Parasitic Invaders from "Conspiracy" (TNG)

[Captain Marxx]

Anyone have any stats (or effects) for the Parasitic Invaders for the CODA system? I thought they'd be in the Creature book, but they aren't, and I wanted to include them in my next Series.

Thanks for any help!

Marxx

[D.S.McBride]

I brought this topic up in another thread, and was informed by Mr. Burke that the "Conspiracy" parasites are apparently featured in TNG's sourcebook. Decipher doesn't have this particular work cited on their "Due Out In..." list, so I think it's best to assume that it'll be well into '04 before we get to see the official stats on these scuttling little monsters.

I had worked up the Icon-based effects that these creatures would have on humanoid-types, and while I don't have the stats immediately at hand (the game was several years ago and far away), I remember that they increased Fitness by one, with an additional +1 to both Strength and Vitality scores. Advantages included Excellent Metabolism, High Pain Threshold and Toughness. Disadvantages were Arrogant and Mental Weakness (-1), the definition of which is that the parasite was unable to access long-term memories of the host organism.

The Coda Edges and Flaws would, I think, be roughly equivalent (although one thing I never really addressed was whether the parasite retains all the memories, skills and experiences drawn from previous hosts - probably the Trill rules would be applicable if the Narrator saw fit to pursue this path) but the stats issue - do they get a +2 to Strength and Vitality? Plus-3? Plus-5? Do they get a Stamina bonus? - would bear some debate.

[Balok]

I would not allow them to retain access to previous host memories.

They interact with larger organisms in the same way a man might interact with a horse. They ride the individual for awhile, then leave. While there, they can use the memories of that person, sort of (at least well enough to ape the person).

This, of course, is my take on it, and there's nothing canon that I'm aware of that goes into it, one way or the other.

Also, it was at least implied that the mother creature is important to them. It seems likely that the "young" cannot function effectively without her, so it might be that they're not individually intelligent, but more like a colony.

Perhaps infection occurs like this: the initial parasite, given time, "grows" into a mother creature. At this point, it is inseperable from the host. It then begins to spawn more parasites with which to control those around it. The most such hosts it acquires, the smarter it becomes, as it uses their minds.

[Captain Marxx]

Do you think Mr. Burke could give us some idea on how the stats are going to look like? Just a point of reference, if possible....

Marxx

[GnarleyWoodsman]

Would you believe that those creatures were supposed to be the precursor to the Borg invasion? Initially Gene Roddenberry had envisioned them as an insectoid race. These were supposed to be the first wave...to weaken the Alpha quadrant. Incidentally, the episoe "The Neutral Zone" which heralds the ominous return of the Romulans contains another hint to the upcoming threat. All of the outposts that simply went missing along the border on both sides which drew the Romulans across the border were indeed scooped up by the Borg aswell. The same as the incidents described in "The Best of Both Worlds Pt. 1"

[Phantom]

Why would the Borg use an organic species as a precusor to invasion? One Tactical Cube is usually enough to subdue most systems.

[C5]

I don't think at that time that the writers had set the Borg as the Cube-dwelling unstoppable cyborgs we all know and love. Hey, the Borg even changed between Q Who ? and Best of Both Worlds, so they can change even more when they've not even appeared on screen.

[Doug Burke]

Originally posted by Captain Marxx
Do you think Mr. Burke could give us some idea on how the stats are going to look like? Just a point of reference, if possible....

Unfortunately, since the book is still in development, it's a little too early to do so. The information therein may change...

[Captain Marxx]

Hmmm...well, can any other Narrators help me out? I saw some +1, +2, but from what I saw in "Conspiracy"...would doubling their strength be appropriate? And Vitality? Any other special abilities?

Also, since I'm running a sequal to the initial invasion (set just after the Dominion War), how would you envision the Parasitic Invaders have adapted to make the second go around better? Obviously, removing the need for the gill....but any other suggestions?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[GnarleyWoodsman]

Being that the initial infiltration failed, but that Remmeck(The mother creature in control) got off a message to the main force is a great excuse to change up thier methods.

I would have the creatures adapt by having the protrusion insert into airpath in the trachea. A reverse of what had been done before. Symptoms for non infested Players or Npcs to notice would include. Heavier breathing. Rather difficult to notice. Impossible if you've never met the person prior to infestation.

As far as thier affect on the host. I would increase Strength and Stamina by +2. Or I would make the infested character either immune or highly resistant to the negative effects of damage. I mean C'mon a 70 year old Admiral taking a direct kick to the face from Wil Riker! Without even so much as flinching!!!

As far as thier stratagey. They would have to be more careful about the rerouting of key personnel. It was subtle before, and virtually undetectable. Starfleet and Federation security/Intelligence would still be aware and watch for patterns.

You said you game would take place post Dominion war. Well you could have the creatures use the war to cover thier movements. Now that the war is over resources are being rearranged anyway. Again you'll want to subvert medical and scientific personnell first. Then Command followed by security. This means that the operations personnel (the people who actually run Starfleet) are the least affected. This would also make sense as the creatures may not be technologically adept with our equipment.


Well there are my suggestions. I hope thier helpful.
Good Gaming!

[Captain Marxx]

Thanks, those were great suggestions! I'm planning on banding PCs from a couple of empires onto a "rogue's" vessel to sort of set the stage for the series. This would include a squad of Jem'Hadar and accompanying Vorta, possibly a Romulan or Cardassian, a Starfleet Captain and possibly some other Ensigns or Non-Coms. Problem is keeping them emotionally invested in a common goal.

I mean, why the *heck* would a Starfleet Captain accept the request of a squad of Jem'Hadar to join the vessel. The one idea I came up with was having the Founders deliver the only live specimen of the parasites into the Captain's hands (as well as having the manpower of 6 Jem'Hadar). But so close after the Dominion War? And what could the Federation (er, Starfleet Captain) glean that the Founders couldn't? The Founders are pretty adept at genetics and biological manipulation.

Any other suggestions?

[Dan Gurden]

BIG SPOILER. Especially post Dominion War.
Anyone reading the DS9 relaunch novels stop here.
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Well, if you want a look at the tactics, and even a natural enemy of the Parasites then you should read the DS9 relauch, as they appear in both 'The Lives of Dax' during TOS times and in the final two 'Mission Gamma' Novels... Events are left standing a little and so they will make another appearance I am sure...

This should help you a bit.

But in the meantime, heres some old ICON material to help you along
right here.

[GnarleyWoodsman]

Tough one. But heres a thought. The Founders are "Essentially" under Odo's sway. He has a soft spot for the Federation. He would want the Alpha quadrant to know about any new threats.

It's a tough game to pull off well imho. There is the question why the Jem'Hadar are sent. For the most part were not talking a strong military incursion, but a suttle subversion. Then the fact that any Cardassian crew members would probably hold strong animosity toward any Dominion forces, ally or no. I would probably use the Vorta and leave it at that.

Though if you have a good story point later that requires the Jemmies I can understand you introducing them.

Keeping a multi-national crew focussed is not so easy. If they are all assigned to the mission by thier respective governments then
they just follw orders aand work together. However, if they are there outside of the codes of conduct....the whole thing could blow up.

[Captain Marxx]

I think Odo's presence needs to be felt more. I'll weigh in with him in the prologue. Nice idea there. As for working together, they are linked through tragedy. The Starfleet Captain has lost his ship (and entire crew) to a few infested officers (and is thought dead). The rogue has had his sister taken over by the creatures. The Romulan had his family rounded up by the Tal Shiar. I was thinking of having the Klingons close their borders (continuing the paranoia they felt just prior to the Dominion War) and the Tholians to play a much more aggressive role in the galaxy.

Setting up episodes are hard. Discovering more about the threat could be interesting, but I'd like to involve the Borg, 8472, Tholians, and some of the Core races. Granted, having all of them would be tough, but finding some sort of link to tie them into the plot would be nice. 8472 would be a nice tie-in, but they've been in Fluidic space when the initial Conspiracy took place. I was thinking of using modified Borg nanoprobes as a way to counteract the threat. This would involve some Borg contact. Maybe a run at Romulan space to secure a cloaking device. Tholians....hmmm....could they be rivals in the PCs quest? But why? I was hoping to involve them a lot more...

Nice thoughts about the Mission Gamma series...I haven't read the books (and will), but - wait - SPOILER:
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I think it would make sense for the Trill Symbionts to be enemies of the parasitic invaders. How could I role that into the plot. A decisive threat against Trill. Maybe I should encourage one of the players to be Trill.

[QuantumRabbit]

Parasitic invaders vs trill symbiots???

Anyone else sensing that this is rapidly becoming Stargate? Goa'uld vs Tok'ra?

Goa'uld like the parasites emrely take over bodies for their whims, and Tok'ra like the trill only use willing hosts...