Vivid Thoughtbane

A pale purple fungus with psychic sensitivity. When disturbed by strong emotion, it releases a disorienting sporecloud. Repeated exposure to the fungus may infect a creature with it's spores, which are released during fits of sudden anger until cured.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The mushroom of this fungus appears as a vibrant magenta, growing in clusters of 8 to 20 stalks, growing up to 11 inches in height. Rather than a cap, the stalks end in irregular hollow tubes, from which issue a faint purple haze that drifts slowly downward.

Genetics and Reproduction

When it detects strong emotion, it releases a spore cloud of up to 10 ft in diameter. Creatures which breathe in these spores must make a DC 14 constitution save or gain the confused condition until the end of their next turn. When the condition ends, they repeat the save. On failure, they are infected with Thoughtbane. Until they make two successful saves against this disease, each time they take a short or long rest, they gain the confused condition for 1d4 turns, and must repeat the save or begin coughing up a 5 ft. radius sporecloud that blinds all creatures within it. From this secondary sporecloud, new patches of Vibrant Thoughtbane can take root.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

This fungus has some empathic abilities, out to a range of 10 ft. Within that range, it can detect and react to strong emotions, including rage, pain, excitement, or fear.

Scientific Name

Clavaria Zollingeri

Geographic Distribution

• The Underdark