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Campaign Stormwreck Isle: Spores of Seagrow Cave (1-2)

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THE STORY SO FAR:

THE QUEST:
  • At the behest of Tarak, travel to Seagrow Caves to get past the guardian at the entrance, see what's wrong with the Myconid, and recover a harvest of heart cap mushrooms for him.

THE LOCATION:
map.png

THE MAP:


THE PARTY:
Aims'Orreh Mwuh'BwaddMoonsprout BeandirtShort OrderNac McWeebleZesty Zapcrackle
aims.pngmoonsprout2.pngshort.pngDALL·E 2024-01-25 22.12.44 - A side-profile view of Nac McWeeble, a Monk Hill Dwarf character ...pngDALL·E 2024-01-25 22.15.02 - A side-profile view of Zesty Zapcrackle, an Artificer Tiefling ch...png
Carrying Dick Dagger.



ITEM GLOSSARY:
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Wind Spore Mushrooms
30 gp each​
A rare fungus with a unique magical property. When a creature squeezes a wind spore mushroom's cap, it releases a small cloud of spores. For 1 hour, the creature doesn't need to breathe, as the spores provide it with oxygen.
file-moYw6GogFv7wpuA90IyNwKTo.png
Obsidian Chunk
10 gp each​
An uncut opaque black gemstone.
file-D8FV3REG53vwt44CZPF5gFDU.png
Heart Cap Mushrooms
30 gp each​
These mushrooms bear an unsettling resemblance to human hearts.
file-qdHIQqxCkWhZME6ymOpQj50s.png
Potion of Healing
50 gp each​
This potion's red liquid glimmers when agitated. You regain 2d4+2 hit points when you drink this potion.
 
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OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Blind Guardian
Moonsprout tries to recall something about the nature of myconids. Specifically, he tries to recall how capable they are of adventuring out of their caves and joining a rag-tag band of adventurers.


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Sir Moonsprout Attenborough
@Smacktard
| "In the shadowy and mysterious realm of Faerûn, a most extraordinary species thrives in the damp embrace of subterranean seclusion. These are the Myconids, also whimsically termed the fungus folk or mushroom people, a sentient species of fungi, unparalleled in their uniqueness within the universe.

Observe their physical form: a remarkable resemblance to humanoid mushrooms, with skin of a spongy texture, arrayed in muted hues of browns, greys, and greens. An astonishing variance in size can be seen, ranging from the diminutive two-foot-tall sprouts to the towering twelve-foot elders, a visual testament to their age and societal roles.

These beings possess no traditional facial features. Instead, they communicate through an intricate dance of spores and subtle body movements, an alien concept to the uninitiated observer. Such a method of interaction, though enigmatic, is replete with nuance and depth.

The Myconids flourish in harmonious and secluded communities, known as circles. Peaceful and introspective, they shun unnecessary contact with other species. Each circle is led by a Sovereign, a being of wisdom and age, responsible for the health and decision-making within their society. Their reproduction, a fascinating spectacle, involves the release of spores, with the young nurtured collectively by the circle.

Communication among Myconids is a marvel to behold, conducted through the release of telepathic spores, forming a communal bond known as the Rapport Spores. These beings are non-verbal, yet they understand Common speech, a testament to their adaptability and intelligence.

One must also consider their emotional landscape, markedly different from our own. They prioritize the collective well-being, a noble yet alien concept to more individualistic species.

In terms of abilities, Myconids are masters of spore manipulation, wielding them for healing, communication, and even inducing hallucinations. They possess regenerative properties, thriving in the moist, dark environments of their subterranean homes. However, sunlight is their bane, harmful and potentially lethal.

For adventurers delving into the depths of the darkness, Myconids can emerge as unexpected allies, rich in the lore of their shadowy domain and offering invaluable support. Encounters with them challenge adventurers to communicate and interact in ways beyond the ordinary, a testament to the rich tapestry of life forms that inhabit even the most hidden corners of our fantastical world." |

 

Moonsprout Beandirt

Connoisseur of fine video games
Hey guys, so I just thought about these myconids. I mean, I really thought about them... And I seem to remember having spent like a year or three living among them in an underground commune. Totally, like, slipped my mind for a bit.

Anyway, I seem to recall a some junk about them. Like, they can understand what we're saying right now. They don't just dig our vibes, but they actually get our words, you know? Like, if you dropped some dope poetry lines they'd probably be all "hell yeah, brother". But like, they get NASTY sunburns so they like NEVER go outside. Or maybe they do at night, like vampires.

So, like, check this out, you can get a good idea of what they're talking about if you just ask them the right questions. Hey Hipsiz bro, if there's a monster in those caves causing that dank red fog, show us a picture of a green thumbs up. If I'm wrong, hit me with a red thumbs down.
 

Nac McWeeble

Yvan eht nioj
And I seem to remember having spent like a year or three living among them in an underground commune. Totally, like, slipped my mind for a bit.
((Classic Moonsprout!))

If I interpret the images correctly, I'd say the passage ahead leads to whatever's causing this mist. And the passage to the right either leads to the Sovereign Moonsprout mentioned, or perhaps some sort of birthing chamber. Or maybe both.
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Blind Guardian
Hey guys, so I just thought about these myconids. I mean, I really thought about them... And I seem to remember having spent like a year or three living among them in an underground commune. Totally, like, slipped my mind for a bit.

Anyway, I seem to recall a some junk about them. Like, they can understand what we're saying right now. They don't just dig our vibes, but they actually get our words, you know? Like, if you dropped some dope poetry lines they'd probably be all "hell yeah, brother". But like, they get NASTY sunburns so they like NEVER go outside. Or maybe they do at night, like vampires.

So, like, check this out, you can get a good idea of what they're talking about if you just ask them the right questions. Hey Hipsiz bro, if there's a monster in those caves causing that dank red fog, show us a picture of a green thumbs up. If I'm wrong, hit me with a red thumbs down.

file-bi3lizn7g7lvim3elommvi4k-png.8943

Hipsiz
| file-l5iKWUWra0Pot6HTZNcfWqAI2.pngDALL·E 2024-02-08 09.25.29 - Create an abstract watercolor painting of the bioluminescent, bip...jpg
file-9rbJnNPbe0Upq6L9b1820OIL_92.jpg |

 
Aims is lumbering behind everyone, still in a mind bogging daze from all the telepathic spores. One could easily mistaken him for undead due to his slouched stature, blank eyes, and seemingly no reaction to anything. The only interesting thing about him is Mai'Cokk that is perched on his shoulder that is making some minor movements ans letting out little pulses of light. Without knowing any better, one could think the little mushroom was controlling him.

At least he's following everyone and not getting lost. Though Mai'Cokk seems to be chittering towards the Sovereign.
 

Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
((I’m in the car waiting for my wife to be done with a medical procedure so I can’t make anything detailed right now. But based on moonsprout summoning Mr Attenborough and the images we’ve seen, my assumption is that the cave with the red mist has some sort of sunlight coming though and it’s amplified the mist and killing the myconids. I would recommend we investigate that particular cave and find the source of the sun/mist and get rid of it to save the myconids.

@Ben - I can write up something when I am available later or you can kind of use this as a mind meld thing to help guide us with Hipzis if you want.

Of course others opinions are welcome too but I think we should go into that room. I doubt the myconid can or it’ll get sick like the others. ))
 

Moonsprout Beandirt

Connoisseur of fine video games
Bros, I like this mushroom dude. He seems chill. Can we keep him? Please? We could all adventure at night time together and he could heal us using his mushroom knowledge and he could be useful in tripping out bad people with his mindimages and and and
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Blind Guardian

Hipsiz leads you into the tunnel on the right.

Glowing fungus and colorful crystals grow from the walls and ceilings of this smaller cave. In the middle of the space, two Myconids tend to a larger specimen of their kind. The large one is shriveled and covered with unhealthy purple blotches, and it does not move. The adult Myconid collect spores from a barrel-sized, glowing red fungus that vaguely resembles a human brain and puff the spores around the leader's head. The treatment is keeping the leader alive for now, but it is a losing battle.

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file-bi3lizn7g7lvim3elommvi4k-png.8943

Hipsiz
| You hear one single clear word in your mind.

"...Sinensa..."

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|


Hipsiz seems to become agitated when thinking about the ailing sovereign.


file-bi3lizn7g7lvim3elommvi4k-png.8943

Hipsiz
| file-wnUhQuhrWWTGfdmkljPDjoDK.png |


One of the Myconid in this cave, tending to their leader, steps forward towards your group.


myconidc.png
Myconid Adult C
| file-1YHmTooPE1qau2PumEf0yDpu.png
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Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
So the source of the red mist is a crystal somewhere in the cave, and this mist is making your kind ill, including your elder... Distressing indeed.

Zesty turns to the rest of his troupe.

I believe we need to find this crystal if we are to help the myconids.
 
Mai'cokk hears all this in its mind and raises one of its many leggies to get everyone's attention. It wants to volunteer to be an NPC (Nice Polyp Chitterer) and lead them there, as it has been around the caves a lot. Just that, the hivemind of its friends who were previously part of the octopus hosted the memories of where to go, so it does not remember where to go. Beyond that, Mai'cokk is ready to guide everyone. It just needs a reminder from the Sovereign.
 

Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
((I'm not sure what else we need to do here for information or anything, but I'm ready to move into the cave with the mist/sunlight. It seems the most pertinent place to go.))
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Blind Guardian

Your party backtracks out of Sinensa's Sanctum, leaving the dying Myconid Sovereign in the care of the others. Hipsiz stays here and begins assisting in puffing the brain-shaped mushrooms around their leader. You move back through the North end of the circular chamber with the four immobile myconid and to the entrance of the other tunnel.

1707508663727.png

The air in this cave is choked with thick smoke that assaults your nostrils with a pungent odor of brimstone. Strange, flickering orange light illuminates the smoke. This area is free of fungal growth; instead, crystals grow from the rock.

To your right, a large cluster of purple crystals juts from the stone. On the far wall, a glowing orange crystal wedged into a fissure in the cave wall seems to be the source of the light, with it's facets refracting sunbeams from above in every direction. Streaks of soot trace a path along the cave walls between the purple crystals and the fissure.

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Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
Whew, Aims'! You gotta warn someone before you just crack one off like that! My mouth was open and everything!

Zesty scans the room and notices the several crystals in the area. With myconids unable to deal with light, it seems pertinent to Zesty to identify the orange crystal on the far wall that seems to be reflecting the moonlight into the room. Cautiously, Zesty navigates the room and makes to the fissure containing the orange crystal.

Zesty tries to identify anything in the room while also consecutively checking the crystal.

((@Ben - I am not sure which checks you want here, but I assume investigation is likely. I also assume these are two separate checks, one for the room, one for the crystal, but I'll let you tell me and I'll just give a singular investigation check first.))
 
Aims gets a wiff of the sulfuric stench in the air and finally snaps out from his stupor.

Hey, whoa, what, huh?! Where are we? What's that shiny thing there? Why's Mai'Cokk twitching like that?

Ugh... okay, its coming to me... i got a splitting headache from everyone talking in my head. Please lets not make that a normal thing. I cant stand it.


Aims strokes Mai'Cokk gently.

Hang in there bud. I'll make sure none touches you without concent. Just hop behind me if it gets nasty.
 
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Moonsprout Beandirt

Connoisseur of fine video games

These crystals have some serious aura. They're giving me vibes. Like, bad vibes. Maybe a little bit of good vibes somehow too though? But mostly bad vibes. Probably. Thinking... thinking...


Moonsprout uses Arcana to try to recall lore about these crystals
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Blind Guardian
((I am finding that redundant checks in our group are incredibly beneficial. Often, we've found things others have missed, so, nature, investigation, history, perception... we all have strengths and it's worked for us.))
((I also think some of this exposition, I need to just be giving to you guys instead of trying to let you sleuth it all out. I unintentionally painted myself into a corner what with trying to make the Myconid actually non-verbal and only communicate telepathically. I'm sure in an actual tabletop setting where I can't put images in your heads, it'd involve a lot more narration and less direct conversation with NPCs.

Which would in turn also lead to less required checks.

The rolling and there being some variation in what happens is a big part of the fun, of course, but I've been sitting here gnawing on my keyboard at times watching you fail rolls and not being able to tell you X thing.

Speaking of...))

As you leave the immediate presence of the Myconid, you notice that the voices in your head have not abated entirely. The flashes of images and intense emotions gives way to the voices of your immediate party.

The Myconid Rapport Spores are still affecting you all, and will continue to for 1 hour.


zesty-png.8354

Zesty Zapcrackle
@Jon
| You peer around the area, which is particularly difficult given the amount of smoke in this chamber. The gas seems to be seeping out of cracks in the rock around the crystaline structures, the noxious vapors rising from some source below. From the lack of fungal growth in this area you can discern that the acrid sulfurous fog is what's causing the blight spreading through the cave system and killing both sentient and non-sentient flora.

From this distance, you cannot discern much about the orange crystal, except that it seems different to the other crystals here, and that the fissure it's wedged into seems to lead to the surface based on the sunlight coming into through it. |


short-png.8355

Short Order
@A Pineap-Alu-zer
| You saw a crystal that looked like a penguin once. Sadly none of these crystals do though. |


aims-png.8356

Aims'Orreh Mwuh'Bwadd
@Jawneh
| Mai'cokk nervously rests upon your shoulder. It does not seem to like the smog here one bit.

1707511921360.png |


moonsprout2-png.8358

Moonsprout Beandirt
@Smacktard
| You peer at your reflection in one of the purple crystals. You cannot discern their exact origin, but they do not appear to occur naturally in this cave, as if they've grown from below and forced their way through the ground. You are too far away from the orange crystal to make out anything about it from here. |

As your party stands pondering, the fog begins to swirl and you notice movement at the edge of the darkness. From either side of the cave, two Fume Drakes with bodies of green smoke, rush towards you.

file-Ix9UwfcdzVuEg52IvpWR1cXE.png
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((@Nae'blis is up first. He WAS online when I posted this, but it's like 10:30pm for him so we might have a little wait, which I'm fine with.))
 
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Nac McWeeble

Yvan eht nioj
Oh shite, the jumpropes are back... Oh, well. Here we go again.

Nac moves 25 ft towards the drakes and attempts go hide in the shadows

((Fuck it, might as well try my stealthyness! :D :happydance))
 
Ugh, these things have a nasty smell to them. Try not to stay too close to each other! If these green ones are anything like the ones we saw before, they have a nasty breathe that can hit all of us!

Aims readies his ax and looks around the crystals in the cave. He doesn't know why, but something about this place doesn't seem right to him. Call it soldiers instinct.
 
OP
D&D Character

Dungeon Master

Blind Guardian
Oh shite, the jumpropes are back... Oh, well. Here we go again.

Nac moves 25 ft towards the drakes and attempts go hide in the shadows

((Fuck it, might as well try my stealthyness! :D :happydance))
((Sooooo, technically I'm gaming this a little to let you do it, but just to go over some basic rules for stealth;
  1. During combat, to stealth/hide, you expend your action. Unless you're a rogue with the ability to do it as a bonus action.
  2. You must have concealment of some sort first to be able to hide. This could be a structure/object, dense foliage, darkness, etc. This is where I'm kind of gaming it because you don't really have anything in between you and the drakes, but I'm going to count Aim's huge ass as an obscuring structure.
  3. Your stealth roll goes up against the passive perception of all the enemies that can see you.
  4. If you make noise while hidden or come into clear view, this incurs another stealth check.
  5. If you are hidden and combat has not started, you'd get to act during the surprise round where only you (and anyone else hidden) gets to take action.
  6. On that surprise round, or if combat has already started when you hide, if you attack from stealth you get advantage on that attack.
Anyway...))


nac-png.8620

Nac McWeeble
@Nae'blis
| You drop to a squat immediately upon seeing the elementals swirling towards you, using the girth of Aims'Orreh to obscure you. Luckily, you're fairly short to begin with, and when ducked low your bald head disappears into the miasma. The drakes do not seem to notice at all as you crouch-walk through the fog and squeeze into a gap between two large purple crystals.

1707535394069.png |

1707535538554.png

((@Smacktard is up.))
 

Zesty Zapcrackle

Diplomatic Immunity
((Just as an FYI, I'll be in Orlando most of the day tomorrow. I'll try to check in at times so as to not delay us a ton, but if it comes around to me, I might be a tad slower to respond.))
 
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