Session 11-A: A Fairy in the Faerzress

## Key Plot Developments

Trix, Lemon, Shuushar, Glyn, and Pyrite (newly cured of one madness condition) debate their options. Trix is reluctant to over-rely on his connection to Ichabod, because he fears what the implications of betraying Pelor to support a greater devil might entail. However, he is contractually bond to not disparage Ichabod, so he increasingly keeps to himself, feeling paralyzed by his powerlessness. Glyn and Pyrite, confident that the visions from Miss Anna's Gresyl wine might help bring the clan back together, begin to lead the group back to the grove.

As they journey, they encounter a series of carrion crawlers. These huge, segmented insects threaten to eat them, but Trix uses magic to place a stronger scent of meat far away from them. Soon, they encounter a pair of jovial deep dwarves named Zeks and Edsel, who claim to be hunting the carrion crawlers for sport. Glyn notices that they bear similar necklaces to Miss Anna; they confirm that they spend a lot of time in her grove and appreciate her company. Trix, who has not yet visited the grove, is suspicious, but the duo is gregarious. They defy Shuushar's stereotype of a typical deep dwarf (dour and humorless); they claim that they deserted the duergar armies to seek a healthier lifestyle with Annarei.

The pair immediately bonds with Glyn, who appreciates their friendly attitudes. They decide to help escort the group back to Annarei's grove.

One day, they encounter a small cavern, overgrown with bright lichen. Blue sparks rise from a large hole in the cavern's center; a faint chime accompanies the glittering lights. When they investigate the hole, they hear a voice claiming to be a fairy. They ask the fairy about the lights, who explains that the lights are symptomatic of faerzress. Faerzress is endemic to the Underdark, but there has been a notable and exponential growth in its spread recently. They are in a faerzress bubble (an area of particularly concentrated faerzress), which creates wild magic and mutations. Trix, overwhelmed by the complexity of their journey, takes a moment to speak with Glyn. He expresses some regret for his mistreatment of his acquaintance, acknowledges that there has been tension between them, and resolves to let bygones be. Glyn is happy to be acknowledged.

Ultimately, the fairy reveals itself to be a liar and emerges from the hole. It is a hideous, mutated drider (a cursed male drow). It uses magic, taking advantage of the chaotic faerzress surges, to try to kill and eat the heroes. With Zeks and Edsel's help, they kill it, but not before Pyrite nearly dies when a faerzress-enhanced flight suddenly ends as she floats over the deep hole. Trix is afflicted with a chaos magic condition; he must speak in rhyme or suffer psychic damage.

Trix prays for guidance to Pelor, but no answer comes. Instead, as he begs for absolution in rhyme, he is telepathically greeted with a gentle chuckle.

## New NPCs

1. Zeks, duergar associate of Annarei
2. Edsel, duergar associate of Annarei

## Memorable Quotations

> **Zeks:** I'm Zeks!
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> **Edsel:** I'm Edsel!
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> **Glyn:** I'm Glyn!
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> **Lemon:** And I'm Glyn!
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>