Adumbral Snuffcap

Adumbral Snuffcap is a type of fungus that grows within the Shadowfell.

## Description

Typically growing half a foot tall and capable of sustaining a dome of a similar diameter, Abdumbral Snuffcaps are a common form of fungus that grows throughout the Shadowfell, well-adapted to its dour energies and aura of ennui.

## Research

### Completed by Arnica

Even in spite of the small sample taken, a fair degree of curiosity can be obtained from the sliver of Adumbral Snuffcap retained from the expedition beneath the streets of Ualune. Most striking perhaps on a superficial sense is the dryness of the flesh of Snuffcap, seemingly parched and devoid of any real moisture - comparable only to that of a withered, blighted, or otherwise desiccated sample. In such a form, handling the mushroom is at risk of proving unsettling at best, hazardous at worst. The dome's surface, segmented by a lace-like webbing that throws the bell into a near infundibuliform-type appearance gives the dorsal view an appearance similar to that of flesh thrown into bubbles, blotches and thick plaques, with a firm and leathery texture to match - an association cast aside only by the colouration. Further still, the long extended gills that seem to extend down much of the stem are thin and friable, liable to break if brushed too greatly, but when caught at the wrong angle at risk of laceration, in turn comparable to that of the cut achievable upon a parchment's edge.

As for colouration itself, at first glance the appearance is that of a faded grey-black, but upon closer - and cautious examination - this is deemed strictly incorrect. Instead, the hue, or lack therein, represents a medley of several colours, predominantly blacks, purples and browns that have lost their saturation, leaving a homogenous degree of pigmentation throughout. In the deeper folds of the mushroom some of this colour not yet fully faded can sometimes be found, similar to how regions of an object may be spared sun damage if they are not directly exposed. Paradoxically however, these areas of relative vibrancy are amongst the least robust on the mushroom, as if the surrounding fungal tissue actively seeks to reject them in favour of those more definitively etiolated. To this effect, it is most likely that the species would struggle to survive within the Material Plane, save areas suffused with a coterminous region of the Shadowfell in place immediately nearby - unsurprisingly something of great peril for the other crops in a budding horticulturalist's collection. Planting or otherwise rooting an Abumbral Snuffcap amongst other species does not however seem to tarnish the neighbouring plants, instead just representing an environment in which the mushroom fails to thrive.

Whether unique to the Snuffcap or a trait shared with other species that find some purchase within the thin and infertile soils of the Shadowfell, the Adumbral Snuffcap seems to possess a remarkable resilience to necromantic energies compared to species of comparable size from the Material Plane. While sufficient application will make the already withered and wizened fungus falter further, in sustained but small quantities, the Snuffcap seems to remain unperturbed, and thus could be potentially used as a magical reservoir for such things. Targetting a Snuffcap with a low powered arcane, divine or primal form of magic falling within the School of Necromancy results in the temporary absorption of the spellcasting, with subsequent efforts to rupture the Snuffcap's form releasing that magic hours later.

## Properties

*Wondrous Item, Uncommon*

This grey-black mushroom acts as a sponge for necromantic magics. Whilst holding the Abumbral Snuffcap, you can cast a cantrip, 1st-level or 2nd-level spell from the School of Necromancy into it, storing it within the mushroom for the next 24 hours. If unused after this time, the magic harmlessly dissipates and the spell is lost.

If the Snuffcap contains a spell, you can use an action to cast the spell contained within. The stored spell's saving throw DC is 13 and has a +5 attack bonus. After doing so, roll a d6. On a 1-5, the Snuffcap then crumbles to dust and is destroyed.