Roll: 7. Above-average result.
A quick examination of the beetle's juices using the tried-and-true "rub it on your skin" test confirms that, yes indeed, it is probably safe to eat. It wouldn't taste good, but it won't cause you any distress. With that off your mind, you can safely put all your effort in scouting ahead into the cold, moist corridor ahead of you.

Roll: 9. Good result.
The cave path ahead of you lies pock-marked with puddles of ice-cold, crystal-clear water. In the dim light provided by the path, you can vaguely see small shapes swimming about in some of the larger puddles. Unfortunately, it seems that only guppies live in these waters.

The tunnels extend for quite some time. You walk for a quarter-hour, and still find yourself far from the end of the path. Eventually, your travels take you to what appears to be a massive underground lake. The path lies safely above the water, on a granite "sandbar" jutting out of the water. Far away in the darkness, you think you can see islands floating in the dismal mists of the lake.

Slight hints of movement just under the surface of the murky lake catch your eye. Though it is hard to tell, you think you see something long and slender moving through the water.

Continue walking along the path, or stay by the lakeside? If you wish to take part in this scene alongside Boom, make your presence known before @Professor_Wyvern posts.

Boom licked at his lips upon realizing, the thing was safe. Quickly he plopped the beetle into his mouth and began crushing it to death, eating it with a bit of a grimace. The kokiri shot out his tongue, and closed his eyes when he fully gulped the creature down his gullet. "Bleh. Ickies. Beetle tastes fouls."

Upon walking for some-time, he noticed the interesting thing the path had. However, what truly caught his attention was the movement in the lakes. "Lakeses have treasureses." Boom stated in a matter of fact tone. He growled as he hissed to himself, "But no food! No good fish!" Boom plopped himself down at the granite sandbar and sat down. He raised an eyebrow curiously as he noticed something else moving through the water.

This lake was bound to have good things. As such, it deserved a close examination. Boom carefully observed the lake, trying to find out the interesting things it held within, for all lakes had great treasure within them.

As you peer out across the lake, nothing catches your eye. You think you see a small gathering of fish just below a swarm of bioluminescent flies, but it's too far out to reach without braving the icy-cold, imperceptibly deep, jet-black waters. Fed up with searching for things far outside your reach, you give up and look down in dejection... finding exactly what you've been looking for!

It appears the hideous cocktail of dirts, fungus, and acid burns accumulating on your feet has attracted the attention of a Rockwater Troglodyte, a rare species of fish native almost exclusively to the aquifer beneath the Twisted Acres. In one quick motion, you snatch the Troglodyte out of the water and bite into it. Scales, frigid water, and raw fish meat coalesce on your tongue, filling you with nostalgia.

Eating voraciously, you very nearly swallow a small, metallic object. After fishing the object out of your gullet, you wipe it off and examine it in the dull light provided.

It appears to be a ring, of exceptional quality. Iridescent fire opal cut in a radiant oval shape line the middle of the ring, separated by baguettes of glimmering pink alexandrite offer a dazzling view supplanted only by the fascinating way the fish's mucous and blood is pooling in the pits of your fingernails.

As you clutch the ring tightly, it turns red-hot, forcing you to release your grip and place the ring in an impromptu mitten made from tattered shirt-cloth. It appears that any significant pressure put on the ring will cause it to rapidly heat up! Perhaps some use can be found for this ring, and perhaps it's got other effects?

"So bright... so beautiful... ah." Boom spoke incredibly reverently as he stared at the make-shift mitten which he kept cupped in his hands. The small kokiri was fascinated by the beautiful design, and the fact it had produced such a magnificent heat. The creature licked at its face, still covered with a traces of blood from that succulent, and juicy meal. A thought dawned upon him

"We must guards it, from thingses that would try to steals it from us." The Kokiri noted, as he admired the glimmers the ring gave in the dark light. "They can't has it. It is Boom's." Boom noted with a sense of nervousness. This was his treasure, alongside all the rest. Not a single scrap of his hard earned treasure would go to those meat-shields. Especially not this pretty ring, with its enchanting beauty.

"It burns when we held it." Boom flicked out his tongue as he licked at his fangs. Staring at his bag of wonders, he grinned as a curious thought dawned upon him. "Yes it did." The kokiri stared back into the ring, kept comfortably in the improved mitten. "We keeps you nice and safe. Shelter here, nice and dark. With fishes juicy and sweet!" The kokiri eagerly smiled, before looking side to side nervously.

No one dare needed to learn of the treasure he gained. They would dare place their greedy little paws on the pretty ring. Boom could not allow that to happen, the beautiful treasure was his and his alone. Skittering towards his sack, he placed down the gathered-shirt cloth which hosted the ring. Despite the fact that holding it earlier caused a fairly powerful burning sensation, Boom slowly reached down with his index finger in an attempt to wear the ring. "So bright, so beautiful."

"Kokiri!" was the dramatically loud voice from behind Boom.

No-Point had found him.

"What is it that you have found, my explosively-minded ally?" he asked. He had noticed the ring and was indeed curious. A ring that burns its wielder could be very powerful if slipped on to the finger of one's most hated enemy!

Upon hearing the dramatic and booming voice of the one of No Points, Boom quickly wrapped the ring up in the make-shift mitten. He quickly tossed it back into his sack with the rest of his wonderful things. Peering up at the hulking monstrosity, Boom spoke rather nervously. "N-nothing of note for man with No Pointses."

Frantically the Kokiri scratched at himself, as he eyed his sack for a moment. After gulping down some traces of spit, he stared back upwards at the man. He needed something, anything to move the dialogue away from his trinkets. "Shelterses." He quickly spoke, trying to change the subject as quickly as possible. "What of the otherses? Back out of cave?" Boom gestured towards the lake behind him, "Has fish. Juicy and sweet." He said as he noticed that his fingernails had pooled up some fish mucous and blood; as such he quickly licked at them.

"Nice cave. Dark and cold, yessss, good place. No Pointses should make sure to get others yes." Boom quickly remarked. If there was one thing he needed right now, it was a distraction and something to get him to avoid the subject of Boom's treasure. No Points was not going to get his grubby little paws on it. It was his treasure. All belonging to him.

Perhaps just mentioning the others, would be enough to stop any further questioning on his rightful property.

You feel that this cave is good enough to work as shelter for the night. You settle down near the underground river, using it to clean yourselves, refill your waterskins, and catch fish for the night's meal.

With little else to do, you fall asleep and wait for morning.



Blinking away the aches of a long night spend on cold stone, the party exits the cave. This far into the Fungiwoods, it is impossible to tell the time of day, but a strong hunch convinces you that it is just around sunrise.

Today is a new day, and a host of new actions awaits you. Now that the fairy fountain is back, it seems the impenetrable fungus of the area has shrunken. The once-oppressive must of fungus and stale mold has made way for fresh air, and the harsh blue light of the spores now seems to shine the way much more than before. Though it is impossible to fix the Twisted Acres once and for all, your actions have made at least some difference.

You feel there is little else you can do here. It's time to move on. Where will you move on, first?

To the great moving mountain, Mount Nu-Goro? Perhaps there's some prizes one can find from the Gorons living there. Their knowledge with explosives knows no bounds!

To the Crater of Life? Is there some strange secret to the industry of the Bulblin Lands that one can find there, if they try?

To the Fortress? Is it possible to curry favor with Ganondorf enough to earn a spot in the refugee camps?

Further into the Twisted Acres? Perhaps there's more fountains throughout the forests?

Whatever it is you do, the world is your oyster. The only issue is opening it.

Aaelgus emerges from the fog in front of the party, raiseing his hands in the air to tell the group he is not going to atempt an attack at all.

"Please do not attack me I am but a traveler like you are, I come looking for a group of formidible peers to aid on a quest, I am a wanderer and a seasoned adventurer will you accept my request?"

Aaelgus tilts his head listening, waiting for a reply...

Mycellium had not slept. It never slept, after all, but it slept even less this night. Less than none? It was a confusing problem, not one Mycellium had the capacity of mind to consider. All it knew was that so much beautiful fungus, so much life... Was gone, destroyed. And for what sake? So that this band of "heroes" would continue their journeys? Assuming they would allow him to spread spores anywhere, would it ever make up for this devastating blow? Perhaps not. A slow "mwomp" sound came forth from Mycellium's strange maw, almost pensive.

That was when it viewed the stranger approaching. With a loud "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHMAHAHAHMMMMMMMMMMMMM" it screeched out like a horn, alerting the others.

Raisa jumped out of bed startled by the loud sudden noise. "Agh! Stupid fungus thing what'd you do that for." Raisa rubbed her eyes and looked at the stranger who had walked up, "eh? What kinda ghost are you, and whatya want?" Raisa asked grumpily, obviously sour from her rude awakening and confused by the pale robed person.

Boom slept comfortably while using his sack of wonders as a makeshift pillow. Damp grottos served well for providing shelter, after all they held fishes. Delicious fishes that were juicy and sweet, they were always a filling meal alongside morsels. The kokiri was satisfied with his haul from searching earlier. And it was still safe.

Things were going well, all he needed to do now was to make sure the others continued on the path Boom wanted. For the kokiri would find out the secrets of He Who Makes the Mountains Quake. And going to the Nu-Goro Mountains was sure to help him learn the things he wanted, and of course help refill his stash of explosives. The kokiri would make sure his machinations went according to plan.

Whatever dreams were held during the Kokiri's slumber were quickly interrupted the spore deku trumpeted out a painful tune. Boom, knowing the importance of sound alerts sprung up and into action. He slung his bag over his shoulder as he glanced side to side, to see where the Gerudo, the Fairy and the Man With No Pointses was. The Gerudo was not there, but the other two were.

Skittering towards the entrance of the cavern he turned his head to the side as he spoke, "I-INTRUDERSES!" Boom turned his head to the side as he nodded, "One. Just one." He spoke before turning again to the side and hissing, "More follow. More always follow."He grumbled to himself.

Pointing out one of his fingers, the corpse-pallor colored creature did a few mental calculations. The kokiri skittered a bit towards Raisa and when firmly secured behind her, he spoke up. "Checks it for weaponses." Now he had a proper meat-shield protecting him from the potential hostility. Now he just needed to wait for the others of the Caravan to come out and be prepared.

The sooner this situation was resolved, the sooner he could head to Nu-Goro.

"Excuse my untimely appearance and how I look to you but I wear this mask for reasons that would deeply disturb you!"

Aaelgus pointed to the silver mask on his face, then he pulled his two scimitars out and put them on the ground.

"you need'nt check me for more weapons and so you understand who I am..."

Aaelgus reached behind his head and untied his mask and let it drop to the ground revealing his ghostly face and yellow glowing eyes.

"I am cursed to look like this forever and I come from Hyrule I have travelled far and wide through the lands I wish you no harm I only want to assist you on your journey with my skills"

He looked to the ground at his mask and picks it up and looks at it and then glances at the group with a sad look on his face.

"I never wished to look like this"

Then he waited to hear them judge him or attack him because he had this happen multiple times.

The diminutive corpse pale Kokiri, peered back from Raisa and bared out his fangs. "We not care." Boom gave a single nod and again seemed to speak to himself, "No cares." He pointed out his index finger at him as he kept his position behind Raisa.

"Searches it! Searches it!" He shrieked out. The Kokiri glanced to the side as he spoke, "It finds us. How? How how!?" He grumbled out to himself as he glanced side to side.

"What does it work for?" Boom said peeking out from the left side of Raisa. This was followed by hissing, "Foul thingses! It works for foul thingses!" He said popping his head from the right side.

Boom knew many things. Such as how unlikely it would be that this person didn't work for the foul ones as a scout. After what they did, he knew something would be after them.

Now Aaelgus was fed up with this rodent.

"I work for no one you piece of Goron dung, I am Aaelgus Adventurer of the lands, have you no manners you little creep show some respect I am a Wanderer and an outcast I work for no one and answer to no one"

Aaelgus's fists clenched and he became very aggravated and then he sighed.

"Search me if you must,"

He spat in the direction of the Kokiri.

"But keep that scum away from me"

Then Aaelgus crossed his arms in frustration, he wondered why these people were so uptight but all people are like that with strangers like Aaelgus so he might as well get used to this.

"Stupid child..."

Aaelgus began grumbling to himself.

"You wear a mask, but you abandon it, perhaps to strike fear in our hearts," was the deep, rumbling voice from deep within the cave. A huge shadow, with a titanic sword on his back, had silhouetted the tiny amount of light emerging from within the shelter. Was it a beast? A monster? An unholy abomination against all mankind? Well, yes and no.

"Brave." The words, melodious and eloquent, continued to emerge from the cave. The huge shadowy figure was stepping into the light now, revealing itself to be the terror of the Tumult, Warlord No-Point. His own mask did little to muffle his voice, though all but his eyes, hair, and suspiciously rounded ears were covered. "But mistaken."

Eyes of grey assessed the intruder. Tall. Almost, but not quite, as tall as No-Point himself. But gangly. The warlord was twice his width. This child would break like a twig under his strength. And unwise! To try and strike fear into the hearts of creatures born in hell, raised in fire, and who had already slaughtered Kokiri warriors for nothing more than sport.

"Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask."

The Kokiri smirked as the spit flew towards Raisa. Such an offensive, should help spark her fury against the intruder. And more to the point, it spewed insults against a respected member of the band. Boom was content at how things were progressing. It would work out in his favor. And then the Warlord emerged. "M-man with No Pointses!" Boom spoke up, "You sees and hears it. The Foul Thing, surely it works for nastier thingses."

He gave a single nod, "Nastier thingses." Boom glanced towards his side and spoke to himself, "Distractions of us for bad plans. Ungood fors us." He glanced toward No Point, "Searches it grubby little pocketses. They need search. Who else go to Badwoods? It scout for you know who! We need make sure who it works for, and disposes of it, before heading away." The Kokiri frantically nodded, "Awayaway! Fast away before full shows."

"If you don't like the Korki you're gonna like fungusman even less. Oh and stop hiding behind me would ya!" Raisa said, the last comment aimed the Boom. "Personally I don't care much if you come with us, and I care even less what yer carrying on ya. But this korki fellow will try to blow you up quicker then you can say oops and fungus man will spew fungus all over your corpse. So I wouldn't adivse getting on his bad side. Now long as you cause no harm I see no reason not to let you kill stuff for us, though I advise keeping your spit where it belongs." Raisa faced the Korki, "Now you can stand to be a little nicer, not everybody is mean. Now I'm assuming you want to go to Nu-Goro, in which case I'm all for and I think we should get moving real quick." Raisa said stating her opinion on the matter and then started packing up her sleeping bag.

Mycellium sized up the new arrival, attempting to understand the words that were spoken. However, Mycellium was still not truly capable of understanding speech, and was honestly quite confused. How had he come this far without an ally? Had the forest made an error? The fungus would never allow such a creature through, unless... It had fought it's way here. Killing fungus. This thought finally provoked Mycellium into reacting. Screaming as loud as possible, it began attempts to ward off the horrid murderer.

"WAAAAAAAAAAHWAHAWHAHMPPPPPPPPPPWAHHHHHHH"

Aaelgus slumped his shoulders and gave up his persuasion and then said in a defeated tone.

" fine inspect me if you must and ask me questions if you wish I will answer your inquiries, and I will try not to anger... What's your name large fellow who threatened me?"

Then he picked up his mask then looked at the large figure and glancing at the fungus, then the rest of them Aaelgus just shrugged and waited to be questioned or inspected.

The Gerudo, did not know that to be a proper meat-shield, she needed to hide Boom. He would need to make sure that she was more willing to hide him when he wanted it. However, the man with No Points was here. Truly the creature wouldn't try anything now. Turning his head to his side Boom pondered on the suspect. However when the Gerudo spoke of Nu-Goro, Boom couldn't help but give an eager grin. Yes, he very much did want to go to Nu-Goro.

"Yes. We heads there." Boom spoke. He turned his head to his side and gave another nod, "Yes, but nasty thingses can't pursue us there." Boom gritted out his fangs and snarled, "Ungood nasty thingses."

The Kokiri skittered around towards Aaelgus, "Says it." He gestured slightly towards No Point. "Masks is what matters. Yesyes. Before no." He kept his sack over his shoulder as he peered towards Aaelgus. "Truthses you speak. No untruths." Boom turned his head to his side and hissed, "Yes, yes only the Truthses."

He skittered a tad closer towards the creature, "How here? How in Badwoods?" He firstly inquired before glaring at the man. "Who work for?" He turned his head to his side as he snarled at himself. "We know who. We knows it." He turned to his side, "Yes them, but who them." Boom nodded in a response to his own self inquiry.