Mushroom Shepherd

Few focus upon the fascinating finer points of fungus the way mushroom shepherds do. Though often considered a bit odd by their fellow druids, these druids are quite happy living in dark, damp places where they can be surrounded by a wild rainbow of different mushrooms and fungi.

Fungal Bond (Ex)

At 1st level, a mushroom shepherd develops a mystical rapport with plant life. This bond can take one of two forms:

The first grants the mushroom shepherd one of the following domains or subdomains: Cave, Decay, Plant, Swamp.

When determining the powers and bonus spells granted by this domain, the mushroom shepherd’s effective cleric level is equal to her druid level. A mushroom shepherd who selects this option also receives additional domain spell slots, just like a cleric. She must prepare the spell from her domain in this slot, and this spell cannot be used to cast a spell spontaneously.

The second option is to form a close bond with a plant companion. A mushroom shepherd may begin to play with any of the plants listed below. This plant is a loyal companion that accompanies the mushroom shepherd on her adventures. Except for the companion being a creature of the plant type, drawn from the list below, this ability otherwise works like that of a standard druid’s animal companion ability.

This ability replaces nature bond.

Plant Companions

Each plant companion has different starting sizes, speeds, attacks, ability scores, and special qualities. All plant attacks are made using the creature’s full base attack bonus unless otherwise noted. Plant attacks add the plant’s Strength modifier on the damage roll unless it has only one attack, in which case it adds 1-1/2 times its Strength modifier. Some plant companions have special abilities, such as scent. Plant companions cannot gain armor or weapon proficiency feats, even as they advance in hit dice, and cannot use manufactured weapons at all unless their description says otherwise.

As you gain levels, your plant companion grows in power as well. It gains the same bonuses that are gained by animal companions. Each plant companion gains an additional bonus, usually at 4th or 7th level, as listed with each plant choice. Instead of taking the listed benefit at 4th level, you can instead choose to increase the companion’s Strength and Constitution by 2.

Hoplite, Agarician

Starting Statistics

Size Small; Speed 30 ft; AC +4 natural armor; Attack slam (1d6 plus poison); Ability Scores Str 15, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4; Special Attacks poison (frequency: 1 round [6], Effect 1 Str damage, Cure 1 save, Con-based DC); Special Qualities luminescent lamella, powerful leap, low-light vision.

Luminescent Lamella (Ex)

The underside of a hoplite constantly glows with a soft blue light, equivalent to a candle. This is suppressed whenever a hoplite is laying on the ground or otherwise concealing its underbelly.

Powerful Leap (Ex)

A hoplite has a powerful set of rear legs, giving it a +8 bonus on Acrobatics checks made to jump.

4th-Level Advancement

Size Medium; Attack slam (1d8 plus poison); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex -2, Con +2

Mould Mutt

Starting Statistics

Size Small; Speed 40 ft; AC +3 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4 plus poison); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Special Attacks poison (frequency: 1 round [4], Effect 1 damage to a randomly determined ability score, Cure 1 save, Con-based DC); Special Qualities scent.

4th-Level Advancement

Size Medium; Attack bite (1d6 + poison); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex -2, Con +2.

Musheep (Mushroom Sheep)

Starting Statistics

Size Small; Speed 40 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack gore (1d4); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 7; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th-Level Advancement

Ability Scores Dex +2, Con +2; Special Attacks spore burst, powerful charge (gore, 1d8)

Spore Burst (Ex)

As a standard action, a musheep can cause the mushroom on its back to emit a burst of spores into the squares surrounding it. Any creature adjacent to a musheep using this ability must make a DC (10 +1/2 HD + Wis modifier) Will save or be dazed for 1 round.

Puffball (Floating Fungus)

Starting Statistics

Size Small; Speed 20 ft., fly 60 ft. (average); AC +1 natural armor; Attack thorn (1d4 plus poison); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 15, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 6; Special Attacks poison (frequency: 1 round [6], Effect 1 Con damage, Cure 1 save, Con-based DC); Special Qualities low-light vision.

4th-Level Advancement

Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2.

Green Empathy (Ex)

At 1st level, a mushroom shepherd can improve the attitude of a plant creature the way a normal druid can improve the attitude of animals. Wild plant creatures typically have a starting attitude of indifferent. A mushroom shepherd can also use this ability to influence an animal, but she takes a -4 penalty on the check. This ability replaces wild empathy.

Toxicologist (Ex)

At 9th level, a mushroom shepherd has become so infused with fungal spores that poisons often have no effect on them. They gain a +4 bonus to all saving throws against poisons. In addition, if they deliberately expose themselves to a poison and succeed on their saving throw, they gain a temporary alchemical bonus to the ability scores the poison would have damaged. This bonus is equal to the maximum amount of damage the poison could have done in a single round, and it has a duration based on the duration of the poison itself: if the poison has a duration measured in rounds, the bonuses last for the same duration. If the poison has a duration measured in minutes, hours, or days, it lasts for that many rounds. For example, a mushroom shepherd who deliberately consumed belladonna and succeeded on their save would gain a +2 bonus to strength for 6 rounds. If the mushroom shepherd is immune to poison, the DC of any poisons they expose themselves to is increased by 10. Although there is no risk to their health if the save fails, it is harder for them to activate this ability. This ability replaces venom immunity.