Notes

[[include component:oldinfobox title=American Ghost Fungus|image=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Omphalotus_nidiformis_Binnamittalong_2_email.jpg/635px-Omphalotus_nidiformis_Binnamittalong_2_email.jpg|type=http://wayward.wdfiles.com/local--files/aberration%3Asonkbox/BlueThreat.png|threat=http://wayward.wikidot.com/local--files/aberration:sonkbox/ActiveProminent.png |active=ACTIVEHERE|names=Soul-Suckers]]

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**Description:** Aberrant is a species of fungi, which is near identical in looks and genetic information to //Omphalotus nidiformus//. [[footnote]] Commonly known as the ghost fungus. [[/footnote]] However, while the regular ghost fungus glows green, the American ghost fungus glows a deep red.

Aberrant is daemophagic[[footnote]] An organism that feeds on non-physical beings such as Metaphs or Spectres. Can alternatively be referred to as antispectrophic. [[/footnote]] and is known to live near or at areas possessed by non-physical beings. A spectre or metaph being preyed on by them are normally weaker and more easily caught and/or eliminated. Symptoms of the American ghost fungus on non-physical entities is specific to each type of spectre or metaph, though commonly includes paralysis. Aberration seems to only be able to focus on a single host at a time. It, like most other daemophagic organisms, has means of consuming non-physical entities that are currently unknown to the Society

The fungus can produce a highly addictive, colorless gaseous substance out of its gills while feeding, although they can excrete the gas at any time. The substance is known to heavily increase impulsive behavior, often leading to an accidental death. It's theorized that it also increases the likelihood of its victim becoming a spectre, giving it more food in the future. This is unconfirmed, however. Directly ingesting the mushroom causes highly increased symptoms compared to just breathing them.

The addictive properties of the fungi has caught attention to several illegal drug dealers, both individual-wise and group-wise. They are most often ingested via pills, although syringes are also common.

**Background:** The first known encounter of this aberration dates back to 1954 when the now defunct outfit known as Banshee noticed how spectre hunts tended to be easier in places where the fungus lived. After testing the fungi in a variety of experiments, the outfit learned of its antispectrophic properties. Banshee then designated the American ghost fungus as an aberration and used them to hunt spectres. Other outfits learned of these fungi and used them for spectre hunts as well, with a few testing on and succeeding with using them to combat metaphs. While some people died from overdoses and its impulsive behavior effects, it was nearly unanimously pointed to be the results of other aberrants.

Use of the fungus continued for over 30 years until in 1986, people started to notice this common behavior, which was linked to the fungus 2 years later. Use of the fungus has become far rarer due to the risks of using it. However, it is often used for red and black-level non-physical entity hunts as a high-risk, high-reward method.

**Location and Population:** American ghost fungi used to be native to the southwestern U.S.A. However, the past use of them for their antispectrophic properties by the Wayward Society and presently their addictive properties by illegal drug dealers have extended their reach to almost all of the states. It is currently unknown how many individuals of the aberrant there is.

**Hunting or Procurement Methods:** As they are a type of fungus, fungicides are the weapon of choice with combating them. Stay as far away as possible in order to prevent intoxication, and cover as much of your body as possible. Make sure that there are no non-physical beings around, as the fungus can replenish the toxin in that case.

**Encounter Records:**

**Additional Notes:** N/A
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