Spiders in the Darkness

Mother,
Having paused now to discuss what we have seen thus far and plan our next move, I now have a few moments to scribe to you our current predicament.

We chose to venture further into the crypts as we believe that we have not found the true source of the Drow incursions. The Crypts themselves changed from clean finished masonry to rough caverns and less dignified burial space. The walls of the caverns were hollowed out into roughly coffin shaped chambers and filled with the corpses of the deceased. Having no reason to disturb the dead, we respectfully pressed on leaving them in peace.

In the next chamber we came upon a large statue of what I believe to be Jergal. It had large dark eyes and an insect like head. Remembering my days studying ancient religions in the Temple, I thanked Corellen that we did not disturb the bodies entombed here. I would hate to incur the wrath of peaceably departed souls -and their god!

Just outside of the Jergal chamber Xan and Shane came upon a Roper. It was hidden well and probably thought it had found an easy meal. Unfortunately for it, well let’s just say that the reflexes of the elves is an apt reputation, no sooner had it moved to attack than Xan and I filled its maw with arrows.

Xan, feeling that there may be more that might escape our eyes, began to feel along the walls for secret passages and foes. He soon found a passage that was hidden with an illusion. Shane bravely pressed through it and so we all decided to follow. On the other side were two demon spiders. Xan was busy providing one with a new porcupine ensemble when the other spider immobilized him with a spray of hideous filth. Oskar rushed forward, his mount roaring a furious battle cry. The evil spider smote Oskar across the chest and sliced through his armor like a hot knife through butter. I was fortunate enough to “tag” Xan with “freedom of movement” in time for him to deliver a second lethal volley. Praise Corellen that Oskar was shaken, but relatively unharmed.

This chamber had another passage hidden with an illusionary wall. Beyond it was an elaborate web trap and more spiders smaller than the ones we just killed. We carefully avoided the web trap and engaged the spiders. They shape-shifted into Drow before our eyes and tried to fight to no avail.

Pressing ever deeper into the darkness, we were surprised by a flurry of snow and ice. Our passing had not gone unnoticed. Unfortunately, we were not able to see our foes in the darkness. Ceder pushed a flaming sphere into the darkness and our adversaries were revealed. They bore the markings of Lloth and so we were compelled to dispatch them with vigor.

Looking back, I wonder why they were holed up in this dead end cavern. Hidden by illusionary walls and protected by demon wardens. My understanding of the worshipers of Lloth is that they attack and conquer. Taking prisoners as slaves or for sacrifice. Were they hiding some yet to be revealed malice? Lloth often pits her minions against each there for her own perverse pleasure. With this in mind, we carefully arranged the Drow bodies around the demon spiders to make it appear as though they killed each other. Our hope is that this will conceal our crusade until we can elucidate the true source of evil here in the Crypts.

Respectfully,
Primula Easterling