Whip Gorgon

 | Feature | Details |-|---|---|-| Species | *Gorgon mastix* |-| Attitude | Passive |-| Type | Sessile |-| Category | Raions |-| Biome | Shallows, Plateaus |+| :--- | :--- |+| **Species** | *Gorgon mastix* |+| **Attitude** | Passive |+| **Type** | Anchored |+| **Category** | Corals |+| **Biome** | Shallows, Plateaus |   ![Whip Gorgon](Whip Gorgon.png)   The **Whip Gorgon** is a widespread sessile lifeform.   ## Appearance  -The Whip Gorgon has long whip-shaped tentacles with pink tips and is maroon at the base, with a more orange middle.+The **Whip Gorgon** has long whip-shaped tentacles with pink tips and is maroon at the base, with a more orange middle.   ## Resources  -The Whip Gorgon drops [[Fibrous Pulp]] upon being hit with a [[Survival Multitool]].+The **Whip Gorgon** drops [[Fibrous Pulp]] upon being hit with a [[Survival Multitool]].   ## Databank Entry  -**Source:** Scan a Whip Gorgon-  *Gorgon mastix*, the whip gorgon. A soft coral similar to the earthly gorgonians — it lacks the hard limestone shell of a true reefbuilding coral.   1. **Earthly namesake**-   Named for the extinct *Leptogorgia virulata*, Earth’s sea whip. Like the sea whip it is a predator, and it must defend its soft body from parasites and predation.  +Named for the extinct *Leptogorgia virulata*, Earth’s sea whip. Like the sea whip it is a predator, and it must defend its soft body from parasites and predation.+  2. **Spine defenses**-   Unlike the terrestrial sea whip, which developed a chemical arsenal to repel unwanted contact, the whip gorgon colony has developed specialized ‘soldier’ polyps which migrate to the surface and develop a brittle spine. When disturbed, this spine snaps off, releasing the soldier’s payload of toxins. It is impossible to project the effects of this sting on colonists, but mechanical similarities to the infamous Australian gympie-gympie plant suggest negative outcomes ranging from chronic agony to total sleep deprivation lasting weeks to years.  +Unlike the terrestrial sea whip, which developed a chemical arsenal to repel unwanted contact, the whip gorgon colony has developed specialized ‘soldier’ polyps which migrate to the surface and develop a brittle spine. When disturbed, this spine snaps off, releasing the soldier’s payload of toxins. It is impossible to project the effects of this sting on colonists, but mechanical similarities to the infamous Australian gympie-gympie plant suggest negative outcomes ranging from chronic agony to total sleep deprivation lasting weeks to years.+  3. **Carnivorous diet**-   ‘Civilian’ polyps in the whip gorgon use their stings to kill and digest microscopic prey. They lack the brittle spine and powerful toxins of the soldier prey.  +‘Civilian’ polyps in the whip gorgon use their stings to kill and digest microscopic prey. They lack the brittle spine and powerful toxins of the soldier prey.+  **ASSESSMENT:** Avoid contact. Consider pruning back with hand tools.   ## Gallery   ![A yellow plant with long stalks.](Whip Gorgon in shallows.png) *A Whip Gorgon in sunlight*   ![Whip Gorgon at night](Whip Gorgon at dusk.png)-*Whip Gorgon at dusk*+*Whip Gorgon at night*