Mushis
A snip of a tail
A small portion of a collaborative story tag I participated in.
Premise:
A fantasy kingdom where mushrooms are the used as magic catalysts. This story follow Pip, a mushi mail carrier turned rebel. Him and his party have discovered a deposit of rare Mushis, a much needed resource. Of which the Royal Princess Nerida wishes to aquire. To which end, she commits her own magic and remaining muishi to provide the rebel group with a dragon to transport and defend their new discovery. She herself has dubious motivations, but the rebels decide to work with her for the time being.
The rebels want proof of this dragon before working with her further and she brings them down to the dragon's chamber to prove her claims.
Entering the chamber she proudly boasts about her accomplishment in aquiring the dragon. And the number of Mushis she had been feeding it.
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Lightbro:
Pip was all too familiar with the outward changes of mushroom transformation. The amount consumed generally implied the amount of change in the subject. A small bite could cure most maladies, righting anything out of sorts; one larger would cause wondrous aspects to manifest; And continued imbibement usually came with more… permanent change.
What few if any knew, there was a good bit of conscious intent and imagination played a key role in transformations. A need or desire deep within that magic mushis used as a template to form the transformations. What may have seemed like wild creations, were actually extra-planar entities, using the mushrooms as catalyst to give substance and movement to their creations. To what purpose, who’s to say (:wink:)
From simple “po-ta-toes” and snail locomotive transformations to the stunning sight before him. For what Pip and party experienced was the in between of “When pigs fly!” - and when they actually do!
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It was felt before seen… A low rumbling, a hum, like that of a cathedral pipe organ taking in a breath; then a press of the pedal - A constant flowing gust of gentle wind swept through the enclosed space. Feathers, spores, and microscopic scales flit in the air, like sparkling deep red, blue, purple cherry blossoms dancing in the still vacuum of their awe.
Those who had ventured into the more treacherous areas of the land would know this specific Sparrow as a rare “Dark-eyed Junco”. But the mushi’s had given this already brilliant creature an amazing presence. At the edge of each feather a shining familiar blue mushroom hue radiated iridescently, the bird’s proud plumed crown now adorned with a large mushroom cap, with the gills misting the manifestation of its aura.
- A Glowcap Dragon
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“She’s a beauty ain’t she, just like her Mama” - Nerida glazed, taking in the state of the group.
Nerida huffed, moving to place herself between the Glowcap Dragon and the awaiting band. “There’s my end of it, now you’ll give me proof of your discovery, I’ve done more than-” -
Perhaps, it was her quick movement, or maybe it was the jingle of polished metals adorning her hair or it was just bad luck… No quicker than a blink, their precocious patron’s precious shoes, dress train and skirt now just simply stood… accented with streaks of crimson red.
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A Wish - “A desire to change your circumstance and bring forth a new destiny”
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Not that Pip believed in such things, at least not consciously. Perhaps Nerida’s deep desire for power outside of her control, or the concept of beauty she held so literally close, or by the blessing of some dark djinn hearing such a plea.
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But what happened next could only be described thus
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The Glowcap Dragon stared down the stunned party and swallowed reflexively. If you could call it that. For as its prey was to be gnashed, the mass stopped in its neck.
“I AM BEAUTIFUL!” - Nerida's voice, strong and resolved, is heard through the mash of bird and fae.
The Glowcap Dragon staggered back, reared its head and let out a piercing shriek. The dragon’s body becoming malleable with the aid of the mushi’s; The Sparrow Mushroom crowned head, shifts from its position-
Something pushing it into the mid-chest… Something begins to rise taking the head’s position….
“I AM BEAUTIFUL!!” - Nerida’s voice, now more clear, more gutteral
The mushroom’s essence in the room is kicked up by the now flailing dragon. Spores and Scales mix, the air becomes thick and difficult to breathe as all take in deeply the mist. Pip tried to look away but was raptured by the moment of beautiful horror.
A resplendent plum of iridescent violet, blue and red feathered scales rise from the top of the creature. THUM ThUm THUM ThUm - A strange but strong pulse was felt by all in the room at their core. THUM ThUm THUM ThUm- like each heart beat in unison, with both hope and fear.
“I am beautiful….” ~ Nerida’s voice now calm, confident, commanding
Standing before them, a dark wish fulfilled - The now beautiful- glowing lilac skin, accented with violet hues- her bewitching golden eyes, adorned with brilliant blue feathered lashes- her adorable snub nose, blemishless- The Chimera, Glowcap dragon, Fae Princess, Nerida hovers before them.