Session 70 - Spiders in the Deep

22/8/300 (early morning)

Ruric uses some of the recovered primers to research some basic binding runes. He uses a small cube of orium he had recovered and some of his latent magical power to devise a rune to hold the wild magic absorbed from the circle within the hammer.

When the party wake up, Ruric discuses the ethics of the necromantic power within the hammer and using it permanently. The group see no great evil and agreed that the magic could be used. 

The group coaxed out that Ruric had been to the university and had bled the circle of power a few hours before. He's generally admonished but shows little regret.

Heskan, Elnorin and Bankanir all want to head outside the mountain for some fresh air. On the way they stop by the temple to ask for records of maps. They don't have any. Priya flirts with Heskan (who doesn't realise). She invites him to dinner and he leaves assuming she means the party (neither understanding the other's intent). Priya advised that Jibbit may have maps for his patrols and they stop by the garrison to check. Jibbit does indeed have maps and offers to prepare them. Outside of the mountain Elnorin communes with nature whilst Bankanir and Namhias hunt. Elnorin's new magic feels a connection between the trees of the world and he feels a connection to a number of trees he has seen before.

Inside Braith and Ruric take the hamer to Ukri, the kobold smith, who follows Ruric's instructions to forge the magic into the hammer. Ruric's runic design uses the power evaporating off of the hammer and redirects it back into the hammer, sustaining the spell. Ukri's crafting is exceptional and Ruric commends her.

Ruric and Braith discuss magic and morality. The other return and they decide to leave after lunch. They feast on stag before heading to say goodbye to The Great Mimi. 

Heskan says goodbye to Sniv and Heskan apologises to Priya, who is heartbroken by a heavy-handed let down.

Also, before leaving town, they go to the Sphere of Annihilation. Elnorin seals the chamber with a spell.

The party descends into the mines.

After some time they reach the start of the tunnels. The group are attacked by hundreds of spiders, which are fended off. 

Some time later the group encounter spiders guarding a tunnel. As they pass through they are pounced on by two part-elf, part-spiders. These hybrids engage them and are driven off. Intriguingly they flee in a direction away from where the cold air blows from.

Elnorin stablises the spiders which the queen spider, whom has spent the encounter in the corner, continues to guard her eggs.