Date: 11th November 2023
It's a Saturday and we're in Aldershot for session five of Evils of Illmire.
Our heroes have been camped in the shady forest east of a spider infested ridge, determined to explore the cave network beneath.
It's a Saturday and we're in Aldershot for session five of Evils of Illmire.
Our heroes have been camped in the shady forest east of a spider infested ridge, determined to explore the cave network beneath.
Onwards!
For a time, our heroes had been hidden. Having searched and found a small secluded dell that dipped out of view, shielded by a perimeter of vigorous greenery they felt safe enough to rest beneath the leafy shade conferred by the forest’s tall verdant canopy.
The day came though that free of injury, they decamped and marched west.
Half a day’s walk took them back into the diseased western woods. Swathes of lifeless, dying grey trees stretched out before them. Gnarled branches convulsed out of petrified boughs, bereft of foliage, they sagged miserably under ominous layers of webbing.
The same was true of the eastern face of the ridge at the centre of the forest, blanketed in a pale and thick gossamer coating, it proved an uninviting sight.
Three craggy cave mouths were visible to our heroes who elected to return to the southernmost entrance, which they knew the most.
It was not a welcome return. Although unoccupied, the interior was festooned with webbing that stretched from floor to ceiling, wall to wall and accumulated in every crevice. swaying wiry shadows cast by a wavering light danced across the uneven craggy surfaces.
Our heroes pressed on through the pale latticework.
The chamber narrowed into a tunnel of sorts that melted away into the unlit void. Ahead, our heroes heard chittering, not a good sign. Walking on, pinpoints of light caught their attention and they realised that more of the giant beetles they’d encountered previously were in their path.
Before our heroes could decide and approach, more movement fluttered into the light.
Stirges! The weird insect-like bloodsuckers had swooped in on buzzing wings from somewhere deeper within the cave network and behind them - worse!
Giant spiders; from their bloated cephalothoraxes sprouted weirdly angled, spindly and hairy limbs that moved with an unsettling cadence as they scuttled forward. Monstrous blood red eyes caught the light wickedly as they regarded their prey and moved in.
The battle was on!
Fortunately for our heroes, the giant beetles were occupied elsewhere and gave them no attention. Even so, they steadied themselves for what they knew would be a tough fight. Moving at a blinding pace, the stirges struck first. Poor Plato went down, the plucky halfing unable to withstand their leeching attacks.
It was unrelenting, while having to keep the stirges at bay, the spiders charged our heroes who hacked at the beasts, inflicting grievous injuries, even so, Tina went down, then Bert crumpled from a heavy hit.
Brother Jerry fought on and was the only one left standing after the stirges and spiders had been dispatched. With some effort he managed to staunch their wounds and rouse them.
They limped out of the cave network, returning to their isolated and hidden campsite.
For a time, our heroes had been hidden. Having searched and found a small secluded dell that dipped out of view, shielded by a perimeter of vigorous greenery they felt safe enough to rest beneath the leafy shade conferred by the forest’s tall verdant canopy.
The day came though that free of injury, they decamped and marched west.
Half a day’s walk took them back into the diseased western woods. Swathes of lifeless, dying grey trees stretched out before them. Gnarled branches convulsed out of petrified boughs, bereft of foliage, they sagged miserably under ominous layers of webbing.
The same was true of the eastern face of the ridge at the centre of the forest, blanketed in a pale and thick gossamer coating, it proved an uninviting sight.
Three craggy cave mouths were visible to our heroes who elected to return to the southernmost entrance, which they knew the most.
It was not a welcome return. Although unoccupied, the interior was festooned with webbing that stretched from floor to ceiling, wall to wall and accumulated in every crevice. swaying wiry shadows cast by a wavering light danced across the uneven craggy surfaces.
Our heroes pressed on through the pale latticework.
The chamber narrowed into a tunnel of sorts that melted away into the unlit void. Ahead, our heroes heard chittering, not a good sign. Walking on, pinpoints of light caught their attention and they realised that more of the giant beetles they’d encountered previously were in their path.
Before our heroes could decide and approach, more movement fluttered into the light.
Stirges! The weird insect-like bloodsuckers had swooped in on buzzing wings from somewhere deeper within the cave network and behind them - worse!
Giant spiders; from their bloated cephalothoraxes sprouted weirdly angled, spindly and hairy limbs that moved with an unsettling cadence as they scuttled forward. Monstrous blood red eyes caught the light wickedly as they regarded their prey and moved in.
The battle was on!
Fortunately for our heroes, the giant beetles were occupied elsewhere and gave them no attention. Even so, they steadied themselves for what they knew would be a tough fight. Moving at a blinding pace, the stirges struck first. Poor Plato went down, the plucky halfing unable to withstand their leeching attacks.
It was unrelenting, while having to keep the stirges at bay, the spiders charged our heroes who hacked at the beasts, inflicting grievous injuries, even so, Tina went down, then Bert crumpled from a heavy hit.
Brother Jerry fought on and was the only one left standing after the stirges and spiders had been dispatched. With some effort he managed to staunch their wounds and rouse them.
They limped out of the cave network, returning to their isolated and hidden campsite.
Onwards... Again!
Some brief time and convalescence passed. During their rest, our heroes spied another party of froglings apparently patrolling through shady forest, a band of perhaps half a dozen who were well armed with spears and bows. The frogling party did not notice the camp and marched on.
Now rested, our heroes were energetic, confident they would press further into the infested caves, they returned to the caves without incident.
The cave mouth was now a familiar sight and without hesitation, our heroes were back into the craggy maze of tunnels and chambers.
It wasn’t long until the first encounter; another band of patrolling giant spiders, their terrible limbs casting scuttling shadows in the torch light.
The arachnids were aggressive hunters and flung themselves at our heroes without hesitation. The fight was both fast and brutal. Bert was downed by another heavy but the spiders were defeated.
There was barely time for our heroes to take stock and catch their breath before they heard something else?
Some brief time and convalescence passed. During their rest, our heroes spied another party of froglings apparently patrolling through shady forest, a band of perhaps half a dozen who were well armed with spears and bows. The frogling party did not notice the camp and marched on.
Now rested, our heroes were energetic, confident they would press further into the infested caves, they returned to the caves without incident.
The cave mouth was now a familiar sight and without hesitation, our heroes were back into the craggy maze of tunnels and chambers.
It wasn’t long until the first encounter; another band of patrolling giant spiders, their terrible limbs casting scuttling shadows in the torch light.
The arachnids were aggressive hunters and flung themselves at our heroes without hesitation. The fight was both fast and brutal. Bert was downed by another heavy but the spiders were defeated.
There was barely time for our heroes to take stock and catch their breath before they heard something else?
They watched as murky silhouetted shapes undulated into sight, it was something new; giant toads!
Our heroes were uncertain how to deal with the situation. Quickly, they discussed how to resolve the situation. Were the toads hunting for food? Was there a way to distract them? Our heroes gripped the loathsome giant spider remains, flung them at the toads and retreated to a gloomy alcove.
The toads ignored the spider corpses, they also ignored our heroes and continued past and out of sight.
With the giant toads gone, our heroes pressed on further into the caves and soon found themselves back in the dung infested beetle cave. Their torch light glimmered on the fidgeting shells of at least a dozen busy looking giant beetles. Our heroes could see something had the beetles riled up and they were agitated.
For now, they seemed tolerant of our heroes who took the opportunity to sneak past them.
It was a mistake, or at least a failure in stealth. One of our heroes stumbled, the disturbance was loud enough to provoke the beetles, they immediately rounded on our heroes and charged.
Our heroes were swarmed, individually the giant beetles were not much of a threat, but numbers were on their side and weighed heavily against our heroes.
Again, it was a brutal fight and again, Bert took a hard hit and went down. The others fought desperately, dispatching and driving off beetles but one-by-one they fell until only Plato, the most reticent fighter was left standing, caught in a desperate melee with the final giant beetle.
They exchanged insubstantial blows until Plato landed a telling one and prevailed!
Quickly, Plato roused the others, some first aid was administered and they beat a hasty retreat. Their limping withdrawal reminiscent of their previous foray. Unhindered, they made it back to their campsite and convalesced for some time.
Their rest was undisturbed and soon enough they were in good health and spirits. Determined not to let the spider-ridden underground maze get the better of them; headed back to the ridge.
Our heroes were uncertain how to deal with the situation. Quickly, they discussed how to resolve the situation. Were the toads hunting for food? Was there a way to distract them? Our heroes gripped the loathsome giant spider remains, flung them at the toads and retreated to a gloomy alcove.
The toads ignored the spider corpses, they also ignored our heroes and continued past and out of sight.
With the giant toads gone, our heroes pressed on further into the caves and soon found themselves back in the dung infested beetle cave. Their torch light glimmered on the fidgeting shells of at least a dozen busy looking giant beetles. Our heroes could see something had the beetles riled up and they were agitated.
For now, they seemed tolerant of our heroes who took the opportunity to sneak past them.
It was a mistake, or at least a failure in stealth. One of our heroes stumbled, the disturbance was loud enough to provoke the beetles, they immediately rounded on our heroes and charged.
Our heroes were swarmed, individually the giant beetles were not much of a threat, but numbers were on their side and weighed heavily against our heroes.
Again, it was a brutal fight and again, Bert took a hard hit and went down. The others fought desperately, dispatching and driving off beetles but one-by-one they fell until only Plato, the most reticent fighter was left standing, caught in a desperate melee with the final giant beetle.
They exchanged insubstantial blows until Plato landed a telling one and prevailed!
Quickly, Plato roused the others, some first aid was administered and they beat a hasty retreat. Their limping withdrawal reminiscent of their previous foray. Unhindered, they made it back to their campsite and convalesced for some time.
Their rest was undisturbed and soon enough they were in good health and spirits. Determined not to let the spider-ridden underground maze get the better of them; headed back to the ridge.
Onwards... Yet Again!
Back to the rocky entrance, back to the spider-web decorated areas and tunnels, back to the grime encrusted beetle chamber.
There were fewer beetles now, less agitated also. Our heroes made for the northern exit, their stealthy manoeuvre successful this time.
They trudged on deeper into the complex.
Soon their lamp light revealed a peculiar feature on the tunnel floor: Steps, seemingly carved into the very rock, ancient looking and well worn, rose into the ridge and took our heroes up to another tunnel.
They marched on and the passageway soon ended at more stairs.
The steps dropped into a deep, high-roofed, cavernous chamber, the furthest reaches of which were swallowed by darkness. From above, layer upon layer of gloom shrouded webbing dangled from the stygian ceiling.
Our heroes peered upwards at the slowly wafting gossamer sheets, the shadows kept their secrets but then, then they heard it?
Humming?
From somewhere up above.
Feminine. Raspy yet somehow resonantly deep and smoothly seductive.
Our heroes gave each other questioning glances and…
“Hello,” shouted Brother Jerry, bounding down the steps.
Webs rippled while a massive indistinct multi-legged silhouette swam behind them.
“Visitors,” purred the voice. “It’s been so long since nice little flies visited.”
Brother Jerry asked some questions but the voice only spoke fevered gibberish. Our heroes began to get nervous. Brother Jerry explained that they would be leaving.
“No, you should stay, I think.”
There were perhaps a few seconds of silence. A moment of decision. Should our heroes flee, hoping to escape the voice through the tunnels, or should they stay and fight?
“We can take it,” Brother Jerry was confident.
Our heroes gripped their weapons, steeled themselves, then lunged and attacked!
The speed was incomprehensible and there was scant time to react, a truly monstrous spider revealed itself through the webbing and pounced.
It struck Brother Jerry a ferocious blow, a blow too strong to resist and he toppled to the ground. The attacks continued and it landed a strike on Bert, poisoning him.
Bert struck back, while further back, Plato and Tina loosed shafts at it.
It was a desperate struggle, Bert doggedly battled to keep the beast at bay while the others rained more arrows down on it. The attacks did not stop it though and soon Bert fell to its attacks.
There was nothing between the two halflings and the giant spider now.
Loyal to the end, Plato and Tina fought on. The monster advanced on the pair, spitting dire venom at them as it did so.
It was too strong for them, Plato fell and then finally, so did Tina.
Back to the rocky entrance, back to the spider-web decorated areas and tunnels, back to the grime encrusted beetle chamber.
There were fewer beetles now, less agitated also. Our heroes made for the northern exit, their stealthy manoeuvre successful this time.
They trudged on deeper into the complex.
Soon their lamp light revealed a peculiar feature on the tunnel floor: Steps, seemingly carved into the very rock, ancient looking and well worn, rose into the ridge and took our heroes up to another tunnel.
They marched on and the passageway soon ended at more stairs.
The steps dropped into a deep, high-roofed, cavernous chamber, the furthest reaches of which were swallowed by darkness. From above, layer upon layer of gloom shrouded webbing dangled from the stygian ceiling.
Our heroes peered upwards at the slowly wafting gossamer sheets, the shadows kept their secrets but then, then they heard it?
Humming?
From somewhere up above.
Feminine. Raspy yet somehow resonantly deep and smoothly seductive.
Our heroes gave each other questioning glances and…
“Hello,” shouted Brother Jerry, bounding down the steps.
Webs rippled while a massive indistinct multi-legged silhouette swam behind them.
“Visitors,” purred the voice. “It’s been so long since nice little flies visited.”
Brother Jerry asked some questions but the voice only spoke fevered gibberish. Our heroes began to get nervous. Brother Jerry explained that they would be leaving.
“No, you should stay, I think.”
There were perhaps a few seconds of silence. A moment of decision. Should our heroes flee, hoping to escape the voice through the tunnels, or should they stay and fight?
“We can take it,” Brother Jerry was confident.
Our heroes gripped their weapons, steeled themselves, then lunged and attacked!
The speed was incomprehensible and there was scant time to react, a truly monstrous spider revealed itself through the webbing and pounced.
It struck Brother Jerry a ferocious blow, a blow too strong to resist and he toppled to the ground. The attacks continued and it landed a strike on Bert, poisoning him.
Bert struck back, while further back, Plato and Tina loosed shafts at it.
It was a desperate struggle, Bert doggedly battled to keep the beast at bay while the others rained more arrows down on it. The attacks did not stop it though and soon Bert fell to its attacks.
There was nothing between the two halflings and the giant spider now.
Loyal to the end, Plato and Tina fought on. The monster advanced on the pair, spitting dire venom at them as it did so.
It was too strong for them, Plato fell and then finally, so did Tina.
With no chance of respite or rescue, it was there in those twisted, rough and craggy tunnels and caves that our heroes met their ultimate fates, sinking into the welcoming embrace of endless slumber in the great beyond.
