The Pod-Caverns of the Sinister Shroom (Game Thread VI)

[JadedDM]

Shay returns the fungus staff to Babushka and then hands Ulster the bullseye lantern and two vials of oil. "There should be four more hours of oil in this lantern. When you're down to the last flask, and we haven't returned yet...we're probably dead. So make a run for it. There's a village about an hour away. If you can make it there, you're likely home free." Turning to the mage, he says, "Jerrard, we'll need to rely on your torches for light."

Ulster nods. He arms himself with Elvenoff's sword and shield, as Elvenoff himself can barely stand up, much less fight. Thuskar returns Jerrard's short sword, and instead takes up Babushka's old staff, wielding it like a club. Elvenoff is moved to the back of the cave, along with Merithina who is now protected by an Armor spell. Leafloam needs no gear, and is quite healthy--he will be their best defender.

"Thank you," Merithina says to Jerrard. "All of you. Please...return to us alive. I will take you back to our home of Shrentak, in Blöde. My father will see to it you are all rewarded for this, I promise."

"When you find the Shroom," Ulster adds, "give him a couple of extra stabs for us. Good luck."

"Thy bravery hath no limit," Leafloam says. "I hath confidence thee will succeed. The gods walk with thee."

[Jenara]

"Of course they do, its a long story but-" Locky starts to say but stops.

"I will keep them all safe, Paladine watches over me. You know after everything, I think he likes me." She gives a grin of satisfaction, hugs everyone in turn, and then grasps her Hoopak tightly.

"I wonder if Kender are like Cats...?" She ponders as she heads to the cavern entrance. "I lost one when that chair tried to eat me, another.." She begins counting on her fingers...

[Breila]

Babushka walks over to the people they leave behind. "If we do not return, follow the stream upriver, that will bring you out of these caves."She then calls after Locky: "Locky, you need to give them the key for the water diversion!" Then she explains: "At some point, you will come to a waterfall. Next to it is a keyhole. With the key Locky brings, you can divert the waterfall to reveal a ladder that brings you one level up."

When everything is organized, she proceeds to the head of the leaving party. "Same marching order as always?"

[Jenara]

"Oh, yes of course!" Locky turns around, "I think I have almost died five times, if you count the funny moss and the plant that choked me.." She explains, passing Merithina the Key.

"Sounds good to me, I didn't like it when we split up." She pouts, looking sad. "Shall we go and stop the nasty Mushroom then? So.. What does a talking Mushroom look like anyway?"

[Breila]

Babushka puts on her backpack, checks that daggers and knife are ready in their respective sheaths, sling and stones in her pockets and fashions a loose bracelet on her left wrist out of the fungus coil as she waits for the group to set out.

[JadedDM]

While Locky hands Merithina the wooden key, Shay lights up one of Jerrard's torches. "Girls up front, us weak-eyed guys in the back," Shay suggests, their standard marching order.

The cloak-wrapped stone head remains by the bullseye lantern, apparently deciding not to go with Shay for once.

[Breila]

"Now I know how that stone head works!" Babushka suddenly exclaims. "It goes for the strongest light source! Strange that it keeps that up even as we've blindfolded it."

[JadedDM]

"And because I usually carried the lantern...that's why it followed me around most of the time," Shay says. "How weird. Why would anyone create such a thing? Maybe the Shroom isn't the sharpest sword in the armory after all."

[Jerrard]

"Yes that explains much, and why it went to the Troll when it burnt.. By the way that was quite impressive, and very welcome, thank you." Jerrard Keeps his weapon at his side. "It is quite strange Locky, you will see soon enough." He ruffles her hair slightly, and allows them to lead.

"Leafloam, please look after them, we will return you home soon."

[JadedDM]

After saying their good-byes, the party sets off. Babushka and Locky take point, while Shay and Jerrard are fifteen feet behind, so the torch doesn't interfere with the girls infravision.

After about four minutes, the party makes their way to the portcullis. It remains up. There is no sign yet of anyone or anything around.

The path that leads to where they found Leafloam is to the south.

[Jenara]

Locky leads on stopping at the Portcullis. "We could go back where we were, but we can't pass those hanging plants." Locky rubs her head, she remembered the last time still, those were her favorite clothes.

[Breila]

To make really sure no one has passed, Babushka checks the area around the portcullis with her tracking skills. 1d20=13

To Locky, she says: "Yes, but remember, we could kill them with our ranged weapons. Maybe we should go and do that now, we'll have a free way to flee then. On the other hand, if we manage to drive our enemies south, the snagworts can take care of them... what do you think?"

[JadedDM]

Babuska finds no evidence of anyone or anything passing.

"An escape route might be a good idea, especially if the portcullis falls again. But then again, attacking snagworts might be a waste of ammunition that we might need against the Shroom and whatever he has waiting for us," Shay says.

======================

Babushka makes a tracking check (13); cannot find anything.

[Jenara]

(posted for Jerrard.)

"I have a suggestion, The Shroom has a command word over these plants. I found it in his notes." he reaches into his pouch and produces the papers. "I will go in and try for myself first." He motions to Locky and Babs. "Please lead on."

[Breila]

Babushka'sface lights up. "Well, that's wonderful. Jerrard. Let's go and you try it. That way, if it works and we do drive an enemy south, you can set the snagworts right on him!" With a chuckle, she leads on.