✦ Membrane
Composed of a viscous, translucent material, a Buzinya's membrane sits atop its host's head and protects the nucleus within. It may also appear on other parts of the body, such as a limb or tail, and is usually indicative of an injury the Buzinya attempted to heal. Strong digestive enzymes can be found within the membrane, but without a host, it is unlikely the parasite will be able to catch a substantial meal due to their slow movement. While they have the ability to extend their membrane to absorb objects, this is extremely energy-consuming without a host's body to do it for them. These enzymes are powerful enough to digest bone, scales, and even rock.

✦ Antenna
A Buzinya's antenna is an extremely important body part, as it is how they communicate with other disguised members of their species and keep their hivemind connected. Severing or removing the antenna often results in the parasite panicking and evacuating their host, and with no hivemind to guide them, perishing. However, some severed Buzinya are able to get used to the lost connection and become individuals, living normal lives like any other Lythian.

✦ Nucleus
The nucleus of a Buzinya is simplistic, housing the mitochondria — the equivalent of its stomach — and the Nucleolus — the equivalent of its brain. While a mouth is visible on the nucleus, it is used exclusively for communication and not for food ingestion. Instead, microscopic pores found on the nuclear envelope are in charge of this, absorbing any digested nutrients from the membrane cytoplasm into the mitochondria.

✦ Graspers
Around the bottom of the Buzinya's membrane is a set of tentacle-like graspers, which are used both as locomotion for a hostless Buzinya, as well as for grasping onto a chosen host's neck. Once the host's head is fully digested and the rest of the body is overtaken by the Buzinya's cytoplasm, they may opt to hide their graspers due to no longer needing them, while others may keep them out for show.

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Hosts

✦ Lythian
Buzinyas cannot be created via a normal character slot. Instead, players must obtain a Buzinya Parasite item, which can be found in certain shops and explorations. The item can be applied to a pre-existing character to give them the "Infected" label. The character will still be under its original species on the index, but can now be updated to include a Buzinya Form. You can choose to set this form as its main index image or use the FORMula Plus item to unlock an additional, toggle-able image. Alternatively, you can also submit a new character slot and apply your Buzinya Parasite to it to start off with a Buzinya form. However, you must still select another Lythian species to have the Buzinya infect, and follow the base design guidelines of.

✦ Companion
A Buzimew is a smaller, less powerful version of the Buzinya Parasite that can only infect Companion species. Players must obtain a Buzimew Parasite item and apply it to a pre-existing Companion or submit it with a new character slot design. Said Companion will receive "Infected" as a label.

✦ Buzinya
- All guidelines of the host species still apply when infected with a Buzinya unless overridden below.
- When out of illusion but not in attack mode, Buzinyas must be visible through the species' skull.
- The Buzinya must consist of two parts: the nucleus and the membrane.
- The nucleus is the Buzinya's true body, and must be a simple shape consisting of only one segment.
- Most nuclei only consist of a pair of simple, dot-eyes and a small mouth.
- However, some nuclei have small protrusions such as horns, ears, or wings.
- They may also mimic traits unique to the species they have infected, eg, a Symphony's pouch.
- The membrane is viscous and can mimic the original shape of the host's head.
- There may be objects in or protruding from the membrane. Rarely, some buzinyas will even have multiple nuclei.
- Facial features and head appendages may also be formed by the membrane.
- Alternatively, the Buzinya may choose to retain the host's original ears, horns, and/or hair.
- Buzinyas must have at least one antenna protruding from the top of their membrane, or from the nucleus and out the membrane.
- The antenna can be any length but must be tipped with a shape or object.
- Buzinyas have graspers for latching onto their host, which may be visible through their illusions.
- These graspers may be any style but do not exceed the length of the host's neck.
- The membrane can appear elsewhere on the host, but must be less than 50% of the overall design.
- The nucleus can range in size, but should be visible and fit within the membrane.

✦ Buzimew
- All guidelines of the host species still apply when infected with a Buzimew unless overridden below.
- Buzimews follow all of the same guidelines as Buzinyas with a few exceptions.
- Buzimew membranes will take over the "head segment" or other key parts of the companion.
- This may be over 50% of the overall design depending on the companion species' anatomy.

Origin Tale

Behoulos

There was one. One who wanted to see the world. One who wanted to explore the realms. One who wanted to see many new faces, to experience friendships and bonds, to know what it's like to live life surrounded by love, but her attempts were met with fear. She wanted to be among the others, but they wanted nothing to do with her. Reluctantly, she accepted her fate, outcasting herself away from everyone, never to be seen again. She wept and sobbed to herself, wishing once more that she could experience the outside, wishing to reach an understanding.

There was one, and now there's more. Every tear wept became her child, listening to her woes of wanting to be able to live in the safety, of love, of kindness. Her children would comfort her, tell her they will travel the world in her stead, tell her that they'll share their stories of their discoveries. Overcome with emotion, she sent her children off happily, wishing them well in finding their place in the realms.

If everyone else deserves to live, why not them?

A Buzinya does not do well on its own without a host. They are fragile and slow-moving, and don't have the means to put up an illusion. As a result, some may be drawn to other Buzinyas with hosts and ride along with them, sometimes resulting in them being given to unknowing Lythians as "pets". Others may go into total hiding until a suitable body happens to pass by.

How did your Buzinya find their host? Were they in a desperate situation, or did they get off easy? Were there any witnesses? You may depict your Buzinya either separately or already attached to their host.

I have a baby Lythian, will I need to do this Origin Quest?
No! The Buzinya Origin Quest is completely optional at all times. For babies, you should focus on the host's Origin Quest only. Completing this Origin Quest will not allow you to grow a baby Lythian. The Buzinya badge can be earned in addition to the host's Origin Quest badge.

Can I use a Subspecies Potion to make my Lythian/Companion infected?
No, as Buzinyas and Buzimews are not a subspecies. They are their own separate thing!

Can I remove a Lythian/Companion's infected state?
At this current time, no. Infection is currently a permanent status on a Lythian/companion and cannot be removed, even with something like Scissors of Redesign. However, there seems to be talk of a certain few folk working together to create a cure...

Am I allowed to draw my Infected Lythian/Companion with their illusion in art without an alt form on their Index?
Yes! However, only the areas covered in cytoplasm can be changed from the index art. If a FORMula Plus is used to add a toggleable image, more drastic changes can be made between the illusion and undisguised forms. Additionally, the illusion should not change between images without using a FORMula Plus to approve alternate depictions.
Do note however, Companions cannot display alt forms on their Index Entry and can only be drawn in their illusion through art.

Can I make a Crossbreed infected for free?
No, the "Infected" indicator cannot be freely applied to Crossbreeds as Buzinyas don't count as a body type or subspecies. You will need the proper item to apply it!

Can a Buzinya be a Crossbreed's parent species?
No, as Buzinyas aren't currently recognized as a species in the game's system.