Obliviax

The Obliviax, also known as memory moss, was a dangerous variety of moss that preyed upon the minds of others.

Description
This moss grew in small thick patches, reminiscent of a sort of luxurious carpet, the color of tar or pitch. Leaves and flowers grew on them that were of a similar hue. A smell similar to damp, loamy earth emanated from them. When lacking memories, their bodies somewhat quivered.

Behavior
This variety of moss had an average degree of intelligence.

Biology
The obliviax spread by means of spores and the production of these required exposure to daylight, though not sunlight.

Abilities
The obliviax could sense the approach of any creature within of them. Their alternative name was derived from their ability to steal the last twenty-four hours of memories from other intelligent creatures within that range. Through this ability they could even steal memorized spells. They preferred to steal the memories of any wizards present, followed by priests, other forms of spellcasters, and then non-spellcasters.

This ability could not penetrate through lead surfaces. The victims of this memory stealing would act baffled and disoriented, having a blank space in their memories.

It was possible to regain the stolen memories by an obliviax by eating it, though there was chance of becoming very ill from doing so. One could even gain the memories of other creatures and their memorized spells by eating an obliviax. However, these would fade from the mind after twenty-four hours.

Combat
If attacked after having stolen memories, an obliviax would grow a small imitation of the creature whose memories they had stolen to defend them. This imitation, known as a "mossling," remained attached to the obliviax and was capable of casting any memorized spells they had stolen.

History
Obliviaxes were one of the many monsters kept within the city of Kuo Meilan's subterranean zoo. By 1362 DR they were still found to dwell within it.

Diet
This moss was vitalized and nourished by the memories they stole from other creatures. Besides that, they subsisted upon soil and water like any other moss.

Habitats
An obliviax could be found in a wide variety of habitats with a temperate or tropical climate. They could not abide cold climates, deserts, or overly damps environments. They were rarely ever found in subterranean areas, unless brought there by another creature, since the lack of daylight prevented them from reproducing.

It was not uncommon to find small patches of them growing upon fallen logs, tree trunks, or rotting leaves. Small colonies of them could occasionally be found inside caverns or tunnels.

They could be found within many of the medium woods of Daggerdale, Cormanthor, and Shadowdale. Particularly the Border Forest and Vale of Lost Voices.

Relationships
Some evil-aligned creatures were known to place this moss outside of their lairs to act as guardians.

Some spies were known to carry them around in boxes of lead, using an obliviax to steal vital memories from unsuspecting targets.

Usage
This moss could be distilled into a potion of forgetfulness. By contrast, their spores could be distilled into an elixir that would restore the memories of the forgetful or senile.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds • Black Courser • Dungeon #29, "Ex Libris" • Dungeon #73, "Mere of Dead Men: Eye of Myrkul"
 * Card Games
 * AD&D Trading Cards