Protopathogena crysta is a pathogen that affects the various species of crystal
flora native to the LadyM Ocean and surrounding coastlines. P. crysta uses a
digestive chemical known as chitinase to dissolve the tough outer cells composing
the crystal layer of the crystal flora. Once the pathogen has eliminated enough of
the outer layer to expose the fungal core, it will attack the inner core. In addition to
damaging the ability of the infected organism to collect minerals and decaying
matter, the newly exposed core is opened up to attack from a whole host of other
organisms.
Due to the thick cell membrane of P. crysta, the digestive enzymes of the crystal
flora do not have much of an effect on it. Instead, they end up working in favor of
the pathogen, keeping other single-celled organisms from approaching the crystal
flora.