Hydromyces

Parent Race: Florans

Appearance

Born in the depths of the oceans, Hydromyces are distant relatives of Myceloids. Being born in the darkest places in the sea, they've developed dark skin tones for camouflage, though they're capable of bioluminescence, which has both practical and cultural uses.

Abilities & Behaviors

Hydromyces are physically weaker than humanoids, though their inhuman composition makes it hard for opponents in combat to find where their weak spots are, and striking them with sharp weapons might appear ineffective to fighters inexperienced with Hydromyces, though it does cause them damage. Additionally, their heightened observation allows them to react with lightning-fast reflexes, though the can't be said for their sense of taste and hearing, both of which are slightly underdeveloped, due to their lack of need for these senses at the bottom of the sea. Their bioluminescence is used as a form of communication, allowing Hydromyces to speak to each other with their bodies, and the dances and mating rituals in their culture have evolved around beautifully illuminating their bodies and moving in ways that appear almost hypnotic.

Biology

Average lifespan: 200 years Maturity age: 40 years Height range: 1.2 – 2 meters

Culture & Beliefs

When living underwater, Hydromyces are a semi-nomadic race. Due to the fleeting nature of existence in the deep seas, they've grown accustomed to working together and settling when possible, but they don't grow too attached to any one living space, and they adapt to living in underwater cave systems, though they are capable of constructing their own structures for shelter when needed. Hydromycean colonies that have found themselves on the surface enjoy buidling more permanent lodging, though they still prefer to live close to the ocean, or to other bodies of water.

Origin & History

Hydromyces evolved in the depths, unbothered by conflict with the merfolk, who they have an unexpected kinship with. Due to their asexual reproduction, they have no human-like concepts of family, living moreso as "tribes" that raise their young together.