Russantia Fungus

The Russantia Fungus, Russantia dermatophaga, is an infectious parasitic fungus from Haven. It was first discovered in the town of Russantia, Uldarash, where an infection had broken out- this is namesake of the fungus genus. The species name, dermatophaga, is derived from how the fungus consumes the skin and flesh it inhabits.

The fungus is known to parasitize both plants and animals. Plants infected with the fungus turn black and withered, and eventually will develop a moldy 'fuzz'- each individual hair is actually the ascus, the fruiting body of an ascomycete fungus. Animals infected with it will bear a black or dark red blemish, much like a bruise, which stings mildly and is sensitive to the touch. Eventually the fungus will again produce fruiting bodies, releasing spores to become new fungi elsewhere.

There are no known treatments for the fungal infection, but some individuals show natural resistance. In humans the fungus is not usually fatal, though death from complications including Russantia infection are not unknown.