The Lands of Sanetch - Alpha

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador

"So what do you see? Is it very bad?" Asks Marius from a distance, hesitant to get closer for a look due to the baby most likely not being very fond of a closer approach.

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Initiative: (1d20)[19]

[Skjaldbakka]

*cough**cough*"spiders"*retch*

[Kai-Palin]

Raël
Initiative: (1d20+3)[19]
"Loce!" Raël rushes forward and pulls the other elf away from the body.

[Job]

Hector

Hector halts his advance, unsure of what to do next.

“Those spiders aren’t normal, they are corrupted by an evil influence, keep sharp!”

OOC:

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delay

[iop]

As Raël grabs Lócë by the arm, he involuntarily squashes a spider, and he feels another spider's hairy legs touch his fingers. Pulling back his hand, Raël makes Lócë take another step backwards. This is a good thing, as it turns out. Something comes flying through the air, and lands right where Lócë has stood an instant ago. Before either Lócë or Raël fully realize that this was a spider's web, they are trapped by a second load of the sticky silk. With barely a sound, two spiders the size of a dog land next to the two elves. Worse, the swarm of spiders that is already crawling over Lócë now starts climbing Raël's legs, too.

The humans do not fare much better: Standing next to each other, they are caught by two webs, and they, too, face two big spiders. At least they're ten feet away from the spider swarm.

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Hector can use his delayed action right before the next round starts. Lócë and Raël take (1d6)[6] and (1d6)[5] damage from the swarm, respectively. They need to succeed on a DC11 Fortitude save or be nauseated. Lócë, who has been bitten a few times now has to succeed on a DC11 Fortitude save or take (1d3)[1] strength damage.

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador

"Augh!" lets Marius outs as he is surprised by the webby assault. He holds the baby close to him, safe, and tries follow his natural reaction: get out of the web. Using one hand, he tries to push the web off of him, trying to get out. He does not like where this is going, nor the reaction that the spiders would be tainted by evil.

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Str check: (1d20)[7]

[Job]

Hector

Seeing the spider leap before him, Hector takes the invitation to strike, praying he can dispatch the creature in one volley and move to protect the child.

OOC:

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HP: 42/42
AC: 16

Full-round action: full attack, divine might
1st Attack:(1d20+8)[12]
Damage: (1d10+8)[9]+(1d6)[3]
2nd Attack:(1d20+3)[7]
Damage: (1d10+8)[17]+(1d6)[2]

[Skjaldbakka]

Loce:

Loce pulls out a wand and speaks the command word, a faintly shimmering shield briefly appearing before him. "I don't have any spells to deal with these spiders, Rael, and I don't think stabbing them is going to work either- there are just too many."

[Kai-Palin]

"I admit to being ill-equipped as well. Lets get out of these nets and over to Marius and Hector."
Raising his voice over the chitters and squeaks of the spiders, he calls out, "Keep your limbs tucked in tight so that they can't bite anywhere exposed. Cut the webs with a knife if you have one, Marius. We can outlast these creatures, just be careful!"

Sword in hand, he attempts to cut himself free from the webbing with swift, controlled slashes.

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Fortitude save: (1d20+6)[16]
Attack: (1d20+8)[24]
Damage: (1d10+2)[5]

HP: 47/54; AC: 21, Flat-footed: 16, Touch: 15; Auras: Motivate Endurance (+3 Con checks/+9 HP), Master of Tactics (+3 when flanking), Motivate Care (+2 AC); Stance: Tactics of the Wolf; Maneuvers: Battle Leader's Charge, Vanguard Strike, Revitalizing Strike

[iop]

As the spider is jumping down in front of Hector, he swings his flail. With no way to alter its trajectory, the spider is inevitably squashed by the heavy steel. Unfortunately, Hector's second swing goes wide, not even grazing the spider.

Marius tries in vain to break the net, though, and Raël finds that the sticky net is tougher than it looks: His dagger gets stuck in the thick strand, and he has to pull hard to get it out. At least he is able to close his mind to the fact that he is still covered by countless palm-sized hairy spiders.

The three remaining dog-sized spiders converge toward Hector, trying to attack as one. One of them succeeds in biting the partly immobilized paladin and it sinks its poisonous fangs into Hector's flesh.

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Raël and Lócë take (1d6)[1] and (1d6)[4] damage, respectively, and succeed on a DC 11 Fort save or be nauseated. Raël has to make a DC 11 Fort save or take (1d3)[3] Str damage from the bites.
Hector takes (1d6)[5] damage from the spider and has to make a DC 12 Fort save or take (1d4)[1] damage.

[Job]

Hector

“Come on then!” Hector shouts with uncharacteristic inflection. He then drags the fail from the incapacitated spider in low arc, his divinely inspired strength showing through the pain and the poison.


OOC:

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HP 37/42
AC: 16

Saves
Fortitude:(1d20+11)[26]

Full round action: Full attack, divine might
1st attack:(1d20+8)[24]
damage:(1d10+8)[11]+(1d6)[2]
2nd attack:(1d20+3)[5]
damage:(1d10+8)[9]+(1d6)[5]

[Kai-Palin]

((Just as a side note, about how much mobility does Raël have while in this net? Enough to shoot a bow?))

Raël

Raël, putting thoughts of small skittering shapes out of his mind, swings a broader chopping stroke at the web in front of him, slashing at the spot he had previously hit.

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Fort Save 1: (1d20+9)[25]
Fort Save 2: (1d20+9)[11]
Attack: (1d20+8)[10]
Damage: (1d10+2)[6] (reduce by 1 if Fort Save 2 is failed)

HP: 46/54; AC: 21, Flat-footed: 16, Touch: 15; Auras: Motivate Endurance (+3 Con checks/+9 HP), Master of Tactics (+3 when flanking), Motivate Care (+2 AC); Stance: Tactics of the Wolf; Maneuvers: Battle Leader's Charge, Vanguard Strike, Revitalizing Strike; Other: none

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador

Feeling distraught by the fact that he can not get out and is stuck, as is the baby he is carrying, Marius tries to get out once more. Meanwhile, he makes sure that he keeps an eye on the others health, just in case.

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Strength: (1d20)[13]

[Skjaldbakka]

Loce

"I don't think I can get out of these webs, but I'll do what I can to aid our friend Hector" A few bolts of silver and gold lash out from his oustretched hands to strike at two spiders near Hector. Gold and silver sparks fly from Loce's outstretched hands as his spell fizzles and fails.

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Fort 14
Concentration to cast while entangled 16
2 missiles at one spider: 8
1 missile at another spider: 2
Rolls

Forgot to roll spell failure: (1d100)[3]

[iop]

Hector's first swing sweeps a spider off the ground with such might that it flies through the air at a tree, where it dies impaled on a branch. His second swing, again, goes wide, as his next target scurries out of the way at the last moment.

Marius fails once more to rip apart the net with his bare hands, though he notices one of the sticky strands getting weaker. Raël is more successful and finally manages to hack himself free, despite one of the smaller little spiders managing to crawl down the skin of his back.

Right as Lócë's tries to cast his spell, the two spiders lifelessly sink to the ground. Lócë is surprised because he was sure his spell failed, then he sees the two arrows that have skillfully skewered the spiders.

Out of the forest steps a familiar elf: Ruudi.

"Aren't you all glad to see me? I always say that tourists shouldn't venture through the forest of Orbain on their own, and of course I am right again. You two", he addresses Lócë and Raël, "close your eyes!".

Hector and Marius see him pull out a flask, shake it, and spray its contents all over their two elven companions. A sickly smell of vomit fills the air, which brings you to the brink of vomiting yourselves, but the tiny spiders seem to be affected much worse: They seem to almost jump off Raël and Lócë, and rush toward the forest.

While Raël frees Lócë, Ruudi helps Hector and Marius with the nets. As Raël and Lócë approach, he demonstratively wrinkles his nose the way only elves can, exclaiming:
"You two should take a bath before you come any closer. You smell like ogre vomit!"

Then he puts his arm around Hector's shoulders and says:
"Aren't you glad I showed up to save you? You could at least thank your savior!"

[Job]

Hector

Rather then answer the elf Hector begins to turn rapidly stealing glances in all directions.

“Not done yet, someone just cast a spell, I felt their presence”

OOC:

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Hector will cast protection from evil on Marius, and use constant vigilance to pick out any evil auras he may have missed before

[Skjaldbakka]

Loce will listen carefully for the sound of any creature he can't see, and hit the general area with glitterdust if he hears them.

Listen Check: (1d20+11)[15]
Spell Failure: (1d100)[92]

[iop]

As Hector calls out the warning, Ruudi pales.

"Gates of Orcbane!", he curses. He steps over to Raël and Lócë, no longer caring about their smell and grabs Raël by the elbow.

"Quick, we need to get out of the open. Follow me into the forest!"

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador
Sheet, HP: 47/47, AC/Flat-footed 16 (17 vs evil), Touch 11 (12 vs evil), Under effect from Protection from Evil

Once freed, Marius turns to Ruudi and says: "Thank you, we appreciate the help." When he said that and hears Hector, his eyes widen slightly, in one thought thinking whom that might be and in the other, quickly responding by casting a spell with one hand, using the other to hold the baby close. He casts Status, and then quickly touches both Lócë and Hector, imparting the magic on them. He then smiles at Hector and quickly says: "Thank you.", for he appreciates the blessing cast upon him. When Ruudi curses and speaks up, indicating they need to move through the forest, Marius quickly to follow in the forest. He looks around, a bit with a scare in his face, wondering, half out loud. "Who could that be?"

[iop]

"Spider lords. Cunning creatures that will try and control the minds of unsuspecting travellers. They are formidable foes both with their magic and their physical abilities, and on top of that, they can control the spiders of this forest. Be wary of your friend. If he suddenly acts in an unusually paranoid manner, he might be under the mind control of a spider lord already", Ruudi explains to Marius as he steps past the corpse into the forest.

Lócë strains his sensitive ears, but he is unable to hear anything above the sounds of the river, the rustling of the leaves and the hum of the flies around the body. He does notice that Ruudi makes very little noise as he steps into the forest.

Hector first looks up where he had sensed the tainted auras before the ambush. He notices that there are still four auras, though they appear to move in the direction Ruudi is headed. Then he lowers his gaze. His mind is filled with pain as he looks at almost pure evil. If Ruudi was the incarnation of a devil, he would hardly be worse. Ruudi's aura shines so dark in Hector's mind that it becomes nearly impossible to detect fainter auras in his vicinity.

[Skjaldbakka]

Loce, worried at the possibility of some sort of evil paranoi inducing spider, casts a few spells to ward against it's magic, casting a resistance spell on himself and a protection from evil on Rael.

(1d100)[83] spell failure for resistance, other rolls made in OOC thread

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador

Pondering if he heard about spider lords before, Marius is about to follow Ruudi when he sees Lócë casting spells as well. Finding it a smart move to do the same, Marius then casts protection from evil on Hector. "There you go, returning the favour." Says Marius with a smile, after which he moves towards the forest to follow Ruudi and think further about those spider lords.

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Knowledge(nature): (1d20+16)[21]

[Job]

Hector

Hector gives a nod of thanks to Marius, but leaves his side with seemingly unnecessary swiftness.

“Gentlemen four auras above us, they are headed into the forest” Hector calls out as he makes a beeline to Ruudi. He places a hand on Ruudi’s shoulder and gives a gentle tug, aiming to turn the elf to face him.

“Are you feeling alright friend?”

Despite the apparent concern, everyone notices Hector’s fail could easily be brought to bear.

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Sense motive check:(1d20+11)[25]
Attempting to determine if Ruudi is under a spell/acting out of character etc.

Also ready an action to attack if Ruudi has a violent response, I’m not expecting it to happen

[Kai-Palin]

Raël

"Whuh...?" Raël shakes his head slightly, and the light pink tint fades from the world around him. He had been walking alongside Ruudi, but falls back to stand next to Marius as he feels a lassitude fall from him. He closely watches Hector and Ruudi's interaction, and notices that Ruudi's words are no longer accompanied by bursts of gold centered around his mouth. Raël is rather puzzled as to why he experienced such bizarre visions.

[Skjaldbakka]

"Are you alright, Rael? You seemed kinda out of it."

[iop]

"It's good to be careful, but don't spend too much time casting spells!" exclaims Ruudi, as he sees Lócë and the Marius follow Hectors example.
He steps further into the forest, indicating for you to follow.

"Right beyond here is a hidden path that leads to a secret entrance to the ancient fortress of Orcbane. The spider lords dare not enter there, and we will be safe. Hurry, they're watching your every move through the spider's eyes!"

Hector senses Ruudi's tension as he touches the elf's shoulder. Ruudi spins around and nearly shouts: "What?"
He controls himself quickly though.
"Of course I am not alright. We have to get away from here, and you tourists keep standing around. Come on!"

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Hector senses that Ruudi is tense and slightly exasperated, but not the least afraid, or nervous.

Marius remembers a story from a collection of legends that mentioned spider lords. They were described as creatures that were half humanoid, half spider, descended from a fanatic sect of drow who had tried to become more like lolth. They could communicate with spiders, and were extremely dangerous opponents, using magic and deceit to hunt other sentient beings for pleasure. The story had been about a man who had fallen under the control of a spider lord and was tricked into bringing his entire family to the evil creature, which then had the prisoners parade in front of its colleagues to show the elegance of the catch. Only when the spider lord killed the man's daughter, the parents snapped out of the domination, and in the ensuing commotion, the son could escape. He was the only one of his family to live to tell the story.

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador

"Spider lords.. I think I remember story of them. They do sound bad. And you are right, we should get a move on." Says Marius, after which he quickly follows Ruudi, pacing along as he holds the baby safely close to himself.

[Job]

Hector

“For someone so sure of the danger you seem not the least bit disturbed Ruudi, and what about the fortress of Orcbane will protect us?”

[iop]

Ruudi rolls his eyes as you push through the thick underbrush as quickly as possible. There is something like a trail here, but it has clearly not been as well maintained as the "hidden way" from last night.

"I am a pro, and you're a tourist. That's why you have wobbly knees and not I. Also, it seems as if you have not even taken the time to prepare your journey. You don't know of Orcbane, the only fortress in the empire ever to surpass the Imperial Castle? And of the orcs in whose wake the spider lords infested this forest? People who come here usually are searching for the fortress, because of the treasure, or because some ancestor's bones are lying here, or for other reasons only tourists can come up with. Anyway, I'm not going to sing a story for you, because I'm not a bard, and because we're trying to get away from the spiders, remember? All you need to know is that the spider lords were on one side, and the defenders of Orcbane were on the other side. Some of the ancient enchantments are still working, which is why the spider lords won't follow us there."

[Zweanslord]

Marius Thanador

"But, is this not the path people take to go from one end to another as well? So does that not mean that there are people who come here for reasons that are not at all related to the fortress? Besides, have the treasures of the forest not run out due to earlier visitors?" Marius asks inquiringly, keeping a low volume as he continues to pace along Ruudi, trying to make sure he does not make too much noise and follows politely. "Anyway, I thank you for leading us to a safe place."