Mere moments after Priest Nikandros Phadra has stepped into the crumbled black entrance of the ancient temple, his curdled scream reverberates out of the pitch. There is a wet schwark schwark and white, sticky tendrils shoot from the bowels of the mountain. A lilac-sleeved hand appears, matching Mark of Xanth flexing across the thumb as it claws at the ground before disappearing inside as if yanked.
"Help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" The voice muffles, as if something has covered the priest's mouth mid-plea, and a spindly black leg appears and disappears in the blink of an eye. It would seem that this temple now belongs to the kumos.
Oh no, and golly gosh! Your party has yet to even step inside the temple and Nikandros has walked into a kumo's web! He is currently being spun into a digestive cocoon for a midnight snack, robes and all.
You must defeat the kumo to get to the treasure Nikandros has promised lies within. (Saving the priest is optional, but recommended. After all, Fay's not likely to cough up if her loremaster has been eaten.)
This plot is open, which means you can join at any time now that it's begun. However, you must register before posting.
This thread ends on the 27th of January. In character, defeating the kumo should take no more than 30 minutes.
You may post exploratory threads separate from this main thread (dated prior to or after the kumo incident) but be aware that the temple is most likely filled with unpleasant squatters, crumbling in places (though the majority of the temple was carved out of the mountain and the rock is mostly sturdy), and that Nikandros (should he survive the kumo's web) will want to stay in groups of 3-4.
Participants are expected to post at least once a week, with all their participating characters, to keep the plot moving. If a character misses a week, we will assume they have gone back to camp. If this happens during combat scenarios, we will assume that they've fled the melee and hidden somewhere to avoid the danger. However, this could negatively impact their relations with the other characters from then on.
Treasure Hunter's Manifest:
Vilfredo Faust .................. Faust's Gang
Erasmos Eugene ................. Faust's Gang
Kiel Taskel .......................... Hired Bodyguard
Aella Karakinos .................. Bodyguard
Maaike Sullivan ................... Hired Tracker& Bodyguard
Mortimer Jericho ................. Investor
Neal Jean .......................... Faust's Gang
Jason Underwood ............... Faust's Gang
It is winter in the north and the mountains are cold. This is not the best time of year to be exploring an ancient ruin, but Fay is in a hurry to reclaim it. Camp remains in a leeward, sheltered groove in the mountainside, but expect snow and freezing winds.
Pets, mounts and personal NPCs are allowed, but you are responsible for them and any supplies necessary for them.