Homebrew Fungifolk Species Details

Reveling in the beauty of the feywilds and sharing knowledge and secrets among their vast family networks that can span miles of the plane is the goal of most Fungifolk. Extending their mycelium network's reaches and learning information is the noble pursuit of many. While large numbers of fungifolk choose a more sedentary lifestyle, listening to passersby and sometimes serving as a method of transporting messages for travelers (while holding onto that information to use however they wish to cause mischief, and they don't always deliver the message exactly as intended),  others choose to seek out new experiences and understandings to bring back to the network. But even these wanderers love their homes in the Feywild where their collective knowledge can be shared with their loved ones.

Small and Curious

The diminutive Fungifolk survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife.

Fungifolk skin ranges from resembling any number of known and unknown mushrooms and fungi for which they are named, and their appearance can even change to that of a different mushroom depending on their environment, though doing so voluntarily takes some skill. and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy. Their skin, caps, and eyes can all be a part of this changing appearance or not be, and the specific types of mushrooms they resemble can depend on the individual. Fungifolk are mostly agender, but some do tend to have appearances that more closely resemble typically masculine traits or typical feminine traits, and may use any pronouns depending on how they like to appear.

Fungifolk curiosity extends beyond secrets and information. They’re concerned with the delight of the unfamiliar. Anything new to them is exciting and worth noting. They have no use for money or jewels, except for those used as components for spells. And above their curious natures is their fierce dedication to protecting and preserving nature; especially that of their native feywilds. They have a knack for finding creative solutions to a problem, but have very little patience if faced with an issue involving the destruction or disrespect and disruption of nature.

Kind and Curious

Fungifolk are a friendly and cheerful people. They cherish the bonds of family and friendship as well as the joy of causing mischief, though rarely with the intent to cause harm. Even adventurers among them usually venture into the world for reasons of community, friendship, wanderlust, or curiosity. They love discovering new things, even simple things, such as an exotic food or an unfamiliar style of clothing.

Fungifolk are easily moved to pity and hate to see any living thing suffer. They are generous, happily sharing what they have even in lean times.

Blend into the Wilderness

Fungifolk are adept at fitting into the natural world and those with an affinity for it. The combination of their inherent stealth and their unassuming nature helps them to avoid unwanted attention.

Fungifolk work readily with others, and they are loyal to their friends. They can display remarkable ferocity when their friends, families, or communities are threatened.

Pastoral Pleasantries

Most Fungifolk live in small, peaceful communities in large networks and well-kept groves. They rarely build kingdoms of their own or even hold much land beyond which they share with the rest of their natural environment and its inhabitants. Networks preserve their indifference in watching the rise and fall of empires.

Some Fungifolk live among other races, where their curiosity and loyal outlook offer them abundant rewards and creature comforts. Some Fungifolk communities travel as a way of life, drifting from place to place wherever the wind takes them and maintaining no permanent home.

AFFABLE AND POSITIVE

Fungifolk try to get along with everyone else and are loath to make sweeping generalizations—especially negative ones.

Dwarves. “Dwarves make loyal friends, and you can count on them to keep their word. But would it hurt them to smile once in a while?”

Elves. “They’re so beautiful! Their faces, their music, their grace and all. It’s like they stepped out of a wonderful dream. But there’s no telling what’s going on behind their smiling faces—surely more than they ever let on.”

Humans. “Humans are a lot like us, really. They are a bit more complicated, at times, and aren't the best at communicating, but most of them care a lot about family and friends. Step out of the castles and keeps, go talk to the farmers and herders and you’ll find good, solid folk. Not that there’s anything wrong with the barons and soldiers—you have to admire their conviction. And by protecting their own lands, they protect us as well.”

Exploring Opportunities

Fungifolk usually set out on the adventurer’s path to expand their communities, support their friends, or explore a wide and wonder-filled world. For them, adventuring is less a career than an opportunity or sometimes a necessity.

Fungifolk Names

A Fungifolk has a chosen name, if they wish to identify themselves individually. Most tend to be parts of mushroom species names, which they have an innate knowledge of, and is not necessarily a reflection upon the species of mushroom they are personally.

Names: Amanita, Chanterelle, Morel, Flammulina, Agaricus, Penny, Craterellus, Beech, Armillaria, Stropharia, Maitake, Shitake, Caesarea, Shimeji, Bolete, Girolle, Cep, Blewit, Polypore, Russula, Porcini, Gill, Cap, Miller, Pestle.

Family Names: Fungifolk don't really have family names, or at least, ones that translate to common.

Subrace

Subraces don't really exist for this race, but it can be the specific species of mushroom(s) you choose to base your character on.

Fungifolk Traits

Your Fungifolk character has a number of traits in common with all other fungifolk.

Age

Fungifolk age is typically not determinable due to collective consciousness of the mycelium network they are usually born into, with individual births not being of much note, especially since quite a few of them are usually born every day.

Size

Fungifolk average about 2.5- 3 feet tall and weigh about 30-40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Mycelium Connection

You understand Druidic, and on your turn you can use a bonus action to mentally connect to and communicate with nearby plant life. The communication can take the form of a telepathic conversation, a general sense of an answer to questions, or just an emotion such as angry, happy, frightened, or curious. The form of communication is the discretion of the DM, and can be determined by dice roll at the start of each interaction if desired.

Hardy

You have advantage on saving throws against being Poisoned.

Just A Lil Guy

You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret, but halflings are loath to share it with others. They write very little, so they don’t have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all halflings speak Common to converse with the people in whose lands they dwell or through which they are traveling.

Natural Camouflage

You can attempt to hide when in a natural environment where mushrooms might be found.