| Splinter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Hyphae
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Others | "Thorns" | ||
| Binomen | Unknown to science | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Body type | Varies on host | ||
| Average height | Varies on host | ||
| Average length | Varies on host | ||
| Average weight | Varies on host | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sentience | Non-sentient | ||
| Sapience | Non-sapient (presumed) | ||
| Aggressivity | Extreme | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Habitat | Jungle (and any place with hosts) | ||
| Diet | Parasitoid | ||
| Lifespan | Unknown | ||
| Subspecies | None | ||
| Status | Data Deficient | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Splinter | ||
The "Splinter" is an unnamed type of fungal parasite that appears in the film Splinter.
Overview[]
It is first notable to mention that infection is universally fatal. Organisms that have been assimilated into the Splinter's central mass or have the needle-like hyphae protruding from their bodies are dead. The movements and behaviors noted thereafter are the Splinter seeking available biomass. The organism operates by attacking or "hugging" prey items, effectively impaling them on the myriad splinters protruding from their bodies. A single splinter is enough to cause widespread infection; without intervention it would likely result in end-stage infection, which is a lumbering mass of dead tissue impaled on the splinters in such a way that it can be used for energy and locomotion. Fire is the only known method to destroy both the Splinter "spores" and any accumulated organic tissue absorbed by the parasite.
Reproduction[]
The reproduction of the splinter is very simple: After consuming any organic material, it creates more spikes (spores) using its own dejects, then, these spores get inside another host.
Abilities[]
The splinter detects body heat, and hunts by this sense alone. It is a colony of very small slime mold like organisms, and can infect a host by touch; completely assimilating the host within a matter of hours. The host in many cases is still alive and conscious. The splinter can combine multiple hosts together to form one massive contorting amalgama of flesh, most likely with the instinct of "the bigger I am, the more splinters I can have at one time". It is impossible to kill with most conventional weapons. However, due to the fact that it is a colony of microscopic organisms, it has to be exterminated using methods that deal with the microorganism.
Weakness[]
The splinter only senses heat, has a very limited intelligence, and can be avoided by simply staying in a cold room. It is also attracted to heat from a fire; which will kill it. If it has no host it is extremely weak, and slow; generally lying in wait for a host to come along and touch it.
Notes[]
- The splinter appears to be inspired by real life parasitic fungi of the Ophiocordycipitaceae family, such as the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis.