1 Flaurmont 1000 AC - Of Elves and Spiders

Broneslav contemplated the two identical doors and decided to turn northwards first. This area was likely to be contained by the route he had just taken, and thus he could clear it of potential enemies before they headed into the unknown. Beyond the door was a corridor that ended at a wall. There were three doors on each side of the corridor. He took the nearest door on the left side first. The grille in the door suggested it was some kind of cell. The other doors also had grilles in them so he assumed these were all cells. This first room was empty, although fresh straw was piled on the floor as if to make a bed. The door opposite it on the right was the same. The second cell on the left was also empty.

The second cell on the right was occupied. He could hear noises within. Uncertain whether it was a prisoner or something worse, he opened the door carefully.

"Hello?" he asked questioningly.
"LET ME OUT OF HERE OR I'LL BLAST YOUR TINY HEADS TO BITS!" The voice was weak but determined. The cell had a dividing wall and the voice came from round the corner.
Broneslav walked to the corner and looked round it. He saw a middle-aged man chained to the wall by his leg. He was filthy with matted hair.
"COME HERE YOU DAMN WITCH'S SPAWN. LET ME GO BEFORE I IMPLODE YOUR PUNY MIND!"
"Hold up there," said Broneslav, "I'm no witch's spawn. I'm here to rescue two elven maids. If you give me a chance ..."
He got no further. The chained man, seeing Broneslav close enough now, gestured and spoke a mystical syllable. Broneslav collapsed to the floor just as Baik followed round the corner. The wizard had cleary not believed Broneslav. Seeing Broneslav fall, Baik rushed in and belted him with his mace [1 DAM]. He followed it up with another blow [1 DAM] before the wizard could finish the spell he was casting. The wizard cursed and tried again. This time he succeeded. Sticky strands spun out from his hands and half the cell was soon enmeshed in a thick web that held Baik fast no matter how he struggled.

Broneslav awoke to the sense of someone lifting his head. He felt a knife against his throat, and the pain galvanised him to rouse from the magical slumber inflicted on him [Defy death 1 DAM]. He leapt to his feet, tearing his throat away from the encroaching blade, and drew the dagger from his belt. The wizard looked stunned.
"No, wait, you cannot awaken yet."
Broneslav plunged his dagger into the wizard's eye [2 DAM]. The wizard crumpled to the ground. Broneslav was then able to look around. Baik lay in a pile on the floor. His throat had been cut and he was dead. The wizard must have immobilised Baik and cut his throat. Presumably he thought Broneslav would remain asleep long enough for the wizard to cut his throat too. Broneslav had been lucky. He laid his ally out gently, and swore to return for him later to ensure a proper burial.

As he approached the final door on the left, he heard piteous weeping. Investigating further, Broneslav found a young elven woman chained to the wall. She was slumped on the floor sniffling and whimpering half-heartedly. Panic crossed her face as she saw the bloody, tattered person before her.
"Don't worry," said Broneslav, "I am here to rescue you. What's your name?"
"Miryala. Are you really here to rescue me? How can I be sure?"
"You can't," he said brutally, "but you'll have to trust me."
He freed her from the chains and told her to wait there while he checked the final cell. He needed to see if Sylva were in it.

He could see that the cell was full of cobwebs when he opened the door. Held in the webs were the remains of a person. Suddenly a large spider leapt at him from the web. Broneslav spun to face it and tried to skewer it as it did so. He missed but the spider managed to land its fangs in his shoulder. Luckily it was just a scratch [1 DAM]. He swung again. The spider nimbly dodged and sank its fangs into his arm [1 DAM]. Broneslav could feel his body reacting as it fought off the spider's venom. Desperately he thrust at the spider's head. His sword cut through the spider's mouth and into it's brain, the top emerging gore encrusted from the top of the spider's head [4 DAM]. He slumped to the floor, breathing hard. Miryala ran up to him.
"Are you ok? Here, let me bandage your wounds."
With his wounds tended, Broneslav applied his torch to the spider's webs and burnt them out. The remains in the web clattered to the floor and Broneslav helped himself to the gold in the dead adventurer's pouch. Well, they would not need it now, and he really was going to need some new clothes after this was over.
"Come on," he said to Miryala, "I need to get you to safety so that I can carry on the search for Merisa and Sylva."

It would be dark soon anyway and he needed rest. Carrying Baik's body, he led Miryala outside to the waiting Rahasia and returned once more to the village. There he arranged for Baik to be buried according to the customs of Ylaruam. On the way he was able to tell Rahasia that Merisa seemed to be working with the Rahib now. Rahasia was shocked but still adamant that Broneslav must bring both elven women back alive. There was probably more to this than either of them were aware of.

Character
Broneslav Torenescu (S16, D14, C15, I12, W10, Ch14, F1, HP 6/9, AC4, Sword 1d8+3, Bow 1d8)
Human (Traladaran)

Traits:
Torenescu Family Member 1
Hunter 1
Keen Vision 1
Good Education 1
Empathy with Animals 1

Goal: Prove that he is an adult following the Shearing Ceremony
Goal: Slay a red dragon
Quest: Deliver a parcel to Merisa in Gray Mountain Village
Quest: Rescue Sylva and Merisa
Quest: Undo the greater evil under Kota-Hutan Temple

Allies

Roll of Honour
Alki (Level 2 elven warrior brutally slain while helpless by the Rahib)
Baik Telor (Level 4 human warrior from Ylari. Murdered by Merdiz the wizard)