Slime Moulds (sage study)
Slime Moulds is a sage study in the field of Animal Life, delving into a diverse assembly of monstrous entities and organisms. Through observation and research, the player character is granted a rich understanding of their ecosystems and natures, edpecially in telling one from another.
Contents
Slime moulds are but one of three primary groups, but all are accounted for in the study:
- Slimes and moulds: these life forms exhibit a remarkable tendency to spread outwards like a growing thing, progressively expanding across various surfaces such as floors, walls, and even ceilings. Their preferred habitats predominantly lie beneath the earth's surface, typically in subterranean realms. Examples include brown and yellow mould, gas spores and green slime.
- Metamorphs consist of diminutive creatures adept at transforming themselves into coherent forms or appendages, a skill they utilize both for offensive actions and the consumption of prey. Their agility and adaptability enable them to change their shape to surprise and seize their quarry. Examples include the mimic and yellow pool
, capable of some mobility, comprised of tiny creatures that will reform themselves into solid shapes or 'limbs' in order to attack and consume prey; and puddings, oozes & jellies, that do not harden their bodies (ranging from semi-liquid to gelatinous), attacking prey by producing enzymes or acids that consumes flesh and other materials, among other effects.
The origin of many creatures is related to humanoid activities. With old mines; the manner of extraction of ore from rock creates dust, grit and slag, which is a sort of offal for jellies, puddings and oozes. Once a mine has been closed for fifty years or so, these creatures will emerge from the muck, born from it, then continue to feed until the natural diminishing food supply for them runs out ... which can take a millennium or so.
Sage Abilities
The sage abilities below are those acquired by a character through the study, according to status.
Amateur Status
- Detect Slime: improves forewarning through scent recognition of puddings, oozes and jellies when they approach.
- Identify Slime: allows distinction between different forms (jelly, ooze, slime, etc.) and species, enabling knowledge of the danger presented.