4 July 1280, Midday (Spider!)

Varros looks to the North when he sees the situation with the dogs, assessing the situation he calmly says, "To arms companions, attack with spear and bow, stay away from the creature, most likely it is poisonous."

Varros readies his bow and lets fly as he says to Oloc, "Give Dirtbag the command to loose the hounds and attack the beast himself," smiling at Gaven he continues, "perhaps our discussion will be proven moot."

"A giant spider!" Oloc shouts. "I hate spiders! Dirtbag, release the dogs and have them attack the thing!"

Varros looks to Elsie then and says, stay behind Duran or I and whatever you do don't allow the creature to get close to you."

Following Varros' lead Duran lets loose arrows from his bow aimed at the beast, doing his best to keep his distance and help protect Elsie and the group.

Gaven says to the others, "Loose your arrows, but don't engage the spider. Let the dogs and spider eradicate each other. If the spider is occupied by the dogs, let us use the opportunity to return to town. The spider just looks for a meal. We have more important tasks at hand."

Gaven turns to Elsie and Ollie, "Stay close to me. If the spider approaches us, start to run back to the road and I will follow as soon as I can."

Both the cleric and the mage position themselves behind the fighters and in front of the non-combatants.

The charmed goblin orders the dogs to attack the spider and they obey, engaging the creature about 60' from the party's location.

The spider and the dogs size each other up and strike tentatively at first, inflicting no damage, as Duran's and Varros' arrows whistle past the dog-and-spider melée. Finally one of the dogs manages to take a nasty bite out of the spider, wounding it.

However, the spider riposts with a lunge at the dog who bit him, catching the poor canine's throat in its fangs. A split-second yelp can be heard which is literally cut off, and the spider flops the dead dog to the ground.

Varros and Duran let fly still more arrows, and this time one of Varros' missiles finds its mark, skewering the spider, who curls up its legs and moves no more.

The dogs snarl and growl a moment longer, then seeing no movement from the spider, they turn and trot back to Dirtbag.

*************************

OOC: Varros and Duran are able to recover all their arrows.

It's been suggested we have a vote on what to do with Dirtbag. Shall we do so?

I believe the proposed options were:
     1. Kill him.
     2. Turn him in to the authorities.
     3. Send him back to his people (with a message/warning).
     4. Other?

And apart from that decision, actions?

Combat Details:

Round 1: Spider wins initiative (2-1)

Spider attacks Dog 2
d20 + 2 (hit bonus) = 6 (miss)

Varros shoots at spider
d20 + 1 (med. range) = 12 (miss)
d20 + 1 (med. range) = 9 (miss)

Duran shoots at spider
d20 + 2 (short range) = 5 (miss)
d20 + 2 (short range) = 9 (miss)

Dog 1 attacks spider
d20 + 1 (hit bonus) = 7 (miss)

Dog 2 attacks spider
d20 + 1 (hit bonus) = 14 (hit); d6 = 4

Dog 3 attacks spider
d20 + 1 (hit bonus) = 2 (miss)

Round 2: Spider wins initiative (6-4)

Spider attacks Dog 2
d20 + 2 (hit bonus) = 12 (hit); d6 = 5 (dog is killed)

Varros shoots at spider
d20 + 1 (med. range) = 18 (hits); d6 = 5 (spider killed)

Duran shoots at spider
d20 + 2 (short range) = 6 (miss)