The Fungi Cavern is a trap-filled underground chamber within the Fane of the Night Serpent, containing deadly fungi and the remains of a yuan-ti heretic.
Location Features
The cavern is densely populated with various fungi—toadstools, puffballs, and tuberous growths covering the walls and floor. Two hazardous molds guard the space: green slime clings to the ceiling above the entrance and drops on the first creature passing beneath, while yellow mold covers the skeletal corpse against the far wall and releases deadly spores when touched.
The Corpse of Kukuga
The malformed skeleton buried under buttery mold belongs to Kukuga, a yuan-ti pureblood who secretly worshiped Zuggtmoy, the demon queen of fungi. In an attempt to transform his body to more closely resemble his demonic mistress, Kukuga created a fungal brew that instead caused his sudden and horrific death. A brass key hangs around his neck, which unlocks the door to the venom distillery (area 14).
Connections
Xopal (area 14) occasionally visits the cavern to harvest poisonous toadstools from Kukuga’s corpse, suggesting the fungi growing on the body have alchemical or medicinal value.
Game Mechanics
- Green slime hazard at entrance (see DMG chapter 5)
- Yellow mold hazard on corpse (see DMG chapter 5)
- DC 12 Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check required to remove the brass key without disturbing the yellow mold