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The Fungus Garden -

An Undermountain Encounter

Introduction: Situated in caves that lie deep below the sunlit lands, a realm of
inky blackness is lit by luminescent fungi. In one cathedral-like cave, an atypical
Drow makes their home tending the fruiting bodies of a giant fungi garden,
alongside the silent striding forms of the Myconids.

Written by Richard Thompson

Illustrated by Katrina Latve
Edited by Davis Lodzins

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 .

Contents

Locations of the Garden 4-6

Inhabitants of the Garden 7-8

Side Quests 9

Appendix I –
White Sponge Mold 10

Appendix II –
Map of the Fungus Garden 11

Green Bird RPGs

Hello, this is a chance to say a little about Green Bird RPGs and introduce ourselves to
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We aim to provide high quality content in settings and play-tested adventures, with
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Introduction
Down a winding, paved tunnel that eventually becomes nothing but soft dirt underfoot,
there is a large chamber filled with fungi, each lovingly tended to grow to their
optimum and healthiest size. This is the garden of Vargos Halra’an, a Drow Druid, who
exchanged the cutthroat and tenacious life-style of his ilk, with one of quiet
contemplation in the glories of nature and friendship with the silent Myconids.

Locations of the Garden

The garden is situated within a cathedral-like, natural limestone cavern - 650 feet across
and the same depth, with a ceiling height from 10 to 120 feet. The ragged, flaking walls
are wet with a constant sheen of water and covered with clinging moss. The
underground warmth and moisture creates the perfect environment for fungi growth.
Huge mushroom beds fruit in the soft ground, and, striding between them, are the
Myconids – large, humanoid fungus creatures, caretakers of their un-awakened
brethren.
For the most part, the Myconids are gentle gardeners, caring for the moldering, many
layered kingdom they inhabit. They rarely venture outside of this environment, except
when some alien interaction causes damage to their precious crops. When they are not
tending the fungus, their bodies stand stock still, rooted to the ground, their minds
roaming free through the mycelium, communicating with all the other Myconids in the
area. Here in this joint thought-space they compose the endless silent song of their
species. Their main motivation is to live in peace and protect their home. They have
accepted Vargos as one of their own due to the level of care he has shown them.
There are several smaller caves leading from the main cavern, one or two of these have
some dark recesses that, if explored, could lead to other cave networks.
In the highest parts of the fungal cavern, some 100-120ft above the loamy floor, small
caves can be found among the stalactites. These are home to a variety of creatures,
mainly bats, several colonies of gas spores and giant centipedes that eat the bats.

A haven from the terrors of the dark

The garden is potentially a haven for adventurers traversing the dangerous corridors of
Undermountain (or even Underdark if you choose to set it there). In such dangerous
climes, allies and respite are few and far between.
Vargos has spent several decades living with the Myconids, they work together to keep
the cavern safe, but he will offer it as a safe port of call if the players are good aligned
and seem peaceful. With a little negotiation, he will offer low-level healing spells and
knowledge of the surrounding area. For higher level spell use and more in-depth
information, he will request a service.
For more information on these services and on Vargos, please see below.

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The Main Garden

The mushroom colony that inhabits the main cave is situated in a number of soft loamy
beds. Small streams run throughout the cave, carrying nutrients into the soil. There is a
hillock which creates a vantage point over the mushroom kingdom. A Shambling
Mound makes its home here, most of the time. It feeds on the nutrient rich soil and
slumbers gently. It is controlled by the Myconids – they use it to defend the cave. The
mushroom beds slowly move with time, as the Myconids tramp around planting their
tiny brethren, so the entire Fungus Garden is in a state of flux.
Apart from the Myconids, Vargos and the Shambling Mound, not a lot else lives in the
chamber, apart from the odd giant centipede and large albino slugs, which the
Myconids try to gently remove and transplant elsewhere.

The Druid’s Chamber

In a small side-chamber is the bedroom of Vargos. Roughly teen feet by fifteen, its cave
walls have several small shelves lined with various jars of ointments and specimens. A
crudely built bed is situated behind a curtain, next to which is a chest containing all of
his belongings not carried upon his person. Two tiny guard mushrooms sit under his
bed; they will call-out like Shriekers if anyone other than a Myconid or Vargos enters
the room.

Other Areas
There are a number of small passages that lead away from the Fungi Garden. All of
them are far too small for a Medium creature to traverse. Several have water running
through them, which helps keep the garden moist. Small fish and invertebrates live in
these streams. Occasionally creatures like goblins, large spiders, kobolds or Xvarts make
their way into the cave via these passageways.

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The Inhabitants of the Garden

The Myconids
The fungus creatures have lived in the cave for centuries. At times, various forces and
factions have caused intense damage to their community, but the mycelium survives
and the Myconids repopulate the space. For them, this cavern is a sacred place. Their
mycelium network runs through the loam and connects all the fungi (sentient and
otherwise) that grow here. It is their communication network and through it they weave
a beautiful song that no human would ever be able to hear. The song ebbs and flows,
always changing as the Myconids go about their daily business. To be connected to the
mycelium and allow for the song to remain continuous is their main purpose. They will
fight to the death to protect this cave, but also welcome allies and peaceful people. They
very rarely create spore servants, only in the direst of circumstances.
There are seventy Myconids living in the cave, plus a Myconid Sovereign – tall and
regal, this creature has a red cap that gently glows in the dark, its long, sinewy arms
merge with its body when it stands in concentration, directing the mycelium song.

Vargos Halra’an
Drow, 9th Lvl Druid Neutral
Vargos is Drow male of average height and slender build, possessing a long mane of
silvery white hair that is normally dirty with the grime of his work. He wears simple
clothing, ragged at the knees and elbows. The cruelty normally expected from Drow is
not present within him. He possesses empathy and compassion, and radiates a sense of
peaceful quietness. He is not a great conversationalist, and tends towards bluntness, but
refrains from rudeness or hostility.
Fifty years ago, Vargos Halra’an was the survivor of a Drow raiding party who were
ambushed by a Purple Worm. Whilst they managed to defeat this creature, the majority
of the group were severely wounded or killed. Vargos Halra’an suffered a shocking blow
to the head, and was sprayed by vicious acid. When he awoke, he found his companions
dead. Without healing spells or potions, he staggered through the corridors and tunnels
blindly, suffering greatly from his heinous wounds, before collapsing in a cool, dark and
moist cave. It was here that the Myconids found him and sent their telepathic spores
into his respiratory system. Vargos Halra’an didn’t awake for several days, whilst the
Fungi people nursed his wounds and kept him safe. Perhaps they took pity on him,
perhaps they could detect his inclinations towards peaceful work, whatever their
reasons, they cared for his broken form until he was healthy.
For many weeks he was too weak to leave. Something impressed him about the care and
attention he received from the calm Myconids. Being away from the strictly
hierarchical Drow culture changed something within him, perhaps it was the
continuous exposure to the Myconids spores, but after a while Vargos Halra’an did not
feel like leaving. He started caring for the inhabitants of the cave, giving back to them
the kindness they had showed him.

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When the adventurers meet him he will be tactfully mistrustful, having had to put up
with all sorts of intruders in the past. If they prove themselves peaceful, he will allow
them to rest for several days. Any longer than that and he will subtly suggest taking on
some tasks to earn their keep.
Vargos has accumulated a small amount of magic items that he is willing to barter with
or gift:

Wand of Magic Missiles (9 charges), Scroll of Protection against Evil, Drow Chainmail +1, Ring
of Waterwalking, Potion of Giant Strength.

The Strange One

The Strange One is a Myconid that has taken to following Vargos around and, in some
small ways, emulating him. It wears a ragged cloth around its legs, in a semblance of
clothing and helps carry his tools on occasions. Somehow it has also managed to
produce actual sounds. These come across as mutterings, whispers and gurgles from
some place deep in its trunk.

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Side quests
Whilst this area is safe and guarded from outside intrusions, it does still offer the
opportunity for adventure. Vargos can provide the adventurers with side-quests. If they
benefit him and his Myconid friends, he will offer aid in the form of up to 5th lvl Druid
spells, one of the magic items he has accumulated or some information about
Undermountain or Underdark.

Hungry New Furry Friends – A small herd of Deep Rothe have wandered into the cave
and started snacking their way through the mushrooms. Vargos wouldn’t want these
gentle creatures harmed, but certainly wants them removed.

Drow Search Party - Vargos Halra’an spots a party of Drow venturing into the cave.
Whilst in animal form he evades them to inform the adventurers and requests that they
dispose or redirect the Drow so the druid’s presence is not detected.

A version of this encounter could contain a relative or loved one searching for Vargos.
They might attempt to contact the adventurers to question them on his situation.

New Neighbours – A roving group of Grell have settled into part of the cavern’s ceiling
amongst some stalactites where a small passage winds into a slightly larger cave. They
are sick and looking for a place to rest. However, their exceptional hunger and evil
nature makes them a serious threat to anyone in the area. Accessing their new home
might be slightly difficult though, due to it being 70 feet above floor level.

An Insidious Infection – A White Sponge Mold has oozed from another chamber and
is now consuming the fungus creatures. Vargos is horrified and requires the help of
adventurers to exterminate this pest. Unfortunately, due to its rich diet, the mold has
split and continues to consume the fungi rapidly. The myconids cannot affect this
creature with their spores and their physical attacks have caused it no harm, so they
have retreated to the opposite side of the cavern where they telepathically scream as
their fungal friends are gobbled up. This scream creates an unpleasant psychic haze,
causing anyone within the cavern to make all rolls with disadvantage.

A Tricky Trickle – One of the main streams that flow into the cavern has run dry,
causing an area to become parched. A troubling situation, as the fungi require a certain
level of moisture in their home. Vargos requests that the adventurers investigate.
However, the passageway is only big enough for creatures two feet tall or less. Luckily,
Vargos has a solution, several special Potions of Diminution to shrink the adventurers to
half size and allow them access to the blockage. Here are some ideas as to what could be
blocking the passageway:
• A purple worm has bypassed the stream, diverting it down a new tunnel.
• A goblin warlock has instructed its minions to block the stream in a nefarious plot
to destroy the Myconids and take the cavern as its own.
• A large Myconid crawled down there and died, the smell is disgusting. It will take
much hacking to clear away its decaying fungal body. Also, there is the water
build-up behind to worry about.

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Spider Climb. The slime mold can

Appendix climb difficult surfaces, including
upside down on ceilings, without
White Sponge Mold needing to make an ability check.
Actions
Large Plant, unaligned
Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to
Creature information hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d8 + 2)
A white spongy-mass, with a fur-like bludgeoning damage plus 8 (3d4) acid
texture, that feeds off the living matter damage.
it finds, as it slowly seeps through caves Spore Ejaculation. Ranged Weapon
and passages. It is particularly fond of Attack: Every time a blow is landed on
plant and fungal matter, often causing the White Sponge Mold it releases a
issues for Myconid colonies. cloud of spores affecting all within a
A thin layer of spores form a haze over 10ft radius. All those within that area
its surface. If the mold is agitated, bursts must save Con DC13 or be paralyzed
of these spores erupt into the air, acting for 1d3 rounds.
as a natural defense system.
The white sponge mold duplicates by
spreading its spores onto suitably rotten
vegetable matter, as they grow into little
mold spots, they slowly move together
to conjoin into one entity.
Armor Class: 8 (natural)
HP: 44 (4d10+18)
Speed: 5ft., climb 5ft
Str: 14 (+2) Dex: 6 (-2) Con: 16 (+3) Int:
1 (-5) Wis: 6 (-2) Chr: 2 (-4)
Damage Resistances: Bludgeoning,
piercing.
Condition Immunities: Blinded,
Charmed, Deafened, Exhaustion, Prone
Senses: Blindsight 30ft, Passive
perception 8
Languages: None
Challenge: 1 (200)
Amorphous. The white sponge mold
can move through a space as narrow as
1 foot wide without squeezing.

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