Plop
"The dripping sound of water filled the subterranean chamber with an ominous cadence. Each wet sound contrasted the silence of the cavern, intensifying the Dwarf's dread. Aberim threatened the shadows, "Whatever ye are, ye kin come out und taste me fist!"
Several slimy splashes alarmed the Dwarf as the stones next to him sizzled with an acidic substance. A burning sensation beneath his cap caused the Dwarf to discard his Rocky Helmet!
A splatter of the viscous liquid nearly ate through the Dwarf's skull! In the darkness, a small globule of slithering slime pushed a red orb along the smooth stones in a pool of its own substance. As the Dwarf turned to warn his companions, he heard a loud "PLOP!" The stalagmite next to him was dissolving!
Forget this! he thought. Not paid enough to deal with Spitting Slimes! "
Plops, otherwise known as Amorpho Blup, is a species of Ooze closely related to the Amorpho Glop, Slime. These invertebrate Ooze seperated and diversified as it evolved through the early eras. As an Ancient species, this living fossil became highly specialized, developing warm-blooded properties, as well as multi-cellular structures.
The Plop as a species of Ooze is a carnivorous and highly acidic creature, able to regurgitate digestive acids at potential prey. Splattered prey are subjected to a disease known as Slimy Sickness, which has lethal consequences untreated.
Elemental variants are common amongst Plops near biomes rich in Elemental Source (Amorpho Prisma Blup).
Basic Information
Anatomy
A Plop appears like other Ooze, but it differs in many ways. The Plop has a red "eye" that swirls within its body. This eye, adorned with a solitary black pupil, spins within its own body, peering through the translucent ichor inside. While it serves as an eye and can be extended through the body upon a stalk or strand, the Plop actually uses this organ to promote regeneration of lost tissue at a rapid pace.
It's exterior is particularly tacky as the fluid sticks to surfaces that it coats. Handling the Plop exposes the subject to Slimy Sickness, a fatal condition which proliferates another Plop. Ooze created this way imprint upon the original Plop if it is available.
Biological Traits
The characteristics that sets the Plop apart from its distant relative, the Slime and the Blob, is the multi-cellular composition of its body. The large red closter of cells that floats within the jelly mass regenerates the Plop, allowing it to lob globs of digestive enzymes. It is misrepresented as the "Spitter Slime" in some regions.
Genetics and Reproduction
The Plop proliferates by contaminating a potential host with the Slimy Sickness condition. When the Plop uses their acid on other Ooze, it has the potential of contaminating them as well, producing a new Plop.
As Plops gain mass, they also "reproduce" through a form of division, known as binary fission. Once it has broken down into smaller parts, each form their own "eye" and begin to move as individual Plop.
Growth Rate & Stages
Plops grow by accumulating other Ooze and Plop into its form. These creatures can grow from Small to Medium Size in this manner. Once they reach a certain mass, the Plop divides, creating new Plops. A Medium sized Plop separated by a weapon may cause the Plop to become two Plops.
A mutation of the Plop caused it to become an aggressive hunter of other Oozes and made it a cannibal among other Plop. A million years of this caused the species to separate, creating two groups: those that specifically belong to the Amorpho Blup species and those that lost the contagion for Slimy Sickness and divided, the Amorpho Poleu, also known as a Morph. These Ooze have a unique ability to shift and change to resemble other forms, even adopting pigmentations and textures.
An uncommon mutation may occur within the Plop that causes it to behave differently during the process of division. Instead, a hive mind forms from leftover material, forming a strand of Ooze known as a Pylop. These Ooze are able to create other Plops from its body.
Ecology and Habitats
Plops live underground, in subterranean environments where they can thrive. Their eye is keen on picking up natural sources of light in the darkness, allowing them to stalk potential prey through the depths.
Dietary Needs and Habits
A Plop naturally seeks living creatures. While the acid it secretes can dissolve inorganic material, it is also damaging to living material. The wounds congeal and quickly subject the victim to Slimy Sickness. Those it slays through this process, the Plop devours by draining blood. A Plop's translucent interior will turn red as it is feeding, swirling around the central eye.
Plops hunt other Ooze, as well. When it encounters an Ooze, it will attempt to melt through its exterior wall and pierce the inside of the subject with its "eye" stalk, devouring the Ooze from within.
Biological Cycle
A Plop is prone to long periods of dormancy, especially in cold environments. It reserves its energy for hunting. It may remain dormant for weeks before needing to move once more.
Behaviour
These simple creatures act on their animalistic instincts to feed, proliferate, and expand.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Plops are solitary by nature. While the instinct to find other Plops inevitably draws them to one another, Plops will inject their eye stalk into a smaller Plop and inject it with the contagion for Slimy Sickness. The host Plop effectively dies and is reborn as another version of the host Plop. Gangs of Plop are led by the largest of the rivals.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Upon Death, the Plop's eye clouds, becoming a liquified jelly. Handlers must be cautious as the contaminant for Slimy Sickness can be extracted. This substance is known as Plop Goop; a red, sticky substance with a sterile odor. When it is coated on an object or a subject is exposed to it, Plop Goop remains on the surface for 2 hours before evaporating, leaving a red stain.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Plops are found in lakes or rivers, where they are naturally buoyant. This also allows them to hunt for specific aquatic Jellies. They may also be found underground, where they find sources of water. Subterranean environments provide the Plop with a bountiful hunting ground.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The "Eye" within its body can see all around it, providing the Plop with excellent vision. Destroying the eye doesn't cause the Plop to become blind, but it may prevent the Plop from projecting pods. As other Ooze, the Plop is sensitive to tremor vibrations with 20ft of it. The Plop has better visual acuity than other Ooze, able to see low-light in the dark and intuit its surroundings though its vibrational senses.
Civilization and Culture
History
Plops are an Ancient species of Ooze, having evolved from their ancestor, the Amorpho Glop, the common Slime. They moved to warmer regions and spread in forests and hills, local bodies of water, and other places where they could isolate themselves from other Ooze. This allowed them time to evolve the adaptations they have today.
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