Myconid
The myconids are one of the most alien sophont species in known space. Hailing from the dimly-sunlit, humid world of Osiris, these phytoid beings are shambling masses of fungal tissue, with nervous systems composed of evolutionarily repurposed mycelium and a unique hydraulic musculature. While not especially agile, myconids are able to absorb damage that would be fatal to most other life-forms, and their sensory system is distributed to allow them to perceive their surroundings holistically.
However, myconids do have a few key organs, most notably a "heart": a series of vascular-derived arteries and pumps that enable transport of essential nutrients (oxygen, carbon dioxide, sugars, etc) to all parts of the body. Their primary vascular oxygen carrier is phycoerythrin, a reddish photosynthetic pigment that their phylum of organisms have repurposed as "blood." Their outer "skin" is largely composed of cells that have a polymer similar to chitin in their cell walls, giving a myconid's skin a rubbery, durable quality.
Myconids also have a set of six moderately complex eyes that they are able to move around their bodies, though they may also generate as many simple eye pits as they need. Similarly, their base auditory capacity is provided by a series of three internal statocysts, but their epidermis can be modified into tympanic structures to augment their hearing.
Biology
Anatomy & Physiology
Myconids are generally amorphous in shape, having distributed sensory organs and the ability to shape-shift to some extent; most often they choose to move around and manipulate the environment by shaping their tissues into hydraulic limbs of varying shapes. Their bodies are primarily composed of what amounts to stem cells, able to change their function according to the demands of the distributed nervous system; this results in rapid self-modification that can sometimes appear as tissue "growth" (it is not growth, just mass redistribution).However, myconids do have a few key organs, most notably a "heart": a series of vascular-derived arteries and pumps that enable transport of essential nutrients (oxygen, carbon dioxide, sugars, etc) to all parts of the body. Their primary vascular oxygen carrier is phycoerythrin, a reddish photosynthetic pigment that their phylum of organisms have repurposed as "blood." Their outer "skin" is largely composed of cells that have a polymer similar to chitin in their cell walls, giving a myconid's skin a rubbery, durable quality.
Perception & Sensory Capabilities
Because of their inherently "modular" nature, myconids vary in their sensory capacity. They are incredibly chemosensitive, with their entire epidermis functioning as an olfactory organ (in addition to being the primary tactile source). However, they may generate themselves a more specialized structure such as an airway chamber or olfactory whiskers.Myconids also have a set of six moderately complex eyes that they are able to move around their bodies, though they may also generate as many simple eye pits as they need. Similarly, their base auditory capacity is provided by a series of three internal statocysts, but their epidermis can be modified into tympanic structures to augment their hearing.
Ecology
Geographic Origin & Distribution
The myconids are very recent starfarers from the edge of known space, having made first contact only a few centuries ago. Because of this, they are fairly rare across the known galaxy, though they are slowly becoming a more common sight.Habitat & Survival Factors
The optimal survival range in a variety of factors for an unequipped myconid is extremely wide due to their inherent hyper-adapability, though they prefer warmer and humid climates. Given the technology and/or resources to build said technology, they can live comfortably almost anywhere in the cosmos.Civilization & Culture
Thanks to their completely alien physiology and sensory processing, myconid culture is far removed from typical sophont social models. Individuals view themselves and each other as facets of a greater whole, and this supreme entity is the manifestation of decay. Myconids treat all life holistically, themselves included, and see their species as facilitators of the continued cycle of life and death. Everything is transient and temporary to the myconids, though this perception of reality drives their curiosity. Their desire to learn about the world around them as it changes is what pushed them to develop interstellar travel and make first contact.Major Organizations
Major Language Groups & Dialects
Culture & Heritage
Common Traditions
Common Taboos
Scientific Name
Mycarthrodis sapiens (Osirigenids)
Average Height
varies
Average Weight
varies
Tolerances
Interspecies Relations
Hyperlanes Info
Physical Traits
Dispersed Physiology
You cannot permanently lose a full limb, as your ability to manipulate objects comes from a system of tendrils that tend to regenerate over time. Additionally, your head cannot be targeted in attacks of any kind, as your brain is distributed throughout your body.Iron Constitution
You can eat nearly any organic substance, and have resistance to poison damage.Mycotoxins
When a creature successfully strikes you with an unarmed attack or engages you in a grapple, they take 1 point of poison damage for each point of damage they inflict. Your own unarmed attacks may deal poison damage (rather than bludgeoning) if you strike with an exposed part of your body.Saprophyte
You may consume energy from a recently killed living creature of medium size or larger. Doing so takes an action and requires that you touch the creature’s corpse. This counts as a short rest for you, but may only be done once between each long rest.Secret Language
Your species’ natural method of communication is based on electrochemical signals and is unintelligible to any other species.Cultural Traits
Suggested culture: OsirianINT increases by 1
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