Realms S2E2 Dragged Through The Dark

Our group of new friends chase after the lost Tabaxi. But why are there so many spiders?

Player Characters Present
Eclipse, Naphako, Keywynn, Kyrealle, Kerrick

Synopsis
After learning about the missing people from the Silver Lake Monastery the party went to the cemetery to set the trap. Keywynn walked through the cemetery with a lantern attempting to draw out their enemy. It didn’t take long before several large Phase spiders attacked the group. The majority of the group was on the ground fighting two of them, leaving Eclipse to fight one alone on the roof. A costly mistake. Eclipse was overpowered by the beast, quickly paralyzed and coiled up in the spider's web to be dragged away for a later meal. Once the other two spiders were slain the group realized that Eclipse was nowhere to be found. Jumping into action investigating the area they found a faint trail of blood being dragged out of town towards a small hole in the side of the mountain.

After looking at one another for a brief moment, they proceeded into the darkness. Not wanting to be in the dark for too long Keywynn cast light on her shield and followed Naphako who was frantically searching for Eclipse. After a hundred feet or so they caught up to Eclipse. With the light gleaming off of Keywynn’s shield, they attacked. Naphako was able to heal Eclipse, bringing him back to life, no longer paralyzed. The party made short work of this spider and freed their friend. Before they had time to gather themselves, they realized that Keywynn was nowhere to be found. She had raced into the next cave when she heard the sounds of spiders eating something, alive. The group followed and quickly acted in the attempts to save the fallen creature. They were able to kill the beasts but the horse the spiders were consuming was dead. However, they noticed three creatures bound up against the cave wall. Eclipse carefully cut them down while Kerrick and Naphako caught them. After healing and freeing the captured creatures they found out there were possibly more people deeper in the caves. The group hunkered down near the entrance to take a short rest before continuing.

Carefully they headed towards the next entrance through the caves. They discovered there were no more caves but, in fact, very well crafted magical stone work that gave off a faint glow within the chambers. The group carefully continued through the dungeon. They found a room with two closed doors and piles of loot. After investigating the space they found a good amount of coin and several very useful items. Gathering those items, they continued the search for survivors. They happened into a large room with several holes in the ground. Attempting to be stealthy, the party tried to follow the side of the room heading to the other exit without getting too close to the holes. They were unsuccessful. A large lava worm burst out of the hole. A well placed net by Eclipse and Naphako was able to slow the beast down, but not enough. Several dangerous, well-placed blows damaged members of the party, and eventually the beast caught Eclipse in the mouth of one its heads. Naphako was able to finally destroy the beast but its jaws clenched in its death throw and the lava worm began to drag Eclipse back down the hole as it fell. Eclipse was able to break free right as his friends grabbed him and brought him to safety. The group catches their breath before proceeding further into the dungeon.