Your escort leads you onward eastward into the grove. The grove opens up with high ledges to the north and south, and an open expanse of water directly ahead. Around the shores of the pond, narrow paths choked thick with growth are the only overland options. Your guide leads you south of the pond into pale cream and beige stalks growing thick and tall, resembling a surface world forest. Fungi grow in profusion everywhere, and it’s hard to find anything resembling a path between them. (Difficult Terrain) The giant caps of zurkhwood mushrooms obscure your view of the cavern’s ceiling, but luminescent fungi there give off a shimmering aura. With each step taken on the soggy ground, a rank scent of decay rises around you.
Stool calmly explains, "The fungi forest provides a line of defense for the rest of the grove. The Sovereigns can animate the Zurkhwoods to fight, and the natural creatures living here can provide warning of trespass or attack, per their nature. Myconids grow this forest as thick as possible, to make it hard to cross."
As you progress through this fauna with difficulty, you crest the southern tip of the pond and see a mound of rocks piled high with lichen and mold growing all over it.
Stool says, "That is new, and small for a melding circle. The population of the grove couldn't possibly all fit. Did a catastrophe strike the grove? Does this represent all that is left of the myconids?"
Passing it by, you find yourselves continuing to slog through the difficult terrain heading north east from the lower tip of the pond, towards the enormous mushroom in the far cavern that can occasionally be seen through the canopy.
Finally you find yourselves climbing another large pile of rocks, freshly stacked and devoid of lichens or mold. As you climb this mound, you clear the canopy of the fungal forest and get another look at the grove from another perspective.
Stool says, "This is a proper melding mound. But it is also new, and why the small one?"
Beyond the mud and mushrooms that spread across the cavern, a large, clear pool sits in the midst of the fungal grove. The central mound upon which you stand seems to be the only dry spot in sight, though a small cliff rises above the cavern floor far across the clearing, with giant mushrooms visible in the distance. Bioluminescent fungi trace strange constellations along the cavern’s ceiling and walls, showing the darkness of the ravine and a mist-shrouded smaller cavern beyond to the east.
Standing before you are two of the biggest myconids you've seen yet. They are accompanied by three other myconid adults and above them, forming a ring around the mound are a dozen or so very large mushrooms, Zurkwoods, big as trees.
Stool says, "Those are animated Zurkwoods. They squash any intruder that hurts even one myconid."
Your guide makes a motion for you to hold, and proceeds to approach the two large myconids. After a moment, it gestures for all of you to approach. When the full party is near enough, one of the sovereigns releases a thirty foot cloud that engulfs you all. Then the large mouth-less myconid speaks, joyfully proclaiming telepathically, "You are safe, friendly softers. You arrive at a wondrous time, for Neverlight Grove is on the verge of something great, something marvelous! Celebrate, as the day of joy is nigh! "
Once the proclamation completed, the tone changes to be more matter of fact, the same disposition that you've come to expect from Stool, "I am Sovereign Phylo and this is Sovereign Basidia. You may stay here in Neverlight Grove as long as you wish. You may explore and enjoy the sustenance and delights we are blessed with. This night we Sovereigns and the Circle Leader will meld with our lost little one so he may share his memories. Then after we rest, we will grant you another audience. Do not stray far from this mound as the fungi forest below is populated with creatures that would see you as prey. Nourishment will be brought to you shortly. You may rest here in safety."
Beegred: "Before I forget, do you grow mistletoe here? If so, could I have a sprig?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
The other Sovereign responds telepathically (to all), "We do not recognize the word 'mistletoe'. Please picture the image of what your require in your mind for us?" After Beegred does so, it continues, "That is not native to the underdark and would require your sun to grow, but we do have a collection of scavenged equipment and supplies from various creatures that have died in the underdark over the centuries, if not eons. After I meld with your little one, I will search to see if we can provide some for you."
Rodolfo is quieter than he's been all this time and he was quiet to begin with. Profound relief of safety and friendliness is mixed with seeing Stool being brought back home. Tears stream down his cheeks as he mutters to himself, but telepathically to everyone, "I hope she's OK."
Then, looking around, he explains "I have a daughter somewhere whom I have not seen for a very very long time. I hope she is safe."
Those of you that wake for some time, witness a congregation of myconids huddle around little Stool. They settle in place and don't move for the next 16 hours.
Day 32
When the party wakes, they find platters made of mushroom caps laden with what passes for food here as well as several bowls full of fresh clear water. Not long after breaking your fast, the two Sovereigns and three adults approach. A couple more myconids appear from the cover of the 'forest' below and lead Sarith away. The myconids continue to stand perfectly still as more time passes.
Eventually, another pair of myconids appear leading a tall furry bugbear with a massive battle axe across his back. Once the bugbear is made to join you, Sovereign Phylo releases its rapport spores and communicates telepathically to all, "You are safe, friendly softers. You arrive at a wondrous time, for Neverlight Grove is on the verge of something great, something marvelous! Celebrate, as the day of joy is nigh!"
Once the proclamation completed, the tone changes to be slightly more matter of fact, "I am Sovereign Phylo and this is Sovereign Basidia. You may stay here in Neverlight Grove as long as you wish. You may explore and enjoy the sustenance and delights we are blessed with.
We have melded with the little one named 'Stool' by the drow 'Shoor' and deliberated on what we learned. The drow 'Sarith' was instrumental in returning Stool to us, however it was also responsible for taking Stool away from us in the first place. We Sovereigns have not come to an agreement yet on how to resolve that issue. I have sequestered this Sarith for the time being.
The memories we witnessed show us you have survived against most odds in these perilous times. Softer Skameros, our explorers tell us you seek solace, joy, purpose and celebration.
Tomorrow we invite all of you to the plateau behind me where the Circle of Masters are preparing a wondrous and glorious surprise in the Garden of Welcome. I ask kindly that you avoid that plateau until the preparations are completed.
You are free to make requests, ask questions or pursue your whims, as you wish."
Before resting for the night Rodolfo requested some of the dead zurkhwood to practice his woodworking skills. He created intricate small mushroom statues.
Towering over the rest of the party is a large, black, shaggy creature with long arms and bright yellow eyes. Standing at 7'4 and all of 350 pounds, the creature looks straight out of someones nightmare and the greataxe across their back looks like its been well used.. When the Sovereign releases his spores the great creature lets out a mighty sneeze and then starts to laugh before looking around and finally....looking down he notices the party. As he squats down in front of Beegred to try and look him eye to eye he ends up just falling on his butt and gives the halfling a big toothy grin "Hello little one, Skameros thinks he likes you..." and he'll try to ruffle the rangers hair.
"Shroom-men seem nice, this safe place to stay." and he'll grab one of the plates of food and snarf it down before belching loudly.
"Hello little one, Skameros thinks he likes you..." and he'll try to ruffle the rangers hair.
"We already have one hairy, smelly oaf on the team" (gestures to Derendil, but some of the rest of the party looks at Beegred) "do we really need another one?
"Sovereign, I don't think anyone said anything about 'purpose'. We were hoping for decent map and directions to get to Blindingwing-stein... and maybe a sprig of mistletoe, if you had traded for one in the past.
"You should also be on guard for demons. We were told this by some annoying members of the Society of... Annoying Brainiacs... who said there were demons around. And we ran into them in two different spots near your city."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Skameros frowns a bit at Beegred's comment "demons? Skameros not scared of demons as long has he has Pork-Chopper..." and he gestures at his axe "Do not worry half-a-ling, demon won't eat you, you are too bitter..." and he'll laugh again which turns in to a belch....that causes him to laugh harder.
(Due to the circumstances, Beegred only knows about one encounter with demons. He, and everyone else, slept through the other and currently are blaming Tozer and Xilyrah for the death and/or abduction of Krizzibond.)
Sovereign Phylo responds telepathically to all, "Neverlight Grove has defenses in place against incursion and our Circle of Explorers and Circle of Hunters are aware of the increased demon activity outside of the Grove. Thank you for your warning.
As for directions, with some patience you may ask the Great Seeder who resides beyond the Garden of Welcome, for she is..."
Sovereign Basidia cuts off Phylo, "I will introduce you to the Circle of Explorers, who can provide you with directions to most places, although I do not recognize the place you name - Blindingwing-Stein."
Sovereign Phylo once again takes the lead, "I hope you will rest some more and stay to witness our glorious and wondrous surprised planned in the Garden of Welcome."
"Why you going to Blindingwing-stein..." Skameros carefully enunciates the city name slowly.
Beegred: "Eh? I said we are going to Blingdenstone. I realize you are new here, but keep up."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Narstin shakes his head at Beegred's antics, then looks to Skameros. "You look like you could be useful in a fight. I imagine we'll find plenty more of those before we get out of the underdark.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Your escort leads you onward eastward into the grove. The grove opens up with high ledges to the north and south, and an open expanse of water directly ahead. Around the shores of the pond, narrow paths choked thick with growth are the only overland options. Your guide leads you south of the pond into pale cream and beige stalks growing thick and tall, resembling a surface world forest. Fungi grow in profusion everywhere, and it’s hard to find anything resembling a path between them. (Difficult Terrain) The giant caps of zurkhwood mushrooms obscure your view of the cavern’s ceiling, but luminescent fungi there give off a shimmering aura. With each step taken on the soggy ground, a rank scent of decay rises around you.
Stool calmly explains, "The fungi forest provides a line of defense for the rest of the grove. The Sovereigns can animate the Zurkhwoods to fight, and the natural creatures living here can provide warning of trespass or attack, per their nature. Myconids grow this forest as thick as possible, to make it hard to cross."
As you progress through this fauna with difficulty, you crest the southern tip of the pond and see a mound of rocks piled high with lichen and mold growing all over it.
Stool says, "That is new, and small for a melding circle. The population of the grove couldn't possibly all fit. Did a catastrophe strike the grove? Does this represent all that is left of the myconids?"
Passing it by, you find yourselves continuing to slog through the difficult terrain heading north east from the lower tip of the pond, towards the enormous mushroom in the far cavern that can occasionally be seen through the canopy.
Finally you find yourselves climbing another large pile of rocks, freshly stacked and devoid of lichens or mold. As you climb this mound, you clear the canopy of the fungal forest and get another look at the grove from another perspective.
Stool says, "This is a proper melding mound. But it is also new, and why the small one?"
Beyond the mud and mushrooms that spread across the cavern, a large, clear pool sits in the midst of the fungal grove. The central mound upon which you stand seems to be the only dry spot in sight, though a small cliff rises above the cavern floor far across the clearing, with giant mushrooms visible in the distance. Bioluminescent fungi trace strange constellations along the cavern’s ceiling and walls, showing the darkness of the ravine and a mist-shrouded smaller cavern beyond to the east.
Standing before you are two of the biggest myconids you've seen yet. They are accompanied by three other myconid adults and above them, forming a ring around the mound are a dozen or so very large mushrooms, Zurkwoods, big as trees.
Stool says, "Those are animated Zurkwoods. They squash any intruder that hurts even one myconid."
Your guide makes a motion for you to hold, and proceeds to approach the two large myconids. After a moment, it gestures for all of you to approach. When the full party is near enough, one of the sovereigns releases a thirty foot cloud that engulfs you all. Then the large mouth-less myconid speaks, joyfully proclaiming telepathically, "You are safe, friendly softers. You arrive at a wondrous time, for Neverlight Grove is on the verge of something great, something marvelous! Celebrate, as the day of joy is nigh! "
Once the proclamation completed, the tone changes to be more matter of fact, the same disposition that you've come to expect from Stool, "I am Sovereign Phylo and this is Sovereign Basidia. You may stay here in Neverlight Grove as long as you wish. You may explore and enjoy the sustenance and delights we are blessed with. This night we Sovereigns and the Circle Leader will meld with our lost little one so he may share his memories. Then after we rest, we will grant you another audience. Do not stray far from this mound as the fungi forest below is populated with creatures that would see you as prey. Nourishment will be brought to you shortly. You may rest here in safety."
Beegred: "Before I forget, do you grow mistletoe here? If so, could I have a sprig?"
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
The other Sovereign responds telepathically (to all), "We do not recognize the word 'mistletoe'. Please picture the image of what your require in your mind for us?" After Beegred does so, it continues, "That is not native to the underdark and would require your sun to grow, but we do have a collection of scavenged equipment and supplies from various creatures that have died in the underdark over the centuries, if not eons. After I meld with your little one, I will search to see if we can provide some for you."
Rodolfo is quieter than he's been all this time and he was quiet to begin with. Profound relief of safety and friendliness is mixed with seeing Stool being brought back home. Tears stream down his cheeks as he mutters to himself, but telepathically to everyone, "I hope she's OK."
Then, looking around, he explains "I have a daughter somewhere whom I have not seen for a very very long time. I hope she is safe."
Those of you that wake for some time, witness a congregation of myconids huddle around little Stool. They settle in place and don't move for the next 16 hours.
Day 32
When the party wakes, they find platters made of mushroom caps laden with what passes for food here as well as several bowls full of fresh clear water. Not long after breaking your fast, the two Sovereigns and three adults approach. A couple more myconids appear from the cover of the 'forest' below and lead Sarith away. The myconids continue to stand perfectly still as more time passes.
DC 15 WIS (Perception) checks from everyone:
Eventually, another pair of myconids appear leading a tall furry bugbear with a massive battle axe across his back. Once the bugbear is made to join you, Sovereign Phylo releases its rapport spores and communicates telepathically to all, "You are safe, friendly softers. You arrive at a wondrous time, for Neverlight Grove is on the verge of something great, something marvelous! Celebrate, as the day of joy is nigh! "
Once the proclamation completed, the tone changes to be slightly more matter of fact, "I am Sovereign Phylo and this is Sovereign Basidia. You may stay here in Neverlight Grove as long as you wish. You may explore and enjoy the sustenance and delights we are blessed with.
We have melded with the little one named 'Stool' by the drow 'Shoor' and deliberated on what we learned. The drow 'Sarith' was instrumental in returning Stool to us, however it was also responsible for taking Stool away from us in the first place. We Sovereigns have not come to an agreement yet on how to resolve that issue. I have sequestered this Sarith for the time being.
The memories we witnessed show us you have survived against most odds in these perilous times. Softer Skameros, our explorers tell us you seek solace, joy, purpose and celebration.
Tomorrow we invite all of you to the plateau behind me where the Circle of Masters are preparing a wondrous and glorious surprise in the Garden of Welcome. I ask kindly that you avoid that plateau until the preparations are completed.
You are free to make requests, ask questions or pursue your whims, as you wish."
(Feel free to describe yourself, Skameros)
Before resting for the night Rodolfo requested some of the dead zurkhwood to practice his woodworking skills. He created intricate small mushroom statues.
Towering over the rest of the party is a large, black, shaggy creature with long arms and bright yellow eyes. Standing at 7'4 and all of 350 pounds, the creature looks straight out of someones nightmare and the greataxe across their back looks like its been well used.. When the Sovereign releases his spores the great creature lets out a mighty sneeze and then starts to laugh before looking around and finally....looking down he notices the party. As he squats down in front of Beegred to try and look him eye to eye he ends up just falling on his butt and gives the halfling a big toothy grin "Hello little one, Skameros thinks he likes you..." and he'll try to ruffle the rangers hair.
"Shroom-men seem nice, this safe place to stay." and he'll grab one of the plates of food and snarf it down before belching loudly.
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Retcon this and say you accomplished this prior to the long rest.
"We already have one hairy, smelly oaf on the team" (gestures to Derendil, but some of the rest of the party looks at Beegred) "do we really need another one?
"Sovereign, I don't think anyone said anything about 'purpose'. We were hoping for decent map and directions to get to Blindingwing-stein... and maybe a sprig of mistletoe, if you had traded for one in the past.
"You should also be on guard for demons. We were told this by some annoying members of the Society of... Annoying Brainiacs... who said there were demons around. And we ran into them in two different spots near your city."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Skameros frowns a bit at Beegred's comment "demons? Skameros not scared of demons as long has he has Pork-Chopper..." and he gestures at his axe "Do not worry half-a-ling, demon won't eat you, you are too bitter..." and he'll laugh again which turns in to a belch....that causes him to laugh harder.
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
(Due to the circumstances, Beegred only knows about one encounter with demons. He, and everyone else, slept through the other and currently are blaming Tozer and Xilyrah for the death and/or abduction of Krizzibond.)
Sovereign Phylo responds telepathically to all, "Neverlight Grove has defenses in place against incursion and our Circle of Explorers and Circle of Hunters are aware of the increased demon activity outside of the Grove. Thank you for your warning.
As for directions, with some patience you may ask the Great Seeder who resides beyond the Garden of Welcome, for she is..."
Sovereign Basidia cuts off Phylo, "I will introduce you to the Circle of Explorers, who can provide you with directions to most places, although I do not recognize the place you name - Blindingwing-Stein."
Sovereign Phylo once again takes the lead, "I hope you will rest some more and stay to witness our glorious and wondrous surprised planned in the Garden of Welcome."
Group DC 12 WIS (Insight) checks:
"Why you going to Blindingwing-stein..." Skameros carefully enunciates the city name slowly. "Shroom-men are nice, grove safe, but Skameros bored."
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Jimjar can be heard over the telepathic link, "BLING-DEN-STONE."
Beegred: "Eh? I said we are going to Blingdenstone. I realize you are new here, but keep up."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
[History: 13] to see if Skameros has heard of Blingdenstone in his wanderings.
OOC - oh sure lets crit the history check haha)
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Yeah, you've probably tried to raid merchant caravans leaving Blingdenstone in your lifetime.
"Oh that is home to swerveneblam....Skameros knows this place. Dirt nomes not like that one...." and he points at Rodolfo
Skameros - Bugbear Barbarian - Out of the Abyss - By Kerrec
Follow your Arrow where it Points - Tabaxi Monk - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
Citron Pumpkinfoam - Fairy Monk - Project Point: Team Longsword
Narstin shakes his head at Beegred's antics, then looks to Skameros. "You look like you could be useful in a fight. I imagine we'll find plenty more of those before we get out of the underdark.