Fungus Deal

 refers to an unmarked and repeatable quest in Fallout 3.

Talking either with Lucy, or Eclair begins this quest.

Lucy states she needs Buffout, from which she can derive a useful treatment for the rickets. Little Lamplighters are subject due to malnutrition and lack of exposure to the sun.

Eclair, Little Lamplight's cook, reveals that he is in need of Strange Meat. Eclair explains that there is a fungus which grows in the cavern's pools which makes up an important portion of the children's food supply. This fungus seems to thrive on meat, especially Strange Meat, a discovery the first children of Little Lamplight made when they threw the bodies of dead adults into the pools.

The player must get Mayor MacCready to agree. It appears the player requires about 50 in barter or Child at Heart perk to make him agree. Eclair and Lucy will both trade one unit of Cave Fungus for three pieces of Strange Meat or three Buffout. With the Child at Heart perk it will be one piece of Strange Meat or Buffout for one piece of fungus. It should be noted that having a higher barter at the time of the agreement will lower the number of Strange Meats/Buffout per fungus. A value of 98 barter netted a two-for-one deal. It is NOT possible to renegotiate the terms of the deal by returning with a higher barter skill later. The fungus removes 10 points of radiation in addition to healing the player with five hit points.

There is an easy way to accumulate about 60 Cave Fungus very quickly if you have the Child at Heart perk and 100 Lockpick. First, visit Andale and loot the basement and shed for Strange Meat (6 fridges, 10 in each). Now all you have to do is head back to Little Lamplight, set up the deal and then talk to Eclair. It takes a while (as you have to trade them each individually) but it will net you a few thousand cap's worth of Cave Fungus.