• IN REAL LIFE

This is from the Wikipedia:

Ophiocordyceps Sinensis (formerly known as Cordyceps Sinensis) […] is an entomopathogenic fungus (a fungus that grows on insects) in the family Ophiocordycipitaceae. […] O. Sinensis parasitizes the larvae of moths within the family Hepialidae […]. The fungus germinates in the living larva, kills and mummifies it, and then a dark brown stalk-like fruiting body which is a few centimeters long emerges from the corpse and stands upright. […] O. Sinensis is classified as a medicinal mushroom, and its use has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. The hand-collected, intact fungus-caterpillar body is valued by herbalists as medicine, and because of its cost, its use is also a status symbol.

Cordyceps Sinensis before being recollected and after.

• IN THE GAME STORY

This fungus was used by GWFCE to create the liquor called Beehive. They used mutated spores for infected the ones who drunk it. The result was people transformed into golden mummies. However, before that, the survivors already used it to do natural medicines.

•  IN THE GAMEPLAY

The players will be able to do, for example, a drug to have more “vitality”. Allowing the players sprinting for the longest period or holding the air (for sniper accuracy) for more time.

This is the one used by the game The Last Of Us. However, I used it in a more “realistic” way.

• IN REAL LIFE

I did my research for the novel story. I wanted that my Changed were the most realistic possible. I discover that the genus Cordyceps are mainly insect parasites. This fungus attack invading the host with their mycelia and replacing the tissues with it. It also changed the behavior of the host in its own benefic. The Cordyceps can activate a secondary metabolism that produces antibacterial, antibiotics and other substances that protect the host and itself.  For that reason, this fungus has a lot of natural medicine potential.

This is the Cordyceps Unilateralis in an Ant. The next one is Cordyceps Militaris. This is the one that I chose for the physic design to be prettier and striking

• IN THE GAME STORY

GWFCE used a cocktail of mutated spores, formed with different fungus to create their Toxin. The Cordyceps was the base of the Toxin. The reason was that the survivors of the Hard War already use it for making cheap natural medicines. The idea behind the Toxin was the mutated spores would infect the humans, killing them. Of their dead bodies would borne fungus, trees, and other flora, that will attract insects, creating new ecosystems.

Now, all the survivors have in their bodies this special parasite-fungus. The only thing that is different between them is the type of mutation that they have. (More information in Mutations). The good thing is this type of fungus is great natural medicine and is cultivated by the survivors in the Greenhouses. However, is easy to find in the Corpse’s Forests and in the dead bodies after a few days.

• IN THE GAMEPLAY

I want that the dead bodies of the enemies and the animals do not disappear immediately. I want that the Parasite-Fungus born of them few hours later of the death and then disappear after a while.

Other ideas are that the fungus grow immediately, so the players can collect it in the moment or that only some of the bodies have this featured.

The players will able to create powerful healing medicines using the Parasite-Fungus.

These trees mutated because of the air and soil highly contaminated and acid. These toxic trees have a trunk black as coal, brittle looking, but hard as stone to the touch. Its wood is black with red streaks as well as its the resin, which is reminiscent of blood in color and texture, but its odor is oily and strong. They have tall branches. Those closest to the sky have reddish leaves, but those closest to the ground are the color of ash, grayish and white. When they are touched, they dissolve with as if they were in fact only ash and when they “dry up” they turn black, falling to the ground, where they are suspended due to their light weight. Step on a floor of these toxic leaves is dangerous since it will turning into dust that is easily inhaled. Their wood is used by certain Rites to build their homes and the resin is a great fuel.

Arboreal species that grows only in polluted zones. It is characterized to have a very greyish white wood and a resin resembling blood. Both, its wood and its resin, are highly flammable. They do not have leaves or fruits, but if they are watered and fertilized, they can generate large red flowers with large, heavy petals, that, when rotted, smell like a rotting corpse. Also, that can be picked and dried, leaving them like if was dry human skin. Some Rite adores these trees and feeds them with fresh human blood.