Chapter 3 - Session 15b

Trudging through the thick greenery of the Sage Falls, Fyrn finds herself at the familiar hut of the estranged shaman Mewer seeking shelter for the night. The blind Kenku welcomes her in and offers nourishment as he listens to her tales of what happened at Trisfal.

Mewer shakes his head in despair at the loss of everyone at the hands of Dumag, but is glad to see that Fyrn still stands. From behind the curtain appears an elf. Nala The High Priestess of the Pale Temple has recovered from the Rubyagaric infection thanks to Mewer. She is now tending to the remaining suffering from the vicious spores.

With as much progress that Mewer and Nala have been able to make in cleansing illness they are running out of supplies. With unease Nala asks Fyrn to join Nite's sister Lilly in reclaiming the Pale Temple, hoping that what lies within could help save more lives. Fyrn nods her head in agreement and decides to make her way in the morning.

The shine of daylight hits Fyrn's face, Nala has packed a small satchel of rations and offers her gratitude towards the aasimar for her help.

Fyrn has the Pale Temple in her vision and finds that she will not be alone in this endeavor. Lilly is accompanied by a young elf Tallis and young dragonborn Xan. All three were rescued by Fyrn and her friends from the Rubyagaric caves and ready to reclaim their home.

Stepping onto the stone floor of the hidden sanctum, it is littered with the red spotted mushrooms. Their white spindly hyphae reach around every corner and in between every crevice, holding the walls of the temple as their own. Until the lick of fire erupting from Fyrns hands scorches fungal intruders. As the toadstools face immolation, their bells quivere. The Rubyagaric won't go down without a fight. Corrupted creatures covered in spores burst into the temple to quash the trespassers.

Giant spiders crawl from the rooftop, big cats pounce in, and people infested by the mind controlling fungus beat them back. Tallis on the brink of death retreats to a corner for safety. Lilly ignored her body's cries of pain. Fyrn starts to question their chances of saving the temple. Lilly bullishly continues slashing forward, even if it means that she will perish within.

In desperation Fyrn unleashes the powers of Moradin. Fire blasting at every last bit rot while keeping the creeping creatures at bay.

Fyrn along with Lilly and Xan hack their way up to the top of the three story temple where the last of the growth is found. The clicking of a giant spider with venom dripping down their fangs guard the remaining fungi. Xan dodges around behind the altar of Hekate pulling their attention. Fyrn launches the final blast from the Everburn Bracers Fyrn shooting fiery darts that ignite and explode the last of the mushroom colonies.

The forest comes to a calm. Lilly wipes some blood off her cheek and pulls Fyrn over toward the balcony of the temple they have saved. They both gaze over the railing witnessing the glow of the full moon illuminating the lake before them in a silvery glow.

A few silent moments pass. Lilly slowly grabs Fyrn's hand and presents a small shard of Runic Steel, a chipped off piece of Diana's sword. A small gift in size, but one that Fyrn feels is larger than they know.

Brian Fogg