Strawberry bears down ready to pounce and growls at the circle of death. Torod gives her a warning look as he walks the perimeter looking for the source of the problem.
Perception
"What in the world did this?" Valeria asks, an anxious look on her face. She shoulders her shield and draws her sword just in case the cause of this boneyard still lurks in the area.
Riding along during the afternoon, Andrei carries on conversations with Valeria in an easy banter. While eager to learn more about the rest of their group, Andrei lets Torod guide them and Asta map without his distractions. Knowing that they would have the evening campfires to learn about the of the group, Andrei focuses his attention on Valeria, eager to learn more about her.
When the group reaches the field of strewn bones, Andrei pulls his horse to a stop. Well, this looks rather ominous. He mutters, running his eye along the field studying it carefully. While he does so he digs through his memory trying to recall any useful knowledge.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Andrei’s eyes catch upon the webs. Some sort of spider must lair around here. Large too by the size of some of the creatures brought down. It’s clearly a hazard. Do you want to investigate? Drumming his fingers against the saddle in thought, a gleam enters Andrei’s eye. Torod, can you think of any spiders that might be able to hide in a field like this? You seem like you know a thing or two about creatures. Andrei says drolly, his eyes settleing on the druids leopard.
Valeria visibly shudders at the mention of spiders.
"I suppose a trap door spider could have done this. A very big trap door spider. Stand ready. I'll test my theory." Torod begins summoning.
Cast Summon Monster I (dog) into the field halfway between us and the middle of the field.
"Mites are good with spiders, are they not?" Asta says. "Hmmm."
Well that explains that. Andrei remarks dryly. At least we know the general area that the vermin is hidden in. It looks like it has hurt people before so it’s a menace to the area. So… shall we deal with it or move on? As Andrei poses the question he cocks his head in thought. I do have a spell at my disposal that would help reveal the exact location that trapdoor. It only works from thirty feet away but now that we know the area I believe I could safely identify the exact entrance. Then turning to Asta, Andrei nods. Yes, I have seen passages that describe their chieftains occasionally riding spiders.
Torod will walk into the area alongside Andrei. He will have a standard action prepared to attack when the spider gets in reach.
Scimitar
Damage
Strawberry Deathstrike will also have a prepared action to charge the spider when it attacks again.
Bite charge
Damage charge
Trip charge
confirm crit
Damage
Valeria will approach mounted, and will ready an action to charge when the spider appears.
Hefting his bastard sword in two hands, Andrei gives a nod and slowly moves forward keeping step with Torod and his leopard. Keeping his sword at the ready, Andrei prepares to lash out at the spider when it appears.
________________________________
"Just a moment," Asta says. "I might be able to draw it out. Wait..."
The Witch stalks forward, takes out her quarterstaff and starts to prod the webs in a rhythmic fashion.
"Come out," Asta signals again. "I am taking your food. I am taking your territory!"
Torod will inch forward. He keeps a standard action readied as above.
Ditto Strawberry.
"Tcha," Asta hisses. "Not working."
Torod will eventually make it to the trap door. What does he find when he gets there?
It's a threat, perhaps not right now but it has killed others and will do so again. I bear it no ill will, but I think for the general safety we must do what is necessary. What say you all? Asks Andrei, looking to each of the others in turn.
With a disgusted look on her face, Valeria nods and says, "Yeah, we need to kill it. It's a danger to caravans and travelers ."
"It's sealing itself in. It must be injured and trying to protect itself. We have to go for it now or wait for it to heal up and be willing to come out again." If he can, Torod will use Summon Nature's Ally to bring forth a giant centipede inside the spider pit.
"Not injured, just smarter than we would expect," Asta says. "It realizes it is outnumbered and something strange is happening -- like meat that disappears into thin air, right out of its mandibles."
Right, so we are in agreement then. Valeria, I'll lift the hatch. You and the leopard in front and Torod will summon us an ally. Asta will be in the rear to provide magical support if necessary. Agreed?
Cautiously the noble looking man walks towards the hinged side of the trapdoor and prepares to grip the top and pull the trap-door open so the others can move in.
Valeria dismounts her horse a safe distance away and takes her position.
Valeria quickly finds a patch of grass and begins cleaning the ichor from her blade.
GROSS! I hope these mites don't have anything like this with them!
Torod inspects the spider's lair. See if there are any baby spiders that need 'tending too'.
perception
Joining Valeria as she steps away from the hole and wipes her blade off on the grass, Andrei nods and gives a small shiver of his own. Leaning in close so that no one else can hear he whisperers to her. I never could stand spiders myself. All the legs and eyes. Shivering in revulsion, Andrei lays' his hand on Valeria's shoulder. You’re a brave woman. Andrei wryly mutters giving her a smile before heading back to the hole. Torod, if you need someone to watch your back when you go down that hole I'll give you a hand. Best we check the nest and make sure there's no egg sacks or young ones. Just think if there was ten of these monsters instead of one.
__________________________
"Yeah, they're disgusting."
Valeria rises to her feet putting her sword back in its scabbard as Andrei finished his statement. Shooting him a flirtatious smile, she replies, "You weren't so bad yourself."
Valeria walks only to the edge of the nest, and keeps watch.
We'll extract the carcass and take the door off the pit to make it easier to find. Before we leave, Torod will put up markers to denote the danger.
Torod casts light and climbs into the pit. While he is not so fond of the spider, Torod is perfectly ok with going down the dank hole.
Leaving him. He's not worth the bother. Taking the money and amulet though. If no one wants the sword, we can leave that too.
"If we have everything of value out of there," Asta says, "we might as well drop a torch down there and burn the body. You may not respect the dead man, but at least respect the values of civilization. We are not worthless bandits."
Nodding in agreement Asta, Andrei rubs his chin. She's right... I know I wouldn't wish the that man's death on anyone. To get eaten by a giant spider? Ugh.
Walking back to his horse, Andrei climbs on. Well that’s one problem dealt with. Though I doubt the mites will be quite so easy. Andrei mutters to himself in thought.So, Torod, where do?
If we're done mapping the current hex (Trapdoor Spider hex), Torod will lead the group into the Southwest hex. He wants to keep the forest in sight for the time being to help them not get lost.
Take 10 on the
Survival (21), Knowledge- Nature (18), and Perception (21) rolls for exploring.
We might as well investigate the crag. We can use it as a landmark or something.
Excellent eyes Torod! Andrei proclaims clapping the druid on the back. We should be careful however, let’s not forget what we found last time in a dark hole. Giving a small smile to Valeria, Andrei motions “after you”. Your rather handy with a sword Valeria, care to go first?
Valeria rolls her eyes as she dismounts, saying, "How chivalrous of you," in a mocking, sarcastic tone.
She then readies her sword and shield, and says to the men, "One of you be kind enough to hold up a torch?"
Chuckling, Andrei just shakes his head. Excuse me, my lady Andrei intones giving a formal bow. Where are my manners? Shall I take the lead then
Torod casts Light on his holy symbol. "I'll go. Just to give you love birds some alone time. I'll go down the dark, dangerous hole." He tosses one end of a rope to Andrei and ties the other around his waist before going in.