Name: Sporeling (Agaricus. Motivum) (Sporeling critter from within Starbound) Description: A species of slow-moving dimwitted shroomal feeders, Sporelings resemble many of Earth’s mushroom species under the agaricus family and come in many shapes and colours, allowing them to be linked under such name. The averaging record height for the species is around five inches or twelve centimetres, with an average of three inches or seven centimetres. As described, the species spans over many types, which possess different coloured and shaped caps or pileus. The stalks of the species have evolved to have a large circumference nearing the lower cup or volva around the size of the cap itself to help fulfil in movement abilities. Behaviour: Often dimwitted, the sporelings often only ever move to find food or a bettering environment, albeit slowly. Tameability: Sadly not tameable in a traditional sense, all emotions are wasted upon these fungal beings. They often are found to be moving away from areas of their growth if it provides little use to them. Obstructions and barriers to stop escapees are often undertaken by growers of Sporelings. Where is it found?: Originally documented to have originated from the great fungal forest world of Detheia IV within its expansive fungal forest, they have since been spread over many planets in deep jungles and plant areas by the agaran tribes who forever view them as handy side-decomposers who help them create their mycelial structures. In nature, they generally found in low-light and low-level areas easier for them to traverse, mushroom cultivators often have them in stock too. Rarity: May often be more common within agaran tribal areas or with sellers. In nature, they are rare or if not rarer than typical mushrooms. Diet/Method of gaining nutrients and energy: Sporelings are largely decomposers, as with many fungal species. They usually sit physically upon their food of choice and spend a few hours out-growing their mobile mycelium structure to break down and consume biological polymers. Products?: A nice mushroom meal, the usual whole structure of the fungi is generally edible, though the areas used for walking are generally cut off. Though, some species are poisonous. Reproduction: As with many mushroom and fungal species, reproduction occurs through spores and mycelium. Upon great pressure, destruction of the cap and generally non-natural forced death, the cap releases an inner and outer set of spores through wind motion or physical interaction by other forces. Upon the release of spores during a living state, a chemical reaction within the sporeling forces a full release of their mycelial structure from the mid-section under the stem over a period of several hours. This structure digs underground, effectively allowing the sporeling to expire and eventually forming a tiny mycelium colony underground of its own DNA. Said colonies eventually split at different ends, forming the basis for asexual reproduction. Sporelings born to this method possess the same DNA to their parent, as asexual offspring. Sexual reproduction occurs when said spores come into contact with an underground or ground mycelial colony formed by another sporeling. Both outcomes of reproduction result in a stem, and further a new sporeling who after enough time, will break off from the growing base to repeat the cycle. Size: The averaging record height for the species is around five inches or twelve centimetres, with an average of three inches or seven centimetres. Weight: Around ten grams. Lifespan: Around one year for the moving stage, several months for a fully-fledged mycelial colony. Abilities: Ability to move very slowly, using evolved ‘feeler’s along the bottom of the stem like a bristle. Poisonous make-up in some varieties, allowing one’s death to a hungry critter to not go unpunished. Can aid in the destruction of some harmful biological elements through decomposing diet. Capable of both asexual and sexual reproduction to further its species survival Flaws: Being very, very slow movers, sporelings are incapable of outrunning many predators perhaps only a snail would have a losing chance against a sporeling. Easily destroyable by hands, as with many mushrooms. Flipping over is a death-sentence for sporelings as they are also incapable of flipping themselves back over and this also stops the proper formation of mycelium.
