A warm welcome

When you reach the cave, you see a small group of spiders standing sentry outside the entrance. As soon as they see you, one of them scurries inside. A moment later, he returns with Hrax, who comes forward to meet you. Dana smiles and steps forward as well. "Hrax, it's great to see you again," she says warmly. You're nonplussed at her sudden change of demeanor. Has she forgotten her bad mood already? "My Lady, My Lord," Hrax greets you, "Welcome to our new home. If you would please follow me inside, Blix has found something he wishes to share." You follow Hrax into the cave, only to be met with an ecstatic Blix as you enter. "Great One, how fortuitous that you have come! I was just about to send for you. We have made and amazing discovery!" Indeed? What may that be? you inquire. "Great One, it appears the Cave Troll had an immense treasure hoard, which it has left behind. We would be immensely pleased if you would accept it as tribute and thanks for all you have done." Ah, right. In your haste to secure the loot, you had "forgotten" to tell the spiders about it. It might have been a bit awkward if they had discovered and not decided to give it to you. Still, it looks like it doesn't really matter either way. If the spiders want to give to you as a gift, you're happy to let them, bless their little hearts. Words cannot describe how thankful I am for this generous gift, you respond. Dana gives you a searching look, but say nothing. May we see this hoard? you ask. "Of course, Great One. I shall show you myself," declares Blix.

Blix scuttles off deeper into the darkness, his enthusiasm giving him wings. Dana and you set off after him, Hrax at you side. While you follow Blix, you observe the caves around you; they seem unchanged from the last time you were here. There are no webs clinging to the walls or egg clutches littering ground, as you had expected there to be. The only thing new are the forest spiders that scurry past you, going about their business. Odd, you would have thought the place would have been filled with eggs, given the spiders' obsession with them. The lack of webbing is strange as well. Where are all your eggs? you ask Hrax. "We lay them on ledges further up the cliff face, where are they secure," he replies. Why not here in the caves you ask, still curious. "They do better in sunlight," Hrax says, "Though I will admit it would make bringing them water easier if they were in the caves." So the eggs require sunshine and water, just like plant seeds: interesting. You decide to shift topics slightly. Where are your webs? The hollow was covered in them. "We still spin them, but for now our efforts are contained to some of the deeper caverns," Hrax responds. You nod and continue walking. That makes sense, it must have taken years for the webbing in the hollow to accumulate.

Finally, you arrive in the main cavern. Here, something is different. Intricate patterns cover the walls and roof of the cave, formed from thin, green lines glowing with faint luminescent. Dana lets out an enchanted gasp at the sight. "It's beautiful..." Her eyes stare distantly at the designs above her, her face filled with delight. What are those? you ask surprised, They weren't here last time. "Those are our webs," explains Hrux, "Several of our number have decided to start experimenting with our spinning and weaving. Drux did not allow for such artistic sentiment before, but Blix does not care one way or another." An unfamiliar spider approaches you, "You are pleased, Great Ones?" it inquires. "Oh, yes!" exclaims Dana, looking back down at the new arrival, "They're amazing." "That is good to hear. It always nice for one's work to be appreciated." "You did this?" asks Dana. Hrax belatedly introduces the newcomer, "Thex is one of the leaders of this... movement." "Indeed," says Thex, "Some of us believe that there is more to life than mere function." This comment seems to be direct at Hrax, who doesn't even twitch at the comment. While Dana begins to question Thex more closely about his art, you walk over to the wall to examine the spiders' new web. The strands don't resemble web as much as they do slim, delicate plant runners, shining with soft, green light. You look at the designs above you. They are beautiful. It is the first time you've associated the spiders with something positive. It changes your outlook on them somewhat, makes them seem slightly less repulsive.

Blix has doubled back to see what the holdup is. "Ah, you have met Thex. Good, good. Come, come with me. Let me show you what we have found." Blix scurries forward, waiting or you impatiently.