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After slaying the disgusting guardian, its bloated form melted and revealed a shard of pure abyssal energy. Its prisoner was released from its viney prison and a mindflayer Ulitharid stepped forward. Its inhuman method of communication causing discomfort to the group as it explained itself and its purpose.
The god of myconids, Psilofyr, exists across many planes and realms including a swathe of the underdark. The Ilithids had sensed a corruption of his psychic energy by the demon lord of decay Zuggtmoy, and feared if she gained the Spore Lords power, she would be unchallenged. The Deep Gnome colony was built on a nexus to the Astral Plane and its psychic eminations protected them from both the Ilithids and Zuggtmoys corrupting influence. The mindflayer had come this far to find a method to stop Zuggtmoy but was confounded by her demonic minions and the deep gnomes outer defenses.
With time of the essence, the Ulitharid proposed an insane plan. It wished a member of the group to meld with the colonies vast overmind, gain access to the deep gnomes colony and allow the Ilithids to project the party to the astral plane using the Nexus's energy. From here, Leia would use the Abyssal shard to navigate to the mind of Psilofyr, and put a stop to Zuggtmoys corrupting influence. While trusting the mindflayer sounded like a terrible idea, it seemed that if the mindflayers were desperate enough to ask them for aid the problem must be worth the risk of cooporating with them.
Neris agreed, the experience an uncomfortable one but it would allow the Mindflayers into the Deep Gnome colony undetected. Leia grabbed the shard that would act as a compass, but found that its pure abyssal energy caused her to lose control of her shapeshifting. Her features became significantly more demonic as her power grew, and Neris gave her a hat of disguise so as to not upset the deep gnomes. After navigating the rest of the tunnels and appeasing the Fastachee protector, the group arrived at the deep Gnomes home of Zanzarite.
They were a bit skeptical of the group but after Bilden Oremolder explained themselves and they negotiated with the Elder, they agreed to guide the party to the surface if they could put an end to the corruption that threatened their homes. After a rest, the group continued to the nexus and the mindflayer began its magic, projecting the party to the Astral plane.
While the experience was something unlike they had ever experienced and navigation was incredibly difficult, the group began to make their way towards Psilofyrs mind. A few pocket planes were discovered, the group speculating they were ruptured bags of holding. After some mishaps, eventually the group spilled forth into the demi-plane of Psilofyrs mind. Demonic corruption was everywhere, and the group began to search for a method to put an end to it.
The first location held a captured Deva angel that was hostile to the demon in their mist. After Leia fled, it finally calmed down enough to agree to hear Neris out. Unphased by their claims Leia was to be trusted, it agreed to allow them to defeat Zuggtmoy as he felt it was a more pressing concern. The next location turned out to be Githyanki airship that became trapped in the plane, its last few members fighting a losing battle against the hoards of Quasits.
The group decided that this was an opportunity and attacked, slaying both groups and gaining access to the ships deck. Shane took the large turret weapon off and began to make great use of it. The ship was held firmly in place by corrupting efforts, but were it released could be made airborne once more.
Next another target was investigated and a devil was found, charming and open to working with the group Leia became smitten by him. he offered his assistance in return for meeting Leia again, and while Neris objected Leia happily agreed. With two more locations to investigate, the group still had yet to find a way to stop Zuggtmoys influence over the gods mind.
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