Tests and Trials Game Thread

To that the golem says a simple,

"No."

"I think it was the drow.  They wouldn't beat us so soundly in the dark otherwise.  As for the others... unless you came across other prisoners I may be the last one left.  The others that were kept with me were all gutted by the drows, probably as a sacrifice to their gods..."  Cladmir trialed off, clearly disturbed by the scene he has tried not to think about.  He went quiet for a moment before starting up again.

"So, what brings a noble paladin such as yourself to the south of Babylon anyway?"

"We found some... bodies. Can make sure they get put to rest proper... though cold ground will make for hard digging."

"Noble? HA! I'm a blacksmith, least I was until I had to leave my 'prenticeship. Lucked out getting sponsored by my mentor and trained to fight for The Five. Met the others here on the road, and been tagging along since. And I'm not quite a full paladin, more of a mostly paladin, but I'm working on it."

Joe volunteers to stay with the horses rather than risk running into spiders during the searching.

((To review:

Third floor is partially explored, had spiders.

Fourth floor is nearly entirely unexplored, had tunnel to the Underdark.))

((And we're on 5 now?))

(My keen sense of directions gives me the guess that we are on the 2nd   :p )

Cladmir nodded appreciatively at Kroshav's suggestions.  "Many thanks for the offer.  Perhaps a proper burial is something we can think of when the fight is over."

(( Cladmir still has a mild concussion so he still has no idea where he is.  :D ))

((You are currently on the second floor, prize to Row!))

((So, do you want to check the spider floor or the one that you haven't checked? The Librarian can help with the checking if you ask.))

((Next floor from where we are.))

Moving around the golem partially blocking the down, and seemingly inactive, the party descend to the third floor. Joe decides to remain behind considering her less than positive experiences there last time.

The party look down a long central hallway that is very similar to the prior floors. They know there were spiders in the SE large room, might be in the NE rooms, weren't in any in the SW rooms but have no idea on the NW rooms.

The golem that comes with the party pauses at the stairs and says,

"The east side of this floor is filled with spiders. They have already destroyed one of the golems."

((Where would you like to go?))

(The area that is marked nothing has been fully explored by us?  The large and all the small rooms in that entire quadrant?)

"I think maybe I should do a bit of scouting, if that's ok with the rest of you?  I can quietly peek into some of the rooms to get a guesstimate of how many spiders we have to deal with.  And maybe we should try hit and run tactics, trying to take out at least some of them from ranged weapons, rather than rush full in melee and get mobbed by them again. "

"Somewhere we can defend ourselves from one side would be good. I'm less useful at range, but can hold the front line.", Kroshav adds.

((@Row, yes. You checked it all out before heading up the middle. Not to say that it didn't change.))

"I also agree that being exposed to attacks from multiple side is not ideal.  I'm also not familiar with these spiders -- are there even bigger ones than the ones we're fought before?"

"Small horse sized? Though we went down pretty quick the first time, so there might have been large horse sized ones. At least most of the drow are cleared out."

((Spiders didn't need no Drow help to drop you last time!))

"You all ok if you wait here by the stairs, and I check out a few doorways down the hall? (he motions to the east)   Then we can move in with some knowledge.  If there are only a few, I can start shooting with arrows and draw hopefully only a few to use near the stairs?    Or do we want to make our stand in a different location?"

"I trust you to scout it out and find the best spot for us to get the job done."

"Sorry to hear about the spiders destroying one of your golems, will you be able to repair it? If you have any on hand that want to get their knuckles wet with spider bits, feel free to send 'em up!"

The golem that joined you responds,

"Possibly. I would need to examine the golem to determine that."

On hearing the plan the golem, belatedly, says,

"I'm confident I will be able to eventually handle the vermin on my own. They will eventually starve now that the Drow are no longer feeding them. I will seal this level for a short period, perhaps a few years, then reopen it. I see no reason to risk my limited, expensive assets when I need only wait."

The clunk of two golems arriving and lowering broken blocks on the stairs emphasize the statement.

"Explore as you see fit."