THE ARTIFACT

Log 9, freundpilz. A new creature, or rather a collection of creatures, has been found in the marsh. It is a small colony of cydropeds and a single mushroom. My new companion the ice head seemed to recognize this creature and helped with learning its strange anatomy. The creature’s body is comprised of four cydropeds rapped around each other. These cydropeds have thick tentacles and produce an acidic mucus from their mouths. On their own the cydropeds are quite helpless as they can barely move their own legs, however when paired with a special fungus they become quite coordinated. The mushroom is the brain of the creature, its long and thin roots act like a nervous system that connects all four cydropeds together. The mushroom is also the one commanding the movements, while it has a brain of its own it uses the simple minds of the cydropeds to aid in decision making. While at first it seems that this bond is parasitic, by looking closer I’ve realized that it is a symbiotic bond between the creatures. The crydropeds are unharmed and even benefit from the mushroom. Both creatures gain better mobility and get access to food; using the acidic mucus prey is melted down and eaten by both the cydropeds and fungus. Groups of these cydropeds have been observed to go out looking for this fungus as it greatly increases their chances of survival. I think freundpilz would be a fitting name for this cluster of friends.