“Ohh. Hello there Pax.” Rhayna waves to the Half-Elf. She then tells the group. “While you guys help her, I am going to go over there.” She points towards the direction of the dancing Myconids. “Stool and Rump here said that I should have a talk with then. I have a feeling they are under the influence of Zuggtmoy, the Lady of Fungi. Perhaps I can get a better idea of what is happening in the Underdark.” As she starts to walk to the grown Myconids. “Stool and Rump. Please stay here, OK?”
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Sekkar concentrated on polite humans expressions... "My condolences, but it looks you are not out of the woods just yet."He laughed to his own joke and gave Pax the whole ration. For the next news yet another soft one female had to be prepared. "Pax... Good name, short. Let's first leave that place - makes people crazy, hard to make sense of anything, right? Outside we talk."
Should Pax agree, he would lead the group outside now but not too far from the entrance to the cave. "Now... The talk. As you see - you are still in "your city by the lake". The bad part of it - no duergar, but full of crazy derro. And you were in the craziest spot of that place. We here were searching for the reason why are they (and many others here) are crazy. (Come to think of it - do they even need a reason?) And found. And have to report it - try not to scream - to very duergar and the red dragon who enslaved you. Now, you are free from the cave and can try to run away. Or you can go with us - who knows, duergar could forget all about you, or would not be able to tell one pale human female from another, or you might be dirty enough to full them. Or (!) they can be so deep in their pwn problems - and they are - that they will would not pay attention to you. But they will pay attention to us. And our group have ouw own slavers after us - drow, that came here and want us back. For the moment, that red dragon is what's standing between us and them."
"Crap choices, I know, but that's life in the tunnels for you."
Pax's face darkens, "Each step you take willingly towards darkness is one less step your enemies must take to reach your soul. You are here working for evil creatures of the underdark. Is there no way out of these caves? Do they block you from the ways out, or hide it from you? They must know the way. Do you do this mission to bargain for your freedom?"
She munches down half the food in gulps before stopping. A shamed look on her face she glances, "Thank you for this nourishment, may it nourish my patience and my soul." She takes a knee and takes a deep breath. The dark shadows still dance around her body as she closes her eyes in prayer. Sparkles of golden light seem to dance through the darkness and seep into her skin and it seems as if vitality and color grow into Pax's face. She stands, and more slowly eats the rest of the food for thinking.
"My apologies for hastily judging your choices. I was not there, I do not know. I am not myself. I was able to find a skull cap and fashion a mesh neck guard. Perhaps if I adjust it, it can cover most of my face and they will not recognize me. I was not armored so when I departed from their ...service. I will help if I can. Have you solved the mystery of the insanity? Who is lady of Fungi. Does your friend go to speak to her? Mushrooms are known for causing...mental effects. Given my previous state...I wouldn't be surprised if they are the cause."
She glances down at the mushroom with them, "No offence mushroom."
She looks to everyone, "Are we all speaking in our minds?"
She grins a sheepish smile, "It seems my soul is as hungry for answers, as my body is for this food.:"
Sekkar nodded to the last question and gave a toothy smile: "A habit we all picked up in the slave pen, comes with the help of Stool, that mushroom over there."
"I had a friend some time ago who was a priest, used to speak like this - souls and darkness. Are you a priest too?" He looked at Pax curiously. "And to your question - we sort of did solve the mystery. Or found another one. Looks like there is a cult her of demon worshipers. Some days ago were almost sacrificed to a demon Prince on the other side of the lake. Could be the same Prince and the same cult. Whatever it is we now need to tell about it to our three employers, and they all wanted information for themselves."
Sekkar remembered one more thing: "You do not know yet, but that voice that seems in charge of everything - the voice of the Stoneguards sergeant. He promised to arrested us on false charges. May be we have to start information sharing with the dragon? Where is Sarith? Should we now search for him in that crazy cave?"
"My head's hurting from all these motormouths," Kastix chimes in from the shadows.
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Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
A dark-haired half-elf in sleek dark studded leather steps from behind a mushroom-tree, eyeing the newcomer, one hand on a small crossbow holstered at his waist, the other resting on the hold of what looks like a scorpion-head cane. “That’s a lot of words, friend. Don’t worry, we don’t serve evil. At least, not that I know. We are, however, looking to survive all this and get back to the surface, and I think most of us are willing to do what it takes to get there. The Duergar and the others here don’t seem to care much for outsiders, and there’s been plenty of suggestion we could be enslaved again ourselves. So we’re looking to help, and as far as we can tell, it seems like it’s actually good we’re doing here, for the most part. Though our companions here seem to have returned with notably fewer folks than we left them with. I’m sure there’s an explanation for that.” He pauses for a moment, thinking. “I think we have what we need, but I’m not sure if we need to do more here now, or head back. The flumph here, Useless, asked for our help to stop the derro and others who are worshipping demons. We have the accusation against the sergeant, as well as the book with the hit list. Do we head back or look around some more?”
Pax looks evenly at the dark-haired half-elf, judgement plain on her face as she listens to him speak, "So, if I'm getting this right, your supposed deal with the duergar to help them and prevent yourselves from becoming enslaved has no clear pay off. It's to help them find some traitor in their midst killing some of their own kind." The way she says this implies she has no problem with the situation as is. "Then you've met this thing here, who says some derro down here are worshipping demons and wants our help to stop them. The derro are deranged. I presume worshipping demons is their normal weekly affair. Is there a reason the creatures down here believe this to be unusual and needing to be stopped? And furthermore, can they offer any knowledge about how to escape these tunnels in return? Finally, do they have any clear idea of where to start with such a situation? If they can answer none of this, then I suggest we return to the Duergar. I may know a path that leads directly to the docks and avoids the derro slums, which could be beneficial."
As she talks, she has a small plyer that she is bending bits of metal around with, tying off bits with little leather straps. When she's done, she's fastened a chain mask that hangs down in front of her face. From behind the chain she says in a muffled voice, "My vision is actually pretty good like this, and it should block my view. I'm comfortable heading back into the city with you, like this."
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
As Pax is talking, Useless floats over to get a closer look at the inquisitive/analytical/judgmental half-elf with the patchwork armor. At the mention of the derro and their demon worshiping, the flumph's soft and simplistic voice touches everyone's minds again: Derro crazy before. Now dangerous. Demon worship is new. Turn creatures into monsters. Monsters with two heads.
(Telepathic communication is possible whenever Stool or Rumpadump are around, assuming they are conscious. But as verbal is more natural, I'll assume all conversation is verbal unless otherwise stated, or if the circumstances warrant it, such as conversing with someone that doesn't speak Common, or trying to converse while remaining silent.)
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"What he said," Sekkar pointed at Useless with his head, "folks around here is turning into monsters by derro's magic somehow. But we are not only working for durgar - but for the Red Dragon and some dragon priest (did not see him myself but he gave us those pins). And - yes, there is a chance to get to the surface. There is a duergar, that promised to get us to there... If we survive, while he is gone, if he survives, while he is without us, if slavers would not find us first - and many other "ifs"".
"Guess, docks would be good for now. With Stoneguards ready to arrest us, better keep low."
The group push their way through the fungal forest. Some of the growths are flexible and are easily pushed aside before springing back into place, while others are brittle and crumbled when Kaylyn, Kastix and Rhayna first pushed through this way. Reaching the perimeter of the cave, Sekkar and Zeno catch their first glimpse of the small group of swaying myconids. The conversation with Pax continues while Rhayna wanders over to speak with the dancing mushrooms.
As Rhayna hails them, they all turn as one to look at the human, continuing to sway. The familiar sensation of myconid spores touches Rhayna, but as the first communication enters her mind, she can immediately tell that compared to the thought-sharing she has had with Stool, this is an odd and strangely intoxicating experience. The spokes-shroom introduces itself and says: Greetings. I am called Voosbur. Have you come to partake of the Lady's gift?
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
“Greetings. I am called Rhayna... Wow...” All of a sudden, Rhayna puts one hand on the side of the cave to balance herself. A sudden flood of feelings that she never experienced rushes through her body. “I would love to join..." She straightens herself. "Uhum. I mean, I may join you in partaking of the Lady’s gift. Before I do that however, I hope you don’t mind me asking you some questions. How did you find this place, and how long have you been here? Are you from Neverlight Grove? Please, can you explain what the Lady’s gift?”
(Does the others in the party heard Voosbur?)
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Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Rhayna and the myconids are too far from the party to share the same rapport spores, so only Rhayna is aware of the conversation.
We do not know this Neverlight Grove, says Voosbur. We are from far away to the south and were fortunate enough to receive the Lady's gift from a wandering gas spore. With that gift we were able to travel through the Lady's dream to this place. We were attracted here several days ago by the unique and special mushrooms that grow in these tunnels. Have you tried them yourself?
When Rhayna responds that she has not, Voosbur continues: The Lady is a powerful being that loves and guides all myconids. But her gift is free to all, and you too may travel through the Lady's dream as we do. Voosbur pauses, and all the myconids stand still and look at Rhayna expectantly but not with any sense of intimidation.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Every fiber of her being is telling Rhayna that what she’s contemplating is insane, that she should turn around, and go back to the group. Her inquisitive mind, however, is telling her. “Well, what are the chances that you will get another opportunity to communicate with a ‘Demon Lord’? Fortune favors the bold!!” “Humm. Excuse me!! You just disintegrated poor Sarith back there. Logic dictates that you politely refuse the invitation.” Her mind keeps going back and forth.
(I will let the dice decide this one. On 1-10 Rhayna accepts, on 11-20 she declines the invitation. D20 Roll: 18)
Thus Rhayna finally says. "Yes!! I would love to receive the Lady's gift. May I join you in her dream?" She slowly approaches Voosbur.
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
"We need to report to Themberchaud everything that we have found out. He's the one who originally 'hired' us. But I wonder if we need to return and see about this egg and what else is happening there. We are still missing pieces of the puzzle, I feel there is more we need to find out. Demonic activity is up in this area, maybe the whole underdark. But there is more going on yet. I really feel there is more to learn."
Kaylyn says as she watches Rhayna and also tries to size up Pax.
Speaking to Pax she says,
"We are trying to survive and find our way to the surface. We have found a guide who says he will take us but isn't available for a few days yet. We are caught up in what is happening and trying to keep the local powers from simply locking us up by helping them out. We are outsiders and have offered them help, against our will. We'd rather keep our heads down but when a red dragon summons you and demands your help its hard to resist. "
Pax's hazel brown eyes meet Kaylyn's eyes steadily as she speaks to her, intense and with unspoken challenge. She seems to take in everything Kaylyn says with consideration. At some point in the conversation her eyes soften momentarily but they harden again as she finishes speaking. Pax responds by glancing around the party and then back over to Rhayna. "What is she doing over there? Is she your leader who manages conversations with the mushroom folk on your behalf?"
She doesn't wait for an answer and looks back towards empty space, speaking to the air, "I am sure I would be doing much the same as you were I put in your situation. In fact, I am, and your current path makes sense to me, despite how much everything about it makes my skin crawl. Acquiescing to evil because it is a dragon is how the world ends. All evil needs to succeed is for good people to stand by and do nothing. But. We are where we are, and we can not destroy an entire evil city by ourselves. Being curious about everything around us is our best bet to find something that can drive these evil folk to destroy themselves."
Done with her preaching her eyes turn back to Kaylyn, "You feel there is more to learn. Return where, to what egg? Are there dark passages yet to explore, or is there some other place you suspect you may find further answers?"
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
Kaylyn looks chagrined for a moment and looks blankly away for a moment speaking to someone who clearly isn't there.
"Yes, yes I'm sorry I did forget about you with so much going on. Yes I'm sorry and yes I know you were very brave helping Sekkar and Zeno. Now come meet Pax."
A moment later a small pseododragon flies over and lands on Kaylyn's shoulder.
"Pax, this is Pensive. Pensive meet Pax. Pensive is my friend. He's a bit put out at the moment but he'll be OK. He showed me images of an egg. I think Sekkar or Zeno can explain what was seen and heard best. Pensive can't really explain in detail very well. "
A warm feeling of kindness and concern touches Pax who would realize it was coming from Pensive who waves a wing at her.
The myconids convey a telepathic sense of delight at Rhayna's acceptance, and together they release a puff of spores that fill the air around the cleric. Rhayna experiences one final moment of hesitation as she considers resisting their effect, but her curiosity wins out and she breathes them in willingly.
There is a tingling sensation followed by a moment of euphoria as Rhayna senses a presence so immense that it almost overwhelms her consciousness. In that split second, a number of visions flash through her mind. She sees the fungal thicket just behind her where they found Pax, but comprehends every growth in the thicket in a single thought. Expanding out, Rhayna senses and comprehends each and every mushroom, fungus and mold throughout the entirety of the caverns and tunnels she is in. Spreading outward at an unimaginable rate, her vision expands beyond Gracklstugh for miles around. She senses every mushroom, mold, spore, yeast or truffle in the entire region, including a huge fungal forest far to the north, populated by a large myconid colony. Finally her mind touches a single organism over a hundred miles to the southeast, a fungus so vast that it covers an area much, much larger even than the Darklake.
The whole vision is over in less than a second, and Rhayna reels from the mental strain as the flash of visions fade and become nothing more than vague memories. What remains is a taste of the euphoria she first felt, as well as the awareness of all the fungi nearby and throughout the caverns, and she feels as though she could reach out and touch any of them no matter where she stood.
Voosbur sends the simple message Welcome, sister, to the Lady's dream, and then it and the other myconids turn away and return to their communal swaying.
Everyone else:
I've not been ignoring you, just giving Pax the chance to catch up and for everyone to decide what they want to do next. The options seem to be either continue exploring the tunnels, gathering evidence, fight demon-worshiping derro, investigate an egg?, etc etc OR return immediately to the city, either via the derro slum or some other way, and report to someone.
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How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Pax nods seriously to the small dragon. "We have time and space to be curious. I suggest we investigate this egg, if you have any clue about where to begin looking. Pensive...can you take us to this egg?"
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What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer? Class.
"I'm definitely more interesting in getting the hells out of here but I ain't going on my own," Kastix states.
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Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls - Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against Demogorgon Silas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of Annihilation Done
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“Ohh. Hello there Pax.” Rhayna waves to the Half-Elf. She then tells the group. “While you guys help her, I am going to go over there.” She points towards the direction of the dancing Myconids. “Stool and Rump here said that I should have a talk with then. I have a feeling they are under the influence of Zuggtmoy, the Lady of Fungi. Perhaps I can get a better idea of what is happening in the Underdark.” As she starts to walk to the grown Myconids. “Stool and Rump. Please stay here, OK?”
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Sekkar concentrated on polite humans expressions... "My condolences, but it looks you are not out of the woods just yet." He laughed to his own joke and gave Pax the whole ration. For the next news yet another soft one female had to be prepared. "Pax... Good name, short. Let's first leave that place - makes people crazy, hard to make sense of anything, right? Outside we talk."
Should Pax agree, he would lead the group outside now but not too far from the entrance to the cave. "Now... The talk. As you see - you are still in "your city by the lake". The bad part of it - no duergar, but full of crazy derro. And you were in the craziest spot of that place. We here were searching for the reason why are they (and many others here) are crazy. (Come to think of it - do they even need a reason?) And found. And have to report it - try not to scream - to very duergar and the red dragon who enslaved you. Now, you are free from the cave and can try to run away. Or you can go with us - who knows, duergar could forget all about you, or would not be able to tell one pale human female from another, or you might be dirty enough to full them. Or (!) they can be so deep in their pwn problems - and they are - that they will would not pay attention to you. But they will pay attention to us. And our group have ouw own slavers after us - drow, that came here and want us back. For the moment, that red dragon is what's standing between us and them."
"Crap choices, I know, but that's life in the tunnels for you."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Pax's face darkens, "Each step you take willingly towards darkness is one less step your enemies must take to reach your soul. You are here working for evil creatures of the underdark. Is there no way out of these caves? Do they block you from the ways out, or hide it from you? They must know the way. Do you do this mission to bargain for your freedom?"
She munches down half the food in gulps before stopping. A shamed look on her face she glances, "Thank you for this nourishment, may it nourish my patience and my soul." She takes a knee and takes a deep breath. The dark shadows still dance around her body as she closes her eyes in prayer. Sparkles of golden light seem to dance through the darkness and seep into her skin and it seems as if vitality and color grow into Pax's face. She stands, and more slowly eats the rest of the food for thinking.
"My apologies for hastily judging your choices. I was not there, I do not know. I am not myself. I was able to find a skull cap and fashion a mesh neck guard. Perhaps if I adjust it, it can cover most of my face and they will not recognize me. I was not armored so when I departed from their ...service. I will help if I can. Have you solved the mystery of the insanity? Who is lady of Fungi. Does your friend go to speak to her? Mushrooms are known for causing...mental effects. Given my previous state...I wouldn't be surprised if they are the cause."
She glances down at the mushroom with them, "No offence mushroom."
She looks to everyone, "Are we all speaking in our minds?"
She grins a sheepish smile, "It seems my soul is as hungry for answers, as my body is for this food.:"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Sekkar nodded to the last question and gave a toothy smile: "A habit we all picked up in the slave pen, comes with the help of Stool, that mushroom over there."
"I had a friend some time ago who was a priest, used to speak like this - souls and darkness. Are you a priest too?" He looked at Pax curiously. "And to your question - we sort of did solve the mystery. Or found another one. Looks like there is a cult her of demon worshipers. Some days ago were almost sacrificed to a demon Prince on the other side of the lake. Could be the same Prince and the same cult. Whatever it is we now need to tell about it to our three employers, and they all wanted information for themselves."
Sekkar remembered one more thing: "You do not know yet, but that voice that seems in charge of everything - the voice of the Stoneguards sergeant. He promised to arrested us on false charges. May be we have to start information sharing with the dragon? Where is Sarith? Should we now search for him in that crazy cave?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"My head's hurting from all these motormouths," Kastix chimes in from the shadows.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDoneA dark-haired half-elf in sleek dark studded leather steps from behind a mushroom-tree, eyeing the newcomer, one hand on a small crossbow holstered at his waist, the other resting on the hold of what looks like a scorpion-head cane. “That’s a lot of words, friend. Don’t worry, we don’t serve evil. At least, not that I know. We are, however, looking to survive all this and get back to the surface, and I think most of us are willing to do what it takes to get there. The Duergar and the others here don’t seem to care much for outsiders, and there’s been plenty of suggestion we could be enslaved again ourselves. So we’re looking to help, and as far as we can tell, it seems like it’s actually good we’re doing here, for the most part. Though our companions here seem to have returned with notably fewer folks than we left them with. I’m sure there’s an explanation for that.” He pauses for a moment, thinking. “I think we have what we need, but I’m not sure if we need to do more here now, or head back. The flumph here, Useless, asked for our help to stop the derro and others who are worshipping demons. We have the accusation against the sergeant, as well as the book with the hit list. Do we head back or look around some more?”
Pax looks evenly at the dark-haired half-elf, judgement plain on her face as she listens to him speak, "So, if I'm getting this right, your supposed deal with the duergar to help them and prevent yourselves from becoming enslaved has no clear pay off. It's to help them find some traitor in their midst killing some of their own kind." The way she says this implies she has no problem with the situation as is. "Then you've met this thing here, who says some derro down here are worshipping demons and wants our help to stop them. The derro are deranged. I presume worshipping demons is their normal weekly affair. Is there a reason the creatures down here believe this to be unusual and needing to be stopped? And furthermore, can they offer any knowledge about how to escape these tunnels in return? Finally, do they have any clear idea of where to start with such a situation? If they can answer none of this, then I suggest we return to the Duergar. I may know a path that leads directly to the docks and avoids the derro slums, which could be beneficial."
As she talks, she has a small plyer that she is bending bits of metal around with, tying off bits with little leather straps. When she's done, she's fastened a chain mask that hangs down in front of her face. From behind the chain she says in a muffled voice, "My vision is actually pretty good like this, and it should block my view. I'm comfortable heading back into the city with you, like this."
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
As Pax is talking, Useless floats over to get a closer look at the inquisitive/analytical/judgmental half-elf with the patchwork armor. At the mention of the derro and their demon worshiping, the flumph's soft and simplistic voice touches everyone's minds again: Derro crazy before. Now dangerous. Demon worship is new. Turn creatures into monsters. Monsters with two heads.
(Telepathic communication is possible whenever Stool or Rumpadump are around, assuming they are conscious. But as verbal is more natural, I'll assume all conversation is verbal unless otherwise stated, or if the circumstances warrant it, such as conversing with someone that doesn't speak Common, or trying to converse while remaining silent.)
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
"What he said," Sekkar pointed at Useless with his head, "folks around here is turning into monsters by derro's magic somehow. But we are not only working for durgar - but for the Red Dragon and some dragon priest (did not see him myself but he gave us those pins). And - yes, there is a chance to get to the surface. There is a duergar, that promised to get us to there... If we survive, while he is gone, if he survives, while he is without us, if slavers would not find us first - and many other "ifs"".
"Guess, docks would be good for now. With Stoneguards ready to arrest us, better keep low."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The group push their way through the fungal forest. Some of the growths are flexible and are easily pushed aside before springing back into place, while others are brittle and crumbled when Kaylyn, Kastix and Rhayna first pushed through this way. Reaching the perimeter of the cave, Sekkar and Zeno catch their first glimpse of the small group of swaying myconids. The conversation with Pax continues while Rhayna wanders over to speak with the dancing mushrooms.
As Rhayna hails them, they all turn as one to look at the human, continuing to sway. The familiar sensation of myconid spores touches Rhayna, but as the first communication enters her mind, she can immediately tell that compared to the thought-sharing she has had with Stool, this is an odd and strangely intoxicating experience. The spokes-shroom introduces itself and says: Greetings. I am called Voosbur. Have you come to partake of the Lady's gift?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
“Greetings. I am called Rhayna... Wow...” All of a sudden, Rhayna puts one hand on the side of the cave to balance herself. A sudden flood of feelings that she never experienced rushes through her body. “I would love to join..." She straightens herself. "Uhum. I mean, I may join you in partaking of the Lady’s gift. Before I do that however, I hope you don’t mind me asking you some questions. How did you find this place, and how long have you been here? Are you from Neverlight Grove? Please, can you explain what the Lady’s gift?”
(Does the others in the party heard Voosbur?)
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
Rhayna and the myconids are too far from the party to share the same rapport spores, so only Rhayna is aware of the conversation.
We do not know this Neverlight Grove, says Voosbur. We are from far away to the south and were fortunate enough to receive the Lady's gift from a wandering gas spore. With that gift we were able to travel through the Lady's dream to this place. We were attracted here several days ago by the unique and special mushrooms that grow in these tunnels. Have you tried them yourself?
When Rhayna responds that she has not, Voosbur continues: The Lady is a powerful being that loves and guides all myconids. But her gift is free to all, and you too may travel through the Lady's dream as we do. Voosbur pauses, and all the myconids stand still and look at Rhayna expectantly but not with any sense of intimidation.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Every fiber of her being is telling Rhayna that what she’s contemplating is insane, that she should turn around, and go back to the group. Her inquisitive mind, however, is telling her. “Well, what are the chances that you will get another opportunity to communicate with a ‘Demon Lord’? Fortune favors the bold!!” “Humm. Excuse me!! You just disintegrated poor Sarith back there. Logic dictates that you politely refuse the invitation.” Her mind keeps going back and forth.
(I will let the dice decide this one. On 1-10 Rhayna accepts, on 11-20 she declines the invitation. D20 Roll: 18)
Thus Rhayna finally says. "Yes!! I would love to receive the Lady's gift. May I join you in her dream?" She slowly approaches Voosbur.
(I was expecting a Nat 1. LOL)
Kazri - Level 10 Human Paladin (Oath of the Ancients) - The Tales of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks
Droknin Palemane - Level 4 Leonin Barbarian (Path of the Beast) - Where the Cold Winds Blow... A Lost Mines of Phandelver Story
Faelan (Cottontail) Whisperwind - Level 3 Ranger (Fey Wanderer) - Zorg's Lost Souls II
"Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."
"Considering last demon lord seem to drive people insane, I think I'll pass," Kastix responses, keeping his distance with his wand in hand.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDone"We need to report to Themberchaud everything that we have found out. He's the one who originally 'hired' us. But I wonder if we need to return and see about this egg and what else is happening there. We are still missing pieces of the puzzle, I feel there is more we need to find out. Demonic activity is up in this area, maybe the whole underdark. But there is more going on yet. I really feel there is more to learn."
Kaylyn says as she watches Rhayna and also tries to size up Pax.
Speaking to Pax she says,
"We are trying to survive and find our way to the surface. We have found a guide who says he will take us but isn't available for a few days yet. We are caught up in what is happening and trying to keep the local powers from simply locking us up by helping them out. We are outsiders and have offered them help, against our will. We'd rather keep our heads down but when a red dragon summons you and demands your help its hard to resist. "
Pax's hazel brown eyes meet Kaylyn's eyes steadily as she speaks to her, intense and with unspoken challenge. She seems to take in everything Kaylyn says with consideration. At some point in the conversation her eyes soften momentarily but they harden again as she finishes speaking. Pax responds by glancing around the party and then back over to Rhayna. "What is she doing over there? Is she your leader who manages conversations with the mushroom folk on your behalf?"
She doesn't wait for an answer and looks back towards empty space, speaking to the air, "I am sure I would be doing much the same as you were I put in your situation. In fact, I am, and your current path makes sense to me, despite how much everything about it makes my skin crawl. Acquiescing to evil because it is a dragon is how the world ends. All evil needs to succeed is for good people to stand by and do nothing. But. We are where we are, and we can not destroy an entire evil city by ourselves. Being curious about everything around us is our best bet to find something that can drive these evil folk to destroy themselves."
Done with her preaching her eyes turn back to Kaylyn, "You feel there is more to learn. Return where, to what egg? Are there dark passages yet to explore, or is there some other place you suspect you may find further answers?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
Kaylyn looks chagrined for a moment and looks blankly away for a moment speaking to someone who clearly isn't there.
"Yes, yes I'm sorry I did forget about you with so much going on. Yes I'm sorry and yes I know you were very brave helping Sekkar and Zeno. Now come meet Pax."
A moment later a small pseododragon flies over and lands on Kaylyn's shoulder.
"Pax, this is Pensive. Pensive meet Pax. Pensive is my friend. He's a bit put out at the moment but he'll be OK. He showed me images of an egg. I think Sekkar or Zeno can explain what was seen and heard best. Pensive can't really explain in detail very well. "
A warm feeling of kindness and concern touches Pax who would realize it was coming from Pensive who waves a wing at her.
Rhayna:
The myconids convey a telepathic sense of delight at Rhayna's acceptance, and together they release a puff of spores that fill the air around the cleric. Rhayna experiences one final moment of hesitation as she considers resisting their effect, but her curiosity wins out and she breathes them in willingly.
There is a tingling sensation followed by a moment of euphoria as Rhayna senses a presence so immense that it almost overwhelms her consciousness. In that split second, a number of visions flash through her mind. She sees the fungal thicket just behind her where they found Pax, but comprehends every growth in the thicket in a single thought. Expanding out, Rhayna senses and comprehends each and every mushroom, fungus and mold throughout the entirety of the caverns and tunnels she is in. Spreading outward at an unimaginable rate, her vision expands beyond Gracklstugh for miles around. She senses every mushroom, mold, spore, yeast or truffle in the entire region, including a huge fungal forest far to the north, populated by a large myconid colony. Finally her mind touches a single organism over a hundred miles to the southeast, a fungus so vast that it covers an area much, much larger even than the Darklake.
The whole vision is over in less than a second, and Rhayna reels from the mental strain as the flash of visions fade and become nothing more than vague memories. What remains is a taste of the euphoria she first felt, as well as the awareness of all the fungi nearby and throughout the caverns, and she feels as though she could reach out and touch any of them no matter where she stood.
Voosbur sends the simple message Welcome, sister, to the Lady's dream, and then it and the other myconids turn away and return to their communal swaying.
Everyone else:
I've not been ignoring you, just giving Pax the chance to catch up and for everyone to decide what they want to do next. The options seem to be either continue exploring the tunnels, gathering evidence, fight demon-worshiping derro, investigate an egg?, etc etc OR return immediately to the city, either via the derro slum or some other way, and report to someone.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Pax nods seriously to the small dragon. "We have time and space to be curious. I suggest we investigate this egg, if you have any clue about where to begin looking. Pensive...can you take us to this egg?"
What's the difference between a Wizard and a Sorcerer?
Class.
"I'm definitely more interesting in getting the hells out of here but I ain't going on my own," Kastix states.
Kirin - Level 15 High Elf Wizard (Evocation) - Zorg's Lost Souls- Overchannel Steel Wind Strike for the Win against DemogorgonSilas - Level 11 Human Cleric (War Domain) - Tomb of AnnihilationDone