Session 15-B: Back to Bogteam

## Key Plot Developments

Bogtooth, Pix, and Tremble are forcibly teleported out of Annarei's grove. They spiral through a red and black void for an indeterminate amount of time before reappearing in the K'Gaust's summer resort. Rushing through the space, they realize that nobody else is there. This leads them to believe that the K'Gaust family already left. Not willing to take advantage of the pleasant drows' hospitality, they decide to only still a few snacks from their larder. Tremble finds Squii already there, gorging himself on the food.

Bogtooth, just like when he discovered his tome back at the gnoll encampment, is nonresponsive. Used to this idiosyncratic behavior, Pix constructs a small contraption. She can now wear Bogtooth like a backpack whenever he's incapacitated.

Tremble searches the mansion for any sign of Wilenet. He discovers a letter she left behind in his guest room:

* **Dear Tremble, Pix, and Kobold (but especially Tremble):**
	+ **I got your note. We do not know where you went, Matron was very upset. I was hoping you would stay a little while longer, but I suppose you had to go and find your family. I understand. If you happen to find this message, we all went home to Menzoberranzan. I really hope to see you all again some day. Papa says you always have a place with House K’Gaust. Your Friend, Wilenet.**

Tremble and Pix weigh their options. They decide to head East to Blingdenstone; hopefully, the resources of a large city will help them figure out what happened to their family, how to deal with Annarei, and (potentially) how to follow Wilenet to Menzoberranzan. Tremble reflects on Trix's apparent depression and Glyn's madness. He expresses gratitude towards his sister for her understanding and acknowledges Bogtooth's bravery in taking on Anna's crystal wraiths (however ineffectively).

They leave the estate, heading East towards Blingdenstone. After some time traveling, they see something: in the distance. a large carriage is illuminated by a pair of fluttering tallow lanterns. The light catches a painted sign hanging from the side: Fiddleplitz’s Potions and Balms. Two giant lizards flick their tongues anxiously in the air as a gnome fusses with a broken wheel, his thick apron covered in soot and sweat and white hair standing on end.

Fiddleplitz, the surface gnome, asks the goblins to help him lift the carriage and replace the broken wheel. They do, and he offers them a potion of healing. They check out his carriage and buy several potions of his. He explains that he's on the way from Blingdenstone.

Pix soon realizes that something seems wrong. Some of the potions seem to be poisons. There's a faint odor of sulfur, but none of the items seem sulfurous. The giant lizards seem uneasy. Finally, she notions a thin, slimy tendril that extends from the gnome's pants into the darkness.

She and Tremble try to leave, but the gnome, sensing that its ruse has been uncovered, springs into action. The tendril lashes around; the puppeteered gnome body distends. Tremble and Pix weigh their options. Tremble remembers Jimjar's sacrifice, and decides to run rather than risk being consumed by this odd entity.

They escape. After running ahead, they enter a new area. The region is faintly lit by nearby glowing fungi, casting the stalagmites and curtain-like flowstones in a calm purple light. The shadows dance about an opening in the wall above you, large enough for a human to fit through. Tremble investigates and notices thousands of tiny scratch marks along the floor and scattered droppings. With Squii's help, he determines they are rat droppings, but must be from hundreds of vermin.

Tremble and Pix discuss if they should follow these clues or forge towards Blingdenstone. They decide to prioritize their bigger-picture goals, and leave the slime-gnome and the mysterious rodent-marks behind.

Finally, after days of cautious travel, they enter a cavernous cleaning. There, they see six small myconids. The myconids speak earnestly to them, and they realize that, without sharing rapport spores, they can automatically understand these creatures. The myconids confirm that they feel a connection with the party. Pix realizes they have encountered Stool's missing pod from the Circle of Hunters. The group introduces itself as Stool Team Six.

## New NPCs

1. Fiddleplitz, slime-possessed surface gnome
2. Stool Team Six, myconid Circle of Hunters