Angel Comb

 | Property | Details | | :--- | :--- | | **Species** | *Cecidia gamikos* ("gamikos gall") | | **Type** | Sessile |-| **Attitude** | Passive | | **Category** | Bloom |+| **Attitude** | Passive | | **Biomes** | Karakorum Power Plant, Necrolei Hills, Shallows |  -![Angel Comb](Angel_Comb.png)+![Angel Comb](Angel Comb.png)   The **Angel Comb** is a very large, sessile organism that parasitises the [[Titan Rockbore]]. It contains a large amount of gene sequences within its core, which can be harnessed to gain [[Adaptations]].    The Angel Comb releases large amounts of standard [[Proteavirus]] into the water around it, infecting all living organisms. However, Angel Combs are often targeted by the [[Bloom]] strain of Proteavirus, subverting them and preventing the production of normal Proteavirus in favor of the Bloom strain. An infected Angel Comb becomes a '''Bloom Core''', which can only be accessed by curing its connected [[Bloom Node]]s.    Angel Combs seem to "call out" to nearby lifeforms, enticing them to approach and share its genes. Infected Angel Combs will call out in the same way, begging for the Bloom to be cured and giving advice on clearing it. Both of these voices are hallucinations of [[Proteavirus#Masefield Syndrome|Masefield Syndrome]], caused by the Proteavirus emitted by the comb. For a list of Angel Combs and their locations, see [[Bloom#Bloom Locations|Bloom]].   ## Appearance   A healthy Angel Comb has four extended leaves with its accumulated genetic data stored in its bright purple core. When a closed Angel Comb is cured of its [[Bloom]] infection, its four leaves extend outward.   ## Behavior  -The Angel Comb draws food from the titan rockbore below and may be an obligate parasite of titan rockbores. It conducts genetic piracy on a massive scale by releasing viruses that steal genes from other organisms and return them to the comb.+The Angel Comb acts as a genetic pirate. It releases a virus that infects other organisms, stealing their genetic material and returning it to the comb's core. Players can interact with the central bulb to acquire genetic adaptations.  +When infected by the Bloom strain, the Angel Comb transforms into a **Bloom Core**. In this state, it serves as a viral incubator and source of infection for nearby Bloom Nodes. To access the genetic material in a Bloom Core, players must starve and purge the viral infection by clearing connected nodes and cankers.+  ## Locations   For a more complete list of locations, see [[Bloom#Bloom Locations|Bloom]].   ## Databank Entry  -**Source:** [[Scan]] an Angel Comb- +### Angel Comb+> **Source:** Scan an Angel Comb+> > This animal (*Cecidia gamikos*) has no Earthly analog and no clear ecological niche. The ancestral form may be a ctenophore (comb jelly). Of all animals on Earth, comb jellies are the least related to humans. > > **1. Active central bulb** > The central bulb is similar to an enormous cell nucleus. It contains gene sequences from organisms in the surrounding environment. > > **2. Viral loop** > The combs release a large RNA virus into the seawater. This virus (designated Proteavirus) infects all other organisms in the ecosystem. Infected organisms produce new copies of the virus, which return to the angel comb carrying stolen genes from infected hosts. The angel comb conducts genetic piracy on a massive scale. > > **3. External food source** > The angel comb draws food from the titan rockbore below. Angel combs may be obligate parasites of titan rockbores. > > **Assessment:** Touch central bulb for genetic adaptation. Further investigation urgently required. >-> **Note:** users may be curious about the symbiosis between Earthly parasitic wasps and polydnaviruses. The wasp's own genome contains the viral genome, allowing the wasp to create the virus for use in its reproductive cycle.+> **Note:** Users may be curious about the symbiosis between Earthly parasitic wasps and polydnaviruses. The wasp's own genome contains the viral genome, allowing the wasp to create the virus for use in its reproductive cycle.  +### Bloom Core+> **Source:** Scan a Bloom Core+>+> This animal (*Cecidia gamikos*) has no Earthly analog. No apparent ecological niche except to reproduce and release virus. The ancestral firm may be a ctenophore (comb jelly).+>+> Its core is a viral incubator stocked with genetic material from organisms in the surrounding ecosystem.+>+> **1. Complete viral saturation**+> The bloom core's entire body is densely infected with large RNA virus (generated name Proteavirus beta). The only exception is the central bulb.+>+> **2. External food supply**+> The core's filter combs are inactive. It receives all its calories from the titan rockbore below, or, if that supply is disrupted, from nearby bloom cankers. Cutting off both food supplies might allow the bloom core to clear its infection.+>+> **3. Living bioreactor**+> The central bulb of the core contains genetic sequences from organisms living in the nearby ecosystem. These sequences are used as training material for Proteavirus beta to improve its infectiveness. It is a laboratory for genetic adaptation.+>+> **Assessment:** Source of virus for all nearby bloom nodes. Starve and purge viral infection by clearing connected nodes and cankers. Retrieve central bulb for genetic research and adaptation. Further investigation urgently required. Does this organism have a function beyond viral propagation?+>+> **Note:** Users may be curious about the symbiosis between Earthly parasitic wasps and polydnaviruses. The wasp's own genome contains the viral genome, allowing the wasp to create the virus for use in its reproductive cycle.+  ## Gallery  -![An uninfected Angel Comb in the Shallows](Digestion_Angel_Comb.png)-![The base, displaying burrowing roots and the base for the core](Angel_Comb_base.png)-![Inside is the core, its open inner shell and the interior of the 'wings'](Angel_Comb_interior.png)-![Each wing is composed of a shell and interior brace with tendrils evident on the exterior side](Angel_Comb_wing.png)-![At night, the Angel Comb shines like a dark beacon](Angel_Comb_night.png)-![An infected Angel Comb becomes a Bloom Core](Heat_Tolerance_Angel_Comb.png)-![A cured juvenile Angel Comb](Juvenile_Angel_Comb.png)-![Interacting with the Digestion Angel Comb](Digestion_Angel_Comb_touch.gif)+![An uninfected Angel Comb in the Shallows](Digestion Angel Comb.png)+![The base, displaying burrowing roots and the base for the core](Angel Comb base.png)+![Inside is the core, its open inner shell and the interior of the 'wings'](Angel Comb interior.png)+![Each wing is composed of a shell and interior brace with tendrils evident on the exterior side](Angel Comb wing.png)+![At night, the Angel Comb shines like a dark beacon](Angel Comb night.png)+![An infected Angel Comb becomes a Bloom Core](Heat Tolerance Angel Comb.png)+![A cured juvenile Angel Comb](Juvenile Angel Comb.png)+![Interacting with the Digestion Angel Comb](Digestion Angel Comb touch.gif)   ## Trivia  -* The epithet "*gamikos*" is directly taken from the name of type of ancient Greek pottery called a [lèbes gamikòs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8bes_gamik%C3%B2s), in reference to the Angel Comb's distinctive shape.+*   The epithet "*gamikos*" is directly taken from the name of a type of ancient Greek pottery called a [lèbes gamikòs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A8bes_gamik%C3%B2s), in reference to the Angel Comb's distinctive shape.