Curling a lip in distaste, Theogrim cleans spider ichor off of his blade.
“Any indications that there might be more than one spider here? I’d hate for us to end up being the ones who were tricked into ambush.”
Thank you. I was curious, as I didn’t recall attercop in D&D, but remembered ettercap; an ettercap would be around our level (I think) and is usually found around spiders; and I don’t know the minutiae at the same level of detail as you and What Exit?, so I missed the reference.
The root word is the same.
Thoroncir says, “Well done, Mulligan; your size belies your courage.” He will warily proceed deeper into the cave. If there’s enough room to effectively use it, he’ll have his bow at the ready - otherwise, his sword. He’ll make sure Renee stays safely behind him.
Congratulations, glee, on being named the party’s lieutenant. I know you’ll do well.
Should we cut open the spider’s stomach(s) to learn something about its dining habits?
Ewww gross. Let’s do it!
There may actually be some useful information in the contents of it stomach(s) but first we need to make sure the area is secure.
Ghân thanks the party for their confidence.
(The ‘strange little man’ ‘wrinkles his brow’ at the compliments… 
)
(So Mulligan and Gil-Gandel lead the way, and the rest of the party takes up ‘cave marching order’.)
I agree that we should leave exploring the spider body for later (because the dead guardian may be discovered at any moment).
I suggest that Folca wait outside, both so she can retreat into the air and also to warn us of enemies entering the cave. (Deor, is that OK with you?)
Ghân apologises and asks Brownie whether he’d rather wait in daylight, or come into a cave with a likely combat to follow.
Well I guess it worked after all.
My thanks to all for getting the spider before it got me. 
Cutting open the spider will not tell you much, seeing what dessicated corpses are around will tell you more. There may be some still paralysed as Renee mentioned earlier.
After a minute or so to calm the nerves to a more relaxed state, follow Gil-Gandel down the corridor.
Oh, naturally. I had assumed she was out with Brownie the whole time.
So the scouts go cautiously forward, cutting away webs and looking in all directions. They are greeted by a disturbing sight, bundled up desiccated critters. Several bunnies, a small deer, a dozen rats, a squirrel and a very small goblin.
Only a few rats are still alive.
Renee requests, “Please cut them down so I can see to them.” She pulls out a small bowl and pours some what and adds some various sprinkles of stuff. “Please cut down the freshest bunny, they rats will probably need some meat. Fang & the birds might enjoy some of the deer, just need to stay near the extremities and away from the poison.”
And she’s handy, too!
Ghân nods approvingly and carries out Renee’s suggestions regarding the animals feeding.
He Speaks to Fang, making sure a Neutralise Poison is not needed.
After about 10 minutes the rats are revived. Renee turns to Ghân, “I cannot speak to them, but I can tell they are now about as receptive as you can expect wild rats to be. Perhaps you could ask them if they know what is down below.”
Ghân again nods.
He Speaks to the rats and throws in 2 Goodberries as well as the meat.
Who and what have they seen go through here?
How often do things go through?
When was the last trip?
Having never spoken to these little cousins, you do need the spell.
The rats collectively seemed to have a fairly sophisticated language, much more than the squirrels you have talked to.
They explain that the stairs wind down for a bit into a series of old caves that have been worked for thousands of years. There are nearly a hundred orcs below. They have three other exits they know of and the rats have a few of their own. Too small even for the child in your party though. There are a dozen chambers and many alcoves. There are a few prisoners, taken from some smaller tribes of goblinfolk. Watch out, even the runts will fight hard, they are quick and vicious with their nasty little spears. Many a rat brother has become a runts meal.
We haven’t been able to see anything since we were hung here by the spider, but each exit has one of these nasty guards. The main entrance has a very large spider.
Oh, they weren’t captured by the spider, but by goblins who delivered us to their guard.
Right, Ghân uses a Speak to Animals spell and so has 5 1st level spells left.
He tells the party everything the rats told him and adds that he has a Locate Animals spell, which might spot the Spiders…
(DM, do these Large Evil Spiders register as a different Animal to normal spiders?)
(DM, do these Large Evil Spiders register as a different Animal to normal spiders?)
Yes
Thoughts, anybody? If we could take out a significant number of the orcs here, we’d have done a good job in starting this mission. We’ll never get a better place to fight than in narrow tunnels. Still, a hundred is a lot- if can whittle away at their numbers, we’ll be in good shape, but I doubt if we can do that. Maybe we can call up some support from the cavalry group?
Thoroncir frowns. “Mighty though our party is, a hundred orcs in close quarters - and mayhap the spiders, too, if they join the fray - might be more than even we may wisely assail. I am willing, but confess I have my doubts. In any event, if we attack, I suggest we send Folca back with a written message to the detachment of Gondorian cavalry, that they may at least know what we have found and be forewarned, if later they come here.”
I agree with Thoroncir- we are primarily scouts, and I’m going to advocate not poking at this beehive for too much longer. Let’s get some more information, send a message back to the cavalry. They are well equipped to deal with this sort of thing.
Of course, we do have [del]a burrahobbit[/del] Mulligan with us- maybe some extra solo sneaking is warranted? I’ve got an Invisibility burning a hole in my spellbook, and we know that the shadows are long outside- may as well cast it before bed.
You’re just itching to use that spell on as many people as possible aren’t you. 
100 Orcs below is about a quarter of the force we are looking for. They will probably have at least 1 H/K down there and possibly the head shaman as well, but that will depend on if there are any other larger forces around.
A note to the main troops would be useful and if Gil-Gandel feels it would be worth it, I don’t mind having a further look round down below. Although at this point, invisibility would be most welcome.
I don’t recommend spending the night here though, in case the Orcs decide to wander back through here at some point. Is there any chance of Brin finding somewere close by to spend the night, so we can keep an eye on the comings and goings.