Morrow

anatomy and reproduction of the sinister jade-cap (c. morrowcallidae)

infection //

any organic creature can serve as a host for the sinister jade-cap. however, it exhibits a notable preference for sapient hosts, as their complex mental faculties offer a variety of tools to increase the likelihood that the fungus will be able to successfully complete its reproductive cycle. humans are the most commonly chosen host.

the jade-cap’s spores are grown primarily in the respiratory tract of mature individuals, and are typically spread through the host creature’s breath as airborne particles. should a potential victim inhale a sufficient quantity of these spores, the fungus will take root in their lungs and begin the reproductive process, progressing rapidly to stage one of its development within 24 hours of initial exposure. immunocompromised individuals and those with respiratory damage are more susceptible to infection.


stage one //

once the jade-cap’s virulent spores embed themselves fully within the lungs of a new host, they quickly generate delicate tendrils of mycelium. these tendrils burrow shallowly into the surrounding flesh and begin to leech nutrients from the victim, which are immediately used to bolster the young new growth. symptoms at this stage are quite mundane and generally consist of a mild cough, sore throat, and a feeling of congestion in the chest— traits that are nearly indistinguishable from those of traditional respiratory infections, allowing the jade-cap to mask its presence and evade detection.

the mycelium is still very thin and fragile during this early phase. if the afflicted creature receives prompt treatment and medication, it can be purged from the body with relative ease, and the fungus will fail to propagate. however, if no treatment is administered within 48 hours after symptoms present themselves, the jade-cap’s development will proceed to stage two.


stage two //

at this stage, the jade-cap has established itself firmly within the host’s respiratory tract, and has absorbed enough energy to begin spreading beyond its original target area. tiny pieces of mycelium will detach from the still-growing fungus and enter the bloodstream through capillaries in the lungs, scattering themselves throughout the host’s body. stage one symptoms intensify during this period, and are usually accompanied by the addition of chills, nausea, and fatigue. the fungus will begin to congregate in the brain and greater nervous system, causing headaches that become increasingly severe over the following days.

treatment and elimination of the jade-cap is still possible at this stage, but traditional remedies and over-the-counter medication will no longer suffice. to make a full recovery and destroy the developed mycelium in its entirety, specialized respiratory care and anti-fungal drugs are now necessary. should the victim fail to receive this particular type of care, the jade-cap will progress to stage three of its reproductive cycle.


stage three //

the hallmark symptoms of the jade-cap’s presence only deign to reveal themselves after it has infiltrated the host’s nervous system. the fungus displays a remarkable level of cognizance, and will begin manipulating various areas of the brain via tendrils of mycelium in order to produce a desired reaction in the host. the headaches and respiratory distress typical of phases one and two will slowly subside, being replaced instead by feelings of dizziness and inebriation. the host may feel ‘hazy’ as the mycelium spreads and burrows into their neural tissue, experiencing blurred vision, impaired coordination, and a distinct lack of focus. fatigue increases dramatically during this phase, compelling the host to spend a great deal of time at rest, though no amount of sleep will alleviate or cure their exhaustion.

the most archetypal symptom, however, is an uncanny change in mood. the stress, discomfort, and misery of being critically ill will abruptly vanish from the victim’s behavior, and they will begin acting complacent and increasingly relaxed, exhibiting little fear regarding their condition. this happens invariably and in spite of their weakened state, and as a result, they are unlikely to pursue any further form of treatment or medical assistance.

once this stage is reached, the jade-cap’s infection has become virtually incurable. neurosurgery and chemotherapy are the only treatment options that grant any possibility of survival, and even then, total removal of the fungus is not guaranteed. progression to stage four will follow swiftly after the mood shifts begin, further decreasing the possibility of recovery.


stage four //

with its neural network fully embedded and tentative control over the host’s mental faculties established, the fungus can begin the longest and most complicated phase of its life cycle. the small pockets of mycelium that it previously spread throughout the host body have grown dramatically in size by this point, and now embark on the task of assimilating the surrounding tissues en masse. these are broken down by digestive enzymes, which are secreted by the mycelium tendrils and then absorbed directly into them; these tendrils then use the nutrients gleaned to multiply and fill in the empty space, concentrating in thick webs to provide support and maintain the overall shape of the consumed flesh.

though one might expect this process to be extremely painful for the victim, the jade-cap is clever enough to inhibit the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for processing pain signals. as a result, the developing host feels absolutely no discomfort at this stage of infection, and will frequently cite this fact as proof that they are no longer ill. additionally, the fungus begins stimulating the brain’s hormonal pleasure centers, forcing a near-constant state of heightened arousal. in conjunction with the victim’s continued feelings of calmness and relaxation (as seen in stage three), this potent blend of positive emotions firmly encourages them to permit further propagation of the fungus throughout their body.

the mycelium will eventually consume and replace almost all of the host’s internal organs during this stage, a process that can potentially take several weeks to complete. the external layers of fat and skin, as well as the muscular and skeletal systems, are intentionally kept intact to enable continued mobility and perpetuate the illusion of good health. however, the skin will discolor over time without the aid of proper blood flow; to mitigate this deterioration, the host’s appetite will spike dramatically, providing additional critical nutrients to the jade-cap as its development reaches the final stage.


stage five //

by the end of the jade-cap’s reproductive cycle, the host has been systematically rendered down to a literal shell of their former self, albeit one that cannot fully maintain itself this late in its life. extremely vulnerable external organs, most notably the eyes, break down as areas inside the skull are populated and pseudo-replicated by the fungus. with the brain now wreathed in a thick layer of specialized mycelium, only its most rudimentary functions remain, and the tendrils surrounding it permeate so deep into the neural network that separating them in any capacity is impossible. however, the jade-cap’s innate intelligence is sufficient to compensate for the destroyed areas, and it will gradually fuse with and override the host’s consciousness and personality during this stage. once this process concludes, the victim is considered dead; while their body can still seem lively and may even imitate assimilated behaviors from its choice of host, it is now merely a puppet, controlled entirely by the fungus inhabiting it.

the jade-cap’s characteristic fruiting body will form within 72 hours after the host’s death. a concentrated mass of mycelium tendrils erupt from the top of the head with enough strength to pierce the skull, after which they will congregate around the area to form a heavy, voluminous mushroom cap. the cap is extremely dense and difficult to penetrate, serving as effective protection for the central nervous system, and perpetually secretes a viscous slime to maintain a moist environment and deter contact and injury. it is from the striking, vibrant green color of this mushroom that the jade-cap draws its name.

the mature form of this fungus is unique in its ability to accurately mimic a sentient, humanlike disposition following the death of its host, a facade that particularly successful individuals can often maintain for years. it is fully capable of utilizing the victim’s repurposed vocal cords and nervous system as its own, and as long as it receives adequate nutrition and moisture, it can near-indefinitely prevent its chosen host body from decaying. it uses the convincing veneer provided by this body to integrate into communities of similar creatures, upon which it can begin the reproductive cycle anew and continue to propagate its virulent species.