Mycena Zellestrian (Zillo)

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Name: Mycena Zellestrian (Zillo)


Biology: Mycena Zellestrian is a heterotrophic fungus that is particularly noticeable when it is seen in the wild due to its rough edges, lack of vibrant color and unique silk like structures that fall from under the hood of the mushroom. Known to grow no larger than five to eight centimeters in height and ten centimeters in width, donning an almost triangular hood to protect itself from the harsh elements around it. Thus, Mycena Zellestrian is one of the larger fast growing mushrooms that are native to the cold environments of the icey worlds it is known to inhabit. Often represented as a menace, its survival on the dank, cold worlds it is often found with a fascinating defense mechanism which has many a Mycologist enthralled at the potential implications.

The Mycena Zellestrian Mushroom survives its harsh climates solely due to a chemical that, amongst the fungal kingdom, is only seen within its cell walls. Called Thermosalient Mitochondric Acid (TMA), the substance is a light almost sticky substance that is found within the cell walls of the 'skin' cells of the mushroom. It's in this skin that the mushroom draws its nutrients in order to consume and grow, expanding its skin like organ as it does so. Effectively surrounded by its stomach, the mushroom reacts to cold by consuming more organic carbon as a fuel source to produce more ATP within itself, so that it may produce chemical heat, but also grow more rapidly. Simply put, the chemical energy given off by the metabolic process within the outer layer, prevents the inner layers of the plant from freezing, and enables it to grow. TMA is also a potent psychotropic toxin, known to induce intense rage and high adrenal responses, triggering severe aggressive behavior in those afflicted. Due to the TMA content in these mushrooms they become progressively warm in colder weathers.

The flesh of the Mycena Zellestrian Mushroom tends to be long and fibrous, able to be flaked off one at a time as long silken strands by even light breezes as the mushroom matures, much like those of a dandelion. Other than TMA, the Mycena Zellestrian produces several other chemicals to defend itself, growth chemicals found within the seeds of the organism called Proterium, contain the building blocks that would ultimately lead to TMA and Protenin production in the adult, (a process similar to cells dividing into body and sex cells in the development mammals) the raw effect of the spores should they be ingested give a sensation of delirium and Synesthesia. Protenin, another substance which develops from the building blocks of Proterium, has similar effects as a Synesthesiac and is often used in tandem to make it stronger.


Breeding: Mycena Zellestrian reproduces A sexually, as the adult plant matures and begins to die after little more than a couple of days, the hood of the mushroom begins to turn upward, inverting and exposing the fibrous silks underneath to the elements. These silks are blown off in the wind, linking dozens upon dozens of spores for new mushrooms. Able to be carried miles due to the cold climates of its native planets. As well as lay in hibernation for years while frozen, as soon as the mushrooms are exposed to moisture and organic carbon, they flourish, growing rapidly in reaction to cold weather spikes, coming to maturity between a standard week, or only a couple of days in harsh conditions. Due to the fact that strings of spores are connected to every strand of silk, the mushrooms tend to grow in large clusters, dotting the landscape where the strands have fallen.


Strengths: Being a Fungus, they are a simple organism, and are able to grow naturally without sunlight or photosynthesis. Needing only soil and organic matter of some kind to absorb carbon in order to grow. The reactive nature of TMA allows them to resist extreme sub-zero temperatures to approximately -15 degrees celcius sustaining no damage at all, taking extremely cold temperatures in excess of -40 degrees celcius in order to damage the interior of the fungus. Mycena Zellestrian is also known to grow to maturity extremely quickly, far faster than most plants, making them easy to harvest so long as one has the correct equipment.


Weaknesses: Mycena Zellestrian has 2 key weaknesses. The first, by far the lesser of the two, is the mushrooms hate of dry arid weather. TMA holds the mitochondria needed for the fungus to grow, which, without cold, does not trigger well. In extreme heat, the proteins within the TMA begin to break down killing the fungus in record time. The second, and far more intrusive weakness of the plant, is disease. Being native to cold worlds, Mycena Zellestrian mushrooms are almost NEVER exposed to intrusive diseases or infections, making them incredibly prone to anything that would target them, cultivating them easily and with nearly no resistance, meaning that a single simple disease or plague could easily decimate a population of Mycena Zellestria, should it be able to resist extreme cold temperatures.


Diet: Like all heterotrophic fungi, Mycena Zellestria consumes organic matter through root like structures which dig deep into them, secreting harmful enzymes which break down the matter, fermenting it and allowing it to be drained as rich nutrients. The enzymes which the Mycena Zellestrian mushroom produces, are another branch of chemical which grows from the stem cell like proto-toxin that occurs in the spore stage of its life cycle called Protenin.


Behavior/Temperament: While not aggressively invasive, Mycena Zellestrian Mushrooms are still a fungus which spread quickly in supportive ecological climates such as winter forests. In some conditions they have become pests, but due to the nature of their home-worlds, outbreaks are known to be seldom at best and often handle-able due to farmers being able to simply introduce a disease to close clusters, which often kills them quickly and without fallout due to the cold weather.


Communication: N/A


Culture: Mycena Zellestrian is used by many cultures as an Entheogen; Proterium and Protenin are both powerful Synesthesiacs that cultures have used for spiritual enlightenment at one point or another more than recreational use. Due to the disorienting hall effects in the waking world, like many opiates the two agents are known to cause strange and oddly vivid dreams due to their Synesthetic effects, making perceived senses, even those within dreams oddly real, to the point that those who have had nightmares, have awoken with psychosomatic bruising on their arms and legs which would fade quickly.

TMA on the other hand, has had another cultural purpose as a combat drug with more war-like cultures. Warriors and berserkers taking large hits of the drug before charging into battle in order to remove mental restraints and push the bodies adrenal response further, allowing them to fight harder and faster than they would otherwise with exceedingly increased ferocity. It was this property that gave the Mycena Zellestrian the nickname Zillo, as those who consumed it would fight with the savageness and strength of a wild untameable beast, seemingly ignoring wounds that were inflicted upon them.

It was these properties that gave Mycena Zellestrian incredible significance spiritually and practically.


History: The history of Mycena Zellestrian's use goes back hundreds of years to the ages of primitive warriors to fight their foes and shamans attempting to divine into the deeper nature of the universe. However, it was Mycologists which found the Mushroom on Hoth that bought a more galactic appeal to the nature of the fungi. Sending waves through the scientific community due to its unique properties, hoping that some of its properties might be usable medically in one form or another. Though it was seldom used as a medicine due to the difficulty of separating the negative effects of TMA, it became popular as a natural alternative bio anti-freeze in machinery on frost planets.


Planet: Yahmsborg / Hoth / Ice planets


Technology: Unlike many toxic plants, it is exceedingly difficult to overdose on the toxins that are commonly found within Zillo, requiring exceedingly large doses of which many other chemicals would be just as lethal at.

TMA: when used is a psychotropic drug causes an immediate adrenal response in the body by stimulating that area of the brain while simultaneously stimulating the pre-frontal cortex to trigger anger and aggression within the patient. The result of the simple yet effective combination is an immediate aggressive response, engaging the 'fight' response involuntarily within the patient. Though how they would aim or process this emotional impulse varies from patient to patient. Other Symptoms of TMA intake are shaking, sweating, increased heart rate largely increase body temperature, high blood pressure and severe aggression as well as extreme drowsiness due to overexertion as the drug wears off. The adrenal and neural response also dampens to the point of turning off most pain receptors in the body, a mix of the rage, adrenaline and numbness is known to create a sense of invulnerability which removes many of the instinctual limiters we place on our actions. Simply put, it makes you as strong as you 'really' are, past the point where the organic mind intentionally hesitates to avoid its own harm.

Dangers of taking TMA are largely situational, it is a strenuous drug that puts a lot of pressure on the body. Specific dangers include: over-stimulation of the brain which can lead to headaches and the killing of braincells. Overexertion due to the removal of physical inhibitors can lead to over-heating, hyperthermia and even heat-stroke. Large doses on those with heart conditions can even cause cardiac arrest. Not being careful when striking can often cause splintered bones, torn muscle fibers or micro-fractures due to the body not holding back from impacts.

Proterium & Protenin Also psychotropic drugs, but with little similarity to the effect of TMA. Proterium and Protenin act as high potency Synesthetics and hallucinogens, meaning that they effect the bodies' senses, linking them together in such a way that 'sound' could trigger a sensation of 'taste' involuntarily while simultaneously causing a state of delirium. Leaving a victim in a state of sensory chaos and potential overload, where sounds can be seen as colors, physical sensations or even physical locations that completely disorient those who ingest it. The two chemicals are rather similar in effect and function, causing their symptoms by overstimulating the Parietal Lobe, causing neural connections to misfire. The end result is often panic, confusion complete sensory disorientation and/or a sense of being 'lost.' (Both physically and metaphorically.)

Sleeping on Proterium and Protenin causes extremely vivid dreams which seem real to the dreamer, to the point some of them can have physical effects on the body due to psychosomatic processes. This has led many to believe that the drug has spiritual properties in connecting with the spirit world.

There are no known dangers to the intake of Proterium or Protenin on their own, but what people are prone to do on them is often what causes danger. Overdose on Proterium and its derivative often trigger extreme sickness or the killing of some or more brain-cells, leading to damage over extensive use, but little in the short term.

Treatment: Mycena Zellestrian intoxication is relatively easy to treat, though the method is invasive. In cases of ingesting the Toxins, charcoal treatments can also be ingested to induce regurgitation or bind the substance so that it is not absorbed through the intestines or stomach lining, preventing the chemicals from reaching the blood-stream and effecting the brain. Though, should it be injected into the blood-stream directly, treatment becomes less about aversion and more about mitigation, as the patient would require fluid solutions delivered via an IV drip to dilute the chemicals and counter-act the effects. This is usually accomplished with potent neural depressants or anesthetic which, while countering the effects would cause severe drowziness and Somnolence.


Intent: The intent is to broaden some of the more colorful flora in the setting for use as a chemical weapon for weapon coating or use in darts and other ranged technology similar to the kaminoan saber darts or gas grenades.

 

Malon

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