Comments on: Journeys to the West: The Isle of Morphoi and Its Creatures (Part 4)

By: PW_Shea

PW_Shea — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:59:05 +0000

What if their entire head is covered in this fungus? What if it’s a fungus that feeds on the morphoi hulk’s unique physiology and is therefore unique to the hulk (a mutation in what was otherwise non-threatening, perfectly safe fungi)? What if it is a source of constant irritation and pain to the hulk? What if it “releases” the spores by using its claws and eyestalks (especially the latter as they are closer, more flexible and therefore better suited for the task) to “wipe” off the spores?

By: AmbySlaad

AmbySlaad — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:24:45 +0000

Well, there are parasites that infest snail eyestalks driving them to get eaten by birds. Maybe the fungus was originally a parasite in the proto-hulks, then they developed a symbiosis, and eventually became one organism.

By: einherjar

einherjar — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:34:10 +0000

Great to see crustacean-beasts! A great write-up with a nice mix of abilities to fulfill it’s niche and purpose. I’m not totally won over by the depiction – the colours are good, but the scale exoskeleton is not as clear. I’d also like to see the second set of grappling arms enlarged and the locomotive limbs more crablike and less humanoid. Still, it is a hulk, so it does look like a hulking brute…

By: BrianLiberge

BrianLiberge — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:31:20 +0000

They are originally abberations right?

By: Wolfgang

Wolfgang — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:30:51 +0000

Oh, I think they could have spores. I’m trying to figure out how eyes generate them.

Honestly, my own love of mycology is totally tripped me up and I’m clearly overthinking it… Spores are so specific to reproduction, and eyes are so poorly suited to producing them, and really, crabs that grow from spores…?

When what’s important is that they are giant extraplanar crab men and I should worry less about their love lives.

By: Christina Stiles

Christina Stiles — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:00:34 +0000

I put that eye stalk spore site in there, thinking it’d be odd but cool place to take advantage of the ability Ben created. Do you want the site changed, or do you think they should not have spores?

By: xellos

xellos — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:20:31 +0000

Perhaps it’s how they cry. =P

By: Kobold Quarterly

Kobold Quarterly — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:42 +0000

I’m a little weirded out by the spores released from eye stalks. It’s gross, but it also doesn’t make a ton of sense.

Mushrooms have stalks and spores, but not eyes. Crabs have eyes and stalks but not spores.

Seems a weird blend of sources.