Nicholas: Upon closer inspection, you find a pair of heavy silver candlesticks on either side of the altar that seem to hold some value.

More importantly though, Syvis and Nicholas both see the shadowy form of a giant spider rushing towards the group!

Roll initiative!

Giant Spider: 18

Eldeth: 15

Topsy and Turvy: 12

Jimjar: 9

Initiative: 13

Thodek: 14

While all this is going on, Voyage will speak to the remaining NPCs who stayed with her and Rian and discuss strategy for once they exit the Drow outpost. She will push hard for the group to stay together through (at least) the nearest settlement in which the group can restock and find aid to get to the surface (Ront and Derendil/elf Prince) or to their own people (everyone else).

"And you, Sarith? Where will you go? I assume you will no longer stay with the Drow."

“I’m... not sure,” Sarith says quietly. 

(Cailean also stayed, discussing plans and passing out torches if any wanted them.)

Voyage will take a torch, nodding her thanks to Cailean as she waits on Sarith for more details. If none are forthcoming, she will cock a skeptical eyebrow at him.

"Well, you're welcome to come with us for now. I imagine Darklake will be our first stop, and perhaps getting young Stool here to his people. The sooner I see the back of this place, the better. Those bloody webs are the only thing left between us and an exit now." Her thoughts seem to turn elsewhere and she falls silent again, looking across the bridge to where Shoor's quarters are, waiting impatiently for the others.

(@Vakarash -- sorry I missed that.)

“Thank you for the invitation, but I still feel an obligation to decline,” Sarith continues. “I fear I have missed my chance to to truly bond with this group due to my past... mistakes. I... I must make it up to you somehow...”

Nicholas' Initiative: 9

Initiative Order: Giant Spider, Eldeth, Thodek, Syvis, Topsy and Turvy, Nicholas, Jimjar. 

The spider rushes forward, hungrily eyeing Turvy as suddenly, a white streak flies across the room.

Web attack: 17

It hits Turvy with a strong impact as he lets out, and he gives a small yelp, as he is now restrained against the wall. 

Eldeth rushes forward, drawing her shortsword and taking two strikes against the spider.

Attack: 9 Damage: 6

Attack: 17 Damage: 6

The first strike clangs off of the spider’s hard carapace, but the second one sinks deeply into its abdomen (-6hp). 

Thodek and Syvis are up!

Thodek will raise his warhammer and bring it down hard and quick, trying to circle it to get either himself or an ally into its blindspot.

Attack: 14 Damage: 11
(If advantage from flanking: 10 extra damage die from crit 4)

With Thodek harrying the beast and drawing it's attention away, Syvis raises her crossbow and shoots as she moves to find cover.

Attack: 12 Damage: 9
(includes sneak attack damage)

Quote from ctleath13 >>

“Thank you for the invitation, but I still feel an obligation to decline,” Sarith continues. “I fear I have missed my chance to to truly bond with this group due to my past... mistakes. I... I must make it up to you somehow...”

Rian watches the Voyage and Sarinth speak. His crusade to redeem the Drow was unfinished, and he knew he had to step in here. 

"My friend, there is always opportunity for redemption. The fact that you wish to make up your past mistakes means you have began a new path. Come with us, and we will welcome you in our group, no matter who you once were. We're all in the same boat now."

Thodek: Despite the fact that you have flanked the spider, it seemed to be ready for the strike from your Warhammer and is able to dodge out of the way (Blindsight 10ft).

Svyis: Being your first time with a crossbow in awhile, your aim is a tad rusty and the bolt flies a few inches wide (Miss). 

 Jimjar and Topsy+Turvy are up!

Topsy frantically begins to hack at the webbing trapping Turvy, granting him the help action to break free. 

Turvy Strength Check: 16

And through the help of his sister, he is able to break free, now eyeing the spider intently.

Jimjar pulls out his hand crossbow, shooting at the Giant Spider.

 Attack: 6 Damage: 14 (W/ Sneak Attack)

The bolt sinks deeply into one of the spiders eyes, as the creature gives out a bestial screech (-14hp [Total: -20hp])

 Nicholas is up!

Bringing the the handcross bow he had picked up not too long ago to bear, Nicholas takes aim and fires at the Giant Spider.

Nicholas: The bolt strikes true, sinking several inches into the chest of the spider as black-purple blood begins to spurt from the wound. The spider’s legs buckle, and it twitches for a few second before becoming still (-8hp [Dead])

Combat has now ended as the room becomes peaceful once again. What would you like to do?

"Touch nothing but what we're taking," Syvis instructs, "and be mindful of traps."

Syvis takes a closer look at the pedestal in the center of the room to see if it's anything more than Lolth totem. Suspicious of the drow and especially their captors, she doesn't want to touch it until she determines it's safe but she's looking for levers, triggers, hidden panels, latches, etc.

Investigation: 9

Syvis: There isn’t much more of interest in this room except for you notice that they “eyes” of the spider altar seem to be made of polished jet— four marble like small ones, and four larger ones that are golf ball shaped. 

"This appears to be a simple shrine and nothing more. I see none of our belongings up here. I suggest we move down the stairs to continue our search," Syvis states.

Once everyone is satisfied with this room, Syvis will inspect the stairs leading down to make sure there are no alarms or trip wires before leading everyone down (we obviously don't need to go down yet if we're not done up here yet).

Investigation: 23

Thodek heads to the top of the stairs and waits for someone who rattles less to lead the way.