Campaign Journal: Why is it Always the Spiders?

(5/18)

The party stands in the cold, stomping their feet by the doors of a nondescript warehouse. We see:

• Jax
• Rondel
• Frederick
• Slick

Magnus Stonewill greets them and loads six casket-sized crates onto the party's wagon. They provide him with the pilfered "crystal ball" taken from Ejnar Winther.

(Wait, if it's fake, what does it really do? Better check the oracle. 45: "Becomes exceedingly dense until it weighs approximately 256 tons." Well then...)

Anyway - west-southwest to an area known as the Barrowlands. No reason. The party overnighted, with no complications. The manikins were activated, and none malfunctioned or failed to act as night guards. So far so good. 

An extended family of goblins was encountered, fleeing more Chaos and avoiding the roads. They were bedraggled, with gaunt wolves pulling travois. Jax shot them a deer while the rest of the party pointed them south to find Queen Adra and her community along the shore of Cobalt Lake. Rough map and fresh provisions in hand, the sad group continued on.

Oh look, a tomb:

thanks Dyson

How convenient. The party entered, interspersed with their new toys. They found a doomed explorer near the entrance. Ah, an auspicious sign. Onward. Broken doors on their right revealed five empty sarcophagi. A few bits of treasure were scattered about, and collected. The southern door was spiked, and the party returned to the main corridor. Entering the first room on the left, they were set upon by three undead knights. 

Surprise!

Henry C's turn attempt failed, and the fight was on. Everyone rolled like crap for a while, undead and party alike. Finally, the party made some progress... Tittering was heard in the corridors. And Rondel and Henry were slowed. A glimpse of eight reflecting eyes, then gone. More chaos, sounds of babbling, and part of the party, as well as most of the manikins, were webbed. Dammit. A magic missile hit Henry. More alien tittering. DAMMIT. 

Boo!

Phase spider, of the spellcasting breed. How rude. Two more undead knights joined the fray. The party cursed the spider as it blinked between corridors, taunting and casting spells. Had they enough? No! Fight on. 

FINE. Lightning bolt. Half the party rolled for crap, taking full damage. The manikins were all toasted. Goober the Wonder Hound rolled a Nat 20 on his save, of course, and escaped with mere singing. Henry C went down with exactly 0 hp. 

Ok, maybe we have had enough. Throw me a handful of your magic items, and I'll let you walk. A few scrolls, a potion, and a ring were tossed down a corridor. Henry was force-fed a healing potion and dragged to his feet. 

Rondel, always bitter at such events, tossed a scroll of spider climb. "Well played!" was heard as they retreated.

They dragged themselves from the tomb complex to come face-to-face with another party of adventurers. A less-experienced group by the looks of it. The dwarves among them silently handed over flasks of whiskey. The two groups dug in for the night and took care of a bit of healing. Upon dawn, the other group was directed towards Ashryn Tower, to help reinforce the party wintering there. 

The party returned to Chirath and reported the fate of the battle-manikins to Stonewill ("They done got blowed up!"). So perhaps they are suited for guard-duty, but not going toe to toe with higher level undead and spellcasting spiders.

A blizzard blew in, and carousing happened. Money was spent. No one got thrown in jail or woke up in a tree.

Let's go home to Neuforde for a bit.

The town was still standing. Palisades and ditches looked to be in good order. Trurok the Ogre was happily shoveling snow. Fulvus' alehouse was having a bit of a winter slump, so the staff was busy rearranging trophy monster heads on the walls. 

The party was getting situated when someone rode into town on a blown horse.

Hi guys...

Serafina Rissanen, leader of the Paragons of the Comet in Opharel. Or former leader. The Paragons had been ousted from the city, and she had fled south, aided by a few loyal allies. The city was growing more isolated, their own Barrier now operational. They had abandoned proxy towns, leaving them for Chaos. Things were not well. So she fled to those she knew were fighting Chaos in their own way.

Awkward reunions aside. She knew those with knowledge of "Old Khador" resided in the area. Would the party introduce her? We'll try. Wait here, maybe find something to read. They departed to visit Victor and his people at their stronghold. 

Victor was glad to see the party, and it was noticed that several old campaigners and others had joined his cause. Some debate arose about meeting one of the people who had persecuted his family, but he agreed to meet with Serafina. An old, scarred knight Zesar Calasanz and his squire Celia Roldan escorted Victor to meet with the zealot.

She greeted them humbly. I want to learn of Spring Khador, and perhaps how we can help her arise again. But first I need allies. My loyalty has always been to my god, my country, my city. But right now it is to all of the Western lands. With that, Victor and Zesar escorted her to meet with his people.

DM Notes:

So. The party is 0-2 vs giant, intelligent spiders. At this point, I figure that the coming end of the campaign will be simply the party vs several spiders riding Damned Horses. Maybe throw in some creepy dolls. That should do it. 

3 hour session, a bit of ground covered. A reunion that had been gelling for a while...