Ralph decides to sneak around camp looking for loot from the fight last night. He heads back to town ahead of the rest of the party. The others grow angry that he left and take off after him. They pass an old mine on the way back and hear skittering noises coming from inside. Rather than investigate, they continue their pursuit of Ralph.
Once he reaches town, Ralph reports to the sergeant insisting that he must see the commander. He claims there is an invading orc army gathering to the west (even though he was sent to the east.) However, he will only trade his information for a fine quality composite longbow (value: 200 gp). The sergeant asks for the report first, but Ralph refuses. He says he can’t authorize such a payment but will talk to the commander.
Ralph is led into the commander’s office. The commander stoops over a table with a cartographer. Ralph reports 5 regiments of orcs and 1 regiment of goblins. Two obvious separate encampments lie in the mountains. They are sending out scout parties. The army size over 4x the town’s population. There was someone standing on a stump giving a speech and they [the orcs] were all cheering. (Bluff…fail.) The commander is far from impressed and asks for Ralph to elaborate more.
Ralph continues his story saying he could see 2 ½ - 3 regiments from the ridge. The base is forming near the lake and sending out scouting parties. The forces are still just amassing there for now. Ralph realizes that he might not be winning their confidence. He says he was in such a hurry to deliver this vital information, he needs to go pee. The commander dismisses him to relieve himself. Ralph hastily leaves. The commander turns to the sergeant and says not to hire him again.
Ralph goes back to head off the party near the river. Jak confronts him screaming. Jak shoves him, slowly edging him towards the river while yelling. Squishy hears the screaming and uses his detect thoughts ability. After reading the betrayal and hostility in Ralphs mind, Squishy perceives Ralph as an enemy. Jak grabs Ralph and tries one last time to throw him into the river. Jak slips and bumps his head on the bank. Squishy uses mind thrust on Ralph. Solaera tries to break up the fight. Mary grabs Ralph and tries dragging him into the river.
Everyone eventually calms down. They discuss what they already know: There are 2 separate parties on the bank of the lake. The orcs may be having a celebration or ritual. Could this be an invading force, though? They were sending scouts out. Jak makes it clear that Ralph is an idiot. They could have easily bought him a fine bow with their funds. Solaera casts cure light wounds on Ralph.
Jak goes into town to sell the orc gear they just got. Then the party goes to investigate the mine they passed coming back down the mountainside. Once there, they can spot something large moving around inside the mine. Elf casts ghost sound just outside the entrance trying to lure it out. Mary also fires a bolt inside to provoke something. Nothing happens. [Two Large spiders await them to get closer to the entrance (tremorsense) or come inside their cave.] Jak and Squishy approach the entrance. One spider springs out and starts attacking. The second waits for the first to clear the way. The first is quickly slain while the second grows frightened from its injuries and retreats back into the cave. The party treads into the sticky cavern and kills it.
Mary explores the cave retrieving a MW longbow, a 20 gp gem, and 16 gp from two decaying orcs inside. Ralph attempts to extract spider venom and poisons himself on a fang. Jak lights the webs inside the cave on fire. After it burns down, they set up to camp inside.
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