The Mycela are an incredibly long-lived and mysterious species of sentient humanoid fungi, presumably Younglings like the Apprentice and other Aerum, however, they have been on Alaria for much longer than any other species.
Mycela are known to appear in two different distinct forms, both resembling giant humanoid Chanterelle or button mushrooms. The first kind have wide mushroom caps for heads, while the other have round mushroom caps for heads. When standing perfectly still (perhaps in some form of hibernation?) the Mycela appear to be nothing more than giant mushrooms, transforming into their more humanoid forms only after the Apprentice interacts with them.
Mycela do not treat time as other Youngling species do -- considering a century or two to be a "nap." They are not only long-lived, however, but appear to possess some mysterious ability to survive the destruction caused by The Withering. When the Apprentice pushes back the Withering covering their hiding spot, they are able to emerge safely. They also appear to exist on certain other Worlds -- especially Fungi worlds.
Mycela are capable of limited speech, but have several idiosyncracies, including inserting the word "Shroom" into many sentences, and treating all non-Mycela as a single entity or group.
Mycela can never be Residents or Visitors to the Districts of Alaria. They are very sedentary, aside from their curious dancing.
Notes
- Several Mycela can be found dormant in a hidden Mushroom Grove within the Mountainside Ward
- To awaken them, approach all 6 small mushrooms and press the interact button (E on PC) to trigger an introduction cutscene
- Discovering the Mycela hiding spot on Alaria will result in an award of the Wide Mushroom Hat, which is the only way to acquire that hat. There is no Achievement for doing so, however.
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Round-capped Mycela.
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Wide-capped Mycela.
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Mycela attending the running of a strange obstacle course
