D&D 5E [IC] Uller's Out of the Abyss

[DMAesh]

OOC: Oh, you mean revolving door of attacks? I'll tell you, I am a story-first type of player. While I think that is cool in a one-off style game, but that is a little too meta for my style of play. I really hope my choice doesn't end up getting us killed. I can see Ez dropping to a knee and letting Derendil take a swipe over my head though...

 

[Uller]

OOC: Yeah, I hear you. With normal init rules it's not so much of an issue. In a normal fight with large numbers, it makes sense for someone to draw an attack to allow an ally to move in and strike (not the conga line style attacks where 5 goblins move, attack, move to let all 5 goblins attack). In this case, the encounter is so optimal for the darkmantles and this is their one built in weakness...they can't take an OA while attached, I'm just looking for a way to let you take advantage of it...Not that I mind killing of another NPC...so it's totally up to you two.

 

[SunGold]

OOC: I'd rather not go that route, but I'd do it to save Ez or an NPC I actually like. Jimjar...meh.

 

[DMAesh]

OOC: If we were on solid ground, Ezraen would feel much more comfortable about taking advantage of that, but as we are trying to keep our footing on the webs, I feel like our mobility is extremely limited. (Ezraen has lost two of the group to falling off the webs, he does not want to lose another, and if he falls too, then he can help no one.) If we lose another NPC, it will slowly chip away at Ezraen until he becomes a broken man.

 

[Uller]

Orsik hands Derendil the rope that he secured to the web and Derendil offers it to Ezraen. Bertram does the same with Susana.

Jimjar Wis save [roll0]
Dex save if needed [roll1]
Detach Darkmantle [roll2]
Disadv [roll3]

Jimjar realizes he must detach the creature or he will die. He lets go of the webbing but the creature swings it's body and the gnome topples.

The Darkmantle let's its darkness go so you can see it and the gnome as they fall. It looks like they are going to hit a web about 50' below you but the thing flaps its weird membrane and they miss it. Then it lets him go. He disappears into darkness and you hear the sound of him hitting the cavern floor. He is gone.

For long moments you can hear the creatures flapping around below you and you wonder if they will return. But eventually they seem to settle down. Probably to feast on your companions.

Topsy and Turvy are beside themselves. Turvy especially reverts to squeeking and scurrying about the webbing.

Sarith looks done where Jimjar fell for a long time. He closes his eyes. Shuushar speaks up. "We must be moving. This is the way of the underdark. We will all be food for something. Keep watch above us so they can't take us by surprise again!"

 

[Uller]

OOC: I'd rather not go that route, but I'd do it to save Ez or an NPC I actually like. Jimjar...meh. Okay. I was just seeing the writing on the wall and wanted to make sure you had some chance to change where the encounter was headed. I don't mind losing a few NPCs but good thing it was only two of them. So far these webs have cost you! At least two dead. Buppido revealed himself, Erevan disappeared (more for meta reasons) and you lost your guides...and you still have a bit to go!

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[DMAesh]

Ezraen stares down into the darkness for a moment then swears, "Dawnlord's breath!"

The paladin looks up at the others, "Let us be off these blasted webs. Shuushar, take us across."

As he waits for the group to start moving again, Ezraen whispers some prayers for the two members that were lost. Feeling that the group is moving on, the half-drow steels himself to continue on.

 

[SunGold]

Surana reflexively closes her eyes and clings tighter to the webs as she hears Jimjar's body hit the floor far below. After a moment, however, her horror is replaced by a flash of anger. It should've been Sarith, she thinks, her temper flaring. But as she turns to spit venom at the drow, she's surprised to see him staring after Jimjar.

Whether he's feeling a selfish relief at being spared, surprise that someone else gave their life for him, or a genuine pity for the little gnome, she has no idea. But the fact that the miserable creature feels anything other than malice is surprising enough that she closes her mouth. She turns and climbs after Shuushar and Eldeth in silence.

 

[Uller]

OOC: Sarith, Surana and Eldeth are all wounded (Sarith and Eldeth are both down 6). Orsik still has 3 spell slots left and Bertram has good berry handy. Let me know if you want to do any healing.

You begin to move on. This whole accursed chasm has become an oppressive reminder of your predicament. Trapped, lost, pursued by predators, besieged by unknown perils. The weight of it all pressing down on you.

Shuushar and Eldeth agree you should climb higher and into the thicker webs. The threat of falling to your deaths is higher where you are now because there isn't enough webbing below you to catch you. So you slowly make your way up, up, up, probably a hundred feet or so until the space below you is blanketed by silvery webbing rather than empty void over unforgiving stone.

Your way becomes more obvious as you go on. A hundred feet, two hundred, five hundred. Nothing seems to be molesting you and nothing following. Finally you begin to see (those of you with darkvision, at least) the webbing in front of you give way to dark stone! You are almost there! The blackness becomes a light at the end of the tunnel.

You begin to feel spirits rise. A companion or two even smiles a bit. Shuushar points to a large black opening in the chasm wall below you. "There! The exit!"

But then your heart sinks. Sarith spots them first. Spiders...

Two large black specimens with exceedingly long legs and bulbous abdomins rest above and on either side of the opening, waiting in ambush for anything that enters or exits the cavern. They are likely aware of your presence due to your light, but they are remaining still, their instincts telling them not to move until the prey is within striking distance.

Two large web cables stretch down to a ledge just in front of the opening. The opening itself is probably about 15' high by 10' wide. The ledge is just a bit wider than the opening and maybe 5' deep.

 

[DMAesh]

OOC: How fast can we move? Approximately how long would it take to pass through there? I am wondering if we can get a few people in so that we can fight from solid ground while fending off the spiders...