When affected by the final stage of rendworm infestation, rendworm larvae develop within the infected creature, transforming it into a rendworm host and releasing chemicals that trigger recklessness and delirium. Rendworm hosts can be identified by the bumpy, blue, winding rash that spreads over the host's body and the noticeable movement of wriggling creatures under the skin—a condition colloquially called “thorny rime.”

You can turn an existing living creature into a rendworm host using the following steps.

Increase the creature's level by 1 and change its statistics as follows.

• It gains the aberration trait.
• The rendworm host gains resistance 5 to cold and weakness 5 to fire.

Rendworm Host Abilities

All rendworm hosts gain the following abilities.

Darkvision
Rendworm Eruption When a rendworm host is reduced to 0 Hit Points by anything other than fire damage, its body ruptures, spawning a number of rendworms equal to half its level, rounded down.
Self-Destructive Frenzy [free-action] Requirements The rendworm host isn't confused or already in a frenzy; Trigger The rendworm host takes damage; Effect The rendworm host gains the confused condition in a frenzy that lasts for 3 rounds. While confused, the rendworm host gains a +1 circumstance bonus to attack rolls, a +2 circumstance bonus to damage rolls, and a –2 circumstance penalty to AC. The rendworm host can't voluntarily stop this frenzy.