becomes a pseudo organ that breaths for you while under water, and you in turn for it while on land.

The animation for such could be quite interesting along the lines of visuals, such as:
 * Eyes of the Lixus roam about and focus on anyone near you.
 * Tendrils squirm slightly, and tighten, around what they coil about.
 * The main body "breaths", swelling and contracting slowly...giving it a truly organic feel.

Artistic Example: (Sorry, MSpaint work)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b390/XxxTenebraexxX/Parasite.jpg

Every species varies in coloration, and they're covered in a slick mucus membrane that gives them a...moist...look.

Lixus Parasite:

Originally, these creatures were seen as quite the threat...not due to their parasitic nature...but the fact that they bound themselves permanently to the host. Countless fishermen and sea fairing merchants who carelessly fell overboard within the vast oceans of Tyria fell victim to these abominations...the strange creatures latching upon their backside like a backpack.

Many attempts were made to remove the beasts, but alas...all methods resulted within the death of the host. Due to the nature in which they attached, those inflicted with the parasite were greatly feared. Through the use of their tentacle-like appendages, the Lixus partially merges with the victim...becoming a sort of pseudo organ.

The masses feared that the minds of those infested may have been altered to serve the needs of the parasites themselves. That, perhaps, this was some sort of invasion from the depths...or at the very least, a potential plague. It was soon decided to exile those with Lixus parasites.

Years passed before a cure to the infliction was finally found, and though not cheap, the parasite could finally be removed safely. Some vendors of this practice even offer to preserve the Lixus alive for further study...at an additional cost of course.

Many rumors were dispelled upon further research of the creatures, namely that they were even intelligent enough to even conceive an invasion. Another important fact lifted the exile upon those whom found themselves victimized by these creatures... The Lixus parasite's young requires salt water to survive, and so no plague could ever reach the surface world.

Skeptical and superstitious minds still loathed the monstrosities...as well as the hosts who bore them. Many feared that Lixus parasites would cause madness or some sort of deep sea disease. Imagine the horror, and disgust, of these individuals when people began choosing to remain host to their parasites...

It was discovered rather quickly that those who bore a Lixus obtained a very unique, and valuable, ability...to breath under water. These creatures, acting as a pseudo organ for their host, breathed for them...while the host did the same for the Lixus on dry land. This opened countless doors for the explorers of Tyria...the ability to traverse the very depths of the oceans themselves!

Still...the Lixus is considered a taboo by most, and an abomination by countless others. Some will even go as far as to commit cold blooded murder to rid the world of both Lixus and host alike...for anyone who harbors the monstrosity surely is as monstrous themselves no?

Basics:
 * The Lixus parasite is a creature in which will sometimes attach itself to a player who swims by, permanently binding itself to the host.


 * Those inflicted with a Lixus are able to permanently breath under water throughout the duration of the creatures bond with them.


 * A Lixus parasite is bound more than just physically with the host, it quite literally becomes an extension of their being. Any slain infected player will respawn with the Lixus parasite still attached.


 * Many NPCs will react differently to a character infected with a Lixus parasite. Some will express curiosity, but most will treat your player negatively. A select few may not even speak to you, while an even fewer amount will actually attack you on site.


 * The only way to remove a Lixus parasite is to pay a specific cost to a vendor providing the service.


 * For an additional cost, the vendor will force the Lixus into a state of suspended animation, making it into an item that can be equipped at a later date. Once equipped, the Lixus awakens and once again permanently binds itself to the host. This allows the selling of the creature, and avoidance of negative responses by NPCs.

Rumors:
 * There are rumors that various species of Lixus exist beyond the more common verity that most know of. In combination to water breathing, they are rumored to imbue the host with additional benefits that aid them in life...thus providing a more suitable host. Increased stats, special abilities, and enhanced health or energy regeneration are some of the rumored boons reaped by the more uncommon and rare species of Lixus.


 * ''On the more negative front, there are also rumors of an intelligent species of Lixus...a dark vicious abomination that does far more than simply feed upon the host...it assimilates them completely. Most Lixus are shy creatures...opportunists that only attach if they feel unthreatend and able to do so without harm...otherwise they skirt away in a cloud of ink.

This rumored malicious species actually attacks the victim and forcefully bonds, then undergoes a progressive assimilation of the prey...converting their body into it's own genetic mass. Rumors started when grotesque horrors were claimed to be spotted within the deepest depths of Tyria's Oceans. Each possessing the face of a Lixus...with the remnants of another specie's face upon its backside...the body converted into a "puppet-like" appendage for the Lixus itself.

Unlike it's more docile, and beneficial, cousins...these Lixus are deemed vastly intelligent, presumably by having absorbed the mind of their host. Sacrificing the victim to increase their bulk...they then become predatory in nature to continue sustaining themselves. Despite the increased intelligence...they maintain a parasitic mind, deviant and vicious...though...these are just rumors, right?''

XxxTenebraexxX 01:04, 5 March 2010 (UTC)