Spider-bane

Bestowal dialogue

'This spider-queen -- Iornaith by name -- and her ways are known to me. She will have hidden herself in Sprigley's house and blocked all the entrances, save one.

'If you search the tunnels below the house, I would wager you will find a hidden passage leading to Iornaith's lair. The vile thing must be slain, or Archet will be overrun by her brood.

'Would that I were hale and could heft an axe! But that time has passed. Now, the mantle of Spider-bane must pass to you, if you'll have it. I do not suggest you try to face her alone.'

Background

An ancient spider-queen has pursued Atli Spider-bane to Archet and invaded Cal Sprigley's farm.

Objective 1

• Defeat Iornaith

Sprigley's farm is south of Bronwe's Folly. One entrance to the spider tunnels lies through the cellar of Sprigley's shed, while the other is through the cave mouth due west of the Hunter's Lodge.

To prevent Iornaith's brood from overrunning Archet, Atli Spider-bane has asked you to find and slay the spider-queen. Atli suggests searching the spider caves beneath Sprigley's farm for a secret entrance into the Iornaith's lair. He also suggested you take allies.

Atli Spider-bane: 'This spider is clever. Seek the entrance to her lair beneath Sprigley's farm. And beware her fangs! Though I ruined her eyes, she is ancient and full of malice.'

Defeated Iornaith

Objective 2

• Talk to Atli Spider-bane

Atli Spider-bane can be found at the north end of Archet, west of the spider-cave, north-west of Sprigley's farm.

You should take news of Iornaith's defeat to Atli Spider-bane.

Atli Spider-bane: '"Many seeds did the Dread-weaver sow throughout our mountains...."

'Because of you, another of those seeds has passed from the world.

'I owe you a great debt...for Iornaith's death and for my life. Accept this reward, and with it, the friendship of Atli Spider-bane!'

Finding Reason

Bestowal dialogue

'Them spiders have et my workhands and driven me and Holly out of our home. There's got to be some way to get 'em off our land!

'I would think that Atli Spider-bane might know more about spiders than I do. Perhaps you should go speak with him again.

'We can't return home until those awful things are gone!'

Background

Cal Sprigley's farm has been overrun by spiders for no apparent reason, leaving Cal and Holly homeless in Archet.

Objective 1

• Talk to Atli Spider-bane

Atli Spider-bane can be found just north of Cal Sprigley.

Cal Sprigley suggested that you speak with Atli Spider-bane about the spiders at his farm and how to be rid of them.

Cal Sprigley: 'Them spiders came up through my shed on the far end of the farm, but you should speak with Atli before going there again. He'll know more about what to do, I'm sure.'

Atli Spider-bane: 'Good, you have returned! It seems there is much more going on here than I first thought. While you were away, my cousin Bali arrived, and I sent him to search some caves in the ruins outside the east wall of Archet. A few of the hunters had dropped a huge stone in front of the cave, and I wanted him to ensure the stone remained. He has not yet returned, and I am worried.

'Now, from what you told me of Sprigley's troubles, the spiders came up through the cellar in his shed. Perhaps seeing the cave blocked off, they tunnelled up through there.

'We won't know for certain, though, until you find Bali. Hopefully he'll have some answers.'

Objective 2

• Search for Bali

The entrance to the cave the hunters blocked off lies in the ruins due east of Archet.

Atli told you that he sent his cousin Bali to check the caves, but he has not yet returned. If you find him, he may have the answer to what has disturbed the spiders.

Atli Spider-bane: 'Go find Bali quickly before something terrible happens! I sent him to the caves in the ruins due east of here.'

Cal Sprigley: 'I don't think I can help you. Atli's cousin must be around that cave somewhere.'

Bali: You search Bali's corpse and find a journal with several pages missing. The journal text reads:

I would not believe it, but the spiders have pushed the cave mouth clear! I have entered the cave, and the spiders reacted to me instantly, as if drawn to me. I am unsure why. I spent my day carefully searching near the entrance only and found several corpses bound into cocoons. These spiders seem to wrap everything up into their cocoons! I will write more tomorrow whan I go further into the cave.

Perhaps it would be best to enter the cave to see if you can find the rest of the journal pages before returning to Atli.

Objective 3

• Find missing journal pages (0/5)

The missing pages of Bali's journal must be somewhere within the caves. The spiders may have taken the missing pages and webbed them into their cocoons.

You have found Bali's corpse and his journal, but the journal is missing several pages. You need to find the pages before returning to Atli.

Atli Spider-bane: 'Bali…dead? This is…impossible! And the spiders have pushed the cave open? You must enter the cave and search for the rest of his journal.

'We must avenge Bali, and that journal may hold the knowledge that will help us do that!'

DAY 2

I've gone further into the cave today. There seems to be no end to the twists and turns or the spiders in this area. I have done my best not to get lost, but I fear I may already be there.

I still have no idea why these spiders are here. There are several larger queen-like spiders here, but I do not think they are steering this brood.

I will look more tomorrow. For now, I have found a rock to sleep behind. I hope these spiders don't like the taste of dwarf.

DAY 3

My third day in this spider-infested hole has come and gone, and I got no further today. I think I may have gone around in several circles since I found the rock I slept behind three times today. I'm not sure if this place has an end but I found an interesting-looking cellar of some small supply shed. I peeked outside and found an overrun farm. That did not seem to be my answer either.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I think I will spend my night in the cellar. It may be a little safer.

DAY 4

I went back into the caves, but had little more luck than before. I know I am missing a turn someplace that will lead me closer to the queen's nest and hopefully an answer to the spiders' presence here.

I suspect these are no ordinary spiders, for as I even now prepare to sleep, I dream I can hear whispered voices.

DAY 5

It is my fifth day within these dismal tunnels, and I am no closer to finding the queen. I have no doubts, however, as to the intelligence of these creatures. They hunt me now, day and night, though I elude them still.

It is strange, but I believe I heard one of the beasts mention Spider-bane.

DAY 6

There is no doubt now. These spiders and their queen are here for Atli Spider-bane. They seek to use me as a bait for Atli, but I will not give them that leverage.

My axe will drink of their blood ere this night is through. I will not...

Objective 4

• Bring the journal and journal pages to Atli Spider-bane

Atli Spider-bane can be found at the north end of Archet.

Atli Spider-bane will want to know what you discovered amongst the pages of Bali's journal.

Atli Spider-bane: 'I cannot believe it. Bali...gone. He must be avenged! And this journal tells me what is behind this: a spider-queen from the Blue Mountains. She and her brood must have followed me from Thorin's Halls.

'Know this! Even if I am slain, she will never leave this place... she has found easy prey here. We must destroy her, or Archet shall become a new abode for the queen and her spawn.'

A Threat from Spiders

Bestowal dialogue

'Don't worry about me, <name>. It's just a minor wound I got in the fighting.

'Now that the Brackenbrooks, father and son, have driven the Blackwolds away from Archet, perhaps these folk can get to living their lives as they once did. Word has reached me, though, that there's a new threat to be dealt with.

'A nearby farm has been overrun with spiders, and the folk there have retreated to Archet. My injury prevents me from dealing with the pests, but you have proven yourself a capable warrior and should have no trouble. Look for the farmer here in Archet. You may know him already...his name is Cal Sprigley.'

Background

Cal Sprigley's farm has been overrun by spiders. The farmer and his wife fled to Archet, leaving their belongings behind.

Objective 1

• Talk to Cal Sprigley in Archet

Cal Sprigley can be found north of the ruins of The Mad Badger Inn in Archet.

After spiders attacked his farm, Cal Sprigley and his wife fled to the safety of Archet. Atli Spider-bane has asked you to speak with the farmer.

Atli Spider-bane: 'Sprigley and his wife fled to Archet with what little he could carry from his farm. The spiders must have come upon them suddenly.'

Cal Sprigley: 'There we were, ready to stand our ground against them Blackwold villains, when these monstrous spiders come pouring up from the cellar in the middle of the night. It seems hardly fair!

'Still, if the Spider-bane sent you, it could be you'll be able to help us out. Our farm is due south of Bronwe's Folly. if you can recover my seed bag from the pens and my strongbox from the storage shed, we could make a new start of it. Oh, and my father's bow as well! Poor Henrywas trying to kill some of the spiders with it. He was a good hand but the spiders made quick work of the lad.

'Hurry back, if you can…though with all the spiders around my farm, I don't see how you will.'

Objective 2

• Collect Sprigley's seed bag
• Collect Sprigley's strongbox
• Collect Sprigley's bow

Cal Sprigley's farm is south of Bronwe's Folly.

Cal Sprigley has asked you to go to his farm and recover his strongbox, seed sack, and bow. With these things, he might be able to make a fresh start.

Cal Sprigley: 'My farm is to the south of Bronwe's Folly, down the second eastward trail from the south road. The place is much changed now -- a wretched nest of spiders.'

Holly Sprigley: 'The spiders came up from the cellar in the night, and we had barely enough time to escape! Many of the farmhands weren't so lucky. We saw poor Henry trying to fight off the spiders in the side ard with Cal's bow.

'If you can recover that bow, out seed bag from the livestock pens, and my strongbox near the storage shed, we'll be mighty grateful.'

Objective 3

• Bring the seed bag, bow, and strongbox to Cal Sprigley

Cal Sprigley and his wife await you north of the ruins of The Mad Badger Inn in Archet.

Cal and Holly Sprigley are waiting in Archet for the possessions you recovered from their spider-infested farm. You should return to them at once.

Holly Sprigley: 'I hope you can drive those horrible spiders off our land for good! We're decent, law-abiding folk and shouldn't have to put up with such troubles!'

Atli Spider-bane: 'You should bring Sprigley his belongings at once. Such possesions are nearly as important to a farmer as my axe is to me.'

Cal Sprigley: 'This is everything we asked for, all right: my seed bag, strongbox, and my father's trusty bow! I can't thank you enough, <name>, and I must beg your pardon for treating you so poorly earlier.

'Had I known what was to become of my farm, I would have heeded your advide and retreated to Archet at once, saving ourselves a great deal of trouble…and poor Henry his life.

'Still, I am glad we can make a new start. Tell the Spider-bane he has my thanks as well for sending you to us.'