It was time to try a new tack.

Query… Hellhounds.

Query initiated -> Hellhounds

Mythology query: A hellhound is a supernatural dog in folklore that is represented as standing guard in the Underworld, or fulfilling the role of a guardian or servant of hell or the devil. A variety of ominous or hellish supernatural dogs occur in mythologies around the world, with the best known examples being Cerberus from Greek mythology, Garmr from Norse mythology, the black dogs of English folklore, and the fairy hounds of Celtic mythology.

Several illustrations and paintings flickered on the screens depicting the fearsome hellhounds and their ilk. The beasts in the images were invariably black, oversized, strong, and had red eyes or were accompanied by flames. Just like what I fought in the service tunnels.

Interesting (if anxiety provoking), but not particularly useful at the moment. Maybe if I had an active bounty on some recognizable monster, I could research at the Archives to discern a weakness or gain an advantage over it.

Query, Fern Flowers.

Query initiated -> Fern Flowers

Ferns are plants that do not have flowers. Ferns generally reproduce by producing spores. Similar to flowering plants, ferns have roots, stems, and leaves.

Mythology query, Fern Flowers.

Mythology Query initiated -> Fern Flowers

The fern flower is a magic flower found in Baltic, Estonian, and Slavic mythology, among others. This Otherworld flower, often described as being golden, purple, or blue, blooms for a very short time on the eve of the summer solstice. It is often associated with fertility, wisdom, and good luck, and is believed to bring fortune to the person who finds it. In some tales, it allows for animal speech or powers to ward off evil.

Those searching for the fern flower must practice caution as dark spirits were said to stand guard, empowered by the same solstice magic that caused the flowers to bloom. If caught by the spirits, flower seekers may be cursed or even killed, although the nature of the danger and steps required to avoid it vary by mythology.

Alternatively, during the special night, young couples going into the woods “seeking the fern flower” can be interpreted as a euphemism for sexual activity.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Illustrated images of traditional midsommar celebrations filled the screens. Young couples eagerly jaunting into the woods. Green, unfurling fern fronds under a bidecadal strawberry moon. Nubile bodies wreathed in protective mugwort.

Good luck? Fortune? I certainly liked the sound of that. But were there different varieties of these flowers? How would I know which ‘mythology’ applied to the items I found?

I opened my menu and scrolled down to my Materials submenu, under Inventory.

[INVENTORY

* MATERIALS

* * 3 {common} fern flowers]

Three common fern flowers. I didn’t recall what color they were, so I materialized them. They hovered in the air just above the open palm of my hand, outlined with a subtle glow. The flowers were yellow, not quite golden. Certainly not purple or blue. I dematerialized them.

The {common} designation implied that there were materials of other qualities or rarities. I recalled that both my melee weapon and clothing items were described as basic, which, according to the item description of my push dagger, meant that they could not be upgraded, enhanced, or exported.

The Information Kiosk virtual assistant had listed transmutation as an available service at the Data Forge. I wondered if ‘exporting’ an item and ‘transmuting’ an item were the same thing.

I further assumed that {common} may be at least one step above basic. I wondered if the term basic could even be applied to wondrous creatures and plants springing from ancient mythology, or if {common} was the lowest ranking. The hellhounds had been common, and the Baskerville Hound had been uncommon.

When I first obtained the fern flowers, Camel made a comment about crafting. And, selecting the fern flower in my Inventory and drilling down, I saw that it contained the following description:

[Crafting material. Attributes unknown]

Query, Crafting materials within The Collective.

Query initiated -> Crafting materials within The Collective

Over time, Volunteers have learned to assimilate and co-opt fragments of anomalous code, such as that harvested from or left behind by invasive flora, with standard System items to create emergent new items to be used in carrying out their tasks.

Although this was not an intended feature by Reality Incorporated, allowances have been made for Volunteers as such community modding activities can provide an advantage against invasive entities at no additional cost to the Corporation. However, all foreign code must be wiped from The Collective prior to Volunteer contract fulfillment.

Query, System items frequently used to combine with common crafting materials.

Query initiated -> System items frequently used to combine with common crafting materials

A popular System item frequently used by Volunteers to combine with common crafting materials via a Data Forge is Pure Water. Another popular item is a White Linen Cloth. Relevant items depend on the nature and rarity of the crafting material.

Query, Where to purchase Pure Water in The Commons.

Query initiated -> Where to purchase Pure Water in The Commons

Pure Water, in vials or bottles, can be purchased from the Supply Depot in The Commons.