Scene 1: Inn Plain Sight

The two mimics munch down happily on the chicken wings that Hindle telekinetically slides over to them. Merton and Leana keep a close eye on them as Brickowsky quickly climbs on the far end of the bed mimic to unhook the stuck picture. A key wrapped in paper behind the picture is stuck on the nail and Brickowsky takes that along.

The four adventurers gather near Roaring Kitty's corner as they peer over the picture, the key, and the paper it is wrapped in.

Brickowsky turns over the picture and on its back, in elegant cursive, is written "To Alax, all our love, Mom and Dad"

Merton examines the key. It is large in his halfling hand and the brass has darkened to almost a black with age. No unusual magic properties are detected as Hindle and Brickowsky take a closer look at it.

Leana unwraps the paper the key was wrapped in and a diagram for the secret passage they found in the basement is revealed! In the same cursive is written on the paper "Caution in the tower. Only venture inside when you are ready with your party."

The adventuring group quickly agree to follow the note to the tower by heading through the basement. They'll secure the tunnel entrance before having a short rest in Inn Plain Sight. They hurry down the stairs while the mimics are still busy eating the hot wings. Brickowsky carefully places the picture on the table next to the bed while he folds away the note and key into the ugly bag.

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Back in the basement, with a nod to Oswin's bones, they return to the tunnel entrance. Leana's shadowy fox is still standing guard and the entrance is still covered with ice. The spiders are nowhere in sight, but there is still skittering sounds indicating they are probably nearby. Perhaps some bait or a change in the situation will bring them forth.

Leana looks about while they walk around the Inn and the basement, but Derv is nowhere in sight. Perhaps he found another way into the tunnel or he went outside?

Roaring Kitty paws at the ice barrier, ready to join with the shadowy fox to mess with the spiders and bring them closer to the party.

As Leana opens the vertical gap, Roaring Kitty bounds through and joins the shadowy fox into the darkness.

Brickowsky, Leana, and Hindle prepare for whatever comes out as Merton crouches out of sight, ready to douse the spiders in hot grease. Brickowsky takes extra care to crouch behind one of the barrels for extra cover.

Leana whispers in the language of the beast and Roaring Kitty and the fox can be heard scratching and making noises. The skittering heard faintly before now increases in frequency and volume and the two creatures swiftly move back out to join the adventuring party as two spiders scramble and spill out of the narrow gap.

@valdattaMadun Go ahead and describe your amazing success with the spiders!