Shadowcroft Academy Year 2 - Chapter Twenty-Two

Logan had to throw the weary minotaur a bone. “It’s okay, Treac. I’ve basically made up my mind already. It wasn’t easy, though. Here,let me show you where we’re at.”

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Domestic Fungi: There are thousands of types of mundane and magical mushrooms that grow throughout the realms connected to Ashvattha. But the fungaloid can spawn many of the rarest, deadliest, and most valuable mushrooms around. These fungi can be quite useful to dungeoneers and attract those looking for rare alchemic ingredients. More advanced types of fungi can have additional abilities or even be mobile and aggressive. Proto-Spore Cultures live inside of the host fungaloid and can be spawned even if mature specimens are lost, destroyed, or harvested. Mature mushrooms can take days or even weeks to grow, though it is possible to drastically increase maturity with the Rapid Growth Spore Ability.

· At B Class

o Ranks 10 – 6: Unlock (1) Level-One Proto-Spore Culture; Unlock (1) Level-Two Proto-Spore Culture; Unlock (1) Level-Three Proto-Spore Culture; Unlock (1) Level-Four Proto-Spore Culture.

§ Running Total: (6) Level-One; (4) Level-Two; (2) Level-Three; (1) Level-Four

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After pulling up the skill, Logan ran them all through a quick overview concerning the level one spores. “Okay, so my options are Silver Beard, God’s Eye Caps, or Eyelash Stinkhorn. Silver Beard is basically a healing shroom, while the God’s Eye Caps can be used for cultivation tinctures. Both are lures, but I think we can agree that the Opal Truffle has been lure enough.”

Marko nodded. “Don’t I know it. I’m basically addicted to Chef Treegee’s Opal Sunset Sauce. Pour some of that ambrosia on some noodles, and it’s what heaven tastes like. No wonder Professor Arketa kept the Tartarucha Cells open for you.”

Logan liked the sauce all right, as long as it was left out in the sun to congeal for a few days. “Yeah, that’s why I’m going to choose the Eyelash Stinkhorn. It’s the simplest solution and it will be the most beneficial during our course work.” He read them the description.

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Eyelash Stinkhorn (Trap)– A type of ghostly green mushroom that often grows on the sides of rocks and trees. They look like oversized eyelashes but are capable of omitting a horrendous smell that can deter even the most stalwart dungeoneers.

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Inga immediately saw the wisdom in the choice. “Yes, I like doubling-down on the trap mushrooms, especially since traps aren’t a focus of my dungeon core class. This is just one of the benefits of working together.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Logan went on with his next choice. “For the second level proto-spore choice, I’m torn. I thought about Owleye Berry. They’re not berries, just another fungus, but they can be used be used to counteract poisons. That would be another lure for healers. Then you have the Bird Bill Bulbs, another lure that aids in cultivation—it can be turned into a tincture that speeds along the elemental affinity purifying process. That’s no use to us, though, since I’ve got the Digestive ability. That only leaves me one real option.”

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Possible Level-Two Proto Spore Cultures (Choose One)

· Ashvein (Ingredient/Narcotic – Criminals and Healers) - A type of fungi that has Narcotic properties, often used as a mild anesthesia in small doses. It can be used as a narcotic, though high doses can cause nausea, vomiting, and possibly stroke. When distilled into a tincture and used in conjunction with the Narcotic Spore Ability, Ashvein enormously increases the odds of causing Agaric Addiction.

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“Since we already decided that I’m going with Narcotic Spores, this seems like the best fit. If I can trigger Agaric Addiction, it’s possible I’ll be able to manipulate or even control unwilling raiders, which is the better deal. Looks like I’m going to double down on the Breaking Bad references and go with Ashvein. My target audience seems to be dungeoneering drug dealers. I can live with that.”

Marko’s eyes darkened and he seemed to grow bigger. “Or will you die with that?” A second later, the shadows and power were gone. “Just kidding. Ashvein it is. I like a dungeon core with a unified theme. And getting rid of interdimensional drug pushers while simultaneously protecting the Tree of Souls seems like a theme I can get on board with.”

Treacle had dozed off with the sphere in striking in his hand. The orb sparked and jerked him awake. “Yes, I agree. I hate Steve, but sometimes a gnome has to chew their candy until it’s gone.”

“Candy? I could go for some candy at this point.” Marko heard the first part, but clearly not the second.

“Just a little longer, guys,” I promise, Logan said. “We’re in the home stretch now—just two more proto-spores to pick and these are definitely the best of the bunch.”

Logan quickly pulled up his level three options. “I have the Spore Wargs already, which are amazing, but here are my other options.” He rattled off the choices.

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Possible Level-Three Proto Spore Cultures (Choose One)

· Demon Fingers (Ingredient/Narcotic – Criminals) – This fungi appears as five curling blue mushrooms protruding from the soil, like the fingers of a demon reaching up from the ground. These are very rare and incredibly valuable as they are highly narcotic and very addictive. They are sometimes called Deadman’s Fingers, because those who use the narcotic substance often find themselves dead not long after.

· Crimson Coral Fungus (Trap/Utility – Assassins) – These mushrooms looks like pieces of a coral reef and are used to make potent poisons, favored by assassins since there is no known cure. Despite being a fungi, Crimson Coral is extremely sharp and jagged and can easily cut through leather armor and even through chain-mail—though it is less effective against solid plate mail. These make excellent weapons! Even more so, because other fungi (and symbiotic partners) are immune to the deadly poison which naturally coats the pink growths. If anyone else is cut by these sharp mushrooms, death can be quick and painful.

· Spindle Wig (Ingredient — Fighters/Warriors) – This odd mushroom secretes a sweet-smelling aroma that attracts insects of all types. It is a delicacy to insectoid dungeoneers and is often given as gifts for Insectoid weddings! Mazel Tov. But it is also sought out by warriors, fighters, and monks alike for its uncanny ability to drastically and permanently increase speed, muscle mass, and improve overall body cultivation. This stuff is basically steroids but without the side effects!

· Sunflower Pods (Trap) – These basketball-sized orange pods float in the air, attached to thin gray tendrils that tether them to the ground. They are filled with flammable gas and if hit by a heat-based attack, they exploded violently, dealing fire damage and releasing a toxic gas. Survive the burn but die by poison.

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Inga got really excited when she heard about Spindle Wig. “Does that sound good to you? I can’t help but think even the name Spindle Wig sounds delicious.” She faltered and quickly smoothed out her dress. “Wait, wait. Perhaps I am jumping to conclusions. True, it does sound amazing, but you don’t need to draw insects to your dungeon. I can take care of all of that. And we’re moving away from lures.”

Marko shuddered. “Yeah, and let’s not do Demon Fingers. I had a friend back on Sangretta who, uh, had a problem. He didn’t make it. Don’t do Demon Fingers. Not even once.”

“The Sunflower Pods sound interesting,” Treacle muttered wearily. “I might be able to design something similar if you really like the idea.” The minotaur yawned.

Logan had already made up his mind. “I’m going with Crimson Coral Fungus. It’s not only a trap, which is something we all can appreciate, but I can finally arm my Waddlers with Crimson Coral weapons. I’ve been working on weapons in crafting class, but crafting isn’t my best subject.”

“It’s really not,” Treacle then thought for a moment. “But I suppose I can lend a hoof in that department. And since they’re organic, I might even be able to run a current through them. Poison, electrified swords and spears could make formidable weapons.” The minotaur sounded genuinely excited for once.

Logan added the Crimson Coral, then went through the level-four proto spores, which were hands down his favorite. So many possibilities and all of them amazing.

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Possible Level-Four Proto Spore Cultures (Choose One)

· Corspebomb Fungi (Trap) – This insidious fungi sets up shop inside the recently deceased. It creates a thin mucus membrane that traps the putrefying gases, turning them into a lethal bomb. When activated, the gas ruptures. The resulting explosion is a toxic cloud of poisonous gas filled with the shrapnel of corpse fragments. Incoming! Survive the poison but die by bone shrapnel.

· Ashvattha Mushrooms (Ingredient - Cultivators and Alchemists) – These mushrooms, golden stems with wavy yellow caps, are chock-full of potent psilocybin that alter perception, provide powerful hallucinations, and entrance with intense emotional experiences. They are valued by magic users and spiritists across the worlds for their mind-expanding effects. Many believe that to advance from A to S class, you must connect to the Tree of Souls, and that the only way to do so is through the Ashvattha Mushroom. Rare and valuable!

· Deathcaps (Greater Minions)– Deathcaps are the grown-up version of the lesser Skullcap Waddler sentient mushrooms. The Deathcap make up the bulk of a fungal lord’s army. Standing six feet tall, they are thick with spongy muscle and covered in a plated exterior chitin armor, which makes them far more durable than the Waddlers. They can carry a range of improvised weapon and are often equipped with Crimson Coral blades.

· Fairy Wings (Ingredient - Cultivators and Alchemists) – These delicate, lacey mushrooms look like fairy wings and grow best in forested areas. They are delicious to eat, but more importantly, they are one of the rarest ingredients necessary for many of the core cultivation pills that dungeoneers often consume.

· Kurrybooboos (Greater Minions) – These sweet little creatures are white and gold, and almost look like small children. They dart around the battlefield on fairy wings dispensing a variety of healing spores that can aid allies during and after battle. But they are extremely fragile and cannot survive more than a few blows. However, you can’t go wrong with the Kurrybooboos! They help you with your boo-boos!

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All of Logan’s friends were silent. There was no lively debate.

Marko was the first to speak. “Wow. Those are all very cool. From lures, to traps, to hallucinogens.”

“Yeah, I feel like I’m going to have to unlock Ashvattha Mushroomsat some point—not only do they sound like a great lure, but it’s possible we could brew a tincture to help us advance. We can’t pass that up long term, but short term, I think we need to make a different choice. We already have a wide variety of traps and poisons, so I think those are out. The Deathcaps sound intimidating and impressive as hell, but I already have some decent minions and really, I don’t need more hard-hitting ground pounders. Not when I have you guys. What we don’t have are healers.”

Logan pulled over a scrape piece of paper from Treacle’s workbench and quickly sketched one of the little healers he’d seen in the seminal work on dungeon cores, The Eternal Monsters of Our Infinite Selves by Immelda Menagerie Inkboon. “I think Kurrybooboos are the way to go. They’re basically miniature version of Ned and Zed, the Treegee healers. So, what do you guys think?”

The mothmancer came over, took a look at Logan’s illustration and then hugged him. “Yes! The Kurrybooboos! They look so very sweet. And your logic seems surprisingly sound and well-reasoned.”

Logan hugged the moth woman back. “Thanks.” He circled his little picture. “Kurrybooboos it is.” He selected the option, adding the spore colonies to his list. “Now, why don’t you guys tell me about Tet.”

Another long silence followed. It was so awkward, that Steve got off his chair by the fire, came over, and patted Marko on the back in a series of loud squeaks.

“Thanks, Steve,” Marko said. “Inga, can you tell Logan what happened? Steve and I are too upset to talk through it. Steve especially. He’s a sensitive type and is really taking it hard.”

“Of course.” Inga cleared her throat. “Well, as you can imagine, this is all very concerning, Logan. It’s not just that Tet is someone we know and respect—even with her connection to the First Cohort—but this solidifies our theories that something criminal is occurring. While we were gone at the Sacred Hollow, Tet was attacked by an unknown assailant in the Submerged Hell. This was during your Dungeon Environments class. Her core was wounded, but she survived the ambush, praise be to the Grand Archivist of Toriopa “

“Do we have any clues?” Logan asked.

Inga nodded. “She said she felt an intense heat, and then she smelled something sweet, vanilla and cherry, not unlike Melvin’s cherry triangles. He was there, after all, since he is in that class with you.”

Logan remembered the vision he’d had while on his trip to the Sacred Hallow. “Melvin wrote his cookbook in Bharooshian runes. Could he be involved?”

“Possible, but my bet’s on Chadrigoth,” Marko said. “Get this, our buddy Chad didn’t show up to his elective. Word has it, he’s taking a class called the History of Hells. But he was absent, and when he did show up in the Golden Serpent Hall, he was dripping wet. The Treegees weren’t too happy with all the mopping they had to do. I think it’s pretty clear, Tet got in the abyss lord’s way, and she paid the price. You know he has his asshat setting cranked to eleven.”

Logan rubbed his mushroom cap. “We don’t have a motive for anyone. It’s all just conjecture.”

Inga smiled and leaned against the crossbow bull. “First Marko uses assonance, and now Logan uses conjecture. The trip to the Sacred Hollow must’ve improved our vocabulary.”

Treacle fiddled with the sphere in his hands. “We need to find out why Chadrigoth is as sour as Aldaleeran sour squirms. We know he doesn’t like us. Could he have attacked Tet because he doesn’t like her friendship with us? A way to punish her, maybe.”

They didn’t have an answer. Just speculation.

Then Inga lost it and flung up her hands. “I don’t know about Chadrigoth, but that Melvin isn’t what he appears to be.” She laughed derisively. “That kitchen ghast knows a bit too much about Eritrean cutlery. I’m telling you. It’s not natural. First thing tomorrow, I’m ordering a copy of his cookbook, and we can ask around about him. But he stinks to high heaven, and I’m not talking about vanilla extract. There is something off about him. About the way he’s trying to cozy up to us. Whose to say that he wasn’t jealous that Tet was getting close to us and decided to take his frustrations out on her? Seems just as plausible as Chadrigoth being the culprit.”

Logan wasn’t sure if they should be the ones to throw themselves into the investigation, but he also wasn’t sure if the faculty would really look into things.

Steve saw that Inga was upset, and he creaked over and patted her back.

“Thanks, Steve,” Inga said with a sniffle. “You’re a true comfort.” She swiped a tear from her cheek, then straightened her shoulders. “There is more—though this doesn’t directly connect to either Chadrigoth or Melvin. I’ve been reading The Stone Hermeneutic, that’s the book on Apothine theory and the dungeons of Arborea. It’s very dry. Painfully dry. But I am wondering about a few things the author brings up. The author believes in the Four Cardinal Dungeon’s theory, and I have some thoughts. But in order to confirm some of my hypotheses, we’ll need to break into the Cruelwood Dungeon. I know we have midterms coming up soon, so we need to keep up with our schoolwork, but we also have some investigative work to do.”

“Agreed,” Treacle said. “But work requires sleep, which means it’s time for all of you to leave.” He stole a forlorn look at his mattress. “My bed misses me. I hope I don’t dream tonight. I do not like to dream.”

Marko went and pulled Steve away from Inga. “Yeah, yeah we’ll go now. You get some bovine-beauty sleep, big guy.”

Logan stood to leave, then felt his heart fall. “Wait, we went over all my new abilities, but we didn’t talk about what you guys got from our field trip. Did anyone else level?”

Treacle got off his stool, hands filled with lightning. “No, Logan Murray, I am tired. You can natter all night if you like, but I am going to bed. Good night all.” The electricity dissipated.

Marko titled his head. “Are you trying to tell us something, Treac? If so, you need to be less subtle about it.”

Logan and Inga grabbed both Marko and his mannequin and shuffled them out of the minotaur’s room before the goat boy got hurt. That crossbow bull’s electrical core was powering up and crossbow bolts were being loaded in place. Logan was pretty sure they’d saved Marko’s life. However, even if the goat had been impaled with crossbow bolts, Logan could now create Kurrybooboos to heal him. The fungaloid couldn’t wait to see his newest minions in action!

“Night Treacle,” Logan called back.

“Goodnight, Logan Murray,” came a gruff reply before the door shut with a thud.