Orbshroom

The orbshroom is, quite possibly, the most important living species on Argentii. There is no place it cannot grow, and it's stems are both nutritious and tasty. That being said, the secret of its nature must be preserved at all costs, lest the Ploui discover its powers.

— Shiv Moonsong

Found across all of Argentii, orbshrooms can and will grow anywhere, feeding on decaying matter and the airborn pollen and spores of other plants and fungi. Orbshrooms thrive in toxic, polluted conditions. In ample such conditions they can grow to enormous size, with stems as thick as a person's lower leg and orbs the size of a head.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Undisturbed, a single orbshroom shoot can grow to a meter in height, with a stem as thick around as a medium tree trunk and orbs larger than a person's head.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The orbshroom is the apex scavenger species, able to feed on almost anything. While it prefers to begin life in some form of decaying matter -- plant or animal -- it will certainly thrive in soil, on rocks, in sand, and even along the coasts of both fresh and salt water. It especially thrives in toxic or otherwise polluted areas. Because of this, people are reluctant to eat wild orbshroom due to the common misconception that the toxic environment makes the fungus toxic as well.

Many think that it is for the best that this misconception be allowed to persist, at least while the people of Tilth remain under the conrol of the Ploui.

Additional Information

Domestication

There is only one known source of domestic orbshroom: Crossroads Island. Looking to increase the variety of foodstuffs on the island, Shiv began gardening orbshrooms in an old ballroom.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Secret studies into the full usefulness of the orbshroom are being sponsored by The Court of the Moon, at the command of Shiv Moonsong.

Secret studies, OOC

The orbshroom not only thrives in toxic environments, it actually detoxifies them. Water, soil, and air are all purified in the presence of orbshroom growths. Shiv is curious just what sorts of effects this could have on a place such as the Wall District of Central Tilth which is polluted beyond habitation for anything except the orbshroom. Can a mask made of orbshroom filter bad air? What are orbshroom orbs, really? Do orbshrooms desalinate sea water?

Scientific Name

Marks luth

Lifespan

Unknown

Average Height

Usually around 50-75 cm. tall, they can grow up to a meter above ground.

Average Weight

The average weight of an orb is around 1.75-2.75 kg.

Geographic Distribution

• Continent of Argentii