Harvest MenFelicula radix

Harvest Men (Felicula radix, "kitten root"), also known as Meowdragora, are sentient lifeforms native to Katz. Their common name stands in reference to a local dialect, in which these pluckable creatures are referred to as Men. Extended observations have only further confused their proper categorization between flora and fauna.

The average shape of a Meowdragora is that of a root vegetable with five gnarled limbs, their bodies usually nestled underground, and their cranial leaves surfacing just beyond the dirt. When forced above ground, Men unfailingly release an incapaciting screech that nulls the senses. This instinctual behavior, coupled with their powerful vocal chords, are thought to have developed as a predator response. If one is not careful, their wails can drive an unsuspecting listener to dance until they drop, providing a field of Men with a great bounty of sustenance.

Harvest Men are best defended while they are in a group, and so they routinely form colonies. There are many different types in many different biomes, all with their own purrsonal evolutionary advantages that help overcome their meager statures:

• In hotter environments, their leaves are short and gossamer, and their limb-roots extend further into the ground to soak up moisture that the smaller leaves forgo for a better chance of survival. They grow more limb-roots across both their body and face as needed, depending on soil dryness.
  
  
• In colder environments, their diminutive leaves are rough in texture and drop in extremely low temperatures. In exchange, their flavor and the potency of their screams grow deeper and richer, and are thus simultaneously much harder to harvest, much more desirable for their increased effects, and are much rarer to see in use.
  
  
• In wet environments, the head produces a lengthy stem to hold the leaves above water, allowing for them to gather an optimal amount of air and light. The limb-roots are stout, yet riddled with highly absorbant slits that intake additional nutrients from the surrounding soil. The body of the Man is also spongier than the firmer forms seen in other environments.
  
  
• In dry environments, the limb-roots are smaller and more spindly for quick rainwater collection, and their body comparatively larger to increase water retention. Two razor-sharp spikes lie hidden beneath their crown of leaves—a nasty surprise for any who may wish to feast on them.

Harvest Men are highly valued upon Katz for their medicinal benefits, be it either professional and recreational, yet the difficulty of their procurement generally them makes them scarce. This is reflected in their often exorbitant meowcat prices, with stiff competition amongst mewrchants when it comes to attaining stock. On the other hand, because Men are so highly sought after, those who risk their nine lives plucking them are always handsomely rewarded.