Spore Room (Spellhold Test)

Spore Room (Spellhold Test)
Area
Missable	Only during Chapter 4, before setting off to City of Caverns or Underdark
Requirements
Chapter	4
Other information
Area code	AR1503.are

This area is technically part of Spellhold.

“	Now comes a test of sense. A test... to see if madness... pollutes...	”
— Apparition

Note:	This area may never be encountered, and is entirely "missable", as it can only be experienced based on the party's dialogue responses during the various tests to leave Spellhold.

Gameplay

The fungi laden cavern will be a location that the party is transferred to by the Apparition, depending on how they replied to statements and questions in the Kobold Room (Spellhold Test). Basically, if the party was compliant and reasonable or non-threatening in their response to the Apparition, then they'll be transported here.

As soon as the party arrives in a cloud animation, the lone Spore Colony creature will attack, there is a short delay before it can activate its special innate power (see the creature page for details). The party should be able to fell the sentient fungus before it can initiate the ability.

Once the hostile being is dispatched, another appearance of the Apparition takes place. He initiates dialogue and poses another test, involving a riddle that must be answered by selecting from a listing of multiple-choice answers. If the correct answer is given, the Apparition makes a convoluted remark, saying:

"Clarity! You see through a muttering to pull the single piece of intelligence within... a sign of sanity? Or of understanding madness? More questions amidst the secret places!"

Note:	With the correct answer to the riddle, the Apparition transfers the party to the Elven Table while Spellhold Test area. See that page for what transpires next.

If the party gives the incorrect answer to the riddle, the Apparition says:

"You have answered madness with inaccuracy, a dangerous thing to do. If you do not understand the ravings, best that you ignore them. But then, you are likely deranged yourself. I will adjust my perceptions accordingly. Now, to punishment. The path grows more difficult."

Note:	With the incorrect answer to the riddle, the Apparition transports the party to the Cave (Spellhold Test). Hostiles await.

On the other hand, if the party says "What is this? I do not understand your question." the Apparition replies:

"Then you are right not to answer. It was but a sprig of madness, a lapse of reason. I will ask a proper question of you. Here, among the fertile ground that produces the food that sustains you, what are your thoughts? When you look to the ground, what do you see?"

The party can then select from a menu of answers:

"I refuse to answer your questions. You have no business knowing my mind". - The Apparition replies: "I offer civilized discourse, and you counter with obstinance. Unfortunate. Your path is the hard one." - Transported to Cave (Spellhold Test).

"I see the fertile earth that deserves respect. From this all else springs." - The Apparition replies: "Perhaps a bit too much praise, but the thought is peaceful and appealing. You show the proper reverence. The path shall be easier." - Transported to Crushing Trap Room (Spellhold Test).

"I get my food from the market. I have nothing to take from this place." - The Apparition replies: "And if the market were to close? You show an unwillingness to change. Not good. The path will be a little harder." - Transported to Cave (Spellhold Test).

"Anyone could take what they wished from here. Better it were fenced in." - The Apparition replies: "Constrained, controlled, and combative. Perhaps a bit paranoid. Not good. You are not acting receptively. The path grows harder. I wouldn't want to encourage this behavior." - Transported to Cave (Spellhold Test).

"I am not familiar with farming. I would need help judging it." - The Apparition replies: "Open to new ideas while acknowledging failings. A good sign. Perhaps you are not lost after all. We shall see. The path is a little easier." - Transported to Crushing Trap Room (Spellhold Test).

If Jan Jansen is in the party, the party won't even have an opportunity to select any desired answers. When the main question is asked "When you look to the ground, what do you see?" Jan shouts "Turnips!", the Apparition says "What? " - Jan explains, "Turnips! I see the soil that could keep a man in tubers for life. Of course, I guess its more for <CHARNAME> to say." The apparition will respond:

"One voice is as good as another when searching for clarity. You speak from the soul. Your path is made easier. Proceed."

Note:	With this Jan Jansen interjection the Apparition transports the party to the Crushing Trap Room (Spellhold Test). See the link.

If the party responds with a threat of violence and refuses to answer the riddle, then the path will be more difficult.

Note:	The Apparition transport the party to the Myconid Room (Spellhold Test) if they threatened violence. Go to the linked area for more.

Creatures

NPCs

• Apparition (Spellhold) "The Arbiter" (842.295],SW) ELEARB02.cre

Enemies

• Spore Colony

Containers

There are two non-visible spaces that are containers in this area. One contains a Random treasure. Grab the loot before being transported from the encounter by the Apparition.

Gallery

The party is transported from the Kobold Room (Spellhold Test) to this area by giving a compliant answer to the Apparition. The party auto attacks a hostile Spore Colony.

After the Spore Colony died, the Apparition appears and makes an announcement.

A riddle is offered. If the party can correctly answer the riddle, it will be the easiest, quickest path forward. If the party questions why they should answer - another fate awaits. If the party is threatening, yet another harder path will be taken.

Example shown of the Apparition replying to the correct answer to the riddle. Party will be transported and progress to another area now. The easy path.