Chapter 1: Exodus

By the time you saw the first of the Araneae, it was already too late.

The spiderlike creature was just the harbinger of the massive swarm that descended upon the peaceful valley where your village once stood. An unending tide of skittering legs and clacking mouthparts, crafting a relentless tide of jagged glass instead of webs in their wake. The people of the village tried to fight them, tried to turn them away, but their efforts were in vain. Nothing could be done to stop the inexorable creep of glass as it overtook the village.

You did the only thing you could do. You fled. Packing what supplies they could gather in a short amount of time, you and your fellow villagers loaded up a series of wagons and set off before your homes could be completely overrun. You pushed the caravan hard the first few days to put distance between you and the Araneae. Now, at last, you're far enough away to have a moment to stop and catch your breaths.

But what will you do? Where will you go? These questions and more weigh on you as you gather around the campfire...

Agûz racks his partially mechanical brain for any knowledge of the Areneae, but he comes up short. He and the other people of the village had only heard whispers and rumors of their recent appearance in the world, but it always seemed like they were a distant danger. They never expected the arachnids to attack them until it was too late.

As you continue to sit by the fire, a rustle in the nearby underbrush gets your attention. Some of the other members of the caravan have been keeping a watch on the camp, but now you begin to hear cries of alarm coming from the camp's perimeter.

What do you do?

In the darkness, Chiara sees something large moving through the underbrush. A horse-sized insect with an armored carapace. As she shouts a warning, it bursts into the clearing, its sharp claws digging at the ground as acidic spittle drips from its mandibles! Based on the cries of the other caravan members, the beast is not alone!

The huge insect reels as the energy leaves a sizzling hole in its carapace.

Ezail's crossbow bolt lodges itself in a chink in the bug's carapace, injuring it. But Chiara's magical blast goes wide, and the big beast skitters aside to dodge Aguz's sword!

The monster rears up and claws at Aguz, scoring a critical hit as it rips through his armored body!

Moments later, the ground beneath your feet rumbles, then a second monstrous insect bursts out of the ground in your midst, hissing in rage! Its eruption threatens to knock you over!

Phu magic alters the trajectory of the insect's claws, turning what would have been a serious blow to Aguz into a much less severe impact!

Fizzle's arrow impales the big bug in its softer underbelly, leaving a major wound behind! But in response, the insect lashes out at the goblin, ripping into him with its claws.

The magical energy blasts a huge hole in the burrowing insect’s side! Its acidic blood explodes outward, showering those nearby!

Ezail shoves his dagger up into the bug's throat and twists, slicing it clean open! He steps back as the multi-legged monster collapses to the ground, thrashing and spurting acidic blood from the fatal wound in its death throes!

Meanwhile, Aguz swings his hammer into the side of the other bug's head, cracking its carapace. Sizzling blood splashes all over the half-giant.

Another critical hit from Aguz smashes the bug's head clean in! It falls to the floor, acidic blood splattered everywhere!

It would seem, for now, that the threat is over...

Aguz has dim memories of battles against similar foes as these. In the vernacular, they are known as "acid burrowers." They generally avoid heavily settled areas like cities, but their predilection for livestock and humanoid flesh ensures that the creatures do not remain in the deep wilderness for long. Despite their fearsome nature, they are just beasts and are not servants of some other malevolent force.

Fortunately, Aguz knows that acid burrowers don't congregate in large numbers. These two were likely a mated pair. Additionally, their role as apex predators means there likely won't be any other dangerous beasts in this area. The campsite should be safe now.

Indeed, the night passes without incident. In the morning, the caravan prepares to head out again. The caravan master, a middle-aged human woman named Ramona, approaches you. "We'd best get moving if we are to stay ahead of the spiders. But we could use some advice on which way to go."

There are two likely villages nearby that you can head towards:

Bramble Hollow is the closer choice. It is two days' travel away. Bramble Hollow is a quiet hamlet nestled in a dense thicket of trees at the edge of the Sparrowfen Marshes. Known for its herbalists and hunters, the village has a self-reliant population and sturdy palisades grown from magically-reinforced living wood. However, it's a small community with just enough resources for itself. A large caravan may strain their food stores and goodwill. Also, the village elders are wary of newcomers, and gaining their trust could be challenging.

Thornharbor is more distant, about six days' travel away. Thornharbor is a bustling river-trade village built around a fortified stone bridge spanning the River Velm. It serves as a minor trade hub, protected by a local militia and a charter from the Duke of Redmere. In addition to strong defenses, Thornharbor has hosted displaced groups before and may have the capacity or policies to absorb refugees. However, the road to Thornharbor passes through open fields and a narrow pass, which are dangerous terrain if enemies are near. And if others have also fled the destruction caused by the Araenae, Thornharbor may already be stretched thin.

I say we head for Thornharbor. I know its further way, but it opens for so many more oppertunities
Phu sits with Chiara and Prepare for tomorrow, looking at skeched maps Phu had attended Ezail Vianu wounds and he is patched up.

Ramona nods and moves to tell the other members of the caravan about your decision. Soon, the camp has been struck and the wagons are packed up and ready to go.

You travel through the light forest for about three hours before you reach an obstacle. Up ahead, a rushing stream cuts across the path. The stream is 10 feet wide with a swift current. Ramona asks you to find a way across and help make the crossing safer for the rest of the group.

Between the rope and the icy platforms Phu creates, you are able to get the wagons across the stream without incident. You resume your journey on the far side.

Dark clouds have begun to gather in the skies as the day wears on. They rumble ominously, foreshadowing a powerful storm to come. A slow drizzle quickly turns into a deluge as heavy rain pours down and the rumble becomes a roar as thunder booms! Lightning crackles and flashes in the clouds. You need to find shelter, and quickly!

Phu wracks his brain, but is unable to recall the terrain enough to suggest a good place for the caravan to hole up. The effort distracts him from his surroundings, though, and he finds himself struggling a bit to navigate the terrain as the ground gets muddy and treacherous.***

Ezail keeps his eyes peeled. There, in the distance! He spies a large cave opening under a rocky outcropping that is big enough to provide the whole caravan with shelter from the storm.

Unfortunately, as you get closer, it becomes clear that the cave is occupied. Two hulking cave ogres and their pet bear emerge! The ogres howl and stomp their feet as they raise massive clubs, and the thick-furred bear growls and bares its teeth and claws!

The chaotic magic burns the ogres, wounding both of them badly! In response, the giants fly into a rampaging fury, stomping towards you with murderous intent!The bear lopes forward, getting into melee range of the biggest target: Aguz! The ogres wade into your midst, swinging their clubs indiscriminately. Aguz manages to avoid harm, but the rest of you take hits, especially Chiara, who is pummeled with bone-crushing force!

Phu's magical blast further wounds an ogre. The bear rears up before Aguz, attempting to bite him, but his armored body proves too tough for its teeth!