SnailSong OSR Blog

An ethereal lichen that disorients travellers

Pestiary is a series of posts we’re devoting to magical pests usable in your fantasy OSR games. Many bestiaries focus on the flashy bear+ sized creatures, the goal of Pestiary is to create low HD creatures which can be scattered around your fantasy world to add flavour. Some may present combat challenges, whilst others will offer new ways of interacting with the world.

Description

In the enchanted forests and grottos of the world, a prudent adventurer keeps watch for the telltale signs of Silent Lichen. Silent Lichen is said to grow in places of latent magic which have heard sounds the world thinks would be better hushed. A symbiosis of multiple magical organisms, Silent Lichen appears as a fuzzy, light-blue growth on walls or trees. It is distinguishable from mundane lichen by the bell shaped ‘flowers’ which sprout off of it at maturity and are responsible for the lichen’s magical effect.

All sounds within 15′ of a mature specimen of Silent Lichen are completely nullified as the Silence spell. Silent Lichen often grows in scattered patches, allowing this silencing effect to extend across significant areas of forest. Travellers not paying attention may run the risk of becoming separated from their companions as they do not realize they can no longer hear them moving away. Furthermore, many intelligent monsters such as goblins take advantage of patches of Silent Lichen to either lay ambushes or lure spellcasters so that they pose a lesser threat.

The bell ‘flowers’ from Silent Lichen can be harvested to bring the silencing effect on the move, however they quickly lose potency when separated from the greater organism and become inert within 2d6 turns. Moving a whole organism, such as by carrying a branch it is attached to, is more effective. However, separation from the site of magical energy where it grew will still cause the Silent Lichen to die within 1d4 days. Some wizards have been able to cultivate patches of Silent Lichen in dungeons through research to meticulously create the correct conditions.

Mechanics

Silent Lichen
Fuzzy light-blue growth on walls or trees with distinctive bell-shaped ‘flowers’
AC No hit roll required
HD 1*
THAC0 19[0]
Movement 0′(0′)
Saving Throws D12 W13 P14 B15 S16
Morale 12
Alignment Neutral
XP 13
Number Appearing 3d8
Silence All sounds within 15′ of the Silent Lichen are nullified as the Silence spell.