Algae

Algae is a resource good used primarily as fuel and nutrition in the game. It appears as a gatherable/produced organic commodity that certain factions consume to satisfy basic and boost needs. Algae interacts with multiple systems: it is counted among the foods that satisfy Nutrition needs, it functions as fuel for Folktails’ Fuel requirement, and it contributes to boost or energy systems depending on faction design.

Algae satisfies Nutrition needs when consumed by population units or workers that require edible goods. As a food source it increases the Nutrition need contribution toward the population’s overall condition score; failing to supply Nutrition can reduce movement speed and productivity when the need drops into negative territory. For the Folktails faction, Algae is explicitly consumed to satisfy the Fuel basic need. Meeting the Fuel need prevents severe penalties such as greatly reduced movement speed and refusal to work. In factions where Energy or other boost systems are present (for example Iron Teeth use energy-related infrastructure), algae does not directly substitute for building-based boosts unless the faction design lists it as a required consumable.

Practical usage and interactions:

• Stockpile and prioritize Algae production if playing Folktails, since it is required to meet the Fuel basic need and keep workers mobile and productive.
• Include Algae in food distribution chains where Nutrition is a concern; it counts among edible goods that satisfy Nutrition needs and thus improves overall condition and worker output.
• Monitor basic needs UI: when Nutrition or Fuel falls below minimum, affected units show a red bar and may suffer movement speed and work refusal penalties until supply is restored.
• Algae should be integrated with other consumption systems rather than relied on alone; some factions require building proximity (boosts like Control Towers) or different consumables for their specific Boosts/Energy needs.
• Balance Algae production with storage and transport so that distribution reaches the population centers; unmet basic needs have outsized negative effects on productivity.

Algae is therefore both a practical food resource and a strategic fuel item for certain factions, requiring planned production and distribution to avoid the heavy penalties associated with neglected basic needs.