Round 1

...But the Doppelganger is not surprised and jumps back at the last moment with mocking agility.

The monster's gaze darkens even further... after which the monster disappears again, as quickly as it appeared!

What could be happening? And... more importantly... will it come back?

All party member can act for Round 1!  (Just remember most were not in the room so they just heard the sounds of battle. Grados meanwhile positions his boat so that it can act as a "bridge" between the two rooms, thus making it easier for you to move around.)

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

"What happened, Darvin?," she asks her beloved partner in crime ... prevention ... ;-), still peering warily down the short corridor to the north.  Whatever he may be able to tell her of the disappearing spider is enough to bring a grim look of determination to her eyes, and she nods shortly to him.  "I think I've heard of creatures like this.  Its body looks so much like stone that when it flattens itself out it can't be seen!" (Arcana in log: nat 1!  I think she's gotten some kind of mixed up description of an asteroid spider from somewhere and conflated it with a few other floating odds and ends having to do with cloakers, mimics and suchlike beings LOL)

"We need to go help the family!  There should be room for you in that corner by Mival, an(d I'll stand in the doorway flattened up against the wall as much as possible so the others can shoot past me.  But take this before you go in."  She hands him a beautiful ring set with pearls and made of a metal that has the same moonlit-silver sheen as the coins with which she paid Geados ; and then places an exactly similar ring on her own finger.  "I meant these as a surprise for our anniversary; but I'd rather skip the surprise and have you around for the anniversary.  If things get dangerous, come close enough that I can touch your hand and call on Angharradh to bless our bond.  With the spell of these rings, she will help me protect you for an hour, so long as we're within twenty yards of each other." (components for warding bond distributed)

As her faithful Darvin begins to move forward into the room, she calls softly back to Rash (as being the closest) to let him know what she intends and then moves into position herself.  As the spell of the rings is a major one that will nonetheless only protect her beloved for an hour,  and she is already beginning to feel the weariness of channeling Angharradh's threefold holy power, she holds off on that one for the moment.  Instead, she prepares to direct the searing light of Sehanine upon the first monstrous spider or other threat to her loved ones to have the misfortune of catching her watchful eye.

===***===

Held action: Sehanine's burning glance: 

• ("Flame-like radiance descends on a creature that you can see within range. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw (DC vs Spira 12) or take  (6) (1d8) radiant damage. The target gains no benefit from cover for this saving throw.")

Round 1

Spira, Darvin and the Unseen Warrior charged with protecting him enter the room where the attack occurred. The former sergeant takes a moment to smile at his beloved, as he receives the ring: "Thank you, dear! And don't worry... now that I've found you again, there's no monster that can hope to kill me and separate me from you! I'd even eat a dragon!"

Aidwyn and Dawnborn also rush in, fearing for their friends in danger.

Rash and Anita stay a little further back, since the other room is already so crowded...

Round 2

...And that's how they also meet the Popup Spider, who suddenly appears in their room, holding on to the walls with his legs.

The Sergeant of Arvandor unleashes the holy offensive she had prepared and the flame-like radiance falls on the monster...

Pupup Spider's DC 12 Dexterity saving throw: 17

Round 2

But the arachnid's agile legs allow it to move quickly, before being burned by the sacred emanation.

The venom-dripping jaws then snap to strike!

Popup Spider tries to bite: 1 = Anita, 2 = Rash : 2

Attack: 11 Damage: 12 (piercing)

If it's a hit, the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking
Damage: 20 (poison) or half if saved (10)

Round 2

The holy attack must have compromised the giant vermin's aim: the menacing mandibles pass too high, over the Wrestling Wizard's head.

All party members are up for Round 2!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

Rash suddenly sees... a spider. Trying to eat him. That isn't a great thing to see.

"Alright, looks like we're bug-stompin' today," rash chuckles as he twirls his staff.

He casts booming blade as he swings his staff at the gigantic spider, to punish any attempt it makes to retreat.

Staff vs. Popup Spider
Attack: 25 Damage: 10 (bludgeoning)

If it moves before the beginning of Rash's next turn, it takes 8 thunder damage

"Gee, this room got packed all of a sudden," Roxana comments as it seems almost the whole space if full of her compatriots. She pushes her way past some of the others to get to the one open spot (in the SE corner of the room).  If possible to get a glimpse of the spider by peering around the corner there, she will take a quick shot at the creature. (Otherwise, she will READY the same shot should she get a chance to fire at the spider.) 

(Shortbow Attack: 19, Damage: 6 piercing + 7 sneak attack)

Round 2

Rash easily strikes the monster's outstretched claws from below, with a resounding thud... and a tension in the air that suggests an explosion ready to manifest itself under certain conditions.

Roxana in the meantime realizes where the threat has manifested itself and, pushing her way past some of the others to get to the one open spot, she takes a quick shot at the creature, sending her arrow to stick between two chitinous plates, in a vulnerable point.

The monstrous arachnid turns its head towards Shadow Archer, as if it doesn't understand where the sharp steel tip that penetrated so deeply into him has suddenly materialized... then his legs give way, he collapses, a mighty thunder rumbles, shaking his exoskeleton and echoing through the flooded corridors. The carcass falls dead weight into the deep waters of the south room and slowly sinks into the abyss...

Gratz! Combat won! You can act outside of the rounds now!

Gaer approaches Roxana and winks in a conspiratorial way: "Definitely, courting an archer who is not only incredibly attractive, but also equipped with quick reflexes and an unerring aim, is a decision that continues to pay off!"

Anita, on the other hand, who was already drawing her shortsword to help the Wrestling Wizard, instead leaves it in its sheath and jokingly comments: "Good! Another opponent who has become acquainted with the most lethal spell of the orc mages: a solid blow to the head!"

Mival, in the meantime, realizing that once again the enemy of the moment has been summarily and promptly eliminated, lets out a whistle of appreciation: "You guys really are no joke... I hope that one day I'll be even half as good as you are!"

Roxana smiles back at Gaer. "Well thank you Gaer for that completely unbiased appraisal." She stows away her bow, giving the room a last look. "Didn't seem to be much here of interest. I think we should start moving along. Darvin taking the lead again?" 

Rash flicks some spider-sludge off his staff.

"Yeah... damn good spell, not gonna lie," Rash chuckles. "I really should start a school of 'smackomancy.' Maybe we'll finally start getting orcs interested in magic."

Darvin steps forward: "Of course! I'll go first again - after all, I still have the protection of Rash's spell!"

The party then watches the small (but enchanted) boat move into the unknown...

...But soon the boat returns, with an exasperated Darvin still aboard, reporting: "There's a translucent light-blue figure of a corpulent captain of the guard spouting nonsense about defending the passage in the name of Lord Rassalantar. He looks ready to attack anyone who tries to get through... If you want us to fight him, I can try to go back to him and hold off while Geados brings you all there one by one as well... Or does anyone want to try to reason with the guy?"

"When we have as unreasonable a reasoner as you have reason to have reasoned out by now that I am in my unreason, darling," Spira grins, "is there any question?  Follow with the others as fast as you can, though, just in case he's in a more unreasonable mood than I am.   Lead me to him, o boatman of the waters cthonic.," she adds, turning to Geados.  Something about this situation seems to have awakened a literary turn in our fair Sergeant of Arvandor.

Upon arriving at the spot where the ghostly captain still keeps his lonely vigil, Spira takes a moment to take the chain on which her goddess' symbol hangs from around her neck.  

She cups the silvery symbol in her right palm and closes her fingers gently about it, concealed enough to not present an obvious threat of aggression  and yet ready in case she needs to call on Angharradh's power to abjure the lost spirit.  Then she steps forward and addresses the spectral captain, taking care not to approach his post of vigil nearer than she needs to do to speak to him and coming to a halt first so he does not think she's trying to slip past him under cover of the distraction of her words.  Which, ironically enough, is actually exactly what she's trying to do.  She crosses her fingers mentally, hoping that spirits of this type ... whatever it may be (Arcana 15) ... are susceptible to such reasonings and blandishments

"We come from the burgh town Lord Rassalantar founded.  News came that there was danger to the Keep, that stealthy foes may have slipped past the defenders and circled around into the heart of these underground souterrains; and we have been charged to investigate and offer our aid.  We found the outer chambers already occupied, by a much stronger force than we had been led to expect, so we are seeking a way to come at them from behind as they are trying to do to the Lord.  We must pass, for the honor of Rassalantar!"

===***===

Persuasion 8

Held reaction (to buy time for the rest of the party to come up if her persuasions fail, or don't work on this type of boogie in the first place): Channel Divinity - Turn Undead

(WIP)

A quick 40' cruise will take Spira to the edge of the room from which Darvin has decided to retreat. The room measures 20' x 15' but more than half the floor has collapsed. The room is completely devoid of furniture and appears to have no exits. The solemn marble-paved main corridor crosses the room, through the 10' wide openings in the center of the west wall and in the northernmost section of the east wall - the room is paved in the same way as the corridor. A less solemn 5' wide exit opens in the center of the north wall.

There is a banner of Waterdeep hanging in the center of the east wall (oriented so as not to block the exit).

Standing motionless in the center of the room is a translucent light-blue figure of a corpulent captain of the guard, with short, shaggy hair and an upturned mustache, in a chain shirt, shield, longbow and longsword.

The officer immediately fixes his eyes on the Sergenat of Arvandor: "Another one? Didn't your friend from before tell you anything? Don't try to enter or pass! If you do, you'll face my wrath! You may have succeeded in treacherously killing Lord Rassalantar, but I still keep watch over this place in his name!"

Spira can figure out that the 'captain' must be a ghost of some kind, but isn't sure of the exact category. The tiefling's tone is not the most convincing she has ever managed to display... but the tone of the speech must have been particularly well chosen, because the guardian gives a military salute and declares: "It is since that day... that cursed day..." the long-dead eyes seem to look into a past no less dead "15 Uktar 1267 DR... that I keep my watch. I was on duty. I guarded this passage, which leads to the lower level, to the Portal that the Blackstaff can use to visit us or send us aid..."

"But some enemy must have managed to get down there" the ethereal face twists with very lively anger. "Lady Nathundam, the wife of Lord Rassalantar, had been taken hostage, down there. A spy? An assassin? A wizard? Who knows? The Lord had to go alone to confront the captor, or she would be killed. Everyone thought it was a ruse - but of course Rassalantar went. By the time the battle noises made it clear that a trap of some kind had been sprung, it was too late. I tried to descend. But there was water everywhere. A sudden irresistible flood whose cause we never knew. Neither I nor any of the garrison could reach our Lord, the most amiable and brave of Lords I, who should have defended him, could not even see how he died or who killed him."

"If any of the cowards involved in all this still live," the captain concludes "then go! Go on! You and your men! And slaughter those r0tten b4stards! In memory of Lord Rassalantar!"

The sergeant of Arvandor seems to have obtained permission... What will she do now? Will she, who is already on the boat, advance? Or will she return to the rest of the party to announce what she has achieved - and possibly send Darvin ahead?

[[ OOC: OK, deciding myself in Oisin's place. ]]

Spira continues navigation a little along the indicated passage, and finds herself in a section of the main corridor where, as in the previous room, much of the solemn marble-paved floor collapsed.

In the southernmost stretch of shallow water, just before the collapse, someone seems to have improvised a shrine of some kind, leaving some ornamental shells as an offering and painting of a perhaps sacred symbol on the southern wall: a waterfall plunging into a still pool.

Indeed, the symbol seems to emanate a sacred aura that invites prayer.

At that point, the tiefling cleric awaits the rest of the party there, sending Geados to carry them one by one, past the mollified ghostly guardian, to her. Soon, the entire party is gathered at the shrine.

As she waits for the others, Spira studies the symbol painted on the wall to see if she recognizes its meaning or the faith it is associated with (Religion 14).  If she recognizes the handprint of Goodness upon it, or an effect of Neutrality that would be beneficial, she will bow her head and meditate in the way that seems best given what she has learned. 

When the others are all about her once more, she tells them what she learned from the ghostly guardian.  "Such a sad tale!  And I don't know what ill that poor captain did, to be condemned to an eternity of hopeless, bitter watching and remembering down here.  I wonder if there's anything I could do for the resting of his soul.  But anyhow, I don't remember much about this Blackstaff." (History in log: 9)  "And I don't remember anything about a Portal in these ruins.  If it's still active ... "   Her voice trails off, but those who know her can see she is already beginning to turn over ways to access the flooded lower level and arguments as to why the portal really should be checked out.  She has to allow to herself that a return trip may be necessary, but she is determined not to give up until all possible air pockets and magical boons expected or unexpected have been explored.

Spira recognizes the symbol as the one of the goddess Eldath, also known as the Mother of the Waters among the Bedine people, often worshiped as a goddess of peace and calm waters.

So the Sergeant of Arvandor bows her head and meditates in the way that seems best given what she has learned.

As the party members are all around her, the tiefling cleric realizes she feels so... at peace... and, more important, she suddenly feels the waters as welcoming - she is aware that she can now breathe the water as easily as she can breathe the air, if she wants to!

When Roxana finally makes it to the shrine, she immediately says, "Oh! It's a shrine to Chauntea. My family and I have always given her much honor."  She pauses for just a moment, closing her eyes as she bows her head, "Bless both me and my companions, dear Chauntea. And keep watch on my family, that their lives will be peaceful." She then opens her eyes, looking about the place. "Is this the end of our passage with Geados? It does seem the passage is blocked. Have you seen anything Spira?" 

Before Spira can respond, Geados corrects the Shadow Archer: "I can carry you a little further... You're not at the end of the outward journey yet, but you're very close."