Violet Fungus
Medium Plant — CR 3
- Hit Dice
- 2d8+6 (15 hp)
- Initiative
- -1
- Speed
- Land 10 ft
- Armor Class
- 13, touch 9, flat-footed 13
- Base Attack / Grapple
- +1/+4
- Attack
- Tentacle +3 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
- Full Attack
- 4 tentacles +3 melee (1d6+2 plus poison)
- STR
- 14
- DEX
- 8
- CON
- 16
- WIS
- 11
- CHA
- 9
- Fort / Ref / Will
- +6 / -1 / +0
- Challenge Rating
- 3
- Alignment
- Always Neutral
- Organization
- Solitary, patch (2–4), or mixed patch (2–4 violet fungi and 3–5 shriekers)
- Treasure
- None
- Environment
- Undergrounds
- Level Adjustment
- —
Special Abilities
This human-sized mushroom has four tendrillike tentacles and a mass of small, rootlike feelers at its base that enable it to move slowly.
Description
Unlike ordinary kinds of fungus, which are harmless to other living creatures, the two specimens described here—the shrieker and the violet fungus—can be dangerous to unwary adventurers.
A fungus lacks chlorophyll, a true stem, roots, or leaves. Incapable of photosynthesis, it exists as a parasite, breaking down organic matter slowly. While both of the creatures described here occur individually, shriekers and violet fungi often coexist in the same environment.
Violet fungi resemble shriekers and are often found growing among them.
A violet fungi’s coloration ranges from purple overall to dull gray or violet covered with purple spots.
Combat
Shriekers and violet fungi often work together to attract and kill prey. When the shriekers’ hellish racket attracts a curious creature, the violet fungus tries to kill it. Both creatures enjoy the fruits of a successful hunt.
A violet fungus flails about with its tentacles at living creatures that come within its reach.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 14, initial and secondary damage 1d4 Str and 1d4 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.