Fungus Deal

 refers to an unmarked and repeatable quest in Fallout 3.

Talking with either 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 to malnutrition due to lack of exposure to the sun.

Eclair, Little Lamplight's cook, reveals that he is in need of Strange Meat, which is actually human flesh. Eclair explains that there is a fungus that grows in the cavern's pools and makes up an important part 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 to the exchange deal. 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 75 barter netted a two-for-one deal. It is 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 the player character has 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 each piece must be traded individually) but it will net the player a few thousand caps' worth of Cave Fungus.