Starter Set, Deceptions, Session 7 Part 3

Not easily dissuaded, the adventurers went forth to address the hooded figures that Reidoth had described.  They carefully crept around the backside of a building they suspected Giant Spiders to dwell within; however, their stealth was not quite sufficient, and they found themselves acosted by the 10 foot tall arachnids.  Eva, the human druid, decided to become a Giant Spider herself, shapeshifting to meet them head on.  Spells and weapons flying, the monsters were defeated with surprising ease.

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The party continued through the town, coming upon a house that appeared barricaded and occupied.  Durial, the drow rogue, snuck up and listened through the door.  Several voices inside were discussing their plans of how to do as "the Black Spider" wanted.

Durial motioned for Eva, still in Giant Spider form, to stand beside him, as the rest of the party hid.  The drow rogue then knocked on the door, and waited in broad daylight for those inside to open the door.

A figure in a black mask and robe peeked through a curtained window, then moments later opened the door.  Behind him stood several robed figures in less-decorated masks.

"The Black Spider sent me to check in on your status," said Durial, with the Giant Spider standing by his shoulder.  His deception worked, as the leader told the drow rogue that they were having trouble convincing the dragon, having followed her yet again to this new location.  The leader indicated that they planned to offer the dragon several diamonds to consider assisting the Black Spider.

Durial convinced the robed leader to give him the jewels, that the Black Spider was displeased with their failures.  Giant Spider Eva loomed behind Durial, aiding his attempt at intimidation.  The robed man handed over the pouch, containing 300 gold worth of diamonds, and said that they would wait for the drow's return and further instruction.

With the door closed, the party quickly came up with a cunning plan: they searched for nearby zombies, finding the ruin of a barracks with several inside.  With the nimbleness and speed of a Giant Spider, Eva then led the zombies pied-piper style, through the ruined streets towards the abandoned house with the robed men.

Even climbed the walls onto the roof of the boarded-up house, and reached down with a long spider leg.  With a knock on the door, the men inside were fooled into an ambush with the undead.  The leader was killed, along with most of the men, though 2 of the men were able to escape and flee into the woods.

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Encouraged by the ease of their exploration thus far, they decided to approach the tower to the north of town, where Venomfang the young green dragon resided.