#spore grotto

[creeperchild]

hiiii im still alive and here with another commission from a close buddy of mine @stubborndooter ! They wanted a cult of the lamb x pokemon thing with sozo and the lamb and I am totally hyped about this lmao. Hope you like it and my commissions are still open btw

[strawberryxfieldz]

spore grotto photo collection!!! 🍄

for my own reference, I compiled some screenshots I took of the area of Spore Grotto, and decided to share them! I didn’t take too many but I hope they are helpful…

day

night

bonus

real footage of me and Sozo’s wedding /silly

[technomanceer]

I have a controversial take that I've been sharing around discord for a while now. I think that, though inspired by cordyceps, the mushrooms that take ahold of sozo and the skeleton he lives under dont actually NEED a host to die in order for it to spread its spores. In fact, there's more evidence that it will usually try to thrive on what's left even after the host dies, but otherwise just hangs out on the host. If anyone is interested in that ramble of mine.

[churchydragon]

Fun Fact: According to one of the lore tablets, Spore Grotto is the rotting corpse of a dead god

if I had a dollar for every time in lore there was a place that was the corpse of a dead god I'd have two dollars. which isn't much but it's weird that it's happened twice and in two very different games

[ratcandy]

i'm glad i'm not the only one referring to ratau as dad because when this shady fox fucker asked me to sacrifice him i just let out the loudest most distressed "NO!!!! NOT MY DAD!!!!" and i still have not done it .ran to the shack and stared and pleaded and wailed and cried at ratau like I CANNOT DO THIS.....THAT'S MY FATHER

[iolitemoth]

gonna go check out Spore Grotto today i think

[gorjee-art]

how big is the ascended lamb compared to a normal villager? given the spore grotto is made of the skull of an elder god, we have a sense for how large they can actually get

Wow yeah...that's a hell of a growth spurt... not so...big and tough now, ey Narinder?

[helixrainn]

average day in the spore grotto

[piosplayhouse]

iirc they picked the sun dew mushrooms as small mushrooms, not seeds

🤔 someone else said that the mushrooms are intended to be lingzhi because of their spiritual symbolism, but all translations available for the scene explain that the wild mushrooms grew in soil on a little island in the grotto with direct sun access, which doesn't really make sense for lingzhi as it colonizes wood matter. (Tho in general there are only a few varieties of shrooms that can handle direct sunlight so I guess it's sort of a suspend your disbelief scenario either way)

If the mushrooms were mature, they could just use the spores (lingzhi in particular produce a Ton of them), but sqq does make it pretty clear that they have to take the whole mushroom which will kill the surrounding grotto life for some reason? Since he's pretty torn up about it I imagine that for whatever reason the only way they could reproduce them is transplanting them with the soil, which again doesn't make a ton of sense for mushrooms since the majority of cultivation is done with spores or spawn, tho it does for plants.

Anyway consider mushroom body peerless cucumber just inexplicably bursting tons of spores out of his pores every so often

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

(hi uh sorry i sent that ask very prematurely on accident could you delete the previous one? sorry i just had to rephrase it-)

i was wondering if you were interested in doing a Sozo x reader fic (GN preferably) where the reader tries to help Sozo kick his mushroom habit (as you have done before but i would really like some more in-depth mental support for ant boy) or at least help him not to lose himself even more. This next part includes spoilers for the Sins of the Flesh update so if you haven't played that feel free to wait or skip this part. I would especially like to see his Dr. Sozonius personality starting to shine through again as he gains more clarity, kinda nerding out on mushroom stuff but also extremely sorry for everything he did while under the influence of the Mushrooms

YEAH SOZO REDEMPTION ARC <3

.....

"I promise...no more shrooms...please.."

"I'm sorry, my dear. I just can't take your word for it." Sighing, you gazed hopelessly at your spouse: the belligerent ant locked up in the pillory for the third straight day now, wondering if this was the right thing to do.

This all started after you returned to Spore Grotto one evening, finding the Mushroomos there in a panic, one of them eventually leading you to the inside of Sozo's "home".

He had succumbed to the infection, as his body was laying there in such a grotesque display, covered in fungi and rotting away. Of course, the followers didn't know what to do and begged you to bring Lamb back here, as they haven't visited this place in a while.

At first you didn't want to, thinking they were the reason he was dead. You assumed he was still giving him mushrooms behind your back when you specifically told them not to do that, explaining how you're trying to get him to stop. You made him promise not to consume anymore.

It had to be Lamb's fault.

But the Mushroomos revealed something quite shocking: since he wasn't getting mushrooms, he turned to eating them all alive to satisfy his needs instead, unable to stop. The parasite that held him hostage demanded it so.

And it ended up killing him.

You grieved for a little while, before seeking out Lamb and asking if they could accompany you to Spore Grotto, explaining what happened. Yet by the time you both returned, there was hardly anything left of Sozo's body.

Nothing except his skeleton, backpack, and the smiling mushroom.

You decided to take the large fungi back to their cult, carrying it as a sort of "ironic" memento of your lover.

During the walk back, Lamb asked you if Sozo had a life before this addiction of his...and you tell them something rather surprising.

He was actually once a brilliant man: Dr. Sozonius. His research on mushrooms was known all throughout the Old Faith. He's written books, lived with family members in an ant colony, and was very wise. You two fell in love through your research and explored Anura together.

Then he brought you to his camp at Spore Grotto, the very heart and soul of Anura's fungal outbreak. He was studying the Mushroomos and their behavior patterns. They were actually very passive and social creatures, offering you two stews of menticide mushrooms.

You declined, having already ate before your journey. But Sozonius--thrilled to discover a new mushroom specimen--decided to indulge in their generosity for the sake of science.

And things haven't been the same since.

Something in that soup took root in his brain and turned him into a shadow of his former self.

He never came back to the colony, or the home you two shared, devoting himself entirely to all things mushroom-related...while that stupid smiling fungi puppeteered him around. Some days you'd visit him, and he does remember you, but as of late he's been forgetting more and more of your lives together, giggling and not taking any of your words seriously.

He tried getting you to bring him mushrooms, eat them, etc. and if you refused, his eyes turned red and he'd start yelling nonsense.

Despite all of this, you never once blamed the Mushroomos. They were only trying to be kind hosts; they didn't expect such an advanced fungi to take control of him and turn him into their "leader".

After he died, most of them dispersed throughout Anura, but some stayed behind in the hope of seeing you again.

Once you finished sharing your story, Lamb was surprised that you wanted to take the fungi back at all. They figured you'd burn it to ashes for what it did to your husband.

Yet....you didn't blame it either.

Mushrooms aren't inherently evil. It's how nature made them, and you're a strong believer in karma, deciding to instead nurture this one in hopes that it may grow into something better.

Who would've known that mentality would bring Sozo back to you a week later?

Unfortunately, as you anticipated, he was still up to his old habits and never fully understood that they killed him. He tore up the mushroom farm plots and ate any Mushroomos Lamb rescued during their crusades.

Least to say..he was being an utter nuisance in the cult. He never did any work, and none of the followers liked him.

But that's not how he really was.

You knew him better than anybody else.

Ultimately you and Lamb realized that you had to break this addiction of his for good, otherwise the cycle will just repeat..and you might lose him all over again.

Talking to him wasn't enough.

He had to go cold turkey.

Sozo got angry when you shielded a Mushroomo from his bloodlust and told them to hide in the temple, accusing you of denying him happiness and saying he'd rather be put back in the ground than look at you--and that's when Lamb locked him up in the pillory while distracted.

As much as his words hurt..you knew it was only the fungi talking, trying to trick you into thinking that's what he was feeling. But you weren't so easily fooled.

You had to starve it out.

Might it kill him, too? There's a good chance. But you had to try.

Ever since getting imprisoned, he's been shouting and begging passing followers to free him all day and all night, the fungi looking more withered as time went on. Even its smile turned upside down.

Lamb tried using the same reeducation techniques they used on dissenters. Yet they weren't quite sure how to help Sozo, as he babbled over their speeches and wanted them to go away.

You offered to take over instead, and while they hesitated..they eventually handed you a copy of one of their gospel books and said they'd pray for his healing.

If anyone could get through to him, it was you.

For a while you've kept a close eye on him, making sure he had food--all of which you cooked yourself in case anyone tried sneaking in mushrooms. He no longer screamed his head off, but he still tried bargaining with you to free him, each plea growing weaker than the last.

By the time the sun went down, most of the followers were heading to their sleeping quarters for the night--although a couple were having some concoctions at the drinkhouse. But they could usually hold their liquor and not get too befuddled, so you weren't worried about them.

Instead you just focused on Sozo..who was already looking tired. Your energy was very much spent, too, although you didn't wanna abandon him.

Alas Lamb had no moon necklaces to spare, and even if they did...they would hesitate to give it to you.

Speaking of whom, you heard their footsteps and glanced over, smiling. "Hello, Lamb."

"You can go rest, [y/n]." They nodded. "I'll watch over him for you."

"...alright." Sighing, you closed the book and looked back at your spouse, placing a hand on his cheek as you kissed the opposite one. "Sweet dreams, Sozo. For what it's worth..I'm blessed you are back on this earth with me. I promise to keep helping you."

"[Y/n]...loves Sozo that much..huh?" He huffed, sleepily opening his eyes, and you were astonished to see that they were no longer red like the eyes of dissenters.

Even so, you weren't letting your hopes get up too high. He still had a long path ahead of him.

"Of course. There's no one I love more than you. I just hope and pray...that you haven't forgotten the love you felt for me."

As you parted from his side and began walking back to the Lamb, you were confused by their dumbfounded expression. "What? Was I supposed to say-?"

"Look." They pointed behind you, and you turned back around, gawking at what you were seeing.

The fungi had completely decayed, falling off Sozo's head into a withering husk in the grass; the smaller fungi buried in his collar died off, too. It didn't cause him any pain, surprisingly enough.

Then you looked directly at his face, noticing signs of him aging rapidly judging by the wrinkles and graying furs of his collar.

But he was still alive.

And he was back to his old self.

"Wh..Where am I? Where is...my family?" His voice was quiet and raspy as he looked around, confused by the wooden contraption he was locked in.

However once he saw your face, he recognized you and smiled, feeling at total ease.

"Oh, my love. You're back."

"I-I never left.." Tears immediately blurred your vision as you rushed to unlock the pillory. "I was here the whole time. I thought you were gone forever..."

"I hope I didn't go too far." He hummed, although he felt an ache in his back from being hunched over for so long and winced. Lamb was quick to fetch him a cane so he could better support himself, but you looped your arm around one of his own to help.

"Thank you, you're very kind.." He gazed at the sheep. "My name is Dr. Sozonius. We were...studying the Mushroomos. Fascinating creatures, they are. Neither plant nor animal. They gave my partner [y/n] and I some menticide mushrooms...and.....that's the last thing I remember.." He frowned slightly.

'Ah..so he doesn't know...' You realized, but you kept your worries pushed down, too happy to care about any of that right now.

"I can't help but feel that I have you to thank for...something." He continued, smiling at Lamb. "You have my loyalty. I will remain here and serve you."

They smiled back and bowed their head respectfully. "Thank you, doctor. Welcome back."

..........

While it was such a relief to see Sozonius' sanity restored, it wasn't too long before he ended up becoming bedridden, his bones too weak to support him anymore.

You realized that the fungi somehow managed to disguise his true age, as Lamb discovered he was actually 100 years old via mindreading--making him the eldest follower in the natural sense.

Now you feared losing him again..just when you finally got him back, and wondered if Lamb could do something to help.

Sure, resurrecting him may be the easiest option, but it would be the most painful for you. They couldn't put you through that, as it would take a few days for them to be ready for the ritual.

Luckily they managed to find a quick solution:

A fountain of youth in the form of a simple egg dish.

After Sozonius ate it, the magical properties somehow reversed the clock, giving him back the energy he needed to help out with cult duties. And you didn't have to worry about losing each other again, as Lamb gifted you two golden skull necklaces as a "belated" wedding gift.

Of course, the ant was ever jubilant about his mushroom studies and continued to pursue them alongside you--in a far more controlled environment, obviously. He was allowed to tend to the plots and observe how their effects impact followers during brainwashing rituals, although he was forbidden from tasting one himself or participating in those..

At least for right now.

Even though it's been about a week since he was "cured", the few Mushroomos that lived on the cult grounds were still fretful upon seeing him, thinking he was going to eat them alive.

The one you defended couldn't believe that he was genuinely sorry and not under the fungi's influence anymore.

They were so terribly scared that Lamb mentioned that they gained a "cowardly" trait, always flinching upon you, them, or Sozonius approaching, begging to be spared from....some nonexistent threat they made up in their head. They tried to please you two how ever they could, yet were easily frightened by him simply breathing around them.

Your husband was confused until you clarified that he ruled over the Mushroomos for a long time, cannibalizing them and making threats should they fail to bring him more mushrooms--but he found it hard to fathom that he'd ever do such a thing and abandon you and his family..

Even so, he felt guilty and hoped to make things right.

.........

It was late at night when you and Sozonius were having some light brews at the drinkhouse, feeling relaxed but not entirely befuddled.

He was rambling about some of his latest discoveries in mycology, and you listened with such a loving gaze in your eyes, smiling so big your face was starting to hurt.

You were so, so grateful he came back to you..and that Lamb could save him.

But one particular Mushroomo, however, arrived in hopes of drinking their worries away...and instead found you two at the counter, disappointed.

They tried to sneak away, although Sozonius spotted them and whistled. "You, Mushroomo! Come sit with us." He offered. "We don't bite."

"Eek! I-I mean, of course Mast---I mean Sozo..I-I mean....urrgh!!" Already they were fumbling over their words, scratching at their mushroom cap and sweating. "S-Sorry, sorry! AH!" They nearly tripped over a rock on their way to the drinkhouse.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, dear?" You glanced at your husband, who just nodded reassuringly.

"It will be fine."

Even as the Mushroomo sat down and took one of the drinks left on the counter, they seemed too anxious to take a sip. Instead their gaze going to you--and Sozonius, especially. "I-I feel like I'm interrupting something.."

"No, you are not. But listen-"

"D-Do you need more 'shrooms for your studies, Sozo?? More menticide-?"

"No, no. Listen. I wanted to...apologize for what I have done to you and your fellow Mushroomos."

"Wha.....y-you do..?"

With a soft sigh, Sozonius grasped both of their hands, and although they squeaked in surprise, they didn't try running off. "I scarcely recall what I did while under the influence of the mushrooms. But...it's no excuse. I treated all of you poorly, ate your friends...and I'm sorry. I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive this old fool."

They meekly nodded. "W-We understand..mast-"

"From this day forward," he cut in gently, "I am no longer your master. You serve the Lamb now. Not me. And that goes for all of you Mushroomos, okay?"

"....yes, doctor." The mushroom creature exhaled a shaky breath, looking utterly relieved to have official freedom from his servitude.

"Good, thank you." Sozonius let go, smiling. "I'm glad you understand. Why don't you go get some rest?"

"I think..I will." They stood up and stared down at their untouched drink, before sliding it back over to you. "You can have this. I...don't feel like I need it anymore."

You nodded, bidding them goodnight as they headed back to their shelter, before gazing at the ant. "Seems you broke their habit, too."

"Well, I am a doctor, after all." He chuckled. "I wanna help whoever I can."

All you did was smile, the two of you sitting in a comfortable silence, finishing your drinks and admiring the golden shrine at the center of the cult grounds.

Finally, everything was as it should be.

[arizaluca]

Narinder gritted his teeth. He didn’t say anything (he didn’t know what to say), but Leshy’s antennae perked up, vibrating a bit at his very presence. The worm’s head turned to face in his direction. “… Brother.” Leshy’s voice sounded a little better– not the wet, rasping hacking he’d been doing yesterday; though he was still a bit hoarse and still sounded like he might break into a cough at any second. Narinder supposed that made some modicum of sense. Repeatedly spewing out godly blood from your lungs would irritate anybody’s body, let alone one who had just fought to the death for the second time. “Leshy.”

Leshy is brought to the healing bay to be treated in the aftermath of the battle, where he meets a certain yellow cat. The Lamb and Leshy have a confrontation, though the Lamb doesn't initially intend for it to be one; and Narinder has a confrontation with his brother.

The Lamb decides to take Narinder to the Spore Grotto.

[pessimisticshapewithablog]

I came to a sudden realization about something.

I don't think Sozo died from just an overdose. If you look at the mushroom on his head, it's split open but it looks full of brown shelf fungi. The same ones growing on his backpack. Not spores. We can grow menticide mushrooms, we know what it's growth stages look like. None include brown shelf mushroom. I think the mushroom in Sozo's head was parasitized by another mushroom resulting in Sozo, and it's demise. This could explan why the mushroom "face" has such an unhappy expression. It could just be how it split but it's still full of another mushroom.

There are real life fungi that parasitize other fungus. And given Spore grotto has a abundance of different mushroom it was bound to happen.

Then again Sozo's death *could* have been the reason the Mushroom became susceptible to being infected by another mushroom. Maybe it's host needs to remain alive for it to mature. This could explain why Heket has critters tied to mushroom trees all over Anura....

[dykedvonte]

Just now realizing that Sozo was at the top of spore grotto which is the second highest location next to Ratau's shack and he always stayed in the highest part.

Remember how those cordyceps make ants travel to very high points before they burst and spread spores to cover the most ground...

[raidoesthings]

And next on the list is Heket!

The seemingly grumpy frog who’s really introverted and somewhat shy.

She’s at first cold to the cultists when she came in, but as time passed, she eventually warmed up.

She’s still blunt and honest but has a caring heart, even if she doesn’t show it the best all the time.

Early in her life at the cult, a follower named Sapphire fell in love with her, while she wasn’t too interested at first, the two eventually became a couple.

She’s befriended Helob and often assists him in cooking, even helped him with an incident in Spore Grotto…but that’s a story for another time.

All she wants now is peace and tranquility for the rest of her and her fellow cultists’ and friends’ lives.

[auroranekai]

Spore Grotto from Cult of the Lamb

[ratcandy]

I hope that one day you get a personal interview with the Cult of the Lamb devs, but mostly because someone asking them questions that are exclusively about Sozo would be the funniest thing that any person could do in that situation ❤️ peace and love on planet spore grotto.

PLEASE can you imagine. Massive Monster allowing ONE (1) interview to ask whatever lore questions you could possibly want. Someone is selected at random and they can reveal any lore thing ever.

everyone is holding their breath to learn who it is. what lore will be revealed? will it be something truly game-changing? will the lore be totally warped by it? and it ends up being Me for whatever reason. and instead of asking anything worthwhile about the Bishops or how they came to be, or why all the Old Gods died, or Narinder's true feelings for the Lamb, or what the fuck Plimbo is supposed to be, or why the Fox wanted Ratau, I stare them dead in the eyes and just go

"The fucking skull in the grotto. What is it. Answer me. Why did the fungi choose Sozo. Why is Sozo the only one infected. You bastards. ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. HOW DID THE FUNGI (PRESUMABLY) KILL A GOD!!! WHY DOES IT BRING SOZO WITH IT WHEN BURIED!!! IS IT THE MENTICIDE DOING IT OR ARE THERE TWO (OR MORE) DIFFERENT FUNGI INVOLVED!!! ANSWER ME!!!!!!!"