I will sit at the back of the party, watching our back so I can yell if anything tries to sneak down the passage behind us. I can also offer an Invisibility to whoever’s trying to get behind the spider, but I have to say, I don’t expect that spell to be especially useful against a cave dweller who probably doesn’t use eyesight anyway.
My suggestion was going to be, to get the three archers together, trip the alert web and have all three of us fire on the spider at the same time from point blank range (maybe get Mulligan in with some sling shot action too. Then get the two remaining fighters to whack at it with swords while it is stunned from being assulted with projectiles.
Sound good to anyone?
Renee, mostly to Thoroncir, "You know, I am suppose to care for all creatures and I do not even fear the walking dead, but descendants of Ungoliant are just pushing the limits for me. I just hope you kill it fast, don’t let it suffer and cut all the webs. Look for prisoners, I have heard how they are often just paralyzed.
Gwaelur’s plan sounds sound. I would say go for it, who is the lure if Mulligan is slinging?"
That’s fine by me, although I will be spending my time trying to avoid being munched by a hungry spider when I trip the alert web.
I’ll leave the attacking to you guys, there will not be enough room to swing a sling.
Yes, and I’ll wait with the archers. That way, if their hits don’t kill, I’ll be right there with a weapon that has a little bit of reach (i.e. my lance), so that hopefully they don’t get jumped on by an angry spider.
I think you meant D_Odds. My theory is that the spider is not trained to warn the orcs of intrusion, but that her lair is a convenient defense. Thus, while it might retreat from an attack, it wouldn’t warn the orcs.
Deor…D_Odds. Close enough and yes, I did get it wrong. 
It may not warn the Orcs, but I would rather not have to try and dig it out or leave it behind us.
Theogrim said, “Yes, and I’ll wait with the archers. That way, if their hits don’t kill, I’ll be right there with a weapon that has a little bit of reach (i.e. my lance), so that hopefully they don’t get jumped on by an angry spider.”
Ref interfering here, this is an ideal time to try out that wounding weapon, that way if you hit and it flees, it will still die before it could warn any orcs or other spiders, if it was going to.
It sounds like brave Mulligan is will to be the fly. Is this OK with everyone else?
Fine by me- I like the plan, though I’m not much of a part of it. It seems excessive to use a Sleep on a single beast when we can surprise it anyway.
Yes, better yet. I’ll use the sword, and I’ll use it two handed. If the trap works, and the spider comes around the corner, I’ll wait long enough for the archers to get off their shot, then step forward and attack.
Gil-Gandel, Brin & Gwaelur make a front line of archers with Theogrim standing ready with the two handed sword of wounding. Thoroncir finds the confines a bit tight for his longbow and so stands ready with long sword and shield to protect the casters, especially Renee. Ghân is ready with Neutralize Poison.
Mulligan creeps forward with sharp knives at the ready. Eyes to the slender thread of spider silk and eyes to the lurking monstrosity that feeds many of Mulligan’s old fears. Snip goes the first thread, snip goes the second and still the lazy lob does not move. As the third thread is about to be cut, a whispery voice is heard, “This fly looks odd and has some nasty knives, what matter of creature are you little fly?”
PCs as cannon-fodder. Warms the cockles of my heart, whatever that means.
Theogrim and Thoroncir*, please make yourselves small to allow as much room for arrows as possible. Starharp or I will signal when to rise and attack.
*Wonder if we can just call them Theo and Thoro. How come only hobbits get nicknames?
Edit: Looks like it is time to get out a fresh sheet and some d6, Mal. 
Said the Fly to the Spider, as it passed through her lair
I’m not very tasty, so you should take care
I can see your webs that much I will share
I’ll cut them down to let me through there
Catch me if you can if you think you dare
Otherwise the regret will be more than you can bear.
::Gets ready to run::
<snip>
That’s one brave, foolish hobbit.
Thoroncir will comply. (You may call him “Thor,” if you wish, but he prefers his full name). He acknowledges and agrees with Renee’s good counsel.
**Mulligan ** cuts a few more strands, ever ready to run. The spider leaps towards the brave Hobbit. The Hobbit leaps to the side, pivots and races around the corner with the spider in pursuit.
**Mulligan ** does a tumbling roll and stops next to Theogrim, who steps over the Hobbit as two arrows and a bolt fly towards the hideous attercop.
All three missiles find their target; as it rolls to a stop in front of **Theogrim ** who cuts it nearly in two with his magic blade.
Ha Ha! Nice work Mulligan!
ettercap?
Uncle Bilbo would be proud of that. 
As we were. Resume the “cave” marching order and give Mulligan and myself about a minute’s start. We’ll go and see what’s in the cave. By the way, I heartily endorse the choice of Ghân as my lieutenant - behind that wrinkled brow is a brain that thinks much and deeply.
No - attercop is a country word for a spider. Bilbo used that expression, also “Lob”, to taunt the spiders of Mirkwood