Out of the Abyss

characters a panoramic view of a mushroom forest
that covers every surface including the ceiling- and
illuminates the darkness with brilliantly colorful
bioluminescent patterns.
On the other side of this exotic forest. t he cavern
narrows into a ravine. In a cavern beyond the ravine.
a glimpse of a majestic mushroom tower can be seen,
although the poor light and a r isi ng mist makes it
impossible to discern its details.

DRow PuRSUIT IN NEVERLIGHT GROVE

Though the characters don't know it yet. a drow scout

patrol arrived in everlight Grove ahead of them.

anticipatinj:( that the escaped adventurers might seck

shelter among the myconids. Unfortunately for the drow

scouts, an encounter with one of Zuggtmoy's servants

led them to a grisly fate. See ar(•a 5, "The Garden of

Welcome," for more infor mation.

While the characters remain in Neverlight Grove.

their pursuit level remains unchanged, as llvara waits to

hear from the missing patrol. The drow pursuit resumes

when the party leaves the grove. See chapter 2 for more

•nformation.

IMPO RTANT NPCs

The adventurers might interact with the following

characters and creatures in Nevcrlight Grove.

NEVER LIGHT GROVE NPCs

Sovereign Phylo

Sovereign Basidia

Loobamub

Rasharoo

Yestabrod

Xinaya

One o f the two ru lers of Neverli ght

Grove, in th rall to Zuggtmoy

The other ruler of Neverlight Grove,

free ofZuggtmoy's influence and

suspicious of Phylo

Leader of the Circle of Hunters. loyal

to Basidia, with tasks for the party

Leader of the Circle of Explorers and

loyal to Basidia; knows of routes to the

surface world

Mutated leader of the Circle

of Masters and Zuggtmoy's

monstrous servant

Drow scout trapped in a horrible fate

A DAY I N NEVERLIG H T GROVE

The myconid way of life is simple, contemplative, and

<.'yclical. Myconids work for eight hours farming their

•ungi fields. scouting for resources. and maintaining

rheir defenses. Afrer their labors. they spend eight hours

tn telepathic communion with each other i n what they

·all "melding." T hey then res! for eight hours before

::.tarting the cycle anew.

\1any of the myconids in the grove arc more

,.~Lrovertcd than might be expected of their normally

-.by species. Characters who communicate with the

myconids byway of their rapport spores note that the

realures seem to be preparing for a celebration of some

~rt. proclaiming "The day of joy is nigh!" and exhorting

others to "Rejoice in the true union that will meld us

all!" These are the myconids affertccl by Zuggtmoy.

and their behavior is cause for conccrn among rhe

unaffected. including Sovereign Basidia and irs allies.

Two SovER E IGNS

Myconid communities normally have only a single

sovereign- the largest among them. who stands

alone and outside of any circle (sec below). Two years

ago, Sovereign Basidia arrived in the grove with its

two circles, and Sovereign Phylo welcomed the new

myconids gladly. grateful for Basidia's offer to share

the burdens of leading all the circles in the grove. The

two sovereigns have been close fri(•nds ever since.

sharing authority and responsibilities with no conflict.

Each knows that an individual myconid has only so

much time in the cycle of life. and that when both have

passed, a single sovereign will take their place after

their bodies are returned to nourish the soil.

SovEREIGN 6ASIOIA

CUAI'IkR 5 I NP.\:LRitCH T GRO\ t