North by Northwest (storyline)/2023-03-10 - The Itsy Bitsy Spiders Went Up the Hunters and Out (log)

Charlatos 10-11, 5123

Disclaimer

This log is purely intended as an archival record of spoken words and actions of characters within the game as could be witnessed by the character who was present to record them. The player posting it holds no position on the veracity, falsity, legitimacy, nor illegitimacy of any character dialogue, opinions, perspectives, interpretations, and stances presented herein.

Synopsis

Samfelt and another settler meet with Landing adventurers in the camp, where he says a group called the Troll Claws who took up hunting in the Trollfang have gone missing for a week. The group eventually finds a tired settler in Danjirland with six red dots on the side of his neck; people try to examine him, but soon enough he screams and his stomach bursts open, releasing glistening incarnadine spiders that grow to towering heights!

The group fights them off and Lady Aronia, back at the camp, says a few of their hunters have returned to the camp and are being tended to--but, after Dendum asks if they have marks, Aronia confirms that they do, and soon enough spiders burst forth and attack the camp! Adventurers battle through all of those too and Samfelt thanks them for their help before leaving.

However, one last hunter with bite marks wanders through the forest. A town guard spots him and alerts everyone, asking if he can shoot; Councilor Vaemyr says yes and the guard puts an arrow through his throat--but the spiders burst out anyway and adventurers stave them off. Aronia meets with others afterward and thanks them for their help, saying they'll discuss it further to understand what they're facing, then slips away.

Log

Lost Trollfang Hunters

A cool breeze stirs through the area.

[Town Square Central]

This is the heart of the main square of Wehnimer's Landing. The impromptu shops of the bazaar are clustered around this central gathering place, where townsfolk, travellers, and adventurers meet to talk, conspire or raise expeditions to the far-flung reaches of Elanith. At the north end, an old well, with moss-covered stones and a craggy roof, is shaded from the moonlight by a strong, robust tree. The oak is tall and straight, and it is apparent that the roots run deep. You also see the Kialeigh disk, the repousse copper Perigourd disk raised in leafy designs, a massive snowy white tiger, the Khorsoro disk, the Vaemyr disk, the Xanxen disk, a yellow-eyed silvery lor mandrake sprouting black calla lilies, a lazy wild dark red dog, the web-draped Missoni disk, the Herod disk, the Stormyrain disk, a massive grey wolf, the Bellaja disk, the Kelfyr disk, a grizzled porcupine, the Warrden disk, a pale-faced coppery barn owl, the Bexs disk, the Nizana disk, the white Emmisive disk, a fluffy white cat that is sitting, the sparking Dendum disk, a volatile wasteland spirit that is flying around, the skull-shaped Irval disk, a contrary glacier spirit that is flying around, a rough oak table with some stuff on it, the Arahnim disk, an iced raisin muffin, a white flask, a mistwood serving cart with some stuff on it, a round silver-banded barrel, an herbal remedy donation bin, some wide stone benches with some stuff on it and an old well.

Also here: Astrilyn, Dumple, Kialeigh, Perigourd, Roelon, Khorsoro, Dame Evia, Town Councilor Vaemyr, Xanxen who is sitting, Lady Ardimas, Sir Geijon, Rysul, Missoni, Lord Herod, Stormyrain, Zero who is sitting, Draelor, Bellaja, Drektor, Sir Cryheart, Kelfyr, Warrden who is sitting, Bexs, Nizana who is sitting, Lord Emmisive who is sitting, Kryllix, Dendum, Bernadette, Tikba, Grand Lord Irval, Town Councilor Kiyna, Grand Lord Arahnim, Pukk, Ussey

Cryheart says, "Listen for the thoughts on the net."

Irval says, "The breeze though is a nice change from the then constant snow fall I feel."

Nalver asks, "Something happening?"

Cryheart says, "Something is up for sure."

Nalver says, "Hrm."

Irval exclaims, "I shall consult the stones!"

Kiyna says, "Aye, I can do without the snow. Quite refreshing."

Nalver yells, "Go away constable!"

Nairena says, "Ta da."

Nalver asks, "Anyone healing?"

Brilliant motes of light twirl and descend from the skies in shifting patterns of radiance. [ambient message]

A sudden gust sends the motes into a momentary whirlwind of bright color and glowing radiance. [ambient message]

Nairena says, "The trail is a little saferer."

Jaffrey says, "Ne back in a bit."

Missoni murmurs, "How pretty."

Astrilyn confusedly says, "That's not exactly normal..."

Speaking to Missoni, Perigourd says, "If they remain harmless."

Speaking to Alosaka, Nalver says, "Thank you."

Irval exclaims, "Counseling for a reward from a leader type figure it seems! So sayeth the stones!"

Missoni optimistically says, "I am sure they are nothing to worry over."

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver says, "You did not answer my question earlier."

Tikba bemusedly says, "The weather is energetic."

Speaking to Nalver, Nairena says, "Beat ya here."

Speaking to Nalver, Missoni asks, "I did not?"

Speaking to Nalver, Missoni says, "I rather thought I did..."

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver says, "Ohh. I missed it."

Speaking to Nalver, Missoni says, "Oh, the answer was that yes, I was."

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver asks, "Weresn't you painting in your own gallery?"

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver says, "Nifty."

Nairena says, "Ill return."

Speaking happily to Nalver, Missoni says, "It was quite relaxing."

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver says, "I bet you were painting an image of Perigroud being quite boisterous."

Kelfyr asks, "Don't these motes typically portend Iliyaas's arrival?"

Speaking to Nalver, Missoni says, "Oh, no. I did that the other evening."

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver asks, "Was he flush after receiving a favor from someone?"

Speaking to Nalver, Missoni says, "No, he was slaying a rolton in battle."

Speaking to Missoni, Nalver says, "Quite the battle."

Perigourd says, "Those are usually metallic in tone.."

Speaking to Nalver, Missoni says, "It is the strongest for we have ever faced."

Speaking to Irval, Vaemyr says, "Mine glows."

Irval says, "I heard."

A fur-covered settler walks through the streets of town, briefly swatting at some of the bronze motes floating about like metallic fireflies, and he can be seen glancing down at a map as he heads towards the imperial campsite.

Nalver yells, "Burn it down!"

Irval says, "I see..."

Nyaria quietly says, "Theres an aweful lot of troublemakers here tonight."

Alosaka asks, "Kill them all, 'eh?"

Kiyna says, "Iliyaas."

Vaemyr says, "The motes again."

Irval asks, "You have a ...something coming outta ya head did you know that?"

Speaking to Nyaria, Pukk says, "Yeah, but we like Cryheart anyways."

Speaking to Vaemyr, Irval asks, "Did it hurt?"

Speaking to Cryheart, Stormyrain asks, "Shall we head to the camp?"

Tikba asks, "Shall we head to the campsite?"

Nyaria quietly says, "We do."

Speaking to Irval, Vaemyr says, "Nah it's fine."

Evia says, "That guy should have thought to join the CryBlob."

Speaking to Irval, Vaemyr says, "It just kinda sticks there."

Speaking to Cryheart, Pukk asks, "To the camp?"

Speaking to Vaemyr, Irval says, "You are sure? because that looks like it hurts..."

Speaking deeply to Pukk, Roelon asks, "Did ye break Cryheart?"

Cryheart asks, "I hear no word yet, hae ye?"

Irval says, "If you say so..."

Pukk says, "I think I did."

Speaking to Irval, Vaemyr says, "Nope, doesn't hurt at all."

Rysul says, "No I heard nothing."

Speaking to Cryheart, Stormyrain says, "I ..certainly get the feeling we should follow that traveller. Make sure he got there ok if nothing else."

Kelfyr says, "There's a settler headed that way that looked rather determined."

Cryheart says, "Same."

Speaking to Cryheart, Pukk says, "That guy wearing all that fur seemed to be heading that way."

Cryheart says, "Oh."

Cryheart says, "Ok..moving out."

Cryheart says, "Samfelt."

Stormyrain says, "Not sure if it was Samfelt or not? Could have been, he was too well bundled for me to know for certain."

[travel]

[Imperial Campsite]

Rugged canvas tents stand near the opening of the glade, as uniformed soldiers guard the entrance. Knights wearing various Imperial crests heavily patrol the area, their clanging armor echoing throughout the Lower Dragonsclaw. You also see the Kelfyr disk, the Arahnim disk, the Kialeigh disk, the skull-shaped Irval disk, the Bellaja disk, the Vaemyr disk, the glossy pink Nyaria disk shaped like a jellyfish, the Stormyrain disk, a young freckle-faced squire and a length of sturdy wooden walls.

Speaking to Cryheart, Irval says, "Thanks for the ride."

A fur-covered settler wanders into the area, then pauses and looks up at everyone.

[travel]

Kelfyr says, "Huh, I wonder what was carrying a claidhmore out there. That's a weapon I typically don't see much outside the reiver village."

Vaemyr asks, "Go back?"

[Imperial Campsite]

A roaring bonfire demands attention from the center of this temporary town, its coppery gold flames mesmerizing as they dance. Rows of tents bordering the fire create purposeful pathways to other areas of the camp. You also see a long piece of cord, a stained wooden keg and a long wooden log.

Falvicar whispers something to Nairena.

The settler blinks.

[travel]

[Imperial Campsite]

A squire rests next to a cooking fire, a sword half his size resting awkwardly against a log as he roasts a small squirrel in the nearby flames. Wisps of charcoal-hued smoke curl and rise upwards, sending the alluring aroma of cooked meat and burning coals into the air. You also see the Petat disk, the Coins disk, the driftwood Nalver disk, the sparking Dendum disk, a yellow-eyed silvery lor mandrake sprouting black calla lilies, the web-draped Missoni disk, the repousse copper Perigourd disk raised in leafy designs, a lazy wild dark red dog, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a dark-eyed giantman falconer that is lying down and a length of sturdy wooden walls.

Also here: Roelon, Dame Evia, Town Councilor Vaemyr, Sir Geijon, Rysul, Stormyrain, Bellaja, Kelfyr, Bernadette, Town Councilor Kayse, Grand Lord Irval, Town Councilor Kiyna, Grand Lord Arahnim, Pukk, Tikba, Lady Nyaria, Kialeigh, Chronicler Falvicar, Lady Nairena, Sir Cryheart, Lord Petat, Coins, Nalver, Dendum, Alosaka, Missoni, Perigourd, Settler Samfelt

Pukk yells, "We come in peace!"

Kayse offers, "Perhaps we should stop moving."

Cryheart says, "Hello Samfelt."

Cryheart says, "We did."

Evia says, "Hiyas Samfelt."

Speaking to Samfelt, Pukk says, "Except for Tikba...no telling there."

Tikba mildly corrects, "We come in peace."

A fur-covered settler wanders in. "You're all awfully fast and jumpy."

Samfelt deeply says, "The walls seem to be holding up well enough."

Vaemyr says, "Apologies."

Irval says, "Our steed is a bit skittish."

Kiyna says, "That's how we stay alive sometimes."

Kayse murmurs, "Thus why I made my suggestion."

Vaemyr says, "We uhh... get lead around sometimes by very eager folks."

Cryheart says, "Aye."

Samfelt deeply says, "I was about to have a rest at the fire, and maybe a drink."

(OOC) Cryheart's player whispers to the group, "Sorry..very tired."

Settler Samfelt just went northwest.

Sir Cryheart's group just went northwest.

(OOC) Stormyrain's player whispers to the group, "You're doing fine Cryheart, thank you for always being willing to lead us."

Samfelt moves over to a log and sits down.

Speaking to Samfelt, Irval asks, "How goes the ore processing these some weeks?"

Speaking to Missoni, Perigourd asks, "Still have my moonshine?"

A fur-covered settler walks in, staring.

Speaking nervously to Perigourd, Missoni says, "Someone drank it."

Samfelt deeply says, "I left that to those better with ore."

Speaking to Missoni, Perigourd asks, "Someone I know?"

Missoni admits, "Yes."

A fur-covered settler says, "I thought you all might be here to help with the search."

Samfelt raises an eyebrow.

Kelfyr asks, "The search?"

Tikba asks, "Search for whom?"

Nyaria quietly asks, "Whatcha lookin for?"

Alosaka says, "Of course we are."

Alosaka asks, "Why else would we come through such weather?"

A fur-covered settler says, "The Troll Claws." He chuckles, "I mean, that's what they called themselves. It's a silly name."

Irval asks, "Troll...claws?"

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Perigourd asks, "What are the Troll Claws?"

Kayse repeats, "Troll Claws?"

Cryheart asks, "You mean the forest?"

Speaking to Irval, Nalver says, "Must be mixing dragonsclaw and trollfang."

Nairena says, "Make good back scratchers."

A fur-covered settler says, "I never joined them, I'm more of a trapper than a full on hunter, you know? I prefer my prey wounded or dead. All tastes the same."

Falvicar says, "Those are brawling weapons... and also claws of a troll."

A fur-covered settler says, "They called themselves that because they took up hunting in the...well, guess."

Roelon deeply says, "Sounds like ah rather good ale as well."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Perigourd asks, "The trollfang?"

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Vaemyr asks, "I think they might of said Trollfang not claws?"

Speaking to Vaemyr, Alosaka says, "That might've been too confusing."

A fur-covered settler says, "Trollfang."

Kelfyr asks, "Are they now missing?"

Evia says, "The Trollfangs is also a peculilar name, but who am I to judge."

A fur-covered settler says, "But we haven't seen th..."

A fur-covered settler says, "Aye, missing."

Missoni worriedly asks, "For how long?"

Cryheart asks, "Someone else is missing?"

A fur-covered settler says, "A week now?"

Vaemyr says, "We can go look about... but."

Kelfyr asks, "Did they happen to mention what their last quarry was?"

Samfelt deeply says, "I didn't realize they had been missing for so long."

Nalver says, "It's just some stupid imperial settlers missing in the woods. I imagine the imperials will try to claim a new forest just because two people were dumb enough to get lost and die there."

Evia says, "The wilds are dangerous, especially to strangers to the place."

Samfelt rubs his chin thoughtfully.

Irval says, "Probably should be renamed troll bellies then, thats where'd they most likely ended up..."

Nyaria quietly asks, "Perhaps made temporary camp under a bridge?"

Geijon says, "That's a long time."

Roelon deeply says, "Fir ah hunter..."

Nalver says, "Enjoy the imperial business."

A fur-covered settler says, "Elidal warned them to check in every three days."

Nalver's group just went west.

Irval exclaims, "I mean! How terrible!"

Samfelt deeply says, "You know. Hunters sometimes stay out in the woods for awhile, but a week is quite a long time to not report back."

Cryheart asks, "In which direction were they last seen heading?"

Samfelt nods.

Missoni murmurs, "No, they ought have sent word, at least."

A fur-covered settler nods to Samfelt.

Samfelt deeply says, "If the Baron is worried about them, we should form a search party right away."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Perigourd says, "We can send out search parties to look I'd think without much trouble."

Samfelt removes a fel-hafted logging axe from in his leather axe frog.

Samfelt stands up.

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Dendum asks, ""What do they look like?"

Cryheart asks, "In what direction were they headed?"

Speaking to Samfelt, Kelfyr asks, "Did they say what they were hunting after, when they last left?"

Kiyna asks, "These motes... Iliyaas is somewhere around here, right?"

Cryheart says, "Perhaps."

Speaking softly to Kialeigh, Irval asks, "You heard that part about the troll bellies right?"

Samfelt deeply says, "They are hunters, they look like settlers who hunt last time I saw them."

Pukk asks, "Hopefully we have a ranger in our group to help track?"

A fur-covered settler says, "I was trying to look at their last map." He holds out a torn scroll. There's some trees, a ledge leading to a cavern, and a ground with several large pits.

A fur-covered settler says, "Can't say for sure where. Again, hunting like them ain't for me."

Evia says, "Oh."

Samfelt deeply says, "But that was quite some time ago. I didn't realize a week had gone by already."

Kelfyr says, "That might be near the Cavernhold."

Samfelt deeply asks, "Does anyone know the area well enough to guide us in the search?"

Speaking to Dendum, Pukk asks, "Are you good at tracking?"

Kiyna asks, "Is that over by the uh... where the cave trolls are?"

A fur-covered settler says, "Motes?" He shrugs at the sky. "You all have shiny rain I figured."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Irval says, "Where have they been ranging too? Any ideas , clues , anything to help narrow the search. Trollfang is rather large."

(OOC) Kayse's player whispers to the group, "Instead of blood rain.... GLITTER RAIN."

Kelfyr says, "If they're after trolls, there are forest trolls that wander near the swamp there."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Vaemyr says, "Well it hasn't rained blood yet while you've been here I don't think."

(OOC) Kiyna's player whispers to the group, "Somehow even harder to get out of your clothes."

A fur-covered settler says, "I know they once ventured near the Glatoph, but not much else I know."

Alosaka asks, "They've been missing how long, you said?"

A fur-covered settler says, "Week."

Irval says, "With luck they holed up somewhere..."

Alosaka asks, "And when did Mother say she was going to start doing... whatever it was she said she was going to do?"

Cryheart asks, "Well..glatoph ye say?"

Missoni says, "Pits...a ledge..."

Alosaka says, "Sometime in Charlatos, if I recall."

Vaemyr says, "I was thinking toward the stone giant area... theres a ledge there."

Samfelt deeply says, "About a week. I guess they missed their last check in. Didn't even notice, we had so much help with food from the town nearby."

Kelfyr says, "There are pits near the Thanatoph."

Vaemyr says, "That leads to a cavern."

Evia asks, "Just near Danjirland I think?"

Kelfyr says, "But that's out past Danjirland."

A fur-covered settler says, "See, even you all don't know where to begin."

Geijon says, "Maybe ranged too far."

Speaking to Missoni, Stormyrain asks, "By stone trolls, for pits and a ledge?"

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Delyorik says, "Sounds about right."

Evia says, "Well trolls, who knows."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Irval asks, "Did these troll bell...I mean claws not leave any maps behind?"

Tikba says, "Over there."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Alosaka says, "There are, it happens, more than a few ledges in a land surrounded by mountains and trolls."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Missoni says, "That seems likely."

Kelfyr says, "We could go that way and track back from it."

Cryheart says, "I think I know where that is."

Cryheart asks, "Stronghold?"

Speaking to Stormyrain, Vaemyr says, "Aye, Thanatoph, the cave there..."

Missoni says, "I know there are pits out that way..."

Speaking to a fur-covered settler, Delyorik says, "People don't know where to go without reading a map, and they usually hold them sideways. It's funny to watch."

Samfelt deeply asks, "Some sort of cavern and pits, you said?"

Tikba says, "There are caves near Danjirland, with pits."

A fur-covered settler says, "I know they frequented the Trollfang, and once went in the direction of the Glatoph. Sorry I can't help much more."

Samfelt turns to face Tikba.

Irval says, "Sounds like a place to start at least."

Pukk says, "Trollfang to glatoph..."

Irval says, "Maybe we can find some clues of their passing."

Cryheart says, "Well..no time to wait."

Kiyna says, "We could certainly start looking."

Missoni says, "Well, there is a chasm on the glacier. I am not sure if that is too far..."

Irval says, "Passing through not passing death..."

Cryheart says, "Let's begin searching."

Evia says, "Just no "cave" trolls as I recall, lots of other ones though."

Vaemyr says, "I can go ahead and check the cave at Thanatoph if the rest wanna head toward Glatoph."

Roelon deeply says, "Hunting the Hunters.."

Delyorik says, "Have fun. I need to find another bottle of whiskey."

Speaking to Kiyna, Vaemyr asks, "Wanna come with?"

Alosaka says, "We should split up."

Speaking deeply to Delyorik, Roelon asks, "Will Absinthe do?"

Delyorik says, "Oh..."

Cryheart says, "Give us a thought if ye find something."

Samfelt deeply says, "Who is leading the search? I will come help look for them."

Stormyrain says, "Cryheart leads."

Cryheart says, "Well...I hae a group."

Samfelt joins Cryheart's group.

Speaking to Samfelt, Vaemyr says, "I think Cryheart will have the main group, I'm gonna scout another area."

Searching the Area

Cryheart says, "Let's go."

Cryheart asks, "All set?"

[Realm] Tikba politely thinks, "Please enjoy this cake while we search."

Kelfyr says, "If they went as far as the Glatoph, they definitely could have headed toward the Thanatoph from there."

Evia says, "Yup."

Irval asks, "Lets go with the known variables first?"

Samfelt deeply says, "You have quite a few mountains around here. Glad someone knows where we are going."

Irval lifts his ethereal bracer high overhead, causing the ethereal runes covering his ethereal bracer to glow. Changing directions, he spins his body around, ready to fire as his bracer pulses cobalt.

[SMR result: 418 (Open d100: 93)]

• • An ethereal bolt darts out from the ethereal bracer and strikes a mountain ogre's right leg! **

... 105 points of damage!

Shot shatters hip and severs right leg!

A mountain ogre falls to the ground grasping his mangled right leg!

The mountain ogre is stunned!

Samfelt stares at a mountain ogre.

Irval says, "Have at him."

Samfelt swings a fel-hafted logging axe at a mountain ogre!

AS: +346 vs DS: +177 with AvD: +31 + d100 roll: +9 = +209

... and hits for 52 points of damage!

Internal organs bruised.

The mountain ogre is stunned!

Cryheart asks, "Stronghold ye thnk?"

Kelfyr says, "That's where the pits and ledge are."

Cryheart asks, "Or northward?"

Stormyrain asks, "Would we prefer the avoid fighting while we search?"

Evia says, "Backtrack to that path leads to cave trolls."

Cryheart says, "Careful of crossing the pit..so stay with me."

Samfelt deeply says, "Maybe they were attacked by ogres and trolls."

Samfelt frowns.

Kelfyr says, "Worse things in these parts than ogres and trolls."

Cryheart says, "Careful."

Evia says, "Yep, people."

Pukk recites:

"Rejoin Cryheart!"

[crossing the pile in Stone Valley]

Cryheart asks, "We got everyone?"

Kelfyr says, "Nope."

Stormyrain says, "Not everyoe."

Pukk recites:

"Don't pet the kitty"

A mountain lion scampers northeast.

Stormyrain says, "Everyone."

Kelfyr says, "Four more."

Missoni says, "There are a few on the other side, still."

Cryheart yells, "Cross the pile!"

Cryheart yells, "Cross the pile!"

Kelfyr says, "Careful about yelling up here."

Cryheart says, "Aye."

Samfelt deeply says, "There's a whole pride of lions over there."

Cryheart says, "We are away from the mountain."

Evia says, "Just Geijon now."

Cryheart says, "One more."

Cryheart yells, "Coming Sir Geijon?"

Cryheart says, "He will find us."

Cryheart says, "Moving."

Kelfyr says, "And did."

Geijon says, "I figured it would be this way."

Speaking to Alosaka, Kiyna adds, "And a fraid."

Geijon says, "Near th' griffin cave in."

Irval says, "Not a kitten."

There appears to be no fresh, or even old footprints nearby. Perhaps the Thanatoph was so last Fashanos.

Pukk says, "So many kitties and I'm not lion."

Missoni murmurs, "I do not see much here."

Tikba uncertainly says, "We may have gone too far."

Kelfyr says, "Well, iff these scared them off, they may have stayed by the war trolls and such, up near where we found the kobolds."

Samfelt deeply says, "I only see the lion tracks here."

Missoni sheepishly says, "Of course I am not the best of trackers."

Cryheart says, "Was thinking of the stone trail."

Kelfyr says, "There are caves up near there they could be hiding in too."

Samfelt deeply asks, "Is there a ledge that leads to a cavern somewhere?"

Bellaja says, "It's almost like there are faeries around."

Tikba uncertainly says, "To the north, I think."

Geijon asks, "War trolls?"

Speaking to Samfelt, Perigourd says, "Near to the glatoph is a cavern that leads through the mountain back up to Luinne Bheinn."

Roelon deeply asks, "Or Cave Trolls?"

Perigourd says, "If they had been in that area, they may have explored that."

Roelon deeply says, "They had ah little cave near the bone golems."

Pukk asks, "Okay, who brought the catnip?"

Evia says, "There was a ledge area at the hot spring."

Cryheart asks, "Well, up here?"

Cryheart asks, "Or near the stone trail?"

Tikba says, "Back down, I think."

Pukk says, "Okay, we need to report all these lions to the guild and they can put out a cull bounty."

Missoni suggests, "Further toward the Glatoph, I think."

Speaking deeply to Pukk, Roelon says, "And they said rabbits were bad..."

Goldstr asks, "Were dey huntin Trolls?"

Irval says, "They are the troll claws..."

Speaking to Goldstr, Perigourd says, "Or game. There's bear about that way too."

Samfelt deeply asks, "They did their hunting in the Trollfang. Maybe we should start there?"

Missoni says, "They were hunting food, so perhaps not stone creatures..."

Geijon says, "Overshot I think. Western Danjirland with th' bone golem, trolls and ogres."

Cryheart says, "Here."

Kelfyr says, "Out of this area and to the northwest."

Kelfyr says, "These boil the earth."

Speaking to Cryheart, Perigourd says, "We ought to see if we can pick their trail back up in the trollfang."

Kelfyr says, "We should move."

Dust blows through the area. Lots and lots of dust. There probably hasn't been hunters by here in a long time.

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "This is not where they would have hunted. Far too dangerous!"

Pukk says, "My instincts tell me we are close."

Evia says, "Because, yuck its awful here."

Cryheart says, "We are close."

(OOC) Cryheart's player whispers to the group, "What a bloody time to lose the lich maps <lol>"

Samfelt deeply asks, "The trapper who found part of that map said something about another mountain. Do you remember what it was called?"

Goldstr says, "Maybe area near da volcano on way to Glatoph."

Stormyrain says, "We left a few across the pile."

Cryheart says, "Pit."

Cryheart says, "Hmm."

[Realm] Vaemyr thinks, "We found one."

(OOC) Cryheart's player whispers to the group, "Lost my map."

[General] Stormyrain asks, "Where, Vaemyr?"

Stormyrain says, "Vaemyr has one."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Cave troll cave in the danjirland."

Roelon deeply says, "Ah follow the kilt, but that has nae been ah good idea most of the time."

Speaking to Perigourd, Stormyrain asks, "Did you hear Vaemyr?"

Perigourd says, "I did."

Geijon says, "That was what we were thinking too."

Roelon deeply says, "As ah thought, cave trolls."

Evia says, "We were up this way around a month ago, a bit more."

[General] Cryheart asks, "You only found one?"

[General] Scorpa thinks, "Fond memories of cave trolls. took forever to find the bastards."

[Realm] Geijon exclaims, "That still seems true!"

Pukk asks, "Who are we joining?" [group was split from going past the boulder in Danjirland]

Stormyrain says, "Perigourd leads."

[General] Kiyna thinks, "So far, only the one."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Yes, only one..."

Cryheart says, "We know where to go now."

Samfelt deeply says, "I wonder if they came back here to see if they could kill another cave troll."

Evia says, "This is where we met up with that sick creature with the plinite illness."

Irval says, "Not that tough."

The Tired Settler

[Cave, Sharp Bend]

The passage and room in this part of the cave bends back sharply on itself. It is as if nature had a change of mind when this cave was being formed. You also see a cup of purple-tinged mournbloom tea, a large mug of warm cinnamon milk, the Vaemyr disk and a tired-eyed human settler.

Samfelt deeply says, "Two weeks ago they mentioned going a bit further into the forest and finding some bigger trolls in the caves."

Evia says, "Ah."

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Kiyna says, "Easy, friend. Take a moment."

Irval says, "Bigger trolls..."

The human settler puts his hands up, shaking, blood on some of his nails. "you look like them...don't...don't hurt us again."

Irval says, "That always ends well."

>l set

The settler looks tired, with red-rimmed eyes and chapped lips. His cheeks are sunken and there are six red dots on the side of his neck.

Tikba murmurs, "Your neck."

Evia says, "We'll not hurt you."

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Irval asks, "Who hurt you?"

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Alosaka says, "We're not them. We're friends. Just... try to relax."

Samfelt deeply asks, "What are those marks?"

Speaking to Samfelt, Kiyna says, "See if he recognizes you."

Samfelt frowns at a tired-eyed human settler.

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Pukk says, "We are looking for some lost settl....oh wait..."

Lylia assures, "No one here means you harm."

Kayse asks, "Who is them?"

Missoni worriedly asks, "What happened to your neck?"

Speaking to Alosaka, Tikba asks, "Do you recognize those marks?"

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Goldstr says, "We been lookin to hepl ye."

The human settler inches more against the wall, blinking rapidly, trying to adjust. "Huh? More of you this time..."

Speaking to Roelon, Falvicar says, "Dont look at me. I did nothing."

Evia says, "Let him get over his panic a second or even two."

Speaking to Tikba, Alosaka asks, "Bites of some sort?"

Samfelt put a fel-hafted logging axe in his leather axe frog.

Samfelt deeply asks, "Put away our weapons?"

Kiyna says, "His perception seems altered. Drugs... or poison, perhaps."

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Vaemyr says, "It's ok, they are friends too."

Speaking to a massive snowy white tiger, Pukk says, "Don't eat the people. People are not food."

Vaemyr says, "Aye lets please put away our weapons."

Alosaka dryly says, "Now we have a lot of friends here."

Kialeigh says, "We have cookies.. so we can't be bad."

Cryheart says, "We are here to take ye to safety."

The human settler twitches, his hands trembling. "Just let us go..." He looks around, "...where...where are they..."

Geijon asks, "We look like them?"

Cryheart asks, "Who be them?"

Speaking to Geijon, Vaemyr says, "He's in shock still."

Falvicar whispers something to Roelon.

Speaking quietly to Samfelt, Alosaka says, "He is disoriented. He's woken up a bit since we found him, but still not clear-headed."

Evia says, "Perhaps a sip of tea or something."

The human settler says, "My...the Claws.."

Alosaka says, "Dehydrated, at least. He needs somewhere safe to recover."

Roelon deeply says, "The others of his group...."

Speaking to Samfelt, Irval asks, "You know this one?"

Something moves beneath the settler's stomach briefly.

Samfelt deeply says, "There was more of them."

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Alosaka asks, "Easy, friend. Have a drink, won't you?"

Kiyna asks, "We won't get anything useful out of him like this. He sports what looks like bite marks. Can someone unpoison him?"

The human settler blinks, looking down. "I...I must be hungry..."

Perigourd says, "Perhaps those aren't.. bite marks."

Samfelt deeply says, "I only listened in while they boasted around the fire, they didn't stay in the camp too long."

Samfelt looks over at Irval and shakes his head.

Kialeigh says, "Wasn't me.."

Cryheart asks, "Anyone hae food?"

Falvicar says, "Have a sandwich."

Evia says, "I betcha are yep, we gotta get you out of here."

Vaemyr asks, "Can a healer take a look at him... a close look?"

Samfelt deeply says, "Couldn't tell you any of their names."

Samfelt frowns.

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Alosaka asks, "I am a healer. Do you mind if I examine you?"

Speaking to Samfelt, Missoni asks, "Do you know how many there were?"

The human settler moves back, "Don't...don't...who are you?" He looks at Alosaka.

Speaking calmly to a tired-eyed human settler, Perigourd says, "He's a friend."

The human settler frowns, "Ugh...that one hurt..."

Kelfyr says, "What...was that."

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Kayse offers, "Perhaps some food and water first before you attempt to tell us anything."

Speaking softly to a tired-eyed human settler, Alosaka says, "Easy, easy. I am a friend. Can you try to relax? I know how difficult this feels right now."

The human settler glances at Alosaka, "...it hurts...what did you do to me?"

Irval whispers to the group, "He's definitely been implanted with something..."

Something moves beneath the settler's stomach briefly.

Kelfyr asks, "Does that remind anyone else of the minotaur?"

Speaking gently to a tired-eyed human settler, Missoni says, "Perhaps you should sit down a moment."

Alosaka softly asks, "Let's not talk about... other events right now, please?"

Tikba says, "Something is not right with him."

Samfelt deeply says, "They were a good hand's count usually when they went out. But some of them were more recent to the group. They had some with less experience I wager."

Something moves beneath the settler's stomach briefly.

Irval says, "Older hunters training up the newer ones. Not uncommon."

Speaking to Samfelt, Perigourd asks, "Why were they hunting trolls instead of game?"

Irval says, "Its how trails and skills are passed. Or so i've read."

Speaking softly to a tired-eyed human settler, Missoni asks, "Can you tell us your name?"

Cryheart asks, "Perhaps someone search around the cavern for the others?"

Roelon deeply says, "Something...."

Speaking to Cryheart, Kiyna says, "We looked, but I didn't see anyone else."

Alosaka asks, "Can someone kill the trolls in the adjoining rooms?"

Tikba says, "There is another cave to the east."

Speaking to Alosaka, Stormyrain says, "I am singing peace."

Samfelt deeply says, "Troll hides are good for other things. We had plenty of food from the help earlier in the winter."

Something moves beneath the settler's stomach briefly.

Tikba asks, "Was it already checked?"

Kayse asks, "What was that?"

Speaking to Stormyrain, Alosaka says, "There may be other settlers."

Geijon says, "Irval has it clear."

Speaking to Alosaka, Kayse asks, "Did you feel that?"

Speaking to Kayse, Alosaka says, "I... am not sure."

Samfelt deeply says, "Baron Elidal sent them out, I didn't talk with them too much."

The human settler looks at his hands, "I don't feel good..."

The voice of Dendum says, "You do not look so good."

Kelfyr says, "Minotaur."

Samfelt frowns at a tired-eyed human settler.

Speaking to Geijon, Pukk says, "The troll was complimenting your clothes."

Falvicar whispers something to Roelon.

Spiders

Suddenly the settler screams in agony, clutching at his gut and doubling over in pain! His eyes go wide and his legs tremble just before his stomach bursts open, sending clumps of flesh and bits of black intestines spraying outward!

Speaking to a tired-eyed human settler, Missoni says, "Surely you are a bit tired. We will get you checked out."

From within the settler's stomach cavity, a small glistening incarnadine spider skitters out and falls to the ground, its bulbous body shifting and enlarging rapidly until it has grown to a towering height!

From within the settler's stomach cavity, a small glistening incarnadine spider skitters out and falls to the ground, its bulbous body shifting and enlarging rapidly until it has grown to a towering height!

From within the settler's stomach cavity, a small glistening incarnadine spider skitters out and falls to the ground, its bulbous body shifting and enlarging rapidly until it has grown to a towering height!

From within the settler's stomach cavity, a small glistening incarnadine spider skitters out and falls to the ground, its bulbous body shifting and enlarging rapidly until it has grown to a towering height!

From within the settler's stomach cavity, a small glistening incarnadine spider skitters out and falls to the ground, its bulbous body shifting and enlarging rapidly until it has grown to a towering height!

From within the settler's stomach cavity, a small glistening incarnadine spider skitters out and falls to the ground, its bulbous body shifting and enlarging rapidly until it has grown to a towering height!

The settler's eyes go dark as he crumbles to the ground, his body soon withering away into a tangled mass of entrails and bone fragments.

[combat]

Alosaka says, "We need to get him back to town. To the Empath's guild, would be my pref--"

[combat]

Samfelt screams!

[omcbat]

Samfelt shrieks!

[combat]

Samfelt removes a fel-hafted logging axe from in his leather axe frog.

[combat]

Samfelt cowers.

[combat]

Samfelt gasps.

Dendum says, "Spiders..."

Samfelt waves a fel-hafted logging axe at a huge bulbous incarnadine spider.

Irval says, "That was disgusting..."

[General] Zalahstar asks, "Help i got arrested and they took all my money from the bank. what do i do?"

Lylia says, "Well. Not moulis."

The voice of Kayse flatly says, "I'm glad everyone's nightmare just came true."

Cryheart says, "Perhaps a spider bit him."

Samfelt gags.

[General] Southwynd thinks, "Get a job."

Geijon says, "Burst right out of him.."

Lylia says, "I am sure others noted the marks on his neck."

[General] Coins asks, "Become better at stealing?"

Irval asks, "Ive not seen that type of spider before. Anyone else?"

Falvicar says, "3 sets of bites on his neck."

[General] Zalahstar thinks, "I was working and the trap set off."

[General] Kisun thinks, "Learn to pick, and stop blowing stuff up."

Vaemyr says, "Those... are not native to this area."

Roelon deeply says, "Hmm..."

Tikba says, "Bit him, and laid eggs."

Samfelt spins around and releases the contents of his stomach on the ground nearby!

Roelon deeply says, "Ah wonder if the spider temple holds the others..."

Speaking to Lylia, Bellaja says, "An odd number of marks."

Goldstr asks, "Dat was crawlin in his belly?"

Kelfyr says, "That was more violent than the plinite's exit, I'll give you that."

Irval says, "Hope it bought him dinner first...oh wait he was dinner."

Speaking to Lylia, Kayse says, "I wondered if it was a spider bite--"

Perigourd offers Samfelt a leaf-etched glass of deep amber Wildwood whiskey.

[General] Kisun thinks, "Causing all that racket, old folks trying to sleep."

Pukk says, "Why does it always have to be spider."

Samfelt makes a wheezing sound.

Samfelt accepts Perigourd's amber Wildwood whiskey.

[General] Nalver asks, "Did you get your stuff from the constabulary?"

[General] Zalahstar thinks, "I didnt hurt anyone."

Samfelt deeply says, "That was one of the worst things I've ever seen."

Falvicar says, "There's far far worst."

Samfelt takes a drink from his amber Wildwood whiskey.

Falvicar nods reassuringly at Samfelt.

Samfelt frowns at Falvicar.

Kialeigh says, "Yeah.. that was awful."

Speaking to Samfelt, Kayse asks, "More than the goblins?"

[General] Zalahstar asks, "Constabulary?"

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "That didn't happen to a goblin!"

[General] Nalver thinks, "After you've paid your fine, you can go to the jail to pick up your stuff."

Kayse reticently says, "They melted... it was bad enough."

Speaking to Samfelt, Dendum says, ""Yes....Feastday can be disturbing...."

Geijon says, "Terrible way to die."

[General] Egregia thinks, "That was really weird i was present when it happened Zalahstar. I saw that nobody got hurt."

Kiyna says, "I am not optimistic for the others... but they may not have shared the same fate. We should start looking."

Samfelt can offer Dendum only a blank expression.

[General] Zalahstar thinks, "I went to the bank to get the money and they took it all."

Samfelt takes a drink from his amber Wildwood whiskey.

Samfelt looks rather relaxed.

Bellaja asks, "So.. a spider bites and impregnates him through a hole on his neck?"

Missoni muses, "Now what sort of spider bit that poor fellow..."

Samfelt gasps.

[General] Evia thinks, "Because you had a debt, they do that."

Irval says, "Well if that one is any indication. We can guess what happened to the others. So we should either be looking for them, or for what comes outta them.."

Samfelt weakly says, "This is not water."

Speaking to Missoni, Perigourd says, "I'm not sure."

Vaemyr says, "We need to see if we can find the spider that bit him if possible, we don't want that running around."

Irval says, "Either way, its a bad sign."

[General] Nalver asks, "They will do that. Did what they took pay it all off?"

Lylia says, "Yes, which is why if we find others, we should put them down immediately if they show signs of being..." Her lip curls as she fairly hisses the word. "Infested."

Falvicar says, "There were 6 blood marks on his neck."

Missoni worriedly says, "And where are the rest of the Claws."

[General] Zalahstar thinks, "The fine is 11550."

Kelfyr says, "Odd that it didn't wrap him in silk."

Kialeigh says, "Or they're going inside him and laying eggs.."

Irval says, "Spread its progeny further."

Kialeigh says, "Oh gawds..."

Irval says, "But letting it go."

Samfelt deeply says, "I hope there aren't others like that."

Kelfyr says, "Normally you'd want to keep the body cocooned for the young to feed."

Geijon says, "Six spiders too."

Alosaka dryly says, "Praise Marlu."

Samfelt deeply asks, "What happened to him?"

Vaemyr says, "So a couple things... he mentioned we "looked like them" so I feel like they might of been captured and tortured."

Speaking to Geijon, Bellaja says, "Ah I didn't notice the correlation."

Dendum remarks, ""That settler...with the spiders....did not confuse us for spiders..."

Irval says, "He became a walking baby maker."

Cryheart says, "He exploded."

Irval says, "For spiders.."

Evia says, "This is weird for sure."

Vaemyr says, "Then they let a spider use him for a nest at the end..."

(OOC) Evia's player whispers to the group, "Love it."

Kialeigh asks, "Is it on me?"

Lylia says, "He said we looked like 'them.' None of us look particularly arachnoid."

Kelfyr says, "I'd worry that this indicates they're looking for more ambulatory vessels."

Samfelt deeply asks, "I saw the result. But what made it happen?"

[General] Nalver thinks, "Well you are in prison..."

Cryheart says, "No wonder he did not feel good."

Kiyna says, "The spider killed him, but someone else brought him here."

Samfelt shudders.

Cryheart says, "The spiders."

Samfelt stares at Cryheart.

Speaking to Kialeigh, Irval says, "Nothing is on your dear."

Speaking to Samfelt, Missoni says, "Good question."

Alosaka says, "There is a Temple to Arachne near the Landing, but not particularly close to us here."

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "I know it was spiders! But what put spiders in one of our people?!"

Tikba muses, "The Spider Temple is a ways from here."

Cryheart says, "Some spiders will place eggs into their victims."

Speaking to Samfelt, Dendum says, ""We have a nearby temple to the Great Spirit Arachne."

Samfelt gawks at Cryheart.

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "Spiders do that?!"

Speaking to Samfelt, Irval asks, "Another spider?"

Kialeigh says, "Prolly a bigger spider."

Cryheart nods at Samfelt.

Speaking to Samfelt, Dendum asks, ""Your people have disturbed this?"

Kialeigh says, "It's not like he's a pinata.."

Samfelt cringes.

Cryheart nods at Samfelt.

Cryheart says, "Aye."

Speaking to Dendum, Kiyna says, "Great monster, more like."

Speaking to Samfelt, Lylia says, "Possibly, but spiders alone may not have done this. As Dendum noted."

Samfelt drops a leaf-etched glass of deep amber Wildwood whiskey.

Irval says, "Seems like we might have a nest near by of whatever those are."

Cryheart says, "Cringy indeed."

Falvicar whispers something to Roelon.

Irval says, "And we are going to need to burn it out."

More Spiders

[General] Aronia thinks, "For those helping seek out some of our hunters, I thank you. A few of them have returned to the camp. They are being tended to."

Lylia says, "He mistook us for 'them,' whoever they may be."

Speaking to Samfelt, Vaemyr says, "A larger spider... the mamoth ones in the spider temple for example potentially, who brought him to one is the real question."

Speaking to Irval, Stormyrain says, "Or someone has one, and is using it to infest their victims."

[General] Evia thinks, "Good good."

Kialeigh says, "At least it wasn't snakes."

Cryheart says, "There could be a big mother spider."

[General] Perigourd thinks, "Be wary, one here was implanted with a parasite that you may wish to check for."

[General] Stormyrain asks, "How many have returned?"

Samfelt deeply asks, "A bigger spider?"

[General] Dendum asks, "Do they have marks on the neck?"

Missoni asks, "Should we see if the others at the camp can tell us more?"

Roelon whispers something to Falvicar.

Evia says, "A really enormous giant spider."

Kiyna says, "You don't want to see a mammoth spider. But if for some reason you do, there's a dead one on display in the Adventurer's Guild in the Landing."

Kialeigh says, "Or a papa spider... and a mama spider.."

Stormyrain says, "I would think so."

Kelfyr says, "They tend to hatch smaller."

Evia says, "With soooo many eyes."

Samfelt stares at Evia.

[General] Aronia thinks, "Three...and...I do not know. I will ask."

Kialeigh says, "And giant hairy legs..."

Speaking to Cryheart, Stormyrain says, "Some have returned to the camp, we may want to wander there to be safe in case more are afflicted in the same way."

[General] Delude thinks, "If it makes you feel better. I am in jail as well."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Hello Aronia... please check them for spider bites, and treat them for potentially infectious parasytes immediately if possible, otherwise you all are in danger."

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "Why do you have massive spiders around here?!"

Evia asks, "Perhaps we should return? are they all found?"

Geijon says, "Lady Aronia is saying three total."

Kelfyr asks, "Why does anything live anywhere?"

Alosaka says, "I'm going to see who that is back at the camp."

[General] Aronia thinks, "They have marks!"

Pukk says, "If you think the spiders are big you should see the flies."

Alosaka says, "We shoudl all go back."

[General] Delude exclaims, "Suck the venom out!"

Speaking to Samfelt, Stormyrain says, "It's the wilds. What do you think happens when creatures are left to their own for centuries? They flourish."

Speaking to Samfelt, Missoni says, "They just grow that way, I suppose."

Cryheart says, "Aye, if some of the others wandered back to camp...they could be in danger, the camp that is."

[General] Vaemyr asks, "Where are you, the came?"

Roelon deeply says, "Hmm.."

Evia says, "So with this one here was four and same said around 5 or so."

Alosaka exclaims, "Now!"

Speaking to Samfelt, Irval says, "You mean you don't? This is the frontier man. I thought that after all that you've seen you'd come to expect that this isnt the empire your in any longer."

Roelon deeply says, "They mae need help at the camp..."

Vaemyr says, "Heading back to the camp."

Speaking to Cryheart, Stormyrain says, "They have marks."

Kayse urges, "We need to get back to the camp."

Speaking to Cryheart, Stormyrain says, "The camp cannot defend."

Tikba says, "We need to go back now."

Your surroundings blur into a white fog . . .

[Courtyard]

A well maintained and healthy garden occupies the entirety of the courtyard. The air here is cool and crisp, but the bulk of the monastery shelters you from wind and makes the air bracing instead of chilling. In the center of the garden is a natural spring bubbling up several inches above the surface of the encircling pool of crystal clear water. A large stone and iron gate blocks the entrance to the monastery flanked by a statue of a woman carrying a crystal staff and a set of crystalline keys facing a second statue of a kneeling young man bedecked in battle-worn black chain armor. You also see a scorched black marble bench with some stuff on it and a large fel tree.

[General] Alosaka thinks, "Need help in the SEttlement."

Cryheart whispers something to Perigourd.

Missoni says, "Oh, we had better hurry back."

[General] Dendum thinks, "They are dangerous."

[General] Tikba urgently thinks, "Get away from them."

Screams fill the night and echo from the Lower Dragonsclaw forest!

Irval says, "Oh no."

Kelfyr says, "Welp."

Irval says, "More..."

Roelon deeply exclaims, "To the camp!"

[General] Alosaka thinks, "Dozens of spiders in the settlement."

Irval says, "Spiders."

Samfelt put a fel-hafted logging axe in his leather axe frog.

Irval says, "Go go."

[General] Geijon thinks, "We're coming."

Samfelt removes a fel-hafted logging axe from in his leather axe frog.

Kelfyr says, "Gonna be that kind of night, I guess."

Cryheart says, "Going."

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "Hurry!"

[travel]

[Imperial Campsite]

Stumps pepper the spacious clearing, as stacked logs leave evidence of their recent removal. A grove of trees surrounds the area, leaving a natural palisade to add some security to the campsite. You also see the repousse copper Perigourd disk raised in leafy designs, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider that appears dead, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider that appears dead, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider that appears dead, a putrid arm, a bloody arm, a clawed arm, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider that appears dead, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider, the Vaemyr disk, a huge bulbous incarnadine spider that appears dead, a steel-roofed huge wooden tower, a polished bronze lantern mounted on a wooden post and a wide dirt-covered trail.

[combat]

[General] Mourdeyan asks, "Where to?"

[combat]

[General] The ghost of Alosaka thinks, "Be careful in the Lower Dragonsclaw."

Stormyrain says, "North."

Stormyrain says, "Roelon is down."

[combat; Samfelt has begun joining in]

[Imperial Campsite]

A line of silk pavilions casts a colorful array of numerous Imperial flags representing the different territories of the Empire. Craftsmen work diligently outside their shops, the aroma of hops, meat, and freshly cut lumber consuming this division. You also see the Kelfyr disk, the Bellaja disk, the Stormyrain disk, the Kialeigh disk, the skull-shaped Irval disk, a grizzled porcupine, a large black leather tent and a length of sturdy wooden walls.

Also here: a webbed Roelon who is lying down, Magister Raelee, Stormyrain, Bernadette, Pukk, Dame Evia, Astrilyn, Kialeigh, Goldstr, Settler Samfelt, Bellaja, Kelfyr, Chronicler Falvicar, Grand Lord Irval, Sir Cryheart, Sir Geijon

Translucent streams of mana cascade across Stormyrain's form as she lets loose with a rallying cry!

Roelon frees himself from the webbing surrounding him!

Roelon rises smoothly to his feet!

Roelon deeply says, "Normally ah like being tied up..."

Cryheart asks, "All ok?"

Samfelt deeply asks, "Why did it have to be spiders?"

Samfelt shudders.

Speaking to Kialeigh, Irval says, "Stay behind me."

Kialeigh exclaims, "Better than snakes!"

[combat]

Samfelt exclaims to the spider, "You foot-licker! Die!"

[combat]

Samfelt shrieks!

Cryheart says, "Stay with us."

Cryheart says, "Dinnae run."

[combat]

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "I am hitting some of them!"

Cryheart says, "That is good."

Geijon says, "So am I."

Kialeigh exclaims, "Burn em! Fire... don't let em lay their eggs in my eyes!"

Cryheart says, "Moving."

Samfelt deeply exclaims, "Die! Creepy bugs!"

Speaking to a dark-eyed giantman falconer, Missoni says, "Up you go."

Lady Aronia just arrived.

Geijon says, "Aronia."

[travel]

Stormyrain says, "We just left the Lady."

[combat]

Cryheart asks, "Where?"

[combat]

Samfelt exclaims to the spider, "You ruffian! Die!"

Vaemyr says, "Something did this to them."

Pondering the Situation

[Imperial Campsite]

A squire rests next to a cooking fire, a sword half his size resting awkwardly against a log as he roasts a small squirrel in the nearby flames. Wisps of charcoal-hued smoke curl and rise upwards, sending the alluring aroma of cooked meat and burning coals into the air. You also see the skull-shaped Irval disk, the repousse copper Perigourd disk raised in leafy designs, the Bellaja disk, the Kelfyr disk, the Stormyrain disk, the Kialeigh disk, a grizzled porcupine, a yellow-eyed silvery lor mandrake sprouting black calla lilies, the web-draped Missoni disk, a lazy wild dark red dog, the Vaemyr disk, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a long piece of cord, a dark-eyed giantman falconer that is lying down and a length of sturdy wooden walls.

Kiyna says, "That was a deliberate attack on the campsite."

Vaemyr says, "Released them here as a message."

Irval says, "Yep."

Aronia nods at Kiyna.

Irval says, "Agreed."

Aronia says, "This was not an accident, no."

Samfelt frowns.

Samfelt deeply asks, "Who would do that?"

Kialeigh says, "If these are the babies I can't imagine the adults. I don't wanna."

Goldstr says, "A planned attack aye."

Aronia says, "There are still two hunters unaccounted for."

Cryheart says, "Bloody spiders."

Samfelt deeply says, "They let them suffer."

Vaemyr says, "My... first guess is the agressive faction of Reivers, put possibly also the spider temple cultists."

Geijon whispers something to Lylia.

Cryheart asks, "Two still?"

Samfelt deeply asks, "Reivers?"

Speaking to Aronia, Missoni asks, "Do you know where they might be?"

Samfelt peers quizzically at Vaemyr.

Aronia looks over at Missoni and shakes her head.

Irval says, "I doubt this is the reivers."

Speaking to Samfelt, Perigourd says, "Reivers would be more direct."

Irval says, "This is not their style."

Aronia says, "I can try to see if I can find their tracks."

Samfelt deeply says, "I've only heard of the reivers."

Goldstr says, "Reivers would nae do this."

Aronia asks, "Who would do this?"

Lylia says, "They are typically much more direct."

Speaking softly to Aronia, Missoni says, "It would be best to find them before they wander back."

Speaking to Goldstr, Vaemyr says, "Not the ones we've interacted with before... but."

Cryheart says, "Someone who dinnae like the settlers."

Irval says, "Or us taking down Gnul."

Speaking to Cryheart, Perigourd says, "And who has threatened them."

[General] Nyaria asks, "Still being attacked by arachnid?"

Irval says, "Remember he had a backer."

Speaking to Aronia, Kiyna says, "Someone who doesn't wish to do the dirty work themselves, clearly. Be wary."

Samfelt deeply asks, "But who would use spiders?"

Bellaja says, "Or makes us want to think that is their reason."

Samfelt frowns.

Irval says, "Because of how you feel right now."

Pukk says, "Amos. I knew it."

Vaemyr says, "Followers of Arachne."

Irval says, "Afraid."

Cryheart says, "That is the question, m'lady."

[General] Tikba urgently thinks, "There are spiders in town."

Stormyrain says, "Spiders in town."

Evia says, "Town."

Irval says, "Town."

Samfelt glances at Vaemyr.

Cryheart says, "To town."

Geijon says, "Aye."

Perigourd says, "Moving."

Cryheart says, "Join anyone."

[travel]

Goldstr says, "I would nae discard Mother."

Stormyrain raises her voice in rhythmic song, commanding the aid of the elements.

Stormyrain skillfully begins to weave another verse into her harmony.

Stormyrain sings a song of revelry, bringing to life the memories of such wonderous merrymaking that you feel as though you never left so long ago. Visions of the drink and the dance fill your mind. Your vision blurs, your surroundings shift and you suddenly realize you are not quite where you were before!

[Raging Thrak Inn, Barroom]

A long and polished wooden bar occupies the whole north wall of the tavern here in The Raging Thrak, which is named for the fiery proprietor. Hard wooden chairs, tables and benches are spaced liberally throughout the room. The tavern does good business, and seems to be at least half full, no matter what time of day. You also see an old wooden table with some stuff on it, a doorway and obvious signs of someone hiding.

Stormyrain says, "Here."

[travel]

[General] Nizana asks, "The fun kind?"

[General] Stormyrain asks, "Where in town?"

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Town square."

[General] Cryheart asks, "Where in town?"

[General] Tikba dryly thinks, "Town Square Central."

[Realm] Geijon thinks, "We're clearing th' streets."

[General] Mourdeyan thinks, "Going to north gate."

Bellaja asks, "How magically capable is the Mother?"

[General] Meril thinks, "The constable is still looking out for spells in town, be careful engaging the creatures."

[General] Tikba dryly thinks, "Please be careful. Alosaka and I are in prison and cannot help you."

Samfelt deeply asks, "A spider mother with magic?"

[General] Mourdeyan thinks, "Okay, helpin w'that then."

[General] Arianiss thinks, "I always knew that Alosaka was a trouble maker..."

[General] Cryheart thinks, "No spiders we see."

Speaking to Cryheart, Stormyrain says, "Center of town."

[travel throughout the next while, but no more spiders are found]

[General] Alosaka exclaims, "Not the first time I've been arrested!"

[General] Pukk thinks, "Drag the bodies to Thrak Inn or Voln. We need some people to man the ballistas."

Speaking to Bellaja, Lylia says, "Good question. It is almost as though Casiphia and 'Mother' are two people, and I would not guess what the latter would do."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Looks clear now."

[General] Missoni thinks, "There are a few dead fellows in Town Square that could use aid."

[General] Irval asks, "Any spider sightings?"

Samfelt deeply says, "I should return to the campsite and keep an eye on things there."

[General] Cryheart asks, "Where is Lady Aronia?"

Cryheart nods at Samfelt.

[Realm] Geijon thinks, "No sign of more spiders."

Cryheart asks, "Want us to escort ye?"

Raelee says, "Unless she has made an alliance with the Arachne Temple, I am skeptical that this is 'Mother's' work."

Evia says, "Errr prolly where we left 'er."

Samfelt deeply asks, "Do you think it's safe for me to travel now?"

[General] Aronia thinks, "I am fine, checking on others within the camp."

[General] Cryheart thinks, "Good to hear, Lady Aronia."

[General] Pukk thinks, "North ring road is clear."

Speaking to Lylia, Bellaja says, "I suppose I've never thought of Mother's magical abilities. If she isn't, this is a lot of work for something she could accomplish in an easier way."

Evia says, "Never seen the likes of this."

[General] Villhelm asks, "There is an invasion?"

Cryheart asks, "Shall we escort ye back to the camp, Samfelt?"

Raelee says, "She has other means that are quite lethal that would be far more practical."

[General] Dendum thinks, "Does not look like there are anymore spiders."

Samfelt deeply says, "If you think it could still be dangerous."

Irval says, "Ten to one says she's got the plinite within her as some sick experiment just like they did to Gnul well he did to himself."

[General] Pukk thinks, "South Ring Road is clear."

[General] Dendum thinks, "Will ask invoker if she has seen any."

Lylia says, "I agree with the Magister in this; I am dubious that she is behind it, though she certainly wished the settlement gone."

[General] Nalver asks, "There is a hill troll in lower dragonsclaw. Is that what we are looking for?"

Samfelt deeply says, "I should return there as soon as possible."

Cryheart says, "Just in cast."

[General] Aronia asks, "Is your town safe?"

[General] Nalver thinks, "There was..."

[General] Evia thinks, "Seems so."

[General] Villhelm asks, "Ah, it's over?"

[General] Dendum thinks, "Invoker has nothing to say."

[General] Meril thinks, "Likely not over, there are some more infected people wandering about."

Lylia says, "But it is important to remember that whomever is responsible, 'they' are many, not only one. Someone who looked something like us did this."

Speaking to Irval, Kelfyr says, "If you're offering ten to one odds, I'll put down a hundred thousand silvers against."

Perigourd says, "If you wanted to make an attack seem.. natural."

Missoni says, "They were in Town Square. Perhaps they stumbled in themselves looking for help."

Cryheart says, "Well..Lady Aronia must hae gone."

[General] Villhelm thinks, "Them."

[General] Pukk thinks, "I'm going to keep patrolling the town to be sure."

Speaking to Missoni, Vaemyr says, "Aye I think that's the case."

Kiyna says, "They were... what... captured, tormented, intentionally implanted with eggs from... whatever the hell these spiders are, then released to carry such back to the campsite..."

Speaking to Lylia, Bellaja says, "Yes. I was hoping that was the case and we could perhaps move her down the suspicious list."

Samfelt deeply says, "I will go see how the rest of the settlement is doing. You should make sure your people are safe as well."

Samfelt put a fel-hafted logging axe in his leather axe frog.

Cryheart says, "Will do."

Missoni laments, "How terrified they must have been."

Bellaja adds, "Although not far."

Speaking to Kiyna, Perigourd says, "They likely didn't expect us to find the fellow in the cave, whoever they were."

Speaking earnestly to Samfelt, Missoni says, "Be careful."

Lylia smiles wryly and says, "That is a very long list, I fear, and we do not know all the names on it."

Speaking to Falvicar, Nalver says, "Add Archane to your list."

[General] Dendum asks, "Eh was anyone near the center of town when spiders showed up? Was it another...exploding settler?"

Samfelt deeply says, "Thank you for your help. Sadly, I think we are going to need to find some new hunters."

Vaemyr says, "Should burn the whole spider temple to the ground... although I think we've tried that before."

[General] Tikba grimly thinks, "Yes."

Settler Samfelt just went north.

Shot Down

Nalver says, "Ivas, Andelas, Archane.."

Bellaja asks, "So you were all only hunting for food?"

Cryheart says, "Well..that was surprising."

[General] Villhelm asks, "Exploding settlers??"

[General] Pukk asks, "Something in the forest?"

Lylia firmly says, "Burning temples rarely leads to good places, as much as I personally have no use for matters of faith."

[General] Alosaka thinks, "We were there. It was a settler."

Speaking to Roelon, Nalver says, "I think I'm missing one."

Cryheart says, "No..we were hunting for missing hunters."

Speaking to Bellaja, Perigourd says, "He said they were using troll hides as well."

[General] Pukk thinks, "Sleepy is shouting about something in the forest."

[General] Fropple thinks, "Strange things in Landings! I stay safe here in Icemule then."

Speaking to Cryheart, Bellaja says, "I mean the hunters themselves."

Roelon deeply says, "Possibly V'Tull."

[General] Khaell asks, "What was so explosive about it?"

Cryheart says, "Ahh."

Speaking annoyedly to Roelon, Nalver says, "I have a feeling these events will lead us to have to ally with the...ones who want to take over the world."

A guard shouts from atop an archery tower outside the west gate, "Something in the forest! Do I shoot it?"

[General] Nyaria thinks, "Yes shoot it."

Pukk yells, "Don't shoot until you see what it is!"

[General] Alosaka thinks, "There are people in the woods too. Be careful with your aim."

Cryheart asks, "What did ye see?"

Speaking to a town guard, Kelfyr asks, "What did you see, Quin?"

Nalver yells, "Eat the truffles!"

Irval asks, "Quin saw someone?"

A tower guard shouts down, "I seen something! So did Sleepy!"

Irval yells, "Where!"

Cryheart yells, "What was it?"

Evia yells, "Something what?"

Speaking to a town guard, Bellaja asks, "Big or little?"

Kayse skeptically mutters, "I doubt Sleepy did."

Pukk says, "Sleepy been seeing Helga."

Dendum yells, "Two legs? It look like Rolton?"

Kelfyr says, "Maybe he finally found that veil of light he's on about."

Cryheart says, "Ok..let's go look."

[travel]

Nalver says, "Chase."

[Realm] Geijon thinks, "We're at th' gates alert."

[Realm] Terabor thinks, "2 of us are in silvergate tower just watching the exterior from here."

At the edge of the Dragonsclaw forest, a human shambles into view, feet dragging in the dirt as if being pulled forward. His eyes are tired, drooping heavily, with heavy bags beneath them. Red dots cover his neck, dozens of them. The flesh of his arms and stomach shift and stir like a churning stew boils beneath.

Mourdeyan says, "Geijon's group at tha gates."

Irval says, "Oh no."

Speaking to Cryheart, Pukk says, "You are getting your workout tonight arn't ya."

Stormyrain says, "Oof."

Irval says, "Here we go."

[General] Delyorik thinks, "If people start dying, I might assist. Otherwise..."

[General] Stormyrain thinks, "More spiders are coming."

Nalver says, "Ohh nice."

[General] Broadfuguis thinks, "Ught o."

Kialeigh says, "Oh gawds...."

[General] Khaell thinks, "But then you have to walk...."

Irval says, "Find that settler."

Axanders says, "Weird looking troll."

[Realm] Terabor thinks, "Moving to west tower, seems more things are coming from that direction."

Irval says, "Don't let him into the town."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Mr guard on that guard tower... yes you can shoot."

Pukk says, "Wait those people are bit by spiders."

[General] Delyorik thinks, "Actually, I wouldn't."

Pukk exclaims, "Don't let those people into town!"

[General] Cryheart thinks, "Careful if that person has holes in his neck..spider eggs."

Axanders says, "Ut oh."

Speaking slowly to Cryheart, Stormyrain says, "I could see the movement from here."

[General] Cryheart asks, "Where is that person?"

Kialeigh says, "The blind guy is running round.. he's gonna get devoured.."

Evia asks, "Errr....where should they go?"

Stormyrain says, "..infested."

Cryheart asks, "Where?"

Irval says, "He was outside the gate.."

Tikba asks, "Should we look, or guard?"

[General] Pukk exclaims, "Don't let those people into town if they have those bites!"

Geijon says, "Lets look."

[General] Nyaria thinks, "Far away from me i hope."

[General] Cryheart thinks, "If you see a tired settler, run."

Evia asks, "We need to try to tell them ... the infected ones...where they can safely go?"

The tower guard nocks an arrow and lets it loose. The arrow flies true, silently zipping through the night and striking the tired-eyed settler directly in the throat. The human stops dead in his tracks, then collapses to the ground. A second later his back explodes, a shower of bits, bones and blood spraying up like a mini geyser. A host of incarnadine spiders skitter out of the huge cavity, suddenly growing in size and speeding towards town.

Cryheart asks, "See any tired settler?"

Lylia says, "There is no safety for them. Only a quicker death."

Alosaka says, "I have had a person explode on me, been eaten by spiders, and tossed in jail. All in the past thirty minutes."

Pukk says, "Maybe we can help them outside the gate."

Kelfyr says, "West Gate."

Stormyrain says, "Ngh."

[General] Dendum thinks, "Eh, try flaming arrows."

Speaking slowly to Kelfyr, Stormyrain says, "Not what I wished for on my day of birth."

[General] Leafiara concedes, "Okay, that one I saw."

[General] Zalahstar asks, "Where do i pay my fine?"

Bellaja exclaims, "You hate to say. Everyone infected go to the kobold village to die!"

[very, very extended combat]

[General] Zalahstar asks, "Help where do i pay my fine please?"

Cryheart says, "Whew."

Geijon says, "Looks like we found'm."

[combat]

[General] Cryheart thinks, "By west gate."

[combat]

[General] Stormyrain distractedly asks, "Try the town clerk in moot hall? For a fine? It's been years..but that's what comes to mind?"

[combat]

Alosaka says, "More south."

[combat]

[General] Daesik thinks, "Pay your fine in the clerks office in moot hall. Pay the clerk."

[combat]

Nalver says, "Watch the meteors."

[combat]

Mourdeyan says, "Guh."

[combat]

Speaking to Stormyrain, Kelfyr says, "Definitely a sort of party, but not the kind of party I'd hope for, no."

[General] Cryheart asks, "Any sightings?"

Irval says, "More."

Irval says, "South."

[combat]

Cryheart says, "Moving."

[combat]

Cryheart says, "Moving."

[combat]

Cryheart asks, "All ok?"

Mourdeyan says, "Fine here."

Irval says, "South."

[General] Perigourd thinks, "Still thick on the dragonsclaw."

Kialeigh says, "Yeah... I feel like I'm covered in spider guts.. but ok physically... mentally."

Bellaja says, "I keep wondering how long it takes these babies to spawn."

Kialeigh says, "There ya go... go forth and burn some spiders."

Speaking to Arahnim, Irval says, "Some protector you are."

Nalver says, "The body doesn't seem to want to go anywhere."

[General] Aronia asks, "Any more spiders?"

Lylia says, "They seem to grow before our eyes as they leave the husk of the body that contained them."

Cryheart says, "Ahhh."

[Realm] Geijon thinks, "General Many."

Cryheart says, "A quick check."

[General] Arianiss thinks, "I saw a lot on my way into town."

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Yes."

(OOC) Bellaja's player whispers to the group, "His group is closed."

[General] Alosaka thinks, "The Lower Dragonsclaw may still have some. I wouldn't venture out into it just yet."

Perigourd says, "That may have been the last, hopefully."

Kelfyr says, "Musta liked Tikba better than the rest of us."

(OOC) Geijon's player whispers to the group, "I think we're all a little tired."

[General] Cryheart thinks, "Lower dragonsclae seems clear where we at."

[General] Aronia thinks, "All is good within the camp as well."

More Pondering

[Imperial Campsite]

Stumps pepper the spacious clearing, as stacked logs leave evidence of their recent removal. A grove of trees surrounds the area, leaving a natural palisade to add some security to the campsite. You also see a steel-roofed huge wooden tower, a polished bronze lantern mounted on a wooden post, a wide dirt-covered trail and obvious signs of someone hiding.

Cryheart asks, "All ok?"

(OOC) Bellaja's player whispers to the group, "Wait til tomorrow night when the clocks get changed. At least I'm pretty sure it is."

Aronia nods.

[General] Vaemyr thinks, "Any other sitings? exterior seems clear."

Nalver says, "Okay."

Nalver says, "I need to sleep."

Cryheart says, "Good to hear, Lady Aronia."

Alosaka says, "I'm not sure everything is "okay," given all the deaths."

Aronia sighs.

Aronia says, "No, it is not okay, in that regard."

Cryheart says, "Aye."

Vaemyr says, "Things seem clear."

Alosaka asks, "Do you know how many of your people were lost?"

Cryheart says, "The attack on the settlers is most disturbing."

Speaking to Cryheart, Nalver says, "Maybe they should be taken into Solhaven for better protection."

[General] Cryheart thinks, "All ok inside of the Landing."

Nalver says, "Or away from where there always seems to be danger."

Nalver says, "Just saying."

Falvicar whispers something to Roelon.

Cryheart says, "Danger is always around."

Aronia says, "The attack was fast, but you were also quick to our defense."

Alosaka says, "I'm sure your advice is appreciated, Lord Nalver."

Cryheart says, "Regardless of where we be or they."

Cryheart says, "Ran as fast as we could."

Aronia says, "We lost the six hunters."

Neithan laconically sighs, "Spooders. Why spooders."

Aronia frowns.

Speaking to Nalver, Perigourd says, "The space may be occupied still by those who sheltered there during Gnul's last rampage."

Cryheart says, "Spiders were definitely intent on their attack."

Cryheart says, "By what they did."

Aronia nods at Cryheart.

Roelon whispers something to Falvicar.

Speaking to Cryheart, Nalver asks, "Here's a better question. What are they looking for?"

Speaking to Aronia, Kiyna says, "We managed to save that fine falconer in the camp. That was a very near thing, but he's alright."

Nalver says, "Mull on that while I sleep."

Aronia says, "We were warned."

Cryheart asks, "The hunters?"

Roelon deeply says, "The spiders ah assume."

Speaking to Cryheart, Nalver says, "The coven of five is looking for something. And we know a few of that coven."

Speaking to Aronia, Missoni says, "I am sorry that the hunters did not make it."

Speaking to Cryheart, Nalver says, "Seems like Archane joined the crowd."

Aronia nods at Missoni.

Goldstr asks, ";Is the Spider Temple inside of the Baronys realm?"

Cryheart says, "Perhaps when the guards and soldiers come, they should accompany any hunters."

Perigourd says, "They must have been taken en masse though."

Evia says, "Normal spidies like to wrap up their dinner and snacks, and sloosh the juice out little by little. These chomp chomp chomped."

Alosaka asks, "This... attack? What could possibly have caused this?"

Aronia says, "Thank you. I am sorry another attack came to your town as well."

Alosaka says, "The Landing has many things but it does not generally have spiders that implant their eggs into people."

Cryheart says, "That is possible."

Aronia says, "If the spiders did the implanting."

Kiyna says, "Like Vaemyr said earlier, those spiders are not native. Imported, summoned, who knows."

Cryheart says, "We hae faced worse before, Lady Aronia."

Speaking to Perigourd, Nalver says, "But that isn't quite as boring as discusing the legal standing of building a camp outside a town to claim a forest. So you likely would not be as interested."

Irval asks, "I thought we called this is friday?"

Speaking to Aronia, Lylia says, "Dendum noted that too."

Irval says, "Err."

Cryheart says, "Someone powerful is behind all this."

Tikba uneasily says, "The settler we met suggested that he had been captured by people, not spiders."

Missoni says, "The fellow said that whatever hurt him looked like us. I do not usually look like a spider."

Irval says, "Feastday."

Pukk says, "Xorus knows all about summoning. We should ask him."

Irval says, "Rather."

Speaking to Aronia, Vaemyr says, "You need to check anyone in the camp who might of been bitten, everyone."

Aronia nods at Lylia.

Aronia says, "They felt..."

Kelfyr says, "It occurs to me the temple is rather nearer to Bheinn than to where we found that hunter."

Aronia says, "Unnatural."

Alosaka says, "He was confused, but he seemed to think that we were the people who had attacked him."

Evia says, "I have the heeby jeebies."

Kiyna says, "Same color as vathors, if that means anything."

Aronia peers quizzically at Alosaka.

Aronia nods.

Lylia says, "That settler was very clear on our looking very like 'them.' The ones who did this."

Aronia says, "Then we could presume humanoids of some sort."

Cryheart asks, "Seems the Arkati or lesser Arkati are involved ye think?"

Vaemyr says, "That was weird..."

Speaking to Missoni, Perigourd says, "Hard to say."

Speaking to Lylia, Raelee says, "And given our variety... that is fairly imprecise."

Stormyrain asks, "We are quite the motley crew; I am not sure that we would resemble reivers that closely?"

Speaking deeply to Alosaka, Roelon asks, "The Reivers spoke of ah witch, aye?"

Lylia says, "About the only common denominator is that we move on two legs and not eight."

Speaking to Perigourd, Missoni says, "I hope it is not so."

Speaking to Irval, Bellaja says, "Hmm."

Cryheart says, "Or humanoids who are under control by someone else."

Alosaka says, "I don't want to lead us down any dead ends... but we know that someone was threatening the settlers with a campaign of fear and terror."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Perigourd says, "I would think not as a general rule."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Kiyna says, "I think he was addled - barely able to see."

Kiyna says, "No surprise, either..."

Vaemyr says, "I felt something... odd just now."

Speaking to Irval, Bellaja says, "No offense, but I do wonder if you should be healing anyone for a while."

Vaemyr says, "Supernaturally odd."

Speaking to Stormyrain, Perigourd says, "Their garb tends to be rather poor compared to that of most of us."

Speaking to Cryheart, Goldstr says, "Whys I thouht a Mother."

Speaking to Irval, Bellaja says, "What is you were contaminated by touching him."

Speaking to Vaemyr, Lylia says, "It was not a movement under your skin, I hope."

Vaemyr says, "Like insects or something..."

Speaking to Lylia, Vaemyr says, "On my skin..."

Pukk says, "I heard Falvicar is good friends with Ronan. Maybe Falv can commune with him again."

Evia says, "So did I."

Cryheart asks, "I dinnae think mother has that power ye think?"

Speaking to Bellaja, Irval asks, "Which now?"

Lylia clarifies, "ON. But not beneath."

Alosaka says, "I... wouldn't have thought so, no."

Speaking to Pukk, Dendum says, ""It is not wise to risk such things twice."

Irval says, "I didnt touch anything..."

Irval asks, "Didi I?"

Tikba mildly says, "He has already died once communing with Ronan."

Cryheart asks, "Somethiing supernatural?"

Speaking to Dendum, Pukk asks, "Well for him...for us it should be fine right?"

Aronia frowns.

Kayse airily says, "Perhaps we don't rely on the Arkati to solve all our problems."

Speaking to Mourdeyan, Evia asks, "I got any bite looking things on me?"

Speaking to Perigourd, Missoni asks, "Do you have a stone in your shoe?"

Speaking concernedly to himself, Perigourd says, "Odd.."

Speaking to Cryheart, Vaemyr says, "It's hard to explain, but yes."

Speaking to Irval, Bellaja says, "I was hoping you weren't one of those who tried to heal the fallen is all."

Aronia asks, "Then our trouble seems to be of Rooks and Reivers, yes?"

Speaking slowly to Missoni, Perigourd says, "No.. I don't believe so."

Speaking to Irval, Bellaja says, "If so, I worry for them."

Geijon says, "Big spiders, but they multiplied and swarmed immediatly."

Cryheart says, "Well..they are natural."

Pukk says, "Not the Rooks. Rooks are good."

Mourdeyan says, "Look fine Dame evia...don't think we need cut annathin off...yet."

Cryheart says, "But something else is involved behind all of this."

Cryheart says, "Perhaps."

Vaemyr says, "I don't know of either who've used magical infecting spiders before..."

Lylia says, "I do wonder, though, if in this case we are seeing the Arkati behind the problems."

Speaking to Bellaja, Irval says, "Nah wasn't me.."

Alosaka says, "It's... not a common curse, certainly."

Cryheart says, "That is what I am thinking."

Speaking to Irval, Bellaja says, "Good. The fewer exposed the better."

Speaking to Lylia, Pukk asks, "Or maybe that wanna be Arkati, Stone?"

Bellaja says, "Who knows their incubation rate."

Kiyna says, "It certainly smacks of Arachne, but who knows..."

Cryheart says, "Something evil is behind all of this."

Kelfyr says, "If a faction of the reivers split off, and moved westward, I could see them encroaching near the Temple."

Evia says, "Lylia would never say something like that if she didn't take the idea seriously."

Stormyrain mutters, "All we need, spiders acting like moulis."

Speaking to Kelfyr, Dendum asks, ""Would the temple deal with the Reivers?"

Perigourd whispers something to Missoni.

Aronia says, "Thank you for your help this night. It could have gone much differently."

Geijon says, "If th' spiders are demonic in nature."

Cryheart says, "Ye are welcome, m'lady."

Missoni whispers something to Perigourd.

Speaking to Dendum, Kiyna asks, "What if the reivers -joined- the temple?"

Speaking to Xorus, Pukk says, "When Cryheart said something evil he didn't mean you."

Kayse reasonably says, "If the faction of Reiver's Dikirk spoke of last night is of Hagga's kin, we truly don't know the magic they might be capable of."

Kelfyr says, "I've never had a very long conversation with the clergy therein."

Speaking to Geijon, Vaemyr says, "I wonder that... if they are from another valence, that would explain the feeling I felt."

Cryheart says, "Aye, something more supernatural."

Speaking deeply to Kayse, Roelon says, "Or who they serve to gain such power."

Speaking disappointedly to Kelfyr, Tikba says, "They are not very interested in discussion."

Evia says, "Well...Spider Temple is a pretty ... interesting and nasty place."

Cryheart says, "Something that has the power to control others."

Speaking to her field rat, Mourdeyan asks, "Really squints?"

Speaking to Missoni, Kayse asks, "Didn't Hagga's magic control others?"

Speaking to Tikba, Kelfyr says, "Not as such, in my experience. They tend to let the webs do their talking."

Cryheart says, "Like Gnul did the creatures."

Meril says, "The spell used in the hatching of these spiders is unnatural, causing them to grow, attack madly, and swiftly die afterwards. It is not the usual act of spider worshippers."

Speaking to Kayse, Missoni says, "It did."

Cryheart says, "But someone must hae been controlling Gnul."

Aronia says, "It is late. Thank you again. We'll discuss this further, and try to understand what we might be facing."

Speaking to Kayse, Missoni says, "She was able to manipulate perceptions."

Cryheart says, "Aye."

Cryheart says, "Get some rest, Lady Aronia."

Speaking to Meril, Alosaka says, "It is also not a natural behavior for an animal, no matter how strange."

Speaking to Meril, Kelfyr says, "The previous weeks were not the usual acts of stone giants nor Illoke."

Tikba murmurs, "The settlers did betray their friends, after the spiders took root."

Mourdeyan asks, "We all clear now?"

Speaking to Kayse, Missoni says, "And corrupt some animals to her cause. She did not do anything like this that I know of though. Implanting spiders."

Cryheart says, "For now."

Speaking to Tikba, Alosaka asks, "How so?"

Kiyna asserts, "If there's a spider in my office, I'm burning down Moot Hall. Just so we're clear on that."

Aronia waves.

Speaking simply to Alosaka, Tikba says, "They returned home."

Speaking to Missoni, Kayse offers, "If it's a similiar spell or magic, perhaps her kin expanded their knowledge. It might be too early to tell though."

Aronia slips off silently.