Trout's Landing.

The Trap Master and the Chief stood in the Game Warden's cabin as the scouts returned as the sun began to dip behind the woods and mountains to the west of the lodge.

Everything seemed normal enough, the Trap Master thought as he checked their accounts to the maps and other information they had already. Some boar, deer, a couple of badger dens. Nothing that they weren't already aware might be in the area.

As they continued their reports, the Trap Master and Chief grew relaxed, perhaps they are finally away from danger for the time being. Then came a report of black bears. While not unexpected, the Trap Master wasn't thrilled with bears being in the area again. But at least they weren't owlbears. But something about the way the scouts gave their reports of the bears was strange.

"What aren't you telling us?" The Trap Master asked.

The scouts shuffled.

"The tracks looked fresh enough. But as we followed them to the den we started to notice something... strange."

"Strange how?" The Chief asked, worried they may have a problem that might require awaking Jeb.

"Webs. There were lots of spider webs as we neared what was supposed to be the bear dens."

"That shouldn't be anything to worry about. There are spiders in this world." The Chief said with a measure of relief.

"Can they spin webs as thick as our arms?"

That did it, the Trap Master and Chief both thought as they looked at one another with concern.

"Did you see what spun them?"

"No. The webbing got too thick and we didn't want to take the chance at getting caught in it. So we left."

"Perhaps we should awaken Master Jeb now?" The Chief asked.

"How far away were the webs?" The Trap Master asked as he looked to the scouts after a moment to think.

"A few miles. Along a stretch of the mountains to the north."

The Trap Master looked to the map and got a rough estimate of where they might be talking about. The spider den appeared to be far enough away that they wouldn't need to be dealt with right now. He would rather wait for daytime again anyway rather than try to dislodge giant spiders in the dark.

"Get some fires going towards the west. Keep a constant eye out. They may not be a problem to us right now but we'll have to deal with them soon before they are. We'll let Jeb sleep until morning, then we'll awaken him and go deal with the spiders." The Trap Master stated.

The scouts nodded before running out and getting to work setting up some firepits and lookouts. The Chief sighed.

"At least it's just giant spiders."

"Yeah, now we just have to deal with them before they get bad enough to claim the entire area. Especially if they've taken on a bear." The Trap Master said.

"Indeed. Will we be safe tonight?"

"We should. If their reports are accurate than we shouldn't have to worry. For now. But I'll stay awake and keep an eye on the woods just to be safe." The Trap Master stated as he looked over the maps again just to be sure.

"If you insist. But you should still get some sleep at least. It wont do the tribe any good if you're too tired to keep them safe."

"I will." The Trap Master answered as the Chief left him alone in the Game Warden's cabin.

The Trap Master was honestly kinda glad to have some sort of threat to prepare for. All day he'd been itchy and nervous as to what might be hiding so close to their new home. Now he had his answer. Giant spiders. From the reports they were as new to the area as the kobolds were. Maybe a little older if they had started to web up the woods near their den.

Nothing to worry about at present, he thought as he secured his gear and made for the edge of the woods where several skirmishers were setting up firepits. He can handle some large spiders well enough. They'll keep watch throughout the night and when morning came they'll take some torches and burn them out. Simple solution to a simple problem. He checked and double checked his Winchester as the skirmishers did the same. Keeping their eyes peeled for any movement within the woods as the last of the day trickled away into night.

The Chief looked around at the lodge while the Trap Master and the skirmishers kept watch. In just a day much has already been done, he thought. The central chamber for the underground section of their home is coming along nicely, fishing rotations have been formed and a steady supply of fish is making its way into bellies and onto smoking sticks to help preserve it for when winter comes and things start to grow scarce.

While utilizing the boats may have to wait until spring comes and the water warms, a few tweaks will be all it takes to outfit the canoes for the tribe to use. The fishing spears and traps have been invaluable in catching many meals for the tribe and they have welcomed the familiar diet they have missed for so long.

There has been talk about what to do about the fallen tree and the cabin it fell upon. But he would rather save that for when Jeb was awake as he may have a better, and safer, idea. Same with what was left of the metal fencing. Most of it will have to be melted down as it was either too rusted or broken to be of continued use as a sufficient barrier. Either Jeb will have an idea or the kobolds will make use of it for something.

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Hopefully they can get enough of the central chamber done and they can begin to make a forge chamber and other important dwellings. Like the toxin and poison chamber as well as the prospective underground fishery. With such an abundance of fish in the river, they can siphon off a portion to raise year-round underground and away from the cold.

While they haven't seen any in their part of the river, but having some turtles for their meat and shells would be useful. Especially if they're as large as the images depict them as. They could serve as excellent shields or armor! Perhaps when spring comes will they start to come out more. If not then perhaps they can travel up or down the river for a place that might have them.

Then there was the laying of the Den Mother's eggs, the Chief thought excitedly. The whole tribe was anxious to see them and the threat of existential doom faded away somewhat at the announcement. It was good for the tribe to once again feel they wouldn't be the last of their kind. But they would have to wait until the eggs hatch before that doom went away entirely. But at least they had high hopes now.

All in all, aside from the new reports of giant spiders in the area, their new home had great promise and potential! Far away from races that would seek to do them harm, away from cruel goblins, away from human government agents. This new area was perfect for the kobolds! Well, maybe not perfect, the Chief thought as he shivered and walked over to a firepit to warm himself up. If only it wasn't so cold, THEN it would be perfect! He was looking forward to when things heated up and they could devote more time to tunneling into the mountains and making this place a proper kobold warren!

The Chief watched as the hatchlings yawned and grew sleepy and were ushered towards the cabin that housed them and the other caretakers for the time being. While many will move below ground, especially as it grew colder, some would also stay within the cabins. At least until it grew too cold.

The salamanders, likewise, began to drag themselves for the warmth of the cabins as the sun faded from the sky and the lodge grew colder and colder. The firepits would be left to burn out until the morning when their embers would be fanned and renewed.

The rest of the tribe began to do the same. The heaters and generators went silent and cold as they retired away for the day, setting aside fishing poles and spears, picks and shovels were left behind as the tribe dragged themselves away towards the warmth and comfort of the cabins.

The Chief looked towards where the admin building sat dark and silent. Jeb had slept all day. The Den Mother practically did as well. He should check on them just to make sure, he thought as he left the warmth of the fire and made his way towards the building and through the dirty hallway before eventually arriving at the door of Jeb's room.

A push proved that the chair lock had been replaced. Putting his head to the door though, he could hear the soft snoring of Jeb and the Den Mother both within. He smiled and left the two, and their clutch, to sleep. Pulling his poncho closer, he made his way towards the cabin with the caretakers and hatchlings to check up on them.

The egg-maids were getting everyone situated and comfortable as well as replacing the firewood for the night. The cabin stirred as the Chief peeked in.

"Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, Chief. We are just settling in for the night."

"Good. I just checked in on the Den Mother." The Chief said.

"She's sleeping with Jeb." One of them stated.

"Then if there is nothing else then I will take my leave." The Chief said as he left when no-one spoke up.

He then made his way over to the cabin that the Trap Master stayed in last night. He opened the door and saw the same scene. Kobolds and salamanders alike getting ready to sleep as logs were replaced before retiring.

The Chief left them with much the same, telling them that the Trap Master was keeping watch tonight and would not be with them. Asking if there was anything they needed of him. But like the egg-maids and the others, they were content and so he left them to turn in.

Then he made his way over to the cabin he would be looking out for. As he opened the door he cast a glance at their home one last time before going inside and beginning the ritual of getting the fire going strong for the night before he joined the others in slumber.

-----

The black hunter spider skittered silently in the night. The nest had called to attention something nearby and the Broodmother wanted to find out what it was. So it was summoned to follow it, and determine if it was a threat or a treat. It melded with the shadows of the mountain as it skittered quickly and silently. With its many eyes it could see what was the likely culprit of the intrusion to their new realm.

A set of buildings surrounding a large tree sat beside a river. The hunter spider crawled across sheer faced stone and jagged edges with ease as it got closer. Barely shying away as a gust of wind brought smoke towards its position. Turning its many eyes towards the source, it could see small reptiles that walked on two legs.

While it had never had the pleasure of sinking its fangs into such creatures, the Broodmother spun and wove tales of facing such creatures deep within the darkness of their former lair where the bones of a mighty dragon were hung along with countless others that fell prey to the Broodmother's venom. It wanted to know what it felt like to sink fangs into scale like she once did. It inched closer as it descended down the mountain. The reptiles unaware that such a predator was lurking not far above them and was oh so ready to claim their lives!

But then it suppressed a shriek and shied away as it could sense some sort of hostile power nearby! There was something else here, it thought as its eyes turned to search out the culprit. The larger building, it thought as it skittered away without drawing the reptiles' awareness. It left the stony mountain and touched down quietly upon the grass before making its way up a fallen tree and across the roofs of the cabins nearby. It followed the feeling of power, searching for such a source that radiated hostility as it neared the reptiles yet now laid quiet once more.

It crawled silently to where the power came from, it could see a two-legged pale thing within. As well as another reptile that laid beside it. But the reptile wasn't the source of the power, the two-legged pale thing was. But it didn't look like it could produce such force of power!

Perhaps it was just a trick, it thought as it eyed the two figures within before turning its multi-eyed gaze towards where the reptiles watched the dark woods. It started to stalk towards them when it felt that feeling yet again descend upon it like a mighty boulder! It gave out an audible shriek that seemed to alert the nearby reptiles. Forcing it to skitter up the side of the building and the cover of the roof.

A handful of reptiles ran over with strange weapons in their claws, weapons that reminded it of the tough and hairy ones the nest used to feast upon. But these were different to its many eyes. The reptiles looked around warily for the shriek it gave off. Checking shadows, bushes, every which way they believed the hunter spider could've hid. But not above them. The fools, it thought. It would be so simple to descend upon them now and snatch them up with ease!

But it didn't as such thoughts began to draw the ire of whatever that power was again. It would not fail the Broodmother. So it waited patiently for the reptiles to grow tired of their search before they returned to their posts. They were oh so tempting for it. Slow and tired from the cold they were. The fire keeping their vision reliant on it. It would be SO simple to steal them away. Perhaps the Broodmother will allow it once it was done investigating the power it felt.

So it crawled down the side and turned once more to the figures within the building, and it could feel that something was different about the pale two-legged creature. Something that was protective of the reptiles and apparently had some sort of hidden power that would ensure their protection. Every time a hungry thought turned towards the reptiles it would begin to feel a hostile pressure. Something that was growing and getting stronger.

The hunter spider didn't want to know what that was, only the Broodmother had the eyes and knowledge to discern such things. She would be more than interested in what it had found. Of the reptiles and the strange two-leg both. So it skittered silently away. Past the cabins that it could sense held more reptiles within, and up the shadows of the mountains and past the reptiles that were ignorant to its presence.

It headed back to the den that they had claimed from the large furred thing that the others liked to torment. Then down the cavern that the burrowers had dug and past the form of the furred thing that the others loved to torment, waiting for the right moment to drain its life away. It skittered down deeper into the dark, passing other spiders big and small until arriving at a large cavern lit by a series of little mirrors with the barest of moonlight.

It skittered eagerly up towards the Broodmother. It hissed and clicked its mandibles as it relayed to her what it had found. The Broodmother picked up a tarantula the size of a dog in her pale blue hands and stroked it lovingly as the hunter spider weaved its tale. The Broodmother chuckled, a sound that echoed sinisterly throughout the spider nest before speaking in a smooth as silk voice that caused all the spiders nearby to chatter.

"So we have neighbors do we? Protected by something powerful? How delicious!~"

It had been such a long time since she last had guests, she thought as she petted the tarantula. She hoped she could play a proper hostess once again and MUST get ready! It would not do for such an important being to be greeted in such a rough state as her new home was currently in! The caverns needed more webbing and bones and her spiders must be ready to properly entertain their guests!

"My my so many things to do!" She chittered excitedly as she sent her brood scattering to get ready for when their new neighbors will surely arrive!