In the weeks after events along the border of Numeria, Ezren picks out the next promising lead from Ulisha's journal, which talks about finding and selling an adhesive in the markets of Daggermark.
Having made the journey to Daggermark, you find yourselves making last preparations prior to heading into the Shroudwood and the location where Ulisha believes you are most likely to find the adhesive.
Latest page from Ulisha's journal
After a nice bath Lem is once again ready to follow Ezren and companions into terrible danger.
Lem shares a few stories he's heard with his party.
"Even the haughtiest of nobles says his pleases and thanks in Daggermark. They say it's easier to hire an assassin than to water your hourse."
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Lini teaches Nature 101 to her pupils.
"Giant spider venom weakens their prey. Also, spider webs contain a strong adhesive that is used as a stabilizer in volatile poisons. This adhesive is most valuable when it is fresh as the silk glands of a freshly killed spider are the best source. I know exactly where to find some silk glands and will have no trouble harvesting them."
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"So we are to collect raw materials like miners? I suppose it's a job... I do recall hearing that spider webs contain a strong adhesive that that can be used as a stabilizer in volatile poisons. Fresh is key, as I recall, and if you have the stomach for it, the best source is the silk glands of a freshly killed spider. These spiders are rather large, however. Bring your weapons and watch each other's back!"
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Amiri gives Lem, Lini, and Kyra a sidelong glance.
She slaps her knees and laughs, "Just kidding guys! I'm glad some of us got some schoolin'." Her expression becomes a little more serious, "Seriously though, thanks for keeping me alive back in Numeria. And thanks for all the info on where we're at and the spiders. This sounds like my kind of place."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Ezren listens to his companion's knowledge of the situation in silence, and throws a frown at Amiri's comment.
"Savage..." He mutters deadpan, though after all the group as been through it might just be one of the first signs of camaraderie from the older man.
"I will prepare for spiders."
Perception:
Initiative:
The webs are thicker in this clearing than they have been thus far, appearing newer and white, rather than the dingy gray of those seen earlier. These webs crisscross the canopy above, most strands meeting near the center to support a large globe of webbing the size of a large pumpkin.
As Amiri and Kyra head through towards the webbing, only Kyra's keen senses detect that the Pathfinders are not alone. A pair of spiders skitter through the tree branches above to defend their prized nest.
As Kyra reacts, the two spiders shoot webs down which stick and mire down both Amiri and Droogami
Surprise Round
10 Kyra :
4 Spider 1: Web at Amiri, hits!
4 Spider 2: Web at Droogami, hits!
Round 1
19 Ezren :
18 Amiri :
11 Harsk :
10 Kyra :
15 Lem :
9 Lini :
9 Droogami :
4 Spiders :
Now Up: Everyone! (and Kyra gets a bonus surprise round action)
Lem will start casting sleep.
Ezren hurls his cane into the air, his magic enhancing the flight and accuracy of the throw.
for
Surprise Round
10 Kyra : Casts Bless
4 Spider 1: Web at Amiri, hits!
4 Spider 2: Web at Droogami, hits!
Round 1
19 Ezren : Hand of apprentice S2 for 2
18 Amiri : Draws shortbow, fires and misses
11 Harsk : Fires crossbow and misses
10 Kyra : Tries to climb (move)/draws sling(move)/loads sling(move)/fires sling(std) - see spoiler?
15 Lem : Starts casting sleep (can retcon if desired based on Ezren's warning)
9 Lini : Begins to summon an eagle
9 Droogami : Breaks free and climbs tree
4 Spider 1: Web at Droogami, hits!
4 Spider 2 (-2): Bites at Droogami, misses!
Round 2
19 Ezren :
18 Amiri :
11 Harsk :
10 Kyra :
15 Lem :
9 Lini :
9 Droogami :
The Pathfinders begin to respond to the attack, with most drawing bow or sling, as Droogami leaps into the nearest tree. The spider retaliates, much too slowly, while his partner manages to coat the large cat with the more of the sticky webbing.
Now Up: Everyone
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Lini begins another casting of summoning an eagle
Droogami full attacks the spider while entangled in webbing.
Ezren shouts a warning. "Lem! They are mindless vermin, that spell will not affect them!"
He then hurls his cane again at the same spider.
Hearing Ezren's warning Lem tosses his sleep up and out of the way and inspires courage in his allies.
vs s2
ezren 2
eagle bite 1 +1
eagle talon 4 +1
droogami claw 2 +1
ezren 3 +1
--
2+2+5+3+4=16
vs s1
amiri crit 15
With Lem's inspiring words motivating them, a flurry of attacks from the eagle, Droogami, Ezren and Amiri nearly obliterate the pair of spiders.
Both someone still seem to be managing to wiggle and attack, but also seem just about as likely to ball up and fall from the trees
Still Up: Harsk
for
for
The two spiders continue their defensive frenzy, clearly trying to protect their nest against the intruders.
The one engaged with Droogami sinks its fangs into Lini's companion before in a series of death throes before finally curling up into a tiny ball and falling from the tree.
The second leaps from the tree, hissing at Amiri but it's just a matter of time before the Pathfinders focus their fire on the lone remaining spider that it too curls up near the base of the tree.
Go ahead and make the Fort saves for Droogami to fend off the spider's poison:
Bite—injury; save Fort DC 14; frequency 1/round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Strength damage; cure 1 save.
As you investigate the spider's nest further, you recognize that the central orb of web is a newly laid egg sack.
The eggs are worthless in Daggermark, but the webbing holding the sack is covered in fresh adhesive.
Lini points out you can also potentially harvest a silk gland from each of the spider corpses.
Lini easily carves out the gland from the first spider.
With Amiri's aid, Lini extracts the gland from the second spider, now giving the Pathfinders a total of three to sell in Daggermark's markets.
Following Ulisha's map, the group is easily able to navigate back to the city and begin to ponder how they will sell their recently obtained "treasures".
Lem will ask around.
"Vanderpoof might be a better choice, she's in over her head with the poisoner's guild and may be a bit desperate."
"I know little of such things and defer to your expertise. Let us see this Vanderpoof person."
Lem and Kyra both pick up information along with directions to Ezmerlilly Vanderpoof's shop.
As you let yourself in, you observe as a middle-aged green-haired gnome woman seems to be in the process of performing a massive inventory check of the supplies and reagents in her shop.
Flushed with the effort, she rises from her work near a crate of vials and flasks and regards you all with a welcome expression.
"Yes? How can I help you all?"
She seems to glance almost nervously out the door at the day's waning light.
"And if I seem curt, you have my apologies, but I'm in the middle of going through all my inventory at the moment..."
Lem'll speak up.
"Greetings, name's Lem and boy do we have a deal for you... You see we've got some fresh venom and web spinners, spiders killed within hours, and we're willing to let them go... for the right price."
After gauging her reaction Lem continues. "Now, we understand you're in a bit of a bind, but rather than move you out of the frying pan and into the fire we'll take a fair market price assuming you know something useful about Ulisha, a scholar and Pathfinder of some reknown."
Lem will pause and allow others to contribute as well.
Ezmerlilly practically faints as Lem slaps the spinners onto the counter and essentially plays all his cards right up front, clearly enumerating the gnome's predicament and appealing to her concerns.
"I... uhhh..."
With a broad smile, she works to barter with Lem but quickly gives in to essentially every demand he makes.
It almost appeared Ezmerlilly's best offer consisted of 200gp, two flasks of alchemist’s fire and three potions of cure light wounds, but Lem pressed matters further and the gnome confessed she could also provide information about Ulisha and an ancient weapon.
“A fair trade’s a fair trade. There was a half-orc blathering about some important blade or sword or something she found. Moonsilver, Sliverhex, or somesuch."
Ezmerlilly waved her hands about dramatically, but then took great care in placing each gland in a sealed container.
"She kept going on about its history to any who would listen.”
The merchant leans in conspiratorially.
“Well I have it from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, that she won’t be needin’ that sword where she’s headed.”
She draws a hand across the neck, making an unpleasant sound.
“The Vessels Between will have that one soon enough. You just need to go out there and grab that sword once they’re through, and I happen to know where they found her little camp.”
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"I ain't so good with throwin' stuff, so you all can split those firebomb things amongst yourselves. Maybe I'll take one of 'em cure potions. Just in case Lini 'n' Kyra are too busy for when I get dinged up."
The barbarian stuffs one of the potions of cure light wounds in her pack. She then sets a level gaze on Ezmerlilly, "Don't be shy, woman. Tell us where we need to go." She spits on the ground, "Then let's be off."
Lem will take the second alchemist's fires.
Following the gnome's map is relatively easy as you make your way outside of Daggermark to a small hill that she's circled where she believes Ulisha will be camped out.
The hill ahead is not much to look at. It gently slopes away from the river. A shallow cave is near its top, smoke from a campfire curling upward in the gentle breeze.
The grass wafts slowly along a gently curving path up the southern face of the hill, ending in a few switchbacks as the hill grows steep near the top.
As you make your way to the top of the hill, you spot a half-orc woman matching Ulisha's description tending to the campfire.
She appears wary and surprised to see you.
"Hey! I recognize you all... what are you doing here? How did you find me?"
Lem whispers to his companions. If that alchemist know about Ulisha, then whomever is after her may know too, and assassins are a dime a dozen in daggermark, so lets keep our eyes open.
Lem shouts out to Ulisha "Greetings! You've been blabbing all over Daggermark about your find, good thing we found you before anyone else did though.
Ulisha gives Lem a long, worried look.
"What do you mean... before anyone else did?"
Ulisha is clearly looking beyond you all into the distance, observing for signs of others, fully utilizing her racial prowess at seeing through the dark as dusk sets in.