I have heard plenty about spiders, and none of it good - until very recently they infested the northern Greenwood (then named Mirkwood). We may be in a fight sooner than we liked, in that case. The spider’s senses may defeat Mulligan’s stealth and mine. Obviously the thing to do is for me to draw my bow and keep the Took covered while he sneaks past, and if the spider pounces on him then I nail it. However, I sense a certain reluctance in our good Burglar to go along with this, so I think the best policy is to notify the party to stand ready, and then see if I can dispose of the spider.
Since I can reach a 7’ high ceiling easily enough with my long sword, I’ll try to creep up on Lazy Lob and run him (or her) through, unless I hear any objections.
Try and sneak past it! I can, but its very risky. I admire and respect your bow skills Gil-Gandel, but unless you can kill it with one shot, I would prefer a different option to acting as a fly in its web.
However, if you look carefully around we should see the trigger webs that spiders use to detect incoming prey. Knocking one of those will bring the spider to us, instead of trying it the other way around.
Yeah, the hobbit stories on them are scary.
Something is annoying me though, how is it letting the Orcs through? Do they have some way to distract it, are they feeding it each time?
Some of these brutes are far from witless - they can talk, as your distant cousin Baggins could have told you. In that case it wouldn’t be out of the question for the creature to have an arrangement with the orcs - some live juicy meat once in a while, and peace and quiet otherwise, in exchange for watching their backs.
Have a look for the trigger line then, Mulligan. I’ll be ready to react if it comes this way.
Radagast is well experience with large spiders, they are usually very hostile, but may well speak a humanoid language. So you know from his teachings that Speak with Animals does not work well if at all with spiders and your ability is completely useless. You also know that they are extremely hostile, especially when in league with orcs. If it does not attack, it is just biding its time for a more favorable moment to attack.
How many arrows/bolts would it take to take out the spider, assuming good hits? Would it allert the orcs with a loud death cry? (I think of spiders as quiet, but who knows.
“Starharp, I have not fought off spiders before. What should I look to when attacking? Will it be upset with me for all those spiders that have been caught underfoot, whether accidentally or not?”
Thoroncir poorly suppresses a shudder, mindful of Renee’s gaze. He says, “I have no experience with giant spiders, but am willing to attack either with bow or sword, as may be best. I think words would be wasted on it.”
It occurs to me that perhaps Gil-Gandel might wish to appoint a lieutenant, as he often - to his credit - leads from the front, and we sometimes have a party to the rear which ought to have someone designated to command in his absence. Any volunteers?
Ok, so its a large spider, and probably evil and vicious to go with it. As talking looks to be out of the question, I guess we have to go the opposite route.
Attracting it will be a matter for how intelligent it is. I would rather get the thing to move to us, rather than risk us getting caught up in it’s webs. My sling bullets will probaly not be very effective against it and getting close with a dagger is not my favourite option.
I would hazard a guess that the only other useful thing against it will be fire.
Now, I need two long stout sticks, a little bit of rope and a large dose of courage.
The orcs probably keep the spider well fed so that it does not prey on them, but likely do not have a communication system with it. I’m hoping it is there only to keep people from using the entrance. If I’m right, then an arrow or a bullet followed by a retreat should cause it to give chase, right into a hail of arrows. May I suggest Gwaelur up front, then Thoroncir and Theogrim waiting with melee weapons, down on one knee. Gwaelur, Gil-Gandel, and Brin can pelt the spider from range, and when it (hopefully) closes to melee, it will be both injured and meeting a wall of steel.
Again, you’re neglecting your family history, young Took. “Uncle” Bilbo and his friends did very well with sticks and stones, and a sling would have been better. For all that, a good Sting is probably better.
If you fear to get close with your dagger, I understand. Rig something to trip one of its trigger lines and I will wait for it to rush past me, and run it through. Am I able to dual-wield on a Backstab attempt, or can I use only one weapon? If the latter, the long sword And in the likely event it lives through that I hope everyone will be quick to deal with it and the fight that is likely to ensue.
Somehow, the lack of a magical glowing sword is making me hesitate slightly. Both “Great Uncle” Bilbo and “Uncle” Samwise, had something pretty useful when dealing with the creatures. :dubious:
Got it in one. I was intending to trigger its trap lines and have it rush forwards to where it would expect me to be. At that point hopefully it can meet a fair amount of steel at the front and yourself from behind. I can show you where the traplines are to avoid them.
Deor, I think that firing at it in its current lair is likely to make it retreat and warn the Orcs. It needs a reason to come forward, and a juicy hobbit would be just the trick.
Why, oh why do I do this to myself.
Actually, no backstabbing of spiders, it is only for use against humanoids of around your height (Hobbit to Large Uruk (Ogre) size. The idea is a sneak attack for vital organs.
The lance might work, but it will be hard to turn the corner and surprise it.
I hope everyone will be quick to deal with it and the fight that is likely to ensue.