Desperate to save their friend, Skittle, in the trees...and counting on the others to help Hammurabi while he's still on the ground...Liet winds up and launches a slingstone into the overhead canopy.
Critical Hit on Hammarubi's Spider 1d20+4=24 Not confirmed. Damage=3pts
Bedu draws a bead on the spider above Hammarubi, but it just ducks in time. "By the -!"
Round 2 (in progress):
Lotus fires her crossbow at the spider menacing Skittle, and is rewarded with a satisfying thunk as the bolt buries itself in the arachnid's abdomen. Liet hurls a slingstone at the spider as well, but the stone sails past it into the trees.
Hammurabi strains against the webs holding him. Yanking on the sticky strands, he is able to avoid being pulled into the air, but he is not strong enough to break free of the webbing.
Wounded by Lotus's crossbow bolt and dripping black ichor, the first spider abandons Skittle and scuttles away into the foliage. The second spider is not so willing to give up its meal, and drops down to Hammurabi, sinking its fangs into his shrouded body.
Bedu aims his own arrow at the spider, but its quick movement reduces the damage to a glancing blow.
Indo charges the beast harrying his friend, swinging down on its torso between the spider's legs.
Skittle continues to struggle against the web, trying to get free.
Escape Artist 1d20=20+3=23, Fort 1d20=19+5=24, Fort 1d20=8+5=13
Venom! black ichor, spare my viens, my heart belongs to Almudin and the rainbow serpent, there is no room for impurities!
Fort Save 19.
Round 2 (continued):
Skittle shrugs off the effects of the spider's poison, and with the help of Bedu's grease, wriggles out of the clinging webs. Hammurabi is also able to resist the spider's poison.
Indo charges the spider menacing Hammurabi, and with a broad stroke of his sword, cleaves the arachnid in two. The other spider disappears into the trees, and with his friends' help, Hammurabi is soon freed from the webs as well.
End of combat.
My friends, young Hammurabi and I have just cloaked ourselves in magic. Perhaps we should take the first watches while our spells are active?
Hammurabi picks at the sticky strands that cling to him, "well thought out Warrior, that works well for me, plus I am too startled to fall asleep now!"
Bedu checks to make sure everyone is not poisoned. "Perhaps we can rest somewhere safe tomorrow night?" reproaches the bard.
"There must be one or two trees that do not have a vicious predator waiting in the night. Just one?" he waves at the tangled jungle.
Then Bedu laughs, "you know I thought of greasing someone when we fought the tazlwyrm. Wasn't that fortunate Skittle?" he rubs his hands together and grins.
"As to sleeping, I haven't eaten yet!" Bedu begins work on some food, humming to himself.
"I hope we managed to permanently drive away that other one," Liet states as he scans the tree limbs, "And that there isn't anything...bigger...out there."
The priest of the god-kings then spends some time examining the bits and pieces of the spider's corpse, picking and prodding over it. He returns to his pack to retrieve his journal and inkpen so he can record his thoughts about it.
Liet spends the rest of the evening in quiet contemplation, a little more withdrawn given the number of hazards they've faced since embarking on their little expedition. He takes confidence that the god-kings have seen them through each challenge. Still, he realizes they have a long way to go. And he worries about the stamina of Lotus and the others for what lies ahead.
When sleep finally claims him, the journal and inkpen still lie upon his chest...but the conjured light he used to illuminate his writing fades away.
Then Bedu laughs, "you know I thought of greasing someone when we fought the tazlwyrm. Wasn't that fortunate Skittle?" he rubs his hands together and grins.
"WHAT? That was you?" yells the gnome with more than a little outrage. "It's disgusting, is what it is! I feel like the inside of a trolls nose! I had that spider well in hand! Ach . . . What?!?" he exclaims as the grease quickly disappears. Looking back up at the dwarf, his facial expression and tone suddenly changed, he says, "Alright then . . . nice trick. Well done, thanks."
Skittle then sets about setting up camp and a cook fire, keeping his bow nearby, with occasional glances up in the trees. Every once in awhile, he can be heard muttering under his breath, "Alright, mother, more carrots," or other such similar statements.
Bedu will heal the gnome but may need Liet's help as well.
Hah, those spiders were driven off a lot easier than that dragon! Lotus exclaims in bravado.
A healthy meal later, the young rogue settles on her bedroll for another night in the jungle.
After eating, Skittle falls quickly asleep and snores away until his shift on the watch.
Bedu rises early and sets about doing some gentle exercises, "Ooof!" He takes a moment to stretch his fingers all the way down to his knees. Twice. Then he stops, sweating a little.
More information from the book for Liet:
A few short months later, just after the refugees had established their new homes, Takshak mysteriously fell ill and died. Takshak’s twin brother Haatim assumed the throne. Many whispered that he had murdered his brother, a theory supported by his subsequent ruthless behavior. Haatim ruled with an iron fist, clamping down heavily on his people, imprisoning or killing so-called subversives, and even burning communities that spurned his authority. He was reviled as a tyrant, became known as “the Cinderborn”, and few mourned his eventual passing.
The rest of the night passes uneventfully, with no more spider attacks. An early breakfast and you're back on the trail. You don't get very far, however, before you come to the edge of a canyon that slices through the jungle like a jagged knife wound. It looks to be more than 100 feet across, and at least 50 feet deep, with a small river just visible at the bottom among thick undergrowth. According to Samir's map, the river at the bottom of the canyon should lead to the tomb. The question is: how to get down there?
...you come to the edge of a canyon that slices through the jungle like a jagged knife wound. It looks to be more than 100 feet across, and at least 50 feet deep, with a small river just visible at the bottom among thick undergrowth.
"Well, now..." Liet dryly comments as he peers down into the canyon, "That's certainly going to be a long climb." He looks around at the others. "I'm not a very good climber, I'm afraid."
He brightens suddenly and then searches through his pack. "But I did bring...this!" he announces with a bit more confidence, pulling out a new silk rope, "I picked this up in town when we were preparing to leave. It cost a fair bit of coin, but a good rope is listed among the many things highly recommended by Remu Ahstum, renowned explorer, as recorded in the scrolls of Bazaabetru. I can't say I'm very proficient with it, but perhaps one of you can make better use of it?"
Lotus smiles at the rope that Liet brougth as she pulls out a similar piece of shiny silk coiled rope. With two ropes we'll surely reach the bottom. Unfortunately I didn't bring a grapping hook, so we'll have to use a sturdy tree to tie the rope to. But perhaps there is another way down.
Perception check to spot another way down to the river. (1d20+4=16)
Bedu frowns while the party compares ropes. He moves near the edge and takes a look at the river below.
"So tell me someone why we would wish to climb down when the river and where we stand follow the same route? Could we not simply walk along here until we reach our destination? I mean Remu may be right about that rope but I doubt very much that he would have used it under these circumstances."
"With the advantage of height and following the canyon edge, would we not come to the same place as the river does on the map. Seeing down at our enemies must surely be better than having them above us."
Bedu looks puzzled at the jungle born Indo and Skittle. "I am a simple dwarf, a barber who used to ply his trade underground in Uttar Keferet, with many a fine beard to my name so what am I missing here?"
The dwarf laughs out loud, "of course the thought of having to climb down there has nothing to do with it!" his belly wobbles in time to each guffaw.
"I've read of some rivers merely springing from canyon walls or the mountainside itself," Liet suggests as he uncoils his rope and assists Lotus with tying them tightly together, "So the source may not be passable. As for the other end, who knows how many cascades or waterfalls it might go through? Those too may be impossible to climb any more easily than this canyon wall using these ropes. And, it's entirely possible the river merely goes back underground again or forms a lake in the valley below."
He squints off into the distance and shades his eyes against the sun. "And besides, we'd have the circle the entire canyon to eventually find a passable section of the river to follow. Who knows what further dangers we might encounter in doing so. If there is an easier way in, we can also expect that anyone else who's visited this tomb...and claimed it for their home...will be using it, too. In which case, it might be best to avoid such a well-traveled path. The wisdom of the god-kings imparts that the quieter and simpler route is often the best used. This way saves us time and keeps our track and disturbance of the jungle as minimal as possible."
"So, I say all of that to say I think this is probably the best way to go," Liet finishes, "Not that I'm all that eager to face such a descent either. But hopefully, some of our more rugged companions here can give the rest of us a few pointers on how to keep from falling and breaking all our limbs."
"I see. Samir did take this route down and was successful which is a point I cannot deny, the rest is conjecture. Perhaps it would be best if this barber steps back and watches how well someone else manages the climb. If the way proves very difficult then I can always stay above and follow you along. My mother would prefer me alive and travelling to a safer route down than spread across the rocks below."
"Of course, do not let my words stop any of you from going first." Bedu grins like a Cheshire Cat."
Liet nods. Then he magnanimously sweeps his arm toward the cliffside in open invitation for one of the others to lead the way.
"Humph," Skittle mumbles, looking at the dwarf, and more particularly, his belly. "The map says this is where we should descend, and we have enough rope, so let's do it." As he talks, the gruff gnome takes the rope from Liet and starts to knot it about every two feet. "As my father would say, the last thing you want, when on a cliff, is not enough rope."
After a few minutes, he has both ropes tied together and knotted. "Anyone care to check my knots? We always checked each others work," he says, without clear reference to who the 'we' may be. "Let's also tie this off somewhere strong."
He then sets about removing most of his gear and armor, ties it to the end of the rope, and gets ready to lower it down. For a minute or two, he paces along the edge of the cliff, peering down. Stepping back down, he looks up at the hot sun, and cricks his neck to one side with an audible pop. Finally, he looks at the others and says, "Alright, here's how we do it. I'll go down first to make sure the way is clear and there's nothing creeping about. Maybe the priest or the girl after me, so I can help them. Then when we're down, you two," he says, with a nod to Hammurabi and Indo, "can fashion a harness and lower Mr. Barber here down. If anyone has another idea or a suggestion, let's hear it."
Wait, if Samir went down at this spot, where is his rope? Did he take it back with him or did someone else remove it? Figgiting now a bit, Lotus puts another dime in the bag. Perhaps Bedu has a point in following the canyon up high.
"Lotus, maybe Samir climbed back up it and took it back to the city where he met us? But I like the way you are thinking."
Bedu kicks a small stone over the edge. "Enough people have climbed into my barber's chair to mention this, what of someone paying out the rope, as it slides around a tree so that they do not bear the full weight of you Skittle. Or one rope to climb down with and one rope attached to you?"
The dwarf shrugs his hands out helplessly, "what can I say I always talk to my customers. I have never climbed. Don't worry Skittle I shall stop my chatter when I am safely down below."
"I thought you dwarves were 'one-with-the-land' and all that...particularly when it comes to rock-climbing?" Liet amusingly chides Bedu, "Shouldn't you be the one instructing and leading us in this climb?"
The priest gives a short laugh.
"Fear not, stout barber," he says, "I'm certain the god-kings will favor us with good fortune in reaching their tomb. Despite any obstacle standing in our way, I'm convinced they want us to succeed in this task. It is the only way to facilitate their glorious return and undo the tyranny of the Rani. Not to mention, it will also put an end to the mysterious murders of their people in Muiu Thral."
"I fear that I will soon be one-with-the-land when I suddenly reach the bottom of this ravine. No honourable barbers leave the dirty work to more admirable fellows," sniffs Bedu.
"As should scholars and bookworms. Even those blessed with the wings of faith. Or they too will be one-with-the-land."
Lotus quietly snickers at the picture of Bedu and Liet becoming one-with-the-land by sudden impact with the canyon floor below. Then she goes quiet, realizing that she could well also become one-with-the-land in the same manner.
"Well said," Liet responds to Bedu. He nods toward Skittle's preparations to descend the canyon wall. "Let's see how our gnomish friend fares. And, as long as he's successful...and can guide the rest of us down...I'll be happy to go next as a demonstration of my faith in this expedition."
Inwardly, Liet tries to squelch any fear of following up on his words. He feels a certain need to put on a brave face for the dwarven barber, if for no other reason than to encourage the fellow to make the descent as confidently as he possibly can. After all, if a scholarly monk of the god-kings could do it, surely a dwarven barber could summon up the courage and mountain-affinity of his people to make it down, too.
If we can get down to the river and follow it to our desitnation, we should do so. It is easier to travel and fish the river than it is to brave and hunt the cliffs.
Perusing the surroundings, Lotus doesn't see any other way down, though the trees and undergrowth block much of the view, both at the top and along the sides of the ravine.
After Skittle leads the way, Liet calls upon the blessings of the god-kings to safely see him down...as well as the guidance of their gnomish friends and the stout rope provided by Lotus.
"Alright, priest, let's give it a go," Skittle says as he virtually throws himself over the edge of the cliff with an audible laugh.
Climb 1d20=5+7=12, Aid Another 1d20=4
"maybe you should take off your armour, Skittle?"
Bedu has both hands tightly gripped around a tree at the ravine's edge and he is staring down with gritted teeth.
Then as the gnome climbs down, he begins to offer advice on the good hand holds he can see, where he thinks the climber should rest and other pieces of nonsense.
All the time, Bedu hopes to encourage the gnome, after all it is a long way down...
Hammurabi, wishes he had the wings of the Rainbow Serpent, looking down, he lets out an audible sigh, he crests the cliff's edge, using the rope provided and attempts to descend.
Nat 1! total=3 I hate you invisible Castllllleeeeee [thwack from hitting the earth].
"maybe you should take off your armour, Skittle?"
Bedu has both hands tightly gripped around a tree at the ravine's edge and he is staring down with gritted teeth.
Then as the gnome climbs down, he begins to offer advice on the good hand holds he can see, where he thinks the climber should rest and other pieces of nonsense.
All the time, Bedu hopes to encourage the gnome, after all it is a long way down...
Bedu looks again bravely opening his eyes at the heights below, "Sorry Skittle gnomish skin looks like leather. Shouldn't we use one rope and tie the other to you? Just in case..."
"Why I think that's a wise idea!" Liet exclaims, "Are you sure you aren't an expert on climbing among your people?"
With Bedu pointing out footholds from above, Skittle scurries down the rope like a monkey, reaching the shaded bottom of the canyon with no trouble. Following Skittle's lead, Liet makes his way down - although he slips a little, he is able to brace himself against the wall of the ravine and arrive safely, followed quickly by Lotus, who scrambles down with an acrobat's grace.
Skittle and Lotus attempt to help Hammurabi negotiate the climb, but after only a few feet he loses his grip, and plummets down into the ravine.
Bedu and Indo watch with horror from the edge of the ravine as Hammurabi falls.
DM
Bedu scrabbles for his throat as Hammarubi starts to fall.
"Catch the rope. Its coming your way."
Hammurabi's face goes white, time slows and he sees the cliff edge fall from his sight, a rope swings into view . He looks and sees the bright plumagae of a bird fly by--The Rainbow Serpant, does it herald his passing to another realm, or is it helping the Charlatan to stay on this plane of existance....Climb 13.
Hammurabi scrabbles for a hold on the swaying rope, but it slips out of his grip. He plummets to the bottom of the ravine, crashing through overhanging boughs before finally coming to rest on the ground with a sickening crunch.