Rougher

The Phyte is a deadly, caustic substance for the sapient races on Cultivo. Continuous contact can kill within seconds, and even if that's severed, Phlight annihilates the body from point of contact within minutes. The only fate Phyte has for people is a quick and painful death.
The same kindness can not be considered for the non-sapient.
Animals touched by Phyte are mutated, turned into Roughers. Creatures' evolutionary traits exaggerate, amplifying to an unnatural degree; they become stronger, faster, more clever. If this wasn't bad enough, the infection also changes their nature, self preservation becomes a distant second to their new instinct; hunt and destroy all sapient life.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Roughers can be differentiated from normal animals by their exaggerated proportions. Deer with longer, ganglier legs and horns that come to knife-like points. Snakes with scales that look more like plate mail, fangs that ooze globs of caustic acid. They're often bigger than their uninfected brethren, but not always.

Genetics and Reproduction

The few individuals successfully dissected before dissolving show that the Phyte accelerates and amplifies the whole body. Bone builds thicker, muscles are double or triple-woven, allowing for faster, stronger movements. Dominant organs are effected most. In addition, genetic analysis suggests that the DNA of the infected becomes free of flaws, even if defects or deformities were present prior to infection. Reproduction is accelerated at an explosive rate. Animals will give birth in days, rather than months and the offspring mature within a matter of minutes. In addition, with each new generation of Rougher, the beast's traits will exaggerate more and more. Reproduction of animals has not been observed, but it can be inferred, both from the way the Phyte affects animals, and the accelerated growth and reproduction of @[Toughers](species:63a9ca78-f831-4c5c-a2d5-9bf062547c8bs that if the offspring is not a Rougher in the womb, then exposure at birth will certainly turn them.

Growth Rate & Stages

Roughers mature within minutes of birth, even in species with lengthy adolescent periods. Once mature, they remain that way indefinitely. The longer the beast is alive, the more the Phyte will mutate them. Every replication of DNA will exaggerate dominant traits more and more.

Ecology and Habitats

If the Rougher had any sensitivity to its environment, that too, is increased, though their survival instinct is dulled, so harmful environments don't seem to bother them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The few species of Rougher that have been captured have been observed to ignore any typical sustenance offered. However, when a live sentient specimen was introduced, the Roughers quickly killed and devoured them, even ones who come from typically herbivorous species.
Studies have shown that they are capable of peak physical performance for up to a week without sustenance. After a week, they become more sluggish.
A rougher exposed to Phyte after a week without food quickly returned to peak physical condition. It can be inferred that the Phyte sustains their body if sentient prey is unavailable.
'Starving' Roughers put into the same enclosure were observed to attack each other. When one successfully killed the other, it ignored the flesh and organs of its prey, choosing instead to simply lap at the Phyte leaking from the dead Rougher's body.
It was also observed that coming into contact with the Phyte mended its wounds.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Roughers, when given a test along side a test animal of the same species, perform much better. It can be inferred that the Phyte amplifies its cognitive function.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

If they evolved to rely on a specific sense, that sense is amplified.

/*Universally, they have the ability to sense sentient life.*/

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

In a technical sense, the Phyte acts as a sort of 'cellular shepherd'; sustaining and guiding the animal's body to a more vicious, more dangerous form.

Scientific Name

Cogitarus Contemnia Animalia

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

Varies

Average Weight

Varies

Average Length

Varies