Deathfung (5e Race)

Deathfung

By Jake Raymor

The deathfung come from the end. To them, it is not such a bad thing to die, so long as something comes out of it.

Physical Description

A deathfung looks like a tall, thin humanoid with a big mushroom cap. Looking closer, one can see that their main body branches out of detritus, usually a humanoid skeleton or the like. The bones of the dead are intertwined as structure for their fibrous limbs. Not all deathfung still have the skull, but some do, buried on their body by the neck. Deathfung faces peer out under their wide hat-like cap. Their eyes are often described to be crystalline, like staring into a liquid. Due to their body being woven from fibers, they can appear wrinkly and aged or even gnarled.

The body of a deathfung sprouts myriad spores and so they are loath to wear clothing that covers their bodies. But the sight of death on them is often unsettling to others. Deathfung like to adorn their bodies sparsely with things like other bones, like jewelry, in lieu of clothes.

History

Deathfung come from corpses which were infected with spores that killed them. The exact specie responsible is unknown. It is possible that deathfung are relatives of vegepygmies due to the similarity in their mold origins. The mold in the host's body gestates for a long time before eating away at the flesh of the body. Ultimately, all that is left of the host is but their skeleton and the mushy remains digested by the mold. From these nutrient rich remains, the mold grows long fibers like a plant saturated with mulch. The skeleton is often enclosed in the process, ultimately forming a deathfung. Due to their bodies being host to this dangerous fungus, deathfung are regarded as vile people who deserve to be driven away. This animosity resulted in their near complete withdrawal into the Underdark, where they live alongside myconids.

Society

To the deathfung, death is an important counterbalance to life. This is a common philosophy they share with myconids. Their civilization is basically integrated into the myconids due to their own small numbers. They even share the same two gods: Zuggtmoy and Psilofyr. Within myconid cities in the Underdark, deathfung often serve as scouts or soldiers due to their imposing appearance. The few deathfung who remained in the world above live in secret, hiding in bogs and deep dark forests away from the angry mobs.

Deathfung Names

Most deathfung do not use names among their own community. Their address is recognized within their unique spore signature that can be registered as though telepathic with other fungi beings. With outsiders where names are required, deathfung take simple names that they can actually pronounce without being too slow. These names are often more like aspirations or simple sounds and are not gendered.

Names: Bru, Goot, Haar, Lorr

Deathfung Traits

Fungi people grown of corpses
Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom increases by 2 and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age. Deathfung are born from their hosts as what looks to be a young plantoid. They mature fully at around 50 years of age and can live up to 90.
Alignment. While they receive hostility, deathfung are fairly peaceful and complacent creatures that tend to be neutral.
Size. They can be quite tall on average but they are thin and do not weigh much. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Fibrous Body. Your body is made of plant like material. Your creature type is plant instead of humanoid. You have disadvantage on saving throws against fire damage.
Ingrained Rest. You do not sleep in the normal sense. Instead, you enter a state of low consciousness, and your body roots itself to your immediate surroundings. While resting in this fashion, you are aware of your surroundings and have advantage on saving throws against being moved.
Sporespeech. You have the ability to communicate very well to plants via your spores. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return. You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
Detritivore. Your special body is able to digest rotting matter without trouble for nutrition. As part of a short rest, you can absorb and break down the flesh from a Medium sized corpse. This fulfills your food and drink requirement for the day.
Contagion Spore. Close contact with your body makes a creature vulnerable to your spores. When you grapple a creature successfully, the grappled creature must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your Constitution modifier + your proficiency bonus). On a failed save, they become paralyzed until the end of their next turn. On a successful save, they are unaffected and are considered immune to your spores for the next 24 hours.
Languages. You can speak, read and write in Common and Undercommon.

Random Height and Weight

Table: Deathfung Random Height and Weight

Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
5 ′ 6 ″ - 6 ' 6 "	+2d4	120 lb.	x (1d8) lb.

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