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

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

The Mage considers the new pit for a moment. "It's almost like a test. Each pit we encounter is, consecutively, a little larger and a little harder to cross." His eyes widen a bit at another revelation. "And the monsters guarding each section have become, consecutively, larger and more dangerous. Once we decide how to cross this next pit, we should do it with extreme care. I suspect something bigger than that spider might wait beyond it."

[OGRE MAGE]

From the map, it appears that the spikes are not tightly packed and might be walked among safely. But visuals can be deceiving. Is this correct?

It does indeed appear that there would be plenty of room for someone to carefully drop down into the 10 foot deep pit and weave their way through the 4 foot spikes to the other side. Obviously so, in fact.

The spikes do not appear to be coated with anything, but the log walls above, as well as the pit walls, appear to be coated with the black, smelly goo again in this area.

The ceiling looks similar here to the other passages you've seen, with tight branches and vines that intertwine and grow across the tops of the log walls.

[Jernau35]

Maag

"'ow about dis for a plan? We drag that eight-legged sack o' crap out 'ere an' tip it in der pit. Den we take der log from der udder pit, an' put it in dis pit from der spider to der udder side. Den we can climb up der far side".

Maag is almost tempted to sit down for a while after such a feat of mental gymnastics.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

To Avaala:Indeed, it does. I wonder on the purpose of all the traps, and likewise, why this structure is here. We may have the luck, or misfortune, to discover that.

He walks over to look at the pit with Maag. I heard your plan. I think it is a good use of the spider monster. Though the spikes are not closely placed, still I think it unwise to endeavor walking amongst them.

Maag, let no one tell you that you are slow, or lack intelligence. He smiles at Maag.

[kruk]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen turns to Judson on their return. "It is good to find another that appreciates the strength of the swarm. Thank you."

Judson turns and nods to Jaxsen. "It's is a good thing to fight alongside you." The fighter is not good at speaking articulately. He speaks from the heart.

[Jernau35]

Maag

"Cheers Gilbert!" Maag gives the priest a big grin. "Mind you, if anybody did, I'd stab 'em."

Maag starts to uncoil his rope again, ready to go back and drag the spider down the hall.

[Storm11]

Storm shrugs and watches the activity with a keen interest. He will stand guard over the pit with his scimitar in hand in case anything tries to surprise the working companions

[OGRE MAGE]

Inside The Wooden Structure
What Is This Place?
Freeday, 5th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Hot, Humid

Maag suggests shoving the dead spider's huge carcass into the pit and using their premade bridge to cross the rest of the way. It takes a bit of time and a lot of effort, but the half-orc's idea actually works fairly well. Pulling the thing back off of the concealed dead body of Eawad, it isn't easy getting it through the doorway and around the corners, but once it is pushed onto the spikes, it stays in place right where it is. The stench from the dead monster is starting to get pretty bad, but it sure beats being impaled by a pit spike.

Pulling the bundle of saplings from over the slime pit, it too is dragged over the spiked pit and put into place securely at the pits opposite edge. With another quick demonstration of his skill and bravery, Jaxsen darts across to test the bridge. He finds two notable things on his short excursion.

First, some of the spikes at the northern edge of the pit are not standing straight up, like all of the others. They are actually pointing in the direction of the north wall, instead. Second, he spots another copper portcullis type gate at the end of the next hallway, blocking any further exploration. This one looks exactly like the first gate found in the entry hall. The nimble follower of Bralm returns to the others to tell them of his latest findings.

Both dogs begin growling at the ceiling overhead again shortly after Jaxsen returns, giving you all the impression that you are still being watched.

Actions?

map:

IMG_2103.JPG (626.52 KiB) Viewed 334 times

Brother Gilbert 8/8 2/3 first
Jaxsen 10/10
Gramble 10/10
Fieghtus 7/14
Jeevus 3/3
Storm 8/8 0/4 first
Saracen 25/25 1/4 first 0/1 second
Avaala 12/12 CL DM RM 0/2 first 0/1 second
Rollo 9/17
Judson 14/14
Maag 9/9
Eawad -10/6 Dead

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Avaala listens to the details that Jaxsen brings back. "I must admit, in the old adventure stories of my youth, the fact that those spikes pointed in another direction would be a clue, perhaps to a hidden door or some such. But these days, I have a tendency to suspect they are merely where something large and heavy hit that group of spikes. But who knows?"

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen grins, and adds, "The passageways go in two directions beyond the next gate. This place has the feel of a best, similar to an ant's hive. I think if we are to continue encountering spiders and their ilk, we might be able to use that against them." The young monk looks to Maag and Judson. "I am ready to move on again. What say you? Should we have some force at the gate when it opens, so as not to be surprised when we cross the pit again?"

[Storm11]

Saracen shakes his head and retreats to the entrance of the complex, to a spot not covered by the entangling canopy. He settles down with his back to the wall and his weapons across his legs, and tries to rest. what time of day is it?

[Storm11]

Storm follows the half-orc warrior-priest and settles in next to him. Perhaps we could be each other’s look out whilst we rest? he says with a smile.

The dubious half-orc looks askance atthe little Druid with open, suspicion then he shrugs. Good idea. You take the first watch!

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag looks at the north-facing spikes with the jaundiced eye of a vicious, tricky, thieving bastard who makes a living trying not to be impaled on such devices.

"It's a trap", he declares, "wivvin a trap."

He goes on to explain his reasoning. "Las' time we learnt dat pullin' der lever opens der gate somewhere else. An' we wos spread out, an' Eawad got killed 'cos we all 'ad to run back over der pit. So we're not gonna do dat again, right? We're gonna stay together, all bunched up for safety when we pull dat lever. We've learnt our lesson."

Maag looks around at his audience. "Das' wot dey want. We learn der right way, but it's not right, right? Dis time, when we pull der lever, somefinks gonna 'appen to dat wall. An' we're gonna be standin' in der wrong place". He grimaces.

[wolfpack]

maybe the spikes have to be pushed up to open the gate, like a pulley

[OGRE MAGE]

Inside The Wooden Structure
What Is This Place?
Freeday, 5th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Hot, Humid

Gramble looks at the northward facing spikes, thinking they may be manipulated in some way. They look perfectly normal to him, and don't move around at all, but they are definitely aimed to the north wall instead of straight up. Maag warns the others of a possible trap, knowing a bit about such things.

Without provocation, and despite the many warnings about sticking together, the normally not friendly with each other pairing of Saracen and Storm decide that they have had enough of this place for now. Though it is not even close to evening yet, they are suddenly unwilling to go any further until they are allowed to rest. Since the group refuses to leave this place and head back to town, they both decide to move to a safer area so they can sit down. Passing the open copper gate again, they settle down at the edge of this structures entrance, right where they both slept just last night. Once the pair leaves, the dogs begin to calm down again a little bit.

Not yet willing to stop exploring this early in the day, Jaxsen leads the others over the pit and up the makeshift bridge to the other side, avoiding the spikes and the nasty walls at the same time. Maag stays behind for the time being, knowing that someone might need to return to pull the lever if necessary.

Actions?

For Storm and Saracen eyes only:

A nice jungle breeze hits your sweaty faces when you near the entrance of the structure again. This area looks just as you left it the night before. When you sit down to rest for a spell, it feels good to get off of your sore jungle trotting feet for a while. The bugs are a little worse here than deeper inside the structure, though.

map:

IMG_2105.JPG (619.23 KiB) Viewed 300 times

Brother Gilbert 8/8 2/3 first
Jaxsen 10/10
Gramble 10/10
Fieghtus 7/14
Jeevus 3/3
Storm 8/8 0/4 first
Saracen 25/25 1/4 first 0/1 second
Avaala 12/12 CL DM RM 0/2 first 0/1 second
Rollo 9/17
Judson 14/14
Maag 9/9
Eawad -10/6 Dead

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag keeps his crossbow ready, knowing that he's now the prime target for the ettercap and not liking it one bit. He comforts himself with the knowledge that he's not that far from the exit, so if things go wrong he probably has the best chance to escape...

"Don't spread out too much", he calls across the pit. "Dat's wot got Eawad killed". With that thought, he glances up, expecting to see the shadow of the ettercap above him.

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

...has decided stay with Maag, who is displaying remarkable prudence.

Mutters to himself and Mash: Such as run headlong into possible danger are likely to find it in wait for them. Some one will, no doubt, need healing soon.

[wolfpack]

Gramble moves across the bridgr with the others who go.

[OGRE MAGE]

Inside The Wooden Structure
What Is This Place?
Freeday, 5th of Goodmonth
Early Afternoon, Hot, Humid

Brother Gilbert stays at Maag's side so he wont be alone while pulling the next lever. The pair backtrack to the hall with the second lever, almost certain something bad is about to happen. They don't see Saracen or Storm, who left the group earlier to rest in the entryway by themselves. They hear a swooshing noise behind them once they pass into the small passage with the lever, but nothing comes of it.

With the rest of the party still in the passage on the other side of the spiked pit, Maag pulls hard on the metal lever. Just like that, the second copper gate opens with an audible swoosh, right in front of Jaxsen and the others still waiting in that passage. Much to their surprise, nothing jumps out from behind the gate to attack them and the next passage is now open to explore. The walls and floor here look a lot like everywhere else in this structure, but the floor in the passage just past the gate begins to slope downward, back towards the spiked pit on the other side of the wall.

Actions?

map:

IMG_2108.JPG (862.11 KiB) Viewed 287 times

Brother Gilbert 8/8 2/3 first
Jaxsen 10/10
Gramble 10/10
Fieghtus 7/14
Jeevus 3/3
Avaala 12/12 CL DM RM 0/2 first 0/1 second
Rollo 9/17
Judson 14/14
Maag 9/9

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

"Wait here for Gilbert and Maag?" Jax asks. He kneels at the gateway and inspects the ground beyond. Once happy that no traps are waiting, he moves on slowly into the intersection, halberd at the ready. He goes no further, but looks to his right, around the corner.