As Verim detects the magic of the area, he sees no additional magic essence. The mushrooms are natural and have grown to the size that they are through time alone. 

You all hear Stool’s voice “Ah, don’t worry. It doesn’t offend me for you to think like that. The truth is that just because my people share some relatives with these plants, it doesn’t mean that we can make them move or grow or anything like that. My spores could allow me to speak to them but most mushrooms lack the mind to process what we say”

Cyndral turns to face Verim, eyes wide in terror at the very suggestion.

"Bring down the tunnel entry? Are you mad? What if it causes a chain collapse? What if there's a creature or persons living somewhere above it? What if Ilvara's scouts hear the noise it makes? That will travel for miles in these tunnels."

Shishakli nods in agreement saying "A collapse of the tunnels is something one never hopes to experience, let alone cause, down here. I would prefer whichever path would get us to any populated area quickest. Once there, even if we are being tracked, I doubt they will care enough to raid an entire city for a few lost slaves; even after the insult we gave them. Though we'll always need to watch our backs... that is the norm in this world."

You see Turvy whispering into his sisters ear and Topsy says to you all “Well, whatever the plan is. We need to come up with it quickly before whatever left those tracks returns and catches us unaware”

”NO, I’m not mad, not bring it all down, just using the natural rock forms and mushrooms to block up the entrance to aid us and conceal our escape. I didn’t want to snag a nerve with either of you, he sighs i‘m just tired. Verim ponders on what’s been said and looks around once more. I’m happy to travel this way if it’s faster, for us all, I don’t mind, but I suppose they won’t attack a whole town for us, maybe disguises for some may be needed when we arrive..... anyway that’s not important right now, I say we push on. He turns to Stool, i appreciate you being able to speak openly, I am just unfamiliar with what you can do, sorry if I sounded offensive, I’d very much like to help you. Tell me, if you can communicate with them would it be possible for them to seal our exit? Verim asks but only in hope, any chance of a lead on Ilvara would be helpful for all.

(Notifications seems not to be working for me at the moment...)

   "Well, whatever came through here made short work of that poor soul, so we need to move on quickly," Tobias says motioning to the pile of bones in the corner. "I would prefer the shortest route as well... If we can even determine that." 

(DM: Didn't someone say something in regards to these glowing caves?)

(OOC - Notifications are funny for me too today. There was talk of the strange magical natural light that is in some of the passages down here known as Faerzress. This mushroom gives off its own natural light) 

Cyndral took a look at the group, thinking back to the gnomish woman's house and how long they'd lingered there. Ilvara's minions were closing with every time they stopped, and that knowledge was slowly setting him more and more on edge. Indecision was poison in their efforts, and despite himself, the Half-Drow pulled his sword from its sheath and stared ominously into the track-marked tunnel. He strode forward, leading the way for any who would follow, and declaring in an even but cold tone, "We've wasted far too much time today to gamble on a path that may not go where we need. I'd rather risk a beast than our captors."

A flicker can be seen in Verims eyes, they turn white hot, he smiles, “I agree with Cyndral, I say we head off now and fight whatever we encounter” Verim grips his sickle tightly and strides after Cyndral, he strides with purpose once again.

(Yay! Notifications working now.)

    Tobias nods in agreement and steps toward the glowing tunnel. "Let's press on then?" 

As Cyndral begins to move, followed by Tobias and Verim. The gnome twins, Shuushar and Stool move backwards slightly, more towards the large mushroom in the current chamber. Topsy says “We’ll wait until the way is clear before we move on” Sarith stands with his crossbow drawn “Who do you want to come with you and who do you want to remain here to protect the others?”

Cyndral calls back, quietly but not inaudibly at the question. "Sarith, Eldeth, and Ront, please guard the non-combatants. Wait about five minutes and then follow us in, we don't want to spend unnecessary time circling back. Everyone else who's willing, let's see what this cave has in store."

Buppido draws both daggers and steps forwards with JimJar and Drendil “Whatever is ahead won’t know what’s coming” he says with a grin on his face. 

Eldeth looks over at Ront as she tightens her grip on her sword “Don’t worry. Ront won’t hurt you” says the Orc as he moves slowly over to the large mushroom. Sits down for a moment and rests his leg. 

Sarith looks at Cyndral and says in elven:

He looks at Verim “Can you keep your shield red until it is safe?” 

Verim imbues his shield in light, his eyes and shield turn red as he turns back and smiles at Sarith “Of course, everything will be fine”

 Grinning at the teamwork and cooperation that came about instead of more debate and disagreement, Cyndral creeps along into the cave, eyes darting wildly about to spot anything out of the ordinary.

Stealth: 21

Perception: 14

    Tobias looks back wearily at the group remaining, his gaze lingering on Eldeth and Ront for a moment longer. He then looks to the feisty halfling, "What about you, Gnarls? You've been rather quiet. You coming or babysitting?"

(OOC: It appears Gnarls has disappeared on us.)

(OOC - Judging by his posts in all of his other games, including one he DM’s for, he seems to have stopped posting since mid July, around the time he said he had family stuff to deal with. I’ll RP for him for now and hopefully everything is alright) 

Gnarls looks down into the cavern and back at the group of non-fighters “Eldeth, Ront and Sarith should have this covered. I’ll come with you and clear the way”

Shishakli readies his crossbow, and peers into the cave, sticking with the group at the moment.

perception 16

As you all move slowly down the passage, it begins to get darker, with the faint blue glow still at the end. It takes about 2 minutes until the passage begins to open up from 10ft to 15ft. It then expands into a large cavern about 95ft wide by 60ft. In the centre of the chamber sits a naturaly formed, 10ft high platform of hard, dried mud, one side of which has a natural slope. On top of the platform sits another large glowing mushroom, lighting up part of the dark cavern. There are a few large rocks in the area that look like they could be part of the high ceiling and there is a big 20ft hole in the ground to your right as you make your way forwards. 

Cyndral raises his free hand, instinctively moving to start flashing Drow hand-signals before catching himself and shaking his head. In a voice just over a mutter, he begins to point at features in the expanse.

"I'm going to examine the crater, would one of you mind coming with me? Someone should check the platform and those stones as well. Shiskakli, are these the same harmless mushrooms as the last cavern?"