Archie's Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Gibson's wild eldritch blast hits the sink, which, in its dilapidated state collapses on top of the mass of spiders, scattering some of them away.

Tul is the first to look over following the incomprehensible jabbering from Gibson. The half-orc leaps into action, using the blunt end of her monk weapon to try and crush the horde. She does manage to dig the nunchaku into the mass, but it does not seem to catch as many spiders in her arc as she had hoped.

Tul then tries to stomp the swarm, but her foot does not find purchase and instead of crunching spiders, the monk actually stomps a hole in the floorboards, her foot getting caught in the wood. By the time Tul removes her foot, the spiders have moved away.

Hugh, Arvastan, and Dimma are up. Dimma -- you probably hear what's going on in the other room at this point, so feel free to do what you want -- however, you won't be able to get into melee this round.

Between all the blubbering, Tul can barely make out, "What did I say about the floorboards?!?"

Arcana check: 12

Regardless of the outcome of the roll, Dimma will perk up at the sound of the porcelain shattering and rush back into the kitchen, slowing and standing by the doorway when she realizes it's just some spiders.

"Moradin's beard! All this racket because of some wee bugs?!"

If the bugs are still around by the time Hugh and Arvastan are done with their actions Dimma will cast Sacred Flame on the swarm to get them to disperse.

Arvastan sees the spiders and makes a disgusted face, immediately swatting at them with his trident. 

Attack: 19 Damage: 9

Dimma, just when you reach a critical point in your work attempting to dispel whatever is the maid's room, the sound of the fracas reaches your ears, and its just enough to put you off.

Rushing across the hall, you see the swarm and cast your Sacred Flame.

Swarm DEX Save - 11 if failed, then 2 Radiant Damage

The swarm of tiny spiders gets fully engulfed in this jet of radiant flame and you see a number of spiders curl up and die as the flame overwhelms them.

Arvastan then dashes in and with his trident, smashes at more of the spiders, sending them scurrying and squashing a few more.

At this point, less than half the swarm is left. Hugh is up, then the beasties.

Hugh takes a slash with his greataxe at the swarm.

Attack: 15 Damage: 13

Hugh swings his axe up above his head and brings it down upon the black mass skittering across the floor. Even as the axe blade embeds itself in the floor, Hugh notices it is covered in the bodies of the dead spiders.

There are only a few spiders remaining, but there are enough of them to swarm all over Tul as they seek any sort of hiding spot away from the party.

Swarm Bite Attack: 23 Damage: 9

Somehow, the spiders find a seam in the bottom of Tul's robe, swarming inside and sinking their fangs into the half-orc's ankles and calves, leaving red painful bites that are going to hurt for at least a few days.

Top of the order -- spiders are barely hanging on to life.

Assuming she can still see the spiders Dimma would try to burn away the last of the swarm with radiant light. (Sacred Flame) 

Spider Dex Save: 6 or take 7 radiant damage

One final burst of radiant energy from the dwarven cleric and the last remaining spiders burn away and the swarm is dispersed.

You are out of combat. An eerie stillness returns back to the house. What are you doing?

Tul, nearly collapses to the floor after all the remaining spiders sink their fangs into her legs, she has some sort of reaction and only just manages to stay on her feet.

She swats down at that last spiders knowing that she can't withstand another bite.

(Action: Attack: 25 Damage: 9  Bonus Action - Unarmed Strike: Attack: 13 Damage: 7  )

As the last spiders burn away in white light Dimma takes a deep breath and looks to the rest of the group. "Are you alright, orc? Let's take a break and let you get your breath back."

She'll move to examine the tracks in this room or what's left of them after the spider fiasco.

Seeing he spiders are all crushed or have escaped, Tul lets out a long slow breath. There is no use pretending otherwise, she can't go on.

"I need some fresh air and to rest for a bit or I won't be any help to any of you," she says to the group. "I do not want to hold you back, so I will go outside and get out of your way. Hopefully the air will help clear out the venom from the spider bites."

"This place is absolutely filthy with pests! Someone should call an exterminator! Blech..." Gibson stifles a retch as he wipes spider goo from the bottom of his shoe onto one of the few spots of floor that had thus far remained unsoiled.

Seeing the state Tul is in, Gibson wordlessly offers her the greasy rag he's holding to wipe the sweat from her forehead and addresses the group with a smile. "I think we'd all do well to catch our breath and calm our collective nerves. I can tell those spiders really got you lot worked up!" He chuckles. "Why don't we step back into the fresh morning air so you all can take some time to mentally prepare as I'm sure there will be more varmints inhabiting this debilitated dwelling." He looks back to address Tul, "And you may want to wrap something around that." He inclines his head to indicate a particularly nasty spider bite that has begun oozing.

He stifles another retch before turning to the door.

"For once, I agree with him," Arvastan says, nodding towards Gib. He heads for door, gallantly holding it open and gesturing Tul through. "Truth be told, I could do with a bit of a rest myself; those weasels took it out of me earlier," he offers with a crooked smile. "I much prefer water beasts; at least those can usually be reasoned with."

"If anyone is staying in the house," Dimma says while examining the tracks, "try not to push too recklessly ahead. Seems like we may have bit off more than we can chew -- even if there are no ghosts or pirates here."

"Thank you." Tul says to the group.

She then takes Gib's greasy rag, recognizing the gesture behind it, but as soon as Gib is not looking, she tosses it in the corner.

She goes outside and takes a deep breath. Finding a corner of the yard away from the dead weasels, the well, and the over grown rose, she settles into a lotus pose and centers her energy.

(Short Rest - Spend 1 HD: 9  )

Hugh cleans the spider gore from his axe before following the party. During the rest it would be obvious Hugh impatiently wishes to continue as he taps his foot incessantly. 

Arvastan leans lazily against his trident after cleaning the spider guts from it, waiting patiently. 

(Spend 1 HD: 5)

Gibson is visibly relieved as soon as he exits the building as he gives a mid-step shudder. There isn't a quiet moment during the "rest" as he yammers incessantly about his experiences heroically slaying various impressive-sounding beasts. Now that you've started to get a feeling for the old tiefling, absolutely none of it sounds believable. "...and that's how I bested the Werewolf of New Cresthill in single, unarmed combat! Now, if these so-called ghosts decide to give us any trouble, you just stand back and let ol' Gib take care of it, yessiree!" he says while shadowboxing awkwardly. He winces and puts one hand on his back as he tries to stand back up straight.

He clears his throat and quickly changes the subject, "So do you think there's actually valuable wizard... paraphernalia... scattered about in some hidden room deep within this place?"

Dimma looks up from her ritual for a moment to answer the tiefling, "There's already more magic in that place than most houses in Keoland," she says, "It might be worth keeping an eye out for.... er, wizard paraphernalia." She lowers her head again to continue ritual casting Detect Magic while the others take their short rests.