Metalhorror

A metalhorror is an artificial life form created by a dark machine intelligence known as an Archotech. They spread throughout their sphere of influence on this RimWorld. Metalhorrors begin their life cycle in a human host. They can be infected through contact with anomalous phenomena or covertly implanted by another Metalhorror. Once the first colonist is infected, the metalhorrors typically infect the others one by one before emerging to attack or fulfill the will of their creator.

As the name suggests, metalhorror bodies are made of metal. This metal is maintained and regenerated by a circulating dark fluid. While dormant, fluid metalhorrors are hidden in a host body. They use their host to infect others, creating more metalhorrors. If detected or endangered, the metalhorror will form an exoskeleton and cut its way out of the host's flesh. An emerged metalhorror will eventually enter a low-energy hibernating state if left undisturbed.

Metalhorrors are intelligent and quite smart. While in the host's body, they can control it to pretend to be them, using their knowledge and skills.

They will never leave scars or kill their host when emerging. Unconscious and incapacitated people will still receive damage albeit to a lesser extent. Former metal horror hosts usually survive if they receive timely medical attention, and their personalities return. However, a metalhorror can make the infection cause the host itself to transform into a metalhorror, transferring their consciousness into a new body.

You can become infected with a metalhorror in the following ways:

• Sleeping in the same bed
• During any medical intervention performed by a person infected with metalhorror.
• Through food prepared by a person infected with metalhorror.
• If a person infected with metalhorror feeds you something.

When an mature metalhorror emerges, it forms an exoskeleton and becomes a robot-like creature that resembles a gorgeous human woman with a dark gray exterior and subtle gold accents. It has childbearing hips and soft, thick, but powerful thighs. The center of a its body is covered by a jumpsuit that resembles a futuristic one-piece swimsuit. For added protection, its legs are covered in stockings and its hands are covered in elbow-length gloves. All of these elements are made of the same metal. Its unique surface structure gives a mature metalhorror's body a soft, pleasant texture. The soft, bountiful breasts of a metalhorror serve as a heat sink. In the event of overheating, the top of the jumpsuit can be opened to expose their red-hot "breasts" to the cold air and cool off. This cooling process is quite enjoyable and refreshing for a metalhorror. They can manipulate the shape of their body to a certain extent, forming metal blades and tools.