Mushroom, Common
Mushrooms are fungal growths which occur in all but arctic biomes across Cartyrion. Common mushrooms are those which grow to a Tiny size or smaller, typically no more than a few inches (several centimeters) tall in any dimension. They assume a wide variety of shapes including the traditional stem-and-cap as well as slabs or amorphous growths.
Mushrooms attach themselves to surfaces: rotting or living vegetation, loose soil, or even solid rock; the latter being quite common in deep caverns underground. Many of the varieties that grow in subterranean regions are bioluminsecent. All derive their own nutrients via hundreds of extremely fine tendrils that reach into the surface on which they grow.
Many varieties of mushroom are safe to eat, and in fact may be quite nutritious for most of the Folk; others are poisonous with effects ranging from inducing violent illness to even death. Mushrooms, common varieties as well as related giant varieties began appearing at the same time as the Awakening of the Dwarves; sages and priests believe they were greated by the Duagnar gods as a food source for the Dwarves. Dwarves have long considered some rare varieties as delicacies. Other Folk, especially Gnomes, Goblins, Halflings and Humans, have taken a strong liking to them as well, and as a result the best tasting varieties are highly sought after and can cost quite a bit to procure.
It has been said that some rare varieties of Common Mushroom are, while not technically poisonous or deadly, capable of affecting the mental capacities of Folk in various ways. Some of these varieties are sought out by religious cults, and sometimes by simply curious Folk, for this purpose.
Name
Common Mushroom
Alternate Names
varieties are known by different names, and even these vary from region to region and People to People. Some variety names (e.g. "Deathcap") may hint at the safety of consuming the mushroom.
Size
Tiny
Biome
any non-arctic, including subterranean, but rarely in places that receive full, unshaded sunlight all day
Laurels & Loot Gamemaster Info
Many varieties of mushroom are safe to eat, and in fact may be quite nutritious for most of the Folk; others are poisonous with effects ranging from inducing violent illness to even death. Mushrooms, common varieties as well as related giant varieties began appearing at the same time as the Awakening of the Dwarves; sages and priests believe they were greated by the Duagnar gods as a food source for the Dwarves. Dwarves have long considered some rare varieties as delicacies. Other Folk, especially Gnomes, Goblins, Halflings and Humans, have taken a strong liking to them as well, and as a result the best tasting varieties are highly sought after and can cost quite a bit to procure.
It has been said that some rare varieties of Common Mushroom are, while not technically poisonous or deadly, capable of affecting the mental capacities of Folk in various ways. Some of these varieties are sought out by religious cults, and sometimes by simply curious Folk, for this purpose.
Laurels & Loot Gamemaster Info
For a limited time during WorldEmber 2023, this information is freely available to all. In January, 2024 it will be become available only to GameMaster Patreons.
Mushrooms can be picked in the wild in order to supplemenet or replace rations. However, unless they are picked by a character with the Survival Acquired Specialty, there is a 20% chance that one or more of the consumed mushrooms is of a poisonous variety that will cause violent illness, and a 5% chance that they will cause rapid death.
Roll a d20; a result of 1 indicates death; a score of 2 to 5 indicates illness. Illness causes a character to be Enfeebled for a full day (24 hours). A character with the Healing Acquired Specialty can reduce this time by half. A Neutralize Poison spell or Antidote Potion will end the effect immediately. Death-causing mushrooms will kill within 2d6 turns unless a Neutralize Poison spell is cast or Antidote Potion is comsumed to negate the effect. In the meantime, the character is both Enfeebled and Befuddled.
All characters of Dwarven Parentage (including hybrids that select their Dwarven parent for dominant traits), are immune to all Common Mushroom poisoning. This does not mean they know how to tell good mushrooms from bad, though, unless they have the Survival Acquired Specialty. Mushrooms obtained in settlement markets, tavern meals, or reputable farmsteads should always be considered to be safe to eat - unless the Gamemaster has a specific reason for wanting to poison a potential purchaser!
Mushrooms can be picked in the wild in order to supplemenet or replace rations. However, unless they are picked by a character with the Survival Acquired Specialty, there is a 20% chance that one or more of the consumed mushrooms is of a poisonous variety that will cause violent illness, and a 5% chance that they will cause rapid death.
Roll a d20; a result of 1 indicates death; a score of 2 to 5 indicates illness. Illness causes a character to be Enfeebled for a full day (24 hours). A character with the Healing Acquired Specialty can reduce this time by half. A Neutralize Poison spell or Antidote Potion will end the effect immediately. Death-causing mushrooms will kill within 2d6 turns unless a Neutralize Poison spell is cast or Antidote Potion is comsumed to negate the effect. In the meantime, the character is both Enfeebled and Befuddled.
All characters of Dwarven Parentage (including hybrids that select their Dwarven parent for dominant traits), are immune to all Common Mushroom poisoning. This does not mean they know how to tell good mushrooms from bad, though, unless they have the Survival Acquired Specialty. Mushrooms obtained in settlement markets, tavern meals, or reputable farmsteads should always be considered to be safe to eat - unless the Gamemaster has a specific reason for wanting to poison a potential purchaser!
Entry for WorldEmber 2023
Regional maps prepared using Inkarnate
Battle maps prepared using DungeonFog
(with many map assets courtesy of Caeora)
Artwork designated as being from Pixabay is governed by
Pixabay License
copyright© 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Robert O'Brien
Game Rules described herein are governed by
Open Game License version 1.0a
Descriptions of the World of Cartyrion, including, but not limited to its cosmology, deities, geography, political structures, religious sects, regional names, villages, towns, cities, and characters, are governed by Non-Commercial, Share-alike Creative Commonse License
Battle maps prepared using DungeonFog
(with many map assets courtesy of Caeora)
Artwork designated as being from Pixabay is governed by
Pixabay License
copyright© 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Robert O'Brien
Game Rules described herein are governed by
Open Game License version 1.0a
Descriptions of the World of Cartyrion, including, but not limited to its cosmology, deities, geography, political structures, religious sects, regional names, villages, towns, cities, and characters, are governed by Non-Commercial, Share-alike Creative Commonse License
Comments