LIFE CYCLE -=+=- BIOLOGY -=+=- INTELLIGENCE
Stem Slimes are composed of a cold, unaging goo that comes in colors based on the queen's diet. The slime's thick, sticky, and hard to separate. Stem Slimes can harden anywhere across their body; Feet, claws, and jaws are usually hardened at all times to assure proper body functionality. This slime is extremely high in nutrients and sweet tasting.
These creatures only have two organs: a brain, which can be in multiple separated parts all throughout their body without any loss of intellectual function, and a core, where spare nutrients are stored, reproduction happens in Stem Slime queens, and communication-related pheromones are released.
Their bodies can withstand and regrow most injuries as long the brain and core survive. Fire hardens areas of their bodies permanently unless the hardened chunks are fully severed; water will cause affected areas to dissolve and cause mass nutrient loss; and electricity will completely fry both internal organs if given a high enough voltage.
Stem Slimes have evolved to mimic Stem Ram females due to eons of parallel evolution. In the past, hunting parties often used the dark to lure tribal rams away from their campfires. Particularly crafty members would learn how to mimic a halfway convincing cry, or in even rare cases, speech.
Stem Slimes are omnivores, eating anything from flesh to metal. Their teeth, when hardened, are extremely strong. However, they do prefer live prey because of the higher concentration of protein.
Stem Slimes can make hives almost anywhere they make (or find) suitable tunnel systems. They're able to use their hardened claws to dig out extensive underground tunnels. These hives are prevented from collapsing via the drones' goo. As time has gone on, Stem Slimes have had to move closer to Stem City due to fewer Stem Rams living out in the Fungal Wastes and patrolling Stemrail Lawairs gunning them down on sight.
The SUnder the Tower crime syndicate will frequently go out and cage Stem Slimes. The cruel group uses them for Felgood farms and to sell them to rich nobles and tourists as exotic pets, pleasure slaves, or delectable treats. After Blema's WALL ACT, many settlers of the Outlands suffer hungry slime's hives hunting their defenseless residents. The people in the plains have had to develop countermeasures to defend and hunt them.
Intelligence in feral Stem Slimes is extremely different from Stem Rams.
Mature within a month, undisturbed Stem Slimes will continue to live off of animalistic instincts. This is an effect of their naturally eusocial structure, where they prioritize their hive's queen's orders over their own survival.
When removed from a queen's pheromonal influence, drones will start to develop a more individual sense of personality and independence. In nature, this results in them starting to grow into a queen and attempting to settle down with their own hive./p>
This period is where a Stem Slime's brain absorbs information incredibly quickly and effectively. This is intended to be so they can efficiently survey their land and resources for their goolings, but it has the additional effect of letting them learn things swiftly.
In captivity, with the proper education, a hiveless Stem Slime can be as emotionally and logically mature as a Stem Ram within 30 years.
Wild Stem Slimes live in eusocial hives ruled by a caste system. The following caste roles exist:
Goolings - When the queen absorbs enough nutrients, her core will take a portion of her body and develop unique organs inside of it. The slime is then repelled from the body. Goolings take roughly a month to mature into a drone. Under the queen herself, they are considered to be the highest priority.
Drones - The majority of the hive. They're able to excrete special goo used to maintain the structure of the hive's tunnels. The queen will turn them into another role after a few months of servitude.
Sentries - They're made to protect the hive's territory and nurture the goolings.
Warriors - Form hunting parties and bring nutrients back to the hive. Will sometimes bring back live prey as gifts for the queen. If she denies it, then the warriors will play with their food temporarily before consuming it.
Knights - Massive Stem Slimes. Only three are able to exist in a hive at once. Their main job is to protect the queen, but they will join hunting parties in times when the hive is struggling to find food.
Queen - Single ruler of the hive. Half of all the collected nutrients go straight to her in order to produce more Goolings.
Once a Stem Slime hive reaches drone capacity, the queen will exile a handful of Stem Slimes. One of the drones exiled will morph into the queen when given enough nutrients. If two Stem Slimes hives are encroaching on each other's turf, the queens will cease Gooling production and leave their dens to engage in a duel for the territory. The queen that wins takes over both hives' population and territory.