Fungauls

A Red-Capped Rash variant.

Entrenched in the swamplands one may find the great groves. Founded by the Ents, these places are centers for vegetative growth and boundless life. But left unchecked these groves would almost certainly become overflown with the debris of the dead. Enter the Fungaul, an equal in some ways to the Ents themselves. In Meridian legend, where the Ent brings life, the Fungaul hastens death and dismantlement. This isn’t painted as a negative thing, instead acting as a core fundamental of life within the marshlands. The origin of this cycle begins at the formation of these mangroves before even the eldest Meridians can remember.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Mobile fungus, the Fungaul are animated in much the same way Dryads and Ents are. They ‘bleed’ a viscous white-yellow substance akin to Ent sap albeit of a lesser quantity of magic essence. A Fungaul’s body is not so well-armored as their plant cousins, instead of bark they bear a membranous layer of leather-like skin. It is permeable and must remain moist for the Fungaul to continue its life processes, restricting their range to the swamp alone. Their legs have a thicker covering of this membrane so they’re not as easily pierced by blade nor arrow and are wide enough to wade over mud and marshland.

Though their arms are small and feeble, do not mistake their apparent lack of visible weaponry for weakness. Their countless caps secrete a potent concoction of spores. Depending on the Fungaul type the effects of their spores may vary but all are equally deadly. Eventually, these spores will seek detritus and dead to grow into new Fungauls over the course of a six month period. Once a Fungaul dies or a cap is severed it will not disperse spores further. The types of Fungaul go as follows:

##### Red-Capped Rash

Characterized by its red caps, Red-Capped Rashes are the most common type of Fungaul. Their caps are covered in wart-like bumps which can be poisonous to ingest. Upon eating one may experience nausea and symptoms akin to food poisoning.  Their spores are imperceptible by eyes but can be tasted on the air as a sulfurous salt. A Red-Capped Rash’s spores are heavy, only able to travel 6ft away from the Fungaul before falling to the floor. Red-Capped Rash spores cause irritation and rashes and burns across the body but especially around the eyes and nose. These rashes are akin to Mih’racks Breath, and may last for several minutes. Rashes are best treated by cleaning them of any remaining spores as they may take to the dead skin and begin to grow.

##### Blue-Capped Blister

Known for its blue caps, the Blue-Capped Blister have made symbiotic relationships with the Zap-Cap. Their bodies are coated in the mushrooms which can generate painful shocks. Blue-Capped Blister spores are the lightest of the three variants, able to travel the distance of 10ft before falling to the earth. Their spores cause round blue blisters to form on bare skin and especially upon the hands and feet. These are painful to touch and apply pressure to, debilitating the victim’s movement. These blisters take a few minutes to form under constant exposure at a close distance, a deterrent to keep adversaries at bay. Blisters are best treated by draining the liquid within them before allowing them to heal over naturally.

##### Purple-Capped Pus

The rarest of the Fungauls, Purple-Capped Pus are in league with the Springstools. Their bodies are coated in the Springtool mushrooms, acting to bounce off projectiles. Their spores are the heaviest, only able to travel 3ft away from the Fungaul. If you are close enough to feel its effects then it will surely be the worst. Their spores nestle in the open pores on the skin. They bind to the dead cells which collect here to create great collections of pus and fungus. If allowed to collect they may fill the ears, nose, and even eyes with pus growths and debilitate the senses. This effect may take a minute to form under constant exposure at a close distance. Pus is best treated by releasing it from under the skin and preventing it from filling.

*Given their fungal heritage, Myconids are totally immune to Fungaul spores of any kind.*

#### Psychology

Fungauls are dimmer than their close cousins. They cannot speak, operate tools, or be reasoned with. They shore an innate hostility toward non-native organisms in the swamp with an especial level of aggression toward sapient races. Myconids, Dryads, and Ents appear to be the exceptions to this rule as Fungauls are docile until provoked around them. While not social, Fungauls do not mind being close to one another. They can be especially concentrated around groves where as many as eight adult individuals may congregate to search for food and expel spores.  They’re considerate to not overeat or overspore to ensure that the grove remains balanced and plentiful.