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

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jaxsen carefully peers into the opening in the wall, trying to see how far he CAN see. He doesn't touch the vines and branches and only allows himself a short look.

Any sign that the log walls extend into the new area? And is the canopy above that area the same? Any sign of more spiders?

After his brief look, Jax starts back towards the spiders and the pit. He stays tight to the wall, avoiding both projectiles and the spiders. Once within ten feet, he gets his halberd ready again, just in case. He's hoping that by now, one of them at least is injured enough to make it a target.

[Storm11]

Saracen fires off two more arrows at the nearest spider.

[1d20] = 4 : [1d6] = 3 : [1d20] = 20 : [1d6] = 4

He laments the lack of wealth to make a bow that is tailored to his great strength yet.

[Storm11]

Storm breathes a sigh of relief as his magic tries to hold the mysterious creature. I think he made his saving throw he says snapping his fingers in frustration. He doesn’t really says that of course. More like “he’s too strong for my vines to grab

He whips his sling out and sets another bullet to fly but is too rushed and it goes wide.

[1d20+3] = 2+3 = 5 : [1d4+1] = 3+1 = 4 : [1d6+1] = 3+1 = 4

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag huffs as his next shoot sails wide too. Then grins. "Keep dancin' spider! You'll run outta legs before I run outta shots!" he cries as he reloads.

Light Crossbow (Dex Bonus:+2 THACO: 18) To Hit: [1d20] = 6 Damage: [1d4] = 4

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

...watches the fight with slight amusement, thinking they would make a goodly group of players in a comedy. He is still wary, but there seems there is not much he can do except make positive exhortations.

[OGRE MAGE]

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

Avaala studies the canopy after thanking Judson. He vows to return the man’s favor, but hopes he will never need to. Staring up, he sees branches and vines entwined together, though not without plenty of gaps in between. There are lots of places showing big enough holes for a thick web to shoot through, but no holes the size of Rollo. However, the branches and vines are not solid, and they can be easily snapped or pushed aside. So it is possible that even a man sized object could get yanked through the ceiling, if there were enough force involved.

Saracen, Storm, and Maag continue firing missiles at the injured spider. With another arrow now stuck in it, the huge arachnid decides to take its leave. It begins to climb back up the wall, headed for a gap in the branches above. The other continues to circle the empty passageway, though it clearly notices the others retreat and looks about to follow.

Jaxsen peers into the branchy opening and clearly spots an empty alcove beyond the natural barrier. There is a metallic rod of some sort sticking out of the floor in the center of the concealed opening, but he doesn’t see anything else beyond that. The ceiling and walls look the same here as they do elsewhere. He doesn’t see or hear anymore threats of any kind, but for some reason, he then ceases his investigation to rejoin the others.

Actions!

S1= Uninjured
S2 = Injured
Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Jaxsen 9/10 (Invisible to Animals: 7)
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]

Saracen seeing the spider flee, games two more shots at it as it climbs back up, not wanting to have to deal with it again. Or tries to

[1d20] = 11 : [1d6] = 4 : [1d20] = 8 : [1d6] = 5

[Storm11]

Storm sees the spiders fleeing and rushes to the edge of the pit. He will wait to see the spiders ascend, and try and catch a glimpse of what is up there in the vines, sling ready to fire with a bullet

[Jernau35]

Maag

"I told yer spider! We're not finished yet!" cries the half-orc. He launches another bolt.

Light Crossbow (Dex Bonus:+2 THACO: 18) To Hit: [1d20] = 14 Damage: [1d4] = 3

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Deciding that the information he has is more valuable than killing a spider, Jax heads back for the pit, avoiding the remaining, patrolling spider. When the spider is furthest from the pit, Jax crosses the pit quickly. As soon as he steps onto the solid floor again, he lets the others know what he found.
"Up ahead, on the left, there is an opening in the wall," he says. "It is covered with vines and branches, but nothing so impenetrable as we have seen. I saw a rod sticking out of the floor there. Hope would have me think it might be a lever to close these pits, or perhaps open the gate. But that is hope for you."

Once he has delivered his message, he thanks the Druid for the Invisibility. "That was wonderful magic! It worked perfectly! Thank you!'

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Knowing how few spells he has, and that he has cast one of the already, Avaala nonetheless stands ready to attack the spider, if it tries to stop or chase the monk when he crosses the pit.

So Avaala is holding unless the spider gets wind of Jax and attacks him. If that happens, Avaala will cast another Magic Missile.

[wolfpack]

Gramble holds off on throwing anyhting else down the pit and just holds his axe.

[OGRE MAGE]

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

Saracen and Maag continue shooting at the escaping spider, the others decide to hold their fire. Maags dead eye shot drops it from the wall with a squishy thud. It lands on its back, wriggling its long legs in the air as it dies. The other spider sees this and takes off for the ceiling. Storm tries to pinpoint exactly where the spider ascends, but from almost 40 feet away, he doesn't see much up above in the canopy.

Jaxsen nimbly crosses the log over the webbed pit again and tells the others that he has found a poorly concealed alcove that seems to contain some kind of lever. Gramble keeps a close eye on where his 2 weapons have fallen into the webs at the opposite end of the pit.

Actions!

Brother Gilbert 8/8 3/3 first
Jaxsen 9/10 (Invisible to Animals: 6)
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

[Jernau35]

Maag

Maag tosses a gold piece to Gramble. "'ere Gramble! Der spiders never et Jaxsen after all. Buy yerself a new dagger! Ha! Ha! Ha!" he guffaws.

"We better cross now, before da ovva one comes back"

"Who's goin' first?" he asks.

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax looks back over the pit again and answers, "Well, if I'm still invisible to them, I should go first. Then I'm ready to attack if the spiders come back to get one of you." He looks at Brother Gilbert to confirm the idea. "This IS what you wish us to do, yes? Cross the pit and advance?"

[SirOwen]

Avaala the Grey

Seeing the monk cross safely, Avaala resumes a careful watch of the overhead canopy. He expects it to be safe, since the vines and branches are still wriggling and grasping, however. Once the discussion of the entire party crossing the pit comes up, he offers, "A few of us might stay behind. It could be that the rod or lever or whatever that Jax found will open the portcullis. Those who stay might go back and check once the lever is pulled without having to cross BOTH pits."

[SpinwardMarch]

Brother Gilbert

I will be happy to remain behind, who else will stay? I am not comfortable with the bridges, but I will be ready to help with any needed healing.

[Storm11]

Storm eagerly follows the monk across the narrow bridge. I think we should pull the lever and see what happens! he says curiously. Have you checked it’s trap free before we pull it?

[SirOwen]

Jaxsen Reiter

Jax tells Storm, "I have not checked it for traps. The alcove it is in was beyond the sight of the company, and I wanted to stay within sight. But I appreciate having a second set of eyes to look."

Jax keeps his eyes peeled for trouble and his halberd ready. He knows that Storm is not invisible to the spiders and might be in danger.

[OGRE MAGE]

So far we have Jaxsen, Storm, and Maag willing to cross.

Avaala and Brother Gilbert have expressed their desire to stay back.

Does anyone else have a preference to where they want to be before I move this along?