Mycosymbiotes

Mycosymbiotes were an endosymbiont of fungal origin from Arkanis that occupied the cells of neural and lymphatic systems of native Arkanans. Through generations of exposure, they integrated with naturally occurring yeasts, and created mycelium networks throughout the body, utilizing the collected consciousness of Midi-chlorians to communicate between hosts.

## Biology

Mycosymbiotes, known by Arkanans simply as "The Spores," are endosymbionts of Arkanan lymphatic and peripheral neural system cells. They existed in the cytoplasm, usually close to key points to enable access to nutrients, and to speed movement in communication between systems.

### Lymphatic System

In the lymphatic system, mycosymbiotes had higher concentrations in the endothelial cells along with fibroblastic reticular cells lining the trabeculae and sinuses of lymph nodes. Lymph fluid filtered out of the blood circulation and contained proteins, cellular debris, bacteria, etc that the mycosymbiotes fed on. This cleaned the lymph, and greatly reduced the amount of work the lymphatic system had to do. As the fungi did not excrete any waste other that unused water, they passively enhanced the health of the host while being fed, creating an ideal symbiosis.

In lymphocytes, mycosymbiotes resided alongside the mitochondria and midi-chlorians, through which they communicated with other lymphocytes. This communication helped lymphocytes coordinate on a much more sophisticated level, making them much more efficient in recognizing threats.

With the combination of a highly efficient lymph system and more intelligent immune defense, Arkanans rarely succumbed to illness, and only the most vicious and fast-acting diseases would do lasting damage or cause death. On the contrary, however, they were susceptible to diseases that affected fungi, and anti-fungals could actually strip an Arkanan of their very immune system, and damage their peripheral nervous system. This could debilitate, even kill an Arkanan in less than a few months- exposure to something as a common cold could wipe them out. This was one of the main reasons Arkanans preferred to stay on Arkanis, where they had constant exposure to the life-sustaining spores.

### Nervous System

In the nervous system, the mycosymbiotes only occupy the perihperal nervous system- the central nervous system's defenses, even after thousands of years, proved to be too much for the spore to bypass. With the abundance of benefits of the PNS and the lymphatic system, and given the protected nature of the CNS, there were little benefits to the mycosymbiotes to attempt to occupy the CNS.

In the neurons, the highest concentration of spores could be found in the dendtrites. Most of the cell's communication from other neurons were sent out and received here, and through hyphae, the spores enhanced communications between neurons by increasing the number and density of the dendritic spines.

In neuroglia, the spores were found primarily in Schwann cells, assisting in clearing cellular debris that allows for regrowth of PNS neurons. By consuming cellular debris, this allowed the Schwann cells to focus on regrowth of PNS neurons.

The spores did not occupy the cytoplasm of satellite cells, instead, residing in their membranes, acting as a defense network. Satellite cells helped regulate the external chemical environment. Like astrocytes- the most abundant neuron in the CNS- they were interconnected by gap junctions and responded to ATP by elevating the intracellular concentration of calcium ions. They were highly sensitive to injury and inflammation, and the spores added a layer of protection in their sensitive membranes.

### Midi-Chlorians

Mycosymbiotes worked in perfect tandem with midi-chlorians. Though the spores were not sentient, they had a collective consciousness of their own through their mycelium networks, which is theorized why they took so quickly inside Arkanan systems.

The generally accepted theory is that due to the collective consciousness of both microbes, they were able to work together, and the midi-chlorians enabled a more seamless fusion into the system. A study of Arkanan cellular structure showed an increased number of midi-chlorians, of which seemed to be thriving in a better state compared to that of a Core world human's.

It is also theorized that the midi-chlorians acted as interpreters between Arkanan and spore, utilizing the increased speed and hyphae-enhanced connections to quickly send, receive, and translate thoughts, emotions, and physical state from Arkanan to Arkanan within the network.

Despite the increased number of midi-chlorians in Arkanans, very few are Force-Sensitive, due to the role their midi-chlorians have adapted as a partner to their spores. There are rare cases where the midi-chlorian count is exceptionally high, resulting in a Force-Sensitive individual, but since they are far more empathic and capable of using the Force to boost their communications almost infinitely, they are rarely taken off world. They are utilized as Beacons, who reach out to Arkanans off-world, to either call them home, or to give mental and emotional support.

## History

### Exposure

In 4200 BBY, Ator had become overly urbanized, to the point that it was an ecumenopolis. Seeking new places to expand, Ator dispatched several colonial expeditions to the Outer Rim, though many failed, as communication was lost. A number of colonies that survived in the rimward section of the Corellian Run formed the Arkanis Regency, which later became host to the more recent colony of New Ator in 80 BBY. The Regency world systems were Arkanis, Issor (containing the worlds Issor, Cadezia, and Trulalis), New Ator, Vasch, and Huldamun. Arkanis would eventually become the seat of power from which their only ruler- Empress Teeda- would rule.

The colonists on Arkanis suffered for the first few centuries. The planet was cold and uninhabited, with constant rain over the lands, storms over the massive ocean, and storm surges ravaging the coasts. Eventually, a settlement on the plains named Mordreagh, would become a hub for the colonists, but it also became a center for the unknown plague that was making them all sick.

### Hysteria Pneumonia

Each colonist came down with the same symptoms- shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing (of gradual onset), fever, dry/non-productive cough, weight loss, night sweats, chills, and fatigue. The cough was persistent, dry, and unproductive, as the sputum was too viscous to cough up, resulting in a spiral of panicked coughing that would only exacerbate the feeling of the lungs being filled with thick fluid. In many, more serious cases, the illness would progress to involve other visceral organs (such as the liver, spleen, and kidney).

The disease attacked the interstitial, fibrous tissue of the lungs, with marked thickening of the alveolar septa and alveoli, leading to significant hypoxia, which would be fatal if not treated aggressively. In this situation, lactate dehydrogenase levels increased and gas exchange was compromised. Oxygen was less able to diffuse into the blood, leading to hypoxia, which along with high arterial carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, stimulates hyperventilatory effort, thereby causing dyspnea (breathlessness).

Due to the distress and panic that rose from the inability to clear the lungs of fluid, and the persistent shortness of breath, the disease was first named "Hysteria Pneumonia," as researchers struggled to find a cause.

### Identification

At first, the organism was assumed to be a protozoan, and was treated with zoological drugs and blood tests, biopsies and other screenings were checked for parasitical infections, but they all came up empty. All that could be done was treat the symptoms.

It was assumed that it was water that carried the parasite, and all water was boiled and purified before drinking, but new cases still came up, until the whole of the colony was infected. Despite the symptoms and spread of the disease, there were only a handful of deaths, which were all immune-compromised individuals- and even, they lived for years before dying. Treatments helped, and while the symptoms lessened to a bearable, if not tolerable level, the illness did not abate.

It was with an autopsy and subsequent pathology of the lungs and liver was a possible cause found- the lungs and liver had thickened walls, in which cysts had formed and then ruptured. Inside the ruptured cysts, they found a few spores, which was then examined by microbiologists.

They were able to determine the source of the infection was an endemic organism- a primitive prokaryotic form of yeast, possibly evolved from a cyanobacteria. It was hard to isolate, and even harder to culture, particularly ex vivo, because it would meld with naturally occurring yeast residing in the tissue, which would respond quicker to cultures, taking over any colonies of the organism.

Treatments began in earnest to rid the colonists of the yeast, but medications failed. Antibiotics and antiparasitics had failed, but now that they knew it was a yeast, they had a starting point. Fungicides were used once the pathogen was identified, but with disastrous effects. All but one of the volunteers died days after taking the fungicides- all at the exact same time.

Autopsies and pathology reports showed the sloughing of the lining of the intestinal tract, and what was described as a "Synchronized, chain reaction apoptosis." The naturally occurring biofilm in the appendix was riddled with dead cells, all of which had released toxins into the blood stream when the appendix burst. Further investigation showed toxic levels of cellular debris had overloaded the lymph nodes and caused the lymph to thicken. There was also damage to nerves, the dendritic spines showing necrosis as surrounding neuroglia had died in the same unknown cell death.

Doctors and pathologists argued whether it was a forced, premature apoptosis, or necrosis, but the lone survivor would provide their answer. Examination of her colon and lungs showed she had new biofilms that had started to develop, but under the fungicide's influence, had failed to thrive. They were cultured immediately, but were not entirely conclusive, as most of the microorganisms had been killed. It did give them an answer to why the other volunteers had suffered a nearly synchronized death.

The organism created biofilms, a feature of which is inter-cellular communication. Cell–cell contact is mediated by specific protein adhesins and often, as in the case of inter-species aggregation, by complementary polysaccharide receptors. Another method of communication involves cell–cell signalling molecules, which are of two classes: those used for intra-species and those used for inter-species signalling.

This was inter-cellular communication on a scale they'd never seen before, and all plans to use fungicides on anyone else were cancelled.

The survivor, Alaighda Nytarn, was given immuno-boosters, and put in isolation to begin recovery. They monitored her closely to see if her infection had been treated. To their surprise, she recovered completely. Hopeful, various cultures were taken again, from lymph nodes, intestines, blood, urine, sputum and cerebral spinal fluid. Nothing developed on the cultures, save for the expected microorganisms that came from normal human flora. Undeterred, they did a cellular examination, and were shocked by what they found.

### Symbiogenesis

The pathogen was seen inside the survivor's cells. A single cell that was no bigger than a mitochondria, but slightly bigger than a midi-chlorian, had taken up residence inside the cytoplasm. It was the same size and shape of the yeast that had been identified as the cause of the infection. Researchers were astounded and stumped. They had no idea how the pathogen had inserted itself into every cell without destroying the cell or causing damage.

It was a young biologist, Doctor Siadh Niamshor, who suggested the hypothesis of symbiogenesis, similar to the acquisition of mitochondria and midi-chlorians. She hypothesized that as the surviving cells multiplied in the biofilm that they had assumed to have failed, the remnants of the yeast were absorbed or engulfed into the new cells during mitosis. As the cells continued to develop and divide, essentially, rebuilding after a 'hard reset,' of systems, the genome of the pathogen- now an organelle- was transferred, either wholly, or partially, to the host cell's genome, ensuring that the new organelle would be reproduced with each new generation.

A live culture was taken, and the constant observation of dividing cells, and their subsequent analysis showed something shocking- the new organelles had adapted to their new role and home, and the cells were changing, as well. New structures were seen- new microtubules that reached throughout the cell, as well as filaments that originated from the new organelle they were simply calling "the spore," for lack of better terms. Biofilms were seen developing across various organs, and the spore was seen taking up new positions in various cell types in different systems.

Researchers realized Alaighda was both an evolutionary marvel, as well as an incident of sheer dumb luck- further nitpicking at records showed she had received slightly less fungicide than her peers. It was a quick, and spontaneous cellular evolution, caused by a hard "cellular reset" that was actually surviving a near death.

### Arkanans

Alaighda flourished once her cellular counts were back to normal. Her immune system flourished, her reaction times were faster than what was possible for her age and size, and her pulmonary system was stronger than ever. Most importantly, however, she was able to sense everyone around her, could tell how they were feeling, and how they were doing physically. It was not exact, but she said it was "a feeling she couldn't shake." It was unsettling, but comforting all at once, and she didn't regret the changes she had undergone.

Within days, more volunteers came forward for a dose of fungicides to do a "hard reset."

A smaller dose was given to these volunteers, who went through a week of "the worst head, chest, and stomach flu" they'd ever experienced. Once recovered, they were monitored, and had the same results as Alaighda. More importantly, they were now able to sense each other, and even send each other thoughts from long distances.

With Arkanis as imposing and unwelcoming as it was, this new form of connectivity and communication was a boon, and what many thought was a necessity to survive the harsh climes of the planet. The potential to explore and keep tabs and communicate when technology often failed in the thick rain and storms, or the thick forests and cloud cover that blocked signals was too much of a gift to ignore.

Within months, all the colonists had been given fungicides, and had taken in their new endosymbiont.

The colonists adapted well to their new systems, and were able to expand further every year, and they found the benefits made it easier to traverse and occupy harsher areas. Some of them even felt at home as they spent more time in various areas they settled in. By 4100 BBY, nearly a century later, the colonists and new generations no longer considered themselves Atorans, but called themselves Arkanans.

## Pathogenicity

### Environmental

The fungal spores in Arkanan environments evolved over the centuries, and in present days, rarely caused Hysteria Pneumonia in non-Arkanans, but with advanced medicine, it was treatable, as well as preventable with a combination of fungicides and vaccines. The spores most commonly caused sinus infections with sinus pressure headaches, nosebleeds, and a dry, irritating cough.

Scientists believed the spores were encountered on the beginnings of an evolutionary stage, and had since 'stabilized' and as of 30 ABY, were no longer infectious to the degree they were millennia ago.

### Arkanan Transmission

The spores of an Arkanan were not transmittable in most cases. Living with, sharing food or bedding, or even sexual intercourse with an Arkanan would not result in infection. The only exception were those of the Luascadh (Taiga) subspecies, whose habitats, habits and specific sub-type of spores made them extremely contagious.

Arkanans were born with their spores in minimal amounts, inherited from their parents, but much of the genetic immunity memory came from spores given in colostrum and milk from all parents involved- and with general exposure to pack markings in the case of the Luascadh.

### Luascadh Spores

The Luascadh Pack were unique, not only because of their spores, but in that their immune systems were more intricate and widespread. They had hundreds of thousands of lymph nodules under their skin as well as a doubled amount of lymph nodes.

The strain of spores endemic to the Luascadh Pack were bio-luminescent, resulting in glowing markings that differ in each individual, in pattern, location, and color. Luascadh Arkanans had a higher concentration of lymph nodes along each side of the spine, as well as a thick, oily mane of fur, which was an ideal place for their spores to come to fruition.

Unlike any other sub-species of Arkanan, the spores of the Luascadh actually broke through the skin and produced fruiting bodies that looked like common bio-luminescent mushrooms. The difference, however, was that these fruiting bodies were still connected to their host's body, and any physical interaction with them could be felt by the host. Clipping one did not cause pain, but it was uncomfortable, like cutting too close to the quick of a nail. Pulling one out forcibly was much worse, and could cause damage to the surrounding skin and lymphatic system. As a result, Luascadh that had a large amount of fruiting bodies tended to be lethargic, or stayed close to home. To avoid being overwhelmed, or to avoid incidents and remain active, many Luascadh would trim their fruiting bodies to a bare minimum.

During spore season, however, most Luascadh ventured into the swamps of their territory to let their spores loose. Unlike the other sub-species, their spores could reproduce and re-enter the environment. The Taiga was rich with various fungal forests and mushroom colonies, and they depended on Luascadh to spread spores and help them cross breed to provide a greater range of genetic variability.

#### Luascadh Transmission

A non-Luascadh Arkanan, or non-Arkanan could become Onóir Luascadh (Honorary Luascadh) if marrying or mating into a pack, or simply become Pack if joining as a companion, by accepting spores from the Luascadh they wished to bond with. This could be done in different ways.

**Aspiration**: Lymph fluid was drawn from the Arkanan, and injected it directly into a lymph node of the prospective pack member - this took effect in less than a day. The new pack member would feel like they were fighting a nasty flu for 24 hours, but afterwards, they would have a fully established pack connection.

**Consumption:** This method utilized an ounce of fruiting bodies harvested from a Luascadh. The spores could be removed from the gills, and then snorted. Another option was to snap-dry the fruiting bodies and consume them. Both methods had a highly intoxicating effect that some found profoundly spiritual, and others found life changing, but the experience was always enjoyable. The resulting high helped with the strong pulmonary reaction in the case of inhalation. This method was slower, taking 48 to 72 hours to complete, but was the more popular method due to the enjoyment factor.

**Bodily Fluids:** This method was mixed but covered a wide range of possibilities. Bodily fluids were a less effective method depending on the fluid exchanged, the means of exchange, and the immune system of the receiver.

* **Saliva**- this method included kissing, licking, or biting. Luascadh have an overlap of lymph nodes and salivary glands, and sometimes the spores can breach the lymph nodes and get into their saliva. Kissing or being licked by a Luascadh did not guarantee a spore infection, especially if one simply used a typical astringent mouth wash. Being bitten, and having the teeth break skin, however, would likely result in a spore infection, and the chances would go up if the wound was near a lymph node, and/or was not seen too immediately.
* **Semen/Vaginal Secretions**- If using contraceptives, sexual body fluids were not an issue, but semen from a Luascadh, especially if they were allowed to knot, and no protection was used, would guarantee a spore infection. Vaginal secretions from a Luascadh held only a moderate risk of spore infection for partners with a penis- usually urinating after sex would negate the risk. With a partner with a vagina, however, the risk increased.
* **Eggs**- If a Luascadh was allowed to lay eggs in a partner, the fluid associated in the aid of egg laying would be a high risk in causing a spore infection. The eggs themselves, at specific stages, were not a risk.
* **Blood**- Consuming, being exposed to, or accepting blood from a Luascadh was a guaranteed way to get a spore infection, but this was not a way that Luascadh brought members into the pack, as the method was only used for specific circumstances.