[!] A relatively short report has been posted around the Spire and Albern's Crossing relating to the recent fungal outbreak.

Eldarhorn (Parasitic Mycelioma): Dissection Results

Dissections were conducted on three different infected insects captured inside or around the quarantine zone in Albern's Crossing. Those present for the capturing of infected insects were: Axel, Dr. Konrad Radziwill and Mallory. Those present for the dissection of the infected insects were: Axel and Dr. Konrad Radziwill.

Note: Detritivorous (feeding on decaying organic matter) arthropods (insects, arachnids, crustaceans) around Albern's Crossing have become infected with Parasitic Mycelioma. The fungus responsible for the infection seems to be attracting detritivores, which feed on the fungus and become carriers of it.

First Dissection: Corpse Cicada

The dissection of the corpse cicada began with an examination of its digestive tract. Mycelium growth was present in these areas. Further dissection of the insect’s head revealed its brain was free of infection, but its nervous system has some growths.

Second Dissection: Beetle Grub

The dissection of the beetle grub began with an examination of its digestive tract and airways. Slight mycelium growth was present in these areas. Further dissection revealed no further growth.

Third Dissection: Carrion Beetle

The dissection of the carrion beetle began with an examination of its digestive tract, which showed significant  mycelium growths. Further examination revealed its brain to be completely compromised with roots. Touching the mycelium brain roots caused the beetle to twitch, even after death. Squeezing the roots caused the beetle to seize. The mycelium produced to melt its organs and flesh, which fungal tendrils grew out of its abdomen. Even when confined in a glass jar, it tried to attack.

Conclusions

After these three dissections occurred, each specimen was neutralized by being submerged in medical grade alcohol. This reduced each specimen to a liquid state, although still remaining very much alive. Each fungal liquid pulsed in a rhythm similar to a heartbeat when felt through their glass containers. Feeling two different jars at the same time revealed that these ‘heartbeats’ were nearly completely in sync. When the jars were closer together, they became exactly in rhythm with one another.

Based on these three dissections, three basic conclusions can be made:

1. There are roughly 3 stages to Parasitic Mycelioma.
2. Insects are not immune from transformation.
3. Infected creatures are connected in some way.

The first stage of Parasitic Mycelioma was exhibited by the beetle grub. It is characterized by either mycelium growths in the lungs or the stomach depending on if the spores of the fungus were breathed in or consumed. The second stage of Parasitic Mycelioma was exhibited by the corpse cicada. It is characterized by mycelium growths spreading to other parts of the body, particularly the nervous system. This could indicate motor functions becoming compromised. The third stage of Parasitic Mycelioma was exhibited by the carrion beetle. It is characterized by the mycelium growths spreading to the brain. Once reaching stage three, a transformation similar to what happened to the carrion beetle may occur. It is unknown how this transformation is triggered, or if it will happen naturally over time.

It was originally thought that detritivorous insects, although infected, were simply carriers of the disease and that they did not have the available mass to fully transform. This was proven false through the carrion beetle dissection. The trigger for a natural transformation is unknown, as the one that happened during the dissection was accidentally triggered when directly examining and probing the roots that encompassed its brain.

Through examination of the mycelium liquid, the matching heartbeats indicate some sort of interconnectedness between infected creatures. Moreover, this connection seems to be affected by distance. When further apart, the connection seems to be weaker. Why or how this connection is shared between infected creatures is unknown.