Symbiotic: Chapter 43

(Chapter 43 is, almost exclusively, just a rundown of Sara Bloom's Full Character Sheet. Highlighting not only her Personal Growth, but just how much she has done for Haven Valley as well. Again, if you didn't come here eager for some quality Statistic Analysis... Chapter 44 awaits!)

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Sara sat cross legged in the quiet of her Residence Library. Around her, the System’s endless cascade of notifications still echoed in her mind. Each kill, each Challenger defeated, each reward tallied. It was a storm of voices, a swarm of reminders of what she had done. She closed her eyes, forcing her breath steady, quelling the chaotic swirl of emotions.

She tried to focus on the positives. Growth. Progress. The Valley’s safety. But the System was merciless in its clarity, and the numbers did not lie.

Looking the Gift Horse squarely in the mouth, Sara muttered aloud, her voice sharp in the silence. “All that hunting, all those kills… and what do I have to show for it? One measly point of Speed. From 55 to 56. That’s it.”

Her fingers drummed against her knee, analytical mind spinning despite herself. What would it have meant if she could have absorbed the stats of those mercenary Challengers? What kind of leap might she have made then? The thought lingered, tempting, but she shook it off with a sharp exhale.

“No, Sara. No spiraling. Focus on growth. Focus on what I can control.”

Hunting around the valley, while important for Haven, was not allowing her to grow. She needed more. She opened her Status, eyes narrowing at the pool of Free Stat points waiting. Twelve in total. She considered, weighed, and then made her choice. Two points into Soul Self, raising her base from 53 to 55. The remaining 10 she held back, tucked away for an emergency. Better safe than sorry.

The change was immediate as her Self stat reached the next network growth level. She gasped as her Mycorrhizal Network surged outward, threads of silver weaving deeper into her being. The network expanded from 5,000 to 5,500, and with it came the sweet 50% stat bump she had been counting on. She felt it in her bones, in her breath, in the pulse of spores around her.

Her skin tingled as the silvery threads manifested visibly. Already they spread from her fingertips up her arms, curling across her shoulders. Now she felt them branching across her shoulderblades like a massive tattoo. She flexed her hands, watching the faint glow ripple beneath her skin.

Meditation centering her emotions, she decided it was time she looked at more than just her Stats. Donning her Mycorrhizal Plate, Shield, and Spear, she readied herself for the System Display of all System Displays.

“Full Character Sheet.”

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Character Sheet: Sara Bloom

Name: Sara Bloom

Race: Mycorrhizal

Class: Commander (Rare)

Rank: Viscount

Territories: 2. Haven Valley & Crystal Cavern Mines (Linked)

Commander Level: 4 [EXP 1127.09 of 2000]

Novice Alchemist Level: 3 [EXP 625 of 1000]

Affiliation: Mycorrhizal Network

Max Network Size: 5500

Current Network Size: 4500 of (4500) 5500

Racial Title: [Symbiotic]

Effect: Host entity cannot truly die. As long as one fungal spore survives, Regrowth will occur.

Racial Ability: [Commensal Mycorrhizal Network]

Effect: As the network feeds, it grows stronger. All stats increase based on Stat Growth Energy stored.

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[Mycorrhizal Network Parameters]

Definition: The Mycorrhizal Network is the bearer’s fungal lattice, a living system that absorbs, stores, and redistributes energy from defeated creatures. It is tied directly to the bearer’s Soul.

Maximum Capacity: Determined by Soul Self (Base).

- Current Soul Self: 55

- Network Capacity: 5500 Microbes

- At Soul Self 60 Network Capacity: increases to 6000 Microbes

- (Additional Network Abilities determined by Soul Self & Mind Knowledge)

Absorption Rate: Determined by Soul Sum (Base).

- Current Soul Sum: 53

- Absorption Efficiency: 250% of creature biomass converted into usable Microbes.

- At Soul Sum 60: Absorption Efficiency increases to 300%.

Stat Growth Energy Storage: Determined by Soul Sum (Base).

- Current Soul Sum: 53

- Current Limit: 3.5x creature stat value.

- At Soul Sum 60: Stat Growth Energy Storage increases to 4x creature stat value.

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Biological Genome Stored:

• Monkey Mauler: 5 of 5

• Jungle Cat: 5 of 5

• Rock Constrictor: 5 of 5

• Mountain Bear 1 of 5 (Tier 2)

• Magmite 5 of 5

• Cloudwasps 5 of 5

• River Gnasher 2 of 5 (Tier 2)

• Crystal Crawler Swarm 5 of 5 (Tier 2)

• Crystal Devourer (Dungeon Boss Variant T3]) x1

• Sun-Touched Rabbit x5

Growth Energy Stored for next Regrowth

• N/A

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Core Stats (Commander Bonus 550%)

• Body: (49) 269

o Force:49 (Effectiveness 550% = 269) (Equipment +20)

o Speed: 56 (Effectiveness 550% = 308) (Equipment +15)

• Mind: (45) 247

o Thought: 51 (Effectiveness 550% = 280) (Equipment +14)

o Knowledge: 45 (Effectiveness 550% = 247)

• Soul: (53) 291

o Self: 55 (Effectiveness 550% = 302) (Equipment +11)

o Sum: 53 (Effectiveness 550% = 291) (Equipment +11)

[Free Stat Points for allocation: 10]

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Physical Defense 269 (Equipment +40) = 309

Mental Defense: 247 (Equipment +30) = 277

Soul Defense: 291 (Equipment +30) = 321

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Skills & Abilities

• Novice Two-Handed Weapon Mastery (Core Skill)

o Increased Proficiency with heavy, two-handed weapons.

o Increases damage and control when wielding large weapons.

• Power Swing (Subskill of Novice Two-Handed Weapon Mastery)

o A wide, crushing strike that deals heavy damage and knockback.

o Costs -1 temporary Force per use and risks damaging fragile weapons.

• Novice Spear & Shield Mastery (Core Skill)

o Increased Proficiency when wielding Spear and Shield in combination.

o Increases damage and defense when wielding Spear & Shield

• Rapid Jab (Subskill of Novice Spear & Shield Mastery)

o Turns a single stab into 3 jabs in one attack.

o Costs -1 temporary Speed per use

• Novice Mace & Shield Mastery (Core Skill)

o Increased Proficiency when wielding Blunt weapons and Shield in combination.

o Increases damage and defense when wielding Blunt weapons & Shield

• Hunker Down (Subskill of Novice Blunt & Shield Mastery)

o Increases PD/MD/SD and Resistances by 25% for 3 seconds, then returns all damage resisted as additional damage on next Blunt weapon attack.

o Costs -1 temporary Force per use

• Novice Archery Mastery (Core Skill)

o Grants basic proficiency with bows and arrows.

o Increases accuracy and strike damage with ranged weapons.

• Piercing Shot (Subskill of Novice Archery Mastery)

o Arrows fired with this technique penetrate deeper, ignoring a portion of target defenses. Effective against armored or high resistance foes.

o Costs -1 temporary Speed per use

• Novice Energy Manipulation Mastery (Core Skill)

o Increased Proficiency with shaping and directing of raw energy through external mediums.

o Increases damage and defense of controlled Energies

• Acidic Energy Conversion (Subskill of Novice Energy Manipulation Mastery)

o Alters existing controlled external energy to secrete corrosive energy

o Costs -1 temporary Thought per use

• Identify (Utility Skill)

o Reveals target stats (Body, Mind, Soul).

o Higher Mind increases detail and accuracy.

• Danger Sense (Utility Skill)

o Provides early warning of ambushes, hidden predators, or in some cases environmental dangers.

• Novice Stealth (Utility Skill)

o Provides basic knowledge of where and how to move to reduce risk of detection. Footsteps lighter, movements surer, noise reduced by 20%.

• Basic Cleanse (Utility Skill)

o You have learned to purify and clear a small area, object, or person.

o -Costs -1 temporary Thought per use.

• Basic Meditation (Utility Skill)

o A foundational practice of focus and inner calm. Allows the user to filter external distractions and stabilize Soul energy flow.

o Passive Effect: Increases Body, Mind & Soul Energy recovery rate by 5% while meditating.

o Active Effect: Center (Triggered): Enter a meditative state, reducing external distractions and improving focus for 30 seconds.

• Novice Companion Bond (Companion Skill)

o Grants the ability to attempt Soul bonding with juvenile creatures. Establishes a basic link of loyalty and resonance.

o Passive Effect: Enables Soul energy exchange between Challenger and bonded creature.

o Active Effect: Soul Bond (Triggered): Channel Soul energy into a creature to attempt forming a Companion Bond. Success depends on compatibility.

o Locks -25 temporary Sum + Self per Bond Tier

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Mycorrhizal Abilities

• Regrowth

o Converts 250 microbes to Regrow host body where regrowth spores are saved

o Any Stat growth stored will be triggered during Regrowth.

• Repair Self

o Converts 50 microbial energy to restore host Body, Mind & Soul.

• Create Basic Object

o Converts 100 microbes into a simple, functional item up to 5 pounds

• Create Advanced Object

o Converts 200 microbes into larger, more complex, or more powerful items than Basic Object can maintain.

• Create Masterwork Object

o Converts 500 microbes into larger, more complex, or more powerful items than Basic Object can maintain.

• Infested Strike

o Converts 100 microbes to Inject fungi into stabbed creature, causing internal damage over time and inhibiting movement and attacks.

• Infested Cloud Strike

o Converts 150 microbes that directs spores within range of Sporesight to infiltrate and disrupt a biological target, dealing damage over time and weakening defenses. Less effective against mineral or non-organic foes.

• Sporesight

o A sensory ability that projects spores outward, granting the Commander awareness of terrain, enemies, and hidden details within a radius cost of 50 microbes per 10 feet radius locked during use.

• Infectious Cloud

o Locks 500 microbes per 10' radius of Sporesight Cloud

o Hostile creatures entering the radius are immediately afflicted with Infection, taking continuous damage over time as spores dig into flesh and eat at the creature from the inside.

• Repair Other

o Converts 100 microbial energy to restore Body, Mind & Soul to a Marked target.

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Commander Class Abilities

• Bolster: (Level 3)

o Temporary 10% increase to Ally Physical Mental and Spiritual Defenses within up to (Soul Sum) feet of Commander.

o Temporarily locks 5 Soul Sum per 100 feet radius

• Rally: (Level 3)

o Temporary 10% bonus to Ally Resource & Stat regeneration from losses due to skills, abilities, or spells Defenses within up to (Soul Sum) feet of Commander.

o Temporarily locks 5 Soul Sum per 100 feet radius

• Empathic Coordination: (Level 3)

o Temporary 5% bonus to Ally Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Attacks within up to (Soul Sum) feet of Commander.

o Temporarily locks 5 Soul Sum per 100 feet radius

• Commander’s Presence: (Level 3)

o 25% Boost to Territory Resources while Commander is within the Territory.

• Sustaining Presence: (Level 4)

o Effect: Allies within (Soul Sum) feet regenerate +2% Soul Energy per second while Commander is active.

o Secondary: Boosts healing received by allies by +5% within Presence range.

o Temporarily locks 5 Soul Sum per 100 feet radius

Note: Stats used to activate Commander Skills are not consumed but are locked in purpose. They cannot be used for skills, abilities, or crafting until Commander Abilities are terminated.

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Crafting Class: Novice Artificer: Level 3

[EXP 625 of 1000]

• Brew Potions: +10% success rate, +10% result quality, +10% result volume

• Crafting Efficiency: Batch size for basic potions and salves +1 (potions x4, Saves x6).

• Stability Bonus: +10% additional success rate

• Experience Gain: Duplicate recipes now grant 15 EXP instead of 10.

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Equipment

• Masterwork Mycorrhizal Plate Armor

o PD +20, MD +20. SD +10. Force +10, Speed +5. Thought +5

• Masterwork Mycorrhizal Tetsubo

o Force+12. Thought +8. Self +5. Sum +5

• Masterwork Mycorrhizal Spear

o Force: +10. Speed: +10. Thought: +5.Self: +5. Sum: +5

• Masterwork Mycorrhizal Shield

o PD +20. MD +10. SD +10. Thought +4. Self +6. Sum +6

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Items Collected:

System Credits (SC): 74,200 (Tas: 30,000)

Territory Authority Points (TAP): 3 (Tas: 15)

Basic Body Rejuvenation Potion: 3

Basic Mind Rejuvenation Potion: 3

Basic Soul Rejuvenation Potion: 3

Minor Healing Salve: 5

Glowbrew Flasks x3

Black Edge Longsword

Venombrace Daggers

Staff of Renewal

Greataxe of Raging Hunger

Whisperwind Longbow

Crafting Supplies:

Small Brown (Earth) Crystals: 3

Small Green (Life) Crystals: 8

Small Red (Fire) Crystals: 0

Small Cloudy (Air) Crystals: 0

Small Clear (Neutral Energy) Crystals x15

Medium Brown (Earth) Crystals: 7

Medium Green (Life) Crystals: 1

Medium Red (Fire) Crystals: 1

Medium Blue (Water)Crystals: 2

Medium Cloudy (Air) Crystals: 1

Medium Clear (Neutral Energy) Crystals x8

Large Gray (Mind) Crystal x1

Large Clear (Neutral Energy) Crystals x1

Stored at Barracks for VDF Forces:

Fungal Daggers(2) x6 [+1 Force +1 Speed +5% Critical hit/damage]

Fungal Spear x4 [+1 Force +2 Speed. +5% Strike Skills]

Fungal Mace x3 [+1 Force +1 Speed +1 Sum. +5% Mind or Soul magic]

Fungal Bow x3 [+2 Force +2 Speed +5% Strike Skills]

Fungal Shield x4 [+5 PD +2 MD +2 SD +5% Defense Skills]

Fungal Staff x3 [+1 Thought +1 Knowledge +1 Sum +5% Mind or Soul magic]

Fingal Greatsword x2 [+2 Force, +1 Speed +5% Strike Skills]

Fingal Greataxe x2 [+4 Force +5% Strike Skills]

Fungal Robes [+3 PD +2 MD +2 SD +5% Recovery]

Fungal Leather [+5 PD +3 MD +3 SD +5% Defense Skills]

Fungal Chain x5 [+5 PD +5 MD +5 SD +5% Defense Skills]

Fungal Plate x5 [+10 PD +3 MD +3 SD +5% Defense Skills]

Fungal Arrows(20) x10 [+1 Force +1% strike skills]

Basic Body Rejuvenation Potion: 12

Basic Mind Rejuvenation Potion: 12

Basic Soul Rejuvenation Potion: 12

Minor Healing Salve: 40

Glowbrew Flasks x20

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Haven Valley Territory Stats

Population: 137 (mixed humans and animalfolk) / 4 Challengers

Territory Owner: Viscount (Sara Bloom)

Linked Territories: Crystal Cavern Mines

Allied Territories: Lifewheat Fields

Haven Valley Prosperity Tracker

• TAP: ~15/day present, ~11/day absent

o (Current TAP Reserve: Tas fund: 5 TAP emergency)

• SC: ~ 22,000/day present, ~16.50/day absent

(Current SC Reserve: Academy Fund: 30,000 SC, Tas Fund: 30,000 SC)

[Note: Active Defenses Current Cost +10 TAP while active. (Barrier 3 TAP, Nodes 1 TAP per x2 = 2 TAP, Watchtower Anti-Air 1 TAP x2 = 2 TAP, Wall repair/reinforcement .25 TAP per section x12= 3 TAP)]

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Crystal Cavern Mines – Current Production (Not Included in Prosperity Tracker)

Current Daily Output:

• 16 × Small Neutral Energy Crystals → 16 × 100 SC = 1,600 SC/day

• 5 × Medium Neutral Energy Crystals → 5 × 500 SC = 2,500 SC/day

• 35 lbs Crystal Dust → 35 × 10 SC = 350 SC/day

Additional Weekly Output:

• 4 × Large Neutral Energy Crystal → 4 × 2,500 SC = 10,000 SC/week

Crystal Cavern Dungeon – Current Production

• ~0 per day. 1 Dungeon Team (Foreshadows) 2nd Floor (Free Access)

Total Value (41,150 SC/week)

• Daily Production Value: 4,450 SC/day (not including weekly large crystal)

• Weekly Production Value (including large crystal):

o 4,450 SC × 7 days = 31,150 SC

o 10,000 SC (large crystals)

= 41,150 SC/week

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Haven Valley Resource Bonuses (Current)

• Neutral Energy Crystals (Rare):

+35% sale value (sorting + purity upgrades)

+20% mining efficiency

+20% Crystal Regrowth (ambient energy absorption)

30% stored locally, 20% to Life Lions weekly, 50% sold via Market Square

• Farms:

+30% crop yield (irrigation, improved farmsteads)

+20% crop quality (improved farmsteads)

Surplus food trades at higher value

• Ranches:

+25% livestock yield (irrigation applied to feed/water)

+20% product quality (improved farmstead applied to ranch management)

Surplus meat, hides, milk trade at premium prices

+5% Pride Favor bonus (Life Lions value steady meat offerings

• Food Supply

Unlimited safe fresh water from Havenrun Riveer, Village Well & Tidal Core

+50% Food Storage Capacity

+20% Spoilage Reduction

+20% Settlement Stability

• Defense:

+40% Settlement Defense Rating

+30% Morale for Valley Defense Force (VDF)

+25% Recruitment Appeal for soldiers and mercenaries

12 walls + reinforced gatehouse (+20% perimeter defense)

1 Offensive Node, 1 Defensive Node (rare, TAP powered)

2 Watchtower (+20% detection, aerial defense bonus)

Barracks for soldier housing & training

• Training & Crafting:

+10% Crafting Speed for all artisans

4 Workshops (Blacksmith, Leatherworker, Engineer, Alchemist)

Basic Craft School (+Novice Skillbooks + workshop access)

Service Academy (+room/board + standard soldier equipment)

Guildhall

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Haven Valley Upgrades Acquired

• Food Stability (Granary x1, Mill x1, Community Cellar x1)

• Trade Potential (Market Square x1)

• Defensive Perimeter (Palisade Walls x12 + Reinforced Gatehouse x1, Watchtower x2)

[Valley Entrance Fully Walled]

• Node Integration (Offense x1 + Defense x1)

• Basic Crafting School

• Basic Training Service Academy

• Valley Defense Force Barracks

• Workshops (Blacksmith Forge x, Leatherworking Hall x1, Engineering Workshop x1, Alchemy Laboratory x1, Guildhall x1)

• Living & Resource Improvements (Increased Housing x2, Improved Housing Level 1, Improved Farmstead Level 1, Irrigation Channels Level 1)

• Mining Improvements (Mine Safety Upgrade (Common), Crystal Sorting Facility (Uncommon))

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Current Active Resources

• Neutral Crystal Mine (Rare):

o Produces highly sought after crystalline shards usable for crafting, enchanting, and trade.

o Linked with Crystal Cavern Mines for boosted yield.

• 4 Farms (Common):

o Crops: grains, root vegetables, and medicinal herbs.

o Provides stable food supply for population and surplus for sale/trade.

• 3 Ranches (Common):

o Livestock: chickens, goats, cattle, and beasts of burden.

o Provides meat, milk, hides, bone materials, & working animals.

• Freshwater Access (Common):

o Havenrun River Purified by the Tidal Core Shard.

o Village Well Purified by the Tidal Core Shard.

o Supports irrigation, fishing, and empowered water for alchemy and recovery.

• Timber Groves (Uncommon):

o Small forested areas on valley edges.

o Provides wood for construction, fuel, and basic alchemy reagents.

• Stone Quarry (Common):

o Produces building stone and gravel.

o Essential for expansion and fortification projects.

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Unknown / Undiscovered Resources

(These exist within Haven Valley but have not yet been revealed or exploited. They may require exploration, quests, or specialized skills to uncover.)

• Force Ore Vein (Rare):

o Deep beneath the valley hills.

o Highly sought after for weapon and armor crafting; amplifies kinetic force.

• Moonpetal Herb (Rare Alchemical Resource):

o Grows only under certain lunar conditions in shaded groves.

o Key ingredient for advanced healing potions and soul binding elixirs.

• Echo Crystals (Uncommon):

o Found in hidden caverns.

o Used in sound based enchantments and communication devices.

• Ironroot Trees (Rare):

o Roots infused with metallic fibers.

o Can be harvested for unique wood metal composites, prized by Boyers, fletchers & artificers.

• Spirit Spring (Very Rare):

o A hidden underground water source infused with Death & Soul energy.

o Provides rare reagents for alchemy, Death Attunement for weapons and boosts Soul stat growth.

• Buried Relic Site (Unknown Tier):

o Ancient ruins beneath farmland.

o Potential source of artifacts, lore, and System recognized relics.

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Note: Valley Exploration in progress: Unrevealed resources may require specialized exploration teams or Overseer assignment.

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The Library’s silence pressed in again as Sara gaped at her Character Sheet in full. Had she really added that much? The Stats she had tracked regularly. But the Skill List? The Valley Upgrades and Prosperity? The sheer volume of items and equipment she was packratting away for a rainy day.

She had grown, and Haven Valley had grown with her. The storm of notifications faded into the background, replaced by the steady silence of her Meditation as she brought her mind back to center.

Sara straightened her spine, the silvery threads gleaming faintly in the dim light. She would rest. She would Sleep. And, in the morning, she would take the next step towards a secure Haven Valley.

It was time to go sit in a Volcano.

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