The Tortle Package (DM Lerus)

"So we've another climb ahead of us, eh? Best get ready."

Stretching out his arms and back, Yulmiath feels his muscles complain for a few moments before submitting and quietening their complaints. Feeling much more limber, Yulmiath settles himself to inspect his new grappling hook.

Picking a few larger spots of rust from it, Yulmiath admits that it has likely seen better days, but beggars can't be choosers, and if it turns out to work, he'd be a  fool to pass it over.  Taking one of his many hempen ropes he spends a few minutes picking out a likely knot before winding the rope about itself and tying it off.

Hun immediately whipped around and scowled at the Triton. But just as it looked as if a reprimand would be imminent, the kobold paused mid-word, rubbed at his chin, and then turned away muttering, "Perhaps a few more adjustments."

Eventually, the inventor/spy comes out of the haze of inspiration smiling in satisfaction, only to then falter upon turning to the others. "We were... oh right. Climbing. Yes. Uh... hm.. If there's not more to share about the evenings hub-bubs--" He looks everyone over. "--then we shall be off! Straight on and so forth! Young Green! If you would do us the kindness of guiding as always! And everyone stay on your guard. We're not quite out of the proverbial woods yet... Also, if we get the chance to next time, I would like to capture one of those tribesman for questioning." At any reminders of the language barrier, he'd just grin and present his medallion by way of answer. 

(Ration deducted for the day)

As Kairus begins to show some doubts about Hun's handy work, Eeyal responds to Yulmiath's comment: "Yes, some light climbing. Nothing compared with what he have already done." A simple breakfast of fruit, nuts, and previously dried and/or smoked meats is had by all. Then, upon being prodded onward, the guide takes the lead once more.

The thirty-minute walk to the mouth of the cave, including a short climbing challenge, is pretty straightforward. Based on looks alone, this is just another ordinary cave. The party has learned that, even though these are collective called the 'Geonid Caves', they can all be a bit more diverse than their name would suggest. Hence, there is no tellling what they might encounter inside. That said, Rhogal does pick up on something interesting: a scent. Even from outside, the druid can feel the musty, dank smells that characterize the perfect habitat for many a fungi species.

"Very well," Eeyal says. "I'll take my usual post at the cave's entrance. Good luck in there and scream loudly if you need me." The group makes some final preparations and delves inside. The first 30 or so feet of tunnel move at a slight downward slope which is still bathed by the sunlight from outside. As soon as the tunnel curves out of view from the entrance, as suspected, the group begins to spot many clusters of mushrooms adorning the corners. There are panellus stipticus, armillaria mellea, mycena chlorophos, and omphalotus olearius, to name a few. As the group moves deeper into the cave, they notice that many of these mushrooms emit a light of their own.

A few yards further and the path comes to a sort of natural T-intersection. The party can move either to the right or the left and, at least at first glance, there is little to distinguish to two alternatives.

(OOC: And yes, thanks for the reminder. Everyone should deduct a ration from their inventory.)

Standing at the intersection within the cave, Yulmaith looks to the others and shrugs his shoulders.

Tilting his head one way and then the other, he attempts to determine whether he can hear any signs of movement coming from either fork.

Perception - 14

Whatever way the party decide to progress in, Yulmiath is careful with his footsteps to ensure he progresses as quietly as possible.

Stealth - 12

(OOC - Ration deducted. Perception check is purely listening based.)

"We can always flip a coin." By Kairus's observations, that method of making decisions was quite popular on the dryland, and he liked it. He found one of the very few coins in his pack, and brought it closer to the luminescent patch of mushrooms. "Say, heads - right, tails - left." 2

"Tails. The coin said we go left." He made a few steps in that direction. "At least let me check what's there." Kairus continued that way carefully.

Perception: 20

Stealth: 21

Rhogal tries to recall details on the mushrooms as he keeps and eye out for any other creature wanting to take a bite out of them.

Nature: 12

Perception: 15

"Mn. Be safe, Young Green. And if opportunity does not permit you to shout a warning down the tunnel just in case, worry you not." Hun pats Eeyal on the shoulder from the back of Mr. Thicc as the duo made to enter after the rest. As the group journeyed deeper down into the depths, the kobold hadn't wholy been idle. Once more he'd try to make a few mechanical adjustments in some open back panel of Mr. Thicc to better assure it kept quiet with the rest.

Though soon enough the Kobold grunts and grumbles softly hearing the others speak up themselves, if quietly so, thus perhaps negating his effort. "Don't get too far, young blue. And for Gond's sake, don't touch anything if you can help it. Someone on this island has already proven wiley enough to rig these caves before after all." With the warning given, he'd take to keeping an eye on Rhogal in clear distrust of the dwarf being able to resist plucking something dangerous in his "excitement" for shrooms.

Hun's Stealth: 16. (if still necessary while piggybacking off his steel defender)
(if able to preemptively add Guidance: 4, otherwise add it to the below roll)

Mr. Thicc's Stealth: 13. 

Yulmiath's perception check: Focusing solely on your hearing sense, you pick up the sound of dripping water coming from the tunnel leading toward your right. This is not particularly surprising, as you are well aware that mushrooms require a certain degree of general moisture so survive and thrive. 

Kairus' perception check: Paying more attention to the tunnel leading left, you notice that the natural fungal luminescence seems brighter down this path. This might be as good a reason as any to pick this path, and your coin seems to agree. 

Rhogal's nature check: Panellus stipticus is more commonly known as 'bitter oyster'; you probably don't want to add this one to your soup. Armillaria mellea is sometimes referred to as 'honey mushroom'; these only emit light through their underground mycelia network. Mycena chlorophos have the rather fun nickname of 'green pepe'; these are still shining, so they must be quite young. Omphalotus olearius, or 'Jack-O'Lantern mushrooms', are easily mistake by other more edible species. Most fascinating of all is that these mushrooms get bigger and bigger the deeper you go into the cave. Amazing!

The group tries to advance in a quiet fashion, but the can't quite avoid every cling of Krodhen's armor, every clang of Mr. Thicc's plating, every instance of Yulmiath's broad shoulders brushing the tunnel's walls, every grumpy sigh Hun inadvertently lets out, every gasp of amazement Rhogal releases when spotting a new mushroom. The exception is Kairus; the bard is pretty quiet.

As the group follows the brightest light they can see, it is Rhogal who notices something first from the corner of his eye. Something moved just over there. He was right, something else was fascinated by these mushrooms and made its way inside in search of a good meal. A noise comes from a different direction and the druid turns. Yes, something else moved right over there. It's head is bulbous, it's legs slow. Is it an injured dire mouse? Perhaps it's a strangely big-headed rabbit? Suddenly, many more bulbous heads begin to shift and turn to face the party. Each is unique in shape, size, and coloration. Many shed a bright luminescence of their own. Some even mimic the faces and limbs of humanoids. The mushrooms are sentient!

You all can hear many whispers in your heads asking you the same question. No language is actually spoken, and the words form in your minds with some difficulty, as if tailored specifically to each of your own preferred way of communicating. Though many speak, it is your own respective voices you hear in your heads: "Welcome to our meld. What enlightenment may we provide you? What ascension may you provide us?"

Taken well aback at the sounds in his head, he shakes it in an attempt to clear them  "So now we have mushrooms that probably want to eat us....why am I not surprised" Krodhen says mockingly to no-one in particular

"Don't even joke about that. That could happen."

Yulmiath speaks under his breath, responding to Krodhen and warily eyes the mushrooms.

"Rhogal, these are your people, er, mushrooms. Want to take the lead here?"

"In that I agree. Though as a general rule for kobolds, most things want to eat us." Hun whispered as well out the corner of his mouth. Realizing however that few if any of the shroom creatures had ears, he frowned and grew somewhat ponderous of their actual nature. Something more than what was and was not his voice tickled the back of the kobold's mind, as something felt... familiar about them. An old memory of even older kobold tale perhaps of warning for those that chose to shun the surface world all together for the truly deep places...

Shroom People Identification: 12. (if able to use arcana instead, then add another +2) 

"Buh... Wha...?" Rhogal is dumbfounded from the revelation of talking mushrooms. It takes him a moment to regain his composure.

"What, exactly are you...? Bunch o' us aren't from these parts." He asks tentatively.

Every word you speak has to first be formed in your mind. Whether the mushrooms have ear holes is a mute point. This realization comes first to Krodhen, who has his exaggerated point answered with a complete lack of humor: "The meld does not take sustenance from beings like you. We do not hunt, hurt, or kill unless we must." Soon their own voices are repeated in each of the Snackers' heads, repeating the same message.

Despite the claim, the party is now completely surrounded by sentient mushrooms of diverse sizes, colors, and shapes. Some try to mimic quadruped animals, others humanoids, and others yet try to be more faithful to their original forms. In response to Rhogal's question, the group simply hears: "We are the meld. Who are you? What do you seek in our home? What enlightenment may you offer in exchange?"

@Hun: You have once heard a theory describing mushrooms that could move out of their own volition, and the word 'myconid' comes to mind as you dig deeper into that memory, but you can remember precious little in addition to that. It has been simply too long since you heard or read about this particular theory.

The brightest bioluminescent light is still beyond the area in which the Packers currently find themselves.

The mushrooms looked peaceful (or more like "harmless" and "easy to fight") and definitely interesting. The inner explorer (as well as outer- too) in Kairus immediately got excited to meet yet another species of drylanders. "We are the surface people. We came in peace seeking the lost item. Have you met the rock people? Geonids? They look like little boulders but can move. Some days ago they stole an item - the black stone statue of a serpent. We know this cave as one of their caves and came to ... ask them (politely) to return the thing. Did not expect to find someone else in here."

Kairus paused, waiting for shrooms to react. "As for enlightenment..." Unsurprisingly, after so many mentions of the food chain, his thoughts were glued to the subject. "How about a new food? From the surface? What's the better way to study the unknown cultures as though their cooking?"

Following Karius' lead, Yulmiath very slowly and purposefully, sets his pack on the ground and produces a ration in case the mushroom people want to partake of some food. They could put it in their mouths, although faceholes might be the better word for them.

"Myconids.." Hun mutters as if remembering something that was simultaneously distasteful as it interesting. Eventually all the mental and verbal chatter brings his focus back to the fore. But while visibly uncomfortable with the creatures surrounding the party -- even to the point of whispering a command in draconic to have Mr. Thicc position so the duo's back was only to the rest of the party -- he otherwise fought off temptations to get a weapon in hand. "For that matter--" He eventually chimed in. "What -is- enlightenment to you?" He asks frankly. 

Not exactly having the best knowledge of fungus to begin with, Rhogal realizes there is an opportunity here. Why stumble around looking for what he's looking for, when he could ask these mushroomy folk. The spores around him also give a soft glow, demonstrating a connection with the fungal world.

"Mayhaps, you could help me out wit' something? Me clan tasked me lookin' for any sorts of mushrooms or the like that could help. I ain't looking for anything that could do us harm - as much as that may mean yer meld - something could help with keepin' alive in th' deeper parts o' the world."

Persuasion (w/ inspiration and guidance): 10 + 3

Total: 13

All attention turns first to Hun, whose hesitation and discomfort are obvious. The rising tension drops a tad when all the kobold ends up doing, at least for now, is asking a clarifying question. In all of your minds, you once again hear your own voices: "Enlightenment is ascension, knowledge, growth, independence, higher consciousness, collective union, and spiritual apotheosis."

Kairus brings the topic back down to a less abstract level by offering the myconids enough dry foods to maintain a grown humanoid for a full day. They take a moment to respond, possibly conferring among themselves, but eventually accept the gift: "A new source of nutrition. An experiment so we may learn if that which sustain humanoids may also fortify the meld. We do not blame you if the results are negative. That knowledge may be just as valuable as the success." All of their heads --or whatever individual appendages best correspond to their respective heads-- turn to face the ground. "Kindly bury the sustenance you offer. Let it be broken down in time so we may properly consume it." Yulmiath takes the initiative and begins burying the food.

A few moments later, Rhogal changes the subject. "That which may thrive in the dark depths of the earth," the meld rewords the request. They show appreciation for the dwarf's own spores, now convinced of the group's good intentions. "Come," they continue, "may the sovereign share the meld's knowledge with you." The packers are led to the next chamber over, where the brightest blueish-green light in the cave originates. There, they meet he source: a gigantic mushroom with a wide, fringed luminescent cap. Many other types of fungi grow on this large one, sporting their own shapes, textures, sizes, and colors. The cloud of spores surrounding this being is so thick that it looks like it is partially but permanently shrouded in a milky haze. It turns to meet your gaze. Its "face" mimics that of an old wise humanoid, including wrinkles and moss beard. You expect its voice to be labored but wise. Nonetheless, it is only your own voices you hear in your head. The sovereign responds to your request and questions as if they were in the previous room with you, "listening" to the conversation. "Your offered sustenance experiment has earned you some answers, but the druid's request touches on something too dear to the meld. More enlightenment will be needed so that we can both grow further from this trade. For now, allow the meld to enlighten you: Yes, the meld is aware of the rock hermits you speak of. Violent and harsh creatures who expelled a neighboring meld from its lair so they could claim if for themselves. The black stone serpent serves as a great point of pride to them. They keep it in the stolen cave that may be found in the direction of the warm winds." (You'd know this to mean south of this cave, though there is no indication of distance.)

The sovereign then turns to Rhogal specifically. "Tell the meld of your people."

Still in awe of the sight of the myconid king, Yulmiath feels his jaw hanging loose.  Snapping back to the reality of the situation, he nudges Rhogal's shoulder in what he hopes is a show of solidarity with the dwarf.  Keeping his voice low, he gives the Packer's resident druid a pep-talk.

"Go on Rhogal. I believe in you."

(OOC - Absolutely zero benefit to Rhogal in game. But Yully is good at the hitty-hitty, not the talky talky.)

Though Hun's discomfort hardly debates in diving deeper into their lair. However, the kobold would return to being a quiet passenger on the strange journey the group now found themselves treading upon with various mixed feelings. His own feelings, such as they were, grew all the more visibly conflicted seeing the myconid king. No, their 'Sovereign' as they put it. 

It's then he scanned the party, grumbled something, and then with a sigh settled in to hear and let things play out for a bit more. When the time was right he'd ask the of Volo's possible whereabouts and the 'southern' caves...