Session II: The Search Begins Report

General Summary

The party, still rattled by the appearance of Vermeer, set off on a job for Daniel to retrieve some fungus. Hopefully, something they get on the journey may help them pay for the Scrying spell from Madame Lavender.   After almost a week's uneventful travel, aside from perhaps a lucky catch of a pheasant, the party arrive at the foot of a mountain. Caves, high up in the range, contain the fungus that Daniel requires. The Worldshade caverns are also, however, infested with two threats. First, a flammable and dangerous brown mould can be found growing on many of the cave walls, hiding in cracks and crevices, awaiting a stray match to ignite the entire cave system. Secondly, a much more active threat comes in the form of Troglodytes. They seem to have made the cave their home, at least temporarily. The stench of these foul creatures is horrid, clogging the noses of everyone who enters.   As they step in, the group encounters the first pair of these Troglodytes, who immediately fight back with claw and tooth. After Arthur cut down the second, the party resume their shortlived exploration. Soon, they run into yet another Troglodyte, alone. After slaying this one, however, more begin to arrive. A warrior, wielding spears of metal attacks, driving the party back from its high ground. One more warrior appears from deeper in the cave, along with one strange Troglodyte wielding a staff tipped with a humanoid skull. This Troglodyte casts thorned vines out from its palm, attempting to ensnare Gek as he flees behind the others, but fails as the party make a safe escape.   With Demeter gravely injured, they rest outside the caves and leave in the direction of Rootsreach, hoping to resupply and return better prepared.