Upon entering the passageway under the tree, please post here.

In reply to Game Master (msg # 1):

Gregory heads down in to the grotto, holding his glowing holy symbol aloft. He takes a shallow breath, trying to sense if there's any unholy evil about (not including any possibly undead party members).

The ghost follows Gregory through the brushes, and literally through some trees.

Ex-Jon then stops, and starts sniffing the area, trying to pick any smells that might be worth exploring. One noone knows where we might find interesting ingredients.


19:13, Today: Ex-Jon Hudson rolled 5 using 4d6, dropping the 3 lowest rolls with rolls of 5,1,2,1.  Chef's nose.

The shadows between the trees begin to move in an unnatural way, soon merging together and beginning to take on a solid form.  This shadowy form rises into the shape of a human figure.  A few more seconds, and it has indeed turned into a human, a man of average height, middle age, dark hair, gray eyes.  He taps his staff on the ground and the shadows retreat to their original positions.

"Not cool, guys," the wizard says to the rest of the party.  "I told you I just needed two minutes to check out the carvings in that rock, and you went ahead without me?  I could have uncovered great secrets about the history of this area!  I didn't, it turned out to be nothing, but I could have been onto something.  You lot just don't appreciate these things..."

He sighs, then turns to face the grotto entrance.  "This is the place then?"

In reply to Hinimas (msg # 4):

Gregory says, "Sorry Hinimas, I assumed you'd be taking the rear guard. Maybe there'll be some history in here. Or some tea..."

In reply to Ex-Jon Hudson (msg # 3):

13:00, Today: Game Master rolled 12 using 5d6 ((1,3,2,5,1)).
OOC: Chef senses down one Ex- Jon Hudson.

One does not need to be a chef to wade through the scent that appeared in the grotto entrance, a wafe, more like a slap of both heavenly and repulsive spores (literally) slapped the adventurers. Especially the ghost Hudson, to the remains, or memory of his olfactory senses, the smell was of Portabello, shitake, and a myriad of others (truffles, no doubt truffles) escavated into his thoughts.

No doubt this would be a great place to harvest a sourdough starter.

For the grotto entrance, underneath the massive tree opened into a massive cave of glowing undulating fungi. Mushroom, mushrooms everywhere, and between those a dazzling array of tendrils that glowed with a great intensity. They cast out a prismatic spray of color all around, making the shadows intense and light sources unknown to those without an untrained eye.

It seemed was an entire cavern of Mycelia, an altar to toadstools and sweet yeasty mold everywhere, it vaulted downward into a natural cathedral and a path that lead to the very bottom of it. Within it all undulating mushrooms and tendrils inviting like coral reefs do to a mighty little fish.

The machine finally relented and allowed at least the appearance of control back over to the furious little gnomish pilot. With a lurch and a snort of steam, the T.A.N.K. proceeded to enter the grotto.

"Dratted detritus!" Gnorton concluded. "Hey Wiz, maybe you'll find some graffiti in here by the local hooligans who defaced yonder road marker! Little rascals probably think that's quite a joke!"

The contraption paused as a thought tried to work itself into the gnome's cantankerous mind...

"... or maybe they wanted us to go this way...Bah!" he shook off the offending inspiration and herded his scrap heap along behind the others.

Gregory lets his holy fire fade from his symbol as it seems the fungus casts enough light to see by. "Well, looks like we're all set for mushrooms here ... anyone know if any of these are good to eat?"

"Not only safe, but the quality and variety on display is astounding! Definely collect as much as possible! Unless we are to return here often, in which case you should leave some to spread and grow. I can't wait to make them... Or... Guide you to make them into amazing dishes!"

Hinimas walks cautiously into the grotto, looking around at the mushrooms and nodding sagely.  As he examines the scene he says, to whoever is willing to listen, "During the time that I spent in Betochta, I tried a dish that was made with a variety of local mushrooms, and also the eggs of a certain cave snake that lives in the same caves where those mushrooms grow.  The adults snakes are quite toxic of course, but the eggs were delicious.  And judging from the layout of the different mushrooms here, there should be some snake eggs right... over... there!"With this last word, the wizard takes two decisive steps toward the spot he indicated and begins gently prodding with the butt of his staff.

Hinimas rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 3,2,5.  mushroom knowledge (Well-Traveled Human).

I don't know what the target number would be here, so GM, what do I find?

12:57, Today: Game Master rolled 19 using 5d6 ((1,3,4,5,6)).

These mushrooms are different from the others. The snakes, not so much. There among the tendrils and fungi are true, the eggs of the snakes, a wonderful treat for those with the wit and experience to know where to look.

Snake eggs YUM!

OOC: Target number is just beat the cliche (5) with the highest roll.

"Oh, cooking with snake eggs! I'm glad to have someone with some cooking knowledge around, even if they are an amateur! Collect them aswell, so we may replicate that dish of yours!"

Ex-Jon Hudson nods in approval, as a good number of party members seem to be interested in the culinary arts aswell.

Gregory says, "Excellent, only in here a few minutes and already eggs and mushrooms. Maybe we can leave some of it for the trip home?" He looks around, deeper into the grotto, to see if there is an exit or another passage.

"Snake eggs... Of all the silly... wait a minute, there are the eggs... but where is the mother?"

Gnorton mashed a button inside the cockpit and turned the T.A.N.K. in a slow, nervous circle.


OOC: Thanks for the idea, hmmm.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:57, Tue 31 Jan 2023.

Ssssstrange ssssounds ssssuddenly rise in the underbrush of the tendrils (4), strange things that slither and roam, approaching it seemed until coming closer. The sound of forked tongues hissing and slithering, things smelling out there just beyond the main entrance...

In reply to Game Master (msg # 15):

Gregory turns back to the entrance, raising his holy symbol again. "Does anyone else hear that?"

Hinimas waves his staff in the direction of the sound and says "What, over there?"

Attempting to push the shadows to the side and uncover whatever might be hiding there.

Hinimas rolled 17 using 4d6 with rolls of 6,4,5,2.  Shadow Wizard.

The machine had apparently relented to allow Gnorton to lift the glass bubble-like dome when the question of unexpected company was raised. As he reached for the scanner modulation knob, the lid closed with a rather loud noise!

"All of you stop breathing for a few minutes while I get this calibrated," he suggested, carefully turning the knob, seeking the sweet spot.

The machine seemed to slowly rotate toward the mouth of the grotto, almost as if a steering pedal was stuck slightly depressed... almost.

When the little gnomish pilot looked up again, he was clearly disoriented and had to reorient to the changed position with relation to the mushrooms. One of the T.A.N.K.'s appendages extended in the direction indicated by Hinimas. "Something over there lad... I think."


Gnorton rolled 6 using 3d6, keeping the highest dice only with rolls of 6,6,1.  Assist Hinimas (Team up) - gizmos, gadgets and gears (3).

10:56, Today: Game Master rolled 17 using 4d6 ((5,5,4,3)).

OOC: A Bourage of snakes is revealed in the negative energy of the shadow power. Hinimas narrate what you see in a monologue of victory, with the rather helpful help of Gnorton!