The party gives Khan strange looks as he arrives with the huge spider swaying at his side.
Dur’dan recognizes the creature: It is kalatush, a blade spider, sometimes called a gorebug. Blade spiders are occasional menaces in some of the deeper abandoned shafts at Goldhelm. Though not particularly difficult to kill they can be plenty deadly regardless, especially when ambushing lone prey. Thankfully they tend to prefer to be left alone.
John says, “A spider? But that means there’s other things here too. Things big enough for that monster to eat.”
“Kittix, shall we look for the elf?”
Dur’dan approaches the giant and his… friend?
“I’m not one to pry my big friend… but why are you hauling that thing around? And I agree, damn half breed has been gone too long, probably gotten himself killed, probably by another one of those things.” He says pointing at the spider.
“He went off this way.” Dur’dan says, going in the same direction Arrow went.
Jonathan is concerned about the plan: “If we leave to go looking for him we risk all of us getting lost in this place.” Kittix ignores him, however, and gets up to follow the Ironbeards at Fredrickson’s suggestion. With a sigh the knight gets to his feet and joins the others.
The party winds through the city, careful to avoid disturbing corpses. About ten minutes into their walk they hear movement from further down the street and they freeze in anticipation. A moment later Arrow appears around the corner, looking worse for wear and exhausted but not seriously injured. There is a smear of dried blood across his face and more dusted on his clothing.
“What happened to you? Had a run-in with your ex wife?”
“looks like you got in a tussle with something fierce.”
“heh, you should see the other guy.”
“These caverns were not her place. She will serve the Voice better in her next life.”
When Arrow approaches obviously having been in a struggle, Karikhan glances around at the edges of his field of vision suspiciously. “Someone else lives in the home of your ancestors,” he says to Dur’dan. “We should go no further, and leave immediately. We know the dangers of the path behind us, and I can repair the bridge with the Voice.”
Hob is startled to see Karikhan come back with his prize. “Is that the fashion these days, spider-bags? I must say it suits you,” he manages to jest.
When Karikhan suggests leaving, Hob voices his opinion. “If this big guy here suggests we turn around, then maybe it’s not such a bad idea. And besides, I’m sure the giant will be delighted to see us.”
“I don’t know about anyone else but I want to find out what’s in these ruins and do what we getting paid to do. After a little rest I’ll be ready to go out and explore some more.”
“What about you Kitz? What do you wanna do?”
Karikhan does not protest as Arrow makes his suggestion. Instead, he looks to Dur’dan and John.
“You lead this group. Have we found what you seek, or must we go deeper still?”
Dur’dan paces while he speaks,
“I myself am torn. Part of me says that we have found enough evidence to begin a full blown assault to clear this delve of the plague that has befallen it. But my beard says we need to get more proof and I tend to side with me beard…” He puts his hand to his chin, stroking his beard.
“What was it that messed you up anyways Arrow?”
“It appeared to be a grey-skinned dwarf. He or it didn’t speak, it just came out of nowhere and attacked.”
“Skeleton dwarves, zombie dwarves, I wonder what’s causin’ this terrible blight?” Hob says as an open question, not particularly expecting an answer but not bothered if one comes anyway.
“I don’t know, Arrow…” Kitz is torn, rubbing his scaly hands together anxiously.
Oshro looks to Dur’dan quizzically.
Dur’dan gives a look of pure astonishment, almost like the look when he entered the delve itself, mixed with a slight worried look.
“Take me to the remains of the Dwarf immediately. You must be incorrect. If you are right… we have stumbled upon much much MUCH more than we previously thought.”
Dur’dan begins nudging the elf in the direction in which Arrow came. “Chop chop, no time to lose!”
“that way, rock-head.” Arrow spat at Dur’dan as he points to the way he came.
Dur’dan will go find the body of the Dwarf. Ignoring the elf’s insult.
Karikhan follows Dur’dan further into the delve. “Be careful,” Khan warns Dur’dan. “Do not mistake recklessness for haste.”
Hob follows Karikhan and echoes his warning to Dur’dan. “Indeed, it wouldn’t pay to be getting hasty. As in, if we don’t make it out of here, then we don’t get paid.”