[Game Thread] Chapter 1: The Spider Farm

[Huhart]

Dalwinkle giggled at Raza's little jape. He was surprised to find that the half-orc had a sense of humor. But Dal was more surprised that Siren had noticed him leering at her. He thought that he was being covert in his indiscretion. Did she also notice him scope out her purse, weapon and other valuables? Dal would be wary of the scrawny little waif in the future.

In the meantime, he found himself stuck with Tryanne and Korin. He wasn't sure which of the two was crazier. They were both still going on about burning and killing things. He 's decided to play along. "Oh yes, that is a great idea. Burn down a tree!" he did a little happy dance, just for effect. "I''ll go tell the others your plan."

The gnome scampered up the hill after Siren, Thorin and Raza. He tried to keep quiet and remain unnoticed as he approached them, though both warriors were quite loud as they trampled up the hill. When whatever myschief happened, Dal wanted to be hidden and behind two large warriors for protection.

[MossStone]

It had happened again the strange sounds, the music running in her head, it was often at it's worst bad when she thought about her master, tried to talk or pray to him, she wondered how long it had been there if she had copied the sounds out loud again. If it had been going on for second minutes or hours.
Tryanne looks at the fellow, Korin or something, puzzled. Trying to piece together what he had said a few moments ago then again just now.

A sneak? And he seems proud of it, very proud of it. She frounds thoughtfully. And shuts her eye's. What a lot I have fallen in with. Scofflaws for sure.

Tryanne slowly raises her head and looks at Korin, the remaining gril, and the fleeing back of the Gnome. Studying them fully for the frist time. The Girl seems half dead, but appears almost firmilure, as if the young mage had seen that face and figure before. The Man is armed, and the blade seemed to fit him, but a few moments ago he seemed almost as nervous as a thief about to be hung.
"You say we should avoid burning the farm in case we hurt someone- wich I suppose is a matter of law, it would not be right to take the life of a freeman, or someone's serf, without cause. I apologise for suggesting it It was wrong of me, and we could certainly never afford the weregild for it. And if we burned a freeman they'd be right to hang us." There is nothing in her tone to indicate she cares one way or another about the morality of burning people alive however. On the other hand Tryanne looks contrite about her suggestion none the less.

"But you now suggest that we burn a tree? I see no tactical advantage in that. Unless you mean to offer up the four who went ahead, and lure out whatever is thereby alerting it or them to our presence. That could work but it would it not have been better to send only one to two and have the others wait in ambush? Still if you think our purpose is better served by drawing the danger out I will help. I have no spells for fire, but I have one that can be used to wound or kill if necessary. " She sighs for a moment and then adds abashedly
"I admit I know nothing about the ways of combat. My master always said I lacked the wisdom to be trained in anything important."

How many years did he bemoan my lack of spiritual mastery? How hard did I try to convince him I was worthy of becoming a necromancer at his side? If I'd been more than just a half trained mageling maybe I would not be here right now. Yes that is how I ended up with a band of outlaws. He is punishing me from beyond the grave for my incompetence. Plese believe me I didn't mean to- I never meant to...

"I am good at fallowing directions however, let me know how I can help I am more useful then I may at frist appear."

[Nade]

At the gnome's words, Korin nodded his head, perhaps slightly oblivious to the tone that they were meant in as he responded. "Yes, it is a good plan, isn't it?" But Dal scuttled off to join the others, leaving just Korin and the two ladies. He considered Tryanne's words. Reaching his hand up, Korin stroked his chin thoughtfully, even though he didn't have a beard. Then he smiled and nodded his head. "Yes....tactical advantage....burn down a tree....bring whatever's on the farm out. That's exactly what I was meaning and why I was wanting you to set fire to it.....that's exactly it." Of course the truth was that Korin wasn't interested in the slightest about burning down the tree to gain a tactical advantage. He just thought it would be really funny to burn down a tree. Unfortunately for him, it was precisely that moment that he got the all-clear signal fronm the others. Korin sighed, pouting slightly at the fact that his aspirations of fire and chaos had been dissipated, although he was also pleased that nothing had befallen the others. With a slightly mournful expression, Korin looked over at Tryanne and shrugged his shoulders. "It looks like we don't need to burn down the tree after all.....maybe when we get out though?" His face took on a slightly more hopeful expression at that thought as he turned to make his way up towards the others. As he did so, walking along, he looked back at Tryanne again before speaking. "So, you mentioned having a master? I'd like to know a bit more about him, if you don't mind talking about him that is?"

[MossStone]

"It appears we will all have to move forward after all. Perhaps it is better this way." She adds. I doubt it,but if they think I am a coward they will find me useless for sure. More to the point, if I do not see trouble I cannot gain power. Without power I will have no knowledge and with out that...
Tryanne tries to urge her donkey, "Get going Inkblot... come on.. go already." And when they spotted creature eventually does move, (making her grab its neck for dear life for a moment) she finally turns towards Korin and considers his words. When he asks about her master she calms a lot, and when she speaks she speaks in an excited tone.

"He was a great man. Wise and just powerful, and a noble Lord. He protected his fife from criminals, and upheld the law to the utmost reaches legality. He was a Powerful man, and even though I lacked the qualities to follow in his footsteps he still took the time to teach me. Reading, Writing, History... Magic." she shrugs. Everything I know. I don't know what his peasants will do without him now that he's gone.
Tryanne adds sadly shaking her head, but fearful of the music starting agin she tries to change the subject.

"Do you think they call it spider farm because it really has spiders? They are adorable but I like bats better, and aardvarks. I've never seen either but I've read about them. "

[Nade]

As they walked up to rejoin the others, Korin shivered a little bit, and not totally because of the coolness of the night air. He was excited about this adventure that he had embarked upon, even as he was nervous about what they would come up against. He had never been battle tested, and had never had the opportunity to lift his blade against a true foe. Glancing down at his blade, he could only hope that he didn't let the others down. Tryanne's voice and accent had a slightly musical lilt to it. Listening to her words, Korin could tell that she missed him dearly, even as she was anxious to prove herself worthy of his memory. For a brief second he dropped his usual jovial demeanour and a serious expression settled itself over his features as he spoke, "I am sorry for your loss Tryanne, truly I am. I think I understand where you're coming from." Grinning wryly, he shook his head as he reached down to gently touch the amulet that he wore around his neck. "This is all I have left of my real parents. I don't know who they are or where they went, but they left me with this. I sometimes worry about whether my actions are letting them down wherever they are but...." Letting go of the amulet, he brought his hand down to rest on the hilt of his sword. "......I guess we are who we are and we can only do the best that we can do." Surprised at himself for his unusual seriousness and the gravity of his thoughts, Korin shook his head again. Where are you? Why did you leave me? As always his own internal questions remained unanswered. Perhaps they always would. Shivering again from a sudden gust of wind, Korin hugged himself. Before him, the moon continued to illuminate the path in front of him, though the dark clouds hovering overhead caused him to question how long that would remain so. At Tryanne's question, Korin chuckled softly before answering, "Well, with a name like Spider Farm, put it like this, if we find something other than spiders, say goblins or something, then I will personally be very disappointed." The wooded hill cast long shadows over them as they arrived at the top overlooking the farm below. The darkness made him uneasy, envisaging as he was creatures with long knives jumping out at them to tear at them with wicked blades. Tryanne seemed so frail, though Korin had little doubt that she could defend herself as he whispered, "Stay alert. It's a little too quiet here if you catch my drift." Then thinking about her comment about spiders, he smiled wryly. "I don't know about spiders, I've always found them fairly icky. I've always been a fluffy kitten sort of person myself." Rejoining the others, Korin flashed them one of his trademark smiles as he surveyed the compound. The lack of movement and sound was most unsettling. He did not like this. Not at all. Looking to the others, he settled his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Anyone else uneasy about this? Let's say we head down towards one of the buildings. No offence to the rest of you, but us bigger folk with pointy swords should lead the way." Korin bowed with a flourish, looking for all the world on the outside confident and ready to go. Inwardly, he was anything but.   If no one has any objections, Korin is going to head over to the building at C5

[MossStone]

Tryanne listened still trying not to fall from Inkblot. Real parents? Rather than fake ones? She had never know the mother who bore her, nor the father who sired her either, but such matters had never been important. She tried to imagine what it would feel like to long for the company of someone you had no memory of. But the task proved too great for her. Tryanne could clearly remember the cries and desperate delirious moans of grown men and woman calling out to their mothers and fathers after well some deserved time in Lord Pathtosen's dungeons however. They almost all called upon someone by the end. If I get captured with this company- is that how I will end up? It did not matter what happened to her though, she reminder herself. There was comfort in that reminder, in knowing her place in the world.

She glanced around the farm, farms were something she knew less of then parents. Well you grow things on them plants and animals and then the farmers send their taxes to the Lords, and the Lords send their taxes to the Kings, and everyone sends their taxes to the gods and their temples.

It occurred to her that she had not made an offering to any of her master's gods before she left on this.... what was the word? Quest? Mission?
Then she was told the place too quite she stared up at Korin in confusion. "No, I do not understand your meaning. If it is quite doesn't that mean there is no one here?" After a moment she adds. "Cats are useful too I suppose." She trys to stop Inkblot and lets the ones with swords pass towards the front as expected.

"It seems burning it down was a bad idea anyway- so many buildings- if there is anyone here they are likely to notice us before we burned the right one."

OCC Is there a list of gods she would have been trained to worship by her master? Of Death or Magic or Order etc? Also Yah the idea that animals get quite in nature when danger is around is not a concept I think she is frimiure with.

[Huhart]

Dalwinkle crouched behind a large bush near the rest of the group. He heard one of the others say something about spiders. Oh yeah, this is a spider farm... For a moment, Dal wondered why someone would want to farm spiders. Did humans eat them? A little scenario played out in his head of a mother giving her kid a bowl full of spiders. Eat all your creepy crawlers, then you can go out and play. He chuckled at the thought.

What reason could there be for this farm. Were they breeding an army of spiders to battle some massive fly plague somewhere? That seemed unlikely. Spider's were poisonous...Were they collecting the venom? The farm was a large scale operation. Was there really that much demand for spider venom? There had to be some other explanation. The only other thing spiders did was make webs....silk webs...silk that could be woven into clothes...expensive clothes! The gnome smiled a greedy little smile. And we were going to burn it down...

Dal imagined himself going home with an armful of valuable silks. Would it be enough his family welcome him back into their good graces? Only if he got to it first. From his vantage point, Dal looked down the hill and surveyed the farm. He noticed the road went to a large building, then over to what was obviously a stable. The large building had to be a warehouse were the finished goods were stored. Why else would the road go to it? He decided that this would be the best place to start. Now he just had to convince the others.

Without a thought of startling the group, Dal steps out of his hiding place and into their midst. "I think we should go there first," said the gnome, pointing to the building. "It looks like the main warehouse. I'll bet those monsters that guy back in Melford was talking about are really just a bunch of thieves."

[Lexkat]

"I should be with the scouting party!" Sheryllin bursts out, finally speaking. She looks about, as if surprised to be standing there, then shakes her head slightly. She looks gaunt and quite ghoulish wearing only the loincloth, a pair of gloves, and the ill-fitting soft boots she'd found while escaping the tower.

She looks to the warehouse that Dalwinkle indicates. Without a word, she begins skulking toward the building, staying low to the ground as she moves from shadow to shadow.

She looks back over her shoulder. "Come on."

 

 

Half-Elven Thief- 1

[ArionNaomi]

Siren had grinned at Amazon when she mentioned that her assets needed meat. In truth, she was quite fine with the shape of her body. There was only one man she ever wanted to impress with her assets and he had thus far been clueless about her attraction to him.

The eerie stillness brought her mind back to the present quickly. She didn't like how quiet it was as they approached the farm.

"Typically, if there was a man eating spider in the cage, we'd see it, Thorin," she replied to the dwarf, deeming the situation serious enough to warrant names.

Then everyone showed up, Shortie, Fish and Shelly raring to go look around.

"Guys! Check for traps first!" She stage whispered at Sheryllin Korin who were already moving. "Honestly I should probably go after Korin, he's never done this sort of thing where lives are on the line before," she muttered, worrying about her best friend.

 

Fish = Korin
Amazon = Raza
Shortie = Dalwinkle
Birdie = Tryanne
Red = Thorin
Shelly = Sheryllin

[Lexkat]

An old fire sparks in Sheryllin's eyes. She's the boss, not some.... And then her shoulders slump, and she remembers the nothing she's become. "Yes, of course." she says in obedience to the young human thief, then begins to

Dice Find Traps need 25%:

d100

5

search for traps.

 

 

Half-Elven Thief- 1

[MossStone]

Tryanne has literally no idea what they are looking for? Why would anyone trap a farm? Wouldn't that make the sheep and goat's trip? Or do they mean a trap door inside? Do peasants even use trap doors? She wonders dumfounded. She studies Sheryllin thoughtfully, I could swear I've seen here somewhere before. But still cannot place her.And why is she wearing that absurd outfit?
"Looking for traps sounds like a good idea." Tryanne says at last, after all if the real adventures are doing it- it must be the thing to do- even if it sound nonsensical to her.I can't afford to have them know I'm a compleat novice at this.

[ironbeard]

Again the mention of spiders makes Thorin's skin crawl. The memory of the journey through the caves of Andora, jumped full into his mind and he stopped moving. He was like he was back there...when the spiders came. they were huge...some as big as a horse, with long hairy legs and the eyes...the eyes were the worst, but that was the best place to attack them...attack the eyes....

Thorin shakes himself and realizes he is standing a little back of the group he was with and hurries forward. "We must attack their eyes..." He says, but in a whisper that no one heard.

Search for traps...set fire to trees...what were these fools thinking. He wondered, again shaking his head.

"Darwinkel is right. we have to start somewhere and that building is as good as any. I would think if there are traps there would be some on the entry into that building...if there are traps."Thorin says as he moves toward the building.

[PinkFairyArmadilo]

Korin, it must be said, has a nose for adventure. He immediately heads across the compound for a small, free standing structure just past the cage. And perhaps whatever lurks behind this attack has cause to protect that structure, for as soon as the door is opened, a wizard hits the adventurer with a Stinking Cloud spell. At least, you'd assume it would have had to have been cast by a wizard, because you've definitely been hit by a Stinking Cloud spell... Or... no. No, you've just discovered the lavatory. As far as lavatories go, this is not one of the nicer ones, either.

One thing he does notice though, as he turns retching away, is that the large cage in the middle of the compound is, perhaps, not as empty as it first appeared. It seems to cover a depression in the earth several feet deep, with good sized tunnels branching out underground. And while it is so filled with spiderwebs as to obscure your vision, you think you see something fairly large moving ever so slightly.

Meanwhile, Sheryllin give the group an assurance that the door is untrapped (and unlocked). If the group chooses to enter, you find the room to be surprisingly empty. There is sparse furniture, a pair of naked mannequins, an empty lock box, and a few stray silken garments on the floor. It looks like the room had been hastily ransacked.

 

-A----B---C----D---E----F---G----H---I----J---K----L

1

2

3

4

5

6
7

8

9

10

11

12
13

14

15

16

17

18

 

Is there a list of gods she would have been trained to worship by her master? Of Death or Magic or Order etc? Also Yah the idea that animals get quite in nature when danger is around is not a concept I think she is frimiure with.

I would suggest Wee Jas from 3e (goddess of death, law, and magic) is pretty spot on. Morrigna (a goddess of war and death), is a personal favorite. Ereshkigal, Anubis, and Tuoni are possibilities. Really, I'm pretty open to any deities you want to introduce, if you want to introduce a deity from a specific setting

[Lexkat]

Sheryllin's eyes light up as she sees the abandoned garments on the floor, and immediately searches through them to find something more adequate to wear than the loin cloth.

Having no further use for shame, to a degree, she immediately strips off the nasty loin cloth and pulls on whatever cover she can find. Though, she will turn her back to the largest concentration of males out of habit.

 

 

Half-Elven Thief- 1

[Nade]

Korin begins to move cautiously down towards one of the main buildings. Looking back to the others with a quick nod to go with the determined expression on his face. Inwardly, Korin prayed that they did not pick up on the nervousness that he felt and that it wasn't reflected on his expression. Turning back to the building, expecting the worst, he draws his sword from his sheath. The sound of it coming out echoed through the night sky with a metallic hiss. Behind him, Siren asks the others to scout out for traps. With a twinkle in his eye, he begins to respond, traps are not my forte, my dear, I leave that to you, but his reaction is somewhat derailed by Sheryllin's reaction to Siren's request. Gaping at her, he finds himself wondering about her reaction. She seems to have acted like a scalded puppy, retreating into herself, her shoulders slumping. Staring at her in surprise, Korin found himself disturbed by her reaction. The way she behaves..... Korin is lucky in a lot of ways. Although abandoned at birth, he has been brought up by a caring family that adore him regardless. Never knowing hardship, Korin looks at Sheryllin, and he finds himself wondering what has happened to her that would make her act like a beaten puppy. He speaks, his voice almost breaking. "Sheryl.....I......she didn't mean to act like she was...." Your master. He cannot finish the sentence. Instead, he looks to her in a new light, playing her reaction over and over in his mind. "We'll talk....later." Turning, he moves towards the small compound, trying to put the thought of Sheryllin's reaction, and how it troubled him so, out of his mind. As he approaches it though, he cannot, wondering as he reaches towards it what had happened to the poor girl. A slightly trembling hand touches the frame of the door. Taking a deep breath, and wondering what horrors lie beyond, Korin pushes it open.... ....In his worst nightmares he could not have possibly anticipated the terrible things that awaited him on the other side. Opening the door, a horrendous stench hits him full on. Korin gags, raising his hand futilely to try and block out the terrible smell. He fails. For an instant, Korin believes that he has been poisoned. A noxious cloud of toxic fumes entering his nostrils, he turns and steps away, bending over double even as he vomits from it, falling to one knee. His sword drops from nerveless fingers, clattering onto the floor as he heaves the contents of his stomach out over the ground. If this is the end, then Korin can think of no worse way that it can end, poisoned by a gas cloud in the middle of a spider farm..... But he does not die. As the seconds pass, Korin composes himself, lifting his red-rimmed eyes to stare at the cage in front of him that he has fallen against. His stomach feels queasy and his throat is red raw. Standing, he looks to the cage again, noticing something that had passed him by originally. Raising his hand, he beckons over to the others. As he speaks, his voice comes out as a hoarse croak. "The....cage. Look, it covers a depression. There's a passage leading under there..... Do you see the spiderwebs? Do you think......." His voice breaks from the strain, leaving his train of thought unsaid.....is that where all the spiders went? After a second, his hoarse voice croaks again, "I.....think there's something moving....under there......something big." Bending down, he retrieves his fallen sword before he turns to where Sheryllin is, meaning to say something to her, her earlier behaviour still bothering him..... .....except that she has just shed her clothes and was in the middle of changing. Korin gapes again, trying to speak but failing miserably as his words get caught in his throat, coming out as a mangled cough. Then, blushing furiously and belatedly realising that the lady was trying to get changed, he suddenly tries to speak again, offering an apology. Except that once more the apology got caught in his throat, and Korin looked for all the world the fish that Siren referred to him as, opening and closing his mouth futilely. Finally, looking down to the ground, Korin turns away, wishing for all the world that the ground would open up and swallow him, and trying not to think about how stunningly attractive she was.....