Nicholas becomes more cautious at the reply to his question. However seeing his friends following along, he does so as well but is more guarded.

As the group moves away from Phylo, and once you’re at a safe distance, Basidia speaks once more. “I am sorry for that. I do not mean to be rude... but I fear something is wrong with Phylo. It seems to me as if he has almost contacted a diseased spore.” Basidia explains.

”I am not sure how it happened, but Phylo’s... energetic disposition has quickly been spreading through our colony. Each day, with a new melding, more and more myconid are overcome with maddening joy.”

“I believe there may be a clue of some sort to this mystery in the Garden of Welcome, but fear going there myself in the possibility that I may catch the ‘diseased’ spores. Here,” Basidia continues as she walks through the grove. “Let me show you around the grove. I will show you those who can still be... trusted.”

What would you like to do?

"I have heard of things like contagious joy but it is hard to believe the cause could be something so nefarious as disease spores. Are you certain of the abhorrent nature of their newfound optimism?"

"We were all with him just now," Shishakli says. "Why did it not spread to us then?"

Thodek listens to the news with a deepening frown, "I hate to suggest it, but after what happened in Darklake, its definitely possible that an outside influence, one quite different than the maddening joy might suggest, could be involved."

Nicholas sighs inwardly, it seems that the whole thing had been too good to be true after all. He whispers, "How do you plan to keep yourself safe? Are we able to help in any way?"

“No, not necessarily.” Basidia continues. “You see, here in the grove we have a tradition called the melding in which every citizen of the grove joins hand and connects through our spores. It is central to life and allows us to bond and share ideas. Each day after a new melding, more and more myconid seem to fall under this ‘spell of happiness’. There are still a select few who I can trust, but I cannot say truly for how long. Any time their will may break and be consumed by Phylo and his... ‘kind’. It is just a theory, but... does pose problems. The melding is the most logical way to heal the young one, but I fear what may happen if we do so... may you softers help me?” The myconid asks, a tinge of worry in its voice. 

"If it is for Stool's sake, I will help however I can," Syvis says and nods. "Do you have any idea what can be done?"

“Well, investigating the Garden of Welcome in my stead would be the best form of help. I nor any of my allies know what is going on there, and it may hold the secret to this. Disease. I can... reward you.” Basidia says. It then reaches out, a moldy case in its hand. “Here. Perhaps this may help.”

“That is... one thing. If we are to meld with Stool to cure this sickness, Stool may in turn accept Phylo’s spores. As a younger... mind, I fear Stool may be more influenced by these spores than another more mature myconid....” 

Basidia then looks back to the group as its words trail off, an uncomfortable look on its face. What would you like to do?

Syvis examines the moldy case and thanks Basidia. "Understood. Please show us to the Garden of Welcome so that we can dispense with this mystery and help Stool."

Thodek frowns down at his myconoid friend for a long moment, "Perhaps you should take him somewhere safe for now. I don't think he'd thank us to be brought back only to be turned by who knows what. Let us investigate first, and we can go from there."

"I agree," Nicholas nods as a serious look crosses his face. He then asks somewhat hesitatingly, "Is there a way which we can tell who has been compromised and who has not? Perhaps a safe word or something of the sort?

“Well besides their overly optimistic or energetic disposition, there isn’t much to tell a ‘diseased’ member of the grove from one who is not.” Basidia informs you. She then continues, “I believe it may be helpful for me to show your group around the grove and inform you on who is trustworthy.”

Basidia would then for the next 20-30 minutes would take you around to the few small sites of interest in the grove. 

First, the fungal wilds (1 on the map) is the first area in the grove in which there was the thick forest of tall beige mushrooms. There you are introduced to Loobamub who is the leader of the circle of hunters. This tall and lean myconid shares Basidia’s concerns about Phylo’s new way, though it is still capable of resisting Phylo’s ideas that are spread during meldings. This wariness has also spread to the rest of the circle of hunters who are also loyal to Basidia.

However, Basidia avoids the northern terraces (2 on the map), telling you that there is no one sympathetic to her cause there. The circle of the builders have been infected and the circle of growers are simply indifferent to the whole matter. On top of that, the group also does not return to area 3 on the map in the hopes of not running into Phylo again. 

Finally, Basidia shows you to the southern terraces (area four on the map), to meet the circle to explorers. Their leader, Rasharoo, and most of the rest of the myconid from this circle are loyal to Basidia and oppose Phylo. Frequent trips outside the grove have allowed Rasharoo to notice the changes in Phylo and the entire colony more sharply, and it now trusts nothing and no one except Basidia. Rasharoo also discloses it has a few escape plans ready, and has nutrient caches hidden along exit tunnels in case Basidia decides it is better to abandon the grove and return to a nomadic lifestyle.

Eventually though, Basidia leads the group towards the Garden of Welcome (area 5 on the map), but stops herself once the group is sufficiently close. “I wish your group luck. I will stay here, and take care of this young one,” it says, motioning to Stool. “I will await your turn with hope for good news.”

What would you like to do? Feel free to ask any questions of Basidia or any of the other myconid I described earlier. I will RP a response from them, but other than that, just let me know when you’re ready to move on the the Garden of Welcome and we will do so.

Shishakli takes note of those at the Hunter's rise, as well as the growers, as people(?) he'd like to talk with later, but he recognizes that now is not the time. Watching the whole situation, to see if he feels that their guide is being honest ((insight 14 - and assuming he does), he says to the group, "Though I remember the folk here being friendly, it does seem a bit excessive. If there is something wrong here we should try to help. But we should be wary of getting entangled in something that is above us."

When they meet with Rasharoo, Nicholas tries to find out how quick have the changes to the grove been, "Rasharoo, as one who has frequently made trips outside the grove, how quickly has the change come upon those that are infected? I has it been gradual or did you notice the sudden change after returning from one of these trips?"

Thodek nods to Shishakli, "I'd normally say most people could do with a little cheering up, but with what else is going on, I'm too on edge to trust it. We need to get to the bottom of this before they infect our young friend."

"Agreed." Syvis inclines her head to Shishakli. "I would prefer to get to the bottom of this problem for Stool's sake. But if a time comes when we must cut our losses, we must see to it that the young one is safe before fleeing...even if that means bringing him with us."

To Basidia she asks, "Have you noticed any other changes in the Grove? Perhaps the arrival of any other individuals? Environmental changes? Anything else that might have coincided with the shift in Phylo's demeanor?"

Shishalki: From what you can tell, Basidia seems to be telling the truth, or at least believes it is. 

Nicholas: Rasharoo would tell you that it was definitely more of a gradual change. It believes that this new demeanor started with Phylo, and on each successive trip and after each successive melding, more and more myconid adopt this overly happy state.  To now where there are few left in the grove who Rasharoo would ‘trust’. 

Basidia thinks for a moment, Syvis, before responding. “Well, now that you mention it, there was a group of drow that came to the grove several days ago. I... don’t remember if they may have ever left... This was of course after the first signs of Phylo’s disease, but only recently did Phylo begin preparing something at the Garden of Welcome. Nothing else that I can think of though...  Might that be hepful?” The large myconid asks at the end, hopefully. 

What would you like to do?

Shishakli looks to the group at the mention of the Drow, though he wasn't in the cells, he knows how dangerous the Elves can be. He says, "Who might know if the Elves are still here?"

Syvis' eyes narrow. "Quite helpful. Thank you."

If Shishakli leaves to scout, Syvis will follow up with "If you will excuse us..." and follow.