Name: Thoril Serpenthelm
Race: Human
Classes/levels: Fighter 1
Adventure: Souls for Smuggler's Shiv
Location: North part of island; river running through a ravine.
Catalyst: Invading spider territory.
The Gory Details:27th day on the island. Party had just battled and defeated a giant spider in its lair. They follow the river and are disappointed to find that it ends abruptly and they will have to turn back and find another exit from the ravine.
Random encounter generated a spider swarm which the party was unprepared to deal with. 5 characters manage to escape but poor Thoril rolled poor initiative and surprise and got swarmed. Party's best fighter killed by a bunch of tiny spiders. So sad.
Upon return to camp, party discovers all NPCs gone, camp destroyed, supplies stolen. Cannibal surprise attack while PCs absent. 2nd one in two days. Not going well.
That exact spot and those exact spiders almost got Gary Ale before he succumbed to acute falling sickness.