Quest #14 "Hidden Fortress of the Poison Spider Monsters"

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax says"I'm willing to try a dash across the pit. I am pretty fast on my feet. I might get across before they know I am coming. What do you think, Brother Gilbert?"

[Storm11]

Storm moves over and grabs the monks arm before he runs off headlong. Perhaps I have a charm that might help keep you unnoticed whilst you check, if you would like. It will make you unseen by animals of all sorts, even giant ones. It’s up to you. But I would tie a rope around your waist incase you fall in, so we can haul you back. the little green robed Druid says smiling.

[Jernau35]

Maag

"It's up to you Jax mate," calls Maag. "But last time yer crossed a ten foot pit, yer got attacked right away. Wot's gonna 'appen on der other side of a thirty foot pit?"

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax nods enthusiastically at Storm. "Yes!" he says. "If you can hide me from their eyes, it can only help!"

He then looks at Maag. "Yes, but my swarm let nothing happen to me." he adds. "Besides, we have agreed that this is the way to go and that I am the fastest, with the least gear. It only makes sense. Bralm teaches that sacrifice for the sake of one's hive is a noble calling.... if it cannot be avoided." He finishes with a grin.

He then turns to Storm again. "How long will I beyond their sight?"

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala continues to scan the ceiling foliage for whatever it is that the dogs smell. He hears Jax' plans and shakes his head slightly. "Bravery is a virtue," he says softly to Rollo. "But that young man is pushing his luck."

[Storm11]

Storm sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth as he uses his fingers to count. Finally he snaps his fingers and smiles. About a turn, just over. Plenty of time to explore and come back. But don’t go too far incase a trap snares you! he says pulling up the long sleeves of his robes and wiggling his fingers.

Say when you are ready and I will enshroud you in the spell!

When the monk is ready the Druid will cast Invisibility to Animals upon him.

Go go go he says eagerly once it is done.

[Storm11]

Saracen looks on with a frown upon his face. Heathen magic is not the type of thing he approves of, but he is impressed at the application of the little creatures spell none the less. He remains alert with his bow ready and an arrow knocked

[OGRE MAGE]

Inside The Wooden Structure
Freeday, 5th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Hot, Humid

The tiny druid suggests casting a spell on the monk that will make him unseen to any animals that might be lurking nearby. Jaxsen happily agrees. The druid begins rubbing holly all over the young man, having him bend down low so he can reach his upper half. As the rest of you look on, you don't notice anything different, but the halfling swears that normal animals can no longer see the monk.

After tying a rope around Jaxsen's waist, he begins to cross the log. Eawad cringes at the haste of the others, especially with the logs placement over the pit looking so precarious. He is sure that there must be a nasty trap in store for anyone who crosses, but the monk makes it across rather easily. Jax sees that the passage continues on to the north, at least another 25 feet, but the minimal light and swaying shadows from the overhead trees prevent him from seeing clearly what might be up ahead.

Both Rollo and Fieghtus begin barking, watching the branches overhead intently.

Actions?

Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Jaxsen 9/10
Gramble 10/10
Fieghtus 14/14
Jeevus 3/3
Storm 8/8 3/4 first
Saracen 25/25 4/4 first 1/1 second
Avaala 12/12 CL DM RM 1/2 first 1/1 second
Rollo 17/17
Eawad 6/6
Judson 14/14
Maag 9/9

[Storm11]

Storm takes up his sling again and places a bullet in it ready to throw and watches the branches above. If the monk can scout out further along he tunnel the halfling hopes that they can get away from any chance the spiders can appear from above, though he isn’t sure that’s going to be possible. He keeps his entangle spell firmly on his lips in case something tries to break through the vines overhead.

[Storm11]

Saracen looks at the canopy and trains his bow at it, arrow ready.

A spider went into the pit did it not? Perhaps that means there is a lower section to this structure below ground? If a predator appears in the roof or from the pit the half-orc warrior priest will fire his bow

[kruk]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala keeps his long staff handy, as well as keeping his mind clear for a fast attack spell. He does stop a moment to scratch Rollo behind the ears. "Ready, boy?" he asks softly. "Let's kill some spiders."

Judson states from the back of the group while guarding the rear. My thoughts exactly

He then glances at the pegs in front of him. Slinging his shield onto his back and having his sword on his right hand he moves forward and tries to push the pegs inward into the wall. If nothing happens he then attempts to pull them out.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Is there anything on this side of the pit to which to tie the rope?

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala carefully watches to see if there is any particular place in the ceiling that Rollo and Feightus are watching and barking at. If there is no particular place, he trusts to the solid nature of the walls and keeps his attention on the foliage above.

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag crouches low beside one wall, trying to stay out of range of anything that might be aimed from above. He keeps his crossbow cocked and ready.

He calls over to Gramble. "Oi! Gramble! I bet yer a gold piece that Jaxsen gets et by a spider over der."

[OGRE MAGE]

Jaxsen Reiter

Is there anything on this side of the pit to which to tie the rope?

Sure.

The log walls aren't flat. There are roots and branches sticking out of the entwined logs pretty much everywhere.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

...considers the situation, says a silent prayer, and will follow with the others, prepared to heal any wounded. He is also observing the dogs behavior, trying to figure out what is disturbing them.

[wolfpack]

Gramble watches as storm casts his spell and nothing happens, he shakes his head and the mad hobbits antics.


when the dogs begin barking he lifts his axe and watches up ready to slice in half anything coming form the ceiling.

Fieghtus frourá

Gramble laughs at Maags bet

Your on! and a round of ale!

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax picks one of the thicker, stronger-looking branches, and quickly ties the rope off to it. His hands (and body) now freed up, he gets his halberd into a ready position.

[OGRE MAGE]

Inside The Wooden Structure
Freeday, 5th of Goodmonth
Mid Morning, Hot, Humid

Jaxsen ties off his rope while those on the other side of the pit watch him closely, take aim, and make bets on his survival. Then just as expected, something terrible happens.

The nimble monk sees a huge spider drop through the branches above him a few feet further down the passage. Once he turns to look at it, another spider as big as the dogs drops right at the edge of the pit, nearly landing on top of the monk. The spiders drop in on thick strands of web, but neither of them is as big as the strand he was hit with earlier. Neither of the spiders has time to attack, but they seem to be looking at the strange rope that is somehow moving around on its own.

Judson moves back to where the pegs stick out of the wall. He fiddles with them a bit more, but doesn't learn anything new about them. They look like simple wooden pegs that have been pounded into the wall to hold Brother Gilbert's curious copper disk. Both dogs continue to bark loudly at the ceiling. They pay no attention to the spiders across the pit, instead looking straight up at the ceiling on their end.

Actions?

positions:

IMG_2049.JPG (417.4 KiB) Viewed 390 times

Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Jaxsen 9/10 (invisible to animals)
Gramble 10/10
Fieghtus 14/14
Jeevus 3/3
Storm 8/8 3/4 first
Saracen 25/25 4/4 first 1/1 second
Avaala 12/12 CL DM RM 1/2 first 1/1 second
Rollo 17/17
Eawad 6/6
Judson 14/14
Maag 9/9

[kruk]

Judson moves back to a guard position covering the rear just in case an eight-legged friend tries to come the back way. He has his sword out ready to attack.