Homebrew Myconid Species Details
Myconid Society
Myconid are agender and exist in a unitive conscious for most of their life. The largest Myconid "individual" in a colony is its Sovereign, which presides over the rest of a Myconid circle or circles. A Circle is made of 20-50 "individuals" who work, live and meld together. A meld is a form of communal meditation that allows Myconid to transcend and commune with "Divine Mother." The Myconid's Rapport Spores bind the participants into a group consciousness. Hallucination Spores cast by the Sovereign induce a shared visual mind which provides social interaction and entertainment. Many Myconid consider melding to be the sold purpose of their existence. They use it in the pursuit of higher consciousness, collective union, and spiritual apotheosis. Myconid also use their Rapport Spores to communicate telepathically with other sentient creatures. When a Myconid individual leaves their collective for adventure, it is often for purposes set by the Sovereign or at the will of "Divine Mother." (The term 'Mother' refers to the Giver of Life, and is only a human analog. Like other Myconid names, this term serves for the purpose of communicating to those outside the Myconid race. It is not meant to impose gender upon their Deity).
Cultural Pacifism
From a very early age, Myconid are taught the virtues of empathy and compassion for all sentient life. Violence is not common among these creatures, material possessions are not chiefly important to them, and their sense of self is more unitive in nature.
Myconid Reproduction
Like other fungi, Myconid reproduce by asexual sporing. They carefully control their spores' release to avoid overpopulation. Unlike most other humanoids, Myconid reproduction is not an act of passion or pleasure and they feel no more affection for their offspring than any other member of their collective. Child rearing is a responsibility shared by the entire group, and it is rare for a young Sprout to identify their parent.
Myconid Names and Pronouns
Within their circle, Myconid are known by their scent and spores rather than names. When speaking with other races, an individual may ask for a name from whom they are engaging with. On adventures, a Myconid individual may use a name given to them previously.
Since Myconid are agender and a collective, an individual will often use "We/Us" when referring to themself, and use the gender neutral "They/Them" pronouns.
Myconid Traits
Sage-like fungal creatures with a unitive consciousness.Ability Score Increase
Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
Myconid reach maturity at 6 years old and can live to be over 1000 with the oldest ones becoming sovereigns. Individual Myconid can live several centuries; however, an individual's lifespan shortens considerably the longer it is away from its circle. Adventuring Myconid mature quickly and have a lifespan of decades. Regular melds with their circle can extend this duration.
Alignment
Most Myconid tend towards lawful and neutral alignments. Good Myconid are fairly common and evil Myconid are very rare.
Physical Description
Ranging anywhere from 4 to 7 feet, Myconid's are brightly colored fungi creatures who come in all shapes and sizes. If a Myconid survives to become a Sovereign, it typically stands anywhere from 9 to 12 feet tall. Their physical features vary greatly from circle to circle and even within the circles themselves. The inside of a Myconid has a soft texture similar to that of a mushroom however their bones are near the surface, and are hard and have a seemingly metallic feel. Because of their fungi origins, Myconid's are very light, however, their endoskeleton does contribute something. They are usually between 50-80 pounds (22 to 36 kg). Though they are of a similar height to humans they are slow to move, however, their tough natural hide makes up for the disadvantage. All Myconid's have an aversion to sunlight and most do not wear clothes.
Size
Ranging anywhere from 4 to 7 feet, with Sovereigns averaging 9-12 feet, Myconid's typically weigh around 10 pounds per foot of height. Sprouts are small, adults are medium, and Sovereigns are large.
Speed
Myconid's speed change as they grow. A sprout has a base walking speed of 10-15 feet, an adult a base walking speed of 25-30 feet, and a sovereign a base walking speed of 35-40 feet.
Superior Darkvision
Native to the Underdark and swampland, Myconid have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. They can see in dim light within 120 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
Sun Sickness
While in direct sunlight, unless otherwise concealed, you have disadvantage on Strength, Dexterity and Constitution based ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws.
Natural Armor
Myconid have a tough, rubbery outer layer of skin. When they aren’t wearing armor, their AC is 13 + Dexterity modifier. A shield’s benefits apply as normal.
Rapport Spores
A 20-foot radius of spores extends from the Myconid. These spores can go around corners and affect only creatures with an Intelligence of 2 or higher that aren’t undead, constructs, or elementals. Affected creatures can communicate telepathically with one another while they are within 30 feet of each other. The effect lasts for 1 hour.
Distress Spores
When a Myconid takes damage, all other Myconid within 240 feet of it can sense its pain.
Pacifying Spores
As an action, an adult or Sovereign Myconid can eject spores at one creature it can see within 15 feet of it. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw equal to 8 + your proficiency modifier + your Constitution modifier or be stunned for 1 minute or until it takes damage. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. You regain use of this trait once you have completed a short or long rest.
Animating Spores
A Myconid can target one corpse of a humanoid or a Large or smaller beast within 5 feet of it and releases spores at the corpse. Within 24 hours, the corpse rises as a Cordyceps "Zombie." The Cordse (Cordyceps Corpse) stays animated for 1d4 + 1 weeks or until destroyed, and it can’t be animated again in this way. A Myconid can only have one Cordse at a time, and they regain spent use of this trait after a long rest.
Hallucination Spores
Myconid Sovereigns can eject spores at one creature it can see within 5 feet of it. The target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute. The poisoned target is incapacitated while it hallucinates. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Languages
Myconid communicate telepathically through their Rapport Spores, but cannot speak. Anyone within reach of their Rapport Spores can telepathically communicate with the Myconid. Myconid can understand, read and write Common and Undercommon.