To the Millfort

[Telcontar]

"Let us cut him out first, to see if it is him and if he is in fact dead."

[tomcat]

Surprise filled everyone as the silk-wrapped remains landed roughly on the ground, tearing open as it did.

Then came relief - Bofri's body was not inside.

The desiccated remains of a boar was easily distinguished within the webs. The evidence of how it died was clear to be seen, two large stab wounds on its back. With this information, the companions applied themselves once more to determine what might have happened to Bofri. Was he hiding? Had he interrupted the monster in it feeding and it then attacked and killed his pony, while he ran? Why did it not also take the pony?

They spread out once more in search of any clues that might help them.
I am going to give all PC's one more attempt at searching for clues, which I will roll to expedite. The new attempt will also allow now for the use of either Search or Awareness.
TN 14 by skill

Arbogast - awareness 2d 1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 3, total 4

Bandy - search 2d 1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 4, total 10

Esgalwen - awareness 2d 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 3, total 7

Arbogast - awareness 3d 1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 3d6 : 4, 4, 2, total 10

Bandy - search 3d 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 3d6 : 6, 2, 5, total 13

[tomcat]

I forgot to change the names to Grimbeorn and Rorin on the last two.

Results:
Arbogast - Success
Bandy - Great Success
Esgalwen - Success
Rorin - Great Success

[tomcat]

The companions spread out further from where the dead pony, and now boar, lay beside the road. The comfort of knowing that Bofri was not within the web pleased them, but he could still be hiding, hurt, or possibly dead somewhere else.

The Hobbit and Dwarf moved to the north side of the Dwarf Road, while the others searched south of it or on it directly. Ten minutes of their actions brought a cry from Rorin, "It's here!" Which was quickly followed up by Bandy, "No...here!"

The Company gathered to the north of the road where they could see an apparent trail. Vegetation was crushed in large swaths, as if something heavy had moved over them. Silk web also clung to various branches and shrubs. Finally, a trail was discerned - the spider had thrashed off to the east and all of the companions were sure that they could see that it dragged something along behind its mass.

"Do you think he lives?" asked Esgalwen.

There was only one way to know. They all moved back to their horses and mounted up. Like a shot, the Company raced down the Dwarf Road in the direction that the spider had gone. Fear rose in them some, for the carnage that it had left in its track was big.

The road ran straight over the next few miles, and then the Millfort came into view. It was once a Dwarven way station, a fortified coaching inn where travelers could rest in safety and recover before continuing. A forest stream flowed past the back of the fortress, and a small mill wheel once turned there. Today, the mill wheel was long gone and the fort was entirely overgrown. The outer walls were still mostly intact, and the squat drum-shaped tower in the middle... had an absolutely gigantic spider sleeping on it. The biggest spider any of the companions had ever seen was sprawled across the top of the tower. The monster was at least fifteen feet across, with its huge hairy legs dangling over the edge.

Mutely, from within the tower, came the cry, "Help! Help me! Anyone..."

The monstrous spider was still, not reacting to the cries from within, or seeming to not yet sense the companions approach. Was it asleep? Had it gorged itself on the boar that had hung in the tree? Or was it very much awake and watching? It was impossible to tell from the many glassy-eyes that sparkled from the daylight above.



Any companion possessing Mirkwood-lore or Enemy-lore (Spiders) may invoke the Trait to be allowed a Lore roll: a successful TN 14 roll identifies the creature as Tauler the Hunter.
TN 14 lore by PC

Arbogast - lore 0d 1d12 : 1, total 1

Grimbeorn - lore 1d 1d12 : 11, total 11
Rolled 1d6 : 1, total 1

[tomcat]

Easy to say, based on those rolls - the PC's don't know shit about the spider! 

[disench4nted]

"D...Does it see us?" Rorin whispered as he glanced back and forth between his companions. He racked his brain for an idea on how to approach this beast, but his soldier's training had not prepared him for anything like this.

[Telcontar]

  KILL IT WITH FIRE!

[disench4nted]

 

DOUG!! WE NEVER SAID WE WERE TRAVELLING TO AUSTRALIA!

[GandalfOfBorg]

  Are we standing beneath the trees or in/near a clearing?

[tomcat]

You guys still have cover of the wood. If it senses you all, it hasn't revealed that fact.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Well I'm keen on introducing myself.  This foul beast cannot be allowed to remain to terrorize anyone else!"  Just looking at him, as his fury grew, Grimbeorn's seemed grow physically and perceptively take of more of his ancestors bear-ish traits.

[Telcontar]

Bandy gulped and looked from the spider to his companions. Idunn's spear was not with them this time.

"You wissh to fight that thing? I was going to suggest that I might sneak in, but your plan scares me more."

The Hobbit threw back his cloak and drew an arrow. He looked around to see if any spawn in ambush and then looked back at Grimbeorn.

"Grimbeorn son of Beeorn, Im with you. Say when. "

[tomcat]

Everyone is here! Almost REAL TIME gaming!  

[tomcat]

Esgalwen still had her own bow in hand. She looked to the Hobbit as he spoke and then back to the spider. It was huge. Larger than any living thing she had ever seen. Her elders spoke of oliphants, but those were just tales. The Dúnadan swallowed hard and waited to see what her friends would do.

[Telcontar]

   so, battle rolls?