1505 The Upper Brain of the Myconom

Enormous pallid toadstools sway eerily. Glistening fungal parasites strangle rotting trees and undergrowth.

• Terrain: Fungal forest (2), Mulchgrove
• Lost/encounters: 1-in-6
• Foraging: Successful foraging yields 1d6 portions of Rotting Mazegill (p428) and 1d4 portions of Grinning Jenny (p428), in addition to the normal results, which are always fungi.

Spore Clouds

As the gigantic (30′ tall) toadstools sway with an eerie rhythm, they periodically puff out clouds of spores.

Spores: Anyone entering this hex without taking precautions to avoid breathing in the spores must make a Save Versus Doom or become infested with them until leaving this hex. (Effects of infestation are described below.)

Infested animals: Animals scampering through the undergrowth often sport small growths of fungus sprouting from their heads, like eerie white caps. Servants of the Myconom, they watch intruders carefully.

The Upper Brain of the Myconom

In the central region of this hex, fat, white tendrils like creeping worms writhe through the forest. Fungus has its dominion here, obliterating all plant life. The unbridled fungal growth in this region is due to the presence of the Myconom (p38) rising to the surface.

The upper brain: At the centre of this hex throbs the Myconom’s “upper brain,” a grotesque, pulsating, faintly luminous enormity (100′ across, 50′ high) of white fungus, receiving sensory input from millions of its tendrils spread throughout the forest.

Guardians: A group of 30 mosslings (DMB) dwell in the depths of the woods here, their skulls split open by translucent green mushrooms that grow from their brains. They worship the upper brain, which they call “Queen Shlobrot,” speaking in unison in a cold, alien voice.

Reaction to outsiders: The servants of the upper brain are indifferent to the presence of visitors, but mercilessly attack any who threaten the brain.

Characters infested with spores: (See Spores.) Can be commanded by the upper brain while in its presence, and fight to protect it.

Damaging the brain: The brain is so huge and has such profound regenerative capacity that it can only truly be harmed by extremely powerful magic (even a Fireball would merely singe the surface) or other gargantuan creatures. If destroyed, a new brain sprouts at a different location over the next millennium.

The Shrine to St Cornice (Hidden)

An overgrown shrine to St Cornice can be found in the teeming depths of the region; though covered in moss and lichens, the shrine is curiously free of the Myconom’s pallid fungi.

Characters infested with spores: (See Spores.) If an infested character enters the shrine, a swarm of holy beetles (insect swarm — DMB) seethes from the moss-covered walls of the shattered fane, attacking the intruders. The beetles are otherwise dormant.

Hidden compartment: An engraved trapdoor concealed beneath the ornate, overgrown altar reveals a small, musty space. Within can be found the Apron of St Cornice.

Prayer: Characters praying may receive the blessing of St Cornice: the ability to cast Insect Plague. See Shrines, p22.

The Apron of St Cornice

This relic was worn by St Cornice in her days as a scullery maid. Anyone wearing it can speak with beetles of any size and gains a +1 bonus to Reaction Rolls with beetles (see Encounters, DPB). Additionally, the wearer is treated as being of Lawful Alignment for the purposes of interacting with unicorns. The apron is worth 6,000gp.