Xiclogan (zīk′lō-găn)

Xiclogans are a species of underwater fungi, sometimes called "Cannonball Urchins" by non-Kegani, despite this name they are closer in physiology to mushrooms than to true sea urchins. Xiclogans are marine dwelling flora, with a shallow and aggressive root structure topped by a spherical hard shell covered in sharp spines. With sufficient nutrients and growing conditions, these spines reach a full length of around 14 inches long, with the roughly spherical main body being around 2 feet in diameter. To surface dwelling observers, a Xiclogan appears to be mostly black or dark purple in color, with the bases of the spines being a ring of dark blue. To a Kegani observer, or an observer that is capable of sensing ultraviolet light, a Xiclogan are bright and colorful. Bright geometric patterns interlaced across the surface of the main body, with some spines being differently colored than others. This UV coloration is often described as being fluorescent blue and green, though some regional variants and cultivars created through artificial selection express a wide variety of coloration patterns, though most are still only visible to Kegani. The Xiclogan has three distinct stages in it's lifecycle: the initial spore spine stage, a rooted growth stage, and then a final die-off of the main body which triggers the explosive ejection of the spore spines.

Danger

A fully matured Xiclogan individual will eventually eject the spines on it's outer shell. This ejection happens nearly simultaneously for all spines. A fully grown Xiclogan will eject these spines with enough force for them to travel hundreds of feet unobstructed. Spines are known to pierce straight through adult Kegani, and are well capable of causing damage to ships passing overhead. Additionally, these spines travel so fast through the water, that in the first several Ya of a spines travel path, the spine causes cavitation bubbles to form in the water behind them. These bubbles of extremely low pressure collapse quickly with a small flash of light and a disorienting shockwave that travels through the surrounding water. Even a missed spine can cause some damage to an unlucky Kegani nearby.

Xiclogan Cultivation

Xiclogans are sometimes cultivated as a status symbol by Kegani that are either brave, clever, or foolish enough to keep such plants around their living spaces. It is thought of as an indication that a Kegani that keeps Xiclogans in their home must be both skilled and brave. With careful cultivation and control over the food supply, Xiclogans are able to be kept alive, but in a dormant stage that does not cause the plant to enter the final, explosive, stage of it's lifecycle. Successful cultivation requires strict control over the food available to the plant, usually through keeping the area around it immaculately clean, and through frequent fertilization with a special compound that inhibits the Xiclogan from progressing to the final stage. Properly cared for, a Xiclogan will stay in the growth stage of it's lifecycle perpetually, allowing them to grow to tremendous size. The largest Xiclogans on recorded have been cultivated by a famous Xiclogan grower, Xoglakkiohtin, to up grow to to a full Ya in diameter, with 34 inch long spines. Improperly cared for Xiclogan will eventually eject their spines in the final stage of the lifecycle. This can be extremely dangerous, depending on how improperly the Xiclogan was cared for.