The Journey

While the supply of Husks remains dangerously low, more parts of the world were still explored. Upstream from the ravine river, a peaceful cave was discovered, that, curiously, had an arm identical to one of Yoke's sticking out of a wall. More was learned about the coloured crystals from the Depths: the pink crystals have the ability to store energy, the green crystals have the ability to transfer energy, and the purple crystals, when carved with a specific word, have the capacity to use that energy.

Out in the Undergrowth, a set of raised platforms, accessible through a pulley system, was found, and discovered to be a village for the Vinecutters. However, part of it had been destroyed. Blue flames covered the platforms, their shape forming a word: Xenolith. When Xenolith was brought to the village, it was captured by some of the Vinecutters, now capable of speaking words that could be understood. The Vinecutters said that Xenolith was a threat and took it away to be killed, though they still offered the opportunity for others to say goodbye. Xenolith was dragged and thrown into a pit with a large, barbed creature with a particularly long tail that started draining Xenolith's energy. Before it could be drained completely, Xenolith released its remaining energy, killing the creature but dispersing in the explosion.

Elsewhere, people experienced different transformations. Distant Me was killed, but only temporarily. Despite being a creature of flesh, its body was able to reconstruct itself, flowing with energy. Kernel was overwhelmed entirely by the thing growing inside them, shedding all the rocks in their body. Though they stayed for a time, they eventually ran away from the Haven, scared off.

But now, for those who remain, the time for reflection has concluded. Only two Husks are left in the Detritus. The world has changed so much in the time that they have been aware, and so much of it still remains a mystery. What is certain, however, is that the future of the species lies in their hands.

Conflict emerged amongst the inhabitants of the Haven. While the presence of Distant Me, a creature capable of speech from outside that had covered itself in rocks, did not bring people into conflict, other things did. Atonement threatened to unleash something behind the strange wall, in retribution for the actions of people against the world. Despite efforts of others to restrain them with tar, they followed through on this threat. Into it, they etched symbols that had no discernible meaning on their own, causing the wall to open and release a rush of wind, leaving the tetrahedral room behind it empty. Within the Haven, most of the Husks were animated and shattered, leaving just a few intact.

Beyond the Haven, the submerged Depths were discovered downstream from the bottom of the ravine; a twisting maze of tunnels filled with strange green blobs leading to a tunnel blocked by strings. When the strings were touched, the blobs agglomerated into a red Swimmingmorph, crushing anyone it touched. Beyond the strings, a strange cavern was found, filled with crystals of different colours. The crystals were seen to interact with energy in strange ways, though they remain poorly understood.

With the number of Husks dwindling, the future of the Haven is left uncertain. For its inhabitants, the status quo is collapsing.

The world exists in constant flux. In the Wastes, not quite as far away as the bubbling tar pit or the hole that leads through to the Undergrowth, a Sky Giant has fallen to the surface of the Wastes, bereft of life. The long tendrils, fins, and bulbs dotted across its long body lie inert. From the bulbs a gas can be extracted that burns when exposed to a spark, a feature repurposed by the fast-moving Belchers. The gas was, crudely, possible to transport by holding a dome-shaped shell over the top, but this too weak to succeed when used in an attempt to remove the rubble surrounding a caved-in passage in the caves.

From the Undergrowth, Vinecutter creatures were found. They are small creatures, their torsos resting on four large powerful legs sprouting out from their hips and shoulders, ending in crude hooks. Rows of quills cover their backs, their skin a rough, warty, lilac texture. A wide, slit-like mouth and pair of large, round eyes occupy their faces, and a pair of arms are nestled in their torsos. One such creature made their way to the Haven, gesturing with their arms when interacting with the inhabitants. After many attempts to communicate, the creature was killed by someone from within the Haven, with the body left by the cave-in.

The events of the world outside have been disrupted, but it remains to be seen what will happen as a consequence.

The world expands far beyond the Haven. Deadly Tunnelbugs, wide and fast creatures, were found roaming the caves, preying on anything that stayed away from the safety of the Haven for too long. To the left, over the rock pool and through the caves, a pair of holes and winding tunnel all lead into a verdant Undergrowth. The area is dense with purple foliage and a wide range of animals. Some of these plants have been brought back to the Haven. Most notable among the foliage are the Undersprouts: thick, fibrous purple stems that stretch high up in the air. The wildlife ranges in nature. The Puff-Balls, small and grey spheres of fur, produce a harmless goop, even if the odour can repel other creatures. The Rampagers, bipedal, muscular, shelled creatures, are far more violent, smashing anything that gets in their path. Other manners of undocumented creatures inhabit this area.

To overcome the challenges of the world, several tools were invented. A saw and a hand-axe were made, used to cut down the Undersprouts, which in turn were turned into cord and rope. Objects were carved, and a bridge was fashioned by tying together multiple stems.

With a bridge, the ravine out to the right of the caves was bridged, and a winding passage was discovered, leading up to the expansive Wastes: a flat and mostly desolate plane. No ceiling can be identified, but a glowing orb has appeared high above. Air Swoopers, large cylindrical creatures, wait in the darkness overhead, descending on prey below. Various sounds and lights can be heard and seen, amidst the emptiness.

The world is expansive, but it is beginning to be understood.