You advance down the path to the left, since a mushroom never killed anybody, right?

You spot some megaliths; royal tomb markers. This is good, it means you're nearing the heart of the wood. Something seems to be moving about in the distance, but it's too far away to make out through the heavily spore-laden air. It's standing right where you need to go, though. Hopefully it's friendly and you can just slip past. You continue along the path between the stones--

Oh. Oh damn.

You happen upon what must be the only kind of mushroom that ever killed anybody (right?), a shrumbloid. These sluggish, genderless, fungal fun guys are usually docile unless they are very hungry or propagating their young. Unfortunately, this caretaker seems to fall into both of those categories, and since you don't carry food on missions for... reasons, you have nothing to offer it as appeasement. Diplomacy is out, too, since their language is entirely unspoken; they communicate via a special spore-like emission. Why do you know all this? You just really like mushrooms. Naturally.

Avoiding conflict isn't an option. If you tried to dodge around it and run it would just chase you. Slowly. While spreading alarm dust to rouse any comrades it passes within 20 meters of along the way. Yup.

[ TUTORIAL: Battle & Magick ]

BATTLE: A battle has commenced! During this time, your options will be centered around combat. Occasionally there will be an option to Flee, as well, but often that would be ineffective and so is not present. Feira's shields will be drawn from her Space Storage so that she can use them to ATTACK, DEFEND, or CAPTURE. The first two options have obvious functions, but CAPTURE is different: a capture attempt allows Feira to use either her limbs or the forks in her shields to grapple, pin, climb on, or otherwise incapacitate an enemy. If the attempt is successful, she will capture the enemy the only way she knows how: by devouring it. Digesting enemies confers benefits, but can make Feira sluggish for a time. Use your judgment to determine whether you should CAPTURE or ATTACK to perform a FINISHING BLOW! ITEMs may also be used if Feira has any that would be useful. Currently, she does not.

Feira has 3 life, a measure of her remaining ability to remain alive. If her life hits zero due to injuries sustained from enemy attacks, environmental hazards, or, oh I dunno, being digested? She dies. This is not the end of the game, however, and progress will not be lost! But it is in Feira's best interest not to suffer death if she can help it.

MAGICK: Most magicks cost mana to cast. Space Storage is a special exception, as it confers automatic, constant access to a small pocket dimension in which smallish objects can be stored to keep Feira from becoming encumbered. Magick Eye, however, costs 1 mana--which is all Feira has at the moment! Its effect is useful, however, as it reveals an enemy's life force, strengths, and weaknesses. Use it wisely.

OPTIONS
< ATTACK >
< DEFEND >
< MAGICK: Magick Eye - 1 cost >
< CAPTURE >
< Try kicking it with those steel-toed boots! >
< Slap the spores out of its shroomy hand >
< Slap the watering can out of its other shroomy hand >

To choose, vote here--you have to be a patron, but it's only $3 a month to vote on every single page! It's a good deal!!: https://www.patreon.com/posts/24342621

Just a note: I've decided that I will publicly post the first several pages of this series in lowered resolution, so everyone can get a feel for it! Later on that public post frequency will be reduced, however, so do please sub to my Patreon to keep this going so you can see it all!