Thodek follows the others, looking around with interest and keeping an eye out for any potential threats.

Perception: 18 

With their guide in a good mood, Nicholas feels he can afford to relax a little as he follows along. However his eyes continue to dart about looking for any signs of danger.

(A map of Neverlight Grove has now been added to the resource doc.)

The party makes their way down the steep ravine that narrows for several feet before widening back into a large dome like cavern in which sits Neverlight Grove proper.You can hear the sound of multiple small streams trickling and dripping throughout the grove, and luminescent lichen calmly glows in your descent. 

Entering the grove proper, the first thing you reach is a group of 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. 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.

A faint cacophony of intelligible whispers and murmuring begins to fill your ears as a pair of tall myconid begin to slowly plod out of the dense forest, a halo of swarming spores surrounding the upper half of their body. As the two creatures near, the spores begin to kind of spread to envelop the party, and as this happens, two telepathic voices enter your head, similar to the way Stool communicated. 

“Welcome, travelers.” The one in front murmurs. The myconid is large, most of its body a pale yellow, but also covered in small purple protrusions as well as a large purple cap. “We sensed your presence, the... presence of our kin— in pain. What has caused such a young child like this to be in such a condition?” It asks, indicating to Stool laying limply in Derendil’s arms. 

What would you like to do?

Thodek steps forward with a slight bow, "We had been taken by drow slavers. We made our escape, and in an effort to gain some distance from our pursuers, we accepted aid from a magic caster, whose teleportation spell went slightly awry. We arrived, but were injured, and the young one was left in this state, beyond our ability to remedy. We thought to return him here, that you may be able to employ methods beyond our own to save him, please?"

Shishakli simply steps back and lets the others talk about the injured spore, enjoying the sites and smells of the city.

The myconid gives what you assume to be a set of several nods as you tell the story. It then reaches out with a thick arm and lays a hand on Stool’s head. “Yes I sense pain. I sense life though. A small thread of life.” It calmly says in your head. The creature then retracts its arm. “Please, come with me. I believe we may have something we can do to bring this young child back to itself.”

The purple and yellow myconid then turns and begins plodding back through the thick forest of beige mushrooms, beckoning with a hand. 

What would you like to do?

Thodek moves to follow, gesturing for the others to follow and bring Stool.

Nicholas follows after Thodek and the myconid, albeit a little cautiously as he is not quite sure what to expect.

Syvis follows.

The party makes their war through the dense beige stalks. Where previously you could see no path, the mushrooms almost seem to part as the two myconid lead you through the forest. 

A short time later, you reach the exit of the forest. The cavern opens up again, and water trickles from the walls of this vast area, 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. Additionally these areas seem to have a thin mist that engulfs the mushrooms and exudes the tell tale energy of faerzess. 

Then, beyond the mud and mushrooms that spreads across the cavern, a large, clear pool sits in the midst of the fungal grove. A central mound 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.

As you reach this area, another large myconid notices your group and begins to slowly plod over. Your group and this new myconid meet near this central area of the grove.

This new myconid is notably more energetic as it reaches the party. Similarly, its spores begin to reach out towards the party before it begins to speak in your mind. “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!”

The purple and yellow myconid responds. “Yes, welcome.” It says. “Thank you, sovereign Phylo... for the warm welcome.”

Who you now know as Phylo responds. “It is my pleasure. Not often does our humble grove have visitors, and we are honored to have you! Please, stay as long as you’d like.”

”These people apparently have an issue... with a member of our own brethren.” The purple myconid adds. “A magical coma of some sorts...” motioning to Stool’s limp body. 

It then pauses, giving the group an opportunity to add anything. What would you like to do?

"Indeed. He fell ill after a teleportation spell failed to go exactly as planned. We have not been able to revive him with any medicine or magic that we are capable of administering. We were on our way to bring him back to his people already, but we hoped that you would have the ability to heal whatever injury he may have sustained," Syvis says, looking up at the sovereign.

Thodek looks to the leader (?), "Might I inquire as to the nature of this wonderous time?"

Nicholas looks about the cavern as they walk, taking in the sights. Though he should probably have excepted this, but yet the scale of and beauty of what he sees takes his breath away, This fungal town is unlike anything he has experienced thus far and he cannot help but be in awe. It is also perhaps the first time since he was rudely brought to the underdark that they were well received upon their arrival.

"Yes, are you able to help our friend? As Syvis has shared, all that we have tried so far have not been able to revive him," Nicholas pulls his attention away from the sights around him and adds his voice to their plea.

“Yes, Wonderful!” Phylo continues. “We are so glad you have brought this to our attention. The poor young one. We can help him as best as possible. Thank you, Basidia.” 

Then, in response to Thodek’s inquiry. “Wonderful time! Yes, any question you may have please ask the Great Seeder. The Great Seeder will answer all of your questions.”

Quickly, after that, Basidia, the purple and yellow myconid interrupts or jumps awkwardly on the end of that statement. “Of course, Phylo. I will show the softers around the Grove. Please, follow me.”

As Basidia begins to walk off, Phylo responds. “Yes, fantastic thought, Basidia. Show them around our beautiful grove, but please avoid the eastern plateau because the Circle of Masters is preparing a wondrous and glorious surprise in the Garden of Welcome.” It says this with what can only be assumed to be a smile, before continuing. “You may have a peek later if you would like. It will definitely be a sight to behold!”

What would you like to do?

Thodek smiles politely, "I'm afraid I'm still a little confused. Would you be able to tell us at least a little of this event, I'd hate to go to the Seeder ignorant."

Shishakli, like Nicholas, is admiring the sites, and happy to be back after so long, continually amazed at the beauty that the world ((the Underdark)) holds. They folk here have always been welcoming, though he's never experienced quite this kind of welcome before. He's curious to check things out, but, like his companion, would like to learn a bit more, so listens to their discussion.

"The Garden on Welcome? Are you expecting something or someone?" Nicholas asks curiously

“Please, the Great Seeder will answer any questions you may have. She is very wise and incredibly kind. The Great Seeder will bring our humble grove to new heights. What a wonderful time... welcome to the grove.” Phylo energetically responds before slowly trailing off.

Then, with a tense and now far more urgent tone, Basidia interrupts. “Please, come with me. Everything will be explained. Now.” This message appears to not have been registered by Phylo as the large myconid still stands silently, murmuring to itself. 

What would you like to do?

Thodek continues to follow along, "This Great Seeder, from where did she gain such wisdom?"

Syvis follows Basidia, in search of explanation.