Malgrim takes another quick step to the side in beat with their fingers tapping on their drum. Raising their sword up they stab down at the spider before it can round on them again
Malgrim stabs at the giant spider, ichor spills from the carapce and Sighere casts Daze upon it... however, being vermin, Sighere's spell has no effect upon the monster.
The spider snaps its jaws at Malgrim, attempting to bite down on the bard, but it misses them horribly. The other spiders skitters across the webbing over the quicksand, rapidly descending and biting Premek with its poisonous jaws.
Assuming that's not incapacitating, I'll take a 5' step away, then attempt to move behind that tree and hide.
Zdena circles the tree to come at the spider attacking Premek without stepping in quicksand.
Zdena carefully moves around the edges of the quicksand and levels a massive two-handed swing at the giant spider near her, crushing its carapace and driving it into the quicksand....
Ryll levels her crossbow at the remaining spider and shoots.
Ryll's bolt takes the spider in its head, caving in the carapace there, and stopping the other spider dead in its tracks. A silence descends on the the small, watery ravine which is quickly replaced by the buzzing of insects....
The ranger redoubt is about forty feet away and fifteen feet up in the trees.
Premek hobbles over to Ryll. m-OW
Slinging the crossbow's strap over her shoulder, Ryll crouches to take a better look at Premek, her face anxious. Blasted spiders! That's a nasty bite, but not mortal. I think. Are you feeling sick? Dizzy? Feverish? No? Good!
She gently scoops up her diminutive companion, bringing him up to her shoulder. Maybe you stay with me for a little bit, just in case there are more of them, ok?
She turns to Sighere, a protective hand on Premek's shoulder and a questioning look on her face. How strong are you feeling right now? Not sure if the Rangers left someone behind as a rear guard, or who else may need your help?
Zdena scowls at the whole messy scene. Probably no one here, but good to check. I'm mostly hoping for a way to send messages. If not, can still leave one here for next ranger through to see.
She prods the ettercap with a foot to make sure it's dead. Better check for more traps, these things are tricksy.
I'm ok for now, haven't really used much of my magic, so if the spirit animal needs a heal, I can help, if it's poison I might be able to do something about that too. Sighere quickly glance up at Caleb then starts rummaging around his pouches looking for something.
Ryll blinks a moment in confusion, then says, Premek. And I think he's just hurt. He wasn't feeling sick or dizzy or fevered. Right? She directs the last to Premek himself, who chirps his assent. Right.
She watches the owl take flight, furrowing her brow. Is that...Caleb, your companion, I mean...is he a Spirit?
Sighere gently reaches out to Premek. oh you did catch something nasty didn't you? This won't cure you, but will give us a couple hours to figure out how to. Sighere pulls a scroll out and reads quickly There you go, at least for now. And yes and no to your question, while not a true spirit, Caleb was sent to watch over me by the Life spirit I serve
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Zdena's brow furrows at this exchange, and she looks uncertainly at Premek. He's okay though? Big spider, little cat. Very brave.
Sighere checks Premek for signs of poisoning, and decides actually other than the wound, Premek isn't poisoned....
And you set some guardian spirit to watch over me just now. Malgrim says to Sighere. That's quite the power with spirits you've got. Thank you.
Malgrim casts Deathwatch and looks around. I've been able to sense death's proximity ever since the Ironfang's almost killed me years ago. I should be able to tell if there is anyone in the ranger redoubt, monster or person. It won't help find any traps though.
Malgrim works with Zdena to ensure that the spiders and ettercap are dead, then walks carefully over the bridge slowly looking around and up at the outpost for any signs of life remaining.
Sighere gently chants to the Life spirit and healing energy washes over Premek.
There you go, good as new
Premek purrs appreciatively at Sighere's healing. He looks at Sighere, the owl, back to Sighere, then the owl again. Then shrugs.
He looks to Ryll, then at Malgrim moving towards the island, and at the webs, and back to Ryll.
Malgrim cautiously advances with Premek and Ryll's assistance, finding no other traps underneath the ranger hideout. No signs of life emanate from the ranger tree-fort, other than small spiders which accompany ettercaps and their larger kin. There is a simple wooden ladder nailed into the side of the tree ascending into the slightly webby interior of the hideaway.
Premek murmurs and hums, and summons a glowing sphere which floats up the ladder into the opening. He listens for any response.
Well ok then. I guess Malgrim climbs up the latter and checks out the ranger station. They are ready to cast Liberating Command again if they get webbed again.
Malgrim ascends into the ranger fort, pushing their way through small tangles of spiderwebs. Arriving in the small way station. The Spider’s nests are full of their previous victims in webbing sacks, squirrels, rabbits, and birds. However, two are definitely more man-sized. Other than the spider webs everywhere, the outpost is orderly and doesn't look like it was overly disturbed in any way...
Damnit looking at the person sized webbed figures Malgrim expression turns sad. Going over to them Malgrim draws a dagger and starts cutting them free. Even if it's too late to save them it's not too late to morn them.
Let's see if there is anything here we can use. And some way to communicate with any other Rangers that come by.
Cutting the humanoid remains free, they are desiccated and feasted upon, completely unrecognizable. Inventorying their possessions gives you some idea of whom they may have been:
Corpse 1
Chain Shirt (Spellcraft DC 18)
Cloak (spellcraft DC 20)
Masterwork shortbow
15 arrows (spellcraft DC 18)
1 Arrow (spellcraft DC 19)
Corpse 2
Masterwork light mace
Silver holy symbol of Erastil Appraise DC 20
Scroll tube: Charm Animal, cure light wounds, lesser restoration, and plant growth
Once it seems clear, Premek climbs up.
Premek reviews the magical items, attempting to determine what they do!
Premek nods in approval at the quality of the chain shirt, and pantomines falling asleep on the arrow. He shrugs at the other arrows and cloak.
Handing Sighere the scroll tube You should be able to make use of most of these.
Conferring with Premek Malgrim examines the items recovered from the Ettercap's victims.
That is a pretty nice chain shirt. Has a protective enchantment on it. Not sure about the arrow watches as Premek goes to sleep on it. Sleep huh. Yeah, I you're probably right. I can't figure out the cloak. Can you? How about you Sighere? Oh and this quiver of arrows is nice.
Finishing with the bodies Malgrim composes them as best they can. They stand up and look around the rest of the outpost.
Malgrim notices in the nest several gemstones scattered about:
three Agates,
one Star Rose Quartz,
and four amethysts
Additionally in the fireplace there are scraps of paper mixed with the ash and coals what you can make it are the words: “immediate recall” and “Fort Trevalay”.
He takes the cloak Sure I'll take a look, once in a while I recognize something.
oh, I actually know what this is. He sounds surprised with himself. Caleb, anything of interest in the area friend?
Zdena is a little late joining everyone up in the treehouse; she was trying to recover her arrow.
When Malgrim pieces together the burned notes, Zdena tries to recall where Fort Trevalay is.
Zdena looks over the redoubt, clearly no living humanoid has been there in a few weeks. She's heard tell of Fort Trevalay, but has no idea where it is actually located. That's one of the Ranger's 'secret' hideouts against the Molthune army. Zdena suspects it is somewhere to the north, but its exact locale is a mystery to her....
Malgrim casts Prestidigitation and begins cleaning the outpost of cobwebs and dirt... And dead bodies.
If we're going to spend the night here before heading back to camp we can be better tenants than the spiders were. Should we do a quick walk about this area to make sure it's clear? I'm not sure what kind of neighbors would live next to an ettercap and some giant spiders.
Zdena are any of those swamp plants edible? We're going to want something to eat too.
Malgrim finishes setting up a basic camp for the party. It goes pretty fast in a pre-existing shelter.
Premek looks at the late afternoon sun, and then nods to Malgrim. He makes for the exit, looking to see who else is going to go forage.
Premek comes back with feathers sticking out of his mouth. What? Ok, I'll get you one too.
As far as I can tell the spiders have run everything off. I can use detect animals if we have real trouble Sighere says after looking around the site quickly. Caleb lands on his shoulder and swallowing the last bit of a mouse.
Malgrim heads down to the waters edge opposite the bridge and pulls a fishing kit out of their bag. Setting a line in the water they tie it off to one of the supports of the outpost and go back inside. After cleaning up some more they come back out to see if they got lucky.
They did!
Avoiding the quicksand, Ryll digs up some cattails, and manages to shoot a rabbit.
Yeah, Malgrim, lots of edible stuff here.
As everybody works to clear out the treehouse and scrounge up dinner, Zdena ponders aloud.
So... looks like the Rangers haven't been here for weeks. Unless these poor guys were them. Don't think they'll be back soon. Do we leave a message anyway?
We won't get help from them soon, but maybe it gets them a firsthand report sooner. Or maybe they withdrew for a reason and Molthune will find a report we leave here.
Not sure where Fort Trevalay is, that they went to. North, I think? Abby probably knows, I'll ask when we get back.
After spending a couple hours foraging and catching some birds the party settles in for the night in the ranger camp. The incessant buzzing of early-spring insects and the peeping of frogs makes for a loud and uncomfortable night in the ranger camp -but you are able to rest and recover some.