As the climbing goes on, Elkrakyrr goes to speak with the group's attendants.
With the rations that the army has, one of you should head back immediately to tell them to march toward Fasturvalt. If you leave now...they should reach it in approximately 11 days which is the extent of their supplies. And it should give us a five day headstart to scout until they arrive. Let them know we will have additional rations for them when you see them.
He pauses, looking to another attendant. And you, take the additional rations as far as you can manage in the time that it takes the army to reach you and provide them with the additional food. We cannot have them turning on each other for lack of supplies.
He turns to Vintressa, bowing slightly. Assuming the lady agrees of course.
Walking with Elkrakyrr. The silent drow nods his approval of his companion's plan.
"When we reach Fasturvault, I could try and infiltrate." he flashes in drow sign.
"That poison we found should come in handy, we may be able to poison the water supply."
Vayshan follows into the hidden area.
With no intention of being the first one to climb up into what could possible be the hiding place of some predator or a trap, Vintressa watches as the men climb up and check out the area.
She will listen to Elkrakyrr give his opinion on what the attendants and the rest of the army should do. "Yes, I believe that sounds like a very reasonable plan."
Vayshan follows into the hidden area.
climb: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Maldar stares in envy at how well Vayshan climbs. It's like watching a work of performance art.
If I could speak as well as that drow could climb, I could rule the world!
At your command, Merve quickly starts heading back to tell the army to start marching on Fasturvalt. Lightly-encumbered, you expect the messenger to reach the army in 5 days.
He pauses, looking to another attendant. And you, take the additional rations as far as you can manage in the time that it takes the army to reach you and provide them with the additional food. We cannot have them turning on each other for lack of supplies.
Zeynep hesitates, then says "Yes sir" and walks over to the rations. He strains to lift the bundles. He manages to get them off the ground, but drops them when he tries to take a step. "Sir... I don't think I can move them all by myself."
The Hole in the Ceiling
Maldar climbs up the side of the tunnel and pushes aside the artificial covering. Vayshan and Kalenmourn follow.
The hole in the ceiling leads up through a five foot chimney to a small chamber with the walls covered in webbing. The chamber is about 50 feet long, and is about 15 feet wide at the narrowest and 25 feet wide at the widest. Woven into the webbing is jagged runes fashioned from discolored silk. None of the three recognizes the meaning of the runes.
At the far end of the chamber perpendicular to your line of sight is an opening through which emerge a pair of man-sized spiders. They hiss at the drow in Undercommon, “Be gone! We wish no traffic with the likes of you!”
Kalenmourn places his hand casually on the hilt of his sword. We aren't looking to make trouble. But you will be answering a few of our questions.
He calmly looks around the chamber, This is a nice home...so close to the gnomish city. You must know something about them. His casual tone barely hides the menace in his voice.
The spiders cringe. The same one speaks as before.
"Caravans pass this way to and from the city. Full of gnomes. Tasty gnomes."
Maldar does not move or speak at the spiders' appearance, hoping that his brother will solve this issue without violence. His younger sibling had always been better with words, though it certainly helped he could get through a sentence without whistling through his teeth or lisping.
In the event that it did turn ugly however... Maldar's thoughts rose to the spears adorning his back. Which would he get to use, he wondered? The longspear? The club? He almost grinned in anticipation.
Kalenmourn tilts his head to the side. Well, aren't you an odd Skis’raal. Eating gnomes? Don't get me wrong, I'm not judging. He smiles grimly.
Now that we know we have something in common. You like eating gnomes, and we like them being eaten...perhaps you'd be interested in talking about them? I wouldn't be opposed to supplying you with food for information.
“The gnome capital is dangerous, well-guarded. We have never been inside. The quarry town is small and poorly-guarded. There are more than 400 gnomes but fewer than 500. We were able to sneak inside without being seen. We could draw a map if you have writing things.”
The capital is Kladdenvalt, the city mentioned on the waystone as lying 9 days west of your present location. The quarry town is of course Fasturvalt, 5½ days to the northeast.
Kalenmourn smiles, pleasantly surprised by how quickly the spiders became friendly. I do happen to have something to write with. Though I left them below. I could be back in but a moment. Oh...there's also someone else you should meet. Lady Vintressa would be...delighted...to speak with you.
He pauses a moment and adds, That is, of course, if you don't mind another joining us. I wouldn't presume to impose on your hospitality any more than we already have. There are quite a few more of us, and I wouldn't want to crowd you with guests.
Kalenmourn climbs back down to get his gear, unless there is any objection, and tells the others briefly of what they found.
...Yes, talking spiders. Skis’raal I think they're called...
"Sneaky talking spiders? How interesting. I am curious as to how many more there may be lurking about. It sounds as if they would make wonderful sources of intelligence gathering."
Vintressa is curious enough now to make the climb up to see the spiders now that the drow males have shown it be not immediately fatal at least.
Once up there, Vintressa will introduce herself to the spiders.
"While he gets his implements, we can have a talk. I know of these areas, but a recent first hand look is worth more than memory..."
The Spider’s Maps
The introductions proceed. When Kalenmourn returns with paper and ink (the latter taken from either Taecuss’s or Elkrakyrr’s bag) the skis’raal who has been doing the talking draws a map.
The spider mentions that the river flowing through Fasturvalt is extremely swift, and that trying to swim it would likely be suicide.
The spider’s map of Fasturvalt
Vayashan trades knowledge of the geography of the Upper Azathyr with the spider (omitting mention of the secret Dark Road). It quickly becomes clear to him that the skis’raal is likewise trained as a ranger from the nature and precision of its observations. The skis’raal is a native of the Fungal Jungle and informs Vayashan of a city (population around 2000) of myceloids located on the jungle’s Western edge and a minor settlement (population around 250) of skis’raal along the jungle’s Northern limit . The spider also mentions a large mountain in the far South-East of the jungle known to the locals as Mount Uranoth.
Upon Vayashan’s request, the spider also draws a map of the chokepoint located immediately South of Fasturvalt.
Kalenmourn smiles at the helpfulness of the skis'raal. This is going well.
It appears we are pressed for time when it comes to scouting this settlement. He looks around at the gathered drow. Vayshan, what do you think. Shall we approach from the south? Or do you see a better way in?
He hesitates a moment, and addresses the skis'raal, My name is Kalenmourn. It has been a true pleasure meeting you. He again looks around at the others, Perhaps you'd like to join us in our journey? Your skills could prove...useful. And you'd be rewarded. I did, after all, promise food. He smiles.
I'm not sure how much we can trust these skis'raal, but there are only two. And their knowledge and abilities will be quite useful where we are going.
I do not want to attack through the Needle's Eye. It will be watched and fortified, and we would be as restricted as if we went through the hidden passages to the west. They will be our best option. If we want to send out an advance party openly, we will have to come from the south, we do not have time to maneuver around to the north.
Vayshan is pleased with this meeting with the skis'raal. Hopefully, his people may be able to ally with them. It is not his place to make such an arrangement, but he will supply the possibility to his superiors.
Kalenmourn nods, Very well, you and Duath'miaca are the experts. He looks thoughtful for a moment and responds, Openly approaching? An interesting idea. What do you think Lady Vintressa? Perhaps we could capture the town with but the threat of attack? A dangerous plan, perhaps.
He frowns slighty, I think in the short term it may work, depending on what these gnomes are like. But if we mean to keep the settlement, a show of force will be necessary. I suggest we scout first, perhaps capture one or two of them. Learn more about them. We can only guess at their resources and resolve now, and it's best we not be too overconfident. With a chuckle, he continues, But I do like the idea.
The skis’raal replies to Kalenmourn, “I am Skethyk and the other is Azraak. We may be willing to join you if there will be bodies, but we also require coin. For 7 gold pieces every 10 days it would be worth our while.”
Vintressa addresses the spiders. "I find your request reasonable and I can assure you that there will be bodies."
To the others during the discussion:
"Doing a bit of scouting and capturing a gnome or two for information sounds good to me. Our new friends can even have the gnomes after we wring all the information that we can out of them."
"Perhaps we can get enough information to plan a raid straight to their leaders quarters. Acquiring some important hostages could be useful while trying to subdue the city. Especially if they are young children. Parents will do the the most foolish things to guarentee their safety.'
If the Lady is agreeable, then so am I. You'll have your gold Skethyk...and your bodies.
As to the plan, scouting in advance of a swift assault seems best, I agree. Information is always useful. The more we know, the faster we can push through the city.
He turns back to Skethyk, You say caravans pass this way. How often?
“It is several weeks between each one. Sometimes longer.”
Ah well, that won't be useful for us. Unless we happen upon one by luck.
He looks around, Very well, we should plan out our approach and head out quickly. We don't want to delay any further.
Well, we can definitely trust these guys. I'd venture to say we could put our lives in their... mandibles... should we need to!
"Excellent brrrother. Let us make the preparations."
Maldar turns his back on the arachnids to rejoin the main group.