Session XXXV: The Rite of Symbiosis Report

Navigating the Mirewood Swamps proved no difficulty for Horxim, who guided the party through without incident. However, the two days of travel took their toll on Zenora, who arrived at Gypsum Caves -- a very lucky catch on Zaki's part -- in a very sorry state.   U.G. investigated the tunnel up to about 50 feet in, and discovered that, despite its location under a swamp, some arcane mechanism was at play to keep the tunnel dry, and a control water spell was suspected.   Once the whole party ventured in and passed the point where they'd reconnected with U.G., they explored a tunnel filled with bioluminescent fungi until a figure seemingly peeled itself from the wall and stood in the party's path: a female Drow, with pale violet eyes and no pupils and strands of blue-green glowing lichen in her hair, named Rellith Shade-Root. Zenora and the party related her tale to Rellith, who insisted on bringing Zenora directly to Conveyor Fyrbid.   On their way, they spotted another member of the Circle, whom Rellith identified as Tolan Mossbrow. When pressed to disclose just how many members of the Circle there are, Rellith refused, citing the need to defend her home and family.   Once brought to Fyrbid, he examined Zenora and explained to the party that he once encountered a rare species of fungal spore that had the same effects as those they described happening to Brae Cragwhisk and now Zenora. This happened an indeterminately long time ago, and Fyrbid knows not exactly how he managed to survive, but in the decades and perhaps centuries since, he has learned how to coexist in a symbiotic relationship with the spores. When asked if he could use that power to help Zenora, he said that he would try, but that she was already very far gone -- more likely, his assistance would be nothing more than guidance, and the real fight would be up to her and the party to support her.   Fyrbid led the party to a central "island" at the center of the underground cistern, and directed Zenora to lie upon an altar for the first part of the Rite of Symbiosis. Much like quicksand, the fungal growths on Zenora's body began to rapidly overtake her, but the party helped her to keep from succumbing to panic, and she relaxed into the process, allowing the first tendril of the symbiotic bond to take root.   When Zenora regained her composure following the first part of the rite, Fyrbid released spores that sent the entire party into the Mycelial Dream, a sacred dream-like state that contains the consciousnesses, awarenesses, and voices of all living things connected by the Dream. The party helped Zenora navigate the Dreamscape and find her own thread among the multitude. Having returned to herself, the symbiotic bond further stabilized.   Finally, Fyrbid activated a mechanism that slid the altar back, revealing a spiraling staircase descending into the earth; the party followed Fyrbid down, where they saw a massive fungal Heart -- a perfect embodiment of the cycle of life and death, growth and decay, rebirth and rot. Fyrbid says to Zenora, “It is a difficult thing to become one with the whole and yet to retain one's sense of self simultaneously, but it is something you must master if you are to endure. This Heart, like any other, can be persuaded by the Mind -- though, naturally, it will do its best to persuade the Mind, in turn." Zenora was tasked with making the Heart beat -- match her rhythm -- without being pulled into the Dream. The party helped boost her confidence and sense of power, and she successfully made the Heart beat, triggering the final stage of symbiotic union and her transformation into a Fungal Symbiont.   Her trials survived, how will Zenora feel about the transformations she's undergone, and how will the party respond to their altered companion? What implications will this have for her involvement with Deroleux's Select Conservatory of the Arcane?   It is the early morning hours of Shuldas, 7th of Rain's Hand, Year 10,645 AoE.