0307 Fungal Forms and the Ascension Stone

Overgrown paths in nonsensical routes, criss-crossing, doubling back, and spiralling into dead ends.

• Terrain: Hilly forest (3), Dwelmfurgh
• Lost/encounters: 2-in-6
• Within the Ring of Chell (p20): True fairies are afflicted with a spiritual malaise; teleportation and summoning are ineffectual; magic of illusion or charm has a 2-in-6 chance of failure.

Humanoid Fungus

Throughout the hex, lumpy, vibrantly hued fungus grows in unmistakably humanoid shapes, reclining on mossy tussocks among the damp dales. The fungi vary in size from dainty, hand-sized manikins to sprawling, 12′ giants.

Eating: The fungus tastes bland and has no nutritive or special qualities.

At night: As dusk falls, mouths bloom open upon the fungi’s heads, and begin puffing whispering sighs of coloured spores. PCs who stop to observe hear scattered words among the sighs, relating to their current quest or mission. At the Referee’s discretion, the fungi may relay brief words of oracular advice.

Ascension Stone (Hidden)

At the heart of the hex’s byzantine labyrinth of paths is a treeless hill. At its summit stands a smooth-sided boulder of black stone, about human height.

The stone: On its eastern face is a carving of serene, praying woman being lifted into the clouds by a pair of angels. On the western face, the name “ABYGAIL” is carved.

Holy spell-casters: Who make an Intelligence Check realise this is the lost site of the legendary Ascension of Abygail, sought by the Pluritine Church.

Prayer: Characters praying hear a young woman’s voice, asking them to report the stone’s location to the current Bishop of Brackenwold.

Sainthood: Should an official Pluritine Church delegation visit the site and bear witness of its existence to Bishop Sanguine (p69), Abygail will be accepted into the host of saints. The Ascension Stone then becomes a site of pilgrimage and may, if the Referee wishes, gain the powers of a shrine (see Shrines, p22) with a new holy spell associated with Abygail.

History: 150 years ago, a pious pilgrim named Abygail Grynn spent a night alone praying atop the hill. In the morning, her fellow pilgrims watched awestruck as she slowly ascended into the heavens and disappeared forever “as if carried aloft by invisible angels.” The stone was placed and carved by those who witnessed the event, many of whom devoted the rest of their days petitioning the Church for Abygail to be given sainthood. Under the pernicious influence of Atanuwë, the site has been lost, veiled in the labyrinthine pathways of this hex.