Hermann sleeps soundly, snoring "soundly". Waking up refreshed, he goes over his equipment making sure everything is cleaned up and ready to go for their next excursion.
"What do you think? We ready to head back to Rappan Athuk, or should we get warmed up with something that's not going to rot our bones off in minutes?"
Hermann talks with the locals as well, trying to get an idea of things they could do to earn some booty that had a lower chance of encountering exploding puss-zombies.
"I think we're going to try to take care of those spiders for the druid woman we met in the forest."
After being cured of the disease and getting some rest in, Edmund spends some time looking at the Tome of Draav in case it could be of use later.
Most of the handwritten notes in this book are in code and not readable. At least five different handwritings can be picked out in the encrypted notes, although there are some passages here and there—all in the same handwriting—that are not encoded. These read as follows:
“This is a terrible idea.” (page 1)
“There is an error in the mathematics at this point.” (page 17)
“Did you even read what the ToD says about this being?” (page 22)
“I do not think this would be enough.” (page 23)
“Because of the vow of silence, that’s why.” (page 25)
“So are you.” (page 26)
“Because no one is going to be left alive to read it anyway, that’s why.” (page 27)
“We should stick to what we do; attacking demons is work for warriors, not healers.” (page 29)
“I had a strange dream last night, and the god told me that my help would be necessary for this project. Although I still think it is ridiculous to write the notes in code.” (page 40)
“Very well, but I still think it is ridiculous.” (also on page 40)
There are no more non-coded comments in the notes, although they continue for another 103 pages, up to page 140. After page 140, the rest of the book is blank. On page 41, just after the last un-coded entries, a set of numbers begins to appear in the notes over and over again (the first time it appears, it is in the handwriting of the individual who initially refused to write in code).
The numbers are: 1–26–9–18–1–24.
"Interesting. You see, guys, just because a book has evil content, it doesn't mean good people can't make productive use out of it. This is purely a guess, of course, and I'll know more when I decode these other entries, but it looks like those who built that healing shrine belonged to an order of healers who took Vows of Silence. They were studying this book in an effort to hunt demons and writing their conversations in the margins, most in code."
Linguistics check to work on the code:
Well, over time he will take 20, maybe with a couple assists from two others, will put his check at a 35.
When they head back into Rappan Athuk, he'll want to check out the clinic for clues about this code.
Jokbur is humming: "The itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout...."
Out came the froggy and wiped the spider out . . .
OK, so just that you understand that you are traveling 40ish miles to the middle of nowhere to find the spiders which will be more than 5 days of travel.
How far is this from where we met the druid? Is it sort of on the way to the dungeon? Or a completely different direction?
You saw the druid about 4-5 miles from Zelkor's Ferry or about 2-3 miles to the Mouth. (Zelkor's Ferry is about 6-7 miles apart from the Mouth entrance). The spider Den is somewhere 40ish miles to the south of Zelkor's Ferry through the woods.
Six in one, half dozen the other. The Mouth has been here forever, I am sure that it will wait. If it is going to repopulate, great, that just means more monsters to miss me. (Ok, so he is a cocky frog.)
Off to the spiders.
It's not likely his son went after spiders, but the druid might have information on him that she'd be more willing to share if they prove themselves, so spiders.
Before leaving he buys a week of trail rations.
Jokbur scavenges for food as they head to the spiders.
He is alert and stops singing the spider song.
You set out on the 40+ mile trip to kill off the spiders. On day 1 you pass the Mouth of Doom and make a a few more miles before setting up camp. The night passes quietly and so does the rest of the trip. The Forest is beautiful and old and from what you have seen lives up to its current name, The Forest of Hope, rather than its original name, The Forest of Horror.
On the sixth day you discover some webs up in the trees. Knowing you are getting to be in the right area you begin to search for the lair. Suddenly Jokbur stops everyone as something to him doesn't feel right. Peering around he notices there are no tree born webs in a small clearing up ahead.
As he quietly notifies the rest of the party, Jokbur, Edmund, and Quirmydt all notice that there are a number of spiders up in the trees hidden, possibly waiting for an ambush. You count well over a dozen of these spiders. This long-legged spider has a huge, glossy black abdomen, marked on the underside with the shape of a crimson hourglass.
Edmund leans in, whispering and pointing. "Hmmm...I'm thinking this might not be such a good idea after all. There are a lot of them. No way we can fight them all at once."
"Time to fetch me my crossbow...," mutters Hermann quietly, reaching around to his pack to unlimber his sole means of ranged firepower.
"We have surprise on our side and can turtle behind our fighters. Unfortunately, Edmund won't be knocking many down. Should we mark this for later on our map and abort, or fire and draw them to our reach weapons?"
Jokbur adds soberly:
"We really are not ready. Herman doesn't have full plate yet."
Unless anyone objects, Jokbur points out the best way to withdraw without notice and leads the group to the Mouth.
"How do spiders hunt?" Edmund asks. "I have a spell that can make a silent image of some people. It won't have sound or smell, but if they hunt by sight, it might distract them."
"Those are much bigger than I imagined. For some reason they were the size of dogs in my mind's eye."
You make your back to Zelkor's Ferry enjoying the forest once again without attacks. On the middle of the 5th day traveling back, you esitmate you are maybe a full day's a travel back to Zelkor's Ferry or maybe you could even make the Mouth by end of day. Suddenly large spiders come bursting out of the trees coming for you. They look like the ones seen at the nest....could they have come all that way to hunt you?
Edmund casts shield on himself and pulls out his crossbow.
- Ariella, Jokbur, Jonas, Spiders
- Quirmydt, Ariella, Hermann, Edmund, Jokbur, Jonas, Spiders
AC 15 T 11 FF 13
Surprise Round--Jokbur std action shoot arrow
"I think I am having Spider Vou--These are the same spiders!"
Jokbur fires a new thistle arrow at one of the spiders (1). He takes his time with his shot as he wants it to be perfect.
He hits the big creature sinking his shaft deep as the wound begins to bleed.
"Concentrate fire wherever possible!"
"May Her light guide us!" Ariella cries, blessing the party.
"Persistant bugs." Jonas mutters as he moves to the front of the formation to guard the others, his body expanding to nearly twice his usual height as he moved.
Spiders #1 and #4 move while #3 attacks Jonas from where it is at and #2 attacks Quirmydt, but neither spider is able to connect with their bite
VS FF 17
- Quirmydt, Ariella, Hermann, Edmund, Jokbur, Jonas, Spiders
AC 15 T 11 FF 13
Expecting his larger companions to swing and fire over this miniature form, Qui slides over to block the two spiders from reaching the party.
Move to H8.
Assume Crane Style
Fight Defensively - AC25
Attack #4:
Damage:
Crit confirm:
Damage:
Ariella flings a bolt of fire at the only spider not engaged in melee with her companions, stepping back from the huge arachnids.
Despite the creatures' massive size, she cannot manage to hit one.
Round 1
Jokbur backs up a step (to I11) where Ariella was and targets the closes spider (4) using extreme concentration.
Another thistle arrow follows the errant one.
The second arrow grazes the spider and opens up another bleeding wound not as bad.
Jokbur blinks somewhat in the light. "Fighting underground is more my style."
Round 1
"Holy smoke!" blurts Hermann after seeing Quirmydt deliver a devastating slice that nearly dismembered a spider. He then attacked that spider with the hope of finishing it off.
Status hp 41, AC 20, Bless
Jonas up last!
Jonas brings his massive hammer down!
- Quirmydt, Ariella, Hermann, Edmund, Jokbur, Jonas, Spiders
AC 15 T 11 FF 13
Wincing as the spider sinks it's fangs into him, Jonas swings again!
Jonas resists the venom in the bite.
Qui continues to dance amongst the flailing fangs and legs of the spiders.
Once more his tiny blade spears up at the underside of the spider's tough carapace.
Fighting Defensively: AC25
Attack:
Damage:
Come on foolish spiders, try to hit the manfrog.
On his turn, Edmund will target the most injured spider with magic missile.
Damage:
He's already redirecting his attentions, when, to his surprise, a second missile flies out of his hand at the same spider.
Damage:
Edmund takes a moment to smile at the unexpected increase in power.
Qui calls out to the others as he continues his strange froggy-crane dance.
Get the one near Edmund. I can hold these two.
Yes, you are pretty sure that the suicidal manfrog is completely insane, although he is managing to avoid the spiders . . . so far.