The Underway basecamp below the sewers of Glitterhovel has become a well-stocked launching point for excursions into the depths. Myrcury, Talya and Fritz visit almost daily. Hauling oil, rope, boards, arrows, bedding, cooking supplies, fire wood and all kinds of tools. They do not store food at basecamp for fear of attracting vermin, which can be very large and aggressive. They have had a encounters with rats and insects, but so far they have always been easily frightened away.

The pool in the chamber is full of deep, cool and pristine water. The group was concerned that it was sewer water diverted by the explosion that caused the collapsed passage. After careful examination with finely tuned gnomish noses, they decided that the source must be a spring.

The pool occupies 60 percent of the Northeastern. Side of the chamber. The rest of the chamber is a solid rock ledge to the pool. The entire chamber is roughly circular with a diameter of perhaps 30 feet. The group has put lanterns throughout and when they are all lit the chamber is quite bright.  This seems to keep vermin at bay.

Other than the main entrance there is only one other way out that is evident. The pool spills into a trickling stream that runs downhill through a water carved tunnel that is easily big enough for a gnome to walk through. The consensus is that the passage will lead to the other side of the blocked passageway though they have yet to explore it. A fact they are itching to change.

Now that they are well supplied and healed from the battle with the chambers previous resident. It seems about time to make the plunge.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:05, Thu 15 Feb.

Myrcury removes his bedroll from his pack, creating considerable space. He stows the bedroll in the chest designated for bedding. He double and triple checks his weapons and puts his pack on.

"I'm ready to go."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:10, Thu 15 Feb.

Talya likewise removes the bedding from her pack and adds a rope. You never know when you might need more rope in a dark cave. She cinches her gear into place takes a deep breath then says,

"Me too. Remember, go slow. We have no idea whats down there. Slowly.  Ill be 10 feet behind you. Lets do it."

Myrcury has the bullseye lantern, freshly filled and lit. Talya is holding a hooded lantern, freshly filled and lit. They have 2 extra pints of oil, but don't plan to be gone for more than a few hours.

The passage slopes downward but not so quickly as to make it a climbing situation. Both are able to slowly and steadily descend a winding path that lasts about 200 feet before spilling out into a shallow stream and opens into a vast natural cavern. Both shine their lanterns all around trying to get a scope of the size of the cavern. Their lights, even the fully focused bullseye can only find more darkness, up, and following the stream. The stream is in a rocky gorge. Above the cave they emerged from is the path that was blocked by the Gnomes 150 some years ago. It runs along the stream on the left, or west side according to Talyas compass.  On the right side is a large bunch of mushrooms that catch Talya's attention.

Sounds can be heard other than the moving water. Creatures live in the dark places of Aldarius. They are not all silent. Chirps,  screeches and occasionally a moan or howl is heard. Always far off, yet Spine chilling none the less.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:10, Thu 15 Feb.

"Myrcury, I believe those are glow caps
 Shine your lantern the other way."

She closes the hood on her lantern.  Now with the light off they can see the mushrooms glowing. They give off enough light to see by.

"Oh my yes! These are good to eat and the apothecary would definitely buy some. Light source, food source and gold source."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 23:15, Thu 15 Feb.

"You know I love gold, and food, but down here I'll take light. Lets leave them. They light up our entrance."

Myrcury dampens his own lantern and allows his eyes to adjust. After a few moments they both find they are able to see a hundred feet or so. Looking around they see mushroom patches in various spots. At least in this immediate area, they really don't need the lanterns.

They extinguish them to preserve the fuel.

"Light or no light, getting lost down here will not be difficult.  We need to take precautions. Right now we are in the south end of a gorge. Lets follow the water north. We could climb up to the road, but id like to stay close to this stream. If the stream forks, we need to map it."

The two of them start moving slowly north trying to be stealthy, but in the water that is difficult. There is a constant background symphony of water over rock and air howling through stalactites. This helps disguise their sounds they hope.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:58, Fri 16 Feb.

As they move without the lamp light Myrcury notices the vermin are less inclined to run and hide. The rats and insects seem to fear bright light. Now that there was only the phosphorescent glow of mushrooms the cavern comes alive with small, mostly harmless vermin. Flying insects as well as crawling are frequently seen.

The stream starts to bend to the west and after a few hundred feet it empties into a bigger stream running almost due west. This intersection needs marked and mapped. A wrong turn down here could be their doom.

Myrcury removes his pack, takes out the scroll case and begins to make additions to his map.

Talya steps very close to Myrcury and whispers

"I have never fealt this terrified nor this alive in all my life."

Then, as if summoned by her very observation, an enormous monstrous centipede rears up hungrily,  it's mandibles clicking together in anticipation of warm flesh.


Initiative
1d20 + 2 Dex
Rolled: 11 + 2 = 13

This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Fri 16 Feb.

The creature senses movement ahead. It glides foward across the rocks feeling and tasting the air with its seaking pair of antenae. Suddenly it hears a whispery sound directly ahead of it. It rears up to see. There standing before it are two fleshy blobs of warm, squirmy food. It has a choice to make: rght or left.


Initiative
1d20 + 2
Rolled: 14 + 2 = 16

This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Fri 16 Feb.

Myrcury has just acknowledged Talya's observation with a nod when the monstrous insect rears up in the shadows.


Initiative
1d20 + 4 dex
Rolled: 11 + 4 = 15

Eeny meeny miney moe. The creature lunges at Myrcury attempting to hold his meal down for his venomous bite. His little meal is elusive however as the centipede fails to grab hold of him.


Target
1d2 1 is Myrcury, 2 is Talya
Rolled: 1

Grapple Attempt attack
1d20 + 2
Rolled: 3 + 2 = 5


This message was last edited by the player at 23:51, Fri 16 Feb.

Myrcury deftly rolls away from the centipede and quickly takes the opportunity to move out of range then fire an arrow. It strikes true but does little to slow the creature.


Attack AC 14
1d20 + 1 BAB +4 dex +1 size
Rolled: 11 + 6 = 17

Damage arrow
1d4
Rolled: 1


This message was last edited by the player at 00:13, Sat 17 Feb.

Talya wastes no time counter attacking on Myrcury's behalf but she misses with her hammer. She steps closer to the creature and brings the hammer down again on the beast this time. She feels the crunching of chiten under her iron.


Attack of Opportunity
1d20 + 5
Rolled: 3 + 5 = 8

Attack Hammer
1d20 + 5
Rolled: 12 + 5 = 17

Damage
1d6 + 2
Rolled: 2 + 2 = 4

This message was last edited by the player at 01:31, Sat 17 Feb.

 Initiative
 Centipede 1d20 + 2
 Rolled:17 + 2 = 19
 Myrcury 1d20 + 4
 Rolled: 18 + 2 = 22
 Talya 1d20 + 2
 Rolled: 13 + 2 = 15



This message was last edited by the GM at 02:17, Sat 17 Feb.

Strategizing, Myrcury believes that the threat of Talyas hammer and her proximity should draw the centipede's next attack. He knew if he held his next shot till then he could place the arrow in a vulnerable location and avoid the chitenous armor. He tried to anticipate the best position to shoot from.


Myrcury delays till after centipede attacks

The hungry centipede hisses in response to Talya's blow. It immediately lunges for her, try to trap her in its multitude of long spindly legs but fails to secure her.


Attack attempt to grapple Talya AC 16
1d20 + 2
Rolled: 11 + 2 = 13

This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Sat 17 Feb.

Talya counters the lunge with a hammer swipe but misses. He the raises the hammer above her head and brings it crashing down on the insects head, staggering it.


Attack of Opportunity AC 13
1d20 + 5
Rolled: 7 + 5 = 12

Attack hammer
1d20 + 5
Rolled 19 + 5 = 24

Damage hammer
1d6 + 2
Rolled: 4 + 2 = 6


This message was last edited by the player at 02:43, Sat 17 Feb.

Myrcury sees the lighter scales under its head and buries an arrow into the insects brain. The creature shutters then slumps lifelessly on the ground.


Sneak Attack Bow AC 13
1d20 + 6
Rolled: 10 + 6 = 16

Damage Arrow
1d4
Rolled: 3

Sneak Damage
1d6
Rolled: 2


DM notes: 150 xp for each. Encounter level 1

This message was last edited by the player at 13:01, Sat 17 Feb.

Talya deftly steps aside as it slumps, prepared to crush it again if it moves. She breathes heavily as a smile starts to brighten her face.

"Its a great deal more fun when you dont get swallowed."

They both burst out in laughter.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Sat 17 Feb.

Myrcury cautiously approaches the carcass as if it might not be dead. He seems particularly interested in the mandibles, still dripping venom.

"I bet I could collect the venom sacks just like a snake. The tattoo guys might want the fangs themselves."

Talya meanwhile is admiring the armor like orange scales on the creatures back.

"These would make a beautiful suit of scale. Not my specialty, but I can prep the scales. There are hundreds. At least enough for 2 suits. Myrcury, if we stay alive, we could get rich down here."

"So your saying we should process this immediately? Its going to be hard to carry up to camp. Should we section it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:16, Sun 18 Feb.

"As long as we dont destroy any more scales than we have to. Its tedious work removing them. It would be better to do it in camp where we are safer. So lets section it, and make a couple trips."

Talya and Myrcury work together to section the corpse into six pieces. For Myrcury, the prize was the head and its venom sacks. He places this section in his sack and carries it over his shoulder.  Talya does the same and they transport the pieces back to camp. They return 30 minutes later to get two more pieces. On the third trip, one of the remaining pieces was being gnawed by rats. After scaring them away, Talya decides the gnawed on piece is worthless, so they leave it.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:03, Wed 21 Feb.

The two spend the next several hours carefully removing each scale from the centipede carcass. They set them out neatly to dry after scraping every bit of flesh off the ends.

Myrcury takes some time to work on the map. It shows the stream leading away from the cave mouth. It shows the merger with the larger underground river, the site of the centipede conflict. He even returns with the compass to insure his map is accurate.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:48, Tue 27 Feb.

"I am worried we may run into somethingwe cant handle down here Myrcury.  I think we need another partner or two."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:51, Tue 27 Feb.

"I agree. Finding trustworthy partners may require a leap of faith. We are gonna have to trust Garl Glittergold to bring us the right people. In the meantime,  let's push on a little further. Get some more detail on the map. What do ya say?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Tue 27 Feb.

"We only live once. Just take it slow."

Once their eyes become accustomed to the low light, shadowy environment of the Underway, the gnomes become aware of just how alive and forest like the underground cavern system truly is. The air is filled with bats, large insects and possibly worse. Every rock hides beetles or rats or scorpions or any other variety of vermin. Some of them growing to horrifying proportions. Cave entrances and passageways appear around every bend of the underground river. On every cliff, under every rock, secret ways, dangerous creatures and odd fungal life can be found.

Making a map of this place will prove to be very challenging.

From the site of the centipede battle, where remnants of the large insect are still being gnawed upon by rats and large insects, the duo strike out to follow the river up stream. Following the river allows Myrcury an anchor to base all of his mapping on. Carrying the compass he constantly makes mental notes of the direction the river bends.

He stops an aims his beacon at an opening in the rocks ahead, just above the riverbank. The opening is large, easily big enough for the two of them to enter side by side if they chose to. The light does not penetrate far inside. He closes the lantern, gives their eyes a chance to readjust. Then, relying only on the fungal glow he looks again.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:39, Mon 04 Mar.

"There is a pretty easy path to get up there. Right along that ridge there."

He points to a ridgeline that leads up to the opening. It looks fairly easy to traverse.

"Shall we get a closer look?"

He turns to Talya to gauge her expression as she responds.

She gazes up at the now dimly lit opening. They had previously agreed that relying on the fungal glow was best, but it did allow for a high degree of shadowy spaces. She studied the path and the cave itself.

"Its a large hole, it looks burrowed from here. Whatever burrowed it was either big, or tools were used. Closer inspection should reveal which I suspect."

She looks Myrcury in the eye and nods approval of his desire to continue.

Myrcury nods back to Talya then begins to climb up to the ridge. The footing is solid and does not present any difficulty. It's a matter of a couple careful minutes and they find themselves staring into the hole which is significantly larger than they had originally thought.

The cave is actually massive. The opening is a crumbled excavation it would seem. Perhaps an old passage or a mine shaft. Myrcury opens his beacon lantern and shines it inside to illuminate the shadows. He can only see back about 40 feet  before the passage turns and dissapears into gloom. The ground appears soft and well trodden.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:02, Wed 06 Mar.

Myrcury let's the light rest on a Spot in the middle of the ground where a sandy path seems to be. He studies the dirt there carefully.

"Do you see that?"


Myrcury Spot DC 15
1d20 + 5 rnks + 1 Wis
Rolled: 16 + 6 = 22

This message was last edited by the player at 16:23, Wed 06 Mar.

Talya follows the light and studies the ground where it lands.

"If you mean foot prints then yes."


Talya Spot DC 10
1d20 +2 Wis
Rolled 19 + 2 = 21

This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Wed 06 Mar.

Myrcury listens  carefully but can only hear the low moan of air moving through the cavern. He decides that the footprints warrent closer inspection. He moves quietly about 20 feet into the cave until he is just above the tracks.

"They have claws. These feet have claws Talya."

Myrcury tries to hide his fear.

Talya nods in agreement.

"Gnome size with claws. You think it could be kobold tracks?"

Talya grins at the prospect. Gnomes are fierce enemies of the Kobold. All gnomes have some childhood training in the kobold's chaotic approach to combat. They are taught to absorb the feints with steadiness. Keep your balance and don't flinch. These tactics help the gnome to have confidence and success when fighting them.

Neither Talya nor Myrcury had ever actually put these skills to the test. Talya, at least was feeling cautiously eager to change that.

Myrcury likes seeing Talya this way. It's a change from her normally cautious approach. She seems hungry to fight the little draconians. He wonders about their numbers. They are known to form large groups.

"What if we are outnumbered?"

Myrcury is genuinely concerned. Whether for himself or just Talya he isn't certain.

Talya chuckles,

"You sound scared Myrcury. Come on, if we can suprise them we could take out a half dozen without breaking a sweat. Lead the way, stay hidden."

She smiles at Myrcury strangely. Was it a flirtation? Myrcury doubt it.

The cave and passage are dimly lit by the phosphorescent glow of the resident fungi. Myrcury takes a deep breath then moves a Silently as possibly into the passage, sticking to the shadows.


Move Silent
1d20 + 5 rnk + 4 dex
Rolled: 8 + 9 = 17

Hide
1d20 + 5 rnk + 4 dex + 4 size
Rolled: 8 + 13 = 21

This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Thu 07 Mar.

Talya stays back as far as she can without losing site of Myrcury,  which is not far under the circumstances.  She hangs back about 40 feet.

This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 13:46, Thu 07 Mar.

Ahead of Myrcury the passage bends to the right and gets smaller rapidly. It is about 15 feet across and maybe 10 feet high. It is a hewn passage. There are no natural rock formations, nor obvious hiding places other than the prolific shadows. There are patches of glowing mushrooms growing sporadically through the passage.

He continues to move forward with little change in scenery for nearly a hundred feet when he notices more foot prints in the dirt, many more. It is too dark to see clearly but he is certain they are there. He pauses and listens carefully. Hearing nothing he becons Talya with a hand motion.

Talya quietly catches up to Myrcury and sees the tracks. Again she scares Myrcury with the enthusiastic expression on her face as she whispers,

"A few of them. But I dont hear anything. Stick to the shadows."

She indicates with her body language that she is eager to continue.

Myrcury continues into the gloom, mentally counting paces for his map. Ahead he sees a bend in the passage to the right. He hugs the right wall as he moves through the bend, always with stealth as his objective. As he finishes the bend he sees the passage ends about 50 feet ahead, in a closed door. He continues till the door is 20 feet away then he removes his pack as Talya catches up.

The door looks typical in every way. It's a thick wooden, dungeoun style door fit into a wooden frame that fully seals off the passage from what lies beyond. There is a handle and a latch mechanism. The door is about five foot high and two feet wide. A little small by gnome standards, but not unusually so. The passage itself continues to glow with phosphorescense the air is still and silent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:48, Wed 13 Mar.

Talya is following close behind Myrcury who had stopped to examine the door. She looks around and notices something about the ground here. It is very well trodden around the door.

" I am having second thoughts about this. It feels like we may be poking a bees nest. Perhaps we need to get a team together for this."

" I agree Talya. This lock is not old and worn. Its solid and fairly new. Lets get the scales and head back to town. We need to be very descrete, but we need a couple more."

The pair return to their established base camp and gather up the centipede scales and head back to the surface. Mrycury is eager to get the poison glands to Mr. Cobble for freshness sake. They decide to stop there first prior to heading to Talya's shop to unpack their gear.

As they enter the shop they see two familiar faces. Terriadoc Proudfoot is Kinder Cobble's apprentice and a kid from the neighborhood. Myrcury and Terry, as he was known, were similar in age so they knew each other from school. Talya, being the master leathersmith in town does business with Terry's mother on occasion. They offer warm greetings but Myrcury is eager to speak to Mr. Cobble. Myrcury has a small pouch held delicately in his hands. Talya has a large sack slung over her shoulder.

More coming....

"Master Moleburrow and Miz Honeybeard, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Good morning, Master Coble. I have something I think you might like to buy. Talya and I killed a large centipede down by the river. I extracted the venom sacks along with the fangs, though they look more like straws then fangs. "

Myrcury removes a specimen vial given to him by Kinder Cobble several weeks ago. Now it contains two large venom sacks and the stingers still attached.

"I did it like you showed me with the snake, but it was pretty different. I hope I got the right stuff."

Kinder looks over the small jar and gasps. The size of the stingers is astounding.


"By Garl these are huge! Where did you come across such a monster? These creatures can be extremely dangerous."

"We are dangerous Master Cobble."

He gives a proud grin to his partner.

"I am beginning to see that. Tell me, where did you come across this creature?"

Myrcury hesitates a moment before answering dishonestly.

"In a cave down by the river. We dispatched it pretty easily."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:30, Tue 16 Apr.

Kinder looks over at his apprentice who has been patiently watching the conversation with curiosity.

" Terry, come taje a look. I am going to need your help with this."

He turns back to Myrcury.

"Terry here has graduated from the Hermits Academy and is a full fledged wizard! Even has Wilda over there to prove it. If you two are going to keep hunting big game, you might want some magical assistance."

"Congratulationss Terry!"

Tayla looks over at Myrcury and they exchange a glance.

" By the way, I have a pair of garden gloves for your Ma. You should come visit mexat my shop today to pick em up."

This is the first time Terry has seen Myrcury and Talya in armour and he is really impressed, the rapier and hooked hammer tell him that they aren't just playing, that they're serious.

"Wow! If you guys have killed a giant centipede, would you be willing to help me with a giant spider? It jumped me last night while I was summoning Wilda then hid in a burrow when I wounded it. It might not still be there but if we check the burrow or the bushes it attacked from it might lead to a nest. I figure we split anything we find three ways, I don't have anything to pay you with yet... Oh and of course I'll come and pick up the gloves for ma whenever's convenient for you Ms Honeybeard."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Tue 16 Apr.

Myrcury's ears perk up at the mention of another large venomous creature. This may become his specialty.

"First of all, congratulations! A wizard! Wow! That is exciting Terry. I didnt even know you was prenticing with the hermit. Wilda is beautiful.  Do you mind if I talk to her?"

Myrcury is genuinely fascinated by the concept of magic. He just never could catch on to it.

"Of course Myrcury, Wilda is very smart and I think she agreed to come here because of her own curiosity and I think she'll enjoy talking to everyone. I spoke to her yesterday and explained who I am and where we are, also that I will use my burrowers tongue at the end of each day for conversation just in case there's an emergency during the day. I am a very amateur mage, if I can become more powerful our connection will grow to include a personal language, until then I have to rely on my own gift and the gift of others to keep Wilda entertained, I worry that she'll get lonely here."

Myrcury's eyes twinkle as he turns to Wilda and says.

"Hello Wilda, I am Myrcury.  Welcome to Glitterhovel.  I hope you had a pleasan trip here."

Myrcury's words are in gnomen but he uses his natural ability to focus his communication with small animals. Wilda understands the best shev is capable of. When she replies with whistles and chirps, only Myrcury can comprehend her response.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:10, Wed 17 Apr.

"Hello Mercury! It was a nice trip because I think I went a very long way and didn't have to walk very much and then I got an apple. Your apples are red which are nice while the apples at home are gold which are nice. What colour are your oranges?"

"They are out of season right now, but when you taste one, you will know what color it is! They are wonderful. I am pleased to meet you and I hope to see you around often."

Myrcury turns to Terry and adds.

"Wilda is a lovely friend."

"Terry, I want you to see how we process venom glands. We must be very careful not to self inject ourselves. Sounds silly, but it happens."

"Brilliant! I'm aware of using a milking jar but it's been a while since I've seen you process a whole gland. I have little interest in using poisons but I am very keen to learn safe techniques for harvesting and storing the sac."

Terry gives Talya some carrots to share with Wilda then will hurry behind the counter, rolling up his sleeves.

"Centipede venom is a powerful paralytic. It is an ingrediant in a pain relief tonic I brew. Many poisons have medicinal uses. This particular venom is quite valuable.  I am going to give you 130 crowns for this.  It is quite fresh and there is alot of it."

Kinder moves slowly as he demonstrates how he harvests the liquid from the flesh to his apprentice.

"Oh, lovely, that tonic is of great help to those who can't afford healing magic." Terry will take notes as Kinder works and will even draw a small sketch showing the process.

As he makes notes and occasionally fetches jars and tools Terry will look at Myrcury and Talya. "I would be very happy to come on your next hunt, at the very least I can provide another pair of eyes, a crossbow and a little magic. I don't have much but maybe you'll find what little I have useful. Do you want to check on the spider or do you have another quarry in mind?"

"Thank You Mr. Cobble! You are always very generous."

Turning to Terry,

"Terry? Why dont you meet us for dinner on Cyprus street. Aunt Bea is roasting a pheasant. We have some matters to tend to, but I would like to continue this conversation. What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:51, Mon 22 Apr.

"I'm interested! Later today I'll go to Taylas to pick up Ma's gloves then meet you out for dinner, I'd never say no to a nice bit of pheasant."

Terry gets back to work, helping to extract and bottle the new venom and will carefully clean everything afterwards. Once the work is done he will put up his ad at the front of the shop, collect his ma's gloves and head home to wash up. Once he and Wilda are neatly combed they'll head to Cyprus street to meet up with Myrcury.

Myrcury and Talya collected their earnings then headed to her shop.

"I didnt know Terry was studying magics. Did you? He might be perfect to join us. You think?"

" I did not know. Do you think he can keep a secret? He has a big family and Ma Proudfoot is known for her conversational prowess. He is always very nice. What do you have in mind? I see you wheels turning."

" You said you needed to work in the shop a few days yes? Maybe I will pal around with him. Get to know him. Check out the spider thing. Then if he seems like we can trust him, we invite him on our next descent."

Myrcury and Talya agreed that he should spend a week hanging out with Terry to see what he is made of. They finished puting their gear away then they each went to clean up for dinner. Cypress Street would smell pretty heavenly in an hour or so. Folks will be drawn in from all over.

Terry stops by the bakery and buys a large honey and nut iced strudel and brings it to the public dinner. Once the pheasants and vegetables have been enjoyed he will cut up the loaf and for a bit of entertainment he will put a towel circle on Wilda's head and get her to carry a platter of portioned strudel on her head to the revellers. The dessert is safe as wombats are remarkably balanced and the merry wiggle of her sturdy rump will inspire spontaneous music from a pair of Proudfoot cousins who are never without their banjo and panpipes. Once everyone has had their fill he'll turn to Myrcury and Talya and with an excited twinkle in his eye will say "So, want to hunt a spider?"

Myrcury takes a piece of strudel from Wilda. He nods and offers thanks, then chuckles at the cuteness of it all.

"A spider you say? A big un? Stuck a bolt in it? Them spiders can be dangerous.  Sounds like fun!"

He holds a drink up as if a clnking of mugs is the same as a handshake.

"Talya? Wanna go exterminate a bug?"

Talya declines politely,

"I am going to pass this time. I have work backing up at the shop. You two be careful!"

She feigns motherly concern, then they all burst out laughing as a neighbor dances a funny jig with Wilda.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Wed 24 Apr.

"Talya, I'm all thumbs with needle and thread but if you could use a hand with dyes or stains I'd be keen to help. So it's me and you, eh Myrc? The spider was about the same size as us so I think we should be able to handle it, I'll go grab my crossbow and meet you at the top gate?"

"Lets meet at the corner of Willow and Shady. We can go out the Southgate. You can leadvus to the spider's lair from there. First thing in the morning. I am beat. Its been a long couple days. I am turning in early. Goodnight Talya, Terry and Wilda."

Myrcury retires to his Uncle's hovel.

Terry waves good bye to Myrcury and Talya and is very excited to hunt the spider. He helps clean away the meal and heads back to his families burrow to think about what he might be able to do to fare better against the spider. That night he and his ma talk more with Wilda in burrower tongue. His Ma tells Wilda about the Proudfoot family and will relay with great pride how Grandma Proudfoots wagon had been attacked by goblins when she was young and how she had fended them off with bits of broken wagon wheel and knocked out their leader with her left boot. Terry will then talk to Wilda about how he hopes that they will start going on interesting adventures and will start teaching her some simple things she can scratch into the dirt to communicate with others. He will teach her:

<-    something important is this way
///   three claw marks for an enemy
I     one thing
II    two things
II+   many things

The next morning Terry interprets first thing as after breakfast and I've had a chance to spike my hair. Terry will get up at dawn and will study the incantations to conjure mystical armor, summon a monstrous ally, sense magical auras, resist maledictions and shoot a ray of freezing air. He will kiss his ma on the cheek for a thick slice of bread with jam, Wilda will kiss her other cheek for an apple and they will quickly make their way to Kinders Apothecary. Terry will ask Kinder if he may loan an antitoxin and maybe even a flask of acid or alchemists fire to be returned if they aren't needed, Terry will accept without complaint if these aren't available. He then jogs off to the corner of Willow and shady, satchel bag bouncing and marsupial galloping at his heels.


DM note: Great post. Would be perfect if it was in present tense.

This message was last edited by the GM at 13:26, Wed 24 Apr.

"Goodmorning Terry! I am ready for a hunt. I dont know where the hermit Pumblchook lives, but I can follow you."

Terry leads the duo out the south gate and onto the forest trail leading south toward the river. He takes a scant pathay that leads west once reaching the ridge that begins the decent to the river. They follow a trail along the ridge for about a mile before arriving at the hermitage.

Just before they reach the hermitage Terry asks Myrcury to stop for a second, draws close to Wilda and mutters a short incantation. Gesturing as if to put an imaginary helmet on his head and don a vest a shimmering suit of armour appears then fades to the edge of perception, with Wilda simultaneously gaining identical protection. Smiling Terry will nod to Myrc "Better to be safe than sorry."

With Wilda now in lockstep Terry leads Myrcury to the clearing in front of the hermitage and stops at the edge of the trees. "There is the burrow it fled into and there behind it and to the left is the clump of bushes it came from. I figure we check em both and if the spiders legged it we can go and ask Master Pumblechook if he has seen it, sound ok?"

Terry casts mage armor on himself and shares the spell with Wilda.

Terry got 27 on a listen check (natural 20) and 9 on a spot check.

Wilda got 15 on a listen check and 10 on a spot check.

The area around the burrow is now matted with
spider silk. The web forms a great funnel that pours down into the hole. The hole would be an extremely snug and sticky fit for a gnome though possible. Nothing can be heard that is indicative of the arachnid.

"Looks like it moved in. Do you suppose we could lure it out?"


DM note: I forgot to say that Cobble agreed to front you 2 vials of antivenom.

This message was last edited by the player at 03:23, Thu 25 Apr.

Terry thinks about their situation. "I have a rope and we can use magic to make any noises we choose. If we tie a log to the rope we can drag it across the web and I can make the noises of maybe a startled pig then when the spider comes out for log pig we shoot the spider."

"Let's get a closer look. If you stuck it yesterday, it may not come out. It could be dead. Was the funnel web here already?"

Myrcury cautiously approaches the hole in the ground. The web funneling into the hole is free of any debris. It looks to be in good repair.

"No, the web is new. Makes me worried for Pumblechook, then again if he's translating something he wouldn't notice a giant spider in his front yard. Alright, lets go." Terry and Wilda move twenty feet into the clearing, careful to avoid touching any webs.

"My uncle taught me that there are hunting spiders and weavers. The funnel webs often belong to hunters. They hunt by sight and sound he had said. I like your illusionary sound idea. The log idea might scare it? We are only gonna get one shot. If it is wounded already, I doubt it will have much appetite for a fight."

Myrcury approaches the hole for a better look. He gets to within fifteen feet or so. He has his bow ready, with an arrow locked.

The hole is bigger than he expected. He figures he could crawl in if he had to. He doesn't plan to. The hole is lined with spider silk, funneling down into the ground.

Terry thinks rapidly. "I was thinking that a log moving across its webs and piggy noises might make tempting juicy prey but now that we are this close how about we smoke it out? I've got tinder an flint, a fire here shouldn't spread anywhere we don't want and at the least might burn away the webs. You want to try baiting it out or smoking it out? I would recommend fire myself but I might enjoy brewing things too much to be objective."

"They are both good ideas, perhaps we dont need to choose. We could attempt the subtle approach first. Then if that doesnt work, we get more forceful? It probably hears us now. Might not be helping."

"No problem Myrc." Terry and Wilda find a foot long chunk of branch and quickly tie one end of the rope to it. Walking to the middle of the clearing Terry stills his breathing and with a hand fluttering from his diaphragm blows out an echoing, moaning note to activate his innate magic. As Myrcury is at the ready Terry lobs the decoy out onto the webs and then will slowly pull it back towards him. From the log comes the snuffling grunting sound of a truffle pig, when the log catches in the webs the inquisitive snorts become squeals of panic.

Terry casts ghosts sound.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Sun 28 Apr.

Terry's idea is much more effective than Myrcury believed it would be. Within a minute the spider appears at the hole opening. It probes around the entrance but does not come out far enough to take a clear shot.

The spider hears warm blooded sounds above. It senses movement. It needs food to heal. It is not well, but it must risk investgation.

Teriadoc goes completely still upon seeing the predator. Holding his breath he will give the rope another tug and the ghost sound spell around the  log will make a pitiful whimper and a fart of resignation. He will hold his shot until after Myrcury has acted. Wilda bristles as the spider emerges and she rises up onto her toes, ready to dodge and weave defensively if the arachnid attacks.

Like a fish attracted to the flash of a metal lure, the spider lunges at the sudden movement. The large spider explodes out of the whole silently and swiftly. It is confused by the lack of warm blood in its prey. The prey is not food. The spider is holding itself in a crooked manner. The bolt from Terry's attack is still lodged in its abdomen.

Myrcury is trained on the arachnid when it lunges. Myrcury flinches and his shot is very wide. Frustrated he knocks and fires a second arrow with much better effect. Though the arrow sticks the large bug, it only seems to piss it off. The spider sees movement and turns its attention on the gnomes.


Myrc Attack FF AC 11
Rolled: 3 + 6 = 9
Rolled: 11 + 6 = 17
Damage 1d4
Rolled: 1

This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Tue 30 Apr.

Terry's inexperience with combat shines through and his bolt flies to where the spider was and not to where it is going. "Shit!" Dropping the rope and swinging his crossbow on its strap behind him his hands come up ready to bring some magic.

Terry got 5 on his crossbow attack against the spider
This message was last edited by the player at 13:32, Tue 30 Apr.

The spider spots a rodent. It's favorite meal. It needs food badly. It's wounds won't heal without nourishment. It ignores the other food and lunges at the rodent in an attempt to subdue it for a paralyzing bite.


Initiative
Spider 19 + 3 = 22
Terry 20 + 1 = 21
Myrc 11 + 4 = 15
Wilda 1 + 3 = 4

This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Wed 01 May.

Wilda turns to face the fast approaching arachnid. When it lunges she attacks with a claw. She scratches effectively at the hairy leg trying to envelop her. The spider recoils in pain. Yet it still seems determined to eat.


Wilda attack of opportunity AC 14
1d20 + 4
Rolled: 12 + 4 = 16
Damage: 1d2 - 1
Rolled: 2 - 1 = 1
Damage prevents grapple.

This message was last edited by the GM at 16:46, Wed 01 May.

"Woah!" Terry rapidly hops backwards away from the spider and lands in a crouch. Making a rapid series of hand signs he will slap the ground and between him and the spider there is a sudden flash of fire. When the black smoke smoke parts a gnome sized diseased, feral red skinned rat issues a deranged squeal and lunges at the spider. Its wicked incisors sink into another probing leg and shear through with a splash of blood. "We've got it's attention, can you get behind it Myrc!?"

Terry takes a five foot step backwards then casts summon monster 1
Dire rat gets 19 to hit spider
Dire rat does 4 damage to spider

Myrcury notices he is not the focus of attention so he pulls his rapier and lunges. The tip of his small blade pierces the body of the spider. It squeals in pain and shudders in fear, realizing it has stepped into a hornets nest.


Myrc Attack AC 14
1d20 +4 dex +1 size +1 bab +1 Masterwork
Rolled: 19 + 7 = 26 crit threat
Rolled: 8 + 7 = 15 crit
Damage 2d4 -2
Rolled: 2, 1, -2 = 1

Weakest crit ever!


This message was last edited by the player at 13:49, Fri 03 May.

Wilda the Wombat is flushed with adrenaline as a predator attempts to grab her. Rearing up she starts bobbing and weaving like a boxer though without the martial training she instead tries to poke out the spiders eyes. As much to her surprise as anyone's her paws make contact with soft tissue and her claws now glisten with blood. She also snaps at the leg that tried to grab her but isn't quick enough to grab hold.

Wilda makes two claw attacks and a bite attack with a +2 for flanking with Myrcury
Left claw 26 to hit, 12 fails to confirm the critical, 1 damage
right claw 16 to hit, 1 damage
bite attack 9 to hit, misses
Wilda deals 2 damage to the spider.

The spider is aware that it has made a fatal mistake. It's only chance of survival is the den. Ignoring all other concerns it attempts to retreat to the safety of it's burrow.


Initiative
Myrcury 16 + 4 = 20
Wilda 15 + 3 = 18
Spider 11 + 3 = 14
Terry 1 + 1 = 2

This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Mon 06 May.

Myrcury withdraws his rapier then immediately plunges in for another stab. He connects easily as the spider is turning to flee. The spider shudders then falls and it's legs curl up. The spider is dead.


Attack AC 11
1d20 + 7
Rolled: 8 + 7 = 15

This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Mon 06 May.

Like paper thrown in a blazing fireplace scarlet flames consume the summoned rat and with a billow of sulphurous smoke the summoned rat vanishes. "Great job Myrc, you're really good with that rapier!" Terry grabs a five foot long branch and starts sweeping webs away from the hole. "I'm going to check the hole to make sure there's no eggs or surprises. Would you like for me to introduce you to master Pumblechook?"

Myrcury is flabbergasted! He turns to Terry with a huge grin on his tiny face. He doesn't say a thing at first, only stares.


"Holy Glittergold! I had no idea you could do all that! Wow! I mean with the flash and the rat and the biting and vanishing! Just wow!


As Terry moves to investigate the hole Myrcury follows. It strikes Terry, that Myrcury is quite young looking but he has the confidence of a much older man. He seems fearless but also naive.

"What are you planning to do with those magic skills? Have you the stomach for risk? Tayla and I could use a partner with skills like that. We have a private venture that is still in a speculative stage. We cant pay, but we can divy. Any interest in spelunking, exploring and possibly killing monsters?"

And there it is. He talks of killing monsters so casually. Terry heard about the snake at dinner the night before. It's still the talk of Cypress Street. Myrcury is not a book to be judged by his youth and size. He is all smiles as he waits for Terry to respond.


DM note: XP for each is 150. Bonus of 50 to Terry for great Spell Casting style!

This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Tue 07 May.

Terry beams back at Myrc as he spins the stick and gathers up the web like a big serve of cotton candy. "That sounds amazing! We need to be on the same page, this will work best if we understand each other. I can tell that you have some amazing skills. Right now my magic is more flash than fire but I can already feel it growing, but it took me decades to get here, the hours that I've put into studying alchemy and arcane theory mean that I've never spelunked or climbed without using a ladder or even gone fishing! So if you promise to help me and Wilda with the exploring and go equal shares of both the hard work and the rewards, respect my talents and accept my limitations then I will give you my best towards every challenge."

Terry will pause gathering web and will extend his hand, now very serious. "Deal?"

Myrcury smiles but it is muted by something. Something else is on his mind. He nods in agreement but does not yet extend his hand.

"Before we seal the deal there is a matter we will need to have an understanding about. Tayla and I have proprietary knowledge that we can only share with partners who are willing to keep the information secret. Is that something that you would be comfortable with?"

There is no guile or dishonesty in Terry's eyes. "As long as a secret won't hurt someone I love I will keep it to my grave."

"The obly ones we will be putting into danger are ourselves."

He says this with an odd amount of mirth.

"Let's destroy this nest, then get back to town to tell Talya that you are in. We will explain it all to you over some food and drink!"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:00, Thu 09 May.

Terry continues to clear away web until he can crawl in to check the the burrow. Once the burrow has been checked he helps Myrc to harvest the valuable parts of the spider.

Terry finds nothing of interest in the hole. It looks as if it was not here long. Myrcury demonstrates how the fangs lead to venom sacks and they can be extracted in one piece. He explains that Mr. Cobble taught him a while back.  They place the fangs and sacks in specimen jars and corks them. Myrcury is eager to return to tell Talya about their new partner. He promises to fill Terry in along the way.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Thu 09 May.

On the walk home Myrcury told Terry thecwhile story about the Underway. From the Deebo job to the mysterious door, he left nothing out.  The two got back to Talyas shop and they decided to celebrate with a nice dinner up town at the Golden Tankard. They enjoyed comraderie and a few laughs. They agreed to meet in two days time to discuss plans. Meanwhile both Talya and Terry had work to catch up on. Terry would be in the shop early tomorrow.


Thread closed.