CHAPTER 19 - DAY 6 - A BIOLUMINESCENT FOREST
G cautiously opened one eye, feeling pain all over his body; even his teeth ached. His health bar flashed red, displaying 3 hit points out of 33.
"Ugh," he groaned, opening his other eye and looking up. Above him was the damaged canopy where he had fallen through at least two mushroom caps. Huge chunks were missing from them, and he silently thanked those quiet giants for saving his life. His robe was transformed into a sleeping bag, part of which was cushioning his head against the loamy roots of the musty giants.
"Glad to see you're awake. We need more healing spells; this Healing Petal spell can't be cast on you when you're down like that. You were barely breathing for a while. I thought I'd die alone in this dark place! I don't want to die, G, and I don't want to die alone!" Tocai's voice grew louder, and G could hear a tremble in his AI-turned-familiar voice as if an emotional breakdown was imminent.
"It's okay, Tocai. I'm here. We do need more spells; I just don't know where to get them yet." G sat up, wincing as pain shot through his body. He cast Healing Petals after several attempts, sure that something was broken where his arm connected to his shoulder. The pain was excruciating as he brought the magical flower to his mouth and stuffed the entire thing in. It hurt to chew, so he let the petals dissolve slowly, watching his health bar fill up bit by bit. His hit points were returning, but the pain lingered. To distract himself, he searched for Crewton but found no trace of him.
From where he sat, G could see the mushroom forest, particularly the area near the small lake and cliffs. The forest was in a vast cavern that extended several kilometers in each direction. The cavern walls and cliff where the waterfall cascaded were made of dark grey stone, adorned with patches of moss and fungus; the damp, musty air was slightly cooler than in the tunnels.
He marveled at the mushroom forest, which was a sight to behold. The base of the mushroom trees teemed with lush growth, featuring a myriad of mushrooms in various sizes and colors. The mushrooms were arranged in a dense, random pattern, forming maze-like paths through the forest. Some giant mushrooms towered over the rest, creating a canopy. The dimly lit cavern was filled with an ethereal glow, adding a magical and mysterious ambiance.
The forest hummed with the sounds of insects, chirping creatures, and the occasional rustle of small animals scurrying across the forest floor. The scent of the mushrooms and the damp air was heady and intoxicating. Despite its beauty and tranquility, G knew that danger could lurk in this bioluminescent wonderland's shadows. The forest appealed to him on a primal level, urging him to explore its secrets. His ring of optimism bolstered the idea, so he quickly refocused his thoughts before he could act on impulse like a moonstruck fool.
He heard a distant screech – unmistakably the call of a Screaming Mauler. These creatures inhabited the area. His thoughts turned to Crewton, and he stood up. A brief wave of dizziness washed over him as circulation rushed to his head. He had 23 out of 33 hit points remaining. Casting another Healing Petals spell, he consumed ten petals and stowed the rest of the flower in his inventory.
G studied his map, spotting Crewton's unmoving figure near the lake to the right, several dozen meters away. He chose the path he believed had the best chance of reaching the dog and crept forward, stealthily avoiding any potential threats. Hostile bat-like creatures filled the air high above, and clumps of mushrooms hid unknown dangers. He kept a lookout for shriekers. He finally caught sight of Crewton, standing motionless and gazing out at the water. As he approached, G couldn't discern what had captured the dog's attention. Then, he saw a pair of eyes barely visible above the water's surface, engaged in a tense staring contest with Crewton. He asked Tocai to analyze the creature.
Moss Crocodile:
Level: 4
Hit points: 21
Mana: 0
Description: The Moss Crocodile is a small yet formidable creature that dwells in hidden lakes and pools, away from prying eyesIts body is covered in thick, green moss, and its head is shaped like a large mushroom cap. Its eyes are small and beady, and it has a long, slimy tail. The Moss Crocodile is not dangerous to larger creatures, but it will attack anything that comes near its pool of water. It is quite a sight to behold, as it can camouflage against a lake's murky depths. Its diet consists mainly of small fish, frogs, and other smaller creatures unlucky enough to come too close to its home.
Special attack: Drown, like all crocodiles, it will attach to its victim by biting it and try to drag the creature to the bottom of the lake until it drowns.
The Moss Crocodile must have sensed G or been provoked by something. It lunged towards Crewton on the shore, who deftly dodged the attack. Simultaneously, G cast Whip of Thorns and began to cast a Mana Bolt. The spiky vine lashed out, coiling around the crocodile as it lunged once more at Crewton. He tugged on the whip, and the completed Mana Bolt spell sent a bolt of pure energy hurtling into the creature. As the whip's thorns bit into its flesh, the crocodile snapped at the whip, severing it. Bleeding and with its health bar deep in the red, the crocodile retreated, attempting to return to the water. G cast another Mana Bolt, but it did not affect the creature as it hit the water above its back and disappeared into the murky depths.
A loud screech echoed through the air, startling him. A dark shape swooped down, grabbing the Moss Crocodile in its talons. The Screaming Mauler flapped its massive wings, lifting the squirming crocodile from the water and laboriously ascending towards the cliffs above a distant waterfall. G called Crewton, who circled the water's edge as if someone had just stolen his ball. He turned and stealthily moved away from the water's edge, hoping to avoid any further attacks from air or water-dwelling creatures.
As he ventured deeper into the mushroom forest, his gaze was drawn to an enormous, half-hollow mushroom stalk towering above the rest. It was easily twice the size of any other fungi in the vicinity, adorned with a vibrant mosaic of smaller glowing mushrooms. As G approached the colossal mushroom, he noticed a wide opening where part of the trunk had split. The gap was large enough for him to step inside. Tocai's analysis revealed little about the gargantuan fungus other than its name – Myconian Monarch. Its canopy-like cap emitted a soft yellowish glow, similar to the other mushrooms along the path.
Initially concerned that the natural structure might be inhabited, G observed no telltale signs of a fox or bear's den, such as footpath marks or disturbed mushrooms. When he consulted his map, no red dots indicated threats inside the giant mushroom.
The interior was spacious and dimly lit, with several glowing mushrooms scattered throughout. The floor appeared undisturbed. He heard distant screeches from unknown creatures and knew he needed a defensible or hidden spot to spend a few hours. He had some prompts to review, and this tree trunk seemed as inviting as the astral ship had been when he discovered the smuggler's compartment.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"I see no magical creatures in this tree trunk. There are some bugs, but they seem more interested in avoiding you than anything else," replied Tocai.
Satisfied with the response, G trusted his instincts as they had served him well in finding shelter before. He climbed into the meter-wide opening in the trunk and settled down on the soft fibrous material that formed the floor. He began opening the blinking prompt icons that had been waiting.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Congratulations!
You have discovered a subclass for all Enchanter classes: Artifact Hunter. Would you like to specialize in this subclass?
G examined the first five levels of the subclass and their granted abilities. It seemed to complement the Wild Magic Artificer class, potentially offering more abilities as he leveled up both the main and sub-class classes. There were separate columns for the main class and the subclass.
Level 1: Ability to use magical items without using the command word (willing it to happen); sense magical items up to 10 feet away, +10 for every level of subclass; identify magical items (information dependent on subclass level); summon companion
Level 2: Improved trap detection, +1 to trap detection for every level after level 2 of this subclass
Level 3: Ability to recharge magic items
Level 4: See invisible for 10 minutes once per hour, +1 minute per level of this subclass
Level 5: Ability to absorb one magical enchantment into your body from a minor-ranked item
G assumed these levels would activate as soon as he selected the subclass. They seemed quite advantageous, essentially granting him 30% more abilities per level. Excitedly, he chose "yes." However, another prompt appeared.
You do not meet the minimum requirements for this subclass. You must be level 5 in any Enchanter class to select this subclass.
Disappointed, G knew he needed two more levels. He thought about this, Ryan was level 17, and he needed a great deal more than two levels. He minimized the icon, which stopped blinking and proceeded to open the other prompts one at a time. He discovered that he had gained skill ranks in several skills, including:
Identifying a Magic Item: 3
Navigation: 2
Which was now a 7 with his +5 bonus. There was a new one:
Water Rafting 2.
G felt a trembling in the floor of the tree trunk room. The sensation grew closer, and Crewton became alert. G scooped up his pet before he could start barking at whatever approached. He crouched down, adopting a stealthy stance. The ground beneath him continued to quiver. Peering out from the opening of the tree-sized mushroom, he saw a massive creature lumbering past, its body adorned with a patchwork of glowing mushroom caps.
The monster was easily three times G's size, with glowing eyes that burned like hot coals and a mouth filled with jagged, razor-sharp teeth. Its sickly yellow-green skin was covered in bulbous warts and spiky growths, and its limbs terminated in colossal, clawed front paws and rear hooves. Tocai analyzed the creature, and G was surprised by the detailed description it provided.
Grazefang
Level 7
Hit points 210.
Mana 0.
Description: The Grazefang is a fearsome and massive herbivorous creature that inhabits the deep, dark mushroom forests of the dark pathways. The creature's hulking form is covered in a patchwork of glowing mushroom caps that shimmer in the dim light of the subterranean realm.
The Grazefang's glowing eyes burn like hot coals in the darkness, and its mouth is filled with jagged, razor-sharp teeth that can easily tear through the toughest armor. The sickly yellow-green skin of the Grazefang is covered in bulbous warts and spiky growths, making it seem as if the creature is a living extension of the twisted, alien forest that surrounds it.
The Grazefang is a solitary herbivore that is not interested in causing harm unless provoked. Despite its massive size and fearsome appearance, the creature moves.
The Grazefang's mushroom camouflage allows it to blend into its environment, making it a difficult creature to spot in mushroom-filled areas. When threatened, the Grazefang can use its powerful Bite or Slam attacks to defend itself, and can even release a cloud of poisonous spores from its mushroom patches.
The Grazefang is a creature to be respected and approached with caution.
Special attacks:
Roar: The Grazefang lets out a deafening roar that can be heard up to 300 feet away. All creatures within 60 feet of the Grazefang must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute.
Mushroom Spores: The Grazefang releases a cloud of spores from its mushroom patches, which poisons all creatures within 30 ft. of the Grazefang. Each affected becomes poisoned for 1 minute. A creature that succeeds on its saving throw takes half damage and is not poisoned.
Feeling apprehensive, G watched as the monster passed by the hollow tree, its footsteps shaking the ground with each massive stride. The creature let out a bone-chilling roar that echoed through the mushroom forest, sending a shiver down his spine.
As the monster disappeared into the distance, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did your ability to analyze creatures improve?" He asked his familiar.
"Yes, it increased to five when I analyzed the Moss Crocodile," replied Tocai.
"That's good." He knew Tocai gained skills from his own leveling. He once again wished he could see Tocai's and Crewton's full information.
G examined his map, trying to determine their destination. He could manipulate the map by thinking, turning it around and looking at it from different angles. The route they had taken following the river resembled a frenzied scribble on a muddy surface, winding around dozens of times and descending a considerable distance. He zoomed out, noticing that the dark pathway would be off to the left from the tree entrance if it remained straight like the previous one. That direction led him deeper into the mushroom forest, and the road was also a couple of thousand meters above him, maybe more. Two kilometers up and perhaps twenty in that direction. That would only take him to the entrance of the dark pathway he was supposed to travel with Kargan and Riclos.
"We need a plan. Do we have any indication of where Mirbor is if we get back up to the road? I still see Kargan's contract and Riclos's bound promise, so I assume they are still alive. Which direction is the city?" G asked.
"If the road remains straight, and assuming you can walk." He thought about that for a few moments, recalling his extensive hiking and camping experiences. A fit person could walk around 20-30 kilometers per day on a straight road or pathway, assuming they took breaks and didn't carry heavy equipment. However, this could vary depending on factors such as terrain, climate, altitude, and individual fitness levels. His grandpa's long talks were coming back to him.
Walking in a forest could be slower and more challenging than walking on a road or pathway. Uneven terrain, obstacles like fallen trees or underbrush, and elevation changes could slow down a person's pace. It wasn't uncommon for someone to walk 10-15 kilometers per day in a forest, depending on the forest's density and the individual's fitness level.
This assumed he had a fairly straight path he could walk. The mushroom forest was so dense he was fairly certain he would have to follow the paths as they zigged around trees and clumps of underbrush. Hopefully, he would not need to try and carve a path. Then they would need to find a way up out of the forest. This wasn't an open hilly area. It was a giant cavern, and who knew where any tunnels leading back up would be?
Then there was Ryan. He could definitely sense the direction or location of G. It was probably a spell and not an active ability. Otherwise, he would have known right away if G had died and the time he disappeared going into that smuggler's chamber on the ship. Riclos had been right. The secret compartment had been blocking Ryans's ability to track him but once they had left to set up the fog machine, Ryan knew he was there.
How far can G go, Ryan probably wouldn't go down the waterway after them, but he would not have an issue throwing a few hundred goblins down that river to find out. Going back the way he came or even in that direction was out of the question. If there was a path down to the forest from up there, Ryans's patron would definitely show him where that was given time.
So forward to Mirbor. Hopefully, he can find Kargan and Riclos. How long they would stick around their meeting spot would be determined by how many goblins came looking for them up there. Right now, G needed to find his way out of this forest and back up to the roadway or to the city itself if possible. He was fairly confident that his new robe and cowl over his face would hide that he wasn't a dark elf once he was in the city. None of the other dark elves had reacted to his being an Aardsyvlian when they had been stopped while leaving the ship.
"Did you get a chance to view the forest when we came through that water chute? " asked G. " I remember there was a structure in the haze. We are going to be heading near there. "
"Yes, you only looked out one time, but I believe it's six kilometers away towards the center of the forest we could see. This forest extends much farther than you can see. Given the angle of the walls, it has to be hundreds of square kilometers, that is assuming many things. It could be even greater in size.
G imagined his new clothes again covering his face and hiding the color of his goggles as the hood fully reformed over his head. He looked outside again at the different colors of the mushrooms and bioluminescent lights coming from the giant caps above. He imagined the color of his clothes matching his surroundings, and the dark blue turned to a mottled pattern of colors that closely matched the smaller bushy frons and mushrooms that lined the edge of the forest beyond his tree hideaway. He paused for a second, quietly giving thanks to the long-past priestess for such a princely item.
He called Crewton over to him as he lifted his companion over the edge of the opening, and they made their way out into the forest's maze of paths.