Spiders

AK510-40 Cool Summer End Week 4 [Charon Guiding, Shale Resting, Cycles Watching]

Draiday (afternoon)

John Appleby noticed a mass of spiders swarming around the stairwell. A gigantic spider the size of a fully grown bull baphen descended out of the gloom on an invisible thread and then sprang to attack. Thousands of smaller specimens swarmed and skittered behind looking for an opening. The wounded druid dodged out of the way and the spider's enormous fangs slammed shut over thin air. Dark green venom splashed off its yellow mandibles. Spider venom.

The venom of a hunting spider was designed by Naduir himself to allow the creature to paralyse it's victim without killing it, so it could be stored in it's lair for later consumption. A strong healthy druid would be merely a tasty snack for a spider of this immense size. John smiled. He was a chosen of Naduir and as such he had been granted immunity to all natural venoms. Bad luck for the spider he thought as he whirled the applewood staff around and struck the creatures sensory organs with all his strength. Talons, thorns and lightning were the gift of the staff. The spider reared back in shock at the force and pain of the blow. Then it lashed out again.

It's fangs seized Appleby's shoulder and pierced his ironwood armor. The armor saved his life but the fangs opened a nasty gash and his shoulder was dripping blood and venom. Appleby paid it little heed. There was no time to waste on pain when death was looking for an invitation. He responded with a series of rapid blows but the creature's hide was thick and it's skin was like iron. Each blow bounced off it's hairy black hide until he managed to find the creatures vulnerable eyes and send a stab of pain into its brain.

Lost in reverie and dreaming of elemental energy surges, Jo of Kell hadn't seen the spider approach. The druid was fighting for his life before Jo could react. He turned to see another smaller spider bearing down on him. It attacked, but Jo was too quick and managed to dodge out of the way. Then the battle was joined in earnest, Ethan and Todd heard the clamour from the bloody floor of the reactor chamber and Todd slipped through the astral plane with Ethan in tow. Ethan readied himself for a charge into the melee.

Bob, who had been lost in contemplation of his missing bees, suddenly sprang into action and four arrows sailed down the hallway and into the spider's thick hairy flanks. It roared but was unable to revenge itself against the distant ranger. Angry, it eyed Appleby with greater menace. A baphen sized spider moved in behind Appleby, while more scuttled up to attack Jo, Bob and Ethan. Todd had cleverly used Glic's blessing to render himself invisible. The spiders attacked again. Though the baphen sized specimens were no match for the party, the gargantuan monstrosity had Appleby's measure. It bit him again and injected more venom. Only his preternatural bond with the forces of nature was keeping alive.

Ethan charged in with a mighty flail blow and felled the baphen sized spider flanking the druid. Bob hit with another couple of arrows and the gargantuan spider was visibly weakening. Jo attacked and covered it with burning acid, which smoked and hissed as it ate through the creature's thick hide. Appleby decided it was time for his greatest magic and started to summon a ferocious storm of lightening to strike down his foes. He concentrated carefully on the spell and brought forth the power of storms. The spider took advantage of his distraction, darted past his defences and bit him yet again. The poison had no effect but the massive bite lacerated and pulverised his body and he was now on the brink of death. The pain and shock of the bite broke his concentration and ruined the spell.

Todd held back crossbow tracking the spider. He cautiously and studied the creature, looking for a weakness and waiting for a chance to strike. Ethan moved forward and used the power of the Song to reshape Appleby's body to a healthier state. Then the spider struck the druid again and his work was all but undone. Appleby struck a final blow which glanced off the creatures hide and then stepped back from the fray. The spider moved forward to finish him. A volley of arrows from the archers took it down.

It was an easy task for such powerful adventurers to dispatch the remaining few Baphen sized specimens. The smaller hunting spiders set to devouring the carcasses and left the humanoids alone. Todd looked dejected. The spiders looked like poor targets for thievery. Then he considered maybe tanning or stuffing one. Spider skin shoes had a nice ring to it, he thought. Waste not want not.