The Bridge

The final landmark The Dread Pirate Robert gave them was a bridge. Hearing the water before they could see it, the party rounded a bend and found the bridge in front of them. The landscape was littered with several large boulders and small mounds of dirt. The bridge itself was 20 feet wide and had several gaping holes burned into it. It looked structurally sound.

Carefully approaching the bridge, Rudy investigated the boulders on the close side of the river and then began to slowly creep across the bridge. Before long, Ekeraath and Alexander had joined him there. The rest of the party approached the bridge but did not set foot onto it. Before they new what was happening, raising up out of the ground, on the far side of the bridge, 6 large spider-like reptilian creatures began to swarm the bridge. Raising up out of the ground behind them, 8 more swarmed the bridge and attack.

It was a mixture of Kruthik, from hatchlings, to young, to adults, they all attacked. The party was able to quickly deal with the hatchlings, but at the same time, a Hive Lord, spewing acid, burned a hole under Ekeraath and tried to climb through onto the bridge.

Combat turned ugly at this point as Kuppies was surrounded and taking damage. With the help of everyone, and his new found melee abilities, he was able to escape and receive some much needed healing. At the same time, Mara found herself separated from the group and racing to the far side of the bridge as the Hive Lord pursued her. Firing her bow with reckless abandon, she managed to hold the creature at bay while the rest of the party mopped up what was left and then helped to finish off the hive lord.

I have to admit, this encounter took a long time. I think it ran almost 1.5 hours. Of course, being the first one, it always takes longer. I will say that it did not drag. I thought the terrain and placement of the monsters kept things interesting and everyone engaged. Mental note...I need to come up with more of these.