Scissors Beat Paper?

A Synopsis on What Arphaxad Did at the Wagon
After Sonadora and Ranja had left, Arphax began to drag the bodies towards the wagon, accumulating them in one place and searching them as he did so. He noted that while most of the bodies had javelins in them, a few also showed signs of bite marks, chunks of jagged flesh torn away from the bodies - though he couldn't tell whether this was done by scavengers or during combat due to his lack of knowledge of the healing arts.
In addition, Arphax found an obvious trail at one side of the clearing where it appeared that something large was dragged off into the forest. After a few moments of thought, it dawned on him that the horses that must have pulled the cart were indeed missing. Which would explain the bloody trail, if one of the horses had been injured and perhaps killed. As he pondered on this, he found one of the bodies had a small packet of herbs clutched to her chest and hidden underneath her now cold body. Though it was small and probably not the entire shipment, he remembered that Ranja had mentioned that the herbs were needed by Sintilya, and so he decided to leave the site of the wagon in order to deliver the goods.
As he arrived in Sundown he came upon Sintilya and Garret Arahnrod discussing recent events, and was told that Aaron had gone missing. He quickly handed the herbs to Sintilya with a brief explanation and, needing no further prompting, hurried off in the direction of the trap and the site of Aaron's misfortune.
END SYNOPSIS

Chat log started at 19.7.2007 / 18:42:17
Night's settled, making the track-following a more difficult endeavor than in the day-time. Especially since you're working by moon-light.
GM: You're travelling southwest-ish, slowly...
The tracks lead into an area filled with heavy undergrowth, including thorny bushes and a small tree, and then... you lose track of them.
Sonadora curses softly.
Geyer: A bad sign when pretty things like you utter words like those.
Sonadora searches the area for clues.
Sonadora: Survival [1d20+9 = 13]
Geyer: What's the matter?
Sonadora grumbles.
Sonadora: Lost the tracks.
Sonadora: It's just too dark.
Geyer: Aye. Should we set up camp then?
Ranja pauses to untangle herself from another thorny bush.
Sonadora gives a painful sigh filled with disappointment.
Geyer: No use stumbling about blind with no path ta follow.
Ranja: Camp sounds good. My poor feet are begging for a break.
Sonadora: I think we can all use the rest also.
Sonadora: I get wood for the fire. Does anybody cook?
Ranja: Cook or cook well?
Geyer: We should find an area we can easily defend before we get too settled.
Geyer: Who knows if them beasties might come pokin' about?
Ranja shivers.
Ranja: Agreed.
While you're discussing the chores of setting up camp, three balls of light float into camp and explode into small fireworks displays.
Sonadora nods.
Ranja blinks.
Geyer draws his sword and drops into a ready stance.
Sonadora blinks in shock and gets into a defensive stance.
Ranja rubs at her eyes.
Geyer: Hail there! If ye be friend, speak!
Arphaxad: Put down your swords, it's only me. I just had to be sure as it were so dark
Sonadora glares at Arphaxad and grumbles, rubbing Vida in reassurance as she relaxes.
Arphaxad eyes the dog.
Arphaxad: So, making camp then?
Sonadora: Is here good?
Geyer notes the familiarity with which the others treat the new stranger, and relaxes.
Arphaxad: Lets get some light up and get to work then. We must be ready for anything this night.
Arphaxad speaks a few words as a soft light shines around him and the companians.
Sonadora lights her lantern and begins picking up sticks for the fire.
Ranja helps Sonadora gather sticks and arrange them for a campfire.
Arphaxad: What have we found out about those insects?
Sonadora shrugs at Arphaxad.
Sonadora: They suck blood and kill things.
Ranja: And they're scary.
Arphaxad: I see, let me rephrase then...
Arphaxad: What new have you learned since we were last together?
Geyer: Greetings and well met, stranger. I can see the others know you, but we've not met. I am Geyer.
Arphaxad: Ah hello.
Arphaxad: I am Arphaxad, and I only recently came to this town to get away from trouble.
Arphaxad: ...and yet it seems that this lot has plenty of trouble following them around.
Geyer: Away from touble? Ha Ha! Ye've chosen poorly then, it seems!
-> Ranja: As you're gathering sticks you notice a large track among some of the bushes, made by a big boot.
Arphaxad: Indeed
Sonadora uses her lantern to light the fire.
Ranja blinks and leans down to inspect something on the ground.
Sonadora glances at Ranja and goes over to look also.
Ranja: Sonadora, you're the tracker. Look at this.
It looks like a much bigger track, deeper, and made by a soled boot.
Ranja frowns.
Arphaxad: What is it?!?
Ranja glances at Sonadora and asks, "Did one of us make that?"
Ranja: Well not me. My feet aren't *that* big.
Sonadora frowns.
Sonadora: Possibly?
Ranja glances down at Sonadora's feet.
Sonadora points at the gentlemen and gestures for them to walk over.
Sonadora: I must inspect your shoes.
Geyer: Aye, go ahead then.
Arphaxad lifts his foot so that Sonadora can get a good look
Geyer sticks out a boot for Sonadora to see.
GM: Hmm, afraid it looks bigger than either of their feet.
Sonadora frowns and shakes her head.
Sonadora: These are not ours and they are not goblins....
Sonadora: Survival [1d20+9 = 19]
Looking around the single footprint you notice a few less obvious ones that travel in a generally southwest direction as well, out from the heavy brush. Probably the one set of deep prints was made from someone standing still for a long time in one spot. That said, they all look to be from about the same period of time.
Ranja: I hope it wasn't a really big goblin.
Ranja shudders.
Arphaxad: With boots?
Arphaxad: I don't believe so.
Geyer: Aye. Hobgoblins and bugbears.
Geyer: They wear boots.
Geyer: Hobgoblins especially. How'd ya think hobnail boots got the name?
Sonadora: Should we follow them or camp for the night?
Ranja: I don't want to camp anywhere near those bootprints. What if whatever made them comes back?
Arphaxad: Well, I suggest me and Geyer go on a short patrol, then.
Ranja: What about Sonadora and I?
Sonadora: We can take the second and third shifts?
Arphaxad: Keep the fire out and stay hidden until we return, and if it is safe, we will sleep and take turns watching this night.
Ranja: Is it wise to split up?
Geyer: No reason to put out the fire.
Geyer: If they're around they've already seen it.
Arphaxad: True, but if they are around, they will have better vision than us as we are in the firelight and they are not.
Geyer: Aye. But they see better than us in the dark anyways.
Arphaxad: If we are seperated, I will throw a glowing stone directly into the air. Look for it.
Ranja nods to Arphaxad.
Ranja: What if you get lost?
Ranja: Or what if we get lost?
Sonadora glares at Ranja.
Sonadora: We're not going to get lost.
Ranja glances at Sonadora.
Sonadora: I never get lost.
Ranja: Oh right. You're a tracker.
Ranja looks somewhat relieved.
Sonadora: So, fire or no?
Geyer: I think the best plan is to stay put.
Sonadora glances longingly at the fire.
Geyer: We chose a good campsite to defend. Let them come to us if they dare.
Arphaxad: Very well, but I am going on a short patrol regardless. Just a few hundred yards.
Arphaxad: I will be back within the hour
Sonadora plops on the ground and winces as pain travels up her injured arm.
Sonadora: And I will be sleeping for a few hours. I will take second watch.
Geyer: Have ye ever faced a bugbear or the like before, wizard?
Arphaxad stares blankly for a moment as if lost in a memory before turning and dissappearing into the woods.
Arphaxad begins to walk off and without turning says, "Nay, but fear is not going to allow me to make mistakes."
Geyer: A wizard going out in the woods alone....poor bugger's gonna end up as a light snack for somethin'. Heh.
Sonadora: If he is not returned in an hour I will have Vida look for his body.
Ranja: How awful.
Sonadora grins impishly while she cleans her arm.
Geyer sits with his back against a large rock and begins to clean, sharpen, and oil his weapons.
Geyer: Just facts, girl. The world's not rainbows and sunshine.
Geyer: It's dark and violent, and if you're very lucky, ye can hold it at bay for a time.
Geyer: But it always catches up to ye sooner or later.
Sonadora grunts and gets up to set a rabbit trap.
Ranja glances at Sonadora.
Ranja: I believe I'm going to rest for a bit while I'm able. Before I drift off, would anyone have any wounds they'd like fixed up?
Geyer: Nay. Get some rest, I have the first watch.
Sonadora: I could use some healing.
Ranja peers at Sonadora and asks, "Where is the injury?"
Geyer: (mostly to himself) I'm not gonna miss that wizard come running back in with a bugbear on his tail. Heh heh.
Sonadora sits down next to Ranja and presents her arm to her.
Sonadora smiles at Geyer.
Ranja kneels before Sonadora and inspects her arm, then closes her eyes and begins a slow, even chant.
Ranja: Cure Light Wounds [1d8+1 = 5]
Geyer carefully oils each link on his flail's chain while he watches Ranja casting her spell.
A white glow surrounds Ranja's hands as she places them on Sonadora's arm. You hear the rustle of pages as the flesh pulls itself together. (+ 5 Hit Points for Sonadora)
Sonadora winces and tries not to giggle.
Sonadora: Tickles a bit.
Ranja sits back, looking slightly more tired than she did moments earlier.
Sonadora hugs Ranja, surprising herself.
Sonadora: I thank you.
Ranja grins.
Ranja: My pleasure. Glad to be helpful.
Ranja yawns.
Ranja: And now I hear my dreams calling me...
Sonadora agrees.
Sonadora: I will check the traps when my shift is up.
Ranja yawns again and settles down with her back to the fire.
GM: Okay, Ranja, Sonadora asleep - an hour passes -
Arphaxad bursts back into the camp and tells Geyer that a bugbear is right behind him! And then bursts out laughing.
Geyer eyes him. "Not funny."
Sonadora snores quietly, snuggles up against her wolf.
Arphaxad: Well, maybe one day I'll tell you of my friend a pirate who went to a tavern sometime, and you will find that funny.
Arphaxad: There was nothing but some more tracks that went through some grass and I am too spent to waste more of my energy on the light.
Ranja snorts softly in her sleep, smacks her lips, and mutters, "Please pass the mustard."
Geyer: But I am glad you're safe....means I get more sleep. You're on last watch.
Sonadora peeks through one eye and then rolls over to ignore the men.
Arphaxad lays near the fire and feels more drowsy than he suspected he was.
Arphaxad: Very well, awake me when it's time.
Arphaxad: ...unless a bugbear attacks.
Geyer: Aye. No worries.
Arphaxad chuckles
Geyer waits until everyone is asleep, then goes just outside camp and begins a series training exercises with his sword until his watch ends.
GM: Sonadora, you find no rabbits during your watch.
GM: Other than that... a quiet night.
-> Ranja: As you sleep, you dream of a giant library. Within it you wander about until you find a book that looks really interesting. You open it, and look inside... only the first few chapters are filled, and as you flip casually through it you come to pages that are torn out, burned, and otherwise destroyed. As you reel back at the injustice, you drop the book and notice the name on the cover... but before you're consciously aware, you wake up.
Ranja begins to mutter something about fires and her babies burning, thrashes around for a few moments before sitting up with a gasp.
Sonadora rolls awake and grabs her quarterstaff!
Ranja: Oh goodness...
Sonadora: What? What?
Ranja runs a hand through her hair.
Ranja: I had a bad dream.
Ranja sniffles.
Arphaxad: Yes, you did. I could barely concentrate on my spells with you rustling around as you did
Sonadora sighs and relaxes.
Geyer bolts up at the noise.
Sonadora: I'm going to look for food.
Geyer: What now?
Ranja: It was awful, a whole library of books, just burning! And there was one, I saw the title but I don't remember what it was. So now I can't even go find it to read it.
Ranja sniffles again.
Arphaxad: No time for food. If we are tracking, we must track.
Ranja: Tracking what?
Sonadora: If I don't feed my wolf then you'll be food.
Sonadora glares.
Ranja looks a little confused.
Arphaxad: Then lets just eat the wolf.
Arphaxad: Problem solved.
Geyer: Begging your pardon, Miss Ranja, but I don't see how some burning paper is worth getting so worked up over.
Ranja stares at Geyer. She blinks several times and her mouth works, though no words come out in her shocked state.
Arphaxad: Some paper holds the same power, or more so, than your steel.
Ranja: But.... they're books!
Arphaxad: Listen. The townspeople told me someone was missing, and we are arguing about a dream.
Geyer: Aye. Paper and scratchings.
Sonadora grumbles some more and feeds Vida from her pack.
Ranja: Paper and . . . scratchings . . .
Ranja still looks rather stunned that someone could think that.
Arphaxad: I leave in 10 minutes, with or without you.
Geyer shrugs and begins strapping on his armor and gear.
Sonadora: Let us find Aaron. If we're going to skip breakfast then we'd better be productive.
Arphaxad: And I hope our tracker is good at what she does as the night may have left the trail cold.
Ranja: You don't suppose that whoever took Aaron made those bootprints?
Ranja ponders for a moment.
Ranja: I don't believe Aaron's feet are that big...
Arphaxad: Well, be that as it may, we can forsake him to become the meal for those monsters, or we can at least try to help him.
Sonadora closes her eyes and counts to ten.
Geyer shakes his head and begins his morning stretches.
Ranja peers at Arphaxad and asks, "Help who?"
Arphaxad: The missing townsperson?
Sonadora: Vida, can you pick up Aaron's scent?
Vida: Survival [1d20+1 = 3]
Vida whines.
Geyer: Lad's either a slave or food now, wizard.
Sonadora stubbornly ignores the men.
Arphaxad: We do not know that.
Geyer: If the former, we have plenty of time. If the latter, it's already too late.
Vida sniffs at the ground for a bit.
Arphaxad: Then let your motivation be vengence
Ranja: Oh. I didn't know if you meant him or the bootprintmaker or Aaron.
Sonadora searches for clues herself also.
Ranja stands up and brushes dirt off her clothing. She has several dried leaves stuck in her hair, but doesn't seem aware of them.
Arphaxad grabs his staff and book and kicks dirt on the embers leftover from the fire.
Sonadora: Survival [1d20+9 = 13]
GM: Sadly, that's enough to track here. Ah well.
GM: You can follow them, if you'd like.
Arphaxad: Geyer, do you have a crossbow
Sonadora: Come on if you're coming.
Sonadora picks up her pack and begins following the tracks.
Sonadora: Heel, Vida
Arphaxad follows her.
Ranja follows along behind Sonadora.
Geyer: Nay. Knights do not fight at range. We are trained as calvary and soldiers.
Arphaxad: Ranja or Sonadora?
The birds chirping in the daylight and thoughts about the dark reasons for your quest clash with each other in your minds as you travel along.
Ranja shakes her head.
After tracking the footprints for several hours, you reach a cavern set low into the ground. It seems to lead underneath the Orsraun Mountains, though you have no way of telling just how far it goes.
Sonadora stops in front of the cavern.
Sonadora: Trail leads in there.
Ranja peers into the darkness of the cavern.
Arphaxad: Well, send the dog in.
Geyer sniffs the air for a whiff of goblin musk.
Geyer: This cave doesn't look too large, but it may run deep.
Sonadora gasps and stands protectively in front of Vida.
Geyer: We should be cautious.
Arphaxad: Perhaps if you walk in first Sir Geyer, and I follow you with my staff lit we will be more able to see the danger
Geyer: Aye. Ranja, follow next - Sonadora, act as rear guard lest they surround us.
Sonadora grins at Arphaxad triumpantly.
Geyer: Shall we then?
Sonadora proudly follows in the rear, glancing cautiously over her shoulder with Vida at her side.
Ranja: Do we have enough light? I can make more light, if we'd like...
Geyer unbuckles his flail and begins to walk forward into the cave.
Arphaxad: Hmmm...
Ranja darts uncomfortable glances at the shadows around her.
Arphaxad: Perhaps a torch may be better than using my energy... ah well.
Ranja: I don't have a torch, but I have a spell.
Arphaxad lights his staff and a glow surrounds the party.
Arphaxad: Alright Geyer, lead the way.
Arphaxad holds his staff high immediately behind the knight.

The entrance to the cavern.

A quick look around reveals that this "cavern" was at one point something else entirely. The walls, though in serious disrepair, were once worked and the remains of support columns are concrete evidence of the labor. In a moment of terrifying clarity you notice that the majority of the beams holding up the walls and ceiling are rotted through and are no longer serving any purpose whatsoever... your mind inevitably turns to wondering just how many tons of stone lie above your head.
Ranja glances up and looks faintly as if she might be sick in the near future.
Geyer: It might be best not to linger overlong here.
Arphaxad immediately begins to contemplate the knowledge that may be found in the depths.
Sonadora closes her eyes and wishes she were back outside.
Geyer: Looks like a fork...right path or left?
Arphaxad: Perhaps, but we may find something of great value here, but for now I agree, we should press on.
Ranja: I can't decide which one looks less scary.
Arphaxad: Tracker?
Arphaxad holds his light to the ground.
Sonadora: Survival [1d20+9 = 16]
GM: Sonadora - you've lost track of the tracks in here, I'm afraid.
Sonadora searches more.
Arphaxad: Perhaps we should just stay on the more straight path and always turn right.
Arphaxad: At least until we pick up the trail again.
Ranja: Anywhere, so long as we keep moving. I can't wait to get out of here.
Arphaxad: Well, Geyer, Sonadora?
Sonadora glances at Geyer.
Geyer: Aye. Right seems as a good a choice as any for now.
Arphaxad: Lead the way then, knight.
As you carefully walk over the uneven ground deeper into the cavern, you begin to notice the smell of mold and stagnant water coming from somewhere inside the mine. Probably just the melted snow trickling down... right?
Sonadora coughs.
Arphaxad: Oh, that dog...have they no decency?
Ranja wrinkles her nose.
Geyer: HAhaha...now THAT was funny, wizard.
Sonadora covers Vida's ears and ignores Arphaxad and Geyer.
Sonadora: Ranja, Men are the ones who have no decency.
Ranja nods to Sonadora.
Ranja: Paper and scratchings indeed!
Sonadora smiles at Ranja, enjoying their bond.
Geyer shrugs again, and sets off to the right.
You trudge through the gloom, your steps cautious as you traverse the stone floor, made slick by a slight layer of moisture that has accumulated throughout much of the cavern. You begin to notice the various accoutrements of those who mine scattered along the floor until your light reflects off a wall at the end of the tunnel.
Geyer: Dead end.
Geyer: We should head back.
Arphaxad: Well, we turn and take our first right, stay with the plan.
Arphaxad: There was a fork a bit back.
Geyer: Aye then.
Sonadora sighs with frustration and kneels down to see if there are any new clues.
A more careful look at the mining implements reveals meal-containers and hardened metal hats, the latter probably used to protect the miners' heads from the occasional falling rock. Underneath a few rotten rags you also spot several mining picks, an empty cage, and a small brass horn.
Arphaxad picks up the horn and a hat, places the hat on his head and after inspecting the horn, places it in his pouch
Arphaxad: Who knows?
Arphaxad: May come in handy at some point.
The brass horn is simple and, despite some rust, seems to be of fine quality. The metal curls slightly, creating the appearance of a literal horn, and the sound-producing end has been shaped into the open maw of a vicious looking hound.
Ranja nudges at the cage with the toe of one shoe.
Arphaxad: It's an impressive horn to say the least.
Geyer suddenly nervous, scans the tunnel ahead for anything suspicious.
The cage clatters, its metal weak with rust... the echoes bounce around you, and ... you maybe hear something from back the way you came?
Ranja blinks.
Sonadora winces and turns around, standing ready.
Arphaxad: Perhaps you should throw these helmets on. In case of the loose rocks...or if anything else is around
Geyer smiels and taps his armored helmet. "I think I'll be fine."
Sonadora glances at the armor and snorts.
Sonadora: Metal death traps.
Ranja: Did anyone else think they heard....something?
Arphaxad: Perhaps, was anything in that cage?
Geyer: Probably just wind or echoes. But stay sharp anyway.
Sonadora: Aye. i heard it.
Sonadora nervously glances about the cavern.
You hear the sound of rocks bouncing off the ground somewhere, the echoes creeping through the dark tunnels.
Ranja jumps at the sudden sound.
Sonadora: Something is out there!
Sonadora shudders.
Sonadora: I despise closed in places.
Ranja: I don't like the dark.
Ranja frowns.
Geyer: Shhh. 'Course there is. We followed it here.
Sonadora pets Vida to reassure herself as much as the wolf.
Arphaxad: Yes, any ideas what it may be?
Ranja: Something with big feet?
You take care to avoid the larger puddles of water as you walk, hesitant to soak your shoes before what could very well be a very long walk underground, and even now you can feel the cold air around you pressing down against your skin. Just ahead you notice the reflection of light upon something, or perhaps someone?, swaddled in white. Whatever it is, it's lying unmoving against the far wall.
Sonadora walks forward to inspect the object.
Sonadora: What's this?
Arphaxad: Who or what are you!!?
Sonadora: Spot [1d20+3 = 12] (I let her do this one, since it was to find the Web. So, the action wouldn't have changed, and rolling is fun.)
Ranja peers through the darkness ahead.
As Sonadora walks forward to inspect the white-swaddled object, she suddenly comes to a halt, unable to move forward... and as she pulls... unable to move back.
Ranja: Sonadora? Are you all right?
Arphaxad: What's wrong Sonadora?
Sonadora: Can't....
Sonadora struggles to move.
Geyer: Trap! To arms, all!
Ranja: Do you think that thing is doing this?
You can just make out the translucent lines holding her still... Sonadora, you can make them out a little better.
Something in the shadows darts forward, your light glinting off compound eyes the size of oranges. The spider looks to be about the size of a large dog, and as you prepare yourself to fight it, a loud chittering noise emanates from somewhere within it.

If it bites you, you get poison. Not super powers.

Ranja screams!
Ranja: Initiative [1d20+1 = 21]
Geyer: Initiative [1d20+2 = 5]
Arphaxad: Initiative [1d20+3 = 8]
Sonadora: Initiative [1d20+3 = 23]
GM: [1d20+3 = 15]
Vida: [1d20+2 = 10]
Sonadora tries to break free of the web.
Sonadora: Strength bonus [1d20+1 = 4]
You struggle and struggle, but you only get yourself more tightly caught!
Ranja draws her sword in a panic, steps closer to the spider, and swings!
Sonadora groans.
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 10]
The spider skitters to the cave wall, your sword missing it and clanging against the stone floor!
GM: Bite [1d20+4 = 15]
The spider leaps off the ground at you, but you manage to deflect its fangs with a well-placed shield!
Vida ravages the webs holding Sonadora!
Vida: Bite [1d20+3 = 12]
Vida: [1d6+1 = 6] (But the webs have 5/- damage resistance, so... 1 damage.)
Vida tears away some of the webbing, but not enough to free Sonadora! (1 HP damage to the webs)
Sonadora cheers Vida on!
Arphaxad reaches his hands up and freezes the air around his hands into a powerful ray!
Arphaxad: [1d20+3 = 22]
Arphaxad: [1d3 = 3]
A ray of bright blue leaps from the aura surrounding Arphaxad's hands and freezes the spider's carapace, slowing its movements and causing its shell to become britle!
Geyer steps forward swinging his flail. "Time to get squashed, bug!"
Geyer: Heavy Flail (Attack 1) [1d20+4 = 18]
Geyer: Heavy Flail damage [1d10+4 = 7]
With a massive swing, Geyer crushes the front two legs on the spider's left side, ichor spraying everywhere!
Sonadora struggles a bit more to get out of the web.
Sonadora: Escape artist [1d20+1 = 8]
Sonadora continues to struggle valiantly against the webs holding her, but isn't having any luck.
Then you notice a trail of very small spiders crawling down the webs to reach her...
Sonadora mutters about hating bugs and caves and sticky webs.
Ranja squeezes her eyes shut and flails at the giant spider with her blade.
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 8]
The spider stumbles back, the chittering noise sounding both panicked and angry.
The monstrous spider haphazardly falls to its right and attempts to bite Geyer in its last, gory, moments.
GM: Bite [1d20+4 = 24]
GM: Critical Confirm [1d20+4 = 12]
GM: [1d6 = 5]
As the spider's fangs sink into Geyer's leg, he feels a momentary weakness that threatens to become more lasting -
Geyer: Vile insect!
Geyer: Fortitude save [1d20+4 = 22]
Geyer fights off the feeling of weakness, but blood still flows freely down his leg. (5 HP damage)
Vida: [1d20+3 = 15]
Vida: [1d6+1 = 7]
Vida tears further at the webs surrounding Sonadora. (2 points of damage!)
Arphaxad raises his staff above his head and calls to mind magic missles to tear through the already hurt spider!
Arphaxad: [1d4+1 = 4]
The bolt of blue energy streaks unerringly through the darkness and collapses the spider's abdomen inward!
Arphaxad: Filthy creature!!!
Sonadora sighs sadly, tangled still in the web.
The tiny spiders have reached Sonadora's hands and begin to crawl on her, despite her thrashing...
Sonadora screams and starts thrashing!
Sonadora: Get me out! Get me out!
Sonadora: Get them off! Get them off!
Geyer grabs Sonadora and tries to pry her from the web.
Geyer: Strength bonus [1d20+3 = 12]
You pull on the webs, but they resist the effort!
The spider oozes a bit of ichor on Ranja's feet.
Sonadora tries yet once again to get free.
Sonadora: Escape artist [1d20+1 = 9]
Sonadora's efforts to get free shake some of the spiders off her limbs, but the majority keep moving towards her face. Mmmm, dinner! they seem to think.
Ranja shakes one foot to get the spider juice off it and edges away from the puddle.
Ranja rushes over to Sonadora.
Sonadora is too panicked to even cry.
Ranja: Longsword (Attack 1) [1d20 = 9]
As you swing, the sword gets caught on an unobtrusive strand of webbing, and you struggle just to get it free!
Ranja: Let go of my sword!
Ranja glares at the webbing.
GM: [1d20+3 = 13]
GM: [1d6+1 = 7]
Vida tears away another strip of webbing, and you can see it's almost weak enough to just pull out of! (2 more damage to the web)
Arphaxad takes his staff and trys to pry lose the webbing tangling Sonadora.
Arphaxad summons forth a ray of freezing cold and points at the webs holding Sonadora.
Arphaxad: [1d20+3 = 13]
Arphaxad: [1d3 = 3]
The ray of frost freezes the web, making it brittle enough that Sonadora falls out of the web and onto the floor, the tiny spiders falling to the ground around her and on her, with tiny little fangs and legs being very creepy, all in all.
Sonadora gives a terrified sob and throws herself around Vida.
Geyer begins stomping spiders.
Sonadora shudders as she tries to regain control of herself.
Gooey!
Ranja squeals as the tiny spiders run about, and stomps on any that comes near her.
Arphaxad: Are you all right?
*Squish!*
Geyer: Torch these webs before someone else gets stuck.
Sonadora gives a short nod,
Sonadora: Thank you.
Geyer wipes off his flail and buckles it back into place, drawing sword and shield in its stead.
You light what torches are available to you and begin the somewhat entertaining duty of burning the webs away and watching them wither.
*wither!*
Geyer: If there are spiders about we may need to cut people down. I suggest having blades drawn.
Ranja edges closer to the white bundle to get a better look at it.
Sonadora stands and dusts herself off, flicking off a few spiders in disgust.
*flick!*
*edge!*
Looking more closely at the white figure you can just make out a large man with dark hair and a dark beard. His features look very rough, and even just off this small glimpse you're willing to bet he has ogre blood somewhere in his ancestry. Hanging from the webbing you see a handaxe he was probably using to try to free himself. Apparently he failed as he's no longer moving. He also appears to be cradling something to his chest, though you can't tell what it is through the thick strands of webbing.
Ranja shudders at the sight of the unmoving man, but edges close to tug at the webbing to free the object he's cradling to his chest.
-> Sonadora: Also, when you do look at him, you recognize the dark-haired hunter who you caught with the wolf pup way back when.
Sonadora stares at the man.
Sonadora: It's the hunter.
Arphaxad watches in anticipation
Geyer: Hunter?
Sonadora nods.
Sonadora: The hunter that was torturing all the animals in the forest.
-> Ranja: You pull away the webbing and can just make out the snout of a yellow hound - the object the figure is clutching protectively.
Geyer: Looks like the spiders decided to torture back, eh?
Ranja recoils from the man.
Arphaxad: So he's dead or just paralyzd?
Ranja: Don't look, Vida.
Vida perks his ears up at the sound of his name.
Sonadora glances at Ranja.
Ranja: He's got a hound with him.
Ranja shudders and squishes a few more tiny spiders.
Sonadora: Is it...alive?
Ranja shrugs.
Ranja: I don't want to get any closer to that.
Geyer: Bane's blood! Let me do it, then.
Sonadora edges closer to check.
Arphaxad pokes it with his staff.
The staff-poke doesn't draw any movement.
Ranja: Well, it's icky. And scary. And gross.
Geyer shoves forward and hacks at the webs with gusto.
Arphaxad: Well, whats the corpse have in his hands?
As you all examine him more closely, you can just make out the yellow hound clutched protectively to the hunters chest.
Arphaxad uses his staff to pry the man's arms down.
Sonadora checks the hound for life.
With no webbing, it becomes clear that the hunter fought the spider and lost. Several spots on both have wounds made by twin punctures, and blood still seeps from them.
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 21]
The hound doesn't appear to be moving much but when you place your face close to its snout, you can just feel warmth. It's breathing - barely.
Sonadora: It's alive.
Sonadora picks the hound up and cradles it protectively.
Arphaxad: Can it be healed, or will it just be dead weight
Arphaxad: No pun intended.
-> Ranja: You have a flash of the dream you had. The book you're holding is slowly burning, page after page. You throw it down and can just make out a part of the cover before it catches fire - "Aa---" And then the glimpse is gone.
Ranja blinks.
Sonadora mumbles under her breathe about men.
Ranja: Aaa...?
Ranja frowns and looks like she's trying very hard to remember something.
-> Arphaxad: In the gloom, you think you see the light from your staff flicker slightly blue, then red, then back to normal.
Geyer shakes his head and begins searchiing the body for items of value.
Sonadora: Sonadora Let us keep walking. I will watch him.
You find 3 throwing axes, a handaxe, a breastplate, and several animal skins in a belt-worn sack.
Geyer: Ghh. No coins.
Arphaxad: Guys.
Geyer: A warrior should be buried with his arms, but these skins may have some value to one of you.
Arphaxad: My staff has just changed.
Geyer: Take them if you wish.
Arphaxad: Something is going on here.
Ranja: What happened to it?
Arphaxad: It is reacting strangely to something here...
Arphaxad looks more intently at the half-dead dog.
Sonadora nuzzles the little hound and shows it to Vida.
Vida sniffs at the hound and then at the man, and then at the hound once more before whining once.
Arphaxad extends his staff towards the hound, half-expecting a response.
Nothing happens.
Geyer mutters, "Magic", then begins arranging loose stones in a simple cairn around the body.
Arphaxad: My staff changed colors just moments ago. Something is wrong here.
Sonadora casts Detect Magic.
Arphaxad begins to mutter the words to seek out magic that may be in the area
Both of you peer around the room with eyesight that can sense the slightest magical emanation... but you find nothing in the area.
Arphaxad: Search the area, there is something here, and we must find it
Sonadora shrugs and tries to give the hound some water.
Geyer finishes piling stones over the dead hunter's body.
Sonadora sighs and places the hound next to Vida before kneel down to search.
The hound is completely immobile - the only sign of life is its breath, which even then you can only feel when you're specifically looking for it, it's so faint.
Sonadora: Search [1d20+1 = 3]
You find nothing of note in the area.
Arphaxad: Can we not heal this dog?
Geyer: Aye, that's done then. Cleric, ye should say something for the dead.
Ranja nods.
The hunter's body is no longer visible underneath the cairn of stones Geyer built up around it.
Arphaxad moves his staff over the stones.
No response from your staff. But that's to be expected. Right?
Ranja steps to the cairn of stone and kneels before it. She murmurs prayers almost inaudibly for almost a minute before standing and turning to face her companions again.
Sonadora kneels next to the hound and tries to help it as much as possible.
Sonadora: Heal [1d20+7 = 16]
Geyer: Good work, lass. He died a warrior's death. His spirit should find its home.
Sonadora pulls out a poultice and adds some herbs and water from her first aid kit, creating something to leech out some of the poison. She presses it against the hound's wounds, and you see the poultice become a reddish green by the time she finishes.
Arphaxad: Lets be on our way then once your done with your work Sonadora
The hound's breathing is steadier.
Arphaxad: There was something here, and I intend to find it
Geyer: Aye. We still must hope to find the lad Aaron somewhere in this cave as well.
Sonadora nods and puts her things away before picking the hound back up.
Ranja: Poor Aaron. This is a horrid place.
Arphaxad: As this way is a dead end, let us turn and continue deeper into this light forsaken place.
Sonadora: Lead the way.
Geyer: Aye. Follow close.
Swollen so tight you can't see around it at all, a thick wooden door rests in front of you, blocking further progress through the tunnel.
Geyer: Looks stuck.
Arphaxad: Can we bash it open?
Geyer: Mayhap. Seems thick though.
Arphaxad: Although that makes it highly unlikely that this door was opened recently and it's not likely the way we need to go.
Geyer: Let me try to pull it open first.
Ranja takes a few steps away from the door.
Sonadora agrees with Ranja and moves out of the way.
Arphaxad laughs at the girls.
Arphaxad then casually takes two steps back.
Geyer: Strength bonus [1d20+3 = 15]
You tug on the door, and tug, and tug... but there's no give at all.
Geyer: Yep. Stuck.
Arphaxad: Well, we are at a crossroads then.
Ranja: Should we go back to the first fork, then?
Arphaxad: Shall we stay here and figure out how to get past this door which will likely not lead us to our goal, but may lead to something else of great value? Or do we turn back and take the fork at the beginning of the mines?
Arphaxad: This door is not locked then? Only swollen?
Geyer: Aye, so far as I can tell.
Arphaxad: Any ideas on how to open this door?
Arphaxad: Besides freezing or beating it down and alerting every creepy thing that we have down here.
Geyer: If anyone is carrying any grease or oil we could try to unstick it.
Sonadora shakes her head.
Arphaxad: Perhaps we should turn back and return here later.
Arphaxad: I left my grease at home.
Camilo: "Lunchlady Doris, d'you have any greeease"?
Camilo: "Yes."
Camilo: "Then GREASE ME UP, WOMAN!"
Arphaxad: I wonder....
Arphaxad thinks to himself wether some enchantment may be on the door to block their passage and concentrates on detecting any dwemors.
I'm afraid no magical residues here, either.
Arphaxad: Any way we could dig under it? Or is that solid stone?
A quick tap with your staff confirms that it's solid stone.
Sonadora turns to Ranja and smiles.
Ranja smiles back at Sonadora, though she has no idea why.
Sonadora: So how long have you been a healer?
Ranja: Oh, for a while now.
Sonadora winks at Ranja.
Ranja: It's something I've always thought very interesting. You'd be amazed how many books there are on it. Why do you ask?
Sonadora chuckles.
Sonadora: Well, I am trying to slowly learn how to heal, but I have no spells, just herbs.
Ranja smile at Sonadora, and says, "I have some wonderful books about it I'll just have to let you borrow."
Sonadora beams happily at Ranja.
Arphaxad: Thats it. Let's turn back.
Arphaxad: We will return here later
Geyer: Well, I could break it down, in theory...
Arphaxad: Do you think it will lead to our lost townsmen
Geyer: Nay, probably not. Let us return and take the other path.
Arphaxad: And stop the chatter going on behind us.
Arphaxad: Why bother learning to heal when potions are so readily available?
Sonadora: Well, there are no potions in the woods.
As you take a step forward you feel your foot slip slightly into a shallow pool. Catching yourself before you get soaked, you notice that the pool ahead of you has a small island jutting out from the center. On it you can just make out a ring of small helmets, all of them facing inward towards a small plaque.
Campaign saved.
Arphaxad: I predict one day, everyone will be on some potion or another, and going to big buildings full of potion perscribers.
Geyer: Speaking of healing...
Ranja looks at Geyer and asks, "Would you like to learn too?"
Ranja: You'll have to wait until Sonadora finishes with my books, though.
Geyer: Nay, but that big spider did get a right nasty chunk o' my leg back there.
Arphaxad: Be careful, she may burn them, and then the nightmare will be true.
Ranja: Oh. I could have that fixed right up for you, if we could stop a moment?
Geyer: Aye. We'll rest briefly in this room, then.
Ranja smiles and kneels down by Geyer's injured leg. She carefully inspects it, then begins a soft, slow chant.
Ranja: Cure Light Wounds [1d8+1 = 2]
Ranja concentrates on her spell as her hand glows brightly. As she touches Geyer's leg, though, something steals her concentration and the light flickers, becoming prematurely interrupted. (2 points of healing)
-> Ranja: "Aa...." and then fire flashes through your mind, causing your spell to flicker as you lose your concentration.
Arphaxad: That blasted dog.
Geyer: Thanks, lass. Still a bit stiff, but better than it was.
Ranja blinks.
Arphaxad: We shoulda left him as we found him. At the very least, then we could stay focused.
Ranja frowns and murmurs something to herself that sounds a lot like, "Aa.... what??"
Ranja shakes her head.
Sonadora glares at Arphaxad and pets her wolf and hound in case they heard him.
Geyer stands and peers at the island across the pool.
In the chamber you're sitting in, you notice a shallow pool of water with a small island jutting out from the center. You can just make out a ring of helmets on it, all of them facing inward towards a small plaque.
Geyer: Well then, which of us should go investigate that then?
Ranja stands up.
Arphaxad: I'll go
Sonadora frowns and squints.
Sonadora: I think we should all go. Vida can stay with the hound.
Sonadora places the hound gently on the ground and pets Vida.
Sonadora: Stay.
The plaque in the center of the island has rusted over, making any words that may have been found on it impossible to read. As you gaze at it more closely, you notice a cloud of dust rise from the water and take upon a small, somewhat humanoid form.
In a voice that sounds like the faraway rumbling of stone, the... miner?... since that's what it seems to have once been, speaks:

And then, just as the voice dies away, you hear a distant echo that whispers, "Promise to Free us.... and Free him..."
END SESSION