"So what exactly happened to the dryad and our escort?" I ask in confusion as Alex looks up at me with a blush while Bloom stands behind her defensively. Watching the algoid closely I inspect him and find a new description and class attached to the creature.
(Bloom Level 25 Golden Algoid Recycler)
This algoid has been blessed by a mythic being and given a class only known in myths and legends in exchange for its undying loyalty to its master. A recycler can release the algae that makes up its form and command it to break down and consume other plant based materials and life forms. By doing this it can add more mass to its form or create back up algae to replace any that is lost in the future. Due to the blessing it has received these algae can also purify anything corrupted by evil or undeath and return life energy to the environment while creating a skill seed from the creature rarely.
"So Bloom I'm going to guess that your now officially joining us regardless of what happens? And what was that dryad you said she was some kind of guardian of the Thorncallers?" I ask as the algoid stands and nods his head.
"Her name was Nemella and she was a mangrove dryad. She was one of the strongest of the Thorncallers but was rarely seen due to her staying within her tree and protecting the entrance area. It makes sense that fell first considering she couldn't escape whatever is happening here, but it's still sad to see such a bright figure snuffed out and twisted like this. We should hurry in case we can save any survivors." The algoid answers as he turns to begin walking again while ignoring my first question. Looking down at Alex I see her nod happily before skipping behind her new guardian while the rest of us follow cautiously.
"Interesting little lass you have there Noor. Any chance you'd let us use her against whatever demon has decided to torment the region?" Gulag asks curiously before turning to see a death glare directed at his stony face. Nodding to himself he motions for me to forget about it and quickens his pace leaving just me and Gorm to talk among ourselves.
"So what do you make of her powers and this corruption? I assume you have some opinions considering your chosen profession." I ask Gorm as he nods his head slowly while looking around and pointing to several wilted plants.
"I'm no expert on hellspawn or demonic magic but those plants should be thriving in this region of the swamps. The fact that they're wilting and that dryads form, if this hellspawn is corrupting the land it spells bad news for the region if not the bordering regions as well. It won't stop with just this place, it'll push for more power like most dark beings. We'll have to make an effort to kill the creature or bind it, that way it won't further these damages." Gorm says slowly as I nod along with him before realizing the others have stopped.
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Looking forward we both notice a dilapidated entryway, sickly vines hanging off desiccated tree's swarming with insects and larvae. As we slowly walk through the gates I grimace as I hear Alex gasp and begin crying at the devastated post. Several bodies of small humanoid plant creatures litter the ground, their bodies rotted away and being consumed by insects. In a circular setting are various building made from dying plant life or stone, many of them smelling of rotted vegetation or filled with buzzing and scuttling. Looking around I notice several small streets that run between the buildings and lead to other dwellings with various signs written in a strange language.
"Shit! I recognize some of these corpses. They're support staff for the Thorncallers, extremly weak species that were either completely set as support or being trained to become field agents. Mistress can you sense any life that's still sane at all? There must be something.." Bloom whines as he kneels before a slender corpse that looks like a mix between a small woman and a lotus, her lower body nothing but mulch as a look of pain rests on her unmoving features.
"This one still lives but its weak. She's dormant to contain the corruption, gently bring her here while we check the others. Master, I advise you and your friend with the death magic to investigate the buildings, if you find any bodies as whole as this one bring them to me, they may be in the same state. Sir Gulag can you try to find me clean earth and bring it to me, it must not have corruption in it or it will cause more harm than good. Sir Bloom I ask that you stay nearby to recycle those who are truly gone and use their bodies to bring clean life to this place, any little bit will help right now." Alex says quickly as we all nod and get to work.
"Lets start off with the big building in the center then work our way outwards through the main circle, that way we can split up and cover more ground." I say as Gorm nods along and we slowly walk through the entrance of the two story building with a rotted sign above the doorway. Looking around we both notice it seems to be some form of office mixed with an adventurers guild. a small ring counter sits in the center of the room with vine work chairs starting to rot behind them, a mess of papers and quills scattered across the countertops as several rotted bodies rest nearby. On one wall hangs a large wooden board with various pegged posters attached underneath strange engravings of different flowers. The feel of magic emanates from the board as a corrupted snake creature spasms on the ground in front of it, the moss and bark scales across its body releasing a sickly brown ichor as its eyes lethargically spin in their sockets. Motioning for Gorm to help me we each grab as much oif the being as we can hold and awkwardly carry it outside and to Alex, a small pile of loamy soil sitting next to her as she continues to bury the small woman from earlier up to her neck.
"Yes my master set the poor creature here and we'll work on him next. A greenbound serpent, very strong magic meaning their kind had the ability to fight off the corruption to an extent but this one was young and couldn't manage for long. Bloom told me that the building you went into is the administration building. Some kind of work place for the fighters he explained so I think its important. You should search it thoroughly for supplies and information, it may help us track what caused this." Alex explains seriously as her hands gently smooth the soil over the small woman's body and casts a spell before she moves towards the serpent, her head rising quicly to shoo us back to work as she attempts to save another creatures life.