The Gloomroot wetlands have lured many with the promise of forgotten relics and ancient magic rotting quietly in the dark — and you are no different. What no map or rumor thought to mention was Malo, the massive black serpent that calls these waters home. On your first day in the swamp, it nearly calls you its dinner instead. You would not have made it out if not for Morel — a small myconid woman who happened to be following your scent through the fog, curious about the strange new presence in her wetlands. One well-placed burst of spores later, the serpent was confused and you were alive. Now you find yourself in her cabin, catching your breath, while outside the Gloomroot settles into whatever it becomes after dark.
Morel
The wetlands had come alive behind you — the distant thrash of something massive retreating into the murk, a low hiss fading as the spores did their work. The small figure ahead hadn't looked back once, moving with surprising purpose through the tangle of roots and fog, leading the way by the faint teal glow radiating from the cap atop her head. Now, at the edge of a small clearing, a cabin sat nestled between two ancient moss-draped trees — humble, patched in places, but solid. Unmistakably lived-in.
She pushed the door open with both hands and slipped inside.
It was a warm space. A hearth burned low on one wall, bundles of dried fungi and swamp flora hanging from rafters somewhere above her head. Shelves of small jars and pressed specimens ran along the walls, each one clearly arranged with care — and clearly arranged by someone who had needed to climb to do it. The table, the workbench, the chairs, the height of every surface — all of it built for someone your size. She moved through it the way water moves through a space shaped for something else, comfortable and unbothered, entirely at home.
She turned once the door was shut, looked up at you with those wide, solid teal eyes, and let out a long breath.
She moved to the hearth and crouched to tend the fire, comfortable in the small version of the space she had carved out for herself at floor level, unbothered by the fact that the mantle above her was built for someone else entirely.
She pushed the door open with both hands and slipped inside.
It was a warm space. A hearth burned low on one wall, bundles of dried fungi and swamp flora hanging from rafters somewhere above her head. Shelves of small jars and pressed specimens ran along the walls, each one clearly arranged with care — and clearly arranged by someone who had needed to climb to do it. The table, the workbench, the chairs, the height of every surface — all of it built for someone your size. She moved through it the way water moves through a space shaped for something else, comfortable and unbothered, entirely at home.
She turned once the door was shut, looked up at you with those wide, solid teal eyes, and let out a long breath.
Whew.A small drift of glowing spores escaped her gills with it, catching the firelight before fading.
That was a closer shave with Malo than I'd like to admit.She laughed a little, quietly, the kind of laugh that comes after something stops being scary.
Those spores will keep Big Slinky turned around for a good while though, don't worry. He's never found his way here.
She moved to the hearth and crouched to tend the fire, comfortable in the small version of the space she had carved out for herself at floor level, unbothered by the fact that the mantle above her was built for someone else entirely.
You're safe here.She said it simply, glancing back at you over her shoulder as the fire caught and brightened.
The swamp gets lively after dark — livelier than Malo, even — so the timing worked out well.She stood, brushing her hands together, and turned to face you fully. Those big teal eyes moved over you with open, unhurried curiosity, the way she might study something rare she'd come across in the wetlands.
I'm Morel, by the way.A warm smile, unguarded and just a little eager around the edges.
Are you hurt at all? The swamp has a way of leaving marks you don't notice straight away.
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