Prompt 4: Mycosynth

The Mycosynth is a massive sapient fungus that encompasses an entire canyon ecosystem. Here, the land is always entrenched by a humid fog bank and it is covered in weeping trees caked in mold. The interconnected mycelial network runs deep through the soil, and covers nearly every plant and rock surface of the area. This mycelial network functions similarly to a neural network, each strand of mycelium a neural fiber in this vast ever-growing brain of the Mycosynth.
As the dominant organism, and an apex predator, this fungus uses it's intelligence to actively hunt and consume organic matter by way of the Fungusborne. These are people or creatures covered in a film of yellow mold, attached to the mycelium network through an umbilical cord-like structure. They are under the direct control of the Mycosynth. Their movements and actions are guided by the collective intelligence of the fungal network and are used as a method for the fungus to interact with the outside world, which includes hunting and/or communicating with human travelers.

Fungusborne

The encapsulated creature or person bear the marks of their transformation, displaying grotesque and deranged appearances. Their movements are jerky and unnatural, a disconcerting sight to those who encounter them. The fungus distorts their features, warping their bodies and instilling an eerie aura. They are imperfect creations, bearing the scars of the fungal assimilation.
Approaching the Fungusborne is an unnerving experience, as their erratic movements and uncanny appearance instill a sense of unease. They act as guardians and predators of the fungal ecosystem, driven by the directives of the sentient fungus within them.
While the Fungusborne are the commandeered muscle of the Mycosynth, the Sporescouts are the eyes, nose and ears. These are a smaller Fungusborne creatures covered in the same yellow mold, and they serve as scouts and surveillance of the mycelium network. They will disattach from the network, the mycelial fibers inside them providing enough directive to patrol an area, then reattach to the greater network to report to the Mycosynth.

The Mycosynth's Ecosystem

This canyon in which the Mycosynth rules as king and emperor, few organisms live outside of it's influence and control. There are only two types of flora, the first being the Gnarled Mycotrees. These are twisted, ancient trees with weeping willow branches mostly covered in a thick, yellow fungal slime and fuzzy green molds, creating an eerie, gross appearance. They have Large stalactite-like fungal bodies hang from the branches, releasing spores into the air. Secondly is the Fernthicket. The forest floor of the Mycosynth's canyon is carpeted with a complex array of fern species. These ferns have adapted to the unique conditions of the biome, with intricate fronds and vibrant green hues. They form a dense undergrowth, creating a lush and captivating sight amidst the fungal-laden environment.

Luminoak

There is a single species of animal that the Mycosyth doesn't infest but allows to safely pass to and from the ecosystem as a necessary symbiosis. This is the Luminoak, a striking and mutated megafauna species that has evolved from elk. These creatures have undergone significant mutations that differentiate them from their ancestors, giving them a distinct appearance. They are utterly massive herbivores with long branching and twisted antlers. They often migrate through the canyon, feeding on the Fernthicket as a keystone species keeping balance in the Mycosynth's domain. The fungus will often colonize it's fur with spores, allowing the animal to then wander off to distant lands, carrying the possibility of spreading the Mycosynth's spores to new undiscovered places and unsuspecting prey.

Summercamp and Novel Progress Page:

Relevance to Nevermet

As it's my goal to world build for Summercamp strictly around my novel outline, here is how the Mycosynth species relates to the Nevermet story so far...
As my story involves two characters trying to reach each other, this is one of the obstacles I'd like to put between them. I don't yet have a clear image in my mind or spot in my outline where this will happen yet, but I want to make this to happen. I hope to integrate some sort of conflict with the Mycosynth in the later portion of my outline and I don't know which POV character will get it yet.

Things to expand on in the future that could be helpful when writing the story:
-Mostly I need to decide which POV character is going to face this obstacle in their path, so I should analyze their personal arcs to decide the best fit.
-Once I know which character, I need to consider what the nature of their conflict with the Mycosynth is so I can further develop that aspect deeper.
-It would be interesting to create a mysterious legend or myth surrounding this place that general people could hear about