Chapter 2A - A Jaunt Into The Country

[Squirrellord]

Athletics(3): [1d20+3]=13+3=16
DexSave(0): [1d20]=12
DexSave(0): [1d20]=10
[1d6]=2
Nature(0): [1d20]=9

[counterkid]

dex: [1d20+1]=4+1=5
[1d20+1]=3+1=4
[1d20+1]=16+1=17

1d6: [1d6]=1

nature: [1d20+1]=2+1=3

[Chris1234]

Ignoring the multitude of bats smashing into him, Val forges ahead in the cavern trying to locate Vic and Daphne. He is completely oblivious to the effect that he and his latern have on driving the bats to an insane level of activity.

Unbar leaps enthusiastically across the ravine and ducks under the first swirl of agitated bats. Continuing in Val's wake, the bats seem more frenetic, increasingly so as the dwarf gets nearer to Val and his lantern. Several stike him in his softer areas.

And then, almost as if someone has ended a spell, all the bats flow out of the cavern and disappear through a passagemway to the northeast.

Vic notices Val's illumination and is aware of the big fellow's presence. Val hears movement amongst the central circle of stone pillars. Vic, Val and Unbar may reunite unless anyone actively avoids doing so [in which case Stealth skill checks apply.] After time for briefest of exchanges between the group, a hoarse voice calls out from the northeast, "Hello? Who's that with the light?" Anyone looking will see that it's a human male, looking very tired and very battered holding an unlit candle. He wears torn leather armour and has no weapons visible. [Passive Perception of 13 or higher shows a tiny trail of smoke from the candle: it's only recently been extinguished.]

There's a big spider stretched flat again the cavern's ceiling . The unmoving arachnid is above and behind the human who seems unaware.

What next?

======
Val takes bludgeoning damage from the bats, 4HP, 4HP, 1HP.
Val takes bludgeoning damage from the bats, 0HP, 1HP.

***
I've essentially compressed 3 rounds' actions, not very dramatic, into one set of posts and everyioone is now aligned timewise.

[Squirrellord]

Unbar points in the direction of the spider with his hammer and asks of the human "Yours?"

[Chris1234]

He looks up, flinches almost comically, eyes like saucers, says, "Sh1te!" and runs towards you with glances backwards at the big* spider. The spider raises one foreleg and moves it slowly from side to side, not unlike a child learning to wave.

======
*To clarify, the spider is about the size of a wolf, so usually about 5' across; (a medium creature).

[Squirrellord]

Cocking his head to the side with curiosity, Unbar waves the hand pointing the hammer at the spider side to side in a waving fashion. Keeping an eye on the spider he asks the group "Where'd the elf get to?"
"And what hell was all that with the bats!?"

[Chris1234]

The spider raises a second foreleg and waves both in unison, roughly synchronizing with Unbar's hammer.

The soldier moves behind Unbar and says, "We've been trapped in the dark for a long time. Seemed like it. Until the elf, Luka, showed up with several of these." He holds up the candle. "I was going to hand this back until you pointed out that bloody spider. I hate spiders. What day is it now?"

A dozen heartbeats later the spider walks down the wall and then sort of shrinks.. into an elf. It's Isaril. He waves and then pulls out a rope and disappears off into the tiunnel to the northeast.

[counterkid]

"Are you alone? Are you one of the villagers from the town?"

[Chris1234]

"Huh? No, there were a few of us stuck on the ledge
Yes, that's right. Who are you lot?"

[Nocturno]

Vic helps Daphne up.
"We were sent to help with negotiations with the elves and town, but we found the town in quite the disarray."

"Val, Unbar, maybe you lot should help on the ledge."

[counterkid]

Val will help with the villagers on the ledge.

[Chris1234]

Daphne says quietly, "Big Ron, glad you made it. How are your ribs?" The soldier replies, "M'Lady! Thanks be t'Lathander! We'd feared the worst when word went out you'd been taken. I'm alright, thank you, M'Lady." He obviously isn't and is having difficulty breathing.

[Dargon Lonewolf]

Luka

Grabs the rope and keeps it tight until all have crossed. Then uses the rope to get back acrossed.

[Squirrellord]

Staring at the departing elf, Unbar grunts in astonishment and turns to the others.
Unbar gives Vic a nod "Right."
Holding a hand out to Big Ron. "Come on, lets go get the others." As soon as Big Ron comes within reach, Unbar grasps his hand and utters a Cure Wounds at 1st level.
"I don't have many of those left. Let's get the others." He hands a handaxe to the presumably large man.
Cure Wounds: [1d8+2]=8+2=10

[Nocturno]

Vic dutifully stays with Daphne.

If she starts to move towards the others, he will go.

"Let me know if you need a hand down there."