Kortesians
Species
Sentient Species
The Kortesians are a diminutive myco-humanoid species native to the lush, fungal world of Myrkflora. Standing no taller than one foot, Kortesians are characterized by their mushroom-like caps, glowing spore patches, multifaceted eyes, and psychically attuned behavior. Their vibrant colors—ranging from violet and lavender to bright orange, turquoise, and mustard yellow—give them an almost fantastical appearance.
For centuries, xenobiologists misclassified Kortesians as humanoid hosts puppeted by parasitic fungi. Modern research overturned this assumption: the cap and the body form a single, unified organism with deeply integrated physiology.
Kortesians are peaceful explorers, botanists, and astral sensitives. Their gentle nature and ecological wisdom make them beloved across the Galaxa.
Physical Traits
Appearance
Kortesians possess petite, humanoid bodies topped with biomechanical mushroom caps. Their skin varies from dark gray to pale tan, often complemented by vivid highlights in violet, lavender, mustard, yellow, orange, or turquoise. Many Kortesians have glowing spore patches that flicker with emotional or social cues.
Racial Variants
The species consists of three visually distinct racial groups:
- Kortinari – The “common” lineage; neutral-toned caps, balanced features.
- Amanari – The dominant red-orange, white-spotted agaric lineage.
- Mycenari – Rare blue-violet caps with heightened Astral sensitivity.
These races are biologically compatible and culturally unified.
Eyes
Kortesians possess large, multifaceted eyes resembling insectoid structures, capable of detecting:
- bioluminescence
- heat gradients
- Astral energy fluctuations
Eye colors include turquoise, gold, white, and orange.
Cap Structure
Their caps serve as:
- sensory structures
- energy-storage organs
- spore-distribution chambers
- Astral resonance amplifiers
Caps differ between races, but all are living tissue with vascular and psionic networks.
Biology
Diet
Kortesians are omnivorous but strongly prefer plant matter. The consumption of mushrooms by outsiders is considered horrifying and culturally taboo.
Reproduction
Reproduction occurs by spore budding:
1. Two adults release compatible spores. 2. Spores merge in fertile soil. 3. A myco-humanoid sprout forms and matures into a juvenile Kortesian.
Parental traits mix in subtle, elegant ways, creating unique cap patterns and color blends.
Symbiotic Physiology
Kortesians incorporate:
- fungal mycelial networks (internal)
- plantlike nutrient absorption
- low-metabolic nutrient recycling
- limited photosynthesis via cap membranes
Their physiology mirrors the symbiosis that dominates Myrkflora’s ecology.
Astral Attunement
Kortesians are naturally Astral-attuned, aligning with the principles of Astral magic.
Their glowing spore patches act as micro-psionic receptors capable of sensing:
- emotional fields
- dream currents
- psionic resonance
- astral distortions
- lifeforce fluctuations
Kortesians exhibit:
- gentle telepathy
- dream-sharing
- empathic broadcasting through bioluminescent spore patterns
- instinctive astral navigation during meditation
- deep emotional resonance with others
The rare Mycenari are especially gifted in **dreamweaving** and **astral sensing**, often acting as spiritual guides.
Culture
Kortesians are social, communal, and deeply ecological.
Peaceful Explorers
They wander throughout the galaxy studying forests, fungal ecosystems, and Astral phenomena. Their starships carry small colonies who work cooperatively as a single social unit.
Language
Their native language consists of:
- clicks
- chirps
- spore-cloud luminescent pulses
They can speak Standard, though their soft, raspy voices make it sound eerie yet endearing.
Social Structure
Kortesians live in:
- spore-based family clusters
- linked communal mycelial networks
- colony-ships with integrated ecosystems
Every individual contributes to the group’s well-being.
Beliefs and Philosophy
Kortesians follow a syncretic ecological–astral faith known as the **Spore-Dream Cycle**, which teaches:
- all consciousness is a network
- all life returns to the soil
- dreams are Astral mycelia connecting souls
Mycenari often serve as priests, dream-guides, or seers.
Homeworld: Myrkflora
Myrkflora is a fungal-paradise planet:
- endless bioluminescent forests
- towering mushroom spires
- mycelial rivers and glowing wetlands
- vast spore clouds drifting like mist
The world’s ecology is a delicate, interdependent symbiosis of plants and fungi.
Kortesians evolved in dense fungal jungles, relying on:
- camouflage
- bioluminescent communication
- Astral navigation
- cooperative defense against predators
Technology
Kortesians design technology that complements their biology.
Fungal Starships
Their starships are grown from engineered fungal material and exhibit:
- self-repair
- low-energy maintenance
- bio-integrated control surfaces
- Astral-field responsiveness
Kortesians do not pilot ships—they commune with them.
Spore-Tech
Their technology often employs:
- luminescent spore clouds for mapping
- psionic spore broadcasting
- symbiotic fungal drones
- healing spores
These devices are gentle, precise, and sustainable.
Relations with Other Species
Kortesians are beloved throughout the galaxy for their:
- gentle diplomacy
- ecological expertise
- Astral sensitivity
- nonviolent culture
They bond especially well with:
Trivia
- Kortesians are deeply offended by mushroom consumption.
- Their dream-chants are said to calm even enraged Astral beasts.
- They can sense Astral storms hours before they manifest.
- Mycenari caps glow brightest during full Astral alignment.