Chapter 1b: Mystery of Odlo - The cavern

[AleBelly]

Torchbearers: Hunwald, Baye, Hailey

The fight continues at the top of the cavern. Hunwald is attacked again.

Spider bite Hunwald [1d20+2]=19+2=21, damage [1d4]=4

The spider bites into the horse-handler's shoulder. His lifeless body slumps, and the torch is extinguished as it falls from his hand. Rex please feel free to narrate Hunwald's demise.

Extinguish torch 1-yes 2-no [1d2]=1

The spider begins to collect Hunwald's corpse. Hanson's torch still flickers on the ledge, allowing Sully and Sisyphus to launch arrows at the spiders. The projectiles graze each of the creatures.

The spider with Hanson's body continues to try to retreat, but still can't muster the strength to pull his body free of the rope.

Spider strength test DC 16 [1d20+2]=10+2=12

Nordman, still too far to launch an attack on the spiders, works his way along the ledge as the others retreat. Baye holds a torch aloft as Cotgric belays his fellow villagers down, Palermo helping them along. Ayre stands ready with staff, ready for other dangers.

It looks as if the spider with Hunwald's body will retreat to the alcove. The other spider looks to try to do the same with Hanson's. It looks safe for the party to retreat, but you're unsure how long the spider will pull on Hanson's corpse before looking for another target.

On the floor of the cavern, Radahn, Bilberta, Rimilda, and Wenyld look on as Hailey tenderly caresses Deuteria's hair as she collects her hero's belongings.

Sisyphus is out of arrows. Sully has one remaining. Nordman can join them near the ceiling. All the others are retreating to the cavern floor. Nordman can get in position to attack this round, being close enough. But to avoid a range-based attack penalty he will have to put himself closest to the spiders. Actions?

[gurusql]

Cotgric will be the next of the band to retreat down to the ground level

[Rex]

Hunwald, Nordman, Rimilda, & Wenyld

Hunwald is engulfed by the toad/spider, with the back half of his body sticking out. his feet kick for a moment and then suddenly stop.

Nordman slings a stone at the closest toad/spider.
Doesn't want to get any closer.

Sling [1d20-1]=18-1=17 to hit [1d4]=1 damage

Rimilda will position herself to cover those climbing down.

Wenyld will position herself to cover those climbing down.

[OGRE MAGE]

Once enough people are down safely again, Palmero joins Legless at the ledge.

Seeing the spider struggling with its meal, Sully rushes over to where the dagger and corpse lay on the ledge, first cutting the rope so the spider can fully retreat, before grabbing anything of value and retreating back down himself.

“It’s no use lads! These things’ll eat us all if we don’t get!”

[CAI4]

Sisyphus, seemingly in agreement about the prospect of fleeing, yells “I’m out of arrows, either someone provide me a weapon or we get the hell out of this deathtrap!”

[Marullus]

Pulling the full satchel over her shoulder, Hailey follows Sisyphus and Palmero down the tunnel, bringing her torch.

[AleBelly]

Sully cuts the rope connected to Hanson. With that, the toad-spiders retreat with Hunwald and Hanson's body into the alcove, Nordman giving them a parting gift, cracking a stone off one of their hides. The injured spiders disappear into the darkness of the alcove with their quarry.

The elf collects Hanson's short sword, Hunwald's staff, and the burning torch. The rest of their possessions were carried off with their bodies. Eventually the party works their way back down to the cavern floor. Sisyphus asks for a weapon, having exhausted his arrows. Sully himself is down to one.

The party begins to make their way down the tunnel. Bats flutter their wings overhead as they settle into the cavern, staying far away from the toad-spiders' alcove.

I'll leave this thread open for a little while longer. Let me know if your PCs are NOT going to follow the others down the tunnel.

[Rex]

Nordman, Rimilda, & Wenyld

Nordman will follow along and exit the chamber. "I don't like leaving those toad/spiders behind us."

Rimilda will follow along too.

Wenyld will follow along too.

[gurusql]

Does Cotrgic use his anchor and repel with his comrades or pick his way back down with the others? Actions?

He will use the rope.

[OGRE MAGE]

Sully collects the partial rope he saved, untying it from the rock before he heads over to Legless.

[AleBelly]

Sully collects 25' of rope, shutting out of his mind what is happening on the other end of it.

With that, the party leaves the cavern and picks their way carefully down the slick tunnel to the chasm below.

Party members get 2 xp (except those awarded 1 xp previously from the tunnel ride). I'm tracking xp, so don't worry about it right now, but all party members have either 3 or 4 xp.