This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nickeline sees the drider dispel Tamphalic's giant hand and wonders whether continuing to antagonize it is really a good idea. She moves her flaming sphere away from it and towards whichever spider is nearest.
"Yeah, we got what we wanted; let's get out of here while we still can. I'll try to keep up, Jodie, but I'm not the fastest runner, or the quietest," she says, her bright orange scale mail jangling with each step.
OOC: Action: Dash Movement: run up to 50 ft. away, following Jodie Bonus Action: Ram Flaming Sphere into nearest spider --> 4 fire damage, halved on a successful dex save (DC 13) for the spider; another 6 fire damage, halved on a successful dex save (DC 13) if it doesn't move on its next turn.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Giant spider Dex save: 23
Our heroes boldly flee from the spiders and their master. As long as Hewelathan is able to keep concentration on his spell, you can all disappear into the rubble, allowing a clean escape. The drider apparently decides not to follow once it is clear that you have successfully hidden yourselves. Still, you get the feeling that this probably isn't over...
As you didn't actually win this fight, but did show wisdom by running away, I'll give you each 200 XP for this encounter
What do you do now that you have escaped with your lives?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Well, if the drider and its spiders don't pursue us, I think that we'd creep as quietly and stealthily as we can back to the spot where we entered the city itself. From there, we'd make our way back to the camp that Ruby and the others had started setting up. If Pass Without Trace is about to expire, Hewelathan will transform out of his Wild Shape so that he can cast the spell again and keep it going until we're back at camp so that we can't be tracked. That'll at least make it more difficult for the drider to find if it's inclined to come hunting for its prisoner once we're asleep.
Once at the camp, I guess we'd cut the prisoner free of its webbing and see who or what we rescued and what they can tell us. Hewelathan will let someone else cut the prisoner free. He assumes that Jodie, Korba, or Hildegard will take the lead in interrogating the prisoner, depending on the nature of the creature. Before they cut the creature free, he casts Guidance on Jodie to grant her insight into the prisoner's body language and how best to approach the conversation. He'll stand nearby in case they need to restrain the prisoner or keep them from getting away. (For all we know, we may have rescued an orc or something who might expect the party to be hostile to it.)
Unwrapping the cocoon you find, as Hew worried you might, a rather large orc.
He's still unconscious, or at least paralyzed, and probably will be for a few more minutes. Ruby squeaks when she sees the intimidating figure, hiding behind Jodie.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Hildegard flew pell mell back to the camp, though steering Perdita to make a circuitous route at several heights of flight, just in case they were being tracked or followed. She's glad for the steps she took to hide the camp, and although a little anxious about the others making it back safely, she gets the cocoon bundle, and its contents, safely secured away in the cave they found. Perdita stands baleful guard inside the cave where her light cannot be seen, head lowered on her long and flaming neck.
But the others aren't far behind her, having quickly escaped thanks to Hewelathan's sneaky spell, and as they all free the prisoner from his bonds, Hildegard pauses in surprise for just a moment at seeing the face of an orc... but quickly seeing that he isn't responsive, she says with concern, "He could be in shock."Then she goes about carefully checking him over for bites, injuries, difficulty breathing, abnormal pulse, cold extremities, or anything else that isn't as it should be that requires healing or medical attention. She takes her thick warm blanket from her pack and covers him with it.
Jodie lets out a sigh and considers to not take any chances. She takes out the Firestorm lute and plays a version of Frenzy Love (DC 14 Wis w/ disadvantage), the Orcish classic to awaken the orc. Best to learn what we can and play nice, then set him on his way.
"Say, we got you out of a tight spot there. What's your name friend? Maybe there's something useful you can tell us, before we let you go on your way..."
Back at camp, Korba looks to the others and the now uncovered orc and says, “I wonder what he was doing here… this is not a common place for anyone, including us.”
Thamphalic let's the others do the talking and stands by ready if the orc tries anything.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
"It sure is strange," Nickeline replies to Korba. "You don't see many orcs this far underground. Maybe he's a treasure hunter, too? Do any of you speak orc? If he can't speak one of our languages either, I can talk with him telepathically, but I'd rather not."
She stands ready to react, whether that be to help or harm the orc.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“I do actually. My House used to have slave dealings with roaming orc tribes,” Korba says, looking at the unconscious orc to see if he can tell anything of the man based on what he’s wearing ((history? 21))
Korba, you recognize that he appears to be a chieftain among his people, someone who has earned a position of leadership through both cunning and raw strength of arms.
Slowly, the orc regains consciousness; he looks exhausted more than anything else.
"Zodagh owe you life," the orc growled in broken Common as he sat up, rubbing his head.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Hildegard smiles in relief as the orc wakes. It's always a moment of triumph to see a patient recover and return to life. "That was a terrible situation you were trapped in!" she says. "I'm glad we were able to get you out. We're pretty well hidden here, I think..." she glances around at her party members. "We'll be taking some time to rest here in this cave, you're welcome to rest with us until you feel strong enough. We'll be changing watches throughout the night, in case anything comes after us."
Rummaging in her pack for something to share with the orc, and realizing the scarcity of her own rations, only two days' worth of food, she looks at Korba. "Korba... is there anything edible to forage, or hunt, in the Underdark? Everything down here has seemed a mite poisonous to me." But she offers the orc one of her rations.
As soon as it sends clear that the orc isn't going to attack or give away their position, Hewelathan volunteers to go keep watch. He can sit just inside or just outside of the cave / alcove where they've set up camp. Hewelathan would like to be close enough to hear the conversation with the Zodagh, but he doesn't want to be surprised if the drider musters an army of spiders and attacks their camp. Someone should be keeping watch.
Once Nickeline notices that the orc isn't immediately hostile, she approaches him and says, "Hello, um, nanu nanu, Mr. Zodagh. You must be thirsty." With an outstretched arm, she offers Zodagh her waterskin to go with Hildegard's food.
In her gnomish accent, she asks the orc several questions all in one breath: "So what were you doing that got you in such a bind? Were you coming in or out of the city? or do you live there? I live undergound myself, but I wouldn't want that many spiders as neighbors. Ha, I bet you feel the same way. Did you know that drider before it tried to eat you? Oh, if you don't want to answer, that's alright too."
OOC: Nickeline will take a watch after Hewelathan --> Perception 11
Zodagh does his best to explain... though his common is pretty bad, Korba is able to help out thanks to his understanding of the Orcish tongue.
The orc explains to you that not too long ago some of his people started going missing. At first it was assumed to be normal stuff... Orcs often get themselves killed at a young age pulling stupid stunts or picking fights with bears, after all. But it became clear fairly quickly that the numbers were too great, and the bodies weren't turning up. Several brave warriors perished trying to find clues as to what had happened, but others came back with stories about giant spiders. Eventually, Zodagh went with a small squad of his best warriors to put an end to this, only to stumble upon the underground city and be set upon by the drider and its numerous minions. He is fairly certain that all of his warriors have perished by now, and the only thing keeping him alive was a combination of his sheer willpower and the drider's sadistic desire to keep playing with its food a bit longer...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Korba first replies to Hilde, watching the orc leader carefully, “Ah, actually yes, there is actually much to eat here in the Underdark. Some amazing mushrooms I would love to try again… Though I must admit that I’ve never been much for the gathering myself. That was usually left to others…”
As he translates he makes it clear that this orc is likely a well known warrior of his people, and asks questions to learn about their general location in the Underdark. The orc may not know if they are near any Drow cities, but he likely would know from where they entered, which could help pinpoint their location.
Hewelathan would like to be close enough to hear the conversation with the Zodagh, but he doesn't want to be surprised if the drider musters an army of spiders and attacks their camp. Someone should be keeping watch.
Hewelathan finds is unlikely that a successful chieftan could live near the deserted drow city without knowing something about it. If Zodagh was coming from farther away, how did he loose a whole troop of orcs to a lone drider, even if he had the support of spiders? Orcs use scouts...or at least experienced chieftains do.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Thamphalic can take the third watch,perception: 3
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Jodie will use her Song of Rest so Zodagh regains an additional 4 hps. Jodie suggests offering Zodagh one of their many gooseberries for additional sustenance and healing.
Jodie will take a watch or join one of the less perceptive members. perception17 (passive), 19 (rolled)
Nickeline sees the drider dispel Tamphalic's giant hand and wonders whether continuing to antagonize it is really a good idea. She moves her flaming sphere away from it and towards whichever spider is nearest.
"Yeah, we got what we wanted; let's get out of here while we still can. I'll try to keep up, Jodie, but I'm not the fastest runner, or the quietest," she says, her bright orange scale mail jangling with each step.
OOC:
Action: Dash
Movement: run up to 50 ft. away, following Jodie
Bonus Action: Ram Flaming Sphere into nearest spider --> 4 fire damage, halved on a successful dex save (DC 13) for the spider; another 6 fire damage, halved on a successful dex save (DC 13) if it doesn't move on its next turn.
Korba joins in the retreat, Dashing to catch up with the others, hoping to duck behind a house and gain cover.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Giant spider Dex save: 23
Our heroes boldly flee from the spiders and their master. As long as Hewelathan is able to keep concentration on his spell, you can all disappear into the rubble, allowing a clean escape. The drider apparently decides not to follow once it is clear that you have successfully hidden yourselves. Still, you get the feeling that this probably isn't over...
As you didn't actually win this fight, but did show wisdom by running away, I'll give you each 200 XP for this encounter
What do you do now that you have escaped with your lives?
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Well, if the drider and its spiders don't pursue us, I think that we'd creep as quietly and stealthily as we can back to the spot where we entered the city itself. From there, we'd make our way back to the camp that Ruby and the others had started setting up. If Pass Without Trace is about to expire, Hewelathan will transform out of his Wild Shape so that he can cast the spell again and keep it going until we're back at camp so that we can't be tracked. That'll at least make it more difficult for the drider to find if it's inclined to come hunting for its prisoner once we're asleep.
Once at the camp, I guess we'd cut the prisoner free of its webbing and see who or what we rescued and what they can tell us. Hewelathan will let someone else cut the prisoner free. He assumes that Jodie, Korba, or Hildegard will take the lead in interrogating the prisoner, depending on the nature of the creature. Before they cut the creature free, he casts Guidance on Jodie to grant her insight into the prisoner's body language and how best to approach the conversation. He'll stand nearby in case they need to restrain the prisoner or keep them from getting away. (For all we know, we may have rescued an orc or something who might expect the party to be hostile to it.)
Unwrapping the cocoon you find, as Hew worried you might, a rather large orc.

He's still unconscious, or at least paralyzed, and probably will be for a few more minutes. Ruby squeaks when she sees the intimidating figure, hiding behind Jodie.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Hildegard flew pell mell back to the camp, though steering Perdita to make a circuitous route at several heights of flight, just in case they were being tracked or followed. She's glad for the steps she took to hide the camp, and although a little anxious about the others making it back safely, she gets the cocoon bundle, and its contents, safely secured away in the cave they found. Perdita stands baleful guard inside the cave where her light cannot be seen, head lowered on her long and flaming neck.
But the others aren't far behind her, having quickly escaped thanks to Hewelathan's sneaky spell, and as they all free the prisoner from his bonds, Hildegard pauses in surprise for just a moment at seeing the face of an orc... but quickly seeing that he isn't responsive, she says with concern, "He could be in shock." Then she goes about carefully checking him over for bites, injuries, difficulty breathing, abnormal pulse, cold extremities, or anything else that isn't as it should be that requires healing or medical attention. She takes her thick warm blanket from her pack and covers him with it.
Medicine: 16
Jodie lets out a sigh and considers to not take any chances. She takes out the Firestorm lute and plays a version of Frenzy Love (DC 14 Wis w/ disadvantage), the Orcish classic to awaken the orc. Best to learn what we can and play nice, then set him on his way.
"Say, we got you out of a tight spot there. What's your name friend? Maybe there's something useful you can tell us, before we let you go on your way..."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Back at camp, Korba looks to the others and the now uncovered orc and says, “I wonder what he was doing here… this is not a common place for anyone, including us.”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Thamphalic let's the others do the talking and stands by ready if the orc tries anything.
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
"It sure is strange," Nickeline replies to Korba. "You don't see many orcs this far underground. Maybe he's a treasure hunter, too? Do any of you speak orc? If he can't speak one of our languages either, I can talk with him telepathically, but I'd rather not."
She stands ready to react, whether that be to help or harm the orc.
“I do actually. My House used to have slave dealings with roaming orc tribes,” Korba says, looking at the unconscious orc to see if he can tell anything of the man based on what he’s wearing ((history? 21))
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Korba, you recognize that he appears to be a chieftain among his people, someone who has earned a position of leadership through both cunning and raw strength of arms.
Slowly, the orc regains consciousness; he looks exhausted more than anything else.
"Zodagh owe you life," the orc growled in broken Common as he sat up, rubbing his head.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Hildegard smiles in relief as the orc wakes. It's always a moment of triumph to see a patient recover and return to life. "That was a terrible situation you were trapped in!" she says. "I'm glad we were able to get you out. We're pretty well hidden here, I think..." she glances around at her party members. "We'll be taking some time to rest here in this cave, you're welcome to rest with us until you feel strong enough. We'll be changing watches throughout the night, in case anything comes after us."
Rummaging in her pack for something to share with the orc, and realizing the scarcity of her own rations, only two days' worth of food, she looks at Korba. "Korba... is there anything edible to forage, or hunt, in the Underdark? Everything down here has seemed a mite poisonous to me." But she offers the orc one of her rations.
As soon as it sends clear that the orc isn't going to attack or give away their position, Hewelathan volunteers to go keep watch. He can sit just inside or just outside of the cave / alcove where they've set up camp. Hewelathan would like to be close enough to hear the conversation with the Zodagh, but he doesn't want to be surprised if the drider musters an army of spiders and attacks their camp. Someone should be keeping watch.
Perception 22
Once Nickeline notices that the orc isn't immediately hostile, she approaches him and says, "Hello, um, nanu nanu, Mr. Zodagh. You must be thirsty." With an outstretched arm, she offers Zodagh her waterskin to go with Hildegard's food.
In her gnomish accent, she asks the orc several questions all in one breath: "So what were you doing that got you in such a bind? Were you coming in or out of the city? or do you live there? I live undergound myself, but I wouldn't want that many spiders as neighbors. Ha, I bet you feel the same way. Did you know that drider before it tried to eat you? Oh, if you don't want to answer, that's alright too."
OOC: Nickeline will take a watch after Hewelathan --> Perception 11
Zodagh does his best to explain... though his common is pretty bad, Korba is able to help out thanks to his understanding of the Orcish tongue.
The orc explains to you that not too long ago some of his people started going missing. At first it was assumed to be normal stuff... Orcs often get themselves killed at a young age pulling stupid stunts or picking fights with bears, after all. But it became clear fairly quickly that the numbers were too great, and the bodies weren't turning up. Several brave warriors perished trying to find clues as to what had happened, but others came back with stories about giant spiders. Eventually, Zodagh went with a small squad of his best warriors to put an end to this, only to stumble upon the underground city and be set upon by the drider and its numerous minions. He is fairly certain that all of his warriors have perished by now, and the only thing keeping him alive was a combination of his sheer willpower and the drider's sadistic desire to keep playing with its food a bit longer...
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Korba first replies to Hilde, watching the orc leader carefully, “Ah, actually yes, there is actually much to eat here in the Underdark. Some amazing mushrooms I would love to try again… Though I must admit that I’ve never been much for the gathering myself. That was usually left to others…”
As he translates he makes it clear that this orc is likely a well known warrior of his people, and asks questions to learn about their general location in the Underdark. The orc may not know if they are near any Drow cities, but he likely would know from where they entered, which could help pinpoint their location.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Hewelathan tries to get a look at Zodagh as he explains his story to Korba. He wonders whether this orc chieftain is telling them the whole truth.
Insight 18
Hewelathan finds is unlikely that a successful chieftan could live near the deserted drow city without knowing something about it. If Zodagh was coming from farther away, how did he loose a whole troop of orcs to a lone drider, even if he had the support of spiders? Orcs use scouts...or at least experienced chieftains do.
Thamphalic can take the third watch,perception: 3
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Jodie will use her Song of Rest so Zodagh regains an additional 4 hps. Jodie suggests offering Zodagh one of their many gooseberries for additional sustenance and healing.
Jodie will take a watch or join one of the less perceptive members. perception 17 (passive), 19 (rolled)
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed