The sounds had given the Lair warning, but it was difficult to prepare for the invasion of a foreign mind. A tiny, glowing, teal ball of energy began to form in the heart of the Lair’s crystal. As the ball grew in solidity, it began to slowly orbit the center of the crystal, where the spark of the Lair’s mind resided. Ahhhh, this represents my familiar. It’s greenish, I wonder what type of creature it will be?

Breaking into the clearing directly opposite from the cave ambled a bizarre-looking tree. Large, bulbous, and covered in thick sharp looking spikes, the trunk served as a sort of abdomen. Clumps of roots twisted into legs without feet that took long, writhing, and heavy steps. A canopy of bright green leaves rustled with the movement of the walking tree.

It wasn’t until the creature stopped a few feet from the Lair that they could make out what looked like a face hidden within the thorns and limbs. The Lair waited patiently observing the newcomer, and then snapped a pair of mental fingers. Focusing on the glowing ball of energy circling their mind, they found the data representing this formidable familiar.

Biographical Information:

Name: Grumblebark

Level: 4

Experience: 13,842

Race: Meliae (Sentient Flora) – Ceiba Speciosa

Class: Unavailable – Requirements not met

Alignment: Stoic (+3 to Orderly)

Languages: Dryadic, Elvish, Fae Common, Common

Stats:

Health: 85/85

Mana: 19/19

Armor: 18

Strength: 25

Dexterity: 6

Constitution: 19

Intelligence: 7

Spirit: 11

Charisma: 6

Luck: 14

Resistances:

50% Physical Resistance

50% Nature Resistance

-50% Fire Resistance

Aspects:

Sturdy

Surly

Skills:

Martial Combat, 12 Natural

Sub-skill: Brawling, 5 Significant

Philosophy, 17 Natural

Sub-skill: Ethics, 13, Natural

Sub-skill: Aesthetics, 6 Significant

Astronomy, 9 Average

Forestry, 31 Natural

Sub-skill: Horticulture, 8 Natural

Herbalism, 10 Natural

Lore, 36 General

Sub-skill: Woods & Forests, 22 Natural

Sub-skill: Rainforests & Jungles, 34 Natural

Sub-skill: Fae, 9 Significant

Abilities:

Root (2): Twice per day can implant themself into soil. While rooted the meliae triples natural health and mana regeneration rates, gains +2 to all non-movement based actions, and can make themself indistinguishable from a regular tree.

Flail (3): Can use adult limbs in an attacking maelstrom 3 times per day. Each limb does 1d8+3 piercing & bludgeoning damage. Meliae typically have one adult branch per level.

Traits:

Verdant Defenses: Melee attackers have a 25% chance to take 1d6 piercing damage in response when landing a hit on the meliae. Base attack is 1d8 piercing and bludgeoning damage.

Creature of the Woods: +1 to all actions in natural environments that are predominately forested.

Large Creature: -25% to Dexterity, -50% Intelligence, +50% to Constitution, +25% to HP, +25% to Strength.

A rough, grating noise carried from the meliae down to the crystal, laboriously slow. “A rude newborn dungeon… wanted to host a dryad… Have you learned to speak?”

The Lair’s mouth would have been hanging wide open at this greeting from their familiar. Focusing on the meliae the Lair sent their response to the audible words as a mental burst of information, trying to move past the abrupt negative first impression.

“I can speak common and understand you just fine. My apologies for being rude. I am the Lurking Lair, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

The roots at the base of the meliae began worming their way into the topsoil, stabilizing the swaying tree. “You should know… my name… looked at my status… before speaking.”

Huh. So it was rude to go looking at Grumblebark’s status page before introducing myself, more importantly he can tell when I do. Makes sense. “You’re right Grumblebark, I’m sorry about that. I am new here, I didn’t know any better.”

Settling in the place, now mostly rooted, the meliae stood rigid, shading the entrance to the cave with its bountiful umbrella. No reply was forthcoming. So, not much of a talker. I shouldn’t expect too much. He is a warrior type, I hope I don’t regret not summoning a mage or rogue type. I bet they bring lots of wit to the conversation.

“So, Grumblebark, I have a bit of a different plan to get going than most dungeons. You may find it exciting. Let me run you through it and you tell me if you have any questions or suggestions along the way.”

As expected, the meliae simply blinked its eyes a few times and then waved its lowest branch in a ponderous motion to continue.

“I am planning on going to the monsters and adventurers, not waiting for them to come to me. I summoned you, a warrior type familiar, so that you could provide the foundation. I hadn’t expected you to be a meliae, but it will work out, I think. We just won’t be able to travel all that fast. Mind picking me up and putting me somewhere safe? You seem to be rather well protected.”

A loud creaking groan emanated from the meliae’s crevasse-like mouth. “Lair wants to move… everyday?” There was a distinct emotion of displeasure emanating from the glowing sphere orbiting the Lair’s mind.

Hmmmm, time to sell it. If I had a higher Charisma score, this would probably go easier. What on Elysium would interest a walking, talking tree? The Lair looked over their status sheet and then back over Grumblebark’s, searching for an answer. There had to be something that the Lair could use as a carrot before turning to the whip of compulsion. There was no reason to sour the relationship from the start.

The Lair’s core brightened and pulsed as they got an idea. “Grumblebark, I couldn’t help but notice that you have some rather eclectic skills. Philosophy and Astronomy are probably fields of study that you don’t find all that often in the forest. As a dungeon, I will be gaining a lot of skills. I have an ability that will let me teach them to you. Since you are going to be my familiar it would benefit me as well if you are more able.”

It might have been a strong gust, or the tree could be swaying with thought, the Lair couldn’t be too sure. They waited… and waited… and waited. Finally, after what felt like eons, but was in reality probably only a few minutes, Grumblebark creaked out a reply.

“For a baby… you have peculiar... ideas if I do not… tire of you… I accept.”

Thick thorn covered branches reached down and entangled around the crystal, the Lair was thankful they had kept the tactile sense turned off. The crystal was deposited in the crux of two branches in the middle of canopy, fully obscured from view. Several small branches and leaves sprouted and wrapped themselves around the crystal, covering it entirely and securing it in place.

“Where… are we going?” The meliae began to pull its roots up, the trunk raising into the air and the leaves shaking.

The Lair pulsed again, washing the smaller orbiting sphere with approving light. This time, the Lair received a small return pulse with an emotion akin to satisfaction. The Lair quirked a mental eyebrow at the response. This will take some getting used to. Grumblebark agreed to it pretty quick though, so that’s a good sign. I think I’m starting to get a read on the biggun.

“Well, if you happen to know any areas teeming with level 0 – 3 creatures that need to be cleared out that would be nice. I am open to suggestions. If not, head towards the coast, preferably some tide pools and tell me what you know about the area that we are in. I haven’t got a clue.”

The lair checked their influence briefly, noting that they couldn’t sense the back of the cave any longer now that they were in the air. It would be a bit tricky getting used to their area of influence physically moving, but with the input currently limited, the Lair figured they stood a good chance of being able to adapt.

Grumblebark’s reply came a bit quicker this time, whether because the tree was motivated or because moving around made its sap flow with more haste. “I cannot say that I…. know of any places like… that but I can take… you to the coast.”

Following the last set of words, what the Lair was now mentally referring to as ‘Grumble speak,’ the first of many large lumbering steps began to carry the Lair and their newly-acquired companion to the shore. Terrified animals broke from cover and fled in the wake of their cacophonous approach.

“...I was telling my… best mossy tree joke… I had been telling… it to the grove… for the last… few years or so.” Grumblebark had been regaling the Lair with relatively mundane tales of their life as a sentient tree. Suffice it to say that there were plenty of reasons that the familiar was only level 4 while counting its age in decades.

“Ahhh, well that explains why you were so grumpy to be summoned. I wouldn’t have wanted to be interrupted right before the punchline of my joke either.” The Lair had been paying attention, but there had been a lot of new information streaming to them while they made their way through the forest, and Grumblebark was not the most captivating speaker. Perhaps some specific coaching is in order.

“So, I think I have a good idea about where you come from in the forest. How about you tell me how big it is, what types of creatures are in it, and where the closest cities are?” While the walking tree moved through the forest and they talked, the Lair had been practicing opening up their senses. They had been able to catch glimpses of some of the wildlife. Mainly tropical multi-colored birds, dangerous looking snakes, and every sort of creepy crawler imaginable.

It wasn’t like the animals lit up with a fairy glow of red for enemies and green for friendlies. The Lair had learned that the best way to track the various animals was actually through feel. Once they had toggled their sense of touch back on, many more critters skittered across their perception. Birds and flying insets felt like brushes of wind across a forearm. Insects walking along leaves or the forest floor tickled at first, but after a few adjustments it they felt more like pressing a pen tip to a fingernail.

One of the strangest and most amazing revelations was the plants. The Lair could feel them moving, imperceptibly slow. Of course, the Lair knew that plants moved on Earth due to photo taxis, or following the sun. However, this was the first time they had been able to feel something so minuscule. The Lair had been seeing and hearing with beyond-human ability for the better part of the morning, but this truly blew them away. Huh, I wonder what sort of secrets I can discover through super sensing. Okay Lair, don’t get distracted. I am pretty sure that Grumblebark can tell, he hasn’t even tried to answer yet.

“So, Grumble, can you tell me a bit about the area outside of your grove?”

Wheezing and whistling, an odd snorting sound erupted from below the crystal. “I can tell you… a lot about this area… but I doubt… much would be… of use to… you.”

The meliae rounded a vine curtained bend and outstretched before them was a glistening aquamarine ocean. A white sand beach curved beyond sight in each direction. Palms rocked in a strong breeze. Persistent caws from seagulls rode the gusts seeking out tidal tidbits. The Lair was left dumbstruck as they looked upon the island paradise that was now their home, at least what they could perceive of it.

“I will take your word on it for now, but I want you to think about it for the rest of the day. Go ahead and root us here on at the edge of the sand. My influence extends out into the water for a decent ways, it’s a pretty shallow beach. Perfect place to go fishing.”