Action Thread #11: The Greensward

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ragnboneshopper
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Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#1 Post by ragnboneshopper »

Day 7, Early Afternoon: The View from the Cavern

As the party gathers at the cavern opening, the rain slows to a light drizzle, the mists part in favor of the sun, and you see a green and rolling landscape spreading out beneath you, wet with the recent rain and showing signs of spring's new life. A stream from the west flows down to meet the river you had been following earlier, below the rapids you avoided by going through the old dwarven mine. In the distance, off to the east and somewhat south across the river, you see a low mound or hill. Even further south, the river meanders over a cliff -- of what height you do not know, though you see tell-tale mists rising from the falling waters. It looks maybe five miles distant to the falls, and about the same to the mound. But closer, a mile away or less, you spy an area of stark white amid the green grasses. Only Andrin and Thurinor's sharp eyes can make out any detail. An outcropping of rocks, maybe marble or quartz? Or are they great bones bleached white from long laying in the sun? And what is growing on and around whatever it is?

On we go!

Map:
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Sir Clarence
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#2 Post by Sir Clarence »

"My friends, as far as I am concerned it's high time to leave these inhospitable and smelly underground areas and return to the fresh air and the sun that will be out soon again. These white rocks or whatever they might be pique my curiosity. Shall we?" Stepping out of the cave, Andrin pulls his cloak tighter and waits for his comrades to (hopefully) join him.
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onlyme
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#3 Post by onlyme »

Malone adjusts his gear and follows along, wanting to get back home as soon as fate allows. The weather is becoming more pleasant. mabye that is a good sign...
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#4 Post by Stonjuz »

"Nicer weather indeed. Perhaps a picnic? Who's as hungry as I?", as he prepares to depart following Andrin, Malone and the others.
"I'm sure that Turtlepoo wants to stretch his legs too."
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#5 Post by zebediah »

we seem to be on the right path. Let us check those rocks you mention Andrin.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#6 Post by saalaria »

Swilbosh leads off to the rocks once everyone is ready
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#7 Post by ragnboneshopper »

Day 7, Early Afternoon: Them Be Bones...

The party descends from the cavern mouth into a lush green valley dotted with rocks from the size of a fist to huge boulders. The grass seems to have caught on to the fact that spring has come to the mountains and the recent rain has left it green. The air is clean and warm, compared to the icy drafts you experienced above during the first stretches of the descent from the giant nest.

The valley narrows to some 30 feet between arms of rock, and here you find the truth about the white spot seen from afar: spiders have woven a web between the spurs of rock running on each side of the valley, with the bones of some huge animal, long dead, as a central anchor. The massive ribs, skull, and other various bones are bleached white and shrouded with the thick webs. Sunlight glistens on water drops caught from the recent rains. The webs completely block your way with no obvious way of bypassing the obstacle.



Actions? You're not real close yet, say 100 yards. You see no movement or obvious menace other than the webs...
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#8 Post by Stonjuz »

"Normally would say "Longbows with flaming arrows", but the dew and recent rains make that option less attractive here".Stonjuz semi-suggests.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#9 Post by zebediah »

Ogirdor will analyse the group's immediate surroundings for tracks and other signs of activity.

Let me see if I can assess the presence of creatures nearby. I agree with Stonjuz, also because starting a fire here could draw the attention of other things in he area.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#10 Post by ragnboneshopper »

Ogirdor scans the area for obvious signs of the passage of other creatures. Despite the recent rain, the ranger marks two distinct trails leading back and forth between the rocky spurs on each side of the valley. Following the trails, he marks the bleached bones as a central point of convergence. His skillful estimation tells him that at least two spiders of unusually large size have recently made this area their hunting ground.

Ranger, chance to track: [1d100] = 35

I'm assuming that Ogirdor has come to within 50 yards of the apparent spider lair/bleached bones, while the rest are hanging back waiting for his report...
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#11 Post by zebediah »

Ogirdor moves back to report his findings.

what shall it be fellas, should we try to confront these monstrous spiders or should we take a longer route around their hunting area? Please note that their nest might contain some clues to our current situation, as most of the things we have met thus far in this region seem to be linked to some degree.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#12 Post by onlyme »

Malone looks for any way around the web, without provoking the spiders.
Folks, we have fought a lot the past couple days. No sense fighting animals who wish us no harm.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#13 Post by ChubbyPixie »

onlyme wrote:Malone looks for any way around the web, without provoking the spiders.
Folks, we have fought a lot the past couple days. No sense fighting animals who wish us no harm.
"Mean us no harm? Give them a chance, Malone," says Ozborn good naturedly. "Thurinor, can you blast the webbing with some arcane magic? Fire? Lightning? I don't want to get any closer than this..."
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#14 Post by Sir Clarence »

"Do we have any cures against spider venom? No, I guess. Let's circumvent this area as wide as possible."
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#15 Post by saalaria »

"Giant ssspiderssss?" Swilbosh shakes his head.
He readjusts his bandana/age. "I am happy whatever whatever isss deccided, sssspidersss do not bother me."
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#16 Post by Stonjuz »

"They dont bother me either. D'ey is truely nuetral in their approach to everything. Dont get too close to accidently step into the food chain, if ya knows what i means. Tale be told of spiderwebs containing treasure, yep, yep, yep, usually still wrapped in their meals though. Soooo, be careful either way."
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#17 Post by ragnboneshopper »

Here's a quick map to give you a better picture of the situation. The spiders have cast their nets all the way across your path. The spurs of rock along the valley are rather steep grades, not quite sheer cliffs but there are no obvious paths among the boulder-strewn heights. Without making an arduous and perhaps testy climb of it, you're looking at going all the way back through the mine to find another way around. The stream here is narrow but looks relatively deep, its waters swift-moving after the rain...

Let me know more exactly how you guys want to proceed. I don't want to push you forward on this one ... at least, not yet...
:twisted:

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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#18 Post by zebediah »

It does not seem we have a way around the web... Let us prepare all our resources to overcome these spiders.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#19 Post by onlyme »

MAlone nods his agreement...His trusty halberd looks very much like a web cutter.
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Re: Action Thread #11: The Greensward

#20 Post by Sir Clarence »

Andrin isn't happy about his friends' decision to attack as he knows about the deadliness of spider venom. Retreating to the back of the group, he mutters to himself: "Let us hope that no one will be bitten...."
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