Derendil gives a quick nod at the words of Nicholas before motioning to everyone else in the central basin to follow him. One of the larger myconid quickly follows and takes the lead, guiding the group towards the exit of Neverlight Grove.

With this, those in your group (Thodek, Syvis, Shishalki, and Nicholas; Jimjar does not follow), you quickly rush to the Northern Terraces to find Basidia.

Again, due to the close proximity of everything in the grove, it only takes a few minutes for you to arrive. In this vast cavern, water trickles from the walls , and is channeled into a crude but effective terraced irrigation system. A thick, sweet smell fills the air from the thousands of fungi of all colors and sizes, many glowing with a strange, inviting light.

You see Basidia (along with a small group of around 10 myconid) standing about 50 feet away, backed up against the walls of the cavern. Surrounding them is a circle of other myconid that appear to have them cornered or trapped.

Let me know if you would like to approach stealthily (and if so, please roll a stealth check). What would you like to do?

Upon taking in the scene, Syvis holds up a hand to signal those following her and crouches low, trying to find cover or shadow to hide in.

Stealth: 11

(Can we get a sense of how far away the mob is? Are we positioned so that they have their backs to us and Basidia et al might be able to see us?)

With his pistol at the ready, Nicholas stealthily follow Syvis' lead.

Stealth 20

Readying his bow, Shishakli slinks into the shadows as they approach the group, looking for possible escape routes should they need it.

Thodek gives his companions a moment to slip into the shadows before rushing forward and swelling into immensity and calling out as loud as he can, "Hold! Your demon is dead and if you continue to serve it, you will follow it shortly!" 

(Duergar Magic Enlarge/Reduce to double his size.)

You all stand back about 50 feet from the mob. I’ll go ahead and make a perception check for what you would consider to be friendly to see if they notice you. They would be facing towards your group while who you would consider to be the enemy is facing the cavern wall.

Perception: 17

Syvis and Shishalki, as you slink into the nearby shadows, you see Basidia glance towards you. Fear is in the large myconids eyes, but with this brief eye contact, a flash of hope takes hold. 

Let me know if this happens to change any actions you may have made. What would you like to do?

(Thodek is still good.)

With Thodek's unexpectedly brash action, Syvis stays perfectly still with held breath, waiting for a reaction. She'll fire on the first enemy to react with hostility.

Shishakli does the same. Using the distraction he draws an arrow on his bow, ready to loose at any moment should things turn hostile. But is staying hidden in the shadows to see what happens.

Nicholas does like wise and keeps his pistol trained on them in case things go south.

The rest of the party slinks into the shadows while Thodek strides forwards as his size swells. Now standing around the same size as an adult myconid. He calls out enemy creatures, and they turn around slowly and acknowledge your appearance. 

Suddenly, with uncanny speed their rapport spores used for communication reach out and engulf you. A cacophony of voices in various states of screaming then begin to enter your mind. Through this, you also hear distinctly: She is in pain. She is angered. We must appease her. The myconid say to you in unison while staring at you.

So far they do not seem to have made any hostile actions. What would you like to do?

(Is there any discernable leader to this group or are they more of a mob at this point?)

Maintaining his large form and moving forward closer to the myconid, "She will always be in pain, and always angry. You will never appease her. She poisons your mind and wishes for your death. Abandon her, it isn't too late." 

Persuasion (Not good odds, but he's trying to give the others time to get into position.): 10

Syvis: I’d say it’s relatively easy for you to discern this mob as the circle or builders (who you were told resided in this area and followed Phylo), and the Circle of Growers as those who are surrounding (the ones who were indifferent to either cause). 

You don’t specifically see Phylo, and although each circle has a leader, there doesn’t seem to be any commanding figure in this case and it is more of just a mob. 

A flicker of recognition seems to reach one or two of the myconid, but quickly vanishes. With a hair-raising cry, the creatures rush towards Thodek, yelling in your mind: She is hungry. Please roll initiative!

Everyone else: You would see these creatures surround and engulf Thodek… each of you would be able to make a surprise attack with advantage. 

There are 8 enemies in total. Standing around 50 feet away— although since you are all hidden would be able to move closer if you like. Other than that, there are around 10 friendly myconid including Basidia that stand behind the melee fray with Thodek and don’t appear to be interested in fighting. 

What would you like to do?

(Botting for now) Syvis Initiative: 12

Enemy Myconid Initiative: 1

Friendly Myconid Initiative: 12

Thodek initiative: 7

Nicholas Initiative: 7

Seeing the myconids swarm Thodek, Nicholas breaks cover and takes a shot at one of them.

Action: Pistol attack Attack: 16 Damage: 9

Seeing her companion take the initiative and begin the onslaught, Syvis fires her crossbow at Nicholas' target and darts for alternate cover, trying to hide herself once more.

Crossbow - Attack: 20 Damage: 6 Sneak Attack: 7 piercing

Stealth to hide: 25

Initiative Order: Nicholas, Syvis, Friendly Myconid, Shishalki, Thodek, Enemy Myconid

Nicholas and Syvis both let loose attacks that make impact with the same myconid, and you see the creature fall in an explosion of spores (Dead). Syvis also then fades back into the shadows, staying hidden from the eyes of your enemies (advantage on next attacks).

These spores then reach out towards Thodek, almost hurngrily, trying to engulf and envelop the dwarf (Please roll a Constitution Saving Throw, Thodek)

Nicholas is up! There are now 7 uninjured Myconid still standing. Others, feel free to queue your actions, and I am also still waiting on a surprise attack action from Shishalki! What would you like to do?

Thodek con save: 19

Thodek steps forward to swing at the nearest enemy spore.

Attack: 15 Damage: 9+3

(Included in attack, but forgot to mention, bonus action to cast magic weapon on his warhammer.)