Unlike ordinary kinds of fungus, which are harmless to other living creatures, the two specimens described here—the shrieker and the violet fungus—can be dangerous to unwary adventurers.
A fungus lacks chlorophyll, a true stem, roots, or leaves. Incapable of photosynthesis, it exists as a parasite, breaking down organic matter slowly. While both of the creatures described here occur individually, shriekers and violet fungi often coexist in the same environment.
The statistics block below contains details for more than one shape, size, or type of this creature. Use the horizontal scrollbar below it to display the desired one or select from the links below that.
| Shrieker ⬇️ Medium Plant |
Violet Fungus ⬇️ Medium Plant |
Phantom Fungus ⬇️ Medium Plant |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Hit Dice: | 2d8+2 (11 hp) | 2d8+6 (15 hp) | 2d8+6 (15 hp) |
| Initiative: | –5 | –1 | +0 |
| Speed: | 0 ft. | 10 ft. (2 squares) | 20 ft. (4 squares) |
| Armor Class: | 8 (–5 Dex, +3 natural), touch 5, flat-footed 8 | 13 (–1 Dex, +4 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 13 | 14 (+4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14 |
| Base Attack/Grapple: | +1/–4 | +1/+3 | +1/+3 |
| Attack: | — | Tentacle +3 melee (1d6+2 plus poison) | Bite +3 melee (1d6+3) |
| Full Attack: | — | 4 tentacles +3 melee (1d6+2 plus poison) | Bite +3 melee (1d6+3) |
| Space/Reach: | 5 ft./0 ft. | 5 ft./10 ft. | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks: | Shriek | Poison | — |
| Special Qualities: | Low-light vision, plant traits | Low-light vision, plant traits | Low-light vision, greater invisibility, plant traits |
| Saves: | Fort +4, Ref —, Will –4 | Fort +6, Ref –1, Will +0 | Fort +6, Ref +0, Will +0 |
| Abilities: | Str —, Dex —, Con 13, Int —, Wis 2, Cha 1 | Str 14, Dex 8, Con 16, Int —, Wis 11, Cha 9 | Str 14, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 9 |
| Skills: | — | — | Listen +4, Move Silently +6, Spot +4; racial bonuses |
| Feats: | — | — | Alertness |
| Environment: | Underground | Underground | Underground |
| Organization: | Solitary or patch (3–5) | Solitary, patch (2–4), or mixed patch (2–4 violet fungi and 3–5 shriekers) | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating: | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Treasure: | None | None | None |
| Alignment: | Always neutral | Always neutral | Always neutral |
| Advancement: | 3 HD (Medium) | 3–6 HD (Medium) | 3–4 HD (Medium); 5–6 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment: | — | — | — |
Shrieker • Violet Fungus • Phantom Fungus
Shriekers and violet fungi often work together to attract and kill prey. When the shriekers’ hellish racket attracts a curious creature, the violet fungus tries to kill it. Both creatures enjoy the fruits of a successful hunt.
This creature looks like a human-sized mushroom.
A shrieker is a stationary fungus that emits a loud noise to attract prey or when disturbed. Shriekers live in dark, subterranean places, often in the company of violet fungi, whose poison they are immune to.
Shriekers come in of shades of purple.
A shrieker has no means of attack. Instead, it lures prey to its vicinity by emitting a loud noise.
Shriek (Ex): Movement or a light source within 10 feet of a shrieker causes the fungus to emit a piercing sound that lasts for 1d3 rounds. The sound attracts nearby creatures that are disposed to investigate it. Some creatures that live near shriekers come to learn that the fungus’s noise means there is food nearby.
Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 112.
This human-sized mushroom has four tendrillike tentacles and a mass of small, rootlike feelers at its base that enable it to move slowly.
Violet fungi resemble shriekers and are often found growing among them.
A violet fungi’s coloration ranges from purple overall to dull gray or violet covered with purple spots.
A violet fungus flails about with its tentacles at living creatures that come within its reach.
Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 14, initial and secondary damage 1d4 Str and 1d4 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 112.
Soft, squelching footfalls and a strange, moldy odor indicate that some creature is nearby—but nothing can be seen.
This creature looks like a brown and greenish-brown mass with a cluster of nodules atop the main mass, though it is visible only when dead. A cluster of nodules atop the main mass serve as sensory organs. The creature feeds and attacks with a gaping maw lined with rows of teeth. Four stumpy legs support the creature and allow it to move about.
This ambulatory fungus is naturally invisible, making it a feared predator among subterranean inhabitants.
A phantom fungus usually roams quietly, hunting for prey. It attacks lone individuals almost anywhere, but when tackling groups it prefers an open space where it has a better chance.
Greater Invisibility (Su): This ability is constant, allowing a phantom fungus to remain invisible even when attacking. It works like greater invisibility (caster level 12th) and lasts as long as the phantom fungus is alive. This ability is not subject to the invisibility purge spell. A phantom fungus becomes visible 1 minute after it is killed.
Skills: A phantom fungus has a +5 racial bonus on Move Silently checks.
Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 207.