As I awaken, the only thing I know is pain. It’s incredibly difficult to explain it, but every part of my body feels violated painfully. Maybe with needles, but smaller than the ones tailors use. The pain was so overwhelming that I can’t concentrate on the screens that appear before me. The birds also escape my notice, even though they are staring at me. The birds that should have been an alarm for me are just staring. When the pain fades, which only occurs after what feels like a lifetime, I am acutely aware of the fact there is a large flock of birds staring at me.
It might not be immediately obvious why this is so shocking, until you consider the fact my hideout is a hollow within a tree, and that the inside remains dry while it is raining. Shaking myself out of a stupor as questions about the birds arise, I look around for familiar landmarks. Turns out, I am right next to the stream. While not a particularly long walk, it is still concerning I ended up this far away. I decide to pay attention to the screens later, and make my way back to my hideout. As I haven’t made any promises to help anyone today, I choose to just relax. The grains should last me for a short while still.
Once I have reached the safety of my hideout, I lay down on my bed to investigate the screens I had ignored.
Evolution Complete! Spriggan Queen – Projection of Nature
Connected to Nature
Nature Magic is [10%] Easier
[10%] Increased Resistance to Death Magic
Essence of Nature
You may link yourself to a place of Nature, where you will return after your body dies.
Your body has evolved to a mostly-human hybrid of human and spriggan. Although no major physiological changes have occurred, you are now more in synch with nature.
[Skill] Learned: [Essence of Nature]
Level: [Apprentice 1/10]
Effects:
You may link to [1] place of Nature
Upon body death, you may reform at this place.
Warning: A human body will take a [Week] to reform. A Spriggan body will take [8] hours.
Upon destruction of the place of nature, another must be linked to for the benefits to continue
[Essence of Nature] [Sub-Skill]s Learned:
[Nature Sight]
[Novice 1/10]
Ability to detect places of nature
[Essence of Nature] [Sub-Skill]s Learned:
[Reform]
[Novice 1/10]
May reform your body at a place of power. Current options: Human or Spriggan (Queen)
While the evolution may be concerning, I believe it is just another step towards my future, whatever it may be. Filled with curiosity about my new [Skill] and [Sub-Skill]s, I activate nature sight by speaking it aloud. I don’t know if that is how it works but based on how the character screen works I expect this to. There is a slight vibration in my eyes, and then I feel a slight shift. It is incredibly difficult to explain how it feels, but it is as though something clicked.
The first thing I notice with my eyesight are vein-like tendrils of vibrant green spreading throughout the tree I reside in. The tendrils seem to be within the roots and branches, as well as the mostly hollow trunk. In the centre, where all the veins connect to, that also happens to be a meter or so beneath what is currently my floor, is an almost throbbing sphere of green. As I look closely at this sphere, a screen appears.
Place of Nature Found: Ancient Spirit’s Rest - Weak
The history of this place is unknown to you, but it is no coincidence you have found a home here.
While I have no idea what this means, I can probably use my [Essence of Nature] skill to link to this place. I try activating the skill, when another screen shows in my vision.
Place of Nature Found: Ancient Spirit’s Rest - Weak
If you choose to link here you will gain [1] free reform. Proceed?
As I know of no other option to use my [Skill] on, I choose yes. What follows is a strange feeling of interconnectedness with the world as a whole, before the feeling retreats and encompasses only the Rest and I. When the effect passes I am aware of the Rest and it’s needs as well as my own. There is also what feels like a second heartbeat, except separate to me, likely from the Rest. Trying to pay attention to the Rest, I can understand there are things it needs.
Quest Received: Ancient Rest’s Regeneration
You can tell the [Ancient Spirit’s Rest] you have linked to is nearing the end of its life, however you can change this.
Improve the environment of the Rest to increase its power and lifespan. This can be done by improving the [Soil Quality], [Air Quality], [Water Quality], as well as the energy concentration
Rewards:
Improved Rest, Nature’s Gratitude, ???
Once again, the system surprised me. This quest seems to be immediately beneficial to me, as an improved Rest will probably help me out. That said, I’m not sure how I’m going to do this. I’m not close enough with anyone from town to really trust them with my problems, but I suppose John would be reasonably knowledgeable as a farmer. Perhaps his [Title] can help too.
A decision made, I walk towards John’s farm, passing through the town centre. As I’m walking, a young man falls into pace with me and starts a conversation.
“Hi kid, strange times we’re going through, hey?” Not bothering to respond, he continues.
“Well I’ve got a [Title] that is supposed to help the town, and it’s told me to help you. So, what are you up to?” This gives me a slight pause, and I almost miss a step before responding. I contemplate telling the truth, or just telling him I’m trying to help the town, but a part of me thinks neither would be great.
“I live in a tree just outside of town. This tree is actually magical and I’m trying to heal it.” Now why did I say that? It makes no sense, I was just going to tell him I wanted John’s help with healing a tree.
“Ah, this could be interesting. With my [Title] people who live in this town can’t actually lie to me. I suppose the magical tree would be why it’s important for me to help you. Well lead on, I’m sure that I’ll be useful.” He says while grinning, making me glad I didn’t tell him the full truth. I guess a lie of omission is a lie, but genuinely thinking the details are irrelevant won’t matter?
It doesn’t take long to arrive, and to my surprise the field we planted yesterday has already started sprouting. I can see John in the field, so I shout to get his attention.
“Hey John, how are the fields?” He looks up in response, seemingly surprised but unconcerned at my appearance.
“Hi lad. Come to help today? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Might as well, but if I do could you have a look at a tree I’d like to grow?”
“Sure, that shouldn’t be a problem. Anyway, who’s this you’ve got with you?” John asks as he looks at my ‘companion.’
“Ah yes, hello John! I’m Charles, a soon-to-be-very-important fellow resident of the town. Gotta say, you’re doing wonderfully with this farm. May I recommend you expand further? Your [Title] should help support you.” Charles responds in an annoyingly chipper voice.
“Well sure, I was considering it. Say, are you going to help out as well?” John says, unbothered by this development.
“Although not my original intention, I’m sure this would be an acceptable use of my time. Lead on.”
So, the three of us worked. Charles seems to have no experience or knowledge of farming, so he was only a hindrance. Eventually John told him to look at the sprouting plants for pests and diseases, which managed to keep him occupied for a whole hour before he got bored and left, leaving John and I alone.
“Well lad, what’s this about a tree you wanted me to look at?” he ventures as we begin packing everything away for the night.
“I have been living in a tree, and the system has given me a quest, like the one you gave me yesterday, to help it grow. As you’re a farmer and the only one I feel comfortable talking to, I was hoping you could help.”
“Well sure, you’ve been a great help, so it’s only right to respond in kind. Let’s just pack everything away, then you can show me to your tree.”
Taking a bit longer than expected, we walk across town the town centre where Charles once again joins us. He seems content to remain silent, a small blessing to be sure. Once we reach the Rest, John lets out an appreciative whistle while Charles seems unimpressed.
“Alright lad, I can see why you wanted me to help her grow. She’s ancient, but I reckon she can be revived. I’m almost scared of what’ll happen.”
“Is this the tree? Doesn’t seem impressive to me. Perhaps there’s more to it than it appears, but I expected more.”
Both speak at once, and it is a bit difficult to determine which words belonged to who. Although the annoying voice is Charles, so it wasn’t a real problem. Deciding to ignore Charles for now, I speak to John.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Yeah, that’s the idea. I think she can grow to have space in her trunk about the size of a small house, but that will take a while. Anything you can do?”
“I suppose I could try fertiliser? Might also be a good idea to water it more, but that may be difficult. I’ll get some of the spare fertiliser I have.” He says before leaving, while Charles looks annoyed at being ignored.
“Okay, I get that this is your home and I’m insulting it, but this is supposed to give the village more power. I’m gonna go do some important stuff with the elders.”
Thankful for the peace and quiet, I set to work. I activate my [Nature Sight] to see the roots of the tree in order to find a suitable place for a small pond. I figure that rather than set up some kind of watering system, a reservoir may be better in the short term before finding a more permanent solution.
Oddly, yet not surprisingly, there are a few roots that head towards the creek. I expected the roots to kind of act like an underground dome, but reaching towards a source of water makes more sense. Which gives me a great idea.
I wander over to the creek to survey the land, and see that upstream, towards the north, is a small rise the creek seems to go around. Now I don’t know much about terraforming, but I figure I can divert the creek so that it passes closer to the roots. However there are no rocks around so it must all be done manually.
Although I have no real tools, there’s no reason not to use my bowl to dig. I retrieve it, and set to work. Before I can make much, if any, progress, John returns with his fertiliser. I realise now that it’s just a fancy word for manure. The stench finds me long before John does. I have mild concerns for my ability to sleep with this near me.
“Alright lad, I brought some spare fertiliser and a few shovels.” John slowly wanders into view with a wheelbarrow filled with ‘fertiliser. “I figure we can bury the fertiliser, should make it easier for the tree to use it.”
Well I suppose that’s one problem semi solved. We take the shovels and dig holes at places I point out having a higher concentration of roots, thanks to my [Nature Sight] skill. The work lasts a long time, and we are exhausted far before our supple of ‘fertiliser’ is. After digging many smaller holes and bury the manure, we ended up digging a larger pit behind the entrance to the Rest where we deposit the remainder. I ask John to borrow his shovel for the next few days, which he agrees to before leaving to check on his farm.
Rather than waste my time working when I could be sleeping, I rinse my bowl and make a quick meal before heading to bed. Instead of my usual fall asleep then wake up, I am treated to what I believe to be a lucid dream. Or at least until this thing decides to speak.
“So, you’re the new guardian.” By thing, I do mean thing. It appears to be taller than six feet high, probably reaching an extra four or five inches. It has no skin so to speak, but is covered in what seems to be a very durable bark. Where there are gaps, entwined branches can be seen when I strain my eyes and look past the otherworldly vibrant green glow. Even the voice seems out of place, as though each syllable takes a monumental effort, sounding raspy and emphasis on the ‘s’ sounds
“Such a shame when you’re not recognised. Even my race seems unfamiliar. Tell me, what are you?” At this I am shaken out of my shock, as though I was splashed with water.
“I am a human. Oh, and half Spriggan Queen I think. But that was recent.”
“Spriggan Queen? Interesting. I never knew a spriggan and human could mate. I suppose it’s no surprise. We Nature elementals are fond of the saying, ‘Life finds a way.’ Do you know your lineage?”
“I have no knowledge of anything to do with this stuff. I think I only became a spriggan today.”
“Nonsense, perhaps it was only awoken yesterday, but you must have always been part spriggan. I suppose that doesn’t matter at the moment. I must see if you are worthy. Ready yourself.” Taking a few steps back yet never moving its eyes away from me, it stands in what I assume to be a fighting stance and waits. I am unsure how to respond, so I take a few steps back and try to mimic its stance.
Before I know it, I am flat on my back.
“Unacceptable. We have much work to do. Please tell me what skills you have.”
“Skills? Do you mean [Essence of Nature], [Nature Sight], [Reform], [Farming]?”
“What? So young and you are linked to nature? You truly must be a young queen. I can guess what farming and nature sight are, and based on your queenship I expect reform to be simple enough, but what do you mean by essence of nature?”
“It allows me link myself to a place of nature.”
“Yes, that makes sense. Things must have changed. What combat skills do you have?”
“Combat skills? None. I spent my life either wandering or helping out the towns I live in.”
“This is disappointing. I will teach you the basics of being a ranger, as I believe this will be most beneficial to a young Spriggan Ruler.”
And with that, my lessons began. It was nothing too complex, but I was taught how to use my natural rule over nature to ‘persuade’ living things to aid me. Whether muffling my footsteps or camouflaging me, there was an incredible ability for stealth. I was taught basic dagger techniques as well as archery to allow me some combat potential for the cause of ‘protecting the Rest.’ This was furthered by teaching me to hunt, with a strict restriction on not commanding creatures and animals to their death. When I asked for an explanation I was told it was a path that lead to Kingship rather than Queenship. This was expanded on by teaching me to properly skin and butcher animals, as well as basic yet effective ways of coking my catches. Although, hunting and butchering don’t work too well with creatures made entirely out of bark and wood.
When I question it, who turns out to be a she, about how this works, she only responded by telling me all places of power have an incredible function due to the aether they attract. The time spent there felt like almost days, yet upon waking I found only a single night had passed, where I was greeted by more screens.
[Skill]s Learned:
[Skill]
Level
Effects
Stealth
[Novice 1/10]
[1%] Decreased chance of being noticed (Passive)
[5%] Decreased chance of being noticed (Active)
Dagger Mastery
[Novice 1/10]
[1%] Increased damage with daggers
[1%] Increased speed with daggers
Bow Mastery
[Novice 1/10]
[1%] Increased damage with bows
[1%] Increased accuracy with bows
Skinning
[Novice 1/10]
[1%] Increased product quality
[1%] Increased skinning speed
Butchering
[Novice 1/10]
[1%] Increased product quality
[1%] Increased butchering speed
[Skill] Learned:
Nature Manipulation
[Novice 4/10]
[4%] Increased Manipulation Area
[4%] Increased Manipulation Power
[4%] Increased Manipulation Control
Combination [Sub-Skill] Learned:
[Natural Stealth]
[Novice 1/10]
When manipulating Nature, [10%] Decreased chance of being noticed
Seeing these screens, there’s a major issue with a few of them I’ll have to address. I have no weapons. Sure, it’s nice to have these skills, but if I can’t use them then why bother. Although this is something I can put off until later.
Instead of waiting around a bit longer, contemplating the issues I am currently facing, I take the shovel I borrowed and head to the small rise upstream. Should be much easier to dig than with a bowl.
Nothing stands out on the way, everything is as peaceful as you would expect close to a human town. Upon my arrival, I see not much has changed. There is a small divergence of the creek that quickly joins with the old one again, so I have my work cut out for me. So I dig. Initially I just throw the dirt onto the rise, causing a split creek with little water flowing either way, but I then decide to fill the old one with the dirt, at least slightly, to dissuade the water flowing that way. The majority of the day flies by as I work, and it is eventually completed. There is slight movement in the soil approximately where the roots are, so activating the skill I notice them actively reaching for the water. Soon enough they are visible to my regular eyesight, where the ends split and form a mesh across the bottom half of the creek. This would surprise me, where it not for the fact I could feel the semi-sentience of the Rest searching for a way to absorb the water more efficiently.
Quest Update: Ancient Rest’s Regeneration
You can tell the [Ancient Spirit’s Rest] you have linked to is nearing the end of its life, however you can change this.
Your actions have increased the [Water Quality] and [Soil Quality], Qualifying you for the rewards. Further rewards may be gained by improving [Air Quality] and the energy concentration.
Rewards Gained:
Improved Rest, Nature’s Gratitude
Rewards Possible:
Improved Rest, ???
The screen surprised me, as originally I thought rewards only came after the Quest was complete, yet I have been rewarded. Before interacting with the screens I walk back to the Rest. Once I arrive, I dismiss the screen telling me of the quest, when the next shown up. Assuming it is the reward, I pay attention.
Analysing Rewards… UNIQUE Opportunity Detected… Applying…
WARNING: Interference by {REDACTED DUE TO TITLE}…
Interference Mitigated… Proceeding
Due to your [Title] and Race, you are able to direct the Evolution of [Ancient Spirit’s Rest]
A privilege normally reserved for those who have dedicated their life to nature, you have access to power way beyond what is reasonable. Do not abuse this, as there are things worse than Death.
Bastion of Nature
Nature has [10%] increased potency in the area, plants and creatures experience a [100%] growth rate increase
Entwined Guardians
The Rest may summon guardians to defend it. Guardians depend on environment and power
Accelerated Growth
The Rest experiences [7] days of rapidly accelerated growth
Improved Core
The [Core] of the Rest is improved, increasing ambient energy and the Rest’s functions
Greater Link
A greater link can be established, allowing [1] extra reform and expanded mental connection
{SENTIENCE}
The Rest may embark on an alternate evolution path, initially by gaining sentience.
WARNING: Interference still detected : Resolving…
Analysed Interference : Within Acceptable Parameters : Ignoring…
Suffice to say, the options shock me, and the explanation or threat are actually scary. I feel quite out of my depth here, and the ominous message makes it worse. Bastion of Nature seems to be a good choice for the long run, but I don’t think it is appropriate here. Entwined Guardians are probably a safe decision. Accelerated Growth seems to be a reasonable short-term choice, but I don’t think that would be fair to the Rest. Greater Link would be immediately beneficial to me, however I don’t feel it is necessary at the moment. {SENTIENCE} just seems strange, and doesn’t follow the rest of the system in appearance, so I immediately don’t trust it. Finally, Improved Core will go towards finishing the Quest I have, so could be beneficial to me that way, and it will increase the Rest’s functions, so it is likely a weaker version of all other options.
My choice decided, I mentally select [Improved Core]
Evolution of [Ancient Spirit’s Rest] Selected: Improved Core
Although a disappointing lack of risk-taking, WE are pleased with your choice, if not your reasoning. Go with OUR Blessing.
Interference Detected… Acceptable
EVOLUTION Initiated…
The screens gave way to more of them, these ones being the most surprising of the day.
[Skill] Learned: [Digging]
Level: [Novice 5/10]
Effects:
[5%] Increase to digging speed
Congratulations! Blessing Received!
The {REDACTED} have blessed you. What reasons they have are their own. Be warned, power will always come at a cost.
You have gained an upgrade to your [Reform] skill: the ability to shift between your forms at will, without the use of a place of power.
Congratulations! Blessing Recieved!
Nature has recognised your actions, and is thankful towards you.
[25%] Increase power to Nature related [Abilities] and [Skills]