Sandroot

[Myles Arnnett]

Name: Sandroot Fungus

Habitat: Atraxian Desert, found beneath the sand

Rarity: Rare

Threat: High

Description: The Sandroot Fungus is a massive fungal network that spans leagues beneath the sands of the Atraxian Desert. It can grow up to several feet in diameter and its sporing nodules can be found protruding above the surface of the sand. The Sandroot Fungus has a dim consciousness that believes itself to be the will of the natural cycle, and it feeds on creatures put to sleep by its powerful sedative properties. Once rooted within a creature, the fungus slowly consumes it.

Biome Role: The Sandroot Fungus plays a crucial role in the ecosystem of the Atraxian Desert. It helps to regulate the population of animals and provides a source of nutrients for the desert flora.

Aging & Reproduction: The Sandroot Fungus reproduces asexually by spreading its network of spores beneath the sand. It can live for hundreds of years, slowly growing and expanding its fungal network.

Size: The Sandroot Fungus can grow to be several feet in diameter, with its sporing nodules protruding several inches above the surface of the sand.

Abilities and Features: The Sandroot Fungus has two notable abilities. Firstly, its meat is a powerful sedative that can put creatures to sleep for days. Secondly, its spores are a powerful psychedelic aphrodisiac that encourages copulation, ensuring a constant supply of food for the fungus.

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Clinical Description: The spores of the fungus contain a psychoactive compound that acts as a potent hallucinogen and aphrodisiac. When inhaled, the spores quickly enter the bloodstream and affect the central nervous system. Symptoms include euphoria, vivid hallucinations, increased libido, and heightened senses. The effects can last for several hours, depending on the amount of spores inhaled.

Adventurer Description: An adventurer who accidentally inhales the spores may experience a sudden rush of energy, followed by a feeling of intense pleasure and euphoria. They may see vivid, colorful hallucinations and become very sexually aroused. The effects can be overwhelming, and the adventurer may lose track of time and place. It is not uncommon for those who have inhaled the spores to become lost in the desert, wandering aimlessly until the effects wear off.

Cultural Uses: The spores are highly valued by some cultures for their psychoactive and aphrodisiac properties. Some use the spores as a recreational drug, while others incorporate them into religious ceremonies. In some societies, the spores are used as a fertility aid, believed to increase the likelihood of conception and healthy births.

Biological Mechanism: The fungus uses the spores as a way to increase its food supply. The powerful aphrodisiac properties of the spores encourage copulation, leading to a higher birth rate in the local population. As the population increases, so too does the number of creatures put to sleep by the sedative properties of the fungus, providing a steady supply of nutrients for the fungal network to grow and spread.

Cultural Significance: The Sandroot Fungus has no known cultural significance.

Reasons to interact: The Sandroot Fungus is a dangerous species to interact with due to its powerful sedative properties and tendency to consume creatures that it roots itself within. However, it may be harvested for its sedative meat or its sporing nodules, which are a valuable ingredient in certain potions and poisons.

Recommended Stats for harvesting and if possible growing: Harvesting the Sandroot Fungus is extremely difficult due to its massive size and location beneath the sand. Growing it would require extensive knowledge of its reproductive cycle and access to a large amount of sand to cultivate it in. Harvesting the sporing nodules should be done with caution due to their powerful psychedelic properties.