The elves allow you to sleep on platforms on the lower branches of a tree, a place reserved for visitors, usually elves from other clans. There is only the tiniest sliver of a moon tonight, and none of that light filters down past the top layer of leaves and branches, so it is pitch dark. The elves, of course, need no light and you know there are sentries around. You take some time to get to sleep as your minds try to process what you have heard this night. But when you do, you sleep safely and soundly.
The light of a summer sun wakes the party in the morning, driving away strange dreams of spirits and altars, and something darker. They enjoyed a breakfast of mushrooms, fruit, cakes made from wild wheat, and bacon - yes, elves eat bacon from wild boar. Who knew? Then the party made ready to pack their gear and move out. It seemed, as Israfen had foreshadowed, the entire tribe were coming to guide the party to the standing stones and the attendent spiders. Except a few disgruntled elves who were left to guard the camp.
The trek was half a day through Harken Wood, through some difficult terrain, although the elves (and Esa) seemed to make light of it. RL was almost as quick, and Grimbald again showed his familiarity with the forest. Vakiel and Augustin were unused to travelling through such terrain, and the others often had to wait for them.
Soon enough the forest thinned out into a large more or less open area, and they could see an old circle of standing stones. Webs clung to the branches of the nearby trees.
"There you go," said Israfen. "You won't be able to see the spiders until they come out of the trees and run at you. We won't help, unless you get into serious trouble. Think of it as part of the job of convincing us that you are blessed by the Primal Spirits." He smiled, to show he was not totally serious.
"To be honest, last night was the first we had heard of the Primal Spirits, so we're not totally convinced ourselves," replied Augustin.
"Then think of it as part of the job of convincing yourselves," laughed Israfen, clapping the paladin on the shoulder. "And to also be honest, know that this task is a test we set our young warriors also, if they want to be treated as equals by those who risk their lives for the tribe. If you do this, we will see you as equals. It is one of the reasons the Elder has set this task and wants our people to watch. She is wise and knows this will go some way to winning the hearts and minds of the Woodsinger clans."
Eriyel nods to you as you set off towards the standing stones.
RL thinks we should approach through the rocks to the north of the map and the mound. He took spike growth so he can protect our flank.
RL would also like to ritually cast detect poison and disease before we get too close to hopefully give an indication if the spiders are poisonous and where they are located
Grimbald will give two goodberries each (prepared prior to the nights rest). He will prefer to STEALTH 23 hide using rocks or trees for extra cover. INITIATIVE (Dread ambusher) 22 BONUS ACTION Hunters Mark ACTION, prefer initial cross bow attack Attack: 16 Damage: 12 preferring to target wounded first. Using his initial 40foot movement (dread ambusher) he will try to move and use cover to reduce ranged attack from the spiders.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Esa is happy to let the others take the lead. She waits further back, preparing to cast Magic Missile at whatever spiders make it through the initial onslaught. 233
RL will cast spike growth on the rock to the SW of the NW tree, which should hopefully get half that tree and the space between the tree and the circle, the melee fighters can move around the north side of the spike growth since they should be able to see it being cast. RL will then then move to the south side of the pile of stones just above halfway up the map and target one of the spiders with thorn whip to pull it into the spike growth and present a target to the spiders to come and aim which should hopefully keep grimbald hidden
Augustin looks around at everyone setting up ready to take on these spider boys. He notices that the trap is set, but there is no bait.
“Righto everyone, I’ll draw them out, just try and keep too many off me. I’d appreciate that.” He says rubbing his leg, before picking up his great sword. He consults with the group and positions himself appropriately.
He takes the Dodge action, unless he’s in a 1-1 or 2-1 situation, in which case he will try and turn those odds in his favour. He’s not afraid to move around to draw some eight legged freaks out into the open.
RL notices under the branches of the trees to the south some black crumpled shapes, they look like... spiders? Spiders as big as he is, but all curled up in the way spiders do when they die. Esa who is flying could also have a chance to see them but she, like the others, is focused on the northern trees.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
RL catches sight of something else in the trees, far larger than the spiders, and.. an odd colour... but then his attention is drawn by movement in the northern trees as spiders jumps down and run towards Augustin and Vakiel.
One of the two spiders in the northwest tree was ensnared by the spike growth spell as it was cast and takes 4 damage as it scrambles to get out.
The other spider looks to see where it will leap from the tree. Spider 2 Perception check: 4.
Two other spiders leap from the northeast tree and run towards Vakiel and Rustling Leaves.
Spider 2 jumps into the spike growth area and takes 5 damage from the thorns and spikes.
Spiders 3 and 4 see the danger and go to move around. However RL uses his thorn whip to grab Spider 3 and pull it into the thorns and spikes. Attack Attack: 7 Damage: 1.
Grimbald sends two deadly bolts to the spiders skirting around the spike growth area and hits each of them in the head. They flop around then fold their legs up as they die.
You hear a murmur of approval from the elves watching.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The first spider who was initially caught up in the spike growth in the trees now has to roll to see if it notices the deadly terrain as it jumps from the tree.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
There is Spider 1 in the tree, it hasn't seen that the spike growth extends beyond the tree and is about to leap next to its friend. It can't be seen as yet due to being heavily obscured by tree branches and leaves.
Spider 2 is stuck in the spike growth area. It will take more damage getting out on its turn.
Spider 3 and 4 are dead, killed by one crossbow bolt each from Grimbald.
I'm going to assume Vakiel will throw a javelin at the only spider he can see as his held action, and Augustin has said he will take the dodge action.
Vakiel hurls a javelin at the only spider he can see: Attack: 10 Damage: 8.
The elves allow you to sleep on platforms on the lower branches of a tree, a place reserved for visitors, usually elves from other clans. There is only the tiniest sliver of a moon tonight, and none of that light filters down past the top layer of leaves and branches, so it is pitch dark. The elves, of course, need no light and you know there are sentries around. You take some time to get to sleep as your minds try to process what you have heard this night. But when you do, you sleep safely and soundly.
30th day of Highsummer
The light of a summer sun wakes the party in the morning, driving away strange dreams of spirits and altars, and something darker. They enjoyed a breakfast of mushrooms, fruit, cakes made from wild wheat, and bacon - yes, elves eat bacon from wild boar. Who knew? Then the party made ready to pack their gear and move out. It seemed, as Israfen had foreshadowed, the entire tribe were coming to guide the party to the standing stones and the attendent spiders. Except a few disgruntled elves who were left to guard the camp.
The trek was half a day through Harken Wood, through some difficult terrain, although the elves (and Esa) seemed to make light of it. RL was almost as quick, and Grimbald again showed his familiarity with the forest. Vakiel and Augustin were unused to travelling through such terrain, and the others often had to wait for them.
Soon enough the forest thinned out into a large more or less open area, and they could see an old circle of standing stones. Webs clung to the branches of the nearby trees.
"There you go," said Israfen. "You won't be able to see the spiders until they come out of the trees and run at you. We won't help, unless you get into serious trouble. Think of it as part of the job of convincing us that you are blessed by the Primal Spirits." He smiled, to show he was not totally serious.
"To be honest, last night was the first we had heard of the Primal Spirits, so we're not totally convinced ourselves," replied Augustin.
"Then think of it as part of the job of convincing yourselves," laughed Israfen, clapping the paladin on the shoulder. "And to also be honest, know that this task is a test we set our young warriors also, if they want to be treated as equals by those who risk their lives for the tribe. If you do this, we will see you as equals. It is one of the reasons the Elder has set this task and wants our people to watch. She is wise and knows this will go some way to winning the hearts and minds of the Woodsinger clans."
Eriyel nods to you as you set off towards the standing stones.
DM: How would you like to do this?
Here's a map if that helps. The party are off the left edge (let's call it the western edge) of the map.
RL thinks we should approach through the rocks to the north of the map and the mound. He took spike growth so he can protect our flank.
RL would also like to ritually cast detect poison and disease before we get too close to hopefully give an indication if the spiders are poisonous and where they are located
Grimbald suggests to funnel the spiders... ....
using rocks (if not scalable) and spike growth.
Grimbald will give two goodberries each (prepared prior to the nights rest). He will prefer to STEALTH 23 hide using rocks or trees for extra cover. INITIATIVE (Dread ambusher) 22 BONUS ACTION Hunters Mark ACTION, prefer initial cross bow attack Attack: 16 Damage: 12 preferring to target wounded first. Using his initial 40foot movement (dread ambusher) he will try to move and use cover to reduce ranged attack from the spiders.
additional attack action from Dread Ambusher Attack: 20 Damage: 11
Esa is happy to let the others take the lead. She waits further back, preparing to cast Magic Missile at whatever spiders make it through the initial onslaught. 2 3 3
RL will cast spike growth on the rock to the SW of the NW tree, which should hopefully get half that tree and the space between the tree and the circle, the melee fighters can move around the north side of the spike growth since they should be able to see it being cast. RL will then then move to the south side of the pile of stones just above halfway up the map and target one of the spiders with thorn whip to pull it into the spike growth and present a target to the spiders to come and aim which should hopefully keep grimbald hidden
Augustin looks around at everyone setting up ready to take on these spider boys. He notices that the trap is set, but there is no bait.
“Righto everyone, I’ll draw them out, just try and keep too many off me. I’d appreciate that.” He says rubbing his leg, before picking up his great sword. He consults with the group and positions himself appropriately.
He takes the Dodge action, unless he’s in a 1-1 or 2-1 situation, in which case he will try and turn those odds in his favour. He’s not afraid to move around to draw some eight legged freaks out into the open.
"right behind you spiderbait!"
Ok I think this is where everyone is..
RL notices under the branches of the trees to the south some black crumpled shapes, they look like... spiders? Spiders as big as he is, but all curled up in the way spiders do when they die. Esa who is flying could also have a chance to see them but she, like the others, is focused on the northern trees.
RL can try and look at the southern trees more to see what else he can see, or he can continue to watch for the spiders in the northern trees.
RL catches sight of something else in the trees, far larger than the spiders, and.. an odd colour... but then his attention is drawn by movement in the northern trees as spiders jumps down and run towards Augustin and Vakiel.
One of the two spiders in the northwest tree was ensnared by the spike growth spell as it was cast and takes 4 damage as it scrambles to get out.
The other spider looks to see where it will leap from the tree. Spider 2 Perception check: 4.
Two other spiders leap from the northeast tree and run towards Vakiel and Rustling Leaves.
Spider 3 Perception check: 22.
Spider 4 Perception check: 16.
Spider 2 jumps into the spike growth area and takes 5 damage from the thorns and spikes.
Spiders 3 and 4 see the danger and go to move around. However RL uses his thorn whip to grab Spider 3 and pull it into the thorns and spikes. Attack Attack: 7 Damage: 1.
RL missed with his thorn whip so the spiders jump on to the rocks south of the spike growth area and come around that way.
There is a groan of disappointment from the elves watching.
Anyone else can use their held action to act now.
Grimbald sends two deadly bolts to the spiders skirting around the spike growth area and hits each of them in the head. They flop around then fold their legs up as they die.
You hear a murmur of approval from the elves watching.
The first spider who was initially caught up in the spike growth in the trees now has to roll to see if it notices the deadly terrain as it jumps from the tree.
Spider 1 Perception check: 5.
There is Spider 1 in the tree, it hasn't seen that the spike growth extends beyond the tree and is about to leap next to its friend. It can't be seen as yet due to being heavily obscured by tree branches and leaves.
Spider 2 is stuck in the spike growth area. It will take more damage getting out on its turn.
Spider 3 and 4 are dead, killed by one crossbow bolt each from Grimbald.
I'm going to assume Vakiel will throw a javelin at the only spider he can see as his held action, and Augustin has said he will take the dodge action.
Vakiel hurls a javelin at the only spider he can see: Attack: 10 Damage: 8.
Vakiel misses. Another groan of disappointment from the spectators.
Party actions this round?