Session XXXIII: Into the Spider's Den Report

General Summary

Wrapping up

The adventurers continue their talk with Zulk the Wise on the bridge, resulting in a semi-made peace between both parties. They agree the meeting of their joining will take place within 2 days. With their newfound 'alliance' the adventurers call it a night and retreat to their mansion. The next day, Oswald Fleetfeet sends his Geest Uil to Gnel's Hold bearing a cryptic message for Captain Lennard Rye, informing him the The Scorpions and the Uthramians are not to be trusted upon the events that took place in Ban Grond.
Having concluded this business, Balin Thornbow and John Doe take to reading the scrolls scavenged from Zulk's private quarters. Balin takes a fancy to the dwarven scrolls, reporting members of the Stormguard with magical abilities achieved through rune magic. In addition, they learn the dwarven citadel was their base of operations from where multiple tunnels spread through the city, allowing them to work from the shadows for their king. Being intrigued by these tunnels, the adventures travel to the citadel and scavenge the tunnels of the Stormguards. They discover an abandoned hub stripped of all dwarven-related relics. More importantly however, they discover a tunnel leading to Sabulah's domain.

Into the Dark Forest

Scouting the Area

The tunnel they suspect leads into Sabulah's domain has partially collapsed, resulting but a small crawl space that continues the way. They decide to take the risk and go forth through the tunnel, crawling one by one through the opening. Upon submerging at the other side, they find the tunnel was broken open from above leading to an entrance to the surface. With the way onward collapsed, they climb up the ramp leading out of the tunnel.
They find themselves in the dark forest, where little light passes through the dense half-death trees. In the distance they sight a faintly lit road by red flames with glints of green. They decide to avoid the road and sneak through the forest keeping the road in eyesight. They sneak underneath a spider nest and eventually find a large clearing within the woods. In the clearing, a large crater is situated from which faint red light emerges. While debating how to proceed, they see a spider humanoid with a staff bearing a lit gemstone making a round on the road, emerging from the crater. John decides the best way to proceed is to cast Speak with Animals and he returns to the nest they passed under earlier. She learns the spider is named "Harold" who is looking for a good meal. Under a lot of gnawing sounds, Harold tells about the 'lay of the land':

• The crater the adventurers discovered is known as Sabulah's breeding nest, or the "Heart Crater". She rarely ventures out and even more rarely converses with any spiders.
• Sabulah does converse with the spider-humanoids known as Priestesses of Mephala (#MAKEPAGE).
• Upon being inquired about the greatest gift Sabulah could receive, Harold answers that his seed would suffice.

Having heard enough of Harold, John kindly thanks him and is on his way.

Unto the Heart Crater

Unsure how to approach the Crater, they decide a stealth approach would suit best. Alas, the Track without a Trace does not allow Nalan to stealthily approach the crater and they are confronted by a Giant Spider. Before it can shriek in alarm, Nalan throws it a lit reefer, which makes the spider turn on its back and space on. With the spider threat 'eliminated' they approach the edge of the crater. They discover in the middle of the crater stands a large dark tree stump, with a red egg-like structure on it. Countless webs span the craters with only a few thicker ones actually leading to the 'egg'. The bottom of the crater cannot be spotted and only darkness is detected. The adventurers eventually decide to cross the crater by zipp-lining across and safely make their way to the Heart.
In the Heart they they manage to ambush what appears to be Sabulah conversing with one of her priestesses. Sabulah standing on an elevated platform guarding another smaller egg-like structure on the plateau. They converse with her but it does not take long before combat erupts. Oswald ensures no enemies are able to enter the heart by conjuring a Wall of Fire to cover the entrances. With no reinforcements arriving to aid the mistress of spiders, she and her priestess are quickly dealt with. It does not take long however before the adventurers discover they have merely slain an imposter, with the true Sabulah emerging from the inner egg. An astonishing sight, the adventurers prepare for the challenge ahead.

Overview of the Heart Chamber with Sabulah's True form emerging

Image of Sabulah's True form

Campaign

The Island of Runaar

Protagonists

Nalan

Oswald Fleetfeet

TN halfling(gnome) (cloistered scholar)
wizard 5

26 / 26 HP

STR
8

DEX
15

CON
13

INT
19

WIS
16

CHA
10

John Doe

Lawful Neutral Wood Elf (Inheritor)
Ranger 6

63 / 63 HP

STR
9

DEX
18

CON
14

INT
18

WIS
16

CHA
13

Report Date

24 Nov 2021

Primary Location

Ban Grond