This strange person lurks at the far reaches of Heartwood, behind the busy Tailors. Speaking to him reveals reveals:
Ah… you look like someone who notices details. Good. I have no interest in the common collectors rushing about with baskets of ordinary caps. I deal in… exceptional specimens.
You have heard of the Spritelight Bloom, yes? The woods are overflowing with mushrooms, but most foragers bring only the plain varieties. I want none of those. Each species has rarer forms with unusual hues, strange growths, and peculiar qualities.
I want those.
You will need a proper Mushroom Harvesting Knife to gather them cleanly, and a Mushroom Preservation pack to keep them intact. Unlike certain traders in Heartwood, I require the mushrooms preserved. Freshness fades, but a properly kept specimen retains its… usefulness.
If you are unsure what to look for, acquire The Forager’s Field Guide: Mushrooms from the cooks. Study it carefully. It records not only the species, but the variants. I want one special variant from each species… not the ordinary, not the dull, and certainly not the common caps children stumble across. I don’t care which variant you acquire me, any will do!
Bring me a preserved example of every species in its rare form, all safely stored, and I will provide something unique in return!
Now go. Before you draw more unwanted attention.
A report has reached us that a preservation pack containing 28 rare and 2 exotic examples meeting his requirements has been handed in. The title “Lichenthrope” was received in return. His surprise was evident, but he has a further demand.
… You actually did it?!
I was quite certain you would return with a basket of damp shiitake and a confident smile. Well now. I appear to have misjudged you. That is an unpleasantly rare experience.
These will benefit me greatly, of course. Research… culinary curiosity… personal satisfaction… the reasons are unimportant.
Now that you have demonstrated a surprising resistance to disappointment, I have a second proposition.
I want another collection… But not merely rare. No…
Mythical variants. Every Species.
The sort that naturalists deny exist, and foragers insist they once saw at dusk but can never find again. No ordinary caps, no almost-rare substitutes, and no “close enough.”
Bring me a Mythical variant of each species and I will reward you with something.. Truly memorable.
Naturally, I do not expect you to succeed. But optimism is important for morale, and I would hate to deprive you of it.
Good luck…