The Undergrowth

**The Undergrowth** is the name given to the massive forests that cover the majority of the Solis Islands. Thought to have originated from the north and southern regions, The Undergrowth began spreading across the islands around ME 273, and had completely covered the islands by 276. The rapid spread of The Undergrowth resulted in the death of the central desert, as well as the presumed extinction of the majority of species save for the Fuscans, who managed to escape its spread by migrating into the mountains.

While seeming like a lush forest from the outside, in reality The Undergrowth is more akin to an incredibly hostile fungal growth. In it lies hundreds of different species of carnivorous wildlife, the majority of which are large arthropods. Hostile flora is also common, and the few surviving expeditions describe practically every plant attempting to attack them. Though the majority of expeditions resulted in most of if not all crew vanishing into the endless green, one expedition headed by Anurian explorer Upeet Zabhub provided the only proper look into the inside of The Undergrowth. In his journal, he details it as follows:

"*8th of Zavagius, 284: We landed on this wretched island earlier today, and have been trekking into its heart for some hours now. There are six of us. Two of my own, Mupu and Enaarq, a Nibayr named Zras, a young Long-ears named Cassius, and a bear from the mainland. I haven't bothered to catch his name, but the extra protection will be nice. We plan to head towards the large mountain to our east. There should be Fuscans we can connect with up there, and we hope to finally conduct a proper study of their culture. We all know the dangers, heard the tales, but the Guild Leader promised a cartographic honour upon my return, so if I pull this off I'll never have to sail again. I've already seen things beyond my comprehension here, and we've had to kill dozens of bugs since we began, but we've come prepared and don't plan on leaving empty handed. Camp has been set up for the night in a small cave and shifts have been figured out. We think something big comes out at night, heard its clicks earlier. I pray to the gods it doesn't find us."*

"*9th of Zavagius, 284: Even the plants attack you here. One of their tendrils grabbed Cassius. We got him out but he got a nasty cut on his leg. Mupu patched him up but the plant sprayed something into it, looks like its spreading. I offered to cut it off but he refused. Can't blame him, what's a rabbit worth with one leg? We found a body as well. A Nibayr, looks like its been there awhile but hard to tell. It looks almost consumed by the plant it died on, tendrils wrapping around its body like a hug, stems growing out of its eyes and mouth. Zras tried to take it off the plant out of respect, but its chest started moving, almost like it was breathing. We couldn't tell if it was alive or if the plant just made it do that, but we didn't stick around to find out. Enaarq thinks the plants are smart, that everything works together here. We'll escape one horror, only for another to be waiting for us down the path. Maybe he's right, maybe it's leading us into a trap. Our camp tonight is in a cave mouth. it's almost too perfect of a spot. I can't explain it, I just don't feel safe. Nobody does."*

"*10th of Zavagius, 284: I was right. The plants moved into our cave midway through the night, came from the dark. One of them stabbed me in the arm, another grabbed Mupu and dragged him into the cave. We tried to go after him but they were too quick. He is gone, and with it our medical supplies. I can already see the plants venom spreading through my arm, and Cassius's leg is likely beyond repair. We can just about touch the mountain now though, so with any luck the Fuscans will have some kind of cure. Surprisingly, we haven't seen any down here even in the form of corpses. Perhaps there's a reason for that... We should reach the base of the mountain by mid afternoon, and after that it will be smooth sailing."*

"*10th of Zavagius, 284: Everything has gone wrong. We were ambushed in a small area where the jungle canopy doesn't block out the sun. We just wanted a rest, just for a second. A plant grabbed Zras first, tendrils pulling him into its mouth before we could react. Stems muffled his screams as the mouth closed. We tried to get him out, but more came just seconds after. The Bear fought them valiantly but was overpowered soon enough. Dozens of insects ate him alive as vines on the ground held him down. I, Enaarq and Cassius fled, and were able to find a place to hide. I can only hope the bear died quick, but from what we've seen from the plants I imagine Zras is still alive and being broken down, poor bastard. The other two want to leave. We'll talk about it in the morning, if we sleep at all."*

"*11th of Zavagius, 284: The cowards decided to leave and I will join. My infection is getting worse and I can't make it to the mountains by myself. I could see the Fuscan's city lights dot the mountain tops as I lay awake last night. Damn apes. I know they can hear us. Why don't they help? Are they scared too? We saw Mupu last night. Enaarq called out to him but it wasn't him. The plant was controlling him. I put him out of his misery. We should never have come here. We will head back west towards the boat if it's even still there."*

"*11th of Zavagius, 284: Enaarq is gone. I lead the march with Cassius behind me and Enaarq in the back. One second he was there and the next he was gone. I assume something grabbed him. I hope it was at least quick. Cassius said he heard nothing and I believe him. Stems growing out of his ears now I don't think he has long left don't want to tell him. We've found a cliffside away from the rocks. Will sleep here and continue on at first light. We are so close."*

"*12th of Zavagius, 284": Woke up to Cassius stuck to the wall vines growing out of him everywhere he looked at me and tried to say something blinked I hope he dies quick poor child Does that fate await me I can see the coast now so close saw ship pass last night Will use lightcaster to draw them too me"*

*"12th of Zavagius, 284": THEY SEE ME THEY ARE COMING BUT MUST GO BACK CAN SEE MOUNTAINS CAN MAKE IT WILL GET CREW TO JOIN ME "*

The remaining two pages of Zabhub's journal are unintelligible. He was found by the crew of a Leucan ship unconscious on the shores of the island and was brought back with them. He regained consciousness soon after, but could only speak his native Lapnoshi which the Leucans could not understand. They then brought him to a nearby island where he was treated by a doctor, before succumbing to his infection the next morning. Soon after his death, plant stems began growing out of Zabhub's body, and he was subsequently burnt to prevent its spread.

Zabhob's journal has given further credit to the theory that The Undergrowth is a sort of semi-conscious fungal growth, rather than an actual jungle. Present-day, expeditions to the islands have largely ceased.