Fly Agaric

Job: 
Family: Funguar
Crystal: Dark
Weak to: Light	
Zone	
Level	
Drops	
Steal	
Spawns	
Notes
Gusgen Mines	
20-23	
*Sleepshroom
*Woozyshroom	
*Sleepshroom	
8	
L, H
Ordelle's Caves	
21-24	
*Sleepshroom	
*Sleepshroom	
10	
L, H
					
=== Historical Background ===
Fly Agaric is the common name of the species Amanita muscaria. It is native to temperate and sub-arctic (boreal) regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a mushroom with a white stalk and red cap with white spots (actually growths called warts). There are many varieties which have different colored caps. It is the mushroom species thought up when one thinks of a mushroom. It is usually found growing near birches, pines, spruces, or firs and usually emerge in autumn. 
It is a hallucinogenic mushroom and was used by indigenous peoples inhabiting the Laplands. Shamans would consume the mushroom and this would allow their spirit to exit their body and enter the spirit world to accomplish whatever goal they set out to do. Fly Agaric can be toxic, however. It may be one source of the folkloric character Santa Claus (along with the figure and the legend which grew out of the figure- Saint Nicholas and Odin). Shamans’ spirits would exit and return to their dwelling through the chimney (the same entry/exit point associated with Santa Claus). The Fly Agaric’s color also matches the color scheme of Santa Claus’ suit. Reindeer were also known to eat the mushrooms to experience its trance-like effects (possibly originating the idea of prancing reindeer). Many Europeans would also hang Fly Agaric mushrooms on strings or ropes suspended over the fireplace to dry out (similar to how stockings are hung). Ethnobotanist Jonathan Ott, among others, are the leading proponents of this idea. Note that the characters of Santa Claus and Christmas affiliated with the Fly Agaric first appeared associated with Santa Claus in the 19th Century and early 20th Century. 
category:Bestiarycategory:Funguars