Colossae are enormous life forms, typically extremely long-lived and capable of entering extended periods of dormancy. Their populations are low, not much higher than the threshold required to avoid compromising their gene pools, and due to their size and rarity they have become the subjects of various myths and legends. They are believed to be immortal and possess supernatural powers, though they are also widely believed to be nothing more than old folk tales. In reality, colossae possess no magic powers or anything of the sort. Many do possess physical features or capabilities that are extremely peculiar, not seen in any other extant species, and the absolute dearth of scientific understanding of these traits is what has led them to be seen as they are. Colossae are remnants of ancient times; creatures who survived extinction events by their hardiness and ability to go into self-controlled stasis. Stress is often a factor in entering stasis, and between pollution making their environments tougher to live in and the physical disruption caused by industrial machinery and vehicles, colossae began to spend longer and longer periods in stasis, to the point that most of them spend the majority of their time in stasis, waking only to feed and locate a new safe hiding place if necessary. After the collapse, with industrial activity coming to a halt in many places, there has been a small but significant increase in time that colossae are active, now that they are not subject to the loud noise and environmental destruction of facilities that have been abandoned.