The duty to live

[Anastasia]

Mardyn Oaks is the responsible party.

"Then I'll be even more careful..." A pause, "Or maybe just ask Kossuth outright. About what he considers the boundaries. Straight forwardness may win an honest answer."

[Ebiris]

Is Ayane on track to find Mardyn with this approach? Has Mardyn been doing anything suspicious?

Well, if Ayane doesn't get anywhere tonight, Alicia will work out some kind of symbolism-laden dream to help put her on track when she sleeps tonight.

"It's funny how often simple solutions like just talking it out don't even occur to us," she says dryly. "But yes it's in Kossuth's interest to clearly tell you where the lines are if he wants to keep things from boiling over into open conflict."

[Anastasia]

She has a shot, depends on how the breaks go.

"I'll see to it, sister," Jessica agrees, as you notice something unusual. A movement of spiders is entering Sylica. Spiders as large as horses, well over a hundred of them. Some of them drag along sacks of possessions, but they're entering, alright.

Immediately Antenora looks to Syala.

"I had nothing to do with it," Syala confirms. "If the phase spiders did, they haven't mentioned it."

[Ebiris]

"You saw it too?" Alicia stops dancing just to look at the spiders.

Take 10 for 69 on nature/planes to identify the type of spider.

[Anastasia]

They look like monstrous spiders. They're acting with open intelligence - they're not normal overgrown vermin at the least. Your best guess would be some form of awakened vermin or otherwise mentally rejuvenated creature. Perhaps a soul transfer.

[Ebiris]

"Well, so long as they don't cause anyone they're as welcome as any other group to visit Sylica," Alicia concludes after a moment, looking to see if they're heading in the direction of anywhere in particular.

[Anastasia]

They're mostly milling about, it looks like.

"As long as they don't make trouble," Antenora agrees. "Or go scurrying across my ceiling."

"Do spiders bother you?" Latha half glances at Antenora.

"No, but I prefer not to spear something the moment I wake up," Is Antenora's reply, "It sets the entire day on the wrong foot."

[Ebiris]

Alicia will keep half an eye on the spiders but not single them out for any special treatment she wouldn't give to a group of humans or dwarves walking into Sylica. See how they interact when they meet any of the locals and if there's going to be problems, but hopefully not.

"Spearing's much better done after breakfast, build up to it properly," Marie agrees sagely.

[Anastasia]

Watching, you see that the spiders simply look about. They soon find a Felis Knight, who regards them warily - but one uses a long leg to draw in the ground in rough common, 'Help. Refuge.'

[Ebiris]

"Syala, do you have any handy druids near to those spiders to aid in communication or can you teleport one over? Or maybe a phase spider?" Alicia suggests as the situation develops. "It sounds like they're in trouble."

[Anastasia]

"Yes, dear," Syala agrees, as soon enough a phase spider comes. They're able to communicate directly. Listening in, from what you gather, they're refugees from a mad wizard who was slain by adventurers. Angelic adventurers it sounds like, who were not gentle with purifying everything in holy flames.

They are aware. They came from the Black Stone, a great gemstone the size of a room. They awaken when they touch it, then set to work by the wizard. Menial labor, all disrupted when the wizard - named Jolbras - was smited with extreme power. The smites spared them, and they had time enough to gather some treasure and flee.

From there, they heard stories of spiders who were not hunted in Sylica, and one thing lead to another and here they are.

[Ebiris]

That all sounds reasonable enough.

Take 10 for 69 on arcana for Black Stone or Jolbras.

[Anastasia]

First doesn't ring any bells.

Second does sound familiar. An Abyssal mage, albeit one that mostly keeps to himself. It's whispered he's been looking into the secrets of the soul.

[Ebiris]

"I'm not sure where Jolbros was hiding out but he's most known around the Abyss," Alicia says to Syala as they monitor it. "They must've had a journey to get here."

[Anastasia]

Syala stands next to you and inclines her head forward. "No reason not to offer them hospitality. It sounds like their creator deeply offended someone high up."