Experience reward for the spiders is 1,200 each.  :)

I offer healing to any who need it, as the story is told of their presence here. Keeping my features impassive, I try to judge the truth of their tale, considering the foe we are up against. 

I nod to Rachel, glad that people would be okay even if bitten.

To the dwarves I state, "More safe by comparison to some areas, but as you've seen its still fairly wild. Our group has been working to tame the area, but its slow going. If you did not already, you should know that this area is claimed by a brand new nation, rights to mine the local resources will need to be negotiated."

"That said, it should be an easy negotiation. We're not quite yet in a position to properly mine such resources ourselves after all. I suspect that Lord Douglas will want to provide funding and assistance for your expedition if you head there and make your case."

I pause and think back, "Come to think of it, there's a series of cliffs and caves not far from here that seem promising for your search. I'm hardly an expert when it comes to geosurveying, but its a place to start. We cleaned a tribe of goblins out of there a while back. Chances are nothing especially nasty has moved in since, though there's no guarantees of course. I left copies of the map I drew to the place back at the stronghold."

"But about this spider nest, do you think this bunch was all or at least most of them? If so, could you lead us back to that location so we can destroy it? I'd really rather not let a nest that big replenish its numbers from whatever eggs were left behind. We're trying to make travel through this area relatively safe after all."

"We can lead you back to it but it a little north of the trading post.  We went North towards the more mountainous region as that is usually where you find the best mining.  We are unsure where the lines between the claiming countries are but we understand the more north the more we have to deal with a tyrannic overlord.  Maybe we can get some of or fellow Dwarves to come over who like to fight and we can build ourselves a mini nation that can make good trades with your lord and help both flourish."  He looks thoughtful for a bit.  "But I believe that yes we should travel to see your lord and talk this over with him." 

At this last statement I laugh and smile, saying "This is becoming a habit with us - meeting new people and starting diplomatic discussions with them. I never imagined I'd be at the ground level of some extra-dimensional League of Nations. I like it a lot better than the ol' hack and slash. A pleasure to meet you all. I'm Grant Beornson. " and hold out my now clean hand for shaking. 

The Dwarf who is talking walks over and takes you arm just behind your wrist in a firm grip.  "I am Klift hammersmith from the clan of Stonebreaker.  We are glad that you all have come to our aid.  These others are my clan mates."  He points to them as he addresses them.  "There is Surid, Gravth, Hema, Krata, Yetha, Woulo, Drigo, Maelan, Piali, Jalea, and Cruth.  The halfling fellow with us is Srick Surefoot."

I nod as further introductions are made, "I feel its only fair to warn you that those lines between us and Merkel are shifting pretty frequently, and to be honest we consider it not a question of if, but when, he starts sending troops our way. Again. We've fended him off every time so far, with few casualties on our end, but he never seems to be deterred for long. I'm sure our lord would welcome the presence of your clan, but it may not be... comfortable trying to set something up in between us."

Nodding, I add "With that, we should clean up this mess, head to wipe out the rest of the nest, then make our way back to our home so you can meet our Lord Douglas and his works. Easy work, and quickly done, I expect. "

"Now that sounds like a plan. Nothing hurt here, cept my pride," I say stroking Maximus' mane. "At least you made a good show of yourself. You done me proud."

They will tell you the have no problem leading you to the nest area and afterwards heading down to the stronghold. 

I smile, "All right then, lets get moving. Perhaps we can talk of the lands where you hail from along the way? We're new to this place in more ways than one."

The dwarves get their belongings and soon are walking back to the north with your group.  The halfing follows behind the dwarves.  He looks a bit frightened to be heading back towards the spiders nest.  As you are are traveling Klift tells you about the Dwarven kingdom of Hepun that is surrounded by the kingdom of Vogyl.  The dwarven kingdom is a small range of mountains that surround a large lake that is a deep blue.  The Dwarves mostly make their homes in the mountains but their capital city Sits on the Western edge of the mountains where they do trade with other nations.  They mine the riches of precious metals and gems from the mountains and along with coal and Iron ore that they mine they make some nice weapons that are sought out by many for their craftsmanship. 

I think about sharing our origin story but think the better of it. Who knows if and when us being foreigners to this world would bite us in the touchas. "Klift, it's nice to hear about your land. It seems your people are living the dream. Work with your hands, trade, explore. It's nice to see that for the most part your ready to get back out there. We'll do our best to keep you covered in there. We haven't been at this long, but our team is coming together."

I too refrain from mentioning the full details, but I talk about the new nation, our work getting established, and our encounters with Merkel, who these folk are thinking about making a neighbor.

The Dwarves chat freely with all of you as they continue leading you back north from whence they came being chased by spiders.  The trail is easy to follow as they were not caring about the trampled underbrush of the small branches that were broken in their mad rush to get away.   It is getting late in the day when you pass the trail that would lead you to the outpost at the edge of the great lake. 

Not as wary at first, once we pass the trail to the lake I start watching a bit more carefully, knowing the bad guy's love of sending groups across in his search for whatever-it-is. Still keeping at the lead with our Chevalier, but not ahead of the group, My bow is ready to draw and fire. 

Seeing the others paying more attention to the surroundings, I’ll lay an arrow to the string but no tension on the string yet. I’ll keep my head on a swivel as well.

As you continue heading north  you notice the dwarves and the halfling seem to tense up more the farther you head North.  They lead you towards a hill that is rising ahead of you.  You all remember when coming  back on board the ship that the terrain was much more hilly as it lead to a more mountainous region as it started to surround the lake in mountains.  You also notice the trees are slowly changing out to be more evergreen types as the terrain gets more hilly and steep.  Soon you are running out of daylight as you come to a top of a hill that a couple miles away open to the sky amidst a rocking top.  Off to the East you can see the lake stretching off to the east with the western shore being about two miles away.  Off the the North you see more taller hills and the mountains themselves in the distance.  The hills are a mix of rocky outcrops and tree filled hills.  To the west you see the hills continuing to stretch as far as the eyes can see.  Looking back to the south you see the lower hills and the thick forest that you can still see around you.  The dwarves stop and tell you that they will continue the journey into the spiders tomorrow as they prefer to be hunted or be the ones hunting in daylight.

I nod in agreement, "Yes, lets stop here, no need to add to the difficulty by rushing things if we don't have to."

"I like the trees. It doesn't matter to me if we move along or hole up here. I think after a run like that these fellows will need the rest and food." Addressing the dwarves, "I'm Jonathan, did you leave any supplies behind that we need to help find? If there is to be a rest some of us might be able to locate them before the dark sets in."