A Review of the Role Playing Game Supplement Z’hura (Fungi)

Z’hura (Fungi) by Tom Dalgliesh and John Sgammato is a role playing game supplement published by Columbia Games Inc. for use with Hârn and HârnMaster. This is a bestiary article.

The supplement is available as a six-page PDF from DriveThruRPG for $2.99 but was purchased at a reduced price during a sale.

The first page explains that z’hura means mushroom and has come to be used to describe a number of predatory fungi that feed on animal protein. They mostly feed on small creatures, including insects, but all contain fluids that can harm. Z’hura thrive in damp, shady environments, often in thick forests or below undergrowth. The size can vary greatly. A sidebar has an encounter table to determine what z’hura is encountered.

M’noga, the green slime, is a large fungus found underground that sprays pus that burns. The sidebar looks at combat and how to prevent the fungus from establishing itself.

Langlah, the gray ooze, are a large above-ground fungus that secretes a mild acid. The sidebar looks at combat, first aid and infection.

Lurishi, the yellow mold, is deadly to humans and livestock and grows in open wounds, secreting enzymes that dissolve flesh. The sidebar looks at combat, first aid and infection.

Norishi, doomhome, feeds on insects and vermin and are not physically harmful, though they can rapidly destroy a thatched roof. The sidebar looks at prevention.

Balrishi, the dark plague, colonises burned areas and can cause respiratory problems in humans and livestock, and is considered to be connected to the dark gods and rapidly eradicated when found. The sidebar looks at first aid and prevention.

Z’hura (Fungi) in Review

The PDF lacks bookmarks and at this length doesn’t need them but they would have been appreciated. Navigation is adequate. The text maintains a single column with sidebar format and appeared to be free of errors. There are a variety of colour and black and white illustrations. Presentation is decent.

Though this is a bestiary article, it’s shorter on game stats than many are; much of it is descriptive text. Given the nature of the z’hura, they don’t have stats like other creatures, though there are references to damage. Overall, this should be comparatively easy to convert to other systems. Z’hura (Fungi) can be found by clicking here.