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Moss, also known as greengrass,[2] was a type of a small flowerless plant that preferred shady and damp locations, but could be found in a wide variety of places across Toril.[3][4]

Description[]

Moss was often found in dense clusters and sprawling, carpet-like growths. They varied in color, but green was the most commonly found.[3][4]

Varieties[]

Blueglow moss
A magic moss that grew exclusively within Myth Drannor's mythal and possessed potent healing properties.[3]
Cave moss
A type of moss found in Underdark that was the food source of rothé and other creatures that resided there.[5]
Glowmoss
A common type of luminescent moss often used as a decorative source of light.[6]
Hanging moss
A species of moss commonly found in marshes and jungles that thrived in hot and wet areas. Hanging mosses existed in a symbiotic relationship with their hosts.[7]
Ivory moss
A type of moss found in the Midwood area of the forest of Cormanthor. It was found in the groves of alders, hickories, and bitternuts.[8]
Marimo
A type of aquatic moss that grew in the shape of a ball and was commonly found at the bottoms of lakes.[9]
Obliviax
A type of intelligent black moss that had the ability to steal the memories of other creatures and partially subsisted upon them.[10]
Spirit moss
A pale white moss that grew on dead trees in swampy environments and entangled victims.[11]
Swamp moss
A species of healing moss native to the Mere of Dead Men.[12]
Tanglemoss
A decorative species of moss that was often planted on the roads of Loudwater in Delimbiyr Vale.[13]
Weavemoss
A species of lichen that that grew in the areas with strong weave connections.[14]

Ecology[]

Meenlock lairs were completely covered in a certain type of black moss that muffled sounds.[15]

Quelzarn were known to grow weeds and mosses on the slime that was secreted from their skin.[16]

Some other older troglodytes (such as Chief Urbone) had bits of moss and fungus growing on their heads.[17]

Moss could become infested with a variety of mushroom known as mossy deathcap, which would eject toxic spores when disturbed.[18]

Habitats[]

Archendale was well-known for being a beautiful valley of lush vegetation like ferns, lilies, and mosses.[19]

Barrelstone Inn was known for its leaky and drafty interior that was a breeding ground for mosses and mildew.[20]

Roaring Griffon Inn was a miniature castle that attracted visitors to marvel at its moss gardens that encircled the building.[21]

The Garden of Delights of Sarahin many beds of soft moss were found in corners and dens of the building.[22]

The Temple of Moander in Yulash had moss covering the shrine area akin to a living carpet.[23]

The Heartlands was home to many species of moss. Glowmoss could be found in the village of Gray Oaks.[24] Plungepool was well-known in Cormyr for its rich moss and plant carpets and slick slippery walls.[25]

The swamp and marsh areas such as Spider Swamp,[26] Lizard Marsh,[7] and the Flooded Forest arm of Cormanthor were lush with mushrooms, lichens, and hanging mosses.[27]

The Islands of the Djinni's Claws' and Steaming Isles' jungles were home for draping mosses that thrived in the hot and wet climate.[28]

The ruined citadel of Spellgard had abundant fungi and mosses growing in its abandoned halls, including hanging moss and luminescent mosses that adorned the walls of the Main Hall.[29] And in the land of Maztica, moss grew on the abandoned buildings of the list city of Ixtzul.[30]

Beyond Toril, primitive mosses could be found on the planet Armistice.[31] And beyond the Prime Material, phosphorescent moss could be found growing in parts of Barovia.[32]

Uses[]

In Food & Medicine[]

  • The hamlet of Mornbryn's Shield was known for growing a variety of mosses. Some possessed medicinal qualities, others were used by Waterdhavian and Amnian perfume makers as a secret ingredient.[33]
  • The nobility of some cities, like Waterdeep and Calimshan, consumed shield moss as a fashionable dish. These mosses were deep-fried and coated in sauces.[33]

Other[]

  • In the Northern reaches, rangers and barbarians were using moss to create makeshift bedrolls, moss being good insulation protecting the sleeper from the cold of frozen ground.[34]
  • Glowmoss was known to be used as a source of light and decoration, notably, in the peculiar tavern on the Crawling Spider in Waterdeep. The mosses and lichens were regularly watered and cared for.[35]
  • On occasion, moss was planted on surfaces to reduce its muddiness, notably, the grounds of Highmoon's High Market were carpeted with carefully planted hard types of moss.[36]

History[]

The god of rot and decay, Moander was able to control moss and used it, along with many other living things, to form the body of his shambling avatar, the Abomination of Moander.[37]

The goddess Mielikki often manifested herself as a young woman with hair of leaves and golden moss.[38]

The Zakharan legend of the Maiden of Beauty mentioned hanging moss that was used to help disguise the Maiden as an old man.[39]

Appendix[]

Appearances[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. Sean K. Reynolds, Steve Miller (2000). Into the Dragon's Lair. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-1634-6.
  2. Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 136. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sean K. Reynolds (2000). Pool of Radiance: Attack on Myth Drannor. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 77. ISBN 0-7869-1710-5.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Stormfront Studios (2001). Designed by Mark Buchignani, Ken Eklund, Sarah W. Stocker. Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor. Ubisoft Entertainment.
  5. Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 108. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
  6. Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 120. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 96. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  8. James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Cormanthor”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 10. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  9. Cryptic Studios (June 2013). Neverwinter. Perfect World Entertainment.
  10. David "Zeb" Cook, et al. (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Two. (TSR, Inc), p. 98. ISBN 0-8803-8753-X.
  11. Jason Bulmahn (September 2005). “Swamp Dangers”. Dungeon #126 (Paizo Publishing, LLC) (126)., p. 93.
  12. Obsidian Entertainment (October 2006). Designed by Ferret Baudoin, J.E. Sawyer. Neverwinter Nights 2. Atari.
  13. slade, et al. (April 1996). “Cities & Civilization”. In James Butler ed. The North: Guide to the Savage Frontier (TSR, Inc.), pp. 61–62. ISBN 0-7869-0391-0.
  14. Larian Studios (October 2020). Designed by Swen Vincke, et al. Baldur's Gate III. Larian Studios.
  15. Mike Mearls, et al. (November 2016). Volo's Guide to Monsters. Edited by Jeremy Crawford, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 170. ISBN 978-0786966011.
  16. Steven E. Schend, Thomas M. Reid (1999). Wyrmskull Throne. (TSR, Inc), p. 49. ISBN 0-7869-1405-X.
  17. Michael E. Shea, et al. (June 2013). Vault of the Dracolich. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 17.
  18. M. Sean Molley (August 2010). Tyranny's Bleak Depths (SPEC2-2 P1). Living Forgotten Realms (RPGA), pp. 11, 15.
  19. Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 30. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  20. Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 50. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  21. Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 52. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  22. Wolfgang Baur (1993). Al-Qadim: Assassin Mountain: Adventure Book. (TSR, Inc), p. 29. ISBN 1-56076-764-X.
  23. Jeff Grubb and George MacDonald (April 1989). Curse of the Azure Bonds. (TSR, Inc.), p. 49. ISBN 978-0880386067.
  24. Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 123. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  25. Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  26. Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 61. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
  27. Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 73. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  28. David Cook (October 1992). “The Djinni's Claws”. In Bill Slavicsek ed. Golden Voyages (TSR, Inc.), p. 2. ISBN 978-1560763314.
  29. Ed Greenwood (November 1991). Anauroch. Edited by Karen S. Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 64. ISBN 1-56076-126-1.
  30. Jeff Grubb (November 1991). Endless Armies. (TSR, Inc.), p. 27. ISBN 978-1560761464.
  31. Nigel Findley (July 1991). Practical Planetology. (TSR, Inc.), p. 11. ISBN 156-076134-2.
  32. Cryptic Studios (June 2018). Neverwinter: Ravenloft. Perfect World Entertainment.
  33. 33.0 33.1 Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 64. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  34. R.A. Salvatore, The Seven Swords (March 1999). The Accursed Tower. Edited by Dale Donovan. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-7869-1337-1.
  35. Ed Greenwood (January 1993). Volo's Guide to Waterdeep. (TSR, Inc.), p. 21. ISBN 1-56076-335-3.
  36. Ed Greenwood (January 1996). Volo's Guide to the Dalelands. (TSR, Inc), p. 102. ISBN 0-7869-0406-2.
  37. Jeff Grubb, Kate Novak (October 1988). Azure Bonds. (TSR, Inc.), p. 223. ISBN 0-88038-612-6.
  38. Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), Running the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 52. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  39. Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Fortunes and Fates). (TSR, Inc), p. 115. ISBN 978-1560763291.
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