CHAPTER 23: THE BLACK SPIDER
The adventures, having found the Black Spider, find themselves in a pickle and have to make a choice. To stay and fight or to retreat to the Forge of Spells and make a last stand there. The Heroes choose to attack and encourage Galdor, who was the quickest to react, to step out of the Old Streambed and make a stand on the eastern side of the Collapsed Cavern.
While the two Halflings decided that the Rogue fire and retreat, while the Monk would stay slightly further down the Old Streambed out of the way and listen out for the Flaming Skull.
Galdor crawled out of the tunnel and fired at the largest of the 4 Bugbears as it was obvious that he was the leader of the force. Galdor misses his target but the Bugbear leader appears not to be worried and barks out orders to the other Bugbears in the Collapsed Cavern. The Rogue then moves out and fires his Shortbow, using one of his ‘Magical Arrows’ and strikes the Bugbear Leader in the neck. This infuriates the Bugbear and Lofty can see murder in his eyes, the Leader is enraged and rushes to one of the ropes and begins to climb down into the wide rift.
Meanwhile, the Monk is not happy that she was tasked with, “guarding the rear”, but she knew that she needed to acquire more missile weapons that she could use or miss out on the fun. Astrid hears nothing behind the party and is soon joined by Lofty, her brother.
Astrid Bilberry: “Where is the Cleric?”
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “Err, we told him to rush out and engage the Bugbears with his Longbow and he did.”
Astrid Bilberry: “Then what are we doing here? Onwards brother.”
Meanwhile, back in the Collapsed Cavern Galdor stands by the southern edge of the opening and draws his new Magical Mace Lightbringer. 2 Bugbears remained on the western side of the rift and they both now thew their Javelins at the Cleric. The quickness of Galdor and his new Magical Armour, Dragonguard, made it nearly impossible to be hit and a new sense of invulnerability filled the Cleric as he drew forth his Shortsword.
Galdor: “Start filling-in your butcher bill Bugbear for I am about to cull your guards.”
Astrid Bilberry: “What’s got into the Cleric?”
Next the sound of climbing could be heard coming from the bottom of the rift, there were more enemies below and they were coming up to engage the Cleric. Realising their mistake in leaving poor Galdor alone, the Monk readies herself to advance and aid the Cleric. The Rogue chooses to ‘Fire & Dash’ back down the Old Streambed.
The Bugbear leader can also be heard climbing up and out of the rift.
The Bugbears are slower and this allows Galdor, who had dropped his Longbow and drawn forth Lightbringer, now also drew his Shortsword.
Galdor: “As was preached by Tymora herself, one should be bold, for to be bold is to live.”
Astrid, spurred on by the Elf Cleric’s words also rushed forward to the edge of the rift, ready to attack the climbing Bugbears.
Both the Monk and the Cleric make disappointing attacks and this allows the Bugbears to climb up and onto the same side of the Collapsed Cavern as our Heroes. The Bugbear leader is also able to climb-up just after the 2 Bugbears, armed with Javelins, take aim, and they miss the Cleric and Monk.
The Rogue moves out from the Old Streambed tunnel and fires at the Bugbear leader as he stands near to the Monk. Again, the Rogue hits his mark and he is once again about to rush after the Rogue, who had turned and scampered back down the tunnel, but he came out of his battle lust and knew that he had to deal with the small, insignificant Halfling Monk. How hard could it be?
The Monk was left to battle the Bugbear Leader and the one who climbed down with him, while the Cleric was gleefully fighting the 2 Bugbears from the rift. The 2 Javelin Bugbears on the western side moved over to the ropes, with the intension of throwing their Javelins and climbing down.
The Cleric misses again with Lightbringer and does slight damage with his Shortsword. Both Bugbears fail to break through his defences.
The Monk slashes at the Leader, twice, and inflict serious damage to it. Then 2 further kicks have mixed results. The Bugbear leader Hits the Monk but his soldier misses. This now allow the Rogue to pop out once more and finish off the Bugbear leader before he could bark out any further commands. Lofty believes that the battle is turning in their favour and chooses to stay by the entrance to the Old Streambed tunnel this time.
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “I fell we are missing something?”
Then suddenly, out of the darkness from the west, 2 beams of crackling energy make their way straight toward the monk, both hitting their target and leaving poor Astrid in excruciating pain. The sudden light produced by the beams then illuminated the figure that cast them. Lofty thought it was the Black Spider himself at first but noticed that, thought the cloths were the same, the face was not the Black Spider he met in Cragmaw Castle.
The Drow then moved off and into the darkness and out of the sight of our heroes.
Galdor: “We are sitting ducks here; we need to deal with the Black Spider.”
Meanwhile, the Cleric aimed, swung and missed again with the Mace Lightbringer, but hit with his Shortsword. Both Bugbears miss with their Morningstar’s and began to get slightly nervous. The Monk makes quick work of the Bugbear that she was engaged with and then Astrid fights the last one that climbed up from the rift.
The Rogue, fires at one of the Bugbears that was battling the Cleric and deduces that the best place for him would be back down the tunnel.
Galdor swaps tactics and uses the Shortsword as his primary weapon and misses, as does the Mace. Astrid is able to kill the Bugbear that climbed up and moves over to aid the Cleric. 2 Bugbears left and the Rogue comes out once more to fire at one of the Bugbears and his strike was clean again.
Again, the Heroes lose sight of the Black Spider and he take full advantage by firing directly at the Rogue this time and he had the advantage of firing from the darkness. Both rays hit little Lofty inflicting sever pain on him this time.
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “Dame Wizard is using an Eldritch Blast Spell, curse him.”
Galdor hits this time with both weapons and kills his Bugbear. Astrid makes two attacks at her foe and also finishes him off.
Lofty calls out in Halfling:
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “We need to pull back and regroup, quick follow me.”
All three of our Heroes then moved and dashed back down the Old Streambed tunnel and made their way back to the Booming Cavern, all whilst keeping a close eye behind themselves. Once out of the tunnel the adventures continued along the narrow ledge that overlooked the larger cavern, housing the surging, seething body of water.
The adventures stop near to water channel to the west that enters the Flame Skulls chamber, the Smelter Cavern, and listen out for the Undead Skull. Astrid and Galdor hear nothing. Then suddenly, the adventures first feel a drawing of air and then the rhythmic booming of the water being drawn out and then rushing back in is heard up close.
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “Wait, what’s that at the bottom of the central column of rock? Did you see it, it looked like a chain attached to the rock face and there is something bright and shining attached to it , but it too deep for me to make out.”
As the water surged outwards, after having rushed in, the water level dropped some 20’ feet lower than normal levels and this exposed whatever was chained to the rockface.
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “So 20’ feet down to the water and 20’ feet below that a chain which hangs another 15’ or so feet?”
As the adventures turn to leave and head back southwards to the Forge of Spells, they all notice 2 Giant Spiders sneaking and spying, on the Heroes, while perched at the top of the cavern and above the Old Streambed tunnel.
The adventures run and dash back down the stairs and into the Forge of Spells chamber. Astrid shuts the northern door as best she can and Lofty and Galdor listen out for the Giant Spiders. Eventually they hear movement and then the back door is hit, and covered, by what the adventures know to be webbing, just like that used in the Cave Entrance, fired by one of the Giant Spiders and sealing the northern door.
The adventures retreat to the Forge of Spells chamber and Astrid closes the door to the workshop chamber.
Lofty and Galdor enter the Forge of Spells chamber. Galdor stands by the main stones doors and keeps a very close eye out for the Giant Spider and the Black Spider. The Rogue chooses to hide behind the south edge of the stone pedestal which holds a small, 4’ foot, brazier upon it. Finally, the Monk closes the inner door leading to the workshop and sides to the opposite side of Galdor by the main doors.
Galdor: “I feel we are somewhat trapped in this chamber.”
Astrid Bilberry: “I trust my sister has a plan and we shall follow it to the letter, she has not failed us up until till now.”
A tear rolls down Lofty’s cheek and he feels so happy that he is with his family at this desperate moment.
Leif ‘Lofty’ Bilberry: “So about this plan Master Rogue?”
Lofty asks himself.
Several things happen next and the adventures all hold their ground and wait.
The adventures can hear the now familiar sound of Bugbears talking and the sound of the northern door being forced open. Following that, the scrabbling sound of the 2 Giant Spiders enter the workshop and can be heard scurrying about the chamber.
Then Astrid is able to decern the sound of more 2 Giant Spiders gently creeping to the main eastern doors, but via the ceiling and the Cleric failed to hear them.
Then footsteps are heard and a familiar, and despised, voice calls out to the trapped adventures.
Obadiah Hakeswill: “Come friends it is time to surrender, you will be treated fairly. I am sure that you have are ready realised that you are surrounded and that all your escape routes blocked.”
The adventures stray silence not wanting to give away their positions to the Black Spider and because they would never trust Obadiah Hakeswill.
Obadiah Hakeswill: “The Black Spider is willing to accept you into the fold and you will all be given employment of great status.”
Astraea: “Listen to what he has to say gentlemen and lady. We have all tried to outsmart the Black Spider and failed. Know when you are beaten and join the winning side, there is no shame in that.”
Magical ‘Darkness’ fills the Forge of Spells chamber and the adventures stand firm and listen out for intruders.
The cover allows the northern door is forced open and sound of Giant Spiders and the Goblinoid language from the Bugbears. Then Galdor and Astrid, both standing by the main doors to the west could booth hear the sound of more Giant Spiders crawling above the doors.
Obadiah Hakeswill: “This is your last chance my friends, and unlike your parents you have a choice whether you live to see the next dawn or die like the dogs that your parents were.”
Astraea: “Do not be angered by what Obadiah Hakeswill has to say, though he is impolite and antagonistic, his message should be heeded. Come and join the Black Spider and I promise you will be treated fairly.”
The adventures have much to think over and then the ‘Darkness’ ends.
Galdor: “This is it. I have my last powerful magic that I can use to either heal us while we fight; save it to bring one of you back if the worst happens.”
Astrid Bilberry: “Death you mean.”
Galdor: “Indeed or I can send Sister Garaele and hope she can find and aid us in this final battle.”
Astrid Bilberry: “Contact her and spin the coin Cleric, we fight on against the Black Spider.”