Session 82 - A fistful of paladins

09/09/300 (dusk)

The group fight the remaining flora-based zombies. The fight is over shortly after and Ruric investigates the mouth. He notices that there is a worked arch of marble embedded in the rock. It stated, in draconic, 'I Abzu fulfill this compact with these gifts'. The party, with Dana and Temujin, head into the cave.

The group proceeded into the cave and, after a few minutes, found several bio-luminescent fungi. Elnorin noted these were dangerous and they were promptly burned. Further on Heskan was hit by an exploding mushroom that did little to his divinely enforced constitution. Braith was affected by some of the spores and began to hallucinate the group turning into mushrooms but was shaken out of it by Heskan's power. They spotted an over-sized toadstool but, as it was destroyed, sent out a pulse of spores. A few minutes later a tall, fungus creature peered around the corner, tried to communicate with spores before and fled. Shortly after they were assailed by a stream of mushroom zombies. Fire was thrown and the mushroom creature got involved. It soon became apparent that it was the source of the fungal infections, likely working for or with the gnoll shaman. It briefly took control of Heskan, who gravely injured Ruric, but the horde were eventually put down. 

A short distance on the tunnel opened up into a vast cavern. Dana and Temujin engaged one of the larger creatures. The gnoll was trying to damage some form of divine ward but was interrupted and battle was joined. The gnoll managed to infect Ruric with a dangerous contagion before merging into the stalagmite. Elnorin dispelled the merge and the gnoll was killed by Fail-Not. There was unfortunate collateral damage as the gnoll, who had summoned a flaming sphere earlier in the battle, piloted it around the cavern and accidentally hit Brad (who had been re-summoned earlier) who promptly vanished.