Peek: Pest Control (Patreon)

Outside the dungeon is... strange. The verdant skeleton didn't think it would ever be tamed, but then the young elf started skewering invaders. Now it is trying to make sense of the world outside.

It had heard delvers talk about the outside and how different its home was. But all it ever knew was the dungeon. It was vaguely aware that Thedeim was a strange dungeon, but it was never smart enough to really understand why.

Now it is. Now it's smart enough to understand a lot of things. It has mixed feelings about that.

It does like being outside, though. It never went on expedition before, so there are so many new things to see, like the massive herbalism nodes its new master helps tend.

It understands herbalism nodes, at least. While the cemetery and crypt complex don't have very many, the Forest does, and it would sometimes be told to tend the nodes. It doesn't recognize these herbs, but it is actually looking forward to learning.

It has also learned its master is part of a very large party. Most of them are smaller than its master, but they still contribute in their own ways, reminding the skeleton of how all the denizens of Thedeim would contribute in their own ways, too.

When it first was presented, the party leaders were confused and possibly upset, but didn't try to send it away. It is hopeful that, after helping tend the nodes this morning, they will see it can contribute.

Its master is still adjusting both to having it, and to having his own affinity. It knew its master had death affinity from the start, but its master is still clearly new to using it.

That is fine. Learning will come. And it can even help its master learn, too.

Invaders are attacking the nodes. It does not like invaders. Its master is going to the afflicted area, to deal with the invaders. They are different from the sort it is used to dealing with. These are driven by simple hunger, not insanity. Small insects are infesting several patches of the herbs, draining them of vitality and ruining them.

"Ok... I just need to be careful..." its master says, eying the invaders. The skeleton understands the plan, just as it understands its master's concern. Death would very easily remove the invaders, but it could also wither the node. That is where the skeleton intends to assist.

As its master tries to sort out his affinity, the skeleton burrows two vines deep into the soil, seeking out the injured nodes. The roots seem to be holding up well, but that will only last for so long with the stem and leaves under attack. It feels the death magic gently brushing against the node, and the skeleton counters any that tries to stick to the node itself, rather than the invader. Its Life affinity is not especially strong, but it is good enough to bolster the node against the careful and clumsy application of death.

And its master notices. "Huh? What're... oh! Yeah, keep doing that!" Its master is happy with its efforts, so it is more than happy to do as asked. They clean the worst of the patch of the node before its master stops, breathing heavily from the exertion. The skeleton persists for a few moments more, ensuring the herbs will recover from the damage quickly.

Its master smiles at it as it withdraws its vines. "Good job, Green Thumb. We'll do another patch tomorrow."

Green Thumb likes its new name.