Sporelings

Description

Sporelings are small creatures, only a few inches in size, with small chubby bodies - and large mushroom caps on top of their heads. Sporelings commonly inhabit sites of great holy or unholy energies - surviving off of them and supporting either themselves, or whole colonies. They are very small creatures, and typically make their homes within tight spaces - that the average eye may only try to peep inside.

The Sporelings only have two variants of shades for their plump little bodies, as they are only created either a creamy white or ebony gray. The division between them determining what areas they are able to inhabit, and which energies they will naturally be drawn to siphon from. Whilst the Sporelings who are created to be ebony gray draw purely from sources of profane energy, naturally sanctifying an area within their process of life, Sporelings of creamy white naturally corrupt holy sites and objects.

Amongst the Sporelings, height is a factor that becomes exceedingly pertinent within their own hierarchy. Whilst many typical sporelings only stand at a measly 4 inches, their leaders are not much taller at a typical 7.5 inch height - excluding their mushroom caps. Including their mushroom caps - the menial Sporeling may stand at a total of 5 inches, whilst the colony leader may stand at 8.5 inches. And whilst the title of the Sporeling leader may change from colony to colony - all Sporelings of a colony always are governed directly by the singular Sporeling leader.

The most important item amongst these Sporelings’ lives are the powders that are produced by all of their mushroom caps. These powders are used as the prominent reagent within their ritualistic conversion of holy or unholy energy - as when applied to an object, the powder is known to alter the properties of what it is applied to its natural opposite entirely. The Sporelings will often store this powder in mounds within specific chambers of their colonies, for use within their rituals.

Distribution

Rare. Sporelings live entirely in colony settings, often creating a complex structure of small tunnels and chambers for the entire colony to live in. These Sporelings will always inhabit areas where holy or unholy energies are prominent, as these energies are their direct food source, and only way of growing and expanding their colonies. Finding a Sporeling colony often requires finding a site of holy or unholy prominence, making the Sporelings a rather rare sight.

Habitat

Sporelings create colonies around prominent sites of holy or unholy energies, whether these be holy sites, or where a powerful profane artifact is constantly emitting unholiness. Sporelings are dependent on these energies in order to sustain themselves, and to grow their colonies.

Diet

The lifestyle of a Sporeling is foreign to many others, as they do not eat or sustain themselves as one would think. Sporelings rather gain sustenance through their ritualistic conversion of unholiness or holiness to its opposing form; it is in this ritual, as well, that new sporelings are created.

Relations

The Sporelings always establish colonies that can grow very extensively, and can form very tightly knit communities. And whilst the ebony gray sporelings have often been culled - forcing them into reclusion from the common man, the creamy white sporelings are often very open and outgoing. Many priests and holy men are tricked by these creamy white sporelings, ending in the corruption of their once prominent churches and artifacts. Meanwhile, the ebony gray sporelings are often confused for black, profane creatures - and are killed on sight.

Mechanics

• Ebony Gray Sporelings are reclusive, whilst Creamy White Sporelings are very open and outgoing.
• All Sporelings sustain, and grow their colonies through their ritualistic conversion of unholy or holy energy.
• Sporelings are all very small, and often create complex systems of tunnels and chambers that will only fit creature’s the height of their leader.
• Sporelings may be found anywhere of divine or profane prominence.
• Sporelings may gradually corrupt or sanctify an area through their ritual.

Material Properties

• The mushroom cap of a leader Sporeling will never spoil or rot, and is said to be able to sanctify or corrupt any object once, if used in a ritual.
  • Whichever way is dependent on what type of leader Sporeling the cap came from.

Alchemical Properties

• The powder produced by the Sporelings may be used in alchemy in order to reverse the effects of any alchemical it is applied to. Once added, this alchemical will rapidly be seen to transform into its natural opposite. Poisons become antidotes, and tars become quick non-viscous fluids that are nearly too slippery to exist.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier