Mushroom Form

[Laudna]

Adventurers have long grown accustomed to the lively mushroomlings darting among the rocks of the Crystal Grove. These fluorescent, leggy mushrooms spark curiosity, sometimes mild annoyance, and even a little affection – but never fear. The hive mind of the fungal colony has quickly picked up on this sentiment
Now, if an unfortunate visitor to the grove falls in an uneven battle, a cloud of spores immediately envelops their body. The spores take root, and within a week, the mycelium completely overtakes the fallen form, leaving only the skeleton and faint traces of the nervous system.
Some would call this a miraculous rebirth, while others would see it as eternal servitude. Whatever the label, the outcome remains the same: The fungal colony carefully nurtures new warriors, eerily similar to the people of Arinar, yet utterly alien to them. As scientists chalk it up to the cycle of life, the fungal network learns, adapts, and grows at a frightening rate.

Edited October 29 by Laudna