Dr. Alset Niest
Character
Intent: To make a Vong version of a CigarraDevelopment Thread: If needed
Manufacturer: Legion Yun'Do, Selvaris
Model: Chazarillo, Batrachochytrium vostralis
Affiliation: One Sith/Legion Yun'Do
Modularity: No
Production: Mass
Material: Living Biot
Description:
"The Warrior Caste has glorified this fungus as a gift from Yun-Yammka, the Shapers thank their own ingenuity and their God. I just wonder: what drives a species to such disgusting endeavors?" - Dr. Alset Neist
The Chazarillo, named after the Chazrach soldier, began it's life misunderstood and hated. Some believed it to be another plague, sent by the Gods, chastising the Legion on Selvaris for the slow acceptance of the more liberal interpretations of the Great Doctrine. Others believed that it was the natural culling of a weak and pathetic race, the Chazrach, for their sin of...being weak. What they didn't understand is that when a world is terraformed, or vong shaped, it can respond in impressive and unique ways.
The Batrachochytrium vostralis, nicknamed the Chazarillo, is a unique fungus if ever one was experienced. The initial origins of it's life is unknown, though we can only assume that it occurred in response to World-shaping - records proceeding the process of the Yuuzhan Vong on Selvaris hold no accounts of such a thing. It was discovered in a burial pit, among the dying of the Chazrach, who were growing uncontrollable lesions of fleshy mushroom like masses. What was remarkable is that while the fungus was evidently causing the death of these Chazrach slaves, it was continuing to use the carcasses long after their departure. Now, I don't know how this came about, though I am morbidly curious - I suspect Sparkbee Honey - but a number of Warriors of the Legion discovered that when removed from the flesh, the spiney base of the Chazarillo will ignite. Upon later testing, we discovered an odd production of pyrophoric phosphorous, trace amounts to be sure.
Once ignited, the internal tubular canal of the fungus, through a pressure difference, will blow the smoke through the head and gills. It's during this time that the Warriors realized that the mushroom could be smoked. Upon inspection, it was revealed that the taste was similar to mixing scotch with hints of earth and a high caliber of oaken nuts, quite the sultry and herbal finish. Simply put, it's delicious...Not that I would know, first hand.
Initial breakout had to be controlled through biological controls - mostly bugs based off the nang hul, that went unnamed in the annals of history for their limited use. However, the shapers took the opportunity to genetically modify this species from it original variant - leading to the truest form of the Chazarillo, that can be used as a biot when placed against the flesh of any sentient. Controlled, the object does little harm to the host, though it will naturally pull nutrients from the body to grow over the course of a 2 day period. Once ready, expressed by the production of 8 basal spines and a brownish color to the gills and sheath, it can be plucked form the skin - or broken, if that sits better. Immediately, just as the original Chazarillo, it ignites in response to oxygen and can be smoked. The biot is placed by manual injection of spore base, a disk like platform that stabilizes the fungus and allows for repetitive growth and initial required nutrient input from that singular space. This also prevents the spread of the species beyond this spot and the disk can be removed at any time, given the proper level of persistence and/or pain tolerance. Due to the shaping, the fungus is incapable of killing the host unless said host is incredibly sickly or old.
Strengths:
[+] Incredibly resilient to hostile atmospheric conditions
[+] Tastes incredible
Weaknesses:
[-] It's a mushroom biot
[-] Requires a sentient/fleshy body in order to produce in bio-engineered form, along with a implanted nutrient disk.
Primary Source: N/a
