You complete the exploration of the level of the Spire, finding two other secret passages that shows nothing more, being just shortcuts between rooms.
Now, the question is, will you press on, and descend the ladder, or rest?
And will you rest inside the Spire or outside?
"Circumstances considered, i propose we take a breather.
If we do, shall we go to the 1st floor and barricade the entrance to this floor, or shall we camp outside?"
"I would worry about that spider returning to take its revenge so returning to the upper floor would be wise."
Barricading yourself in the upper floor, you take turns sleeping and guarding.
The night is quiet, and no foes, from the Spire or outside, come troubling your rest.
After a quick breakfast and some preparations, you feel ready for new challenges.
Getting to the second level, you reach the chamber of the spiders, with the big hole in the middle and the access to the next level...
"Zurka, you go first. Then Walter follows. Once you two give the all clear the rest of us will follow." He turned to look around for a moment.
"Anyone got a rope?"
"I have rope." Zurka replies as he affixes the rope to an outcropping. He then peers down into the darkness looking for any signs of threat before starting the climb down...
Mary waits for the signal to be given.
"Say, Aralu, have you yet thought about what skeletal minion you'll pick next? A dead spider, a humanoid, or a bestial frame?"
Walter isn't really happy about going first there. With a quick gesture, he conjures a glowing figure of light resembling a goat-like demon and sends it ahead. He then gestures to Zurka. "Farewell, my friends... it was nice to meet you..."
Aralu smiles slightly"I have been thinking about it. It won't be long till I have the power to raise my own minions, I can feel my powers growing each day. Insects are difficult to raise and most of them loose many of their interesting abilities. Most humanoids also loose much of their usefulness upon death, with some cloaks and masks they could be useful in more civilised surroundings. A bestial frame has many advantages especially until I can get access to more powerful magic, but even then there are some designs for creatures I want to try." by the time she finishes talking, her smile has grown into a big one.
Walter motions to Zurka to come closer before whispering. "There is a dead moon spider with a smelly hole in its belly... on don't quite remember who killed what and how... do you remember if we were the ones who killed it?"
"Also, there is a stairway descending further into darkness... I'd prefer to call the others before scouting ahead... if something goes bad, I'll be fried before any help could reach me."
"No, we only drove it off. It assumed a gaseous form and fled this way...which means it was slain by magic. Perhaps it triggered a magical trap?" Zurka responds as he peers around the staircase. "There may still be a trap lingering especially if it is a magic-resetting trap." He finishes with a frown. "I will see if there are any lingering auras." He grimaces before casting a familiar cantrip.
Zurka finds no magic near the area, or in the spider.
Not until Walter conjures his balls of light, of course
"The area looks clear of magical traps so go ahead and summon the others. Be wary, there may still be mechanical traps nearby." Zurka responds.
Katara rolled her stiff shoulders and yawned still not fully awake. Rotting hole in a dead spider's belly.
"Anyone know a creature that can create holes in someone and make them rot?" She asked as she looked to see who was going to go down first.
"I know of insects laying eggs within other creatures, as incubators.
Otherwise, i'm not inspired on the spot."
"rotting a hole into flesh sounds like a necromantic effect or a really nasty disease or poison. Could also be a time based effect."
Aralu takes a closer look at the hole in the spider.
Once Walter and Zurka had given the all clear sign, Meurasod pushed the others forward.
"Alright ladies, down ya go. Katara, you first." Once everyone else was down, the dwarf took a deep breath and scaled the ladder down. He never did like heights. Maybe it was a dwarven thing. Regardless, he moved slowly and deliberately down the ladder. Once down and whole with the group once more, he again spurred them on.
"Still alive I see. Good. Now break time's over. Let's push ahead. Zurka, Walter, you two stay on point. Katara, give them some room but not too much. I got the rear."
In this area, the walls are made of dressed stone blocks, covered in plaster and painted. Some feature murals in an advanced state of decay, while others feature new (and somewhat amateurish) murals.
Broad stone stairs open into a small, irregularly shaped chamber lit by oil lamps.
To the east, a short flight of steps leads up to a sturdy door set in the middle of a wall and flanked by arrow slits.
To the north, a wide gate of iron bars blocks an archway leading to a larger chamber filled with the eerie green glow of the Emerald Spire.
"This looks like a guard post. I would not be surprised if someone still mans it." Zurka whispers to Walter.
Katara climbed down with a shake of her head but looked around carefully.
If the upper chambers were any indication it was indeed manned. Scanning the place for traps as she made sure to have her blade out and ready as she shifted to a more defensive stance as a precaution.
Nodding to Zurka, Walter moves forward as silently as he could, trying to hear or see anything alarming.
"Well if someone still -is- manning it, let's make sure they don't for lon, or in the least 'convince' (chuckle) them to leave us be."
Neither Walter or Katara spots anything unusual...
Seeing Walter heading towards the door, Zurka moves quietly over to the gate and peers through the bars.
With his shield hefted up for cover, Meurasod moved forward slowly. "Stay behind me lads, but be ready to fan out."
The Emerald Spire protrudes from the western wall of this room. Stairs lead up from the central portion of the room to an iron gate to the south and a reinforced wooden door to the north. Four arrow slits to the north look out over the room. Next to the east wall, narrow stone steps descend deeper into the dungeon.
Unseen, unheard, Walter walks toward the door.
Maybe Luck is on his side this time?
Naaaaa.....
A crossbow bolt is now deeply embedded in the tiefling left shoulder
"Ow come on!" Walter yells as the bolt pierces his shoulder. "I fell like I could fall on my back and break my dick in three parts! This isn't fair!"
Before bolting away from the doors and look for somewhere with cover, Walter tries to look behind, trying to know who or what shot him.
Katara would try to trace where the bolt's came from as she pulled her sword stepping into the room.
"Those bolts came from the arrow slits!" Zurka exclaims. "Meurasod, we need this door opened!" He moves to assist the dwarf once in position.
"Yeah, Zurka is right! There are two arrow slits on that wall, and the bolts seem to be poisoned as well!" With his right hand and a bit of effort and pain, Walter removes the arrow from his shoulder. "Bull's crap!"
In a futile attempt of payback, Walter drew his short bow and aimed at the arrow slits, hoping to hit the attacker when he, inevitably, tries to shot them again.
With his shield hefted up in front of him, Meurasod ducked his head and put his shoulder into the door full force in an attempt to force it open. To the raving dwarf, hiding behind doors and walls was cowardice, no matter smart the strategy may be. A rebel against his own people and traditions, Meurasod was no builder. He was the destroyer.
Despite joining their efforts, Meurasold and Zurka can't break the door open. It cracks a little, it moves a little, but it's still there.
Walter's arrow miss, the target being too small
Aralu casts guidance on herself
Katara moved, avoiding the arrow slits along the wall to get close to the door to assist next round.
Casting guidance on moi.
Zurka again lends his muscle, such as it is, to the door.
Continuing his assault on the door was starting to wear on his nerves, but Meurasod would not stop until he couldn't stand. Sooner or later, one of them would give way. Hopefully it would be the door. What kind of stories would they tell about him if the door stood resolute against his tirade?
Neither Zurka nor Meurasold manages to break the door this time. Katara moves as quickly as possible to help them.
Aralu moves towards the corner, readying her Crossbow to shoot any enemies appearing once the door is opened.
As the door still seems sturdy, no one behind it has the stupidity to open to their unknown foes.
Mary is hit by a bolt, and suffers a minor wound on her left thigh.
Walter manages to dodge the second bolt
"Ouch!"
Mary pulls the bolt carefully from her leg.
Mary hurries herself after Meurasod, then casts mage armor on herself.
Katara moves up to the door to help break it in.
Zurka moves backward, allowing Katara to take his place.
Walter tries to hit one of their foes with his own arrows, but fails