Long ago, when the shadow dwellers first settled beneath the island, life was difficult. Food was scarce and water had to be collected by hand. The people thought the gods had abandoned them for their sins. Algae and Reeds were the only food source available. The people we bare in body and soul. For a while life beneath the islands was filled with hardship and suffering. The Gods seeing that these left on the ground were persevering despite the limitations of their surroundings, they sent an emissary. A blazing chariot descended from the heavens carrying holy spores. Where it landed it used godly heat and magics to enrich the life of the faithful. On that spot grew the Mother Mushroom, Charkai. It was so tall that it nearly touched the island. With the heat and the spores of Charkai, mushrooms started growing rapidly beneath the islands. From these mushrooms the people made clothes, food and medicine. The chariot rider having descended under his own power, was Haku. He became the first Tabake of the Shadow Dwellers and taught them to use these new gifts well. In a generation the people, once desperate and miserable, had grown into a full-fledged settlement. Tending to the mushroom fields is now the responsibility of the young ones to teach them about the blessing that fuels the Shadow Dweller way of life.
"And that is why you must learn to tend the fields with the other children."
"But it's boring…" protested the blonde girl. Her face and hands were dirty from the day's chores.
Seilus grabbed a cloth and started wiping her clean.
"It isn't boring. It's an important part of our history, culture and life. Without mushroom fields you would be running around with your butt out starving." Seilus affirmed drawing giggle from the sulking girl. "Now Saiyi. Tomorrow will you try to see that the work isn't difficult, but it is very important?"
"Yeah, but –" She started, but quickly stopped when she looked at her father's face.
"Yes dad. I will try." She said admitting defeat.
The next day they were back in the field. Seilus was teaching her the proper way to water, tend, and harvest the fungus. In time he would teach her the different types of mushrooms and what they were used for. Saiyi in turn was smiling and did not miss a chance to run off to her friends to tell them the story of Charkai. It turned out, to Seilus' surprise, that she had a knack for growing mushrooms. Soon she even volunteered to learn some of the algae trade also. Every day she would get home with her golden curls mussed with dirt. She would also be carrying fresh mushrooms of all types for their personal use.
One evening while sitting outside, Saiyi joined Seilus. From her pocket she drew out a great big mushroom with obvious pride.
"I grew it myself." She placed it in his hand. He admired it and smiled.
"My, my, you are getting clever aren't you?" He mussed "We'll call this one little Charkai. How does that sound." Saiyi beamed at this and hugged him. She was getting big now. He could already see the young woman growing from the little messy girl. He chuckled to himself.
"Ready to eat?" he asked as he lead her inside.
"I want shroom bread!"
"Shroom bread it is then," the wise man said walking back home. Shroom bread sounded wonderful.