Ossein

Born in a barren world the Osseins have fought through generations of strife to survive let alone make a working society. Osseins are a symbiotic parasite that once it takes root in a creature it produces a bone-like exoskeleton on the creature acting as further protection. As once it has chosen a host it can not be removed without dying. As it uses the host's own cells and proteins to complete the process which can take up to two years to complete. Osseins infect whoever they can to survive and fortunately take on the intelligence of the race it inhabits. On the planet Aravath you will see many creatures with flayed skin and outward bone structure. A primitive race of desert dwellers came to worship the Ossein as they used them for survival. It was this action that allowed the Ossein to breed without worry. For Centuries the cultivation of the parasite led to a prosperous symbiotic relationship. The Ossein main challenge was to be eaten and not die in the process to start affecting the host. Being the size of a child's fist that was no small feat.