game portrait of a popombi
The Popombi are Lagomorphs that have become infected with Pompuff Disease. Many lagomorphs are born with a congenital, asymptomatic strain of this disease, but in those lagomorphs with weakened immune systems, a more severe form of the disease can manifest.
Pompuff Disease alters the physiology of lagomorphs and other lapinoids relatively little, but in non-lapinoids, the affliction can have permanent, life-changing effects.
popombi, lagomorph, and various creatures as pompuff hosts
Early symptoms of pompuff disease include aggression, dizziness, anxiety, and altered level of consciousness. As the disease progresses, pompom-shaped puffs, characteristic of the disease, begin to appear on the extremities and over the body, often suspended by stalks of skin made from the body's own cells. The most prominent of these stalks is one or more pairs of long 'ears', shaped like those of a rabbit, appearing on the top of the head. It is unclear whether these provide any expanded sensory capabilities.
a humanoid pompuff host in an advanced stage of disease
Over time, many of these stalks develop circulatory, muscle, nerve, and bone structure, allowing them to be manipulated like the body's own limbs. The purpose of these accessory 'limbs' is clear; to assist in the extravagant dances that popombi and pompuff hosts are known for. The puffs contain an abundance of infectious spores, that can be spread by activity. This is how the disease is able to spread and find more hosts.
game sprites of two popombi; one lagomorph-shaped, one rabbit-shaped
In the final stages of disease, increasing lethargy and anemia are replaced by mania, delirium, and an overwhelming desire to dance. Pompuff disease is not often lethal, but the permanent changes to behavior and intellectual ability, makes this disease incompatible with civilization as we know it.
Popombi have a special relationship with Pompuff Disease. While they are incapable of speaking, they have been known to act as coordinators for pompuff hosts, which are the non-lapinoid victims who have undergone the final stages of pompuff disease. It is believed that there exists a telepathic connection between all popombi and hosts, which facilitates some level of cooperation for the purposes of further spreading their spores. It is not known what would happen if a group of 'intelligent' popombi were to band together, but preventing this from happening has been a preoccupation between all authorities with an interest in disease control.
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