When you find a suitable place for a homestead, the Magic Forest will be your main source of lumber. All trees are not equal however; while maple and plum trees are common, cedar and cypress trees make for better shelter.
It is safe to harvest younger trees, especially near the Human Village. But be wary. There are many signs to be aware of. Trees considered sacred are often marked with Shimenawa, and are to be avoided. Predatory trees can usually be identified during the day by their discolored leaves, the presence of drag-marks on the ground, or skeletons nearby. Some trees are home to sleeping Youkai or Fairies. While some mark these trees as their homes, others look completely innocuous. Any angry inhabitant of a given tree should be avoided, or may be dealt with using a number of items you can purchase from the Otherworldly Ventures Inc Catalog, in the Extermination section.
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Knowing Agappa, she was in no hurry to introduce the two. And probably would not do the best job if she tried. It was best then to do it himself.
With a flamboyant wave of his arms, the man’s cloak flared behind him. The red of the liner glittering off the light of the moon. With all the elegance his exhausted form could muster, he rolled his top hat from his head along his sleeve. Catching it in a white gloved hand as he bowed. Extending the hat towards her, even as a fluffy head emerged in protest.
“Its a pleasure to meet you, young lady. I am Oscar Diggs the IVth. Magician Extraordinaire. Now, about a way out of this forest, could--”
All the while during this display, Narumi simply watched in a bemused kind of shock. Even if the rabbit that emerged from the hat earned him a smile. But it was at the word ‘magician’ that a change swept over her. Narumi’s eyes widened in the dark, and she seemed to grow breathless.
“You’re a magician too?!”
The ‘too’ startled Oscar. Before he had a chance to collect himself, the girl lunged forward. Despite her petite size, he felt like he had been struck in the belly with a rock. A stark contrast to the small arms wrapped around his sides.
“Oh this is wonderful! I’ve never met another Magician aside from Marisa and Alice before. They’ll be glad to meet you too!”
Marisa. Alice. So there were other Magicians here? And they had normal-sounding names. Oscar was no expert in Asian names, but he doubted ‘Agappa’ or ‘Cirno’ were common back on Earth. Not to mention he met a boy...girl...named Wriggle that day. Perhaps this meant he was one step closer to normality.
“O-oh, you do magic too then?”
“I’m alive because of magic” Narumi rejoined. Petting the head of Oscar’s rabbit as it emerged. The aged thing’s white furry face seemed to grow less peeved, before finally surrendering to her gentle caresses. Eyes closing as he returned to sleep. “You must have some skill, if you can make a rabbit appear like that. Does he have a name?”
She phrased things weirdly. That much was clear. But without Team 9 and Cirno’s optimism, Oscar felt it was a good idea to stay in this woman’s good graces. Best not confront her on things he didn’t need to. “His name’s Houdini.”
“That’s an odd name for an Earth Rabbit. But he seems to have taken to it well.”
Don’t poke. Don’t pester. Don’t pry. Just get out of this damn forest before something decides to eat you. For the third time today.
“Yeah, uh, he’s a bit tired. I was trying to find my way to the Human Village with my friends. But we got separated.”
“I can show you the way.” Her voice kept some of its composure, but it seemed breathless now. Her hands folded onto one another. Slowly breathing in as her calm returned. “Please. Follow me.”
Turning, Narumi stood perfectly straight as she strolled into the trees. Oscar looked around for a moment. Before easing his hat onto his head and following. The sound of broken sandals behind him signaling Agappa following. For a time, the three were silent. The late night pressing in around them on all sides. Only the sound of nocturnal creatures kept them company. Once or twice, Oscar thought he could smell something cooking upon the wind, but it soon faded.
They had been walking for some time, at least twenty minutes, when he could make out a shape through the trees. A squat wall of clay and wood, scarcely taller than he was. Even at this late hour, lights shone from lanterns along the perimeter. Narumi turned to him with a smile. Offering a bow as she did.
“This is the Human Village, sir Oscar Diggs the IVth. I hope you visit the Forest of Magic again after you have a chance to rest. I would love to share a friendly Danmaku with you.”
Narumi had been one of the friendliest sights Oscar had seen that day. But her farewell left him completely baffled. The obvious questions would have to wait for now though, as he was faced with a new challenge. As Narumi vanished back into the woods behind him, Oscar turned. And pondered the walls in front of him…
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How do we get inside?
= Let's find a gate. The gatekeeper's probably asleep, but maybe we can wake them with some 'magic'.
= "Hey Agappa, let me show you what an Indian Rope Trick is."
= Pick up Agappa and throw her over the walls. She can unlock them from the other side.
= Climb a tree and see if you can cross a branch onto the wall.