Bloom Parasite

 | Feature | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Species** | *Teuthis vrykolakas* ("Vrykolakas squid") | | **Attitude** | Aggressive | | **Type** | Mobile | | **Category** | Bloom | | **Biome** | Around uncured Blooms |   ![Bloom Parasite](Bloom Parasite.png)   The **Bloom Parasite** is a small, aggressive Bloom organism.   ## Appearance   The Bloom Parasite features an elongated, armless, cephalopod-like body with a heavily distorted anatomy resulting from its advanced Bloom infection.   The front half of the creature is covered in a mottled, grayish-silver hide with overlapping, scale-like plating. It possesses two pairs of long, translucent, leaf-shaped fins that feature a faint pinkish-red inner membrane; one pair sprouts upward from the top of the head, while an identical pair of pectoral fins slopes downward underneath. There are no visible gills on the Bloom Parasite.   The anterior tip terminates in a dark, midnight-blue to black chitinous beak that splits vertically. Protruding directly from the center of this beak is a long, rigid, cyan-colored feeding tube used to pierce hosts and drain fluids. The posterior half of the creature dissolves into a chaotic tangle of pale, sinuous tendrils and exposed tissue. Overgrowing this rear structure are multiple massive, bulbous nodules of a vibrant cyan hue.   ## Behaviour   Bloom Parasites live near Angel Combs and briefly stare at their target before rushing to bite. They can be killed with a Sonic Resonator or a Feedback Resonator.   ## Databank Entry   > **Bloom Parasite** > > A beaked, armless cephalopod (similar to squid) that feeds on blood and body fluids. Massively infected with a large RNA virus (generated name: Proteavirus beta) that alters its behavior. > > **1. Eyeless parasite** > The bloom parasite (*Teuthis vrykolakas*) preys on larger organisms by scent and magnetic perception, using its powerful beak to cut an incision and insert a rasping tongue (the radula). It feeds until dislodged by the host or a symbiotic cleaner, or until its stomach fills. > > **2. Viral infection** > This specimen is infected by bloom virus (Proteavirus beta), which has suppressed its immune system and grown bacterial colonies across the parasite. The virus is replicating in the parasite's central nervous system, altering its behavior. > > **3. Vector of viral spread** > The parasite compulsively spreads its viral payload to host organisms. It prefers to target large predators. The virus transfers to the host's nervous system in a similar manner to terrestrial rabies, producing increased aggression and vicious guarding behavior around other Proteavirus beta-infected organisms. > > **4. Sonic resonance vulnerability** > Enormous volumes of Proteavirus beta form crystals in the parasite's tissue. These crystals can be disrupted with sonic resonance. The parasite may be wounded or killed by this treatment. > > **Assessment:** compels predators to defend other bloom organisms. Treat infected predators by resonating attached parasites. Most ethical systems assign limited value to parasites; disgust is a frequent instinctive response. Recommend consultation with a chaplain-psychiatrist for further reflection.   ## Gallery   ### In-game   ![Side view of the Bloom Parasite.](Bloom Parasite side.png) ![Front view of the Bloom Parasite.](Bloom Parasite front.png) ![Top view of the Bloom Parasite.](Bloom Parasite top.png) ![Bloom parasite Back view.](Bloom Parasite back.png) ![Multiple parasites infecting a Marrowbreach.](Bloom Parasite infecting Marrowbreach 3.png)   ### Other   ![Steam page screenshot featuring an earlier Bloom Parasite model.](SN2 Storepage4.jpg)   ## Trivia  -* Bloom parasites are the only complex lifeform in the Subnautica series that the player is actively encouraged to kill with a weaponized tool.+*   Bloom parasites are the only complex lifeform in the Subnautica series that the player is actively encouraged to kill with a weaponized tool.