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Description
Deep in the mystic radiation Mutated Wastes lay a strange lifeform, belonging to what many consider a sixth kingdom of life. The Mutats are a strange group of organisms that evolved by a mixing of different lineages, by both intention and accident, to form a new kingdom of life

GENERAL FORM
The overall cell structure of Mutatis resembles that of a plant or fungus: However, they also possess animal and protist features, and even several bacterial traits. The mutats' main body is a flattened structure that varies from disc-like to a mass of branches in a rough plane. The body has a core made of a hard material similar to a mix of cartilage and wood, which is mineralized in some species. Around it sits the flesh, which is rather unique in structure: Overall the cells are organised as in fungal trama, but contains multiple intermixed cell types resembling those of plants and some from animals. The bulk properties are usually fungoid, with some similarities to vegetable matter or certain animal tissues. The surface is covered in an integument similar to bark, which comes in a variety of external textures and coverings.

The main body cannot grow after its growing period has ended: To continue growing, they instead start growing a new main body from the edge of the original: These two growths remain attached to eachother by their edge. In addition to the main body, they have numerous appendages, of which there are two types in the base form. On top are the phyllobrachia, which are long antenna-like structures which absorp psychic energies for psychosynthesis. They have a similar material to the flesh of the body, except for the core composed of nervous tissue. The integument here is distinct, resembling a thick layer somewhere between sponge and mycelium. This is used to absorp required elements from the air. The phyllobrachia tend to grow almost straight up into the air, and can be simple or branching. On the underside of the body grow the anchors: These are simple, ligament/cartilage like rods which support and anchor the mutat to the ground. The anchor ends in a ring of spiny tentacles, which hold the anchor in place.

Reproduction is achieved by releasing a phyllobrachium into the wind. They do not reproduce sexually, instead using horizontal gene transfer. The phyllobrachium can survive in the air almost indefinitely if it does not leave the Wastes, but most only spend a day at most in the air. They start growing by producing a main body from its base, which first starts growing anchors to hold it in the place it landed. Then, it puts out new phyllobrachia and becomes a full mutat.

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS
This general form, while ocassionally seen in modern times, is not common: Many species have special structures derived from the organs mentioned above.

One common adaptation are modified anchor tentacles growing out of the underside, which serve as prickles to deter predators. In a few species a similar trait is seen on top, with either modified phyllobrachia or sharp growths of bark detering predation from above.

On the other side of the anchor spectrum are those without the anchor tentacles, which use the force of the winds to move them along the ground. In the more extreme end are those which lack anchors entirely and float in the air: Usually these forms are not flattened, and have only the top growth surface covering their entire body.

Within reproduction are many unique and convergent features. Most common are spermobrachia: These are modified phyllobrachia, which are much smaller and contain a large amount of fat and starch. These serve as seeds or spores for the mutats which have them. A further adaptation of this idea is the formation of fruit: These are composed of a spermobrachium or a cluster thereof surrounded by a thickened fatty layer derived from the body's integument. These are to entice animals to consume the spermobrachia and transport them against the wind.

There are also more exotic adaptations. The Ophiobrachia are carnivorous forms with phyllobrachia adapted for catching prey: These are sticky and covered in prickles, and can coil up to grab their prey. Closely related are the Troglocolia adapted to hide in cracks and/or discarded shells, which can retract their phyllobrachia to protect them from predators. More arcane are the Cerebrophyllidae, which possess brain-like masses at the base of their phyllobrachia that are capable of telekinetically moving the mutats away from predators.

Description
Deep in the mystic radiation Mutated Wastes lay a strange lifeform, belonging to what many consider a sixth kingdom of life. The Mutats are a strange group of organisms that evolved by a mixing of different lineages, by both intention and accident, to form a new kingdom of life

GENERAL FORM
The overall cell structure of Mutatis resembles that of a plant or fungus: However, they also possess animal and protist features, and even several bacterial traits. The mutats' main body is a flattened structure that varies from disc-like to a mass of branches in a rough plane. The body has a core made of a hard material similar to a mix of cartilage and wood, which is mineralized in some species. Around it sits the flesh, which is rather unique in structure: Overall the cells are organised as in fungal trama, but contains multiple intermixed cell types resembling those of plants and some from animals. The bulk properties are usually fungoid, with some similarities to vegetable matter or certain animal tissues. The surface is covered in an integument similar to bark, which comes in a variety of external textures and coverings.

The main body cannot grow after its growing period has ended: To continue growing, they instead start growing a new main body from the edge of the original: These two growths remain attached to eachother by their edge. In addition to the main body, they have numerous appendages, of which there are two types in the base form. On top are the phyllobrachia, which are long antenna-like structures which absorp psychic energies for psychosynthesis. They have a similar material to the flesh of the body, except for the core composed of nervous tissue. The integument here is distinct, resembling a thick layer somewhere between sponge and mycelium. This is used to absorp required elements from the air. The phyllobrachia tend to grow almost straight up into the air, and can be simple or branching. On the underside of the body grow the anchors: These are simple, ligament/cartilage like rods which support and anchor the mutat to the ground. The anchor ends in a ring of spiny tentacles, which hold the anchor in place.

Reproduction is achieved by releasing a phyllobrachium into the wind. They do not reproduce sexually, instead using horizontal gene transfer. The phyllobrachium can survive in the air almost indefinitely if it does not leave the Wastes, but most only spend a day at most in the air. They start growing by producing a main body from its base, which first starts growing anchors to hold it in the place it landed. Then, it puts out new phyllobrachia and becomes a full mutat.

SPECIAL ADAPTATIONS
This general form, while ocassionally seen in modern times, is not common: Many species have special structures derived from the organs mentioned above.

One common adaptation are modified anchor tentacles growing out of the underside, which serve as prickles to deter predators. In a few species a similar trait is seen on top, with either modified phyllobrachia or sharp growths of bark detering predation from above.

On the other side of the anchor spectrum are those without the anchor tentacles, which use the force of the winds to move them along the ground. In the more extreme end are those which lack anchors entirely and float in the air: Usually these forms are not flattened, and have only the top growth surface covering their entire body.

Within reproduction are many unique and convergent features. Most common are spermobrachia: These are modified phyllobrachia, which are much smaller and contain a large amount of fat and starch. These serve as seeds or spores for the mutats which have them. A further adaptation of this idea is the formation of fruit: These are composed of a spermobrachium or a cluster thereof surrounded by a thickened fatty layer derived from the body's integument. These are to entice animals to consume the spermobrachia and transport them against the wind.

There are also more exotic adaptations. The Ophiobrachia are carnivorous forms with phyllobrachia adapted for catching prey: These are sticky and covered in prickles, and can coil up to grab their prey. Closely related are the Troglocolia adapted to hide in cracks and/or discarded shells, which can retract their phyllobrachia to protect them from predators. More arcane are the Cerebrophyllidae, which possess brain-like masses at the base of their phyllobrachia that are capable of telekinetically moving the mutats away from predators.