{AUTHOR'S NOTE: This article was created after an extremely stressful attempt at an interview with my colleague, Finley Greenhopper. Truth be told, I was present during an unfortunate discovery of an infected staff member wandering the lower halls of the station. H1-C-FIN101 (a.k.a. PINWHEEL) was put into lockdown. You'll find my pathetic attempt at a podcast below.
Sue me...it was the best I could do.}

Adventurer beware.
It creeps upon you invisible, waiting for the perfect moment.
…when you least expect, and when you are the least prepared to defend yourself.

Finley Greenhopper

Biology of Terror

The Fungal Horror is a total anomaly of extreme adaptation within the deadly environment of the Dragons Chasm. Its specialized gene mutation grants abilities unlike anything previous discovered: the occupation of scavenged remains to use as frames for hunting.

Infected Gnome

The young form of ‘Kammorianas’ act as parasites on a living host until strong enough, using special muscle-like fibers to enter the skin, granting access to the internal organs as a food source. Once the organs are consumed, the parasite wraps around the bone structure of the host (now dead prey), enabling it to use the shell in a limited capacity.
Soon after its victory over the host, the fungal horror will fall into a hibernation state. This is when something truly extraordinary occurs, and previously thought impossible: the parasite analyzes and mutates small amounts of the hosts DNA!
In mundane terms—it copies the biological blueprint of its host to better use its body!!
This distinct fact has allowed the fungal horror to rank high in the food chain of animals for hundreds of years.

Colony Creatures

The Fungal Horror isn't a single organism, but a highly complex and organized colony of sub-species in the kammorianas family, connected by neural 'veins', used to transport nutrients and information to the various units. Each of a Fungal Horrors limbs and other individual units can function independently.
The colony receives its nutrients from its one and only 'internal' organ--a large stomach-like cavity located in its upper abdomen. this stomach houses a special fungus, which breaks down and absorbs any food that is provided.

Infestation on H1-C-FIN101

Growth rates and eventually the extermination of the fungus were found within the walls of the science station H1-C-FIN101 within the Dragons Chasm.

The crew brought back a sample of the FH to be studied. Finley said their first mistake was during the decontamination process, assuming the same preventative measures used daily would counter this lifeform.
They were wrong. It took two weeks to discover who has been infected, the last being a male down in mechanics. The moisture content of the pumproom created a perfect environment for the spores, which grew at an explosive rate once the incubation period was comeplete.
Unlike the rest of the crew, the Kutollum insisted on amputation. Doctors severed the arm before the fungus reached the shoulder, then administered a combination of Lapse and Narcophoseren to both sedate the crewman and place him in a coma. Eleven of the staff died to this abomination before a successful method of treatment was discovered.

The Magical Cure

The only method known to eradicate the Fungal Horror at this point of research is intense heat. Open flame will destroy any residue of the spores existence--but how do you apply heat to infected blood?
That's where the brilliance of the Techno-Mägo came into play. Finley's resident gnome mägo suggested they send for a Fire Warden. Specialized mägo used to control fires in larger cities, yes--but the more skilled were known to transfer heat in specific ways to...'encourage' compliance during interrogations.
Though the process is painful, the monitored use of Lapse allowed for the process to succeed. Patients were extremely weak for nearly a month before full recovery, and in two cases a blood transfusion was required before recovery occured.
Staff is now tested weekly as standard protocol. No new cases have been found.

Cultural Significance

Right now, there is none.
The general population of the world doesn't know the Fungal Horror exists. There's so much we have yet to discover about this adaptive parasite--but for now, the damn thing is contained in a geographical region no one can, or wants to venture into.
With the exception of the refined blood, still being tested by Finley Greenhopper's team, the only good Fungal Horror is a dead one.

Stages of Growth

{cl. Animoytamycologene Kammorianas}

INFECTION

{avg incubation time: 2-5 days}
Parasites infect a host in a multitude of ways using airborne tactics. Spores can infect through inhalation or through direct exposure to open wounds (scratches/cuts). We have discovered infection rates depend largely upon atmosphere/temperature.

DEATH

{avg rate: 3 days--at the peak of spore growth}
Feeding off the blood cells of the host, it hides its presence by encouraging minor symptoms of illness. These include repeated fevers, bladder infections, lung infections causing coughs and difficulty breathing, and mouth sores. As the feasting advances, this will cause fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, increased heart rate, intense headaches, and a loss of skin color.

CONSUMPTION

{avg rate: 6 days--depends upon size of host}
Once the host is dead, the fungus then consumes most types of skin (with the exception of dragons), organs, and muscle, animating long enough to put down 'roots' to seek further nourisment for up to 14 days.

FULL ANIMATION

{avg rate: 14 days--fugus becomes a lvl 1 predator}
Falls into a dormant state where it replicates fractions of the DNA of its host 'shell'. With enough tissue replicated, the Fungal Horror will now use the host shell for its own purposes--mainly to hunt and increase in size, so it can spread its spores and obtain further hosts.

Forms of Fungus

Though we fear the end result of this creature, taking over the bodies of hosts, it should be noted that both growth and dormant states are equally dangerous...

A) Fungus on stalactite

(A) Fungal Horror's don't always move. When a host cannot be found, the fungus will seek a nutrient-rich supply to feed upon until another option is located, such as mineral packed stactites, stalagtites, and stagnant deposits.

B) Fungal Horror Spores

(B) ...under the microscope, we've seen the progression and sheer agression of this dominating species.

C) Aggressive Mutation

(C) The level of aggression we witnessed was unlike anything we'd seen before. When conditions are right (temperature and the lack of Narcophoseren), these spores will mutate and attack both the red and white blood cells of the host.

D) Assimilated DNA Strands

(D) Once the host has been dispatched, the Fungal Horror will analyze and assimilate portions of the hosts DNA.

"It wasn't a hard decision to make.
End up screaming like the poor bastard from Deck 4?
Hell no.
Take the arm."

— Kaden - Mechanic

Medicinal Blood

The super adaptive genes in the nutrient-rich "neural" veins of the Fungal Horror, are probably the most effective 'non-magical' medicine discovered to date.
The regenerative properties of this liquid are incredible!
It copies the cells of whatever it is injected into--person or animal--and copies the cells of the patient it is administrated to, regenerating their flesh at an alarming rate.

With Reluctant Assistance

---

The extreme danger of this discovery has led to the approval of experimental magic being performed.
The University of Magic has gone against its established protocol -- vetting and approving a short list of mägo adept in the rare arts of heat exchange.
These four individuals (who shall remain unnamed for their sake and the reputation of our beloved University) have been of great service to our lord and king, the honorary King Robert III and have his approval in their change of service.
We have come to the conclusion that Fire Wardens are best suited to address this crisis.
Our hope is to prevent the spread of this fungal abomination into the world. If we can train those with the gift to control fire --we may be able to provide a line of defence (and healing) in later generations.

University of Magic

I wanted to make sure I shared this terrifying tidbit I gleaned from my adventure of doing that interview with Finley...
Apparently he has been prepping and working on solutions for this species, developing a containment suit and some forms of decontamination--because the kingdoms are going to send adventurers INTO the Dragon's Chasm.
...on PURPOSE.
For those too young to remember, every fourteen years is the The Race of Seven Sons--a tribute to the original sons of Arödrin. This race, which is some serious competition, grants the winning kingdom a 'favor' from the losers, which has been prised for centuries.
Problem here, is that the races are always tough as hell, and nasty.
Finley tells me that the race this coming winter will be IN the Dragon's Chasm...and is one of the reasons he's been striving for a solution with this damnable fungus.
MY question is--who in the 'right' mind would ever WANT to go into the chasm?

Höbin