~The Dark Tapestry IC ~

[RolandDeschain]

As Aerlya motions toward the web, light dances oddly in the hallway as it is refracted off of the jostled web. Shadows shift and move across the walls and floor as the web slowly stops moving. The shifting lights, however, do reveal what appears to be a single thick strand leading into the nearby intersecting hallway.

MAP

[razorback]

"Alright, slow and steady. Let's try to not have a big ole spider drop down on our heads, eh?" and as he says that he thinks about the saying and makes sure to look up as he stalks forward.

Spoiler

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Move to AF-36

[RolandDeschain]

As Cal cautiously moves forward he looks up and notes a curious semicircular stone ridge about six inches across runs along the ceiling of the hallway that at irregular intervals is broken and cracked revealing a thick iron chain inside.

Spoiler: Ridge and Chain

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The stone ridge and chain is indicated on the map with a black dotted line.

When he reaches the intersection, Cal's eyes are drawn downward again as he spots the thick, sticky strand of spider silk running from the web through the open cell door just down the hallway.

[CWater]

"Alright, slow and steady. Let's try to not have a big ole spider drop down on our heads, eh?" and as he says that he thinks about the saying and makes sure to look up as he stalks forward.

Spoiler

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Move to AF-36

Jheren swallows. "Right." He follows Cal, also moving slowly and trying to be quiet.

Spoiler: OOC

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Do you want any rolls?

[RolandDeschain]

As the party moves forward the sticky strand of spider silk appears to contract momentarily then goes slack as a large, hairy black spider comes spilling out of the open cell door.

Spoiler: Combat

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Everyone in the party may act first.
MAP

[razorback]

Seeing the spider, Cal gives a shiver, some long-lost memory rising to just below the surface of his conscious. Shifting quickly, he stows his morning star and pulls out his crossbow.

Spoiler

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5 foot step to AF-37

[CWater]

"What is- gods have mercy!" Jheren's eyes widen when he sees the overgrown arachnid and immediately raises his bow to shoot an arrow at it.

Spoiler: Actions

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5 ft. step to AE36.
Move action to line a Bullseye shot. (Since this move action is not used for movement, I understand that a 5 ft. step in the same turn is allowed. If not, then subtract 4 from the attack roll.)
Attack: (1d20+10)[13]
Damage: (1d8)[8]

[RolandDeschain]

When Cal moves and draws his crossbow, the spider's multiple eyes follow him.

Jheren steps around the corner and fires an arrow that sinks in nearly to the fletching, causing the spider to emit a high pitched squeal.

[Kish]

"Hrm." Aerlya reaches to cast a spell on Barnibus. "Doesn't look friendly, alas." She mentally directs her glowing orbs to illuminate the spider.

Spoiler

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Resistance on Barninus; +1 to saving throws for 1 minute.

[RolandDeschain]

The wounded spider, screeching in pain, launches itself at Jheren trying to dig its fangs into the elf's exposed flesh. A second spider emerges from the cell and skitters down the hall.

Spoiler: Combat

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Spider 1 vs Jheren: Attack (1d20+4)[11]; Damage (1d6)[4] if hit Fort save DC 14 for (1d2)[1] Strength damage
Spider 2 moves to AC 37

Party's up!

[razorback]

Seeing the others dealing with the first, Cal isn't sure everyone sees the second one as he takes aim and fires. "Second one coming, on its right!"

Spoiler

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Cal
AC = 13 ; Current = 13
HP = 8 ; Current = 8


Standard action
Attack spider at AC-37
(1d20+1)[21]

Damage
(1d8)[7]

Crit 20/x2
(1d20+1)[12]
(1d8)[2]


Effects ~

[RolandDeschain]

Cal's bolt takes the second spider directly between its fangs. It slides to a stop, screeching as it claws wildly at the bolt protruding from its face.

[CWater]

Jheren takes a step back and aims another arrow at the spider in front of him.

"Barnibus! Could use a sword-arm here!"

Spoiler: Actions

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5 ft. step to AF36.
Move action to use Bullseye Shot.
Attacking S in AD36: (1d20+10)[21] (BS bonus included)
Damage: (1d8)[7]

After Jheren's actions, if the spider he shot is still up, would like Barnibus to move to AE36, avoiding AoOs if possible and attack said spider.

If the spider went down he can take one more step forward and attack the other one.

EDIT: Oh, forgot Point-Blank Shot. Add 1 to attack and damage.

[RolandDeschain]

Jheren steps back from the spider's assault and sends it slumping to the ground with another keen-eyed shot. As the first spider collapses, Cal's words spur Barnibus into action, and the crusty old fighter rounds the corner bringing his massive hammer overhead as he does so. He brings the hammer down with enough force to obliterate the remaining spider's head completely.

Turning to Aerlya, "Thank ye for da blessin' missy." He strides forward to Jheren, "D'at thing bite ya? Gonna have ta start callin' Betty, Bug-Smasher down here"

Spoiler: Well Done!

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200 xp each!
MAP

[razorback]

Exhaling with a shudder, Cal claps Barnibus on the shoulder and says "It's a fine name. Well done, everyone one. Nasty buggers, to be sure. Everyone ok and ready to continue?" Once everyone chimes in, Cal reloads his crossbow as he moves forward, avoiding the webbing, as he peeks in the doorway on his right.

Spoiler

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Move to AA-36

[CWater]

Jheren steps back from the spider's assault and sends it slumping to the ground with another keen-eyed shot. As the first spider collapses, Cal's words spur Barnibus into action, and the crusty old fighter rounds the corner bringing his massive hammer overhead as he does so. He brings the hammer down with enough force to obliterate the remaining spider's head completely.

Turning to Aerlya, "Thank ye for da blessin' missy." He strides forward to Jheren, "D'at thing bite ya? Gonna have ta start callin' Betty, Bug-Smasher down here"

Spoiler: Well Done!

Show

200 xp each!
MAP

"No, but it came closer than I'd like", Jheren replies with nervous laugh, "Good work everyone. Good work, good work. We'll be fine."

Exhaling with a shudder, Cal claps Barnibus on the shoulder and says "It's a fine name. Well done, everyone one. Nasty buggers, to be sure. Everyone ok and ready to continue?" Once everyone chimes in, Cal reloads his crossbow as he moves forward, avoiding the webbing, as he peeks in the doorway on his right.

Spoiler

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Move to AA-36

"As ready as can be. Lead on." Jheren takes a new arrow out and has the bow ready to shoot, fearing these weren't the last critters living in here.

[Kish]

"Fighting arachnids is unfortunately something my spells are not useful for," Aerlya sighs. "But there must be something more...intelligent in here."

[RolandDeschain]

Unscathed, the party moves forward to the cell opening. The cell is a nearly identical copy of its counterpart in the opposing wing of the dungeon, in the center of the room however lies what appears to be the bloated carcass of a very, very large rat.

In the hall Jheren can't help but notice there is a poorly disguised hidden door across from the cell just as there was in the other wing. Unlike the other wing, however, the hall appears to continue on around a corner just beyond the cell.

[razorback]

"Well, don't look at me" Cal says to Aerlya "Was never good with my numbers and letters." as he searches the room but he finds nothing.

[CWater]

"Huh, another hidden door here", Jheren taps the section of the wall that looks suspicious. "Not really keen on studying it, if it's as tricky as the other one. I say we continue down this corridor, see where it leads past that corner."

[RolandDeschain]

Jheren points out the hidden door, then the party moves down the hall and around the corner with Aerlya's lights dancing ahead of them carving a way through the nearly oppressive darkness. There are no doors or openings along the hallway and as such every *clink* and *clank* the party makes bounces around creating weird echos and reverberations.

Coming to another turn in the hallway, the small group is confronted by a heavy looking, iron bound door.

Spoiler: Movement

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Moved everyone together to the end of the hall. If you don't like the placement or spacing, simply attach a spoiler to your next post noting your positions.

[razorback]

Cal turns and looks at the others, points at the door as he leans in and listens.

Spoiler

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Perception check
(1d20+7)[10]

[Kish]

Aerlya stays quiet and watches as Cal listens at the door.

[RolandDeschain]

Cal leans in close and listens intently while the rest of the group tries to be a quiet as possible. Alas he discerns no notable sounds from behind the door. A quick check of the door latch reveals that it turns easily, but the door feels stuck.

[razorback]

Quietly saying "I don't hear anything. I think it's unlocked but feels wedged. Gonna try to push it open." With that, he changes weapons and they carefully puts his shoulder to the door, trying to force it open.

Spoiler

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Not sure of the roll on this.
(1d20)[6] if it's a strength check, +0.

[RolandDeschain]

Cal pushes on the door, but it remains stuck.

[CWater]

"Looks like it's stuck bad, let me give you a hand, er shoulder." Jheren also moves to push the door.

Spoiler: Push!

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Str?: (1d20)[8]

We are such a weak party, muscle-wise anyway.

Barnibus, a little help here?

[RolandDeschain]

With Jheren and Cal's combined muscle the door breaks free at the top and the iron shod bottom drags heavily along the stone for a few inches before swinging freely inward.

Standing in the doorway, with Aerlya's lights shining into the room the party peers in anxiously. There can be little doubt what purpose this chamber once served. The dank room stores an ancient rack, a fanciful brazen
bull, an iron maiden, a cauldron, iron chairs with sharp edges and cruel protuberances, and a wooden table upon which sit various implements of torture. A bronze plaque affixed to the northern wall depicts a crowing rooster above crossed spears.
Underneath the spear, there appears to be something inscribed upon the plaque.

MAP

[razorback]

"By what dark gods did this place come to creation?" Cal says with disgust. Seeing the spears, he moves closer and inspects the work of them and tries to decipher what he can of the inscription.

[RolandDeschain]

As Cal approaches the plague on the wall he can clearly make out the inscription written in the common tongue, “Confession Cleanses the Soul—Pain Clarifies the Mind.”

Spoiler: Cal

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A disembodied voice sounds in Cal's mind, “You look weary. Rest in one of the chairs provided here.” Will Save DC 15: mind-affecting enchantment