Morph

"The thirsty traveler had come to a spring in the forest. An oasis of water flowed into a small pool frilled with wildflowers beneath the trunk of a mossed tree as it meandered through roots and fallen branches. The man called for his companions; they had been searching the whole day for a clean source of water.

He scooped a handful of the crisp liquid as it splashed refreshingly against his throat. Sighing contentedly, he drank more of the fresh running water.

As he lifted the lid from his flask and withdrew more of the stream, he felt uneasy. He peered into his reflection in the pool."

— a well-side traveler by a marsh-bound stream

Morph, also known as Amorpho Poleu, and other members of the Amorpho Blup lineage of Ooze are descendants of Amorpho Glop, the common Slime. having the same general characteristics. Fluid and malleable, their bodies are as translucent masses of gelatin, appearing in any clear variation of color.

They differ from Slime, as a secondary cell known as a "core", animates the mass. The red, central bulb floats beneath the surface of the membranous wall of viscous jelly that forms its outer body. Morph are often mistaken for their progenitor species, the Plop, (Amorpho Blup).

Arcanomorphs and Verdanomorphs are powerful versions of the common Morph, occuring when an Elemental Plop becomes a Morph.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A Morph is unlike Slime, in that it is considered to be a multi-cellular organism. While it still consumes matter through a process of absorbing the reaction of digestive enzymes on organic and inorganic matter, a Morph's preferred food item is the blood of living creatures. It shares its' parents' ability to spit globs of its body at range or extend its pods in bludgeoning attacks.

Morph are able to form rudimentary or redundant organs within it's interior body. Morph have a special organ, known as a Core; this malleable object is considered to be the eyes, heart, and brain of a Morph, as it serves similar purposes. A Morph can form other organs from the Core, such as eyes, stomachs- generally anything that the Morph needs. Morph can also send the Core through it's body to form hard appendages, making weapons to stab or slam prey; it can form elastic whips or nets, and it can release it's digestive acids through it's membranous sac.

Perception & Sensory Abilities

The Morph can see through it's body using the "core" as an eye. In addition, it can create eyes upon it's surface, giving it sight all around its body when it does this. This Ooze is also unlike others, in that in addition to the information gathered from vibrations from the ground and local objects, but it can also hear. This is an unusual trait for an Ooze. While this makes it susceptible to Sonic damage, it can use the ability to interpret sound in a number of ways.

"Water! I found water here!" The caravaneers heard their companion from the trail.

Rejoicing, they drove their small caraven to the spot where they had seen their companion run ahead.

There was enough water at the well for the cheering caraveneers to fill their barrels and flasks, and continue their trek. As night fell, the caravaneers set their camp beneath the cliff."

— the caraveneers from the well

Genetics and Reproduction

Unlike others of the Amorpho Blup lineage, the Morph no longer transmits the Slimy Sickness disease. Biologists have discovered that it no longer transmits the disease in order to form the complexities of its new form.

A Morph reproduces through means of binary fission. When two Morph meet, one engulfs the other. During this process, the dominant Morph assimilates the recessive, and divides its body into 3-4 Plops, each with their own individual cores. The dominant Morph will do this numberous times throughout its life, usually once every 2-3 years, until it reaches the end of its life cycle. The Plop formed imprint upon the original Morph.

Rare cases of the binary fission creates smaller (Medium) Morphs from a Large Morph. No specimen has been recorded over Large (16ft. Diameter).

Growth Rate & Stages

As the Plop forms the process of binary fission, a mutation may occur that eliminates the vectors for the Slimy Sickness disease. It can no longer reproduce through transmitting the disease. A Morph is formed and continues to grow throughout its life, repeating the process of consuming the living and other Oozes. Morphs live to be up to 10yrs old (20, including Plop lifespan).

"Do you think Jenke has been acting odd?" one of the caraveneers hushed.

The elder stroked his red beard and regarded the man by the cooling embers of the camp fire, staring. "Jenke's been odd. Nay, I'm more concerned about that."

Upon the cliffsides, a murder of crows had settled for the evening. The caravaneer shivered; the elder continued, "Nay, they say things can follow you from the old roads 'round 'ere."

— the caraveneers respite

Ecology and Habitats

Morph create a Lair- a complex tunnel system, usually beneath the roots of trees or within the walls of rocks. Though they can live completely underground, unlike other Ooze, Morph prefer to hunt above- ground, in forested or marshy areas.

Often, they may lay in wait beneath beds of lakes and forest debris, their semi- translucent bodies providing camouflage.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As a survival tactic, the Morph can dissolve specific plants or minerals in order to nourish itself, separating it from Amorpho Blup. The Morph mainly feeds on the blood of living creatures. It does so by engulfing their bodies and transmitting their digestive enzymes through the surface of their membranous layers. The core is specifically used to impale other Oozes as well and can hasten the process of feeding on blood.

"Before the elder continued his story, a shrill scream broke the chatter of the camp. A woman approached the elder with a canteen as Jenke stood for the first time in hours.

"I went to drink this water- look inside!" The elder peered into a bottle of jelly. It spit into his eye.

As the crows circled above their heads, ominous shadows and wailings erupted against the cliffsides.

— the caravaneer's disturbance

Biological Cycle

Morph begin as Plops, maturing to young adults at roughly 8-9 months. The mutation is known to form in older Plops. Within four years, a Morph enters the adult phase and begins seeking other Morph, Plops, and other Oozes. The life cycle of a Morph is much longer than a normal Ooze, likely due to their complex anatomies. Form Plop to Morph, this Ooze reaches the end of it's life span in 7-10 years (20yrs, max). The body breaks down cellularly and dissolves completely.

Behaviour

The Morph is much like other Ooze, but as it grows and expands, it becomes much more intelligent. Its natural qualities as an Ooze makes it remarkably patient. It is believed that an appetite of sentient creatures will cause this creature to rapidly increase in size and ability.

"It rained terrible mist from the cliffwards skies. It wasn't long before a silence fell over the panic-stricken caravaneers.

Only one stood amongst them, his form blurred within patches of red fog. In a pool of blood that had mixed from the acidic rain of the diminishing murder of crows above, the elder rolled onto his side to face him.

— the silence of the caraveneers

Biological Traits

The Morph assumes the forms of other creatures. By reproducing the vital organs- including audio and vocal structures- the Morph is able to change its form. While it can mimic skin and pigmentations, or even structures like bones and feathers, if one feels the textures, it will feel rubbery at a casual touch. The Morph can use the core in its body to produce hard, rigid edges, but even this has its limitations, unable to completely replicate harder materials. It can, however, use this ability to create cutting and piercing edges, in addition to its normal attacks. This mimics the fangs and claws of creatures whose forms it may assume.

The Morph is still a simple Ooze- however, this remarkable ability to mimic form and sound has made it a terrifying urban predator. It can only assume the forms of people it has fed upon, adapting their forms into its memory. Strong memories are believed to make for larger, dominant Morph.

"The stinging rain had finally stopped. From the misty mud, the elder peered into the face of Jenke. "Oh, boy... you're still alive!" His cold expression suggested otherwise.

From beneath his dark, shifting hair, his hollow eyes and mouth radiated an eerie, red and moist glow. Pools of viscous rain crept up the former Jenke's legs as the sound of sick slurping commenced."

— the end of the caraveneers, an encounter with an Amorpho Poleu, Morph

Additional Information

Social Structure

Morph are collectors of Plops. Even though they don't reproduce through contagion anymore, Plops producing more Plops is a continuous food source for Morph. The largest Morph are much more intelligent than normal Ooze, able to direct their counterparts

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Unlike other Ooze, a Morph isn't scavengable, unless it is wearing gear, using tools or weapons, and armor.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

While Morph can be found underground, they are mainly found near caves, forests and wetlands, rivers or streams, and temperate flatlands. These creatures avoid the colder and warmer climates, sharing Ooze's disdain for fire and cold.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The existence of creatures such as Morphs and other shape-shifters may cause local residents to reconsider the ownership of pets.

History

The random mutation for Morph was once a rare anomaly but the rate of newer Morph have steadily increased.

Common Myths and Legends

There are odd stories of Morph who have formed a civilization in one of the many labyrynthine structures of the Subterranae. Though it has never been proven, the stories suggest that their kingdom is one of perpetual slime and stagnation beneath the ruins of a sunken city.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Plop

Scientific Name

Amorpho Poleu

Origin/Ancestry

Amorpho Blup

Lifespan

15-20yrs.

Average Height

5ft. (Medium) 8-10ft. (Large)

Average Weight

80 lbs. {Medium} 380 lbs. {Large}

Average Length

7ft. Diameter (Medium)
16ft. Diameter (Large}