IC XII

[Wyzard]

Severi, Elf

"Everyone ready your bows. I will cast wide the door, and then you can pepper the creature's rear with arrows while it returns to its lair. Ready?"

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

Thurgan readies his light crossbow.

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

"Need we slay this creature?" asks Aquar. "We are free of its danger. A fight may weaken us against more important foe. The orcs are the bandits."

[shaidar]

Mursley, MU

Aquar, cleric

"Need we slay this creature?" asks Aquar. "We are free of its danger. A fight may weaken us against more important foe. The orcs are the bandits."

"I agree, let us not look for a fight when we do not need one"

[Wyzard]

"There were many small items of treasure in its lair. It may prove as profitable, or more, than the orcs we came here after."

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

"Slay it as it may be a danger to us again in the future".

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

Aquar, whose heart lies in public service and the mission of ridding the area of the orc menace, looks dubious.

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

After listening to the discussion in silence, Rhys chimes in, "Our mission is to rid the land of the orcs who are raiding caravans and attacking villages. Fighting this creature does nothing to further that cause. I say we leave it alone for now. Once we've removed the orc threat from the land, maybe we can revisit this place... for now, my vote is for sticking to our plan."

[thirdkingdom]

Aquar/Rhys/anyone else opposed to attacking the cleaning spider: don't forget to suggest an alternate plan!

[chap126]

Anohir, Priest

"Let's lead it out with a trail of copper pieces down to where we know the orcs are."

[Wyzard]

Severi, Elf

Severi cocks his head. "Interesting. Interesting. I think we should try it. Does anyone have a ready supply of coins?"

Severi only has 20gp. He's willing to use all if it, though, if that's what we've got to work with.

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

"Ha Ha!" Aquar gives a quick laugh. Then looks serious. "You do jest?"

"Let us explore for backdoor to the orc lair, and avoid the choke point found earlier."

[Alethan]

Rhys the Traveler

"Indeed, there are numerous holes in that plan, like how to make the trail of coins without being spotted by the orcs, getting the spider-creature to follow the coins... Getting the spider creature to not attack us..."

Rhys thinks for a minute.

"I agree with Aquar. There are surely other entrances to the lair. We just need to find them. Maybe the structure just southwest of that northernmost building..."

[MonsterMash]

Thurgan, dwarf

"I'd want to find if the orcs have a backdoor and kill more of them, but it would be good to get more treasure soon".

[shaidar]

Mursley, MU

"Yes, let us find alternative entraces and deal with the orcs. We can always come back to this fellow later"

[thirdkingdom]

Okay, so I count three solid votes for moving on to finding a backdoor. In an effort to move things forward, I'm going to go ahead and call this a majority. Rhys mentioned exploring the building southwest of the northernmost buidling. I am going to guess this is building #12.
Keep in mind that there is a not insignificant chance of being spotted by the look-out orcs the more you travel around. I am making what is essentially a random encounter roll based on the assumption that you are leaving the men-at-arms sheltered behind Building #8. If you want them with you, I will retcon the roll, but it will mean a greater chance of discovery.

The Forgotten City, 10:30 am

The adventurers reach something of a consensus and decide to make for the building just southwest of the northernmost building. Bidding their men-at-arms to wait behind for a better chance at sneaking, they set off across the rubble-strewn ground. Before they make it halfway, however, a hue and cry is raised from the orcish lookouts. It appears as though the adventurers have been spotted!

[Alethan]

What is the party's current position and where did the cry of alarm come from?

[Wyzard]

Severi, Elf

"We should withdraw partially around one of these buildings, and see how many are sent after us. If it is is clearly less than two score, we may fight them. If their force is much stronger, we must withdraw."

[thirdkingdom]

What is the party's current position and where did the cry of alarm come from?

Approximately two hexes west of building #8. The cry came from the lookout orcs stationed on the roof of building #3.

[Grognardsw]

Aquar, cleric

"By the Great Flood, we've been spied!" curses Aquar. "To cover! Let us not get cornered!"

The cleric looks about to see if there is a way to circle around to the orc watch tower unseen. He contemplates use of his Potion of Blending.