C8.
This is part of the #Dungeon23 challenge in which you make one room to a dungeon every day for a year. In an effort to link my memories to the creation, I am also writing a personal journal entry with each room that may or may not be related.
You don’t have to read that part.
C8.
The ceiling and floor of this room is covered in many rock formations, making it difficult to walk around freely.
In the middle of the room connected to the stalagmites and stalactites is large network of silvery threads. Through the shadows you can make out the form of a giant spider, sitting in the complex webbing.
Immediately you see it jerk about, perhaps aware of your presence.
What do you do?
The spider isn’t real. A keen eye may recognize the spider is a crude effigy made of sticks, stones, and bits of other furry animals.
The real spider is lurking in the shadows on the ceiling, moving the fake one like a puppeteer. It’s still a large spider, but it built this one to scare off the many predators on this level, such as the Visceranga. And the Butazwein. This also gives the real spider an opportunity to get a read on the creatures that enter, and determine whether or not they are “on the menu.”
Sculptinid
Can create sculptures of spiders that can fool other creatures in poor lighting conditions.
Attacks when it feels it has an advantage. Won’t bother with stronger creatures.
Webbing is strong and durable. Can be harvested for thread. Maybe for a rope. Maybe for a special weave for a tunic. You figure it out.
From the east you can hear the sound of rushing water.
3/8/23
Did I get the idea for this creature from an actual spider found in this Smarter Every Day Video?
Yeah.
Hopefully it creates a fun sequence. To the west is slide room and to the east is the snail bridge.
I like it when encounters don’t feel isolated to the room. I want encounters to change across the environment. It seems so dull for combat encounters to be confined to the room they start in. It often bothers me when combat feels like it happens in a bubble, where nothing outside of the room can hear you fighting fifteen goblins.
For D&D players - fireball shouldn’t be a quiet spell that doesn’t attract attention. It’s a fireball. There should be a sound - people screaming in fear- the woosh of a sudden ball of flame - the smell of burning… everything.
So I’m hoping to create circumstances in the environment that will encourage players to alter the playing field. I don’t know if I’m succeeding but it’s a goal, certainly.
…
Also, we watched the newest episode of Attack On Titan. I’ll surely discuss this more in depth in the future, but I love this show. I think it’s one of the best stories ever told. They could always fuck it up in the end - but, based on the direction they’re moving in, I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.
See you tomorrow.
-jae
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