Suddenly the ground bursts open and a spider of tremendous size bursts out of a hole. The hole had been covered with perfect camouflage that is composed of living grass.
Before anyone can react the spider scuttles on its eight hairy legs; straight at Autumn.
Somehow she manages to dodge the slavering mandibles of the spider.
Autumn's eyes opened wide as the ground opened up and the creature came straight for her. Thankfully her skills from her time hunting in the wilds carried her, allowing her to avoid the dangerous creature's bite. She hadn't thought about a spider this size! She was sure it could eat a whole herd of cattle with ease. However now she was in a difficult position. Because of where she was at her bow would be little use to herself and her allies.
Torek is surprised by the sudden charge of the spider which leaps past him to attack Autumn who swiftly dodges it.
Torek prepares to attack! But can he ...?
Titian reacts too swiftly, his blade misses the spider by a hair. The spider turns its attention to the shouting cavalier, poison dripping from it's snapping mandibles. The vicious fangs find a gap in Titian's armor, gouging into his flesh.
. . .
Autumn took a moment to step back from the massive spider. Pulling back upon arrow and string Autumn lines up her shot and took it.
But her shot went wide, really wide, and embarrassment colored Autumn's cheeks and annoyance covered her face.
Torek attacks the horrid creature with a fierce swing of his blade.
On a 19-20 attack roll, if this would hit apply critical Damage.
Add to total Damage.
Torek notices Autumn's wide miss and says encouragingly, "It's okay Autumn, you can bear more closely to me to hit; I won't hold a hit against you, friendly fire happens; go kill it!"
His eyes widened at the size of the spider and an audible gasp slid from his mouth.
"Erastil guide our blows!"
He said aloud clutching hold of his holy symbol and casting Bless. A renewed ferver in his eyes from the faith instilled in him via the spell he approached the spider shield out making sure like Torek to put himself between it and Autumn. She needed the space to operate her bow.
Drazen draws his duelling sword and attacks...
Torek and Drazen land powerful slashes on the spider. Ichor oozes as the oversized spider curls up in a ball, its legs quivering.
Autumn let out a long sigh as she put the arrow she was ready to shoot away before retrieving the one that went wide. "I am sorry... that was something I did not expect." She told them. "It is good we handled this now. A creature like that could have done a lot of damage to any livestock that would pass through, not to mention traveler." Autumn added, showing that her mind was still looking to the future.
"We should check the nest. Ensure there are no eggs. We don't need more of them." She warned.
The lid to the nest had flopped open when the spider burst out; Autumn can see down into the pit. She guesses it's about 25 feet deep. The five foot diameter shaft is lined with web, providing many hand holds if someone wanted to descend to the bottom. Autumn can see that there is debris on the floor of the shaft, perhaps a body.
Torek peers down besides Autumn and see the dim area at the bottom. He says, "I'll need light down there, I could get a torch if needed but that's not easy to climb down with."
After the light situation is sort out by either being provided a magical light or by having some one throw down a lit torch after he reaches bottom and gets clear, he proceeds to check out the horrid den.
See before being seen. +2 if human.
Climb down.
"Web burns swiftly." Autumn warned as she stopped him. "My eyes can see where yours cannot, we should use that to our advantage." She told him before climbing half way down while he got a torch ready.
When the sun rods are brought out Autumn nodded in approval. "That works better than a touch."
Torek clambers down the silky web. He pauses for moment when his sword scabbard tangles in his legs, almost causing him to fall. Once that is dealt with, he makes his way on down.
The floor of the pit is covered in desiccated bodies, mostly animals. However, a fairly freshly killed human male lies among the older kills. He is dressed in leather armor, and still has most of his gear intact. The fellow was probably a bandit in life, now his soul will face Pharasma for judgement.
Autumn has no issues in her climb.
Torek has seen death before, inflicted it, however his is sadden by this pointless death in some monster's den, so very alone. "There's a body here, recent, maybe a bandit. May Erastil and the gods have mercy on his soul, no one should die like this."
Torek then says practically, "We should be able to get the body out of this den and bury it. His items look intact. They may as well be of use to someone, he needs them no longer."
Torek looks over the area and particularly the body to be safe and with an eye to prep it for lifting to the entrance for a proper burial.
Search everywhere, the body the most.
If agreed to Torek will tie rope to the body and arraign for it to be brought up.
If a roll is needed for this:
This plus help from others haul from up top should do it.
While the others delve into the nest, Drazen keeps an eye out... Truth be told, he has no desire to venture into the pit of desecrated carcasses.
"They should be allowed their last rights." Autumn agreed and helped Torek get the body out of the spider's den. The body was a reminder of the reason this area needed to be tamed. Autumn was no fool, and knew the balance of nature was a dance of life and death but when they settled this area her duty would be to the people of her community. Their safety would need to come before creatures such as this.
Autumn went about helping Torek remove the items from the body, as he said they need longer has need of such. Not to mention it was similar to a custom of her home. If a person passed with no other family, their belongings would be divided among the community to those who needed it most. The house and land would be given to a young couple or held till a young couple could move in. This poor soul had passed, and now they where going to see in anything could be used to help their group. Not much difference in Autumn's eyes.
The body is brought up out of the pit easily enough. (Perhaps someone remembered that horses are real good at pulling.)
He was armed with a shortsword, around his neck is a silver amulet, depicting a stag skull. The workmanship is fair quality. In a belt pouch there is 20 cp, 15 sp, and 8 gp, Bostly Brevic, though coins of other nations are also present.
The leather armor is in good condition; under that he wears plain homespun clothes, and a good pair of boots on his feet.
As they went through the belonging Autumn held up the silver stag skull amulet. "We've seen this before." She said, mainly meaning she and Herger. "This man was a bandit, like many of the others we have fought." Autumn told the others as she put it away and went about taking the boots off of his feet. They where good boots and many could need these when winter comes calling. Not to mention there was Herger's boy Ulfger. She remembered her brother growing fast when he reached the age of nine, and she figured the older they get the faster they'd grow.
"The sword, loose coins, and this pair of boots isn't a bad collection." Autumn said before she looked over the clothes to see if they where also worth it.
"Assuredly a bandit," Drazen comments. "But doesn't such an amulet suggest a cult of sorts?"
He turns to Herger for guidance.
"I'm not sure." Autumn commented on Drazen's question. "But unlike faithful here not all of them had these, it was only less than a handful. Maybe it is more of a leader's status?" Autumn wondered a loud.
Torek chimes in, "Could either I suppose but doesn't this bandit leader fancy himself a king? Having an expensive badge for his favorites would appeal to his vanity. Of course being a favorite is likely the same as being a leader for his minions."
Torek looks over the items saying, "I've no need of these, anyone needs anything here take it, otherwise Brother Herger can give this to the poor he deems worthy."
"I feel like a joke should be made at that... but one isn't coming to mind." Autumn muttered as her face took on a look of thought. "I'm sure one of Winter's friends would of made one..." She said with a shrug of her shoulders.
A folded scrap of paper falls out into the grass when Autumn pulls the boots off the feet of the bandit.
"Hmmm?" Autumn hums as she set everything else aside and picked up the paper. "Now what might this be?" She questioned as she unfolded the paper carefully.
There are no words on the scrap of paper, just a rough map. It shows a tree that resembles the old, gnarled, dead oak that you passed awhile back. there is an x marked at the base of the tree. Of interest; the map also shows the Old Sycamore and Oleg's Trading Post as reference points. Also Bokken's hut is marked. The place is marked on the map and seems to be only about 14 miles southeast of Oleg's. It seems that Curley has given you quite the runaround.
Autumn gave Titian a look that could only be translated in the same regard as a mother that was silently telling an over excited child to calm down. Though she did offer a playful smirk before saying "There are not words. It looks like this bandit hid something." She explained as she moved it to everyone before she noticed something else on it. "Wait! By Erastil's faithful bow! That is Bokken's hut, tis only southeast of Oleg's Trading Post! A day at most upon a horse..." Autumn let out a groan of slight annoyance as she carefully passed the map around to others who wished to look it over.
"Well, upon the bright side," She began as she looked to Torek and smiled softly, "The runaround allowed us to meet and save your old friend."
Torek frowns a bit at Titan's rudeness but Autumn handles it well without any need of aid from him.
Torek says agreeably to Autumn's bright view, "That it did and most grateful for it. Perhaps Blessed Erastil muddled his mind to answer my prayers. Anyway a map, good fortune that as well, a least we know where to go and see this man. That and an itinerary should be a goodly start on our obligation to map out the current lay of this land."
For a moment when he saw the map and realized that perhaps they had been going in one giant circle far from this Bokken fellow it looked as if he might spout a couple of sharp oaths...but then he started to chuckle which turned into a deep rumbling laugh.
"Indeed it brought us to you, Erastil be praised for that. The map will be put to use, You are right Brother Torek, getting a lay of the land was necessary regardless. Lets put this pour soul to rest."
"In any case," Drazen speaks, more than a little relieved that they now know where they are going, "let's find this man and head back to the Oleg's? What I wouldn't do for a warm bath and a dry bed!"
"And we need to get those radishes back and get the other ones in the ground properly so that they can seed come summer." Autumn reminded the group. "and I won't lie, a warm bath does sound like a wonderful thing." She added with a small chuckle.
"Though when we do return, Herger do you remember what began to speak of in the radish field? It would like to give Ulfgar my old bow. If only to ensure he can learn to hunt for himself should winter demand it. We won't have crops come winter after all, but all need to eat."
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Joining in the chuckle Titian smiles. "Aye a bath does indeed sound good. And I am sure Svetlana could mend some of our clothes. I mean I got an ugly cut in my surcoat in the battle with the bandits.
I can do a lot of things, but alas needlework is not one of those!"
Thoughtful he continues.
"Well this land does seem to have game aplenty. We shouldn´t need to hunger!"
"I can patch up your surcoat when we make camp if you hand it over." Autumn offered. "My mother taught me to mend clothes since on long hunts I was often only with Frostbite and a wolf cannot do needlework. It won't be anything fancy mind you but it does the job well." She said.
"Land having game and being well versed enough to catch, skin, and cook said game is two different things. Many common folk don't know how to hunt or even skin their food. That is why there is a job for hunters." Autumn pointed out with a small grin.
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Titian smiles at Autumn.
"That would be really kind of you, indeed. And I am glad you are with us. I am better with people than with animals I am afraid. Horses excluded, of course!"
And with a shrug he can´t resist the temptation to add.
"And do not make me cook. It would be a waste of meat! I do like to eat it though."
Even while talking, work is done. A grave is dug, and the bandit is laid to rest. There is much exploration to accomplish before the day is over.
"I'll have to teach you the basics of cooking then too." Autumn laughed as they all got back to their horses, ready to carry on. "With this new map I should be able to get us to Bokken's place. There is still light left in the day, let us use it well." Autumn said before she turned the group towards their destination. Frostbite easily beside Solstice now as it was the closest place by her alpha.
Torek laughed as well saying, "Might try teaching me as well, I can live off the land, doesn't mean anyone would like it. But Mom has tried and I seem to be able to burn water somehow. It would be nice to eat good not just to live. And yes let's be off, I like wide open spaces but it's time to see a home as well."
Torek will help out with surviving and seeking.
Explore, see before being seen. +2 if human.
Get along in the wild - stay on course, etc.
"I must say Torek that does surprise me a bit." Autumn told the ranger. "You took well to everything I tried to teach you years back, when I helped you and your father learn the areas for trapping." She commented. "But I do guess that cooking just takes an extra hand."
"Nice to say Autumn but I think it was more that I wasn't that interested in 'woman's work'; I was just a kid back then and like all young lads a bit of a ahem ... jerk. Now, I not sure I'd have the time to get it right, so much to do out here." Torek replies to Autumn a bit abashed.
Auautmn let out a joyous laugh as she shook her head. "I didn't think you where that bad Torek, though I guess I just never saw that side of you. After all you seemed full of questions and always wanted to hear stories from hunts I'd been on or ones of Erastial even after I'd told you all of them." She joked. "It drove the clergy mad some days you know!" Autumn told him "Mother told me a few days after your family left that they grew very worried about the time I was spending with your family."
The rest of the day is spent in leisurely exploration. The night passes pleasantly. It seems the weather is turning toward the warmer.
The new day dawns, warm and pleasant. The countryside seems much the same: Scattered trees and groves of trees, mostly hardwoods, and grassy meadows. Early flowers are budding, and the air is filled with bird calls.
Quartering across the landscape you catch sight of a sod roofed hut, ahead in a sheltering draw. Perhaps it is the home of Bokken, perhaps only a simple farmstead.
Autumn dismounted and moved to join their knight at Bokken's door. "We've been told you might have knowledge of how to keep moonradishes alive till summer." She explained.