Chapter 4: The Nasty Pits

Berry waits as Tilma tries to communicate, at the same time looking around for potential exits.

Laurent observed the lush fungal tapestry with a mix of awe and concern. He knew the spores of such growth could cause harm, and yet the place seemed peaceful, unthreatening enough. As voices spoke within his mind, his eyes reflexively darted about, seeking their sources. Since Tilma had attempted to speak out in her ordinary voice, the young scholar saw no use in adding his own voice to the cacophony. He continued to observe silently, while pondering what might be the best course of action. Driven by curiosity, he attempted to use his own mind to reach out to this strange form of sentience: 'Can you hear me?', he thought out as loudly as he could.

The myconid beings do not respond to your direct words, but seem to gather your intentions through your thoughts and emotions. They bristle, and the various openings on their bodies flare.

"So, they are here for the Spore Cradles, like the others of their kind ..."
"You see? I told you more would come. They will try to take the Spore Cradles from us!"
"We must imprison them before they disturb the balance any further!"

While the myconids debate how they wish to treat you, Berry looks for additional exits. None are obvious, although the waterfalls obscure his vision. The water must come from a fissure in the roof, perhaps leading to the harbour.

While he scans for exits, he notices there are bubbles forming on the surface of the lake. A bulbous, fishy head emerges from the water, along with the tips of a trident. It moves stealthily forward, with more clusters of bubbles forming behind it.

"I'll try to hold them back!" Laurent cried out, ready to interpose himself between the emerging fish creatures and his comrades. As he stepped forward, his hands gestured in a form of defensive casting, the same one as he had used on Maude in their prior encounter. He extended his arms wide open, with his quarterstaff held vertically on his right hand, a mix of greeting and ritual incantation.

"Ok Timbers! Seems like a combat is upon us! Get ready to rain your bolts upon that fish man!" she says to her companion in an energetic tone as she readies her crossbow and points it, over Laurent's shoulder, at the approaching creature. Then she calls out louder, "Wait a minute mushroom guys! We'll deal with the fish guy and then we'll chat. You might want to hear us out!"

Berry is ready for anything, crossbow loaded, waiting, hoping this can resolved without bloodshed.

As the party turns and readies their spells and weapons, three fishmen emerge from the water, gurgling and waving crude yet cruel tridents. They have adorned themselves with trinkets made of odd objects from the surface - one wears a broken bottle on a cord around his neck like a medallion; another wears a ragged fishnet shawl; the third adorns itself with dozens of forks and spoons that dangle from threads and glint in the pale, colourful light of this place. They rush at you, gurgling violently!



INITIATIVE:


Terrain Features: Slippery rocks, pool of water, bioluminescent fungi, glowing spores floating in the air and water.

Stepping forward once more, Laurent exclaims towards the fishmen in a powerful voice for an average-sized frame: "Do not attempt to stop us, Deep Ones! Speak before you regret your haste!"