Nme’an does not see any clues hinting at traps, though he does notice that some of the bones are already scattered from wild animals finding them. It stands to reason that the trap-makers were not intending animal victims, and would probably not use something that would attract unwanted targets.
The keen eyes of Beorae and Themp confirm this notion, and the four mount their horses and trot north once again.
Another hour passes and the Blackcrag Pass visibly cleaves the rocky shoulders of Armaag’s Peak from the Komat range, but looking down the steep and narrow ravine avails little as it winds its way through the cliffs. True to its name, the sheer stone faces that wall the pass very in hue; ranging from deep charcoal to overcast grey. One part of rock even appears to be scorched, as if from fire, but it too high off the ground to be from a bonfire, and an immense bonfire it would need to be responsible for the immense black shape.
Still, the four do not come upon the entrance for another hour of travel, and as they approach, they look on a grisly scene. Three men hang fifteen feet up one of the cliff faces, stuck there by the small spears protruding from their bodies. Dressed in blood-stained padded garments usually worn under heavy armor, the faces of the three are nearly unrecognizable from injuries and mutilation. Despite the grey, rotting skin, it is clear these three died from mortal wounds. Below, there is a message on a wood plank, nailed into the rock. Written by one with a weak grasp of the common tongue, it says: Hoomans no. Or the ded. Go out. Very no.
By the rate of decomposition, these three bodies look like they’ve been dead for at least three weeks, perhaps four.
The gap between the mountains spans fifty feet or so, and where the cliff faces meet the ground, piles of rocks of all sizes lay, crumbled from the stone in the passage of time. No sound carries through the pass, even devoid of the calls and scurries of natural creatures.
Whistling in dismay at the sight, Themp addresses the paladin. "Nasty... Say, Nme'an, these guys look like they've been here for almost a month now. Given that that ribbon back there was from a knight and..." He pauses, a slight trace of embarrassment in his pose.
"Well, how long did the High Wizard say Prince Titus was off, again?"
"A little over a month ago now..." Nme'an replies stiffly, as he looks up at the three bodies for any clues that the disfigured men might have been from the Prince's company.
"In any event," the knight says quietly, "I am worn tired from my two sleepless days. I would advise we seek camp... Perhaps some ways to the East? Pitching tents in this entrance seems foolish, and if all fails we would at least be that much closer to the trees of Carenthir."
The Casns warrior sniffs the air as he regards the slain men. But the big man doesn't offer any words, nor humor nor consolation. His body language suggests that he's willing to continue or stop now, either way works for him.
Beorae scans the rock faces and notes the eerie silence. “Yeah, that sounds like a good idea, Nme'an. Let's move east a bit.”
Most of the four notice through the rough surface of the cliffside, small holes shaped to be easily mistaken as shadows. No larger than the size of an apple, and varying in shape, the holes bore deep into the rock, and dot the uneven stone face once every few feet. None of the holes reach higher than three feet off the ground.
In addition to the peepholes in the rock, the druidess also notices some twine tied around the spear shafts holding up the three bodies, and pulled taut to somewhere between the backs of the three and the cliff they are pinned against. Tampering with the bodies involve a surprise or two.
Beorae takes one last look at the three corpses before turning One Sock in an easterly direction. “In case anyone was thinking of it, I wouldn't mess with those bodies. Looks like there's some sort of trap rigged up there.” After a pause in the conversation, she comments to no on in particular, “This makes two traps involving dead soldiers; it seems that the kobolds like to play dirty and prey on their targets' compassion. We need to keep an eye out for that…”
Nme'an pulls a copper piece and flips it to Beorae for no discernible reason. ;)
The druidess flinches back in surprise, but quickly gauges the copper's trajectory and shoots her hand out quick enough to grab the piece of metal before it falls away. She eyes it for a moment before dropping it in her coin purse, “Uhakika nini toleo la mara kwa, Lakini mimi nina kuweka. Oh, I think I see a nice camping spot.”
"Wait, why didn't I get coins when I spotted all those traps?" chimes in Themp, his mind suddenly all the way back to the streets of Thaleniel.
"It was jingling in my pocket funny... and she was closer." Nme'an says with a shrug.
The four traverse east, finding a few sites that could work, but each have one glaring disadvantage, such as the high ground that is visible from a mile around, or the stone overhang that would protect from the weather but not from any nocturnal hunters. Thankfully the instincts of the half-elves pay off as they press on for a few more miles to find a fissure that runs down the mountain base and widens into a natural cave that continues into the solid rock. Unlike the entrance of the Blackcrag Pass, here the sounds of daytime creatures begin to diminish as the animals of night begin to stir.
"Yeah, this isn't creepy at all, guys..."
Nme'an glances towards Themp but makes no comment.
Where the crevice ceiling narrows, many large and long segmented legs cling to the rock. Covered in black hair, the eight legs do not move, and their oversized owner is obscured in his hiding place.
Despite the danger, this cave is by far the best shelter the four are likely to find.
"Up, nestled in the ceiling," Nme'an whispers, pointing out the spider. "I don't like the look of that... thing."
Mot nods as the group moves on. Clutching at his spear haft, the big warrior pats at the lance strapped to his saddle, reassuring himself that it was in fact, still there.
Shivering in disgust, Mot focuses on the massive creepy crawly, trying to remember if he'd ever seen it's like before.
Peering into the cave, the druidess immediately notices the giant spider. She looks at her companions and the expressions on their faces tells her that she's not the only one who sees the creature. “You all see what I'm seeing? Unfortunately, I doubt we're going to find better cover than that cave tonight.”
"Yeah, it's definitely not creepy at all now, Mr. Glare..." Themp mocks at Nme'an's previous glance at his remark.
"Anyway, what are we doing? Keep on looking? Get rid of it and stay?"
Mot hefts his spear haft meaningfully. "Ets juust a big ole spydar..." He stage-whispers to the group. His eyes don't move from staring at the creatures legs. It's obvious his distaste is trying to get the better of him. But the Urlghain is putting up a valiant effort at keeping his bravado afloat.
"I... I usually shoo spiders away or stomp on or smash them if they make a nuisance of themselves... But then, they aren't usually so big.. large..." Nme'an says while focusing on the spider, using his spell-like ability to quickly detect the presence of any strong sources of evil.
Beorae mutters something that the others find incomprehensible while slowly waving her hand, palm down, in front of her . A sixth sense springs to life inside the druid as she attempts to detect magical auras that might be emanating from inside the cave.
The paladin senses no presence of evil in the cave, nor does the druid detect any magical auras.
Mot’s heard tales from the Spindlewood, eerie accounts of spiders grown as big as men and horses. In this case, he does not think this spider can be any bigger than himself, judging by the legs. As with most spiders, their venom is more dangerous than their bite. Some toxins can stop the heart, others can paralyze, and others still can liquefy muscle. One particular story resurfaces from the highlander’s memory, where a kinsman battled a giant, hairy, black-legged and dark brown-bodied spider that shriveled the Urlghain muscles with every bite. This could be a spider of that breed, but Mot would know for sure if he could see the body.
Tales from the Spindlewood, eerie accounts of spiders grown as big as men and horses, are told over the fires in Deeproot from time to time. Beorae does not think this spider can be any bigger than a grown man, judging by the length and width of the motionless hairy legs. As with most spiders, their venom is more dangerous than their bite. Some toxins can stop the heart, others can paralyze, and others still can liquefy muscle. Fowald once instructed his young apprentice on the nature of spiders, and what they will tell you if you knew what to watch for. Sleek skinned spiders tend to paralyze their victims, those with a thin coat of hair or light brown coloration will poison the blood and heart, and the hairier, bulky spiders produce a toxin that saps the strength of the bitten. Overall, the effect and intent is the same -a spider hunts so that it can eat, as do many creatures of the wild.
WIth this knowledge, Beorae suspects this man-sized spider to one of the hairy, bulky variety. What’s more, she sees no webbing in the cave or even in the narrow crevice above. She remembers that some spiders prefer not to catch prey in their webs, but wait in ambush and stalk from the ground, walls, or ceiling. Webless spiders need to be quicker than their craftier kin in order to survive.
The druidess dismounts her horse and quickly rummages through her neatly-sorted backpack. “I don't know how much you all know about spiders, but this one…,” she trails off for a moment before withdrawing the vial of antitoxin that she had purchased with her winnings back in Thaleniel. Holding the vial up for others to see, she continues, “This one is poisonous; its venom actually liquefies muscle, I think. Either that, or it stops the heart, but I'm pretty sure it's the muscle thing. And I don't see any spider webs in that cave, which suggests this spider likes to catch its prey alive. That means it moves quickly.”
Pocketing the antitoxin to make it easily accessible should the worst happen, Beorae searches the ground for a good-sized rock: not too small, but not so large that it cannot be thrown. Finding one, she picks up the smooth rock and says, “Lumos!”. The rock suddenly glows with its own light, though it appears dim in the late daylight.
The tall druidess holds the rock out to Mot with both hands, “Some light might help us see this thing a little better. Can you throw this into the cave so we have a better idea of what we're dealing with?”
Eyes glittering in the light from the proffered projectile Mot grins and snatches at the rock before judging the distance with outstretched thumb. "Yoo knoow, Ah heerd aboot spydars lahk these wheen Ah wus groowing oop. Nasty buggers. HA!" He laughs at his own poor joke before slinging the rock with considerable force into the dark cavern. The mammoth Urlghain aims for the cave roof not too far from the creeping creature, hoping to shed as much light on the situation as possible.
Nme'an quickly realizes what Beorae has planned and jumps down to do his part. He double checks that his own vial of antitoxin is secure in his easily accessed pouch then moves forward, sword and shield drawn, and places himself between the mouth of the cave and the others. He gets in position just in time to hear the hefty stone go whooshing over his head. He to attack the spider in case the Druidic light show drives it into range.
for
As the lit stone strikes and bounces down the pebbled floor of the cave, its light catches a coffee-brown body scurrying quickly out of the crevice. Nme’an, who stands ready at the cave mouth, didn’t think something so bulky could move that fast. Still, his shield is up and his sword is in his hand, and the paladin delivers a deep cut as it lunges for him.
The Knight Apprentice hears the fangs scratch harmlessly against his shield, and the many legs touch the ground to try another bite.
"Kama alikuwa tu wanatawanyika mbali..." Nme'an laments as he pulls back and tries for another swing.
for
"If you had just scurried off..."
"เพศ!"
Themp quickly hops off Daisy for agility and draws his bow.
"How the hell is it moving so fast?!"
Seeing the spider move, Beorae directs Shark to attack before settling into a casting stance and raising her arms. Speaking in druidic tongue, the young druidess calls upon the nature gods, searching for an eagle to assist them.
_______________________
Following Beorae's command, Shark moves into position and takes a swipe at the large spider with his claws.
Still exposed from his charging attack, the spider staggers from mortal wounds received from the sword of knight and the claws of the tiger. It makes a hobbling skitter back into the cave to escape.
Surprised at the speed of the creature, and that of his companions, Mot let's out a short grunt and let's fly the spear held in his hand.
for
The highlander’s spear flies wide of both the knight and spider, bouncing off the cave mouth. From the mountain heights above, the druidess hears an eagle cry, and then sees the majestic creature diving swiftly from on high. Shrinking away from the tiger and paladin, the heavily wounded spider skitters along the wall of the cave, following it around the bend and out of sight. Beorae’s shining stone illuminates keeps the shadows of the cave away.
Nme'an readjusts his grip on his sword then moves to cautiously pursue the spider into the cave.
The eagle flies into the cave of the mouth, chasing after its prey. Its large talons flash in the ruddy light cast from the stone as it lashes out at the giant spider.
______________________
Shark moves to chase after the beast, but he hears Beorae say “Down, Shark!”. The big cat patiently waits at the mouth of the cave with the druidess a few feet behind him..
Seeing the spider scurry out of sight, the Casns warrior brings his feet up onto the horse’s sides, and pushes off like a massive, hairy, flying kilted frog.
Drexel shakes his head and chuffs uncomfortably as Mot’s feet thud to the ground ten feet away. Casually pulling the greatsword from his burly shoulders, he makes his way to the cave. Stepping past the knight, the highlander reaches the bend to see a spider legs fending off a flurry of dark feathers.
“Outta teh wey, birdie!” he gestures toward the cave mouth, as though inviting the eagle outside. He then grips the handle of his heavy weapon to step in and swing hard once clear of the druid’s feathered friend.
Themp repositions himself to the mouth of the cave, but takes no further action.
Backed against the cave wall, the spider lunges out at the eagle.
But the venomous fangs snap at the air, where a wing flapped but a second ago.
The eagle snaps back at the spider in the dim light
Nme'an grumbles, but pushes up against the cave wall giving Mot more room to pass. The knight then stands where he is, sure that an enraged bird and the big man following it will be enough to end the spidery threat.
Beorae's summoned raptor departs with cry and blur of feathers. Sensing foes still close by, the spider lifts its foremost legs, preparing to bite the next thing that approaches.
"Fahnillee!" cries the Urlghain as he leaps in, arcing an uppercut swing at the hairy, oversized creeper.
But the overeager blade whiffs the air too soon.
"Damn it, Casns! Get out of there! Red said it is poisonous..."
Speaking of Red...
"Freckles, can't you bake that spider in the cave?"
Nme'an shakes his head then steps forward and unleashes a clean, deliberate slice towards the injured Spider with his longsword.
"Your recklessness is going to get one of us killed, I fear," the Paladin says matter-of-factly.
The spider leaps out at the passing knight, overextending his defenses. The paladin's blade drives deep into the spider's head, and the oversized critter crumples into a heap of hairy legs.
Nme'an sheathes his sword, gives Mot an unhappy look as he passes by on his way out of the cave.
"The spider is dead," he tells Themp and Beorae.
“Great. I'll go check out the cave,” the druidess says, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. “Shark, you stay here,” she commands as she treads lightly into the dark fissure.
Beorae scans the environment, looking for anything of note. She picks up the glowing stone and tosses it back into the furthest reaches of the cave, figuring that Mot and Themp will probably need the extra light.
The druidess eyes the spider's corpse, trying to decide if the animal has enough meat on it to make a meal from. She also wonders briefly about the creature's venom and whether or not it can be used as a poison for Themp's arrows. “Mot, can we move this spider? I don't think we'll want to camp with it lying here, bleeding all over everything.”