Hexblade's Lost Mine of Phandelver - Main Thread

"Come now, Yeemik. We're both people of the world. Pragmatists. I care about the dwarf because the dwarf is paying me to care about him. We're not so different you and I. If it weren't for our alliances, I'm sure we'd be...colleagues at the very least."

Yeemik starts walking back out of the canyon past various large spider webs and figures in cocoons.  "You should work for me then instead.  Soon the Spider will put Yeemik in charge of Cragmaw Castle instead of that filthy bugbear.  What's the dwarf paying ya?  He doesn't have much left, by the way.  Still has all of his fingers though, at least, unlike your other 'friend'."

"Careful there, Yeemik. My friends aren't as willing to forgive as I am. But let's turn that thought around in our heads for a moment. Your 'friend' the Spider also promised that the spiders wouldn't attack your goblin allies and now some impostor has taken the place of your priest. Does that honestly lead you to the conclusion that the Spider will honor their agreement to replace the bugbear with you?

Whereas, with me, you are at least assured that you will leave this place in good health. You've seen what my friends and I are capable of. If you were to show us an unguarded way into the castle, you'd be able to leave and wait a few days and then return to have the castle all to yourself. In fact, if you were to convince your goblin allies in the castle (sans the impostor priest, of course) to quietly evacuate while my friends and I rescue our employer and deal with the Spider et al, I'm sure I could convince my allies to allow you to occupy the castle. Provided you keep to yourselves, of course."

Yeemik seems to give Arvel's offer of the castle all for himself and any goblins that will follow him serious thought.  "But the Spider sees everything."

Everyone else following along, perhaps with the other living goblin?  Anything else people want to do as they leave this area?

"Not if me and my friends are making sure the Spider has all eight eyes on us. The subtle art of misdirection, right?"

"Ok boss, whatever you say.  I'll go in first and talk to the other goblins, then you can come in."

Yeemik's motivation?

Insight: 14

Arvel believes that Yeemik truly fears going against the Black Spider but that bringing you to the castle is his best option for now.  However Yeemik seem as if he was being a bit sarcastic and defiant with his last line about going in alone first.  Arvel knows Yeemik has already been all too willing to betray Klarg the bugbear, then drew you a map to the spider death trap, etc.

Elra winces at the word spider, her adrenaline finally giving out. Her arms hang limply by her sides. "Can we maybe keep moving faster," she says, not trusting the spiders to keep their distance.

Fae would rush to try to finish gathering the poison, only to prick her finger and spill the venom. She'd do her best to pretend all is well and nothing happened in order to not concern her allies. She'd hurry out the door to catch up with the rest of the group, keeping to the rear of their walking group.

Tarja warily leaves the cave and follows the group, keeping her eye on the goblin and the spiders, and her hand on her mistletoe.

She keeps an eye out for safer places to rest along the way to the castle (Perception: 17). She whispers to Zeke - I don't trust Yeemik. He set spiders on us. Spiders!  If we find a spider-less place to rest, we should stop there. And feed Yeemik to one of the other spiders.

Zeke would bent over and quickly tied and then scoop up the limp goblins form,  easily throwing the small creature over his shoulder.  He'd position himself to stay between Elra and as many of the spiders as possible as the group made their way out of the darkened forest.

Ethan, distracted by the opened cave, doesn't notice Fae's failure, but drops the spider corps as she moves away to follow the others.

Ethan bends down and scoops up the light stone Fae placed in the centre of the room, and waits for his Eldritch Canon to climb down from the ceiling.

Ethan works with the Canon, to allow it to climb up onto his shoulder, where it locks its legs into various clips on his armour, to allow it to ride along on Ethan's shoulder.

Ethan hurries to keep up with the others, not wanting to be far, from whatever it is, that is keeping the spiders back from Yeemik.

Ethan remain quiet as the group moves, but his is holding the light stone and keeping watch for any dangers, his Canon swivelling left and right from where it perch's on his shoulder.

Perception check: 14

(Note: The Eldritch Canon will disintegrate away when an hour has passed since it was summoned. I believe we are a little over 10min in to its duration, at this point.)

Yeemik leads the party out of the spider den area and almost immediately up a rocky scramble to a narrow ledge.  It's a bit tricky but all are able to manage the short climb without much risk of a fall and Zeke is able to carry the other goblin up with him due to his superior athletics.  The narrow ledge leads back along the canyon with a good view down into the spider den.  (OOC this is where the goblins were watching for you from, and where you heard one snoring from, btw; fun fact)

Continuing on, the ledge leads the party through the canyon beyond the spider cave and above the pile of rocky slabs filling the narrow ravine.  A minute or two later the party rounds a bend and Yeemik starts hopping down some rocks and onto a steep slope heading back down into the woods.

*I'll pause here in case Tarja wants to convince the others to stop and rest up on the rocky cliff ledge where there are no trees and no spider webs.  A cooler breeze is probably the most uncomfortable deterrent at the moment.

As the battle trance wears off, the cumulative effect of the battle, the poison and carrying the unconscious goblin would begin to show on Zeke - his posture would slump and he would begin to fall off the pace just a bit.

Elra sees Zeke start to slow down and takes her amulet off. She touches it to Zeke's back and chants the healing incantation the Loremaster had taught her.

So, am I the only one feeling tired? There were no spiders on the cliff back there. Looked like a good place to camp for the night. How far's this castle from here, anyway?

Fae would definitely start to show some signs of exhaustion, accelerated by the poison. She’d look tired with bags under her eyes, though she’d smile politely and say all is well if asked. Though, when Tarja would speak up about the clearing, the wizard would look up with hopeful eyes. “A long rest would be nice if it’s at all possible...” But she also understands any desire to press forward to get as far away away from the spiders as possible.

Zeke would visibly straighten as the power of Elra's magic surrounded him and re-energized him.  'A rest would be a good idea for all of us - especially before we head into the castle and whatever awaits us there.'

"No more spiders..." Elra replies, looking around for hidden giant spider nests.