Out of the Abyss

myconids when the cloud is released must succeed

on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or become

charmed. While charmed in this way. a creature can

do nothing other than dance and usc its movement to

follow the myconid parade. The creature can repeat

the saving throw at the end of each hour, ending the

effect on itself on a success. Casting lesser restoration,

greacer restoration. remove curse, or similar magic on

a creature also ends the effect on it.

The myconids and their spore servants attack only

if they're attarked or prevented from cominuing on

their march.

OOZES

The character~ encounter one or more oozes. Roll a d4

and con~ult the Oozes table to determine what kinds of

oozes the characters encounter.

O ozEs

d4

1

2

3

4

Oozes

1 black p udding and 1d6 gray oozes

1 bla ck pudding and ld4 ochre jellies

3d6 black pud dings

2d4 gelatinous cubes

If the encounter occurs en route to Araumycos.

the oozes are slithering toward the giant fungus.

Otherwise. the oozes are feasting on Araumycos itself.

In either event, the oozes fight only in self-defense.

Two-! lEADED TROLLS

Warped by Demogorgon's presence in the Underdark.

these trolls ha,·e each grown a sc<·ond head. As part

of its \ 1ultiauack routine. a rwo ht"aded troll can make

a Bite :utack as a bonus action on its turn. The party

encounters ld4 + I of these hungry creature~. which

otherwise have the statistics of a normal troll.

E NTER THE GROOM

In the time it takes the characters to reach Araumycos·s

caverns after receiving Basidia's message, Zuggtmoy

and her fungal entourage arrive at the site of the

ceremony. near the center of those caverns. The

entourage includes hundreds of myconid adults

and myco nid sprouts. accompanied by a wa ke ned

zurkhwoods and bridesmaids of Zuggtmoy (both from

appcndi'< C). as well as ambulator) fungi such as violet

fungi a nd gas s p ores. Various spore scn·ants fill out

Zuggtmoy's entourage (sec the "Myconids" entry of the

Monster Mamwl a nd appendix C of this adventure).

B ASI DJ A'S AID
As the chararters approach the center of Araumycos's
great cavern complex, Basidia meets them with a small
detachment of loyal myconids. The myconid SO\ ereign
explain~ that it can infuse the characters with rapport
spores and neutralized servitor spores. enabling them
to blend in with the fungal servitors accompanying
Zuggtmoy. The characters then have a few hours to
make their way to the center of Araumycos·s territory
where Zuggtmoy's ritual is srt to take place.

When the) are sufficient I) dose to the ep•centcr of

the ritual. the characters will be able to enter rapport

with Araumycos. Basidia's rapport -;pores help facilitate

the process. but Araumycos·s sleeping mind isn't in full

control of the defenses of its body. and might interpret

the characters' presence as an attack. Basidia warns

the characters that they must be on their guard for a

reaction from the vast fungus.

Once the characters have entered rapport. they must

seck out Araumycos's sleeping mind and awaken it to

tht' danger it faces. Basidia doesn't know if Zuggtmoy

will become aware of what the character~ are doing. but

if she does. they will have only a limited amount of time

before the demon queen tries to stop thrm.

OozE SPIES

Once Basidia has explained the plan to the characters.

read the follow ing boxed text aloud to the plnyers.

Even as the myconid sovere1gn's thoughts fill your mind,

you become aware of a faint hissing and fizzmg sound.

The fungus around you dissolves to a formless goo as

somethmg moves in the undergrowth to surround you!

A pair of regenerating b lack puddings. sp•es for juiblcx.

slitlwr through the undergrowth to attack the party.

The characters· myconid allies fall back from the fray.

desperate to protect Sovereign Basid ia ""d pleading

for the adventu re rs' aid th rough the telepathic rapport

they share.

Empowered by juiblcx. these regenerating black

puddings ha,·e an Intelligence of 6 ( 2) and the following

feature. which increases each pudding's challenge

rating ro 5 (1.800 XP).

Regeneration. The pudding regams 10 h1t pomts at the

start of its turn. If the pudding takes fire damage. th1s trait

doesn't function at t he start of the puddmg's next turn. The

pudding dies only if it starts 1ts turn with 0 h1t pomts and

doesn't regenerate.

ACROSS THE FUNGAL F IELDS

Once the charaett>rs receive Ba!';idia's spore!> and

ovt'rcomejuiblex's black pudding spies, they should set

out at once for the depths of Araumyco~ a:. the rapport

takes hold. Unfortunately, they have no means of

a!>suring the s lumbering fungal entity of their intentions,

and the growing threat posed by Zuggtmoy and the

demon lords has roused Araumycos'!> defenses.

The pastel colors offungi t rans fo rm the caverns you

pass through into softly glowing meadows. The floor is

spongy, and the myconid spores are makmg you start to

feel drowsy-at least, you hope that's what's behind this

strange sensation. The n you feel the ground beneath you

shift as something moves-a number of a th1ck, spiky

tendrils bursting from the ground.

C II APT ER to I riH fl. Ttn \1 f IJDING