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RE: Mundus Deus (maybe nsfw, depending on you)
06-08-2017, 08:50 PM
Ned looks like they could use a bit of normalcy in this world.
Cracks knuckles
Let's start with a nice simple plant. Not a vague "Tree" or "Bush" but a specific plant.
The Inkfruit Tree
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The tree itself is a hardy plant, with thick bark and roots going deep beneath soil.
It's fruit however is far more fascinating, being highly nutritious; with different trees never having the exact same color of fruit. The exact nutrition value and color depend on where the tree has taken root, but almost always is safe to eat. The juice of the fruit has interesting properties as well, naturally being suitable for drawing, painting, and writing. However, those are only its most mundane functions.
If, instead, you were to drink the juice, it would have an unusual side effect. What exactly the side effect will be is harder to place, but generally the more hospitable the environment the safer and more mundane the effect. Likewise, a tree located somewhere entirely unfit for life would be incredibly dangerous, but the benefits may be worth it.
But perhaps the greatest contribution to the world is that when the juice is poured on plants, it creates a new strain of plant with properties related to the juice.
But you ask, "What about using them when making magic scrolls?" Mind, nobody can actually use magic scrolls yet, much less know what to do with them or how to make them, but they do work. They won't do anything special to the scroll though.
The trees rarely flower, but the pollen is hardy enough to last for years, letting the breeze carry it between trees.
Now a tree like that is nice, but it could use a predator. Hm.
Woodbores
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Woodbores are fluffy, yet stupid critters that subsist off eating bark.
They aren't terribly bright, and lack a sense of self preservation in regards to anything but the most blatant threats.
Generally harmless in small numbers, large groups of Woodbore can be devastating to orchards, eating all the bark and leaving the trees unprotected from the environment.
Mind, keeping them out is as simple as building a rock fence, but it could happen.
The smartest thing the Woodbore has been known to do is leave its young near a tree with plenty of bark, before wandering off and forgetting it ever had young in the first place.
Appearance wise, they resemble clawless moles with many small hardened tendrils around the mouth suitable for picking away at bark for eating.
But the trees don't really have anything to protect them. Hm...
Stumpkin
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Resembling stumps and small logs with short limbs; the Stumpkin live in forests and naturally gather around Inkfruit trees to build their homes from fallen twigs, leaves, and other debris laying around the forest.
They aren't very dangerous on their own, but know how to make loud rattles to shoo away Woodbores and intimidate possible threats.
Their close ties to the forest lend them a smattering of nature magic, that grows stronger with age.
They are sentient, but are particularly focused on managing the forest.
One more to round it off.
???
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???* resemble Ned**, but smaller, coming up to Ned's kneecaps when full grown.
Unlike Ned, these critters have both a need for food and water and the ability to actually eat/drink using a mouth below their eye.
They can communicate vocally, and have an innate ability to understand and communicate with Ned.
They have a small spark of life magic, just enough to patch up small wounds without training, and nurture both vegetation and young.
Their natural color is similar to Ned, but with hints of other colors varying from member to member.
As a small mercy to get them started, they will have a special Inkfruit shrub planted in easy access near Ned where they start.
*Currently called ??? until they decide on a name for themselves.
** Until Ned decides on a new name, will continue referring to them as Ned.
Hoo. That's a lot of stuff. Hopefully poor Ned doesn't freak out too much.
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Admittedly, thats a lot of stuff to put in. So feel free to take your time and add them bit by bit. This adventure is pretty great, and it's very interesting to see how the different parts interact.
Quiet. Good for an unusual opinion. Doesn't talk much.