Arcean Rotbloom

An odd species of fungus native, thankfully, only to the Arcean Wastes.

Basic Information

Anatomy

This fungus takes on a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and appearances throughout its life cycles, and the random changes wrought by the ever-present storms do not help categorize it. As a spore-based stationary fungus, it generally appears as a grey plant with a long, thin stalk and a bulbous, russet-grey bulb, but its size varies from under an inch tall to up to several feet in height, mimicking the trees which had been prominent before it. As a parasitic fungal infection, its earlier fungus appears along the back of its host, but with more of a reddish coloring. Furthermore, plate-like fungal growths and bulbous buds are common across the bodies of its hosts. In its third form, it resembles a patch of gray moss until it ensnares a creature, in which case it will become a large plate-like fungus growing from the creature, usually covering the creature in its entirety when it reaches full maturity.

Genetics and Reproduction

Each form reproduces differently. The Plant Form: The plant form reproduces in a manner typical of most normal fungus; it spreads spores, typically by way of storms. However, these spores do not produce the same form of the fungus. When a creature ingests or inhales these spores, they become infected with the parasite form. Furthermore, when the plant form dies, it produces the predatory moss form. The Parasite Form: The parasite form reproduces using its host. Upon taking control of its host body, the parasite form begins producing buds, which fall off upon the host's death. Again, these buds do not produce the same form of the fungus. Instead, each bud grows into a patch of the predatory moss form. The Predatory Moss Form: The moss form reproduces in two ways. Should the patch of moss reach full maturity without a creature coming into contact with it, it begins to grow buds of the plant form. However, if the moss reaches its second stage, the fungus that grows, which contains spores of the parasitic form, is eaten by the native herbivores.

Growth Rate & Stages

Each of its forms grows differently and at a different rate. In its plant-like stage, it tends to grow incredibly slowly, taking decades to reach full maturity. However, this form is also the most long-lived, sometimes living for up to 250 years. In its parasitic form, it matures rapidly, taking as little as two weeks in some cases to reach full maturity. This is the shortest lived form, though, and only survives until reproduction. In its predatory form, its first stage, that of the unassuming moss, takes up to 2 months to grow completely. Its second stage requires trapping a creature, and normally takes days to reach full maturity.

Ecology and Habitats

While its ideal environment would be arboreal, this fungus lives entirely in the Arcean Wastes, and has thankfully been unable to cross the Aricades as of yet.

Conservation Status

This species should not, for any sane reason, require conservation efforts. If anything, its extermination would be preferable.

Geographic Distribution