Powderkeg Fungus

Discussion in 'Approved' started by Alias, Jun 14, 2020.

  1. Alias

    Alias Galactic Citizen

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    Name: “Powderkeg” Fungus - Genetically modified sample 31631021 - Pilobolus Ignis

    Description: Powderkeg is a type of fungus genetically modified for rapid growth in a variety of environments. In a hyphae state it appears as a rusty brown-orange film on surfaces, but in colonies it develops large extrusions and develops ‘bulb’ shaped perithecium with a deep brown coloration.

    Behavior: Powderkeg latches onto plants, extrudes spiny growths into them, and leeches nutrients from them to accelerate growth. When in a hyphae state it grows over surfaces, attempting to invade or penetrate through them, emitting a chemical that facilitates cell disruption and increases available nutrients for the fungus to absorb. In the span of approximately 24-36 hours it develops into a mature state, withdrawing water from the exterior walls of its perithecium and filling miniature chambers inside. When heated, the water in the chambers pops in a manner similar to popcorn, resulting in an explosive release of energy that flings spores at high speeds.

    Tamability: It is a fungus, it is not tamable.

    Where is it found?: Powderkeg is a lab created organism, found only in a lab abandoned by it’s creator, a USCM laboratory, and a planet devastated by the invasive species.

    Rarity: It’s lab created. Currently only known to exist in 2 labs and on one (heavily quarantined) planet.

    Diet/Method of gaining nutrients and energy:
    Powderkeg is a decomposer. It latches onto plants, extrudes spiny growths into them, and leeches nutrients from them to accelerate growth. It also pervades soil and directly takes nutrients from it when in a hot enough environment.

    Products?: Powderkeg produces nothing of value.

    Reproduction: Asexual, the fungus reproduces through spores.

    Size: Fungal colonies can range in size from being able to fit on a dime to spanning an entire planet.

    Weight: Individual sporing extrusions? Negligible weight, likely a matter of 2-3 grams.

    Lifespan: In optimal conditions but not spreading, up to 2 months. If allowed to spread, the colony replaces the dead or dying with fresh hyphae and can survive indefinitely so long as there are enough nutrients to sustain it.

    Abilities: It grows extremely quickly, even in adverse environments. Powderkeg is incredibly survivable, able to endure and reproduce in spite of harsh environments, or even space travel. At or below 5°C it enters a dormant state until entering an area at least 20°C. In this state it dehydrates, becoming completely inert, and is able to survive temperatures as low as 2° Kelvin.

    When exposed to fire or a heat source above 180°F, Powderkeg’s bulbs violently explode and jettison several spore pods made of an ultralight film, as well as causing the bulb’s shell to splinter and scatter with enough force to break the skin of most non-furred or armored species.

    Powderkeg thrives on heat and it’s growth is explosive in ash. When in an ash-rich environment it’s growth rate allows it to increase in size by 40% every 24 hours. Additionally, sizable colonies (>5m in diameter) are capable of surviving in trace quantities (1%) in up to 3200°F.

    Flaws: In environments colder than 90°F the surface of the fungus is hydrophobic, with the mechanisms allowing intake of water through non-parasitic means closing off.

    The spores produced are incredibly hydrophobic until they are mature, allowing them to be washed away easily during the first 18 hours of their life cycle.

    Spores and juvenile colonies attempt to propagate in heat despite being unable to, exposing vulnerable spores and allowing the colony to be completely burned out at only 280°F+ temperatures in the first 24 hours of life.

    Other: Powderkeg was originally created by a scientist who was employed in the CBRN division of a U.S.C.M. research facility. The original sample was believed destroyed, and the scientist was later relieved of their position. A few decades later, a functionally similar fungus was used on a planet occupied by the U.S.C.M. and was not correctly identified before thermal weapons were used to destroy it. The planet was deemed unsafe for habitation and unusable for commercial interests within months and evacuated, resulting in an abundance of samples – if quarantine is broken on the planet.
     
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  2. Khaos

    Khaos Purple Man Impervium Donator

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    I'll slap a big ol pass on these.
     
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