Obliviax

Known as memory moss and dreaded by wizards, obliviax is an evil, thinking plant that grows in small, dense patches like thick black carpet, its leaves and flowers glossy jet. It quivers eagerly when it holds no stolen memories, and it smells of damp loam. It needs no sunlight to grow, but daylight triggers its spores, so it never arises naturally underground; carried into a cave, it grows there but cannot reproduce.

It senses thinking creatures within 60 feet and goes after their memories, choosing wizards first, then priests, then other spellcasters, then everyone else. Each round it targets one creature, who saves vs. spell or forgets the last 24 hours, memorized spells included. Once it succeeds, it rests for 24 hours. The victim is left confused and blank about everything since the day before, while the memories nourish the moss.

If an obliviax holding stolen memories is attacked, it takes one round to shape a tiny moss replica of the victim, still joined to the patch, which defends it by casting the stolen spells. That is its only defense.

Eating the living moss, which takes a round, is the only way to get memories back. On a successful save vs. poison the eater regains them, spells and all; on a failure he is violently sick for 3d6 turns.

Obliviax thrives in temperate to tropical lands but dislikes cold and heavy wetness and never grows in deserts. It is often found on tree trunks, fallen logs or rotting leaves, and sometimes in caves or tunnels, sprouted from tracked-in sprigs or windblown spores. Though aware of nearby patches, each competes alone for the best memories.

Anyone who eats the moss can gain memories it has stolen from others, and can cast spells gained this way, though everything gained this way is gone within 24 hours. Wicked creatures plant it near their lairs as a guardian. Lead blocks its powers, so spies carry it in lead boxes to steal secrets from unsuspecting targets. Distilled, it yields a potion of forgetfulness, and its spores make an elixir that restores the memories of the forgetful or senile.