Eurganan (Yur-ga-nin)

Eurganan is a subterranean fungus that can induce a high when the spores are mixed with steam and inhaled. It is highly addictive and illegal in most places across Ebresia. The fungus itself is pale white, with red veins running through it.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The stem of the fungus is pale white and rigid, though the cap on the other hand is very rubbery. Red veins run throughout the fungus, with the above-ground mycelial network completely red. The mycelial network acts like ivy, creeping along cavern floors and walls until the entire cave is covered. Eurganan is highly sensitive to sunlight, and cannot survive in open sunlight. When exposed to sunlight (alive or dead), the fungus will turn from pale white to a more whitish-red color.

Ecology and Habitats

Eurganan normally grows in wet humid caves near subterranean water.

Behaviour

When one system of Eurganan meets another, they will usually conjoin into one large mycelial network.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Eurganan is an addictive drug that induces a potent high when the spores are mixed with steam and inhaled. It is common around the black markets of large cities and is generally grown in remote caves to prevent discovery. Symptoms of the high include heightened perception, clarity of mind, a general feeling of comfort, slowed motor control, and slowed reaction time. If someone uses it continually and becomes addicted, withdrawal symptoms are severe, and someone who is going through withdrawal can be identified by their pale skin and enunciated veins. A regular eurganan high lasts for 4-8 hours.
It is usually taken through a eurganan pipe, a type of hooka with a rotund glass base. The eurganan is dropped inside and the bottom is filled with water, allowing it to grow. Then, the water is boiled from a compartment underneath the base containing a flame, which causes steam to rise out of the top and into a tube that people can breathe through to induce the high. The use of a eurganan pipe extends the lifespan of the eurganan once the water starts to boil, allowing it to produce high-inducing spores for 3-12 hours. Alternatively, it can be smoked right out of the vile it is usually distributed in by boiling the small amount of water at the bottom and inserting the top of the vial into your mouth. This strategy is inefficient compared to the pipe, and once it's used the fungus dies and stops producing spores.

Game rules

Creatures who take a dose of eurganan must make a DC 13 con save or be under the effects of the high for 2d6 hours (they can choose to fail this save). The effects are as follows: advantage on all perception checks, +5 to passive perception, you cannot be surprised, disadvantage on all dexterity and strength saving throws, -5 to movement speed (unless your speed would be reduced to 0), a sense of calmness/inner peace, and a temporary reversion to the user's original alignment (if they have experienced any alignment change). After the eurganin expires, the user must make a DC 8 con save or become addicted. This DC increases by one every time it is used, and decreases by one for every week the user goes without taking any. While addicted, creatures suffer disadvantage on all perception checks and a -5 to passive perception unless under the effects of the drug.
If a creature takes another dose of eurganan before the previous dose expires, it must make a DC 11 con save. On a success, they gain an additional +2 to their passive perception and 1d8 temporary hit points that expire once the high is over. On a failure, they take 2d10 damage and become poisoned for the rest of the high and for an additional 4d12 hours. This con save increases by +5 for every additional dose they take before the original dose expires. Additionally, the addiction saving throw for this particular high increases by +4 for every additional dose (this increase in the DC doesn't apply to the next high).