Mushroom Magic

The Rootwood Expanse is one vast mycelial organism, and the mushrooms that grow from it exhibit powerful and unusual properties that go far beyond decomposition. The Expanse's mycelial network connects everything that grows from it, allowing mushrooms to transport far more than electrical impulses or water. The network can connect and exchange nearly any substance, from heat to sound to physical mass, across great distances.

Any world that grows from the Expanse inherits these properties. On the Mycorzha Isles, mushrooms are cultivated and studied extensively, with Mystveil Academy leading much of the research. Mycologists are respected for their understanding of mushroom behaviors and are often called in to solve problems involving infrastructure or climate imbalance. Communities across the Isles grow mushrooms directly into their homes and public areas, using specific species for climate control, communication, and even light. The full potential of the Expanse's network is still being explored, and the examples below represent only what has been discovered so far.

Hot and Cold Exchange

Certain mushrooms can exchange heat and cold across great distances through the Expanse's mycelial network. On the Mycorzha Isles, one major example is between the Morel Swamp, a hot and humid biome in the south, and the Crescent Mountains, a cold, glacier-topped range in the north. Mushrooms in each area are linked through the network. The mushrooms in the mountains emit cold, pulling heat from the swamp, while the mushrooms in the swamp release warmth gathered from the mountain fungi.

Thermal Exchange Uses

• Cold mushrooms are planted in underground cellars to preserve food.
• Hot mushrooms are cultivated in homes throughout Luna Valley to provide steady warmth.
• Crescent Mountain Grand Park, located in Cove City, stays covered in snow year-round thanks to strategic planting of cold-exchange mushrooms.
• Recent advances at Mystveil Academy led to portable thermal mushrooms being used to create hot air for flight, now part of the newest form of transportation on the Mycorzha Isles.

Air Exchange

Some mushroom species can transfer air. Air taken in at one location is expelled at another connected point, creating a kind of biological ventilation system.

Air Exchange Uses

• Air-exchange mushrooms remove oxygen from sealed spaces, extending the shelf life of food and medicine.
• Compressed bursts of air are funneled under platforms, creating spring-like lifts used in children’s play areas or light transportation systems.
• In damp or tightly enclosed buildings, air-exchange mushrooms are used to maintain airflow.

Sound Exchange

A popular and widely used form of mushroom magic is sound transmission. Mushrooms in this group can pick up and replicate sound vibrations over long distances.

Sound Exchange Uses

• Mushrooms act like telephones, allowing voice contact between distant areas.
• On the Mycorzha Isles, communities tune into broadcasts sent through mushrooms. One of the most popular entertainment hubs is the Shadow Moss Caves, known for hosting music, news, and comedy programs sent via mushroom-based radio.
• Town squares often use sound mushrooms to share news or call meetings.

Size Exchange

A more recent and experimental use of mushroom magic involves the transfer of size. Two linked mushrooms can trade physical mass. When one grows, the other shrinks.

Size Exchange Uses

• Buildings in Cove City often use paired mushrooms to move platforms vertically. When the top mushroom shrinks, the lower one grows, pushing the platform up (or vice versa).
• Some traders use size-exchange mushrooms to shrink bulk goods for travel, then return them to full size at their destination.
• Certain guard posts use fast-growing mushrooms to create temporary blockades.