Araumycos

Araumycos (Great Fungus) is a part of the Underdark and lies beneath the High Forest. A long time ago this area was mined and occupied by the dwarves of Ammarindar during the time of the elven realm Earlann. Today these caves and mines are inhabited by a huge life form called Araumycos. It is an enormous fungus which covers almost all the parts of the Underdark beneath the High Forest. But it seems that it has reached its peak open volume since it grows no longer through other territories.

Some areas of Araumycos can be attacked with normal weapons or are vulnerable to fire, acid and other meanings. But destroyed parts will grow back within a short time. It seems that the fungus is unaware of intruders and their destructive ways but there are rumors telling some different things. Araumycos has terrible defenses like poisonous gas, enormous psionic power, and it can manifest slimy creatures similar to oozes. Araumycos can also use spores to dominate the will of victims and emit substances which can animate skeletal remains upon which they cling to.

From time to time, without explanation, large sections of Araumycos wither and decay, revealing ancient, undisturbed caverns. These caverns sometimes contain ancient ruins and are greatly sought after (especially by Netheril). They are eventually reclaimed, either in hours or centuries.

Since the Spellplague, the rumored awareness of Araumycos has been proven. Refering to itself as King Araumycos, it has brought millions of myconids under its domination, and tries to do the same with any sentient creature within hundreds of miles through strange nightmares-dreams (wich the drow call golhyrrl' fhaazht or "the Dream Trap") that speaks of the confort of the mass and the hopeless chaos of individuality.