Following conversations at The Singing Stag, Forge agrees to investigate a "construction project" mentioned by Lorsan. En route, Lorsan describes the dominion of the Fungus-folk that guard the ritual chambers in the basement of the Celestial Nexus from external intrusion, and their valiant stand against Jelar and his ilk.
They walk through the streets to a rather nondescript storehouse, through and beyond some crates and grain into an all-but-forgotten cellar. Lorsan leads Forge through a narrow passage and into a large cylindrical tunnel. Motioning down one passageway, he warns of the Somnium Bluecaps and leads Forge further into the cave system to the edge of a pool. "Only way in is down and up again. there's a passage." Lorsan explains.
Swimming to the bottom, the pair emerge in a new chamber. As the water sheets off of them, Myconid warriors come into view. They brandish spears and approach cautiously.
Lorsan fumbles for the Golden Butterfly Token as Forge spreads her hands to calm the Myconids. The warriors gesture and one backs away, returning quickly with a much larger one. The big Myconid gestures warmly to Lorsan, producing a mist of spores from its palm. Lorsan recognizes the Myconid leader from his previous visit. He explains to Forge about their method of hallucinatory communications and Quincy's revelation about sharing a drop of blood for clearer communication.
The Myconid leader shuffles away, stopping quickly and thinks, follow, before continuing. The chamber opens and more Myconids mill around, tending to young sporelings and moving debris around. The signs of the great battle is still evident. Few give the humanoids even the briefest glance.
The Chief stops its shuffle before a broken wall with an opening perhaps 10' across. It thinks, here, and waits for Forge and Lorsan to inspect the opening. Piles of stones and debris have been gathered here, perhaps in preparation.
Forge looks at the wall and hole, “This was recently formed, is this from the explosion you mentioned?”
Lorsan nods.
As Forge examines the perimeter, Lorsan peers into the chamber beyond. Humanoids made of vine are circling around the pedestal. He notices something different: thin tendrils, either vine or root, running across the opening, almost like gossamer. He doesn't recognize what it might be, but tries to commit it to memory to ask Mari or Aunt Ivis about later.
Forge busily takes some measurements and performs some calculations. She thinks that the hole can be patched with mortar and the existing stones in the cavern. However, she is unsure how to get the mortar through the water. The Chief interrupts her thought with the image of another Myconid carrying things through the swirling clouds in the Somnium Bluecap cave. The Chief flashes a series of images into their minds: vine, weaving, stone, sealed tunnel, myconid warriors with spears.
Lorsan and Forge return to the surface to gather supplies and return shortly. They leave their tools and mortar pail at the mouth of the Bluecap cave and swim back to the Myconid lair. Again, they are greeted with spears first, until Lorsan displays the butterfly Token. Two of the warriors hustle-shuffle through the Bluecap cave and return with the supplies that Forge left.
With the help of the Myconids lifting the larger stones and holding them in place, the work goes quickly. It’s hard to tell the passage of time in a slightly humid mushroom cave, but the Chief and Forge both seem satisfied with the work when complete. The Chief conveys thoughts of gratitude and profound sadness to Forge and Lorsan. The final image that the Chief shares with them is that of separation. Forge knows immediately that the Myconids have chosen isolation and lament that they are now disconnected from the Drake and the Faerie.
As Lorsan and Forge depart, the Chief thinks, wait, and shuffles off. It returns shortly with two objects covered in grime, dirt, and small mushrooms. They are heavy, and likely ancient. The Chief flashes images of warriors in bronze fighting myconids, myconid triumph, and bodies returning to the earth. The myconids follow their visitors to the pond and watch them swim down. Getting the “gifts” out of the pool isn’t easy, but Forge and Lorsan manage. Once through, they scrape to discover that the gifts are a Bronze Breastplate and round shield, decorated around the edges with intricate braids and knots.