Woah. Woah! That is a lot of options! Well, it’s twelve. There are twelve, but still! Quickly my focus scrolled down the list. Reading the title of each one. Some of these sound pretty good right off the bat. Let’s see here… Verdant Sanctuary and Nectar of Vitality both look amazing! But ten points each? Assuming I only get two points a level, I would have to not spend anything and be level five to get one of them. Hmmm. Let’s just look at the ones I can afford for now. If I don’t like any of them, then I will save for something else. If I don’t, then I’ll just agonize over the decision until forever.
Vine Manipulation – Basic Level
· Description: The ability to control vines to perform basic tasks like grasping objects, pulling, or lightly entangling enemies.
o Effect: Allows the user to manipulate small vines for utility and basic combat functions.
o Additional Effects: The vines must be connected or apart of the user. This skill does not grant the user’s vines any additional strengths or defenses.
o Duration: Special
o Stamina Cost: 5 to Activate, 1 per Minute
o Skill Cost: 2 Skill Points
Spore Production – Basic Level
· Description: The ability to release a cloud of spores that can be used for a wide variety of purposes. This ability can later be specialized into numerous Utility, Combative, and Defensive skills.
o Effect: The user can release a cloud of spores for communication with other plants.
o Range: Limited to a small area around the user.
o Control: At this level, control is limited to simple communication, not complex emotions or behaviors.
o Stamina Cost: 5 per use
o Skill Cost: 2 Skill Points
Root Perception – Basic Level
· Description: This ability enhances awareness by utilizing root tendrils underground, allowing the perception of vibrations and to detect movement.
o Effect: Extends the user’s perception to detect vibrations and environmental changes.
o Range: Double normal perception ranges around the user.
o Duration: Passive.
o Skill Cost: 2 Skill Points
Pheromone Communication – Basic Level
· Description: This ability allows communication using more complex pheromones.
o Effect: Allows the use of pheromones for communication, including complex emotions or behaviors.
o Range: Limited to a small area around the user.
o Stamina Cost: 5 per Minute
o Skill Cost: 1 Skill Point
Desert Resilience – Basic Level
· Description: This ability grants the user improved survival capabilities in harsh desert environments. The user’s physiology has adapted to withstand extreme heat and arid conditions, allowing for more efficient use of water. The user can go longer periods without water and is less affected by the intense heat of the sun. This skill also offers moderate protection from desert-related hazards, such as dehydration or heat exhaustion, making it easier to thrive in desolate landscapes where others may struggle.
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o Effect: This skill allows the user to require significantly less water to maintain health and hydration, enabling longer periods between water intake while retaining the same physical and mental condition. The user also gains minor resistance to desert hazards like dehydration and heat fatigue.
o Skill Cost: 2 Skill Points
Down to five out of twelve. Still a few, but it should be easier now. My leaves swayed as I thought over my options carefully. Reading them over. Wait a second… what did that say again? Desert Resilience… ‘The user can go longer periods without water and is less affected by the intense heat of the sun.’ I’ve been in this desert for what, four months now?
Steadily as I grew, my roots had pushed deeper into the ground as well. Slowly I encountered more moisture down below. It was still very little, like I was brushing against the condensation on the outside of a cup. Just that little distance away from what I needed. Because it was still so little water, I refrained from using Nutrient & Water Absorption in an effort to find its source. Or at least more. I was getting the feeling I wasn’t benefiting as much from eating the ants as I would from proper plant care. Maybe I am dehydrated already from the lack of water. I don’t see anything about ‘conditions’ or ‘penalties’ but that wouldn’t be the first time the sheet hasn’t shown everything.
I let my perception diffuse out over my space and felt a small sense of pride. With my growth had also come a slight increase to my range. Instead of losing awareness at the inner edge of my brick ring, I could a couple inches across their tops now too. Speaking of ‘seeing things’, Root Perception would let me sense more. Though something about the description makes me think that it wouldn’t be the same as what I can do now. I think I can cross that off the list for now. Spore Production as well. I haven’t even grown flowers yet, and while its potential for versatility sounds nice, I think it will be a while off.
Down to three. The annoyance circling me slowly shifted to contemplation as my Stamina dropped a little more. Vine Manipulation looks cool, but maybe I should focus on staying alive? Desert Resilience seems to be the best option for that, but… My focus went back to the Available Skills. This one might have the most immediate use though.
Pheromone Communication. Allows the use of pheromones for communication, including complex emotions or behaviors. I could use this to talk to Eldritch. Actually, talk to them. And its only one Skill Point. I could save the other for something else later on.
The contemplation changed to a chittering nervousness, before annoyance once more. I really got to get a handle on my emotions. I guess it’s a good thing that Skills are more like a muscle or second nature rather than activations. The more I had used them over the last few weeks, the easier it had been. Like breathing, back when I did breath. Downside, if I am not careful it eats into my Stamina and Mana.
Taking a deep, mental breath, I selected Pheromone Communication and watched it disappear from the Available Skills list and reappear on my sheet. That was easy. I still have one point left. What do I want to save it for?
As I looked back to the availability list, I activated Photosynthesis to refill my missing Stamina. Now, let’s see… Verdant Sanctuary and Nectar of Vitality would take a long, long time to get, but are good options. Most of these other ones are also quite expensive, seven and eight costs. I wonder why no nine? The three and four costs? Here we go. Sap Reserves and Wisteria Bloom… wait. What?
Wisteria Bloom – Basic Level
· Description: Yadda Yadda
o Effect: Yadda Yadda
o Additional Effect: Yadda Yadda
o Number of Blooms: Yadda Yadda
o Duration: Yadda Yadda
o Stamina Cost: Yadda Yadda
o Skill Cost: 2 Skill Points
Two points? Wasn’t this three points? Why did it go down? I looked everything over once more. The only difference is the new skill. Right? I focused back and forth between the two screens. I guess they both have to do with pheromones but, would that really change the cost? Being related? My leaves sagged. Is this another thing I’m gonna have to test? Like the Stats? I can save up for Sap Reserves, see if it affects Arcane Sap?
An illusionary and pheromonic groan escaped me, dipping both my Stamina and Mana. Great. Just great. I need a planner or something.
Wait… What’s this? My Stamina dropped again as I let out another spray of pheromones, this time of curiosity. What is a ‘Trait’?
Trait: Verdant Essence
"Your roots draw strength from the lifeblood of the land. Your leaves cycle the air and drink from the sun. This feed your growth in unseen ways. "
Effect: When performing the duties of a plant, you passively gain a small amount of power over time.
Well damn. So that is cryptic and vague. If I didn’t have a guess already, I might be a little lost. But… I think this confirms that I gain xp from doing plant things. Primarily, Nutrient Absorption and Photosynthesis? I have a way forward. I might actually survive this!