Moss Pods

**Moss pods** are composite organisms endemic to the deep rootbed, especially damp areas. Broadly speaking, moss pods come in two strains: carnivorous and beneficial. Both are a close association of a tough, fibrous, water-conducting core plant (thought to be related to marsh grass), a moss "coating", and one or more unclassified fungal species that releases a lure pheromone and sleep-inducing spores. Moss pods hang from the ceiling or sprout from the walls or floor and feature a central seam for entry.

Moss pods should be approached with some caution. They have a transfixing effect on dragons, described as sudden awareness of the pod as a comfortable place to rest accompanied by a mild compulsion to climb inside. They're generally sized to fit wildclaws and smaller.

### Carnivorous Strain

In addition to the core, coat, and lure, the carnivorous strain incorporates a numbing fungus. Carnivorous pods burrow these mycelia under scales in order to leech off the blood supply. If a dragon remains unconscious for too long, chunks of tissue may be metabolized and replaced by the same mix of species comprising the moss pod itself which, combined with the blood loss, can eventually prove lethal. Smaller and less-armored organisms are consumed far more quickly, and are considered to be the moss pods' primary "prey".

Victims of the carnivorous strain may never recognize themselves as such, emerging from the pod feeling tired, numb, and listless, but lacking obvious wounds. The sleep-inducing effect of the strain is far weaker than its sister strain, though stronger pods (or weaker dragons) can still result in full carnivory. Naps generally last on the order of minutes to hours.

### Beneficial Strain

In addition to the core, coat, and lure, the beneficial strain incorporates clusters of algae that secrete various healing compounds. The lure and sleep effects of these pods tend to be stronger, and they also have a sweet, astringent odor (which is often the easiest way to tell beneficial and carnivorous pods apart). Dragons that climb inside tend to fall asleep for periods ranging from hours to weeks, though significantly longer naps have been recorded. During this time, the pod will again extend some mycelia beneath the scale layer (presumably the stronger sleeping effect reduces the need for numbing), injecting the algal compounds into the tissue and bloodstream, as well as knitting mycelia together to patch any open wounds. The end result is a dragon falling into a form of healing stasis; again, stronger pods or injured dragons can greatly extend the length of the hibernation. The pod has additional "life support" functions as well, though dragons do tend to exhibit some anemia after prolonged occupation.

Beneficial pods don't differentiate between healthy and injured dragons beyond wound sealing, nor are they able to perform any extensive or complicated repair. They're also ineffectual against disease. While perfectly safe to sleep in from a physical standpoint, the length of the rest is hard to control, so some caution should be exercised. Legends abound of dragons that are lured in and awaken only decades later. Experienced groups of travelers may use them to sleep in shifts.

### Origin

It's widely accepted that moss pods have some magical origin, though the specifics are up for debate. Moss pods may have been "designed" for their current function, but this seems unlikely given the compulsive element. It's hypothesized that they are themselves part of a greater symbiosis, perhaps containing and calling back some kind of unintelligent sentry. No such sentry has ever been recorded. If there are answers, Red Harvest is most likely to have them.