Barrelstalk 5e
by Prince Phantom
A common feature of the Underdark, the simple Barrelstalk is a fantastic source of food and water, and even has potential uses beyond that. Found on page 22 of Out of the Abyss, the Barrelstalk is a large fungus shaped as it’s name suggests, which typically contains 1d4+4 gallons of water, and the actual fungus can be eaten, providing 1d6+4 pounds of food. If you don’t eat the fungus, it can also be used as a means of transporting water, as a strength-based character should have no trouble carrying it on their back after rigging up a simple set of ropes or straps.
Based on the range of water it can hold when you find one, we can assume that the maximum capacity is 8 gallons. Keep in mind that a player character needs to consume one pound of food and one gallon of water per day to avoid levels of exhaustion. This means finding a Barrelstalk is a godsend if you are in a survival situation, as it can provide up to 10 days worth of food total. Divided between 4 players, it’s enough for 2 1/2 days of food, which is still a fantastic find in a game like Out of the Abyss that emphasizes resource management and forces you to start with basically nothing.
Outside of survival campaigns, you’ll likely not need the resources provided by this fungi, as you hopefully came to the Underdark prepared. This item has no listed price, and you can imagine that the only market value one would have is a few copper for the food it can provide.
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