Electric Geordie


The Electric Geordie is a small lifeform that appears to be attracted to electrical objects, notably the Tadpole. It commonly spawns around the [Power Plant](Karakorum Power Plant) and [Metal Farms](Karakorum Metal Farms) areas. It provides +20 Food and -10 Health when consumed. The Digestion adaptation is required to safely consume alien lifeforms. A player without this adaptation will not receive its effect and be deducted health.

The creature needs to be scanned with the Bioscanner for the [Electric Discharge](Electric Discharge) and Bioluminescence Biomods.

Appearance

The Electric Geordie has a round body with four long fins situated at equal intervals around the body. At the front of the body is a circular mouth lined by finger-like projections and eight suckers. The main body is dark but the edges of the fins and the suckers glow a very bright blue. The body ends with a reduced tail lacking any caudal fin.

    

Behaviour

Electric Geordies are drawn to the Tadpole submersible. They will approach the vehicle regardless of if the player is piloting it or not, and latch onto its hull. When on the hull they will drain 1 energy per second from the vehicle.

They are often found in packs, and will attack in groups. Multiple Electric Geordies can attach to a single Tadpole, increasing the power drain; however, this drain is not linear (i.e., 3 Electric Geordies will not drain 3 energy per second).

The Electric Geordie will also attack the player when they are not in a vehicle, however they will prioritise the Tadpole if it is nearby. When attacking the player, they will cause an electric shock effect that deals a small amount of damage.

Strategy

When an Electric Geordie attaches itself to the Tadpole, the player should immediately exit the vehicle given the high power drain it causes. The creature can attach to many points on the vehicle, including the underside and rear, so make sure to check for multiple Geordies considering they are often found in groups. To remove a Geordie from the exterior of the Tadpole, simply hit it with the [Survival Multitool](Survival Multitool)—one hit will dislodge it, and it will swim away. Alternatively, the player may use the [Sonic Resonator](Sonic Resonator) to detach multiple Geordies at once.

Electric Geordies dislike light sources and will flee if shone by a Flashlight or the light from a Wakemaker.

Databank Entry

Electric Geordie

Electric geordie (tentatively Salpapod geordiwangi). A relative or morph of the common geordie. Attracted to electrical current.

1. Electrotropism Electric geordies seek out live current. They can tolerate surprising amperages, making them dangerous to remove by hand or tool. Short circuits can endanger both the geordie and the electrical system.

2. Gel-filled stomachs The electric geordie’s four diverticular pouches are flooded with a hydrogel similar to the receptive mucus in ampullae of Lorenzi—an organ used to detect electrical fields. The geordie may use this gel to search for hidden prey and tasty bacterial fibers. Artificial electrical currents could present a superstimulus—an irresistible lure.

3. Electrical metabolism It is implausible, but not impossible, that the geordie has evolved to metabolise electrical current. All organic metabolism is ultimately a process of electron transport, and direct electrotrophy has been observed on storm worlds and in vacuum life.

Assessment: a serious pest on electrical and communication systems. Lures may be required to manage infestation.

Trivia

• Though likely coincidental, the term Geordie is also a demonym and vernacular dialect used to refer to people from Newcastle Upon Tyne and the wider Tyneside area, which is located in the Northeast of England.
• The "wangi" part of the Electric Geordie's alternative name, Salpapod geordiwangi, is a possible reference to the now-inactive, heritage-listed Wangi Power Station in New South Wales, Australia, as both are related to electricity.