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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 8749782" data-attributes="member: 6915329">More fun fungi! The sashalus is by Ed Greewood and I like to think of it as a relative of the myconid. It’s mobile—more mobile than the average mushroom, at least—and it’s of animal intelligence, and it produces a weird toxin. After the last couple of complex monsters, this carnivorous mushroom is quite simple. It uses the Fungi entry’s Legends and Lore, Signs, and Behaviors.(I’m still sad that fungi are lumped in with plants. There’s probably enough shrooms to warrant their own creature type.)Fungi, SashalusThe Dragon’s Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #119Created by Ed GreenwoodSashalus are ambulatory, carnivorous mushrooms that stand about three to four feet tall. They look a lot like amanita muscaria mushrooms, with mottled greenish-brown caps covered in yellow warts, and pale brown stems. At the base of their stems is a mass of short, rubbery tendrils—the sashalus’ legs. The warts on their caps hide both a mass of tiny eyespots and a couple of dozen short spines. A sashalus can fire these spines at high speed and decent accuracy.Tough Hunters. Despite their small size, slow speed, and relative weakness, sashalus are formidable hunters. They are attack from hiding, firing spines at warm-blooded prey and waiting until it falls unconscious or becomes too injured to fight back. It then cautiously approaches and, when it is certain it is safe, uses its tendrils to secrete a corrosive acid that dissolves the prey enough to make it edible for the mushroom’s toothless mouth. Sashalus are intelligent enough to artfully arrange treasure (to it, anything shiny) as a lure.Friendly But Solitary. Sashalus wander alone, without a set lair and only occasionally with a favored hunting spot. On the occasions that two meet, they communicate with each other through touch. If they are of opposite sexes—for sashalus have both males and females—they mate in a manner like that of animals, and the female will eventually give live birth to several tiny young, which they take surprisingly good care of for a year.Legends and LoreWith a Nature check, the characters can learn the following:DC 10. The sashalus is an ambulatory, predatory fungus.DC 15. Solitary hunters, sashalus fire spines filled with a toxin that has varied effects on the creature it hits, such as causing the creature to become confused, fall unconscious, or become too spaced-out to act.DC 20. Sashalus are about as intelligent as dogs are. They create lures by scattering coins and other shiny items around, as they are aware that many creatures like such things.Sashalus EncountersTerrain: cavern, forest, swampCR 0 1 sashalusTreasure: 10 gp, 35 sp, crystal pendant (worth 35 gp)Signs1-2. A few coins in a neat pile.3. An acid-burned animal skin.4. A few shed spines.Behavior1. Hunting2. Teaching its young how to hunt.3. Devouring a dead rabbit.4. Sleeping.SashalusSmall plantChallenge 1/4 (25 XP)AC 11HP 10 (3d6)Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft.STR 6 (-2) DEX 12 (+1) CON 10 (+0)INT 3 (-4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 7 (-2)Skills Stealth +3Proficiency +2Maneuver DC 11Senses darkvision 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), tremorsense 60 ft., passive Perception 10Languages —ActionsMultiattack. The sashalus makes two spine attacks.Spine. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) piercing damage and the target must make a DC 10 saving throw against poison or suffer one of the following effects:     1: The target falls unconscious for 10 minutes or until another creature uses an action to wake it up.     2-4: The target is confused for 1 minute.     5: The target is incapacitated for 1 minute while wracked with convulsions and nausea.     6-7: The target is poisoned for 1 minute and suffers from chills and dizziness.     8: The target takes 1 ongoing acid damage for 1 minute.A creature (other than one who is unconscious) can make a new saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. Any affect that ends the poisoned condition will also end this effect.Tendril. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (2d4) acid damage.CombatSashalus prefer to attack from ambush, and will flee if injured. It will fire multiple spines into a single creature at a time.</blockquote>

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