Name: Karlods [Karlodinis Explodus] Description: (Above: A fully-grown Karlod Walker compared to an adult Xadari.) (Above: A Karlod patch.) Karlods are a species of floral animals native to the underground caverns of Garlen. They have a rough, moss-like skin and a giant pod on its body that has sharp spore needles protruding from it. Their bodies are tall stalks that walk on four short and stubby legs. The Karlods that detach and walk towards prey are known as ‘Walkers’ - Karlods are the thick patchy moss networks that can grow in damp caves. Walkers are very lightweight and top-heavy. Their feet are sticky to help stabilize themselves, allowing them to move at jogging pace. Behavior: Karlod patches grow over nutrient-rich areas in damp, underground areas. Over the course of its life, it will grow stalks of ‘Walkers’ that can detach and walk for the purpose of reproduction when certain stimuli are triggered by prey. A Karlod patch will usually have one to three Walkers growing from it. Because they grow best in dark locations, Karlod Walkers may often sneak behind unexpected explorers and miners. Tamability: Not at a single point in their life cycles are they tamable. They act purely on simple instincts. Karlod moss patches, however, can be cut off and grown somewhere dark and damp and filled with nutrients, where they will eventually grow Walkers. Where is it found?: Karlod moss patches can be found in dark and damp cave systems underneath Garlen, growing over nutrient-rich areas. They are capable of surviving in places other than Garlen, if they are taken there - voluntarily or involuntarily. Rarity: Uncommon in Garlen. Diet/Method of gaining nutrients and energy: As a floral organism, Karlods gain their energy from nutrients in the environment around them. Products?: If killed, one could harvest its plant matter and the inner material of its pod. Reproduction/Life Cycle: Karlods start off as spores that grow inside of nutrient-rich areas. They’ll slowly spread and grow like moss, eventually growing Walker stalks that protrude upwards, which begin to produce their pods. Size: Karlod patches can be rather large, around the size of a small car. Karlod Walkers can grow to up to six feet in height. Weight: Karlod Walkers are very lightweight, having an interior made primarily of water or porous plant matter. The large pod as its head is the heaviest part. Lifespan: Karlod patches can last an extremely long time as long as they have nutrients; the Karlod Walkers, once detached from their moss, will shrivel up as they no longer receive nutrients. Abilities: Can spread easily through rapid propagation. Flaws: Scared of cats due to the ultrasonic frequencies they use to communicate. Very dumb. Cannot think. Shooting the pod may cause it to die early. Notes: Once detached, the Karlod Walkers will rush at their victim and their pod will explode, making an ‘inflating’ sound. Their pod explodes with a little less force than a hand grenade, propelling their spore needle shrapnel at their victims with incredible force. The needles are filled with spores that after injected use the corpse of their victims to grow; if the victim is not killed by the explosion, the spores can grow inside of their bodies as tumor-like masses that will abruptly explode in around a week; the power of these explosions could blow limbs off and kill from bleeding, or easily liquefy internal organs from the shockwave. They must be surgically removed, and without care, may explode during surgery.
