The Spider Dragon

**The Spider Dragon** is the tenth episode of *Another Bad Side Quest*. The Motley Crew take on a Spider Dragon in the hopes of helping the people of Quarry Hold and finding a way out of the Underdark.

## The Spider Dragon

### **Synopsis**

**Pre-Show Shenanigans**

* Catch that new intro! Music written and performed by Darrin, ABSQ's main character art is done by @laniekun, the world map of Palamoa by @TheBrassBailey and ABSQ logo commissioned by @KacperGilkaArt
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* Jon received the DM Screen for the giveaway from the very first episode, and is now the latest to have signed it!

### **Part One**

The party rolled initiative as they enter the cavern and were met by the Spider Dragon above them. At the top of the round was Seren who activated his *Channel Divinity :* *Twilight Sanctuary*, then cast *Spiritual Weapon* and sent his glowing tree out to strike the Spider Dragon as he stepped further into the cavern. Quincy followed after him, pulled out her original pistol and fired two shots which both went wide. Yashani moved closer to the Spider Dragon, discovering on the way that the webs made the terrain difficult, but stepped in regardless, and used a new ability she learned from *The Book of Sanguis* to activate *Hand of Harm* from a distance, which caused some of the Spider Dragon's skin to wilt and wither. The Spider Dragon landed on the ground with an earth shaking thump, that knocked rocks down from the ceiling that manage to hit Quincy, but Yashani was able to dodge in time.

Tabernacle rushed into the room with his newly summoned, undead friend Hugo, commanded Hobble to look at the white sacs, which he could tell were moving, pushed at the exterior, then suggested to them group to be wary of them and set them alight, before he activated his *Form of Dread* and cast *Vicious Mockery* on the Spider Dragon, giving it disadvantage on it's next attack. Tabernacle also had Hugo use the dodge action to be ready for attacks. At the end of Tabernacle's turn, the Spider Dragon activated it's *Legendary Action* to make a web attack against Tabernacle that restrained him, despite the disadvantage it had. RX moved to the closest of the sacs at the cavern entrance, took out his tinder box from his pack to attempted to set the sac on fire, but only managed to burn the webs around the egg. At the end of RX's turn, a baby Spider Dragon burst out from the sac and growled at him. The Spider Dragon opened her jaw and releases a breath of noxious gas that hit Seren, Tabernacle, Quincy and Yashani, but managed to resist being poisoned. Killian moved into the cavern, and cast *Suggestion* to get the Spider Dragon to stay put, which the Spider Dragon failed to save against, and also simultaneously activated his *Tempestuous Magic* to move in close range with them. The Spider Dragon activated it's *Legendary Action* to make a claw attack against Killian that he manages to avoid, and Killian used his reaction to activate *Battle Maneuver :* *Riposte* to strike it with his scimitar, while also activating his *Defensive Flourish* for extra damage and to bump up his defence, which then got stuck to the Spider Dragon as he then noticed it was coated in a sticky substance. Alaerith kept near to the entrance, away from the dragon, and cast *Firebolt* on the baby RX unleashed.

Seren moved closer to the Spider Dragon and cast *Spirit Guardians,* which caused tiny fey creatures circling around Seren, then used his *Spiritual Weapon* to strike the Spider Dragon. The Spider dragon activated it's *Legendary Action* to try and claw attack Seren, but missed. Quincy turned her back on the larger dragon, and fired on the baby in front of RX, then used her *Battle Maneuver :* *Quick Toss* to throw a dagger at it, leaving it still barely alive. Yashani darted for the Spider Dragon, put herself right against it, struck it with once with one of her two unarmed strikes, managing to pull free of the Spider Dragon's stickiness, then activated her *Hand of Harm* from long range on it again. The Spider Dragon activated its *Lair Action* to swipe it's tail through the air, and dropped one of it's sacs on Killian, Seren and Yashani, which hit Seren as the other two managed to pull away. Tabernacle asked Killian whether he should 'focus on the big dragon or the small ones' and Killian said he, Seren and Yashani had the big one covered. Tabernacle sent Hobble to help RX, then sent Hugo to help with the Spider Dragon, and cast *Shape Water* to freeze one of the sac's in an attempt to make it more difficult for it to hatch. RX backed away from the baby he was near, took out his longbow and finished it off before he headed to the next sac. The sac that RX was near hatched as another baby Spider Dragon came out.

The Spider Dragon "stayed" as per Killian's casted *Suggestion*, which kept it in range of Seren's *Spirit Guardians*, but still took a claw attack against Yashani, then tried and failed to bite at Seren. Killian cast *Heroism* on himself, which also activated his *Tempestuous Magic,* to magically propel himself on top of the Spider Dragon, immediately becoming restrained by the sticky substance on the dragon's hide. Alaerith, still staying back, cast a *Firebolt* at the newly hatched baby, but mid cast the tooth around his neck sparked with yellow lightning, that flew up his hand, and expended with the mote of fire, hitting the baby with fire and yellow lightning, leaving Alaerith in shock. The Spider Dragon activated two *Legendary Actions* to pump its wings, which knocked Seren and Yashani *Prone*, before it flew 20 feet into the air, as Hugo used his reaction to attack the Spider Dragon. Seren stood back up, cast *Command*, while using a charge from The *Spider Druid's Gemstone* to force the dragon to make the save at disadvantage, saying "down" forcing the Spider Dragon to return to the ground, but his *Spiritual Weapon* missed with it's strike afterwards. Quincy asked Killian whether to go after the Spider Dragon or its babies, and being told to go for the Spider Dragon, fired first with her regular pistol, then before swapped out for *Peril & Pain*, moved closer to get within range and fired lightning on it, but in turn also saw Killian take the lightning damage.

Yashani stood back up, backed away so she was no longer directly under the Spider Dragon, and pulled out her quarterstaff ready to strike when it came down again. The Spider Dragon, still in the air, activated its *Lair Action* to spin in a circle and spray Seren, Hugo, Quincy, Yashani and Tabernacle with webs, missing everyone but Tabernacle, now covered in more webs, but also kept it in range of Seren's *Spirit Guardians* once more. Tabernacle then surmised that due to the sticky substance coating the Spider Dragon, any hit they make on it will also hurt Killian. After checking Killian was ok with that, Tabernacle had Hugo prepare to hit the Spider Dragon when it came down in range, then had Hobble come to him and successfully ripped him free of the webs that still restrain him and finished by using his rifle to cast *Eldritch Blast* against the Spider Dragon but missed. The Spider Dragon then activated it's *Legendary Action* against RX and restrained it in it's webs. RX, now restrained, managed to break out of his restraints, before moving to the baby that had hatched before. The sac next to Tabernacle started to burst as another baby Spider Dragon hatched from it. Meanwhile the baby near to RX tried and failed to bite him, to RX's amusement.

The Spider Dragon, following Seren's *Command* from before, flew down, which prompted Hugo's prepared attack which missed, as well as Yashani's who struck it with her quarterstaff, losing it to the Spider's Dragon's sticky hide afterwards, but then failed to hit with her unarmed strikes, and also put it in range of Seren's *Spirit Guardians.* The Spider Dragon then released another wave of poisonous gas against Quincy and Yashani, who succeeded, Seren who failed and was left *Poisoned*, and Hobble, who succeeded, but disappeared and turned into black sand, from taking too much damage. The Spider dragon then flew 20 feet back into the air, as Hugo, Yashani, and Quincy used their reactions to attack with Hugo and Yashani succeeding, but Yashani left stuck. Killian tried to cast *Suggestion* on the Spider Dragon again but failed, but the failed cast still automatically activated his *Tempestuous Magic* to move himself off of the dragon, and fell to the ground, but now safe. Alaerith, still caught off guard from the empowered attack from before as *Vile's Fang* still let off a few sparks, cast *Firebolt* but missed the Spider Dragon.

Seren stepped out from under the Spider Dragon, cast *Toll the Dead* on it, then sent his *Spiritual Weapon* forward, but its attack missed. The Spider Dragon then activated it's *Legendary Action* to strike Yashani with her claw. Quincy, seeing Yashani was still stuck to the Spider Dragon and that last time she hit with the *Peril & Pain* it hurt Killian, stowed them to pull out her original pistol, then fired twice against the Spider Dragon, aiming up under it's jaw sending the bullet as it ripped through it's skull leaving the Spider Dragon dead on the ground. Yashani managed to rip herself free, and jump away from the Spider Dragon's body as it fell avoiding being crushed by it.

With the Spider Dragon dead, Yashani rushed to the hatched baby near Tabernacle, hitting it with one of her two unarmed strikes, before activating her *Hand of Healing* to recover some of her health and striking it again. Tabernacle left the baby Yashani was dealing, approached one the unhatched eggs with Hugo and cast *Inflict Wounds* shrivelling the egg leaving nothing left. Tabernacle then tried to suggest they keep one of the babies, which RX seemed to take to heart, grappled the injured baby in front of him and pet it, much to Quincy's dismay. Both babies then bit on to both RX and Yashani. Killian walked over to Seren, activated his *Lay on Hands* to clear Seren's *Poisoned* condition, then attempted to retrieve his scimitar where it is stuck to the Spider Dragon, but failed to pull it free. Alaerith, seeing it was all done, then asked if they leave or continue, but with Yashani and Killian's reminder of the babies, who would later grow into what they just fought, with RX who tried to convince him the one he had grappled was friendly, and cast *Firebolt* on the one near Yashani, but missed, then activated *Metamagic : Quickened Spell* to recast *Firebolt*, but missed again.

Seren made his way over to Yashani, finished off the baby with his *Spiritual Weapon*, then approached RX, told him that the baby in his grasp was not friendly, and cast *Toll the Dead* as it withered away into dust. RX stared forlornly at it's remains, as Tabernacle asked Quincy if they have to get him a pet now, and Quincy replied she would get him a puppy or something. Combat was over as they quickly wiped out the last sac, and took a moment to recuperate.

### **Break!**

Darrin has a limited edition set of Kraken Dice to giveaway after the break!

* Ian clapped over break and shut down Darrin's system, oops!
* Congratulations to our giveaway winner is aydra!
* We are also hoping to soon make a q&a format show to do between episodes so be sure to send in your questions to anotherbsquest@gmail.com!

### **Part Two**

Killian and Yashani went to the Spider Dragon corpse to attempt to retrieve their weapons, with Kilian getting his scimitar back, and after a few attempts, Yashani getting her quarterstaff back, Quincy looked relieved to not be the one to have to kill RX's pet, then retrieved her dagger back from the first baby corpse. Seren approached RX and apologized for killing the baby, but explained it would never be a pet. Tabernacle soon came up and promised to get RX something new a pet when they are in town. Tabernacle also asked for RX's tinderbox, as he pulled out a pipe and lit it, and suggested they clear out the evidence of their win against the Spider Dragon, thinking it wouldn't be wise to show they are such capable people. Yashani agreed, not caring if the people knew or not if they did it, just that they were safe. With RX's help, Tabernacle began the lengthy process of cutting apart and stuffing the Spider Dragon's remains in the *Bag of Holding*.

Killian and Quincy peeled away to start searching for the exit Chuluu had mentioned, and found three tunnels along the back wall, covered in webs, clear signs that the Spider Dragon had made this place a nest and blocked these tunnels off, but Killian cast *Gust of Wind* to clear away the webs. While this went on, Seren looked around for any nesting place it might have stored treasure, as dragons would usually do, and found an alcove about five feet off the ground with mounds of webbing and rocks in a nested shape that sparkled a little. Seren took the time to carefully move the webs, then flagged down Yashani to help search through the nest, where they found to find two fairly intact diamonds, one flawed sapphire, and one flawless obsidian gem. Meanwhile Tabernacle and RX stuffed the *Bag of Holding* completely full of three quarters of the Spider Dragon, taking the sticky parts and carapace and left out the internal organs and such. Killian started to step down the tunnels they had discovered, Yashani noticed and pointed out that Chuluu offered to guide them when they needed him, so it was an unnecessary risk. Killian explained he didn't not trust Chuluu, but he trusted his own senses more, and determined that while the first two tunnels came to a dead end, the one of the far right did goes on further.

Once everyone but RX and Tabernacle, were finished with what they wanted to do, Seren cast *Tiny Hut,* creating a nice and safe place for the group to rest, and promptly took a nap. Tabernacle tried handing his pipe off to RX, but Quincy called out to admonish him for trying to teach him how to smoke. Tabernacle, while trying to talk to Seren, attempted to lean against the hut, not knowing how it worked and fell through the purple glow. He then prodded Seren awake to ask him for help identifying the poison sac from the dragon guts. Seren explained he couldn't leave the hut, so Tabernacle pushed the dragon innards inside prompting everyone to leave. Seren sighed as he dropped *Tiny Hut*, headed over to the guts, and at best was only able to narrow it down to four possible organs. Tabernacle then sniffed each, taking damage and promptly was *Poisoned* when he found the right one of the four.

Killian, who was in the moment of trying to commune with Avranti, activated his *Honor Crest* to replenish his *Lay on Hands* pool, and then used it up to cure Tabernacle's *Poisoned* condition. Tabernacle used his coat to wrap the organ he had identified, but noted that the organ started to eat through the coat, continually damaging Tabernacle, as he asked if everyone was ready to leave the cavern. RX offered to carry the organ in the coat since he was more resistant to poison. Tabernacle thanked him, and admitted that he knew they got off on the wrong foot, but believed responsibility makes a man, and dubs RX as the charge of the *Bag of Holding*. The party then left the cavern, and made their way back to their cart. Yashani commented on the current bloody appearance of some of the group and how unlikely they could sneak into the group. Alaerith, who had been quiet since the battle, got the groups attention, stood and cast *Prestidigitation* to clean them all up, then cast *Mending* to remove the scratches from RX's hand before he sat back down with his head down.

Quincy asked where Tabernacle and Alaerith went when they had come back to the *Church of Demigods* drunk, and after being asked a second time, Alaerith mentioned about the *Miner's Guild*, and pointed out it was not too far from where the were currently within the tunnel. Tabernacle commented on how talkative Alaerith was and how well he took his liquor, to Alaerith's displeasure who asked not to talk about liquor for the moment. Quincy said they should all get a drink, but Yashani replied that business should be done first. Quincy got Killian's support, and Tabernacle said he was buying her a round for blowing the brains out of the Spider Dragon. RX pointed out that they still had the Spider Dragon's poison sac wrapped in a coat. Seren said that he would not be joining them for a drink, but he hoped they hve fun. Quincy looked between Seren and Yashani, saying they could get business done now, but it was clear that Quincy would much rather go drinking. Yashani said that drinking would not help them make decisions. but Seren did note that celebration was valuable, and that those who weren't drinking could tend to business on their own, which Yashani agreed to. Tabernacle said they would bring them back something, and Yashani asked for something that tasted good. When Quincy offered a drink, Yashani clarified that she meant food, which Quincy understood. Alaerith suggested to Quincy and Killian to order the "Mine Special" if they were going, and when Tabernacle invited him to go with them, not even to drink, declined, but accepted of food being brought.

As Tabernacle, Quincy and Killian headed to the *Miner's Guild*, the rest headed to *Cutter's Shop*, with the cart and dragon organ in tow. When they arrived, they heard Masq working in the back of his shop. They began by asking if Masq had a better container for the poisonous organ, to his surprise in hearing that the Spider Dragon, but Masq admitted he didn't have anything that size, noting that the organ was a good four feet by three feet. Masq said that he didn't know much about creatures, but suggested that Councilman Malakami would, as he dealt with fungus and creatures in *The Underdark*, and they would likely find him in the *Hall of Emeralds*. Seren asked if this task was time sensitive to the organ spoiling, since they wanted to avoid it getting out they were the ones who slayed the Spider Dragon, and Masq told them it might survive a couple more days, but Yashani admitted she would rather get rid of it sooner rather than later.

Yashani asks Masq about the event that Aarcanii was blamed and banished for. Masq clarified that it was a cave in caused by the Spider Dragon and noted that the Aarcanii was blamed for bringing the creature there or even creating it. Yashani worried that if Aarcanii didn't bring or make it, and Nolania was too weak to, then Kelaa was it's bringer or sire, and would be angry at its demise, which Masq agreed with, and only encouraged the Yashani's thought of getting rid of the organ sooner. When asked, Masq told them that Councilmen Malakami saw Kelaa as an abomination, was not loyal to Kelaa, and unlikely to say anything to her if they were to approach him with the organ. Seren then showed Masq the gems they had found in the Spider Dragon's nest, and Masq told them that that obsidian was most useful, and could be put into a weapon or armor to either cause or resistance necrotic energy. Seren asked if it was similar to the *Spider Druid's Gemstone*, but was told that the gem was special, made in the instance that there was a strong connection between people. When asked if it could be enhanced, Masq did mention he had a new method he wished to try, but hadn't a chance to do it yet. Masq also told them that diamonds were good for the mind and made them more perceptive, while sapphires made your words "golden touched". They decided to put the conversation on hold till the others were there. Yashani then asked when a good time might be to visit the Councilmen. Masq said he would be in his garden right about now, and would be more discreet than the *Hall of Emeralds*. Masq gave them directions to his home a few streets away from the *Church of Demigods*, and the group leaves.

At the *Miner's Guild*, Tabernacle, Killian and Quincy enjoyed food and drinks. Quincy asked for a second serving of her "Mine Special" to go, and put it away in a container in her bag. Quincy then turned in her seat, told the other two she wanted to play a card game and looked for more players. As she looked across the tavern, having emptied out a bit since they arrived, she spotted a familiar looking woman in ornate plate, leather armor, sitting in a far corner. Quincy walked over and introduced herself with a handshake. The woman seemed bored, but gave as a half hearted shake and gave her name, Esmeria, in return. Quincy chatted with her for a bit, learning she was only interested in what she is paid to do and Quincy attempted to use this to convince her into a card game. Esmeria said she didn't deal in card games, but in people, and on the word people, Quincy noticed the look about her changed. She downed her flagon, stood, leaned in close to Quincy, and added

*"When I mean I deal in people, it means I watch them bleed"*

before leaving the tavern.

Tabernacle uses *Ob's Charm* to ask Quincy how it went, and Quincy admitted she was either really good. or really bad at flirting, because she believed Esmeria just threatened to kill her. Killian assured Quincy that Samara had threatened to kill him many times so it could be a good thing, but considering Quincy and this woman were not married there might be room for more concern. Tabernacle quickly tries to close his tab at the bar, taking out an envelope, reached out to get three gold, which Killian could read on it *Krapjess* on the front of it.

and simultaneously cast *Flock of Familiars* to send out three bats to try to follow Esmeria out of the bar. Killian cast *Disguise Self* to turn into a drow, and started to head out, Quincy tried to stop him first, reminding him of the death threat, and that she was also not capable of magical disguise. Tabernacle cast *Minor Illusion* on her, to make her look like what he thought a tiefling was, then cast *Invisibility* on himself as they all head out after Esmeria.

As the trio left the bar, they were all hit with a large attack, one after the other, being stabbed in the neck and left *Poisoned*. As Quincy began to drop to the ground from the assault, Esmeria appeared and caught her, licked up some of the blood from her neck and said

*"Told you I liked to watch them bleed...and bring everything to ruin"*

dropped her to the ground, and laughed maniacally as she disappeared into the dark.