Heat Drinker

From Reach

Morphology

Heat Drinkers vaguely resemble earth plants, but have no photosynthetic organs. Instead, they send roots 20 to 30 meters deep into warm dirt and bedrock, exploiting the heat differential between the frigid polar surface and underground heat pockets to produce energy. On the surface, heat drinkers appear as a cluster of white globules, about 10 cm across, similar to a pile of snowballs. These globules are rich in nutrients, and feed many polar herbivores.

Life Cycle

Heat drinker globules serve a similar function to terrestrial fruit. They are dense nutrient concentrations designed to feed a young seed as it grows. High polar winds can carry these globules many kilometers away from their origin. When one lands, using stored energy, it begins to put down a root, seeking pockets of heat underground. From there, the globule on the surface begins to replicate, creating new globules which repeat the process.

Uses

Heat drinker globules are an excellent source of many vital nutrients. They are a primary component in most polar colonists diets, supplementing Nutrifood and Howling Shadow steak. Their thick skin is actually a very effective thermal insulator, and used peels are frequently packed as insulation in Structure Domes.