How do you think?

The walk to spiders' home allows Dana to acclimate to the waking world. By the time you arrive, she is fully awake, though perhaps not happy about that fact. "You couldn't have waited 'til later to talk to the spiders?" Dana asks petulantly. Nope, you reply, as you set her down, Time is of the essence. We have to act now. She gives a grudging snort.

Blix and Hrax are waiting for you at the cave mouth, and Blix moves forward to welcome you. "Greetings, Great One. We have been waiting for you." This catches you off guard. It didn't take a genius to figure out that you would be coming to speak with them about last night, but Blix makes it sound as though he knew you were coming. "You have?" you ask. "Of course! We have been waiting since our sentries alerted us to your approach. We must discuss this... this... this atrocity! How could Drux do this?!" You're surprised at Blix's horror. Was he truly surprised that Drux would do something this? You hadn't seen it coming, but in the aftermath, this attack makes perfect sense; Drux would never attack you head on if he could stab you in the back instead.

Are all the eggs alright? you inquire. This time it is Hrax who responds, "Indeed, they are fine. Hopefully, they will hatch soon. In the meantime, we have tripled the guard around them." Hrax words are sharp and abrupt. For a moment you think he is angry with you, then you realize who he is truly upset with: himself. He is obviously not surprised as Hrax is, and feels he should have prevented Drux's actions from occurring. You can empathize. You knew Drux wasn't going to take the forest spiders departure lying down; you should have been preparing for this fight. "Come," Hrax continues, "We should continue this discussion inside." You follow the two spiders through the cave system into the main cavern.

The space is packed with spiders. They swarm as a teeming mass, covering every inch. Pressed for space, some spiders have even taken to the walls or ceiling. It looks like almost all of them are here. Good, it's always easier to convince a crowd than a person, especially when it's already riled up. With any luck, you'll be able to convince them to go on the offensive.

You turn to Blix. May I speak? you ask politely. "Of course, Great One." He moves aside as you step forward to address the assembly. My friends, last night we were viciously betrayed without cause or provocation. Not only did Drux attempt to destroy **your eggs, he also launched an attack on my Lair in an effort to kill me as well. Both times thanks to the heroism of those present, he was successfully repulsed. However, we must respond. We cannot allow actions such of these to be permitted. We must send Drux a clear message that treachery such as this will not** be tolerated.

You pause briefly to gauge the spiders' reaction. It's hard for you to read their body language, but you think you see quite a few of them bobbing in agreement. You continue, _Drux has shown his true colors: he will stop at nothing to destroy us. We must answer in kind. We must attack, in order to ensure nothing like this ever happens again._You're **** to break off as the chamber erupts with raucous cheering.

After the cheering dies away, you continue, changing topics slightly "What Drux has done is unforgivable, but just as unforgivable is the crime committed by those who continue to follow him. They sat there and did nothing**, as Drux and his cronies conspired to betray their brothers and destroy eggs, something that no true spider would ever let happen! They share in Drux's guilt, and they should share in his sentence. Not only must we punish Drux, we must punish every single spider who aided and abetted in this unspeakable act! We must launch a full out **** on Drux's and his follower, and wipe them out today!**" You step back to watch the effect of your words.

Your speech sends the crowd into a tizzy, with spiders whispering and murmuring to each back and forth. A voice speaks out, "All of them? Surely they didn't all know about the attack?" "Don't be a fool!" another spider, who you recognize as Thex, replies, "Of course they all knew. How could they not?" The exchange sparks off an argument that quickly engulf the entire cavern.

You sit back and let them "discuss" the issue. From what you're able to tell a slight majority supports your plan, with the rest fairly evenly split between outright opposition and uneasy uncertainty. As the debate continues, the noise begins to swell until it floods the entire cave. You can barely hear yourself think. Then, you hear a low, throbbing hum that cuts through the sea of sound. It isn't loud, but it seems to emanate from everywhere, with deep notes that makes your bark buzz.

Eventually, the noise drains away, and Hrax steps away from the wall. You realize it was him making that humming; he'd been plucking a strand of webbing like a string. Had the spiders designed it to do that? Hrax moves forward to speak, "Enough! This arguing gains us nothing. We shall vote. Those who agree with the Great One's proposal shall go up. Those who do not, will stay on the ground."

With that, he makes his way to the wall and starts climbing up. He is quickly followed by Thex and what you assume to be, his fellow artisans. More spiders start streaming upwards. You're surprised to see Blix still on the ground swaying back and forth, presumably undecided. However, he eventually makes his way over to the wall and begins to ascend as well. A quick look over the cavern is enough to show the results: you won.