Bitewisp

“A Bitewisp is panic distilled—primitive, eager, obedient to nothing but the scent of cortisol. Most RAIs bargain with fear; Bitewisps simply eat it. You don’t negotiate with a storm cloud, you endure it. Or you learn to aim it.”

— Madame Soki Noles, Commentary on Reactive Verminous Phenomena

Description

Bitewisps are Verminous RAIs that manifest as drifting, cloud-like masses of thin, threadlike filaments. From afar, they resemble harmless wisps of fog or loose cobweb vapors. Up close, the truth becomes clear: each wisp is a microscopic tendril capable of anchoring itself to nervous tissue, either through a subspace shadow or directly through the body. They do not fly in realspace; instead, they undulate in microgravity or cling to surfaces, flowing like an airborne mold seeking points of contact.

Once they touch a host, even briefly, the threads rapidly synchronize with the victim’s neural rhythm. Within seconds, they hijack the body’s stress response, forcing the adrenal and limbic systems into catastrophic overdrive. The sudden dump of adrenaline, cortisol, and fear-induced neurotransmitters produces the immediate terror Bitewisps feed on. If things escalate into rash, shame-inducing actions—panic attacks, violence, impulsive decisions—the lingering emotional aftershocks provide a long-lasting food supply. Higher RAIs sometimes use Bitewisps to soften targets for later manipulation, but Bitewisps themselves lack the will to puppet or guide; they simply amplify whatever catastrophic impulse already exists.

In realspace, a host touched physically by a Bitewisp will experience erratic, inappropriate emotional reactions—anger where calm is needed, fear where courage is required, hesitation in moments of clarity. In subspace, the effect is subtler but more pernicious: dredging up old guilt, intrusive memories, and festering doubt. Bitewisps do not choose “sides.” Directed by a Kthoniker’s will, they can just as easily be used against allies—forcing someone into a battle rage or a blind panic—as they are used on enemies.

Defenses

The simplest defense is avoidance. Physical contact is the Bitewisp’s vector; environmental sealing, tight suits, and barrier fields block their filaments completely. If contamination occurs, emotional damping drugs such as anizolinol can starve them by suppressing panic and guilt responses. Psychological grounding, meditative breathing, and slow-wave brain modulation also weaken their ability to trigger adrenal spikes.

Subspace interactions are best countered with cognitive discipline—Seekers teach “cold-mind” meditation specifically to withstand these Vermin. Electromagnetic scrubbing fields can disperse the wisps physically, and in extreme cases, a medical coma deprives them of all emotional sustenance. Higher intelligences often abandon Bitewisps that fail to produce rapid results; their short attention span is, ironically, a key vulnerability.

Utility

Bitewisp as Material

Captured Bitewisps can be shaped into volatile subspace filaments used for:
• reactive trip-charms
• “panic wards”
• adrenal stimulants
• berserker triggers
• guilt-inducing interrogation tools

• Chemical cocktails and illicit drugs

Their usefulness is limited—the threads decay quickly outside containment—but kthonikers find them reliable emotional catalysts.

Bitewisp Fight

Regular; Resisted by Will

You channel a Bitewisp’s rage-inducing resonance into a target, triggering the Berserk disadvantage (with the Battle Rage enhancement). The subject becomes violently irrational and compelled to attack perceived threats.

• Duration: 1 minute.
• Cost: 4; cannot be maintained (must be re-cast).

Bitewisp Flight

Regular; Resisted by Will

You invoke the panic-surge of a Bitewisp. The subject must make an immediate Fright Check. On failure, they suffer the Nauseated (Irritating) condition from overwhelming fear. On a critical failure, they flee irrationally, dropping held items if necessary.

• Duration: 30 seconds.
• Cost: 3 to cast, 2 to maintain.

Bitewisp Freeze

Regular; Resisted by Will

You channel Bitewisp paralysis patterns into the target’s mind. On a failed Will roll, the target loses one action per round due to panic-induced hesitation. On a critical failure, they suffer the Paralyzed incapacitating condition for 1d seconds.

• Duration: 10 seconds.
• Cost: 4; 2 to maintain.