Lichen

Lichen is a character played by plagueJester.

Appearance
Lichen is a strange, shambling creature formed of wood, meat, and moss. Due to the effects of | Deep Corruption gained over their travels in the empty between worlds, it currently appears to be always slightly out of focus when directly viewed, limbs jagged and separate, torso open and revealing a glowing green beating "heart". Their only distinguishable facial features are bright green eyes, a broken wooden "mask", and a pair of stag-like antlers. There are several flowers and mushrooms growing from the moss on their body. It may also take the form of one of their hounds as a means of stealth and information gathering. Some, however, are able to see through this disguise entirely. As of a later encounter with REQUIEM, there are parasitic Chorus flowers growing from their antlers.

Bio
Lichen came into existence in the Community Server, young and impulsively violent. It gradually grew to care for the people around it, learning to work with them and fight at their sides. Following the end of that world, they found themself wandering the spaces between realities, gathering knowledge, seeking old friends, and just generally chilling the hell out. It has wandered the world of Sockscraft for some time now, but has only recently gathered enough physical form to manifest and fully interact with the world and people in it.

Personality
Lichen typically speaks very dramatically, loudly, and overly verbose, unless it decides a matter requires less of that. They can also be very blunt in their words, often coming across as threatening. While considerably calmer than their younger days, the urge to hunt and pursue is ever deeply ingrained in them. Despite this, they tend to remain courteous in most interactions.

Relationships

 * Aldous: Neighbors turned friends, Lichen assists Aldous in their current medical efforts, running errands and deliveries where the chronically pained gardener is unable to.
 * Buttercup: They see potential in him, and pray he will one day learn to consider the effects he can have on the lives of others before he swings his axe.
 * ISO: A familiar face from their first world. They're incredibly fond of the imp, and deeply afraid of his worsening condition.
 * Bandaids: Another well remembered from home. Lichen treats him as kindly as they can as one of the most harmed by the Source. They've been enjoying the little hangouts recently.
 * Luce: They consider him a major factor in their not submitting to the Source in their youth, and thus feel they owe him a great debt. Overjoyed to see him alive again.
 * Mist: Regards her with respect as both a fellow hunter of monsters, and a fearsome hound-master.
 * Source: Despised and detested. Lichen was part of the Battle at the Eye where the Source was beaten in the Community Server, and is immensely displeased to see it alive again. Along with this, they carry a deep sympathy for the victims, and try to be as kind as possible to those affected.

Alternate Timelines
In Fillet's timeline, Lichen falls into a deep depression following unknown harm and loss of several friends. They stop managing and trimming back their Choir flowers, allowing their body to be overtaken to get rid of the pain. They live on in the center of a massive Chorus plant which has burst out of their tree home, growing from their body.

Trivia

 * Lichen was first created as an original character for The Magnus Archives, and retains their hunting urges from this origin.
 * Despite usually taking a humanoid appearance, the structural parts of Lichen's body are roots, and can be altered for improved movement or fitting into smaller spaces.
 * Diversity win! This tree likes men.