Mushroom, mushroom, mushroom
The entity stopped poking at the petrified tree and slowly turned around to focus its attention on the Navarr priest. It barely came up to his shoulder, but it was three times as broad as he was. It had long, spindly, sinewy arms that reached almost to the ground, and squat legs that seemed to be little more than stumps. It was clearly not anything mortal - the wide spreading red cap that seemed to be part of its head marked it out as some kind of ambulatory toadstool. Renard noted that it didn't seem to have a face as such, but directed his wary smile at where he imagined one might be.
"The question. Is. Rather." The creature spoke in stops and starts, it's voice surprisingly soft and breathy for a clumpy mass of fungus with no obvious way of speaking. Or breathing. It tailed off. Renard wondered if it was broken. Then it spoke again, that same stilted pattern to its speech. "Rather. It is whether. I can help. You."
When it was obvious that there was no more coming, Renard asked what it meant. The thing gestured to the petrified tree, and the priest swallowed nervously as its sheer length, and the club-like hand at its end, became more apparent. It didn't seem to have any joints as such, and Renard was pretty confident that if the thing decided to hit him with it, then it would end badly.
"This. Is a thing. That should not. Be." It said, and Renard fancied he could hear just the tinge of anger in its voice. "It should. Not. Be like. This."
"It was the Cold Sun," Renard explained quickly. He didn't want the thing thinking he was to blame. "When the Empty Hands came they did this. There's trees like it all over Miaren. We're working on a way to deal with them but... it takes time. Sorry. "
He wasn't sure why he was apologising. The mushroom being rested its misshapen hand against the calcified "bark" of the tree. It was one of those that passing artists had decorated, turning the bone-white aberration into something if not beautiful then at least symbolic of the defiance of the Navarr people.
"Trees die." Said the visitor, as if it had not really listened to what Renard had said. "They die. They rot. New trees grow. This is. An abomination. I will. Take care. Of it. For you."
Renard felt the air shift then, and took an involuntary step back. The treewardens, sensitive to his worry, readied their spears. The mushroom creature began to sing, then, softly. A wordless, shifting, throbbing song that the priest felt in his skin and bones rather than heard with his ears. Colours pulsed across the pale surface of the fungusman - soft pink, deep red, startling violet - and then with a loud snap the petrified trunk of the tree split straight up the middle. Cracks ran maze-like across the surface, and pieces began to fall away. Still the visitor sang its weird song and Renard saw pale tendrils spread from where its stumpy legs touched the ground into the ashen soil that surrounded the accursed tree. In less than a minute the destruction was complete. The corrupted tree lay in pieces, and the blasted ground around it... swelled with life. Mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, and less identifiable things began to cover the remains, as dark green ferns uncoiled and opened their feathered leaves all around it.
The mushroom fellow observed the transformation calmly then turned its attention back to Renard who was staring speechless at the little blue and purple flowers beginning to open across several of the ferns.
"It will take. Time. For new trees. To grow." Said the visitor. "But. They will. Grow."
It shook itself - a wave going from the top of its wide cap to the ground and then back again. Renard noted that the tendrils which had emerged from its feet had broken off, and now lay drained and lifeless amid the burgeoning growth.
"I misspoke. Before. You can. Help me. Maybe." It said. "I have been sent. To speak. With your people. About gardens. And Life. Is that. Something. You can. Assist me. With?"
Renard took a breath, and ratchetted his smile up a notch, as he tried to think of a suitable response.
Overview
In 384YE, Llofir demanded amity in response to a request for plenipotentiary. At that time it explicitly stated that it would use that amity to take revenge for the destruction of its garden at Tamarbode. The request was denied and there was little further contact, but the most recent summit saw another attempt to call the eternal for a plenipotentiary. This time Llofir responded by demanding the Empire first perform the dangerous ritual Hallow of the Green World as a show of trust.
Unwilling to take such a risky step, the Conclave appear to have offered a compromise - declaring neutrality with Llofir. The removal of enmity represents a more cautious approach. Llofir's heralds can now move freely about the Empire, which is a potential matter for concern, but it can't wield its power freely, as it could if it were granted amity.
To the surprise of some, it seems to be a compromise the eternal is prepared to accept - to a degree. Earlier that year heralds of Llofir had suggested that the eternal would be willing to aid a war against the vallorn. The eternal is clear that it has not yet forgiven the Empire for the destruction of the garden, but it seems it is keen to fight against an enemy so inimical to everything the Rotlord stands for.
Cautious Detente
- The Conclave has declared neutrality with Llofir
- Llofir has accepted the compromise this decision represents but the eternal continues to nurse a grudge for Highguard, the League and Urizen
- Ibiss Briarheart is the current Archmage of Spring
Llofir's message is clear - it is not interested in plenipotentiary. It offered a way that the Conclave could restore trust and they chose a halfway house and that is absolutely fine. But it does not erase the crimes of the past, and if something new is going to grow out of destruction it will be on Llofir's terms.
Specifically Llofir focuses its disgruntlement on the nations it holds responsible for the destruction of its garden - the League, Highguard, and the people of Urizen. They'll receive no favours, no assistance, no wisdom, and Llofir makes no secret of its willingness to support anyone prepared to bring these nations to account. Perhaps, say the heralds, it is time to test them; to see if they are still healthy or if it is time for them to fade from history. It could all just be talk; the heralds of Llofir are not visiting these nations and there's no sign of immediate retribution taking place.
- Llofir is prepared to help the Navarr construct an army
- The Advisor on the Vallorn has been asked to gather Navarr together - and only Navarr - to speak with heralds of Llofir at TBC
- Seren Embercast is the current Advisor on the Vallorn
Following the olive branch extended by the Conclave, the Lady of Spores is prepared to aid the Navarr in their fight against the vallorn. Shortly after the Autumn Equinox, several heralds of the Spring eternal appear in Brocéliande, Hercynia and Miaren, keen to talk to the magicians and vates of the nation about this matter. They're adamant however that the Great Fungus is interested in aiding the Navarr and not the Empire in this matter.
The heralds are enthusiastic about the grand plan to unite the vallorn hearts and render the entity mortal. They are aware that only two vallorn hearts remain unconnected to the great network of trods - the one in Sarangrave (a territory now claimed by the Empire) and the one in Axos. The heralds are interested to hear how the Navarr plan to complete the "mycelial network" that will begin the war with the vallorn in earnest.
As such some heralds are planning to visit Anvil to talk to the Navarr. They will visit them in their camp, and they are interested in speaking to Spring magicians (and not just the vates) of the nation. They have asked Seren Embercast, the Advisor on the Vallorn to gather then together to talk about the vallorn and the progress of the great plan. They are not interested in talking to anyone other than Navarri however - and ask that the Navarr ensure that there are not members of other nations present.
A New Army
- Llofir offers help to the army raised in Miaren if it is dedicated to the destruction of the vallorn
The Rotlord is prepared to offer its support for the new Navarr army to help it fight the vallorn, provided the meeting with the Navarr mages goes well. To ensure that there is no misunderstanding, the heralds are happy to make the offer clear. If the negotiations are successful, then scores of Llofir's heralds will join the army, providing spores that spread rot and putrefaction, scouring the landscape, but leaving it ready for new life to emerge. If that happened, the army would gain the scouring quality allowing the general to issue the following orders.
Scouring
- Can use the Scour the Land order while attacking
- Can use the Turn the Circle order while defending
If the Navarr can convince Llofir's heralds to join the new army in Miaren it would gain the "scouring" quality granting it access to two unique orders. Scouring the land would help the army drive the vallorn back and inflict heavy casulaties on it, while Turn the Circle helps to bleed the enemy while it is attacking.
- All casualties inflicted by this army on forces of the vallorn are increased by two fifths
- The ability of this army to contest territory against the vallorn is increased by three tenths
- All casualties suffered by this army are increased by a fifth
- All casualties inflicted by this army on forces of the vallorn are increased by a tenth
- All casualties suffered by this army are increased by a tenth
- All ruins in the targeted regions are destroyed
A New Garden
| Llofir's Paludarium |
| Commission Type: Fane |
| Location: Greenfalls, Miaren |
| Cost: 10 weirwood, 10 rings of ilium and 30 crowns in labour |
| Time: 1 season |
| Special: Must be ceded to Llofir by the Senate |
Effect:
|
| Availability: Opportunity ends if not commissioned before the end of Autumn Equinox 388YE |
| Tender of Llofir's Garden |
| Type: Navarr |
| Appointment: Apothecaries Guild |
| Powers: Receives mushrooms each season |
| Responsibilities: To oversee the garden and lead the defence against any attacks on the garden |
- There has been talk of the Navarr granting Llofir a new garden to replace the one in Tamarbode that was destroyed
- Llofir's Paludarium is a commission that requires 10 wains of weirwood, 10 rings of ilium, and 30 crowns in labour costs
- The Senate would need to cede the commission to Llofir
- The entire region where the garden is built will be claimed by Llofir over the coming year
There has been suggestions that the Navarr might allow Llofir to create a new garden to replace the one that was destroyed in Tamarbode. It seems that Llofir is prepared to accept an offer of a new garden in Navarr lands. It has accepted that the Tamarbode garden is gone but there is new life, provided the location is suitable. When Llofir created the first garden, it did so as part of unleashing a great wave of magic that scoured the territory of Reikos. Plants bloomed, tearing down ruined structures, devouring graves and crypts. The scars of the Druj occupation were erased, but with them went much of the Highborn history in the territory.
Having scoured lands claimed by the Navarr, the heralds say that the location Llofir would choose is Greenfalls in Miaren. This location is safe and secure, far from the vallorn and similar destructive threats like Highguard and Urizen. Sadly it is dangerously close to Temeschwar and Tassato, but Llofir is confident that this time, its forces would be strong enough to defeat this enemy should it be attacked again. Greenfalls contains many important Navarr ruins which would inevitably be altered as a minimum, if not destroyed by Llofir's embrace, but for the servants of the Rotlord such renewal is one of the reasons why the region interests the eternal.
If the Navarr were minded to provide Llofir's with a new garden, they would need to commission Llofir's Paludarium in Greenfalls. This structure is similar to a fane, though without the usual benefits associated, and would need to be ceded to the eternal to function. Once the structure is complete and has been ceded to the Rotlord, then it will slowly spread to consume the entire region in which it is built. The entire region of Greenfalls will be converted into a rich verdant garden by the Lady of Spores, teeming with mushrooms, fungus and molds. If that happens, then the Llofir would allow the Apothecaries Guild to appoint a Navarr citizen to tend the garden and protect its borders. In return they would be invited to gather a handful of mushrooms with magical abilities each season.
Llofir's heralds are unable to provide information on what properties these mushrooms might have, saying that it would depend how the garden is grown. However that appears to be something the Navarr could affect.
Old Rope
- Llofir seeks 1000 herbs to power the transformation of Greenfalls into a verdant garden
- In return it offers material support worth 15 wains of mithril for the new army being raised in Miaren
- The type of herb provided will affect the nature of the garden Llofir creates
Even with the Paludarium, the transformation of Greenfalls will require a huge undertaking of magic by Llofir. Creating a vast garden is a hugely expensive endeavour, and while the Rotlord has the power to accomplish the deed, it would apparently leave them quiescent for many moons. That is a fate it would rather avoid, so rather than drive the transformation themselves, Llofir would prefer to utilise herbs to power the change.
Huge numbers of herbs would be required to perform the magic. Llofir's heralds believe the eternal could use up to a thousand herbs to complete the transformation of the region. The Quiet One does not ask for this aid as a gift however - instead it offers a simple trade. If the Navarr and their allies were willing to provide the necessary herbs, then in return the eternal will provide the Navarr with weapons and armour fashioned from mycelium that has grown so old and hard that it is as light and strong as mithril. Based on the samples shown, the civil service calculate that this would reduce the amount of mithril required to raise the army in Miaren by 15 wains. If less herbs were provided, then the exchange could still be made, but the eternal would provide proportionally less aid to the new army.
The Rotlord is content to allow the Navarr to choose which herb might be exchanged in this way - but it would need to be all the same type of herb. Mixing different herbs would be a catastrophe as the innate properties of the herbs would clash with each other. The heralds claim that whichever herb the Navarr chose would determine the properties of the garden Llofir created, affecting the mushrooms available to the Tender of Llofir's Garden and any future benefits the garden might offer.
Llofir's heralds will discuss the offer with the Navarr when they meet at the coming summit and provide arrangements if they wish to proceed.
End of Empire
- Llofir sees the Druj nation in decline and offers to help hasten that end
- This is risky because it might instead revitalise the Druj
- It proposes that Hallow of the Green World be performed in Therunin while it remains under Druj control
There's one other matter that is of interest to Llofir. That of the Druj. The eternal seems to believe that the "Empire of the Druj" is in decline, that Imperial aggression has weakened it so much that it may be on the brink of collapse. It proposes to test if this is the case.
If the Empire are prepared to evoke Hallow of the Green World in Therunin, then that enchantment will settle over the Druj Empire (such as it is) rather than the Imperial Empire - due to the magical Law of Boundaries. The effects will be concentrated in Therunin itself, in the Forest of Ulnak, and in the Salt Flats of Sanath. The ritual will provide some succour to the Druj of course - it helps to promote the growth of healing herbs in herb gardens - but that may be of little comfort to the orcs of the Mallum. It will also allow Llofir to focus his power freely on the Druj, to fulfil its identity as the "Ender of Empires." With the tools at it's disposal it will act to hasten the collapse of the Druj, bringing sickness and ruin. The eternal cannot predict exactly what form this will take, but it will be impactful.
The ritual will also free the other Spring eternals to act directly in the Druj Empire. Yaw'nagrah and Arhallogen already have a fair amount of freedom to operate there, and are broadly inclined to support the Druj. On the other hand it seems the Prince with a Thousand Foes is chomping at the bit to be able to act freely in the Mallum against the Druj. And while Siakha shows no favour where the Druj are concerned, she revels in any chance to destroy. For that matter, there are other Spring eternals with no interest in the Empire who might be goaded to intervene in the Druj empire if the doors were opened for them to do so.
Obviously, invoking this ritual is no simple matter - but the magnitude required to affect the Druj right now is significantly lower than that required to effect the entire Empire. It could be cast at magnitude 100 at the coming Winter Solstice, if it were targeted against the Druj territories. It would still be tricky - and risky - because it would require a strong Spring regio in a Druj held territory, so it would be impossible to cast from Anvil. Anyone prepared to make the attempt would need to find an opportunity to use the Sentinel Gate to a suitable location in the Druj empire containing a Spring regio.
Another piece of good news is that there would be no legal obstacles involved. The Interdiction that was raised two years ago by Imperial Censor Cassandra i Periera i Erigo is very specific. It is the practice of weaving an enchantment across the entire Empire that is forbidden. Using the ritual to affect the Druj empire is entirely legal.
Llofir's heralds try to be plain that the eternal has no particular enmity against the Druj - it is simply that it believes they are on the cusp of falling into ruin. If they are too sickly to survive, Llofir would see them perish, and new life rise from their remains. "They will either fall, or rise," says one philosophical little herald. "We will either hasten their inevitable end, or they will be rejuvenated. Either outcome is acceptable."
Waves of Ruin (Conjunction)
- There is a pair of conjoined conjunctions to Eastring in Therunin at TBD
- The Druj are attempting to use Spring magic to rile up the vallorn even further
- If they can be stopped and driven off from the ritual site, then ritualists could travel to the area to perform Hallow the Green World on the remaining Mallum territories
- This conjunction takes place within the vallorn miasma
There is a pair of strange conjoined conjunctions to Eastring in Therunin late on Saturday at the next summit. The first is a large conjunction for 60 people, the second conjunction is to the same location but smaller, and occurs just ten minutes after the first one. Conjoined conjunctions are rare, but not completely unknown - and this one would be ideal for Llofir's plan.
Even if the Empire is not minded to take up Llofir's offer, the conjunction is still crucial. The Druj have moved a group of ghulai to the area, looking to repeat the ritual they used a year ago to rile the vallorn. If they are not stopped then the current risks in Therunin will grow significantly worse. The expansionist threat of the vallorn will continue, and will last for another year, potentially seeing the whole of Therunin swallowed up. The Druj are clearly desperate to do something that might draw the Empire's attention away from their homelands.
The area is, inevitably, within the vallorn miasma which presents its own difficulties. At least the miasma does not play favourites; the Druj will be as effected by it as Imperial forces. It might be prudent, however, to make preparations for dealing with the effects even if only arranging a way to remove venom from those who return from the conjunctions.
Stopping the ritual is a victory in itself but if the Druj are stopped and the area is secured, then a ritual team of up to twenty five people could use the second conjunction to join the heroes in Therunin. They could use the regio to perform Hallow the Green World - they may even be able to take advantage of any resources or items the Druj are carrying to help them perform their own magic. With their ritual team defeated, the Druj would be in no position to counter any such ritual.
If the enchantment is cast, it will wash out of Therunin and take hold across the Mallum. Heralds of the Spring realm, and the eternals themselves, will be freed to exert influence over the Salt Flats of Sanath and the Forest of Ulnak. It is impossible to say what the impact that might have - beyond saying there will definitely be one.
It is easier to assess the effect on Therunin itself. Llofir's heralds will spread the power of ruin across the territory, weakening and sapping strength from the vallorn. It's ability to claim another region will be significantly reduced - falling by 5,000 from its current total. Imperial armies fighting in the territory will find it easier to hold the vallorn back during the season, but will still suffer the effect of fighting an active vallorn. Assuming the Druj ritual is stopped, by the start of the Spring Equinox the vallorn will settle back into relative quiescence - active but not expanding. It will keep any land it has already expanded into of course but the threat of any further expansion will be gone for the time being.
At the same time, Llofir will "rejuvenate" the marshy territory. Given what happened in Reikos when the eternal did the same, it will mean that any ruins in the regions the Navarr once occupied will be swept away. New life will rise from the destruction with supernatural speed - seeing Peakedge Song and Upper Tarn Valley gain the forested quality. The Lower Tarn Valley will lose the poisoned quality, but in the process gain the Mycelial quality as all kinds of fungus and mushrooms - most natural but some infused with Spring magic - sprout across it. The scars of war with the Druj will be erased, but in the process any damaged or ruined structures or settlements will be consumed by Llofir's power.
If you plan to take the boon Llofir is offering, you will need a suitable phys-rep for the resultant whisperspore. A pouch containing an amount of pale powder such as sherbet or flour makes an adequate phys-rep for whisperspore. The whisperspore itself is provided in the form of a typical rip-on-use card. The only way to find out exactly what it does is to use it (by inhaling it).
Rot and the Magic
- Whisperspore is still available to Imperial magicians who seek it through Madyn's Gift
- The strange material can be used to involve the eternal in the casting of certain rituals during the Winter Solstice
Despite, or perhaps because of, the change in status, the Rotlord has continued to offer Whisperspore to any Imperial magicians prepared to pay its price. During the Winter Solstice, any Imperial magician can perform the Spring ritual Madyn's Gift but include up to five measures of beggar's lye alongside the realmsroot. For each pair of realmsroot and beggar's lye, the casters will receive a dose of whisperspore. Any leftover realmsroot or beggar's lye will be returned untouched.
This substance is valuable in it's own right, but during the Solstice the substance can also be used to capture the attention of Llofir. Obviously, both the creation of whisperspore and its use to gain boons from Llofir is only legal while the eternal has neutrality; if the Conclave restores enmity than accepting any of these boons would be a crime.
Skin of the Mushroom
- Skin of Bark, Blood of Amber will provide additional endurance if cast with a dose of whisperspore
- The target becomes subject to VENOM, and their body will swiftly fall apart if they die
- This will prevent them rising as a husk or vallornspawn husk
Skin of Bark, Blood of Amber is a potent enchantment of Spring magic that brings vitality. Yet Llofir and its servants often speak of the way new life rises from death. If at least one dose of whisperspore is used in the performance of the ritual during the Winter Solstice, the ritual will provide an additional rank of Endurance to the target, but they will also become subject to VENOM. If the VENOM is removed, the enchantment immediately ends. If the subject dies while the enchantment is in place, their body will swiftly break down in the same way as if someone had cast Turns the Circle on it. This means that subjects will not rise as vallornspawn husks or otherwise leave bodies to be possessed or claimed.
The ritual can be cast on multiple targets as normal, but in this case it requires a dose of whisperspore for each target. Otherwise everyone involved will simply gain the usual effects of Skin of Bark, Blood of Amber. If the enchantment is placed on a single target, it can be made permanent with ilium in the usual way. If this happens, the heightened effects - for good or ill - are permanently infused into the target.
Like Yaw'nagrah, Llofir's demesne in the Spring realm overflows with the magical substances known as donahorti. They take the form of fungus, spores, rots and rusts of all kinds. Common effects include boons for magicians casting Spring rituals (especially those associated with the resonance of ruin); endurance or healing at a price (often represented by venom or weakness; or gifts of strange insight, exhilaration, or awareness similar to those experienced by consuming some mundane fungi (albeit much more pronounced and powerful). Ideal phys-reps for such substances might be actual pieces of mushroom or toadstool, or small bags of powder representing spores.
Blessing of Old Winter
- Blessing of New Spring has additional effects if cast with whisperspore
- A farm will provide 6 fewer crowns for one year but four doses of magical mushrooms of various kinds
- The effect lasts for a full year
- A farm enchanted with Llofir's power cannot be targeted with Strong Ox, Golden Sun or Gathering the Harvest
Blessing of New Spring is a very old ritual widely used across the Empire to enchant farms to make them fertile and productive. It is especially powerful when used in conjunction with Strong Ox, Golden Sun and Gathering the Harvest, rituals that build on the effects of this magic to increase a farm's yield even further.
Llofir offers an alternative for those who are eager to embrace the gifts that the Great Fungus offers. If a dose of whisperspore is used while performing the ritual - then a new enchantment will settle over the farm - something his heralds call "The Blessing of the Rotlord". This new enchantment will last for one year, unless the ritual is replaced in that time. During that time, the farm will produce a small crop of magical mushrooms, in place of the normal crops that would grow. While that happens, the farm will produce six crowns less but gain four magical mushrooms in their place.
A ritual group could invoke the Blessing of the Rotlord on multiple farms at once, but it would require one dose of whisperspore for each farm that is targeted by the ritual, otherwise the normal Blessing of New Spring will settle over all the farms instead. A farm enchanted with Blessing of the Rotlord cannot benefit from Strong Ox, Golden Sun or Gathering the Harvest.
Regrow the Land's Heart
- Regrow the Land's Heart can be infused with Llofir's power if the entire cost is paid with whisperspore and vital honey, and no crystal mana is included
- The territory will experience a burst of renewal focused around transforming places of ruin and rot into fertile land
- Farms and herb gardens in the territory will produce less money or fewer herbs, but provide additional magical mushrooms
The Great Fungus perceives death and decay as a route to new life. Sometimes its blessings are terrible, bringing disease and infection. Sometimes, however, its blessing promotes the blooming of new life from mulch and putrefaction. The final boon it offers Imperial magicians is an offer to weave this growth into any casting of Regrow the Land's Heart that targets an Imperial territory. To claim this boon, the ritual must be cast with both whisperspore and vital honey, and no crystal mana must be used (although mana from other sources such as Suffusion of Blood is fine), and the performance must include an evocation of Llofir by at least three of its names.
If this is done Llofir will pour its own power into the enchantment. It will still have its normal effect - indeed it will be even more effective. Areas scarred by war or natural disaster, will quickly become overgrown with new plants and mushrooms. Regions with the ruined quality will not lose it, but the areas of ruin will swiftly be transformed into gardens or even woodlands. Every farm in the territory will provide 3 crowns fewer in income in the period leading up to the Spring Equinox, and every herb garden will produce six fewer true vervain. Instead they will provide three doses of magical mushrooms from the demesne of Llofir.
The exception is a territory that is part of the League, Highguard, or Urizen. The heralds of Llofir will not prevent the boon being used to cast Regrow the Land's Heart on those nations, but they warn that doing so will invite the eternal to take a measure of vengeance against the enchanted territory. No boons will be provided; what exactly will happen is unpredictable but the Unfettered Mind and Celestial Arch theorise that the eternal's influence will cause the ritual to deploy its effects in the most unhelpful fashion. Yet there is also a possibility here to drain away some of the enmity Llofir feels towards those nations - targeting a territory from one of those nations, especially if the ritual is performed by magicians of that nation, will satisfy the eternal's anger and repair the relationship with the Rot Lord.
Further Reading
- Llofir
- Has reared himself a throne - Autumn 387YE plenipotentiary wind of fortune
- Destroying angels - Summer 383YE wind of war