Níng stops well before the thirty foot mark, both hands visible on his staff. He tilts his head, studying the small creature with the same unhurried attention he gives each and every person he comes across.
Then he crouches down, bringing himself closer to eye level.
"Travelers from Willowshore," he says, his voice the same steady and even tone he uses for frightened children. "We come with an offering and a question. Nothing more."
He glances back toward the shimenawa, then returns his eyes to the guardian.
"Is tree is sick? We could see it from the edge of the clearing." He lets the question float in the air, his ears forward. "We would like to help, if the spirit will allow it."
Watching you all very carefully, "Maybe you can help, maybe not, what have you brought for me"
Níng straightens slowly and turns to take the shimenawa from whoever is carrying it, holding it out toward the guardian with both hands, a small bow of his head.
"A shimenawa, made specifically for you this morning by our companions."
He does not embellish it or make promises around it.
"And of course, Sake"
Ayane hands Ning the shimenawa and bows her head nodding her agreement when Ning states what gifts we have brought.
The Great Willow's expression lights up at the presentation of a shimenawa,
Lowering their fists, They speak in a tiny, almost childlike voice, but
in a slow and very methodical manner, as if taking care with their word selection "Wow, that looks really well made, it will make a fine addition to my collection," it says, spreading a hand toward the Great Willow tree itself where you all can see hundreds of unique Shimenawa's dangling from the branches interspersed among the willow leaves. Its hard not to notice the fungus, "An infection I brought back from a visit to check on a friend to the south. I am fighting it back but I fear for my friend,"
"Oh the tree Spirit is sick, that's no fun. Being sick never is. I'm not very good with that, but I'll help in any way I can. Normally mom would suggest soup. But I don't think tree spirits drink soup" she has a very concerned face. No signs of her joking
Yuranosuke bows to the spirit.
"I am Yuranosuke. You...may recognize me as the elf-child you generously allowed to climb your tree once," he says sheepishly. "It is an honor and a pleasure to be allowed to speak with you face-to-face after all this time. How may we address you?"
He listens to their explanation of the situation and frowns.
"No fun indeed, Shandari," he says. "This can be no tree blight, not with the way Willowshore and the woods beyond have become. We must figure out what evil feeds this fungus, so both trees may survive."
Ayane, doesnt think she knows much about tree blight, however she is happy to try and help any way she can.
Looking off to the distance, to the borders, "There is a powerful one curse at work. I can feel its edges all around. We are in a cage now. When it happened on the first day of summer, I was confused. I was alone. I could not hear my friends’ voices. I jumped to visit my closest friend and they were not there, but a foul-tempered mushroom was, and I had to run away all the way back to here. Alone. I don’t know what to do. I dare not leave this tree again when this curse is all, but I can look for its edges from here. I will tell you more, but before I do, I need to know my friend is safe. You will go to save her from the angry mushroom, and then I will help.”
Nodding to Yuranosuke, "I think I remember you, thought you were just a nosy raccoon, running through my tree branches, you're lucky I was tired," He then looks right at Ayane when he mentions raccoon, like he thinks she is a pest, "You can call me Great Willow, I am the tree and the tree is me,"
"A foul fungus trying to kill the kind spirit friend. I'll happily make that the mean fungi shrivel up and become compost. No funny business" she crosses her arms with a nod
|
Níng listens without interrupting, his eyes moving once to the gray growth at the roots, then back to the spirit.
Alone and cut off from the other spirits
His glance then falls silently on his companions, looking for alignment in their purpose. Ning absentmindedly shifts his grip on his staff, and he sifts his attention back to the spirit, his speaking tone is careful and even.
"We will find your friend," he says. "That is not a difficult promise to make."
He tilts his head toward the fungal growth at the base of the tree, studying it from where he stands. "While we are here- may I look more closely at what is growing on your roots? It appears to be under-control, with the Spirit of the tree slowly pushing it back"
Most of the locals are familiar with the Grove Great Willow is talking about, its about 5-6 miles to the south , it is a popular spot for young lovers to spend time, its an idyllic grove of willow trees with a small pond.
Looking to Shen, "Thank you, you may examine the fungus, I have caught it in time to stop its growth but, my friend's grove is completely overrun, seemingly overnight. I can't imagine they would let it get that bad without asking for help from the other spirits in the area. I am worried,"
Níng crouches near the roots, examining the gray growth carefully, pressing two fingers lightly against the bark just at its edge. He takes his time with it.
"Contained well," he says, mostly to himself. He straightens and looks up at the spirit. "Left alone it would become something unpleasant. But you caught it in time."
He brushes his fingers clean on the hem of his robe, his expression settling into something more troubled. "If your friend's grove is completely overrun and they did not call for help... that concerns me more than the fungus." He glances toward the others. "We have a grove of spirits who cannot (or will not) call out. Either way, I think we should travel."
He shoulders his pack and looks south.
"Three hours. We can be there before dark. Any preparations we can make for potential exposure to the fungus would also be wise"
Kwan agrees with Níng on preparations. "Perhaps we should figure out if we can protect ourselves against the fungus before setting out. If we become a carrier, then the spread could widen. I believe You So-jin keeps potions available that could help." Turning back to Great Willow, Kwan bows slightly in reverence. "Unless you think the need is urgent."
"A stop to You So-jin's may not take us very long. I doubt there is little harm in stopping as we pass back through the town"
"And I can call on the winds to help us along" she offers with a smile "If we save a few minutes, it's better than nothing, right?"
Oh yes, lets stop at the herbalist shop! fungus can be very bad"
Your group moves to bid Great Willow ado when he holds up a tiny hand "wait wait, you gave me a gift, I should give you one in return," he walks back under the roots of the tree and rummages around in whatever that space may be before coming back out with a length of silk rope, "its a magic rope, it will extend if you tell it too but only once a day so use it wisely if you need it,"
With that your group heads off to Graveside Manners (W4) which is another 45 minute walk from the tree to the alchemist shop, entering inside a tiny bell rings when you enter the small cemetary house. An elf, You So-Jin comes out of a backroom separated by a cloth tapestry, "Ah I was wondering when you'd show up. I'm guessing you need something?"
Kwan greet You So-Jin warmly. "Our work for the town likely means the strong possibility of close contact with a dangerous fungus. We thought you might have some potions that could help counteract that danger. However, we might not have enough coin to purchase at full price. I'm hoping we could work out a a deal or arrangement."
Nodding, the ageless Elf fiddles and starts to peruse through different bottles, picking some up, opening them and sniffing them before putting them back while she listens to Kwan's request, "mmmm I see, I had a feeling you would need some alchemy supplies no doubt, I started brewing extra just in case. I was starting to think you had forgot about old So-Jin or not. But I'm happy to see you didn't and more than happy to help you with your request," she offers a playful wink to Kwan, smiling, "Now lets see here, one, two, three, four, oh five, six. Almost didn't see you down there Ayane, keep your nose out of where it doesn't belong," she adds sternly, before putting a few potions down on the counter, "Here, six antiplagues, you said disease right? You can have these ones on me this time, but don't forget about me again. Why you didn't even check up on me during the attack!"
Ayane huffs and crosses her arms, "Aww, So-Jin but i was being Sooo careful this time! I promise I wont break anything" she looks up at So-Jin with big eyes.
Like this
Gently setting a vile back on the shelf Ayane looks at So-Jin. "Im sorry about that So-Jin. It was a crazy few days! but we wont forget about you anymore. we promise."
Your group moves to bid Great Willow ado when he holds up a tiny hand "wait wait, you gave me a gift, I should give you one in return," he walks back under the roots of the tree and rummages around in whatever that space may be before coming back out with a length of silk rope, "its a magic rope, it will extend if you tell it too but only once a day so use it wisely if you need it,"
With that your group heads off to Graveside Manners (W4) which is another 45 minute walk from the tree to the alchemist shop, entering inside a tiny bell rings when you enter the small cemetary house. An elf, You So-Jin comes out of a backroom separated by a cloth tapestry, "Ah I was wondering when you'd show up. I'm guessing you need something?"
Yuranosuke bows to Great Willow once again.
"You have our thanks, Great Willow. Gods and Fortune willing, we will return with good news."
When they visit Graveside Manners, Yuranosuke bows to So-Jin.
"Good day to you, Elder You," he says somberly in Elven. "Ayane speaks truly. We were so focused on trying to ensure malevolent presences were driven away by the Lantern we could not search as thoroughly. But rest assured, we will keep our vigil, over you and all of us."
Wagging her finger, "those giant eyes of yours wont work on me this time, you keep those paws where I can see 'em," she looks to the others, "Thank you Yuranosuke, now besides these antiplagues, is there anything else I can get you?"
Kwan thanks So-Jin for the supplies and apologizes for not stopping by sooner.
"Your generosity is much appreciated. And will certainly help us help the town. As Ayane and Yuranosuke said, we tried out best to make sure all of Willowshore was safe and protected. Unfortunately, we weren't able to help everyone, but we won't stop trying until we figure out how to lift this curse."
When the conversation turns to other supplies, Kwan declines. "As I said earlier, I'm low on funds right now. But, I'll keep your business in mind if I need potions or the like."
At the Great Willow:
Níng accepts the rope with both hands and a low bow.
"We will not be long."
-------
At Graveside Manners:
Níng lingers near the counter, turning one of the antiplague vials over in his fingers, reading it the way a healer reads a label.
"These are well made," he says, setting it back down with genuine appreciation. He looks up at So-Jin. "I am Níng. A healer, of sorts." His ears tip slightly. "If you have need of fresh ingredients, that I can keep an eye out for on the road"
Giving a firm nod, "Thank you, I don't believe I've seen you in the village before, welcome, if you're going out in the wilds I am running low on Ren Shen(Red Ginseng Root) and Bai Shao(White Peony Root)," With that she steps back behind the curtain to her back room and alchemical workshop to continue whatever it was she was doing.
With little else to do, your group sets off, each with a dose of antiplague. Its a longer walk, though easiest to stick to the road it still takes about 3 hours to get to the South and to the grove. The locals are familiar with the particular willow grove, it was a frequent location for romantic getaways for youths, close enough to the village and protected by a more lenient Kodama.
The creek-side road diminishes to a trail here as it approaches the once-idyllic grove of willow trees, but today, the foliage has become overgrown with sheets of gray and pale yellow fungi. More colorful spotted mushrooms or warty toadstools grow where underbrush once did.
As you push deeper into the grove, you eventually spot movement between the trees. A hunched figure steps carefully from behind a willow trunk, its body covered in layered fungal shelves and soft white fuzz. A broad mushroom cap sprouts from one shoulder like a parasol. Wet black eyes blink at the party. The creature startles dramatically , clutching at its chest. “Oh! Visitors?” it says in Common, voice airy and damp. “Please, please, don’t be frightened,"
"Oh! You're a mushroom man, you okay? Are you hurt?" the sylph girl asks in a soft but breezy voice
“Oh... no. Not anymore.” The mushroom-humanoid brushes a hand lovingly along the mold-covered bark of a nearby willow. “The grove takes care of me. Feeds me. Keeps me warm when the nights get cold and empty.”
Yuranosuke blinks at the discovery of the mushroom being. Between Great Willow's description of the grove's affliction and the way this creature described their relationship with the grove, he had a sneaking suspicion this was a manifestation of the thing they'd come to purge.
"I don't know what this thing is," he whispers to the others. "But I do not trust it."
Ayane knows that this is a Myceloid, The ambulatory fungus creatures called myceloids are notorious for spreading deadly purple pox, controlling creatures' minds, and devouring humanoid flesh. For a myceloid colony, any battle with humanoids is cause for excitement, as this new fodder presents so many delicious and satisfying possibilities. Myceloids eat communal meals consisting of a series of corpses, beginning with creatures they killed in combat, followed by any that died in service while controlled by Spore Domination. As they dine, they offer tasting notes, claiming they can taste intangibles like innocence or despair. They save any creature that died from purple pox as dessert. The new myceloid birthed from the corpse gets the first slice!
They are capable of spreading deadly disease and if they are hit too hard they are known to explode, spreading disease dust over the area. The disease they can spread can kill a humanoid within days for the particularly hard or as quickly as few minutes for those with weak constitutions.
Níng steps forward slightly, putting himself just ahead of the others. His staff stays loose in his hand, nothing aggressive.
It is comfortable here. It thinks we are not a threat
Without breaking eye contact, his free hand finds the antiplague vial at his belt and uncorks it quietly, drinking it in one smooth motion. A healer doing something practiced and unremarkable.
He tilts his head, studying the creature, his ears facing forward and his tail flicks slightly at the end.
"The grove feeds you," he repeats, his tone genuinely curious. "And the spirit that lives here... have you met it? A kodama, smaller than you, tending the willows?"
He keeps his eyes on the wet black ones, watching for the answer as much as listening
“I had a home once,” the myceloid says softly. “Deep below the earth. Warm caves. Soft soil. Singing spores drifting through the dark” Their expression twists. “But they drove me out, I found this grove, the kodama here were kind to me. They welcomed me beneath the trees. Shared their home. Then one day they were simply gone. But perhaps one of you could stay awhile?” they ask carefully. “Just overnight. Share a meal with me. Talk.”
Níng holds the creature's gaze a moment longer.
It speaks no truth
He takes one slow step back and glances sidelong at Ayane... just once, brief and deliberate. And then to the others.
"What have you done with the kodama?" he asks, his voice dropping its warmth. Not exactly aggressive, but very pointed. As he speaks, his ears twitch up and the hair on his tail expands.
“what?” it asks softly. “I told you,” it says, voice small now, wounded. “They vanished.”
But the lie lands poorly, everyone in the group can tell. Its smile twitches a little too late. A little too wide. “I did not hurt them,” it says carefully. “Not at first.” The creatures eyes grow with a hungry look. Spores on its body start to drift off, as the myceloid body vibrates every so slightly, it eyes each of you "I suppose I’ll have to settle for a banquet instead of a snack!”
And it lunges to eat Ning
Round 1 - Clearing the Grove
Shandari ☘️ -
Ning ☘️☘️ -
Xundu(Myceloid) -
Ren ☘️ -
Kwan ☘️ -
Yuranosuke ☘️-
Ayane ☘️ -
Ning stares directly at the fungus. Bands of energy leap out from him, settling on Kwan and Yuranosuke.
Then his gaze bores into the fungal creature.
"careful friends! these are dangerous disease spreading fungus!"
Shandary will swiftly move back then launch a ball of lightning charged air at the shroom. Quick she may have been, but she was still startled as her attack goes wide
"Bad shroom man!"