Jericho looks around, eyes widening at the apparent wealth, "I have never heard of such a find so accessible."
"Observation. We should keep this to ourselves until this area is fully secure else it will be teeming with settlers and others perhaps less savory trying to claim it.
Query. Should we make camp in here for the night and set up torches to allow those who need it night sight or brave the elements and potentially wandering trolls upon the hill?"
"Sh*t. You're kidding." Prophet turns from the gold to Marcus. "You're not kidding. Damn." He looks at the vein for a long while, wondering how they might get it out, or at least mark it on a map.
He comes out of the thoughts when Creon speaks. "Creepy's right. We need a place to sleep, somewhere safe. We could try here, or somewhere close by."
"Wait, so you think that he's the creepy one?" Marcus chuckled.
Gallidren pauses to consider the possibilities. "Once we've completed our exploration we should consider establishing a mining operation here. It could be very lucrative."
Gallidren wearily regards the confined space. "I'm fine camping in this cave if that's what you want to do. At least its easily defendable."
"I can sleep pretty much anywhere," Annika agrees. "So if you want to stay here or outside, it doesn't really matter to me."
After taking some time to mark the gold vein on their map, the group heads further to the north east, quickly coming up upon the supposed site of the bandit camp. They stumble upon what are clearly the remains of the camp fairly early in the day, with a fire pit and some torn, shattered tents gathered in a fairly wide area. Exploring a bit farther out, the group runs into something fairly unsettling; a few human skeletons, picked completely clean of flesh despite their clothes still remaining. The clothes and armor still look to be fairly untouched, meaning decay hasn't stripped the bones clean. A keen eye catches two sizable puncture marks in the clothes of all the skeletons, and a few people in the group notice what look like silvery lines traces along the ground. Those who do only have just enough time to shout a warning before the ground shakes beneath your feet.
From massive trap door in the ground, a huge spider erupts and grasps at the party with its hairy legs. It bares its fangs as it does so, and with it dozens of foot-long spiders rush from its hole in the ground as well, evidently the spider's offspring. They scurry toward the party as they emit a high-pitched hissing noise, forming a veritable tide of legs and fangs.
Initiative!
Gallidren moves forward and casts color spray on the giant spider .
Gallidren casts forth a scintillating burst of light, but the spider seems to be utterly unaffected. It doesn't even seem to attempt to shield itself, instead rearing up and lunging at Gallidren. However, the creature misses and buries its several foot long fangs into the earth beside his feet.
Annika jumps forward, drawing her blade in one swift motion. "Stay away from him!" She calls upon her blessed favor, feeling the power of her goddess filling her body as she leaps past the front line and delivering a powerful overhand slash to the spider's hide.
Jericho steps forward with a grim smile. Finally, something I can do to help! He mutters a few arcane words and makes a fanning gesture with his hands. Sheets of flame shoot out from them in a cone, washing across two of the spider swarms.
Creepy, er Creon draws his bow slowly studying the features of the Spider, how it moves, what it seeks to protect. His Android Brain analyzes the information quickly sand sends signals to his had which releases the arrow at the largest threat. The Giant Spider.
.
Ranged Compound Bow Attack - Studied Target (Move Action) -
Bow Damage -
Prophet is neither as analytical nor as religious as his comrades. Out of his mouth comes something between a laugh, a shout, and a roar, and he steps forward, bringing his sword to bear against the large spider.
Jericho's burst of flame tears through the churning mass of spiders, and they emit a loud hiss as their exoskeletons are fried through. While a few of the vermin remain, they scatter before the fire. The larger spider is attacked on all sides by the rest of the party, and between bow and blade the massive creature falls to the ground. Its legs curl up beneath its body rapidly as a sickly looking ooze drains from its wounds, and then it lays still. Theo attack the last swarm of spiders with his sword. While it manages to cut down a few, the rest still rush forward toward him and attack. Several of the little creatures latch onto his legs and thighs and bit him repeatedly. While he can brush them off, he an already feel the pain welling up from the wounds.
"Gross!" Marcus sneered, backing up. Now that the large spider was dead he had no way of dealing with the swarms. He started scrambling for a torch from his pack.
Marcus swept his spear through what was left of the swarm hoping to disperse it some.
He might as well have not even bothered for all the good it did.
Pleased to see someone else up to the tricks he had, the young shaman did not feel trepidation in calling upon the more garish of his powers. Stepping through the group of allies, he fanned his hands and let the flames of the sun flow through them.
As the insects before him were incinerated, Kahurangi couldn't help but feel a bit bad for them. After all, they were trying to survive too. Today is my day though.
Chief Rongo went the other direction, feeling safer after landing on Creon's shoulder.
Kahurangi incinerates the last swarm handily, the last of the carcasses shriveling up as his spell dissipates. What few spiders don't die scuttle off away from the group, leaving them alone. Now that the beast is dead, Jonathan remembers that such trapdoor spiders often have lairs hidden beneath the ground that usually hold the bodies of their victims. The spider itself has emerged from its trapdoor entirely, but with his knowledge of its existence it doesn't take him long to find the outline of the massive hunk of earth. It would likely take a team effort, but such a lair could potentially hold valuables that were lost when their owners were captured.
Creon looks about to ensure that there are no further threats bow at the ready.
Jericho dusts his hands off with satisfaction, looking about for any other threats.
Reaching down to brush off his legs even though the spiders are gone. Glancing over at the trapdoor the spider came from, "Are we going down there?"
"We might as well take a look. It's not like there's anything left down there that can kill us." She gives the very dead spider a pointed look.
Marcus sighed. "Guess that means me first then."
Jericho follows close behind Marcus, "I've got your back, Marcus."
"I'll keep an eye out behind us as we go." Though Kahurangi said he would watch their reverse, Chief Rongo seemed to insist doing it himself, perching his bill backwards over his grandson's shoulder.
Gallidren will cast a light spell and will then follow the others in.
Creon keeps his bow at the ready heading in last.
Scrambling down into the cavern the spider had made for itself, the group finds a few bodies of dead bandits lining the bottom of the hole. The group easily finds a few bits of coin and a silver amulet on each, for a total of five amulets and a few gold worth of coinage. However, they also find a scrap of paper in the boot of one of the bandits; it bears a simple drawing of a claw-shaped dead tree atop an otherwise barren hill, with an “X” in blood scrawled by the tree’s roots. Otherwise, the hole is barren of anything useful.
"It looks like we weren't the first ones here. It's fortune that only more of the local bandits ended up as prey rather than any villagers." Annika peers at the drawing curiously. "A map of some kind? If we see a tree like this, perhaps this will lead to something useful."
Gallidren examines the map.
Not particularly liking being in such a closed space, Kahurangi made well to push their exit. "If that's all, we should keep our eyes peeled. We won't find it in here though. Let's get a move on."
"Well then let us be on our way."
Jericho voices his agreement and follows the others back up the huge spider's tunnel.
Despite Gallidren's best efforts, the map isn't detailed enough to tell him much of where it might be; it seems to be referencing a specific point rather than how to get to that area to begin with. However, he's fairly confident if they came upon wherever this map is in reference to he would recognize it without any trouble.
The climb out of the spider's tunnel is more arduous than heading down, although the sticky webbing gathered around makes it easier than it might have been. Once they reach the top of the hole, looking around gives them nothing more than the sight of dead bandits. The hermit who these bandits were once bothering lives further to the northeast, and according to Oleg occasionally makes and sells potions that may be useful in your continued journey, although with the state of the bandits its possible he too may have perished to such creatures. On the other hand, Oleg's trading post is not far from your current location and you could take your spoils to him to trade.
"Suggestion. The trip to Oleg's now would lighten the load we all must bear and may allow a resupply of gear before the next part of our quest".
Gallidren nods at Creon, "Good point my friend. Let's head to Oleg's."
Markus nodded while dusting himself off and pulling thick cobwebs free of his clothing. "I could definitely do with a bath. My clothes still smell like werewolf."
Grinning at the idea, "A bath does sound wonderful."
The rest of his group was more seasoned with this area than he, so Kahurangi deferred to them; I hope Oleg doesn't mind us expecting his hospitality at our whim.
As they walked back, the young shaman expanded upon his purpose in these lands. "There's a lot of danger in these places. I think us traveling around will help lower it, but I have some of my tribe I'd like to settle here at some point. They wouldn't be ready to deal with attacks from the river like what we had earlier - they're not used to that. Hopefully, we can get rid of the problems we can see easily though. Like those bandits." He used the bottom of his spear as a walking stick to get above a knotty root, digging it into the ground harder than was necessary.
Prophet laughs at the suggestions and claps his hands. "To Oleg's, then, for some food and drink and rest." He pats his own clothing and grins. "As far as a bath, I don't usually want for more than a dip in a river. Too much scrubbing and you don't harden to the elements."
Kahurangi's apparent distaste for bandits gives him pause once more, though. Sooner or later it'll all come out. They've welcomed Marcus willingly enough, but he was up front about it. What happens when they find out where you got your charter? Prophet frowns, but he pushes the thought aside. Don't think through the fight until you've gotten to it.
The sun is low in the sky yet again when the party approaches the Trading Post, and Oleg is standing at the gates when they arrive. "My friends!" he says, clasping whomever is at the front by the hand. "I have wonderful news! Word has gotten out that there's a group of intrepid heroes pushing back against the bandits in the Greenbelt, and it shows. We've got a few new travelers in, no longer afraid to hunt with you lot dealing with the Stag Lord." He pauses for a few seconds as he does a double-take on the massive tatzlwyrm head attached to Prophet's back by corded rope, and his mouth hangs open. He approaches it, running a hand along the scaled jaw. "Gods, is this a tatzlwyrm? What a massive one, too. I'd heard they were out in the woods, but... would you be willing to sell this? I could stuff it, hang it up as a display piece. What better way to show off your strength in arms than this, eh?"
Kreston comes up behind Oleg, who is still enamored with the head. "It seems you all have been busy. There are quite a few travelers coming through, but little sign of bandits. We ran off a few the day before last, but they weren't organized like they must have been before. Any word on your campaign on the Stag Lord? A messenger came from Restov a few days ago to assess your progress, but I didn't know what to say. He's still here if you wish to speak with him."
Jericho turns to the others, "My new friends, I know I have not been with you for very long, but situations such as this are something of a specialty of mine. If you will allow it, I will give a report to the messenger. I am confident that I can leverage what has been accomplished into the best outcome. The Swordlords will receive a very favorable report, which can only help us in the future."
Once he finds the messenger, Jericho approaches the man, "The Light of the Dawnflower illumine your path, friend. I trust your journey here was safe?"
When the conversation allows, Jericho will relate the achievements of the group here in the narlmarches.
"If you believe you can share the story well, then by all means. If you can wait just a few moments, I'll write a short letter to include with the report to support your tale to my superiors." Annika pulls out her writing set and jots down a quick summary of their work so far in a semi-formal missive. If nothing else, it should help keep things straight with the messenger.
"Thank you very much for your report, sir. I'll be sure to take this back to the Swordlords on the morrow, I'm sure they'll be very impressed with your progress. To think, a werewolf in the Greenbelt! It seems bandits are not the only danger out here. Truly, you've been doing a great deed for the people here." The messenger retires to his room not long after that, but gathered around the fire outside are a number of other guests at the trading post. Svetlana appears to be cooking a savory stew, and if any approach her she gives you a pleasant smile.
"I hear you all have been very busy. Do you suppose you could do a favor for me? There's a patch of moon radishes not far south of here, if you could pick some up for me the next time you head out I'd appreciate it. I haven't had the chance to collect them yet, since the bandits were driven out, but they're quite tasty."
With the messenger satisfied and things looking good, Annika goes for a walk around the trading post to see who's come by in the past few days. Maybe someone will know something new about the area that can be of help to them later.
Prophet lets Jericho go speak with the messenger, and decides to just spend some time in the main hall of the post. He glances around to see if there's anyone interesting at Oleg's these days...
After talking to the messenger, Jericho gives Annika a broad smile, then moves about through the outpost, seeking anyone interesting with whom to share a conversation.
Marcus was a little shocked at how much the head of the Wyrm sold for. He'd seen things worth that much or more, but they were usually jewelry or well made weapons. never that much coinage.
Should have gone into the hero business years ago.
"Sounds good to me, Oleg. We can sell one of the heads. I vote yes. Assuming it's up to a vote." he shrugged. "I'm keeping the rest of them though. Mind if I put some drying racks on your roof? Thanks."
While the others traded and talked he bought a block of salt and went a short ways away from the trading post. He made a few impromptu drying racks for all the other wyrm skins out of sticks and twine, then scraped them from the inside and rubbed them with the salt. It took him a few hours, but when he was done he carried them back to the trading post where he could keep an eye on them and let them sit in the sun.
He pulled out one of his bear traps and started making repairs on it while he enjoyed his drink. He had some ideas for changes he wanted to make to the design, but he needed some materials and some better tools. he started compiling a list on a scrap of parchment and watched the bustling activity in the outpost.