Bestiary
Plant Life of the Frozen Gates:
The Frostbite Fungus
Lore written by JunoniatheSilkWing.
2022 Spooky Challenges Entry
The frostbite fungus is a fungus native to the Frozen Gates, with occasional dispersal spread into the Polar Province of Dutoria, Northern Ironbrook, and Northern Bitterpeak Barony, especially around Thunder Lake.
In Windwyrm territory, it is referred to by the name “Liadan’s Talons” or “Liadan’s Trap”, believed to be a test set by the winter spirit Liadan to test one’s survival instinct and ruthlessness. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Moonglow Sea, pranksterish young researchers at Nuevo Cadere have nicknamed it the “Fingus” as a form of black comedy and nightmare retardant.
In appearance, the frostbite fungus resembles a frostbitten human hand or dragon talon (most commonly reminiscent of that of a Moonviper, Northern Shipwrecker, or Windwyrm) sticking up out of the snow. It usually grows singly, but occasionally may grow in a matched pair. Immature specimens resemble the tips of fingers or claws.
The fungus reproduces and spreads when a human or dragon grabs or yanks on the “fingers”, which gets the spores of the fungus stuck on the unfortunate individual’s hand or talon. The “fingers” usually snap off at this point, revealing the ploy, but by then it is usually too late.
The spores of the fungus, once stuck to the skin or scales, have a magical effect that reduces the victim’s resiliency against the cold and makes it harder to maintain internal body temperature, resulting in hypothermia. If untreated, humans and less cold-hardy dragons rarely last more than a few days, while cold-adapted dragons like Windwyrms, Moonvipers, Northern Shipwreckers, and Darklings will be lucky to make it to the end of the week.
Once the victim succumbs and the body is buried in the snow, a new frostbite fungus will grow from the corpse, usually resembling the hand(s) or talon(s) of the victim’s species.
If one is wearing gloves while touching the fungus, they will not be affected, however it is recommended that the gloves be sterilized (preferably by heat) as soon as possible to prevent the spores from rubbing off onto anything the gloves touch.
Frostbite fungus is not edible raw, however, if harvested carefully and prepared properly, it can be made into a potent tea which is good for fevers or heatstroke. They also have some value as a potion ingredient for ice- and cold-related potions.
Treatment of induced hypothermia includes scraping the skin with a flat, thin, stiff object like a playing card to remove spores (ditch the playing card after use), applying heat to the area in an attempt to kill the spores and alleviate the symptoms (potions with warming effects are particularly effective), and removing the victim from the cold. If treated promptly and properly, survival is possible and even likely. However, even in best-case scenarios, the victim will remain unusually sensitive to cold for months or even years afterward.
In Windwyrm territory, it is referred to by the name “Liadan’s Talons” or “Liadan’s Trap”, believed to be a test set by the winter spirit Liadan to test one’s survival instinct and ruthlessness. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Moonglow Sea, pranksterish young researchers at Nuevo Cadere have nicknamed it the “Fingus” as a form of black comedy and nightmare retardant.
In appearance, the frostbite fungus resembles a frostbitten human hand or dragon talon (most commonly reminiscent of that of a Moonviper, Northern Shipwrecker, or Windwyrm) sticking up out of the snow. It usually grows singly, but occasionally may grow in a matched pair. Immature specimens resemble the tips of fingers or claws.
The fungus reproduces and spreads when a human or dragon grabs or yanks on the “fingers”, which gets the spores of the fungus stuck on the unfortunate individual’s hand or talon. The “fingers” usually snap off at this point, revealing the ploy, but by then it is usually too late.
The spores of the fungus, once stuck to the skin or scales, have a magical effect that reduces the victim’s resiliency against the cold and makes it harder to maintain internal body temperature, resulting in hypothermia. If untreated, humans and less cold-hardy dragons rarely last more than a few days, while cold-adapted dragons like Windwyrms, Moonvipers, Northern Shipwreckers, and Darklings will be lucky to make it to the end of the week.
Once the victim succumbs and the body is buried in the snow, a new frostbite fungus will grow from the corpse, usually resembling the hand(s) or talon(s) of the victim’s species.
If one is wearing gloves while touching the fungus, they will not be affected, however it is recommended that the gloves be sterilized (preferably by heat) as soon as possible to prevent the spores from rubbing off onto anything the gloves touch.
Frostbite fungus is not edible raw, however, if harvested carefully and prepared properly, it can be made into a potent tea which is good for fevers or heatstroke. They also have some value as a potion ingredient for ice- and cold-related potions.
Treatment of induced hypothermia includes scraping the skin with a flat, thin, stiff object like a playing card to remove spores (ditch the playing card after use), applying heat to the area in an attempt to kill the spores and alleviate the symptoms (potions with warming effects are particularly effective), and removing the victim from the cold. If treated promptly and properly, survival is possible and even likely. However, even in best-case scenarios, the victim will remain unusually sensitive to cold for months or even years afterward.