Scourge

The Scourge are a species of parasitic organisms that consume and infect living organisms to grow and reproduce. The Scourge often targets creatures of at least animal intelligence, as each new host added to the Scourge increases its overall general intelligence.

Origin
Originally created by the Arakeen to act as a bioweapon in their war against the titans, the Scourge is similar to a highly contagious virus. It reproduces by flooding the victim's body with parasitic spores. These spores then slowly consume the victim's body from the inside out. This typically results in death of the host, which is then promptly reanimated. As each new member joins the ranks of the Scourge, it becomes more and more intelligent. The Scourge's primary goal is to collect enough biomatter to grow a broodnexus. From there, it begins to spread outward to other planets, growing and transforming all life it comes into contact with.

Organisms
The Scourge is an amalgam of various different species that have been assimilated and stored as genetic information within the Scourge parasite. Each organism is created to accomplish a specific task, such as infection, combat, support, reclamation, and so on. The following is all of the Scourge organisms that have been encountered to date:

More to come....

Cerebrates
These claw-like structures made from Scourge biomatter that are actually living organisms created to better direct and control the Scourge. Unlike all other organisms, cerebrates develop individual personalities, thought-patterns, and behaviors, typically as the result of lived experience. Cerebrates are the best weapon in the Scourge's arsenal, as they excellent tacticians and are equipped to adapt to virtually any shifts in battlefield conditions. Cerebrates are effectively immortal; when the cerebrate structure is destroyed it's thought patterns are stored in the greater Scourge hivemind. They can then be reconstituted at a different location to continue their charge.

Broodnexus
The broodnexus is the largest organism comprised entirely out of Scourge biomatter. They are typically the size of large cities, dozens of miles in diameter. Large spires jut out from the top of the broodnexus, piercing the sky with pale fleshy appendages. These spires allow the broodnexus to broadcast its psychic directives to Scourge all across the planet. At the center of the broodnexus is a large, bloody, lidless eye, located deep underground. This is the heart, mind, and soul of the Scourge.

Structures
The Scourge employ a variety of structures to further their goals.

Bio-Vat
These grotesque mounds of biomatter are the primary production structure for Scourge organisms. They appear as fleshy pustules that grow virtually anywhere there is Scourge biomatter. Inside, organisms are grown by the dozens before the pustule bursts, depositing the newly grown organism.

Overview
The Scourge can be categorized into six distinct stages, each representing a linear increase in the Scourge's growing intelligence and capability.

Stage 1
The initial stage of the Scourge is also the easiest to contain. Each member of the possesses little more than an animal intelligence, regardless of the original host. They do not think critically, instead acting entirely on instinct.

Stage 2
The second stage, and the most common, is when the Scourge parasite begins to evolve new creatures. This is done only after a large amount of biomatter has been collected, usually in the form of host bodies or corpses.

Stage 3
Also referred to as the 'infestation stage', the Scourge begins to release large quantities of spores into the air. The spores then settle into plant and animal life, as well as into the soil and earth. From there, the Scourge begins to change the environment to better suit its needs.

Stage 4
As the Scourge biome is created it begins to spread across the surface of its host world. At this stage, cerebrates are created to better direct the actions of the Scourge, with the overall goal of creating a broodnexus.

Stage 5
The deadliest stage, stage 5, is when the Scourge have achieved enough intelligence to create their own starvessels using Scourge biomatter. They begin to launch themselves at other planets, furthering the infection and starting the process over again.