Chapter One, Part One: Fires over Brinestump

[SteveRogers]

"Shall we investigate the other chamber?  If there is anything of value, I will try my best to hold back whatever enemy we face.  If it is a giant spider as the trail seemed to indicate, there be no need to kill the beast.  Unless provoked, they can be a peaceful sort, and I hear rumor the tapestry of their web is highly valued in some markets."  S'Vith addresses this last at Horcrust, who seems ever eager to pursue riches and finery.  "The creature may not even notice us, but I can hold it back without causing harm should it be necessary.  I feel we would be amiss not to make sure those who dragged the chest here didn't hide something away in this other chamber."

[SpamHead]

"I might be able to sneak past it or even perhaps put it to sleep. If anything of value is in the cavern I will try to remove it."

[SteveRogers]

"My lad, that's a stroke of brilliance.  If no one objects?"  He pauses a moment in concentration.  He turns to Faraway, and S'Vith grimaces with the agony of having to ask him for help, "Faraway, what know you about spiders?"

[Porteiro]

The glow wipes off - probably just some phosphorescent deposits from cavern-dwelling creatures.

"Well, that's disappointing.  Still, it will make a nice souvenir, if nobody minds"  With that Jeddy drops the crystal into his pocket.

Concerning the sleeping spider, Jeddy says to Horcrust "Lad, if you think you can pull it off, I'm fine with letting you try.  But I want us to be ready to pull you out of the fire if need be"

[SpamHead]

"If Faraway does not have something to say, I'll be off."

Horcrust considers a moment before adding the next part.

"It's kind of depressing to be called 'lad' by two people in ten seconds when I'm ten years older than Owen here."

[Lotofsnow]

Faraway shrugs.

"It seems we are determined. Lead the way, monk."

[SpamHead]

Horcrust attempts to get near enough to the spiders to cast the spell, while far away enough from his friends to prevent them form going under the effects of the spell to.

Stealth Roll = 1d20+5 : 4+5 = 9

if needed

Concentration Roll = 1d20+1 : 18+1 = 19

Horcrust begins speaking in a language he barley understands but somehow he knows he is commanding the creatures to sleep.

[SteveRogers]

S'Vith stays close enough behind to leap into action if necessary without being in the radius of Horcrust's enchantment.

[Lotofsnow]

"Hold, friends. You look ridiculous with your sneaking about. If the spider hasn't heard S'Vith's feet skuffing the cave floor, it definitely hears your arcane mutterings, Horcrust. It is possible that I might be able to calm the spider, but cave spiders are notoriously eager to eat, and it is even more possible it sinks its teeth in me and its poison drops me where I stand.

"Frankly, Owen, I'm surprised in you. You usually stress preparedness. Even you, Jeddy, I'd expect greater wisdom based on your years alone. We have no antivenom and we are in the middle of the swamp. What if one of us were to be poisoned? Do you expect to carry us, or several of us, back to Sandpoint through the swamp?"

[Phil]

Owen shrugs.  "My experience with spiders has largely been limited squashing the little ones who find their way inside the brewery...  I am not qualified to weigh the risks of confronting one of usual size."

[TheTick]

(here's a preliminary post, map and such later)

From the tunnels entering the last chamber, you cannot see any spider.  There is evidence that it was eating here recently, however, as a recently killed pig lies on the floor, among dozens of piles of bones from other creatures.  The walls and ceiling are covered with webs.

(let me know what preparations you would do before entering, or if you decide to not risk it and come back later.  the chamber is about 30ft by 15ft, roughly oval shaped, with an entrance from the north - the path you didn't go down upon entering - and one from the south, off the tunnel that led to the chest)

[Porteiro]

"It's kind of depressing to be called 'lad' by two people in ten seconds when I'm ten years older than Owen here."

"When you get to be my age, you won't hardly notice ten or twenty years." Jeddy says.

"Frankly, Owen, I'm surprised in you. You usually stress preparedness. Even you, Jeddy, I'd expect greater wisdom based on your years alone. We have no antivenom and we are in the middle of the swamp. What if one of us were to be poisoned? Do you expect to carry us, or several of us, back to Sandpoint through the swamp?"

"Boy, if you have an idea, speak up.  That's what it means to be a part of the group, and not just a follower-on.  But don't you snap at us for not saying what you should have said in the first place." Jeddy replies.

[Porteiro]

"That said," Jeddy continues, "Faraway's ill-mannered suggestion sounds like a good one to me.  There's no reason not to prepare ourselves before going after a spider.  Why, my uncle used to tell stories of  giant spiders he encountred when he was adventuring with a group of dwarves, and let me tell you, I'd rather not go through what he did.  Those spiders nearly took out the entire group of fourteen."

[Lotofsnow]

"You are asking me to help you sneak into the lair of a wild creature that, due to its nature, will likely attempt to protect its home and give us no choice but to kill or severely wound it. We are in the spider's territory now. It has not intruded into ours. Show me evidence that it has been harassing the inhabitants of Sandpoint or travelers on the road, and I will support this course of action. Otherwise, there is no way we are not in the wrong here."

[SpamHead]

"I say we explore the rest of the cave and look for anything valuable. If we meet spiders, I hope Owen can run in that armor."

OOC: I apologize if there is not a 'rest of the cave'. A map of everything we explored should clear things up.