So the Spider want to play??
Prelude
Elsewhere:
Lord: They defeated the attack.
Underling: Yesss!
Lord: Did any of them perish?
Underling: No, my lord.
Lord: Well, no matter, they will serve our purpose soon enough.
Adventure Summary
The group returns to Northlake from the Ghoere scouting mission. The garrison commander asks the group if they would undertake a dangerous mission on behalf of the queen. Hedriek accepts for the group with the condition that Alexandros aka Lord Fox lead the expedition. The group sets out immediately and enters the Spiderfell, rumoured to be host to all sorts of arachnids, gnolls, goblins, orges and such. The dark and gloomy forest is indeed a forbidding place and there are numerous spiders of all shapes and sizes about. Webs are everywhere as are many other insects. At one point the group is attacked by three large (2' diameter spiders), with some magic from Alexandros they are quickly dispatched.
The group comes upon a gnoll trail with they parallel for several miles. The trail leads into a trail heading east (out) and west (deeper in). Both Rayad and Heidrek see fresh tracks of a fair sized group (score or more) of gnolls, goblins and possibly human and bugbear heading out of the Spiderfell and possibly toward Roesone. The group decides to pursue this raiding party. Heidrek quickly outdistances the group and scouts the enemy. Seeing 20 gnolls, dozen goblins, a bugbear, a large Vos human and something big and nasty that seemed to sense him, Heidrek returns to the party.
The group moves rapidly to close the gap, but the raiders have split into three groups, one moving due east, one due south and one southeast--directlytowards the town of NorthFair. The party catches the "town" group as they begin attacking the town. The raiders have let loose a big and nasty troll to wreck havoc, as the Vos kills the Captian of the town militia. Three militia men tryvaliantly to fight off the troll, Heidrek joins them. Another half dozen militia, Haddath and Alexandros dispatch the half dozen gnolls and six goblins with little difficulty. Rayad and Menzak engage the huge seven foot muscular Vos. The Vos battles with both Rayad and Menzak and after Menzak is struck unconscious from several wounds, Rayad's blood boils into a killing rage, finishing off the Vos and then recklessly charging the troll.
The troll is eventually brought down by blows from Hiedrek's Axe and Rayad's Raging scimitars. Upon Alexandros advice the Troll is set afire to prevent it from regenerating. Searching the enemy, the group finds a Magic Bow, a Magic long sword (MageBane) and a note/map from Caine Haniere describing a mission to retrieve and artifcat call the Rod of Crystalline from some nearby ruins. During the course of helping the town recover from the short but violent attack the group meets Hiero the local Druid, and Zit & Zot some half orc lumberjacks. After some discussion, Zit & Zot offer to guide the party to the ruins.
A few miles yet from the now visible ruins, which appear to be what's left of a fantastic castle, the group spots more gnoll tracks. Tracking the gnolls to the foothills south of the castle, the group finds the gnolls have giant spider mounts in addition to goblins. There are four spider riders and with some arrows from Heidrek, Menzak, some spells from Heidrek and Alexandros the raiders are soon routed. However, Rayad was bitten by a spider twice during combat and shortly after collapses from poison. Some healing skills from Heidrek allow him to regain consciousness. The group makes camp as the bind their wounds and plan their next step.
Quotes
Garrison Commander: What news?
Heidrek: .... AND do you have any more of those delicious birds (referring to messenger pigeons).
Heidrek: The spiders think of Haddath (halfing) as a bite sized morsel!
Heidrek: I carefully place my bow on my shoulder and ready my axe.
"Lord Fox" (referring to a gnoll having just fallen off his mount): It took so much effort to hit him with my staff--I was sure he was dead. (Just before the gnoll stabbed at Rayad)
Heidrek (to poisoned Rayad): You won't bleed...
Rayad: Okay, I'll stay here and ooze.
Heidrek: Oozing is healthy.
Spoils
Long Bow +1 - Heidrek
Long Sword, +1 (MageBane) Other Powers - MenzakExperience
Group Experience
Saving Town and Killing Monsters + 3,500 Individual
Player Bonuses Total Alexandros Roleplaying +500
Good Spells +50010,550 Haddath 11,000 Heidrek Good Spells +500
Roleplaying +250
Ideas, Various +50015,625 Ludwig Did not attend Total: Ftr: 2,640
Mage: 3,300Menzak 11,250 Rayad Roleplaying +500 13,375 William Did not attend 6,050