Corpsebomb

The fungus begins life as a tiny spore that floats along until inhaled by a creature, and lodges itself in the moist tissue of the lungs. The spore then begins to grow, causing irritation, debilitating pain and finally death once the fungus has reached a sizable mass. Once the host creature has perished, the fungus increases growth rapidly until it pushes a hollow tendril forth from the flesh. At the exposed end of the tendril, the fungus begins growing a thin membrane, which is inflated by the gases produced by the rotting body.
Within the walls of the membrane are numerous spored, each one looking to continue the cycle. The membrane inflates to a considerable size before violently rupturing, sending the spores outward in a 40-foot radius sphere. A creature in this area ought to be quarantined from others immediately.
The gas within the membrane is often highly flammable, and will explode if ignited. All creatures within a 20-foot radius sphere centered on the corpsebomb must remain calm and exhibit extreme caution.

Environments: caves, swamps, Underdark Value: -
Notable: FATAL

Scientific Name

Clathrus corpus saphrosis

Conservation Status

common in Underdark