Creatures of FASA

FASA 365 Day 194, Alvum Conscientia Fungorum (Hive Mind Mushroom) for 1879,

A Self-aware, organism.

Mistakes were made.

It was dismissed as any other mushroom, growing in the forest. Where the light is dim, and the humidity is favorable to fungus growth.

The Cooks assistant, Private Kitridge, tried to pick one. It released its spores, before it was harvested. The assistant then inexplicably “changed his mind” about that particular mushroom and began to pick the smaller, normal looking species.

Shortly after returning from the forest, the assistant was heard, mumbling “Leave me be” between coughing fits. A dull expression on his face. Private Kitridge died two days later. Apparently from a “unidentified” lung infection.

After the funeral, the cook, Sgt. Major Wills, went himself into the forest, and found the same mushroom patch. Harvesting the normal looking mushrooms he inadvertently picked up a smaller of the Alvum Conscientia, that was wedged in a clump of moss. Hidden and attached to the other “button” mushrooms. The whole clump dropped into a bag before it could release its spores.

Upon returning to his kitchen, and discovering the odd looking mushroom in his pack; he asked one of the locals, a Saurid Guide, who was hanging around the kitchen, if he knew

anything about the odd looking mushroom.

The guide, immediately covered the deadly little fungus in a wet dish rag that was lying nearby. The dish rag seemed to move slightly and quiver as the little mushroom released its deadly spores.

Pointing at the, now still, dishrag, The Saurid Guide quoted the dead Private Kitridges’s warning. “Leave it BE!”

After a quick telling of how the Saurid tribes learned to never pick, burn, or do ANYTHING. to the Alvum Conscientia. Just, “Leave it be”.

Upon further guidance from our Saurid friend, Private Kitridge was exhumed from his grave inside the fort. Evidence of mushroom growth already forming from his open caved in chest cavity. He was then summarily re buried next to the Mushroom patch that had claimed his life.

Sgt. Major Wills, gave the Largest of the Fungorum in the patch, a “nick name” or “honorary rank” of Major. Major Mushroom. Saluting the old gnarled fungus, he spoke to it, and said “Take care of the boy, he’s in your charge now”

He then, with full military decorum, did an about face and walked away.

One month after the transfer of the body, a new “member” of the Conscienctia Fungorum ranks sprouted from the still newly dug grave.

Horrifyingly, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the unfortunate Private Kitridge.