Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: DracoOmega on June 21, 2011, 02:06:30 AM
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>You are Nazrin, a newly inducted member of the Seeker's Guild. It's your third day on the job and you've already had a few misadventures.
>You found and retrieved a cat for a witch named Ellen, and were rewarded handsomely for your efforts. You found two stay cats for a group of fairies to adopt as pets. You got into a fight with an oni who was attacking a man outside a restaurant, and assisted Orange in arresting her. You found and delivered a lost fruit shipment to the Melon Bowl in Braston, retrieving it from Cirno, a self-styled swordsman who had driven its rightful owner off in the name of defending her fellows from harm. In the process, you met another fairy named Honeysuckle Dewdrop and adopted her as a sidekick of sorts, with the promise that some day she might be experienced enough to be a sidekick to Cirno. You left her the tutelage of Marisa, who promised to at least try and teach her a few things.
>You've now returned to Easthaven to investigate a series of cattle disappearances there. You are currently in pasture land north of the village, questioning Takashi, the farmer most recently hit by these disappearances.
>"Alright, that will be fine."
>"It was out towards the hills over there." He points to some of the ones in the distance to the northeast. "You can't really see the spot from here. The ground kinda rises up in-between. There's a little stream down there on the other side of one of the slopes. I was driving the lot of them towards it from further north and one of them was gone by the time we got there. I don't know how I could have missed it."
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>"Is that ground that others often use?"
>Look where he is pointing, can we see what he's talking about?
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>"Is that ground that others often use?"
>Look where he is pointing, can we see what he's talking about?
>"A few do, yeah," he says. "Although that's not the only place they've disappeared from, either."
>You look where he's pointing. There are large hills in the distance, towards the forested area beyond the grasslands. There are also some much more gentle ones on the way there which could be potentially hiding a stream on their other side. You wouldn't be able to tell from here.
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>"'Not the only place'"?"
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>"'Not the only place'"?"
>"Well, er, I don't know for sure where all the others were when theirs went missing, but I'm pretty sure they weren't all over at that one spot. Some people were a lot further west than that, anyway. Or said they were, anyway."
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>Are we familiar with the area he's referring to?
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>Are we familiar with the area he's referring to?
>Not intimately, but you think you could find it generally. Now, whether this was the specific spot he was referencing would be harder to tell.
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>Well, one location at a time.
>Look over Takashi's cows, see if they're all wearing cowbells.
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>Well, one location at a time.
>Look over Takashi's cows, see if they're all wearing cowbells.
>Looking over the cows, a couple of them seem to have cowbells, but most do not.
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>"Tell me something, Takashi. Your missing cows, were they wearing cowbells? Or any of the other cows, for that matter?"
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>"Tell me something, Takashi. Your missing cows, were they wearing cowbells? Or any of the other cows, for that matter?"
>"Cowbells?" He gives you a strange look. "Uh... I don't think so, no. I wouldn't have a clue about any of the others. Um... why?"
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>"You'd be surprised how often that sort of thing can be helpful."
>"Any distinctive items at all, like collars, or anything?"
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>"You'd be surprised how often that sort of thing can be helpful."
>"Any distinctive items at all, like collars, or anything?"
>He nods dubiously. "Uh, I guess."
>"Well, they're branded, of course," he says. "Other than that... more or less the same as anyone else's, really."
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>'Mobile seared cow hide' isn't the sort of thing we can douse for, is it?
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>'Mobile seared cow hide' isn't the sort of thing we can douse for, is it?
>Seared or not, cow hide is still cow hide. It doesn't have a structural resonance that you can dowse in any useful fashion.
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>Presumably, we also cannot dowse for cows?
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>Presumably, we also cannot dowse for cows?
>Not from any great distance. If you were fairly close to them, you would probably be able to sense something vague like 'large organic fleshy thing', but flesh in general lacks good structural resonance to dowse for.
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>What about any sort of minerals or whatever that they may have in them?
>Like iron fragments left over from branding, or stray metals they may have consumed inadvertently?
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Very clever.
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>What about any sort of minerals or whatever that they may have in them?
>Like iron fragments left over from branding, or stray metals they may have consumed inadvertently?
>While there are undoubtedly trace quantities of elements you could detect present in the cows, these same elements would be present in similar trace quantities in all manner of things in the environment itself. It would be impossible to differentiate signal from noise without a marked difference in the density or distribution of these elements from one spot to the next.
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>What about their bones? Can we try to dowse for those?
Hey, at this point I'm just shooting in the dark now.
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Still, clever shots.
If it doesn't work, my plan would be to head out to where the cows dissapeared and see if we can find some mice to interrogate, cuz I'm not sure we can get much more out of Takashi here.
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>What about their bones? Can we try to dowse for those?
>Bone does have characteristic mineral content, but much of its structure is still organic and the minerals themselves don't resonate nearly as clearly as things like, say, iron or gold. This is further compounded by them being encased in flesh, which effectively serves to muffle the resonances. Still, a cow is a large animal, with a commensurately large skeletal structure. If you focused and attuned yourself to this specifically, you might be able to detect them from a longer range than simply looking for the cows themselves. Searching for them in this fashion would require considerable time and concentration, however.
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We definitely want to question some meeses. Some of them were probably awake when things went down. So the trick would be to find where most of the overnight disappearances happened, since they's be more active then.
>"What other kinds of places have the cows been vanishing, anyways? And at what time?"
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>"What other kinds of places have the cows been vanishing, anyways? And at what time?"
>"Usually evening," he says. "Well, mostly, anyway. I heard there's been one or two during the day, now. At least I think so. And I don't know where they disappeared from any better than what I already told you. A lot of them out that way," he gestures broadly northward. "Some of them not so far out. I think one was over by the river...."
>You believe you know the river he's referring to. It frames part of the grasslands to the northwest, out towards the forest. Much of it runs through the forest itself, in fact.
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All for investigating the forest?
I have a feeling we'll find out what's behind the cows vanishing if we search there.
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Going northward and questioning the local meeses is probably the best idea.
>"Alright, you've been a big help, Takashi. Could you tell me where you live, in case I have to ask more questions this evening?"
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>"Alright, you've been a big help, Takashi. Could you tell me where you live, in case I have to ask more questions this evening?"
>"Oh, uh, sure," he says. "It's in the row off northeast of the inn. Blue shutters, with a little flower bed under the front window. My wife's got daffodils planted there this year."
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>"Thanks. I've got a hunch, and if it's right, I might just be able to crack this open. Keep an eye on your cows in the meantime."
>Head toward the river to the north at Takashi indicated.
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>"Thanks. I've got a hunch, and if it's right, I might just be able to crack this open. Keep an eye on your cows in the meantime."
>Head toward the river to the north at Takashi indicated.
>"You do?" he says. "I mean, great! And don't worry, I'm not letting them out of my sight." There's a certain irony in this statement, as you're pretty certain that he can't see half his herd at the moment, distracted as he is facing you.
>You head off towards the river. It's a fair trek, across more gently sloping hills and valleys. You pass a scattered few clusters of cows, although they get decidedly thinner as you go further north. The uppermost extent of the grasslands is nearly bare; it's quite probable that people have been pulling back from the edges, if most of the disappearances have happened there. Eventually you reach the bank of the river.
>The river runs along a considerable length of the western boundary of the pastureland and Takashi gave no indication along which part of it the disappearance occurred. This leaves quite a bit of ground to cover if you want to search the area. The river itself is fairly shallow and not terribly wide, though the current does get brisk in places. On the other side of it, clusters of trees rise up, swiftly becoming dense forest as you travel inward. Further to the north, the forest swallows the river on both sides as the grassland gives way to trees across most of its northern edge.
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>Start looking around for mice haunts.
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>Start looking around for mice haunts.
>You start looking around for signs of mice. It doesn't take you too long to locate a small burrow, sheltered under a rock a short distance from the river.
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>Approach quietly.
>"Anybody home in there?"
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>Approach quietly.
>"Anybody home in there?"
>You approach the burrow and squeak a disarming greeting into it. There is no reply. Of course, there's also a good chance that if the occupant is inside, it's currently asleep - mice tend to be nocturnal, particularly so in the wilder areas. You could probably roust it if you tried to.
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>What sort of foodstuffs does we have onhand?
>"Hey, wake up."
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>What sort of foodstuffs does we have onhand?
>"Hey, wake up."
>Given that you polished off the last of the pie with Honey yesterday, all you have left are your traveling rations: mostly beef jerky, hard cheese, and dry crackers.
>You attempt to wake up the occupant. Eventually you get a tired sort of 'Huh?' from inside the burrow.
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>Tear off a bit of cracker and leave it by the burrow.
>"Hey, sorry to wake you. But I need to know some things."
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>Tear off a bit of cracker and leave it by the burrow.
>"Hey, sorry to wake you. But I need to know some things."
>You tear off a piece of a cracker and leave it by the burrow.
>"Is there trouble?" he asks, poking his head out slightly. "Ahh! You're huge! So many huge things!"
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>"Trouble for the bigjobs. I'm fixing it, and they give me food. You can have some, too."
>Let him sniff at the cracker bits.
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>"Trouble for the bigjobs. I'm fixing it, and they give me food. You can have some, too."
>Let him sniff at the cracker bits.
>"Lots of scary things lately!"
>He sniffs at the cracker bits for a moment, then moves up and starts to nibble on them.
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>"What kind of scary things, friend?"
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>"What kind of scary things, friend?"
>"Big scary things," he says, between nibbles. "Big scary things that grab the big not-scary things."
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>"What did they look like, besides big?"
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>"What did they look like, besides big?"
>"Fast. Shorter than the not-scary things."
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>"Did they look like me?"
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>"Did they look like me?"
>"Nope. You don't move like they do. You smell like mouse. They smelled like bad things. Things you're not supposed to eat."
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>"What were the not bad big things? The moo jobs?"
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>"What were the not bad big things? The moo jobs?"
>You try to pin down if the big not-scary things were cows. This is just a little tricky, since mice tend not to distinguish too specifically among creatures that are of little concern to them, but from his responses, you're reasonably certain that's what he means.
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>"What were the bad things doing to them? And how many bad things were there?"
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>"What were the bad things doing to them? And how many bad things were there?"
>"They crawled on them and did something weird and took them away. More than one big scary thing."
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I'm tellin' yalls, it's Them.
>"Do you have any friends who've watched them?"
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> Do we know of any feral youkai that may act like this?
> "So there were more than one?"
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>"Do you have any friends who've watched them?"
>"Not sure," he says.
> Do we know of any feral youkai that may act like this?
> "So there were more than one?"
>You don't specifically know of any, but it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility for one to prey upon cattle. It isn't a traditional problem around these parts, but new youkai can be born under all kinds of circumstances. Now, several of them working together on the other hand is a bit more unusual...
>It squeaks an affirmation. "More than one. Sometimes together, sometimes not."
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>Stroke his back, if we think he'd like that. "Where do your friends live?"
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>Stroke his back, if we think he'd like that. "Where do your friends live?"
>A wild mouse is likely unaccustomed to being touched like that, so refrain for the moment. Besides, he's still busily munching away on the cracker.
>"Around. There's a mouse on the other side of that little hill."
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>"Thanks, friend. Sorry to have woke you up."
>Presuming he has nothing shocking to say, go check for that other mouse.
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>"Thanks, friend. Sorry to have woke you up."
>Presuming he has nothing shocking to say, go check for that other mouse.
>"Food is good. No danger is good. It's all ok."
>You walk over towards the small hill behind you - really, it's more of a bump - and search around for another burrow. This one is a little better concealed than the last, but it still doesn't take you long to locate it when you apply yourself.
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>Kneel down beside it. "Hello in there! Can you come out for a bit?"
>Prepare another cracker.
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>Kneel down beside it. "Hello in there! Can you come out for a bit?"
>Prepare another cracker.
>You kneel down and call out to the mouse, while readying another cracker.
>After a moment, it pokes its head out. "What's going on?" it asks, somewhat skittishly.
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>"Just some questions about the big bad things that came through here. Can you tell me about them?"
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>What did the first mouse mean by the capturers talking about 'things you're not supposed to eat?' Was it more 'something that's dangerous to try and get' or 'something that's poisonous?' Or was it unclear?
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>"Just some questions about the big bad things that came through here. Can you tell me about them?"
>"Big bad things? What big bad things?"
>He sniffs at the cracker in your hand.
>What did the first mouse mean by the capturers talking about 'things you're not supposed to eat?' Was it more 'something that's dangerous to try and get' or 'something that's poisonous?' Or was it unclear?
>You think it's much more the latter. If not strictly poisonous, then something which is intrinsically bad to eat.
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>Describe the big, scary, bad-smelling things.
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>"You'd see them with the moo jobs, I think."
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>Describe the big, scary, bad-smelling things.
>As best we can though, given the vague info we got earlier.
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>Describe the big, scary, bad-smelling things.
>As best we can though, given the vague info we got earlier.
>A lot of detail that you could put into words for a humanoid audience is lost in translation in either direction. You do your best to put the description in terms the mouse could understand.
>"Oh! I've smelled one!" it squeaks.
>"You'd see them with the moo jobs, I think."
>"They weren't here then. They were elsewhere. Just the bad-smelling thing. It was moving."
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>"The bad smelling thing was moving? Which way?"
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>"The bad smelling thing was moving? Which way?"
>"That way."
>He indicates north-northwest.
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>"Was it coming or going?"
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>"Was it coming or going?"
>"Going."
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>"What did it smell like, besides bad?"
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>"What did it smell like, besides bad?"
>"It smelled sorta like the little things that smell like it, only more. The little things, that move up and down the grass."
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Sounds like insects, but how to express it properly....
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My thoughts exactly.
Just for fun, I'm calling giant ladybug. Either that, or Wriggle.
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Sounds like insects, but how to express it properly....
I was thinking it was insects too. Since the mouse said they climb on the grass, I'm inclined to think Ants.
...Ant Youkai...That's kinda scary. :ohdear:
As for phrasing it....Since cows are moojobs, what do you think insects/ants would translate to?
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Food? Given mice eat pretty much anything, I can't imagine they'd turn down bugs. But who knows?
Also, it's still totally Them.
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Hmm.....Bugjobs maybe? ???
Yeah I got nothing.
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I think it depends on the bug. I imagine mice won't eat anything that they know to be poisonous, and certain bugs certainly are. On the other hand, some bugs aren't, either.
Perhaps.... "Little food with more legs than you."?
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Just little guys with all the legs ought to do.
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Let's give that a bash, then.
I just hope you're wrong about Ants, Hanzo. That's just made of creepy.
>"You mean the little things with all the legs?"
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>"You mean the little things with all the legs?"
>"Yeah, one of those," he squeaks. "Except bigger!"
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I doubt it, my mom's specialty in school was entomology, so she made it a point to teach me a lot about insects.
But I hope I'm wrong too. Looks like I was right afterall?
Also as an aside, since this just hit me despite it being completely unrelated to our business.
>How many guilders does an Angel-food Cake go for?
No I have not been stuffing my face with angel-food cake all day, no sirree. :V
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Oh, peachy. Giant ants. Should've brought Marissa.
>"Well, thanks."
>Give the little guy some nibbles for his troubles.
>Proceed north northwest.
>Keep one hand on a kunai, just in case.
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>How many guilders does an Angel-food Cake go for?
>You think the bakery you visited the other day were selling cakes for 4 or 5 guilders.
>"Well, thanks."
>Give the little guy some nibbles for his troubles.
>Proceed north northwest.
>Keep one hand on a kunai, just in case.
>"Sure!"
>You drop the cracker piece onto the ground near the mouse, and without further ado, he scampers up and starts to munch on it.
>You proceed in the direction the mouse indicated, keeping a kunai in hand. Soon enough you arrive back at the river, although quite a bit north of your first visit. There doesn't appear to be anything obviously out of place here. It actually looks fordable at this point, though, if you were careful. There are some smooth rocks cresting the surface and the current is relatively gentle.
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Wait, why'd we leave before asking for more details? Like, how much bigger, and if there were any particularly smart mice around, or if it knew which way they went in particular?
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Uh.... Because none of that occured to me. Sorry.
If you wanted to, ignore what I said, Draco, until Purvis is done his interrogation.
Edit: Oh, never mind, he went to bed. Oh well. Anyone else want to go back and grill Whiskers some more or just continue on here?
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>No indentations in the ground indicicating a large something passing by?
>Do the stones appear to have been placed in their current positions purposefully?
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>No indentations in the ground indicicating a large something passing by?
>Do the stones appear to have been placed in their current positions purposefully?
>There are signs of the ground having been disturbed in the area, although little in the way of distinct trails or obvious footprints. If anything happened here more than a few days ago, it's quite possible rains could have washed away the most distinct signs of it.
>They show no sign of being another other than a natural phenomenon. There are similar rocks here and there along the river, although not usually quite so many in one spot. However, they're not lined up in a suspicious fashion, and crossing would still require care and zig-zagging.
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>Hop, skip, and a jump across the river
kwai before us.
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>Hop, skip, and a jump across the river kwai before us.
>You make your way across the river, carefully stepping from rock to rock and sometimes making a small jump where the distance is too far to simply walk across. Some of the rocks are a little slick, but others poke out of the water far enough to be mostly dry. You manage to make it to the other side without getting soaked.
>You are on the edge of the wood, thick conifers rising up densely nearly at the bank of the river. You are unable to peer very deep inside before your sight lines are crowded out by trees. A think woody scent hangs in the air.
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>Does there appear to be any mouse hideouts in the vicinity?
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>Does there appear to be any mouse hideouts in the vicinity?
>You don't see any right by the bank of the river, but there are undoubtedly plenty of mice living in the forest, if you went and looked around for one.
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>Proceed into the forest.
>Keep an ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
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>Proceed into the forest.
>Keep an ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
>You proceed into the forest without a particular direction in mind. The light dims around you as you walk deeper beneath the thick canopy and soon the river is visible through little more than the occasional gap in the trees behind you.
>As you walk, you keep your ears peeled for anything out of the ordinary. Of course, most of what you hear is very ordinary: the sound of birds and insects (of the mundane variety), and perhaps a few squirrels and other small creatures. You don't notice any mice about at the moment, but that's not unusual for this time of day.
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>Search for: Detectable mouse hideouts, tracks that do not conform to any 'standard' animal, heavy insect activity.
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>Search for: Detectable mouse hideouts, tracks that do not conform to any 'standard' animal, heavy insect activity.
>You search about the woods, looking for a variety of things which might be serve as clues. You see no obviously out of place tracks, although the terrain here is not ideal for preserving them. You see no unusually heavy insect activity, at least no more than you would expect out in the woods. There's certainly no shortage of flies about...
>While you find neither of the above in a few minutes of casting about, you do locate another mouse burrow, sheltered underneath a fallen log.
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>Alright, someone else to interrogate.
>"Anybody home in there?"
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>Alright, someone else to interrogate.
>"Anybody home in there?"
>It does seem possible.
>You call out, but there is no immediate response.
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>Rap on the log a couple times.
>"Wake up, I need some answers."
>Break off another bit of cracker, just in case.
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>Rap on the log a couple times.
>"Wake up, I need some answers."
>Break off another bit of cracker, just in case.
>You rap on the log and call out again. You get a somewhat startled squeak from inside, in response.
>"What!?" it responds, sounding just a little alarmed.
>You take out another cracker and break off a piece.
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>"Calm down, I'm a friend. In fact, I have food."
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>"Calm down, I'm a friend. In fact, I have food."
>"Food?" it repeats. It still doesn't poke its head out.
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>Scared the poor little guy, didn't we.
>"Food. Come on out, there's nothing bad around."
>Sniff the air for any predators in the vicinity.
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>Scared the poor little guy, didn't we.
>"Food. Come on out, there's nothing bad around."
>Sniff the air for any predators in the vicinity.
>Whether you scared him or not, he does seem quite skittish.
>You try to reassure him. Just as you're about to assume he's not coming out, his head tentatively pokes into view. You see him sniff in your direction.
>You take a sniff, yourself. Most of the scents around here seem quite normal and nonthreatening: the usual complement of trees, plants, and forest creatures. Nothing nearby which you'd expect would spook the mouse.
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>Offer him the biscut bit.
>"Have you smelled any cowjobs out this way?"
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>Offer him the biscut bit.
>"Have you smelled any cowjobs out this way?"
>You offer him the piece of cracker. He moves out just far enough to snatch it back beneath the shelter of the log before he starts to nibble at it.
>"Any what?"
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>Try and describe a cow to him in terms he might understand. Or at least would recognize if any of them have passed by this way.
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>Try and describe a cow to him in terms he might understand. Or at least would recognize if any of them have passed by this way.
>You do your best to find a way to describe cows that he understands, although you continue not to get any real sense of recognition from him. It's quite possible that, living in the forest as he is, he's never seen any. However, focusing on the 'large' concept does get a reaction from him. He's seen things like that moving back and forth here recently. You get the impression they weren't cows, though...
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>"What did they smell like?"
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>"What did they smell like?"
>"Like bad stuff," he says. "Stuff you can't to eat because it's bad. They were big and scary and fast. But they didn't see me - I stayed out of sight."
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>"Clever guy."
>"Which way did they go?"
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>"Clever guy."
>"Which way did they go?"
>"Hiding is good," he says. "It's bad to be caught by the big things."
>"They go around. Sometimes that way, sometimes this way. More of them are that way." He indicates roughly northward.
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>Does that seem to be more or less in line with the directions we got from the last mouse?
>"Were the big things bigger than me?"
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>Does that seem to be more or less in line with the directions we got from the last mouse?
>"Were the big things bigger than me?"
>Somewhat. The previous mouse indicated more westward than this one did. Both had a fairly sizable northward component, though.
>"Different big," he says. "Less tree-like big. More rock-like big."
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I'm not sure what that means, but I'm beginning to wonder about that ants theory now.
>"More legs than you?"
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>"More legs than you?"
>"Maybe? I don't know. But they were big."
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Well, I got nothing else to ask this little guy.
>"Thanks. You can go back to sleep now."
>Head in the direction this mouse indicated. Quietly. Don't want to disturb anything big and nasty at this point.
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the farther we get to the worse of this the worse this is sounding to me. this however dose not sound like ants to me.
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>"Thanks. You can go back to sleep now."
>Head in the direction this mouse indicated. Quietly. Don't want to disturb anything big and nasty at this point.
>"Sure," he squeaks, continuing to munch on the cracker.
>You head northward, making an effort to move quietly. For all the ominous information you've been given, the trip is remarkably... mundane. Were you not expecting something unpleasant, the environment would give you no cause to suspect such. You carry on in this fashion for another 15 minutes or so, keeping an eye out for unusual trails or anything else which stands out. There are several places where the ground may have been disturbed by something large, but the markers are indistinct; you cannot be certain that it was such a creature, let alone what kind of creature it was. Really, it could be caused by any number of things. You're probably overreaching...
>Eventually, you become aware of a new scent among the wood. Something... faintly unpleasant, although it's very vague and you cannot say what it is.
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>Hold our position.
>Determine the direction the scent is coming from.
>How quickly can we climb a tree unaided?
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>Hold our position.
>Determine the direction the scent is coming from.
>How quickly can we climb a tree unaided?
>You stop moving.
>It's almost too vague to be certain. North-ish... probably somewhat to the east.
>That depends on the kind of tree and how obligingly arrayed its branches are. With a sturdy tree and good branches, you could climb it very quickly indeed if you put your mind to it. Sadly, the majority of trees in this area are stocky conifers, many of which have either spindly branches that would struggle to support your weight, or lack branches along most of the lower parts of their trunks entirely. There are a few that are more suitable, though not ideal. Still, you could probably make it up one of those fairly quickly, if you had to.
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>Which direction is the wind blowing? Is it possible to move in the direction of that scent while staying downwind to it at all times?
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>Which direction is the wind blowing? Is it possible to move in the direction of that scent while staying downwind to it at all times?
>There's very little wind at the moment, but what there is seems to be blowing roughly west. Since the sent is somewhere northeast-ish, this would put you downwind of it at the moment. But the breeze is so faint that you can't be confident it will stay that way.
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>Good enough for now then.
>Move in a northeasterly direction, keeping cover behind trees as much as possible.
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>Good enough for now then.
>Move in a northeasterly direction, keeping cover behind trees as much as possible.
>You decide that's good enough, and head in the direction of the scent, attempting to keep cover as best you can while you go. This is perhaps not too useful without knowing for certain where whatever you're trying to keep cover from is, but you do try to keep a low profile as you move forward. The scent grows more pronounced as you proceed, although it remains hard to place. It smells somehow... acrid.
>Aside from the smell, which you're fairly confident would be too faint at this point for humans to detect, the forest continues to look normal.
>As you move past another tree, something catches your eye: a piece of a dense white fibrous substance, caught on the edge of a low-lying branch.
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>Pause. Swallow. Then have a closer look.
>Does that substance appear to be spider's silk?
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>Pause. Swallow. Then have a closer look.
>Does that substance appear to be spider's silk?
>You pause and swallow, then have a closer look.
>It... does bear an uncanny resemblance to such, although the strands are considerably thicker than any you've ever seen. ...you're not sure that makes you feel any better.
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In retrospect, I question why I didn't think of that sooner.
>Well, gosh.
>Look around, especially in the trees, for higher concentrations of webbing.
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Spiders, just great.
The one thing that could've turned out worse than ants. Ants are hive-minded, spiders are a lot cleverer than ants.
But going by past events...I have a theory, and my command should put some light on it.
>Spiders, just great.
>Be on the lookout for any abnormally large spiders, or people who look relatively spider-like.
-
>Well, gosh.
>Look around, especially in the trees, for higher concentrations of webbing.
>This is certainly something, alright...
>You look around for more webbing. It is with a certain sense of relief that when you look up, you don't find the canopy above you strung thick with the stuff. In fact, you don't see anything you would describe as a web at all. A more careful search turns up another small piece against the surface of a rock, not far from the branch you found the first clump. It doesn't look like it was spun there so much as it came off of something else.
>Spiders, just great.
>Be on the lookout for any abnormally large spiders, or people who look relatively spider-like.
>Yeah, this is definitely great for at least one definition of great...
>You're certainly going to be keeping a sharp lookout for large spiders or spider-like youkai. For the moment, at least, there is still no sign of either.
-
>Deep breath. Nothing else for it.
>Proceed on. Slowly.
-
>Deep breath. Nothing else for it.
>Proceed on. Slowly.
>You take a deep breath, and steel yourself. This is what you're getting paid for, after all.
>You proceed forward slowly and carefully, keeping all your senses peeled for spiders of any kind, or any other sort of danger for that matter. The woods continue to be almost frustratingly unremarkable. You're not sure whether this is better or worse than walking into some sort of nightmarish webscape. At least that would put you closer to resolving all this.
>You make your way past more trees and brush. Is it just you, or are things getting quieter? ...no, you're fairly certain of it. The bird calls are fewer in number, animals scampering across the forest floor are less frequent. The scent grows stronger...
>As you draw nearer, you can distinguish several distinct smells among what seemed singular at a distance. There's something vaguely reminiscent of mundane spiders, though muskier, something faintly noxious, and something acrid. Much of the scent is coming from further east, but you think some of the latter is coming from very close to the south of you.
-
>Look to the east, then south. What do we see?
-
>Look to the east, then south. What do we see?
>In both directions, you see trees and then some more trees, dotted with perhaps a bush or a brightly flowering plant, ignorant of how it clashes with the current atmosphere. You see no obvious indication of anything unusual in either direction at this distance, although your sight lines are poor with the trees as dense as they are.
-
>Bloody hells....
>Grip kunai tighter in our main hand, then turn to the south, advancing as stealthily as we can manage.
-
>Bloody hells....
>Grip kunai tighter in our main hand, then turn to the south, advancing as stealthily as we can manage.
>This is not what you thought you were getting into when you went out searching this morning...
>You grip your weapon more tightly then advance to the south, trying to be as stealthy as possible. You slip quietly past a few more trees as you zero in on the scent. ....and what is that?
>Ahead of you is a tree. This is unremarkable in and of itself; after all, there are countless trees in all directions. And in fact, this tree is not particularly distinctive among them. What is rather more distinctive is the large sickly-looking scar in its truck, scooped out raggedly as if the wood had been eaten away by something. Small plants crowd around the base of the trunk, except at that one spot, where their stalks end abruptly, withered and death. There is a distinct acrid scent in the air, and you're pretty sure it's coming from there. You do not think you like the implications of this at all...
-
You're the expert, Hanzo. Does this look like a spider's lair to you?
>About how large is that hole?
>Are there any spiders, unusually large or otherwise, skittering around it? Or signs of webbing, for that matter?
>Are we familiar enough with the smell of decaying/rotting meat to describe the acrid scent as such?
-
Webbing or no, I'd say so.
Spiders sadly, are not my area of expertise, I'm more of the sort who studied the insects that swarm.
Like Ants and Bees.
>Just how sickly-looking is said scar?
-
>About how large is that hole?
>Are there any spiders, unusually large or otherwise, skittering around it? Or signs of webbing, for that matter?
>Are we familiar enough with the smell of decaying/rotting meat to describe the acrid scent as such?
>It is an irregularly-shaped, broadly circular depression. The upper edge is fairly smooth, though the lower one is more ragged, with several thin channels of ruined wood extending below it. The whole thing is perhaps a foot and a half wide, and a couple inches deep.
>The only sign of spiders or webbing is a small web spun between two branches, higher in the tree. It looks remarkably ordinary.
>It definitely smells nothing like rotten meat. It is not nearly so putrid, though still unpleasant, and there is a sharper edge to the scent. It reminds you a little of industrial solvents.
>Just how sickly-looking is said scar?
>The wood in the depression looks withered and darkened, almost dead. There is a similar, though subtle effect in the wood immediately surrounding the scar. The rest of the tree still looks quite healthy, though.
-
Let's recap all this shall we?
- We've found out that some sort of abnormal insect(possibly spider) swarm has been carting off cows for whatever reason, possibly for food.
- we've found a tree that's got a hole gouged in it, and is possibly a nest for one of the responsible creatures.
- The area near the tree reeks of industrial solvents, and to me, solvents means acid of some form, such as chlorine.
Anything else we want to add to the list? Because I vote that we mark the place in our memory, and then hightail it out of here to get backup.
Even Cirno would be useful.
-
Still, made of sterner stuff than I. Insects ain't for me, blood.
>Damn thing looks diseased, almost. A solid core of sickness. Wish we'd brought a torch...
>Is there any sign of movement at all inside the hole?
I don't think we should leave just yet. At least not completely. Remember, we were picking up something to the east of us as well. I think we should leave this hole alone, for the moment, and go investigate the other smell. THEN, we can hightail it out of here, depending on what we find.
-
>Do youkai ever use their abilities for small things, like a poison-youkai making cleaning things like bleach?
>What kinds of youkai are there? Is there an extinct kind?
>Can normal spiders make these smells and scars?
I just want to get it set in stone that there's some kind of spider youkai out there, not any sort of normal group. Also no, I dont want said youkai to join our party; Spiders are fucking freaky deaky man.
-
Oh, I don't know. Yamame's not too bad. Well, not normally, anyway. Heavens only know what this Yamame is like. Assuming of course we ever meet her, because I'm not 100% she's out here, just because we've found evidence of giant spiders. 90% certain, perhaps, but not 100%.
-
Works for me!
I may be able to tolerate most insects, but Spiders are one of the few sorts I can't stand.
Oddly enough, I'm only mildly bugged by scorpions, which are related to spiders by the way.
See, I know a decent ammount about all insects and arachnids, but I know a considerable deal more about Ants in particular.
I'd have to look at a few things, but that tree looks like the work of a particularly nasty spider.
Given how there's youkai...it might be a feral Tsuchigumo...But if we can help it(might be a dude, might be a dudette) like Ichirin helped us...
I might be bugged by spiders, but if it's to help someone(or something) become a better person like Ichirin helped us, then I'm all for it.
-
Given how there's youkai...it might be a feral Tsuchigumo...But if we can help it(might be a dude, might be a dudette) like Ichirin helped us...
I might be bugged by spiders, but if it's to help someone(or something) become a better person like Ichirin helped us, then I'm all for it.
Seconded. Couldn'tve said it better meself.
-
>Damn thing looks diseased, almost. A solid core of sickness. Wish we'd brought a torch...
>Is there any sign of movement at all inside the hole?
>It does look pretty nasty, yes. Although a torch in a wood this dense would probably be a worse cure than the disease...
>None that you can see, and the way the depression is shaped would provide little cover to conceal anything.
>Do youkai ever use their abilities for small things, like a poison-youkai making cleaning things like bleach?
>What kinds of youkai are there? Is there an extinct kind?
>Can normal spiders make these smells and scars?
>It depends greatly on the type of ability, but some youkai have certainly applied theirs to small scale and commercial enterprises.
>There are innumerable kinds of youkai. Aside from the major races like the tengu, kappa, or oni, there are animal youkai, tsukomogami born from all manner of object, manifestations of ideas or conceptions, and others that defy classification. You imagine someone has probably made efforts to catalog this, although your own knowledge is less comprehensive. The Grand Academy would likely have the most encyclopedic records on this topic, such as they exist. As for the matter of extinction, certain complications are raised when considering this with regard to youkai. While there are major groups that can be clearly defined, many youkai are idiosyncratic, perhaps not belonging to any specific species in the same way that animals do. If one individual died, there might perhaps never be another youkai with quite their nature. Would it be appropriate to say that this type of youkai went extinct at that moment? Many kinds of youkai are born spontaneously, without need of anything resembling a biological parent. Would this mean a type of youkai could rebound from their own extinction? Perhaps extinction is an applicable concept only for those youkai which are distinctly defined as a single race? At the very least, you know of no major type of youkai which has died out entirely.
>You've certainly never encountered any that could. Then again, you've never encountered any abnormal spiders that could, either.
-
Dammit, Draco, I never thought I'd be contemplating 'temporary extinction of youkai semi-races' when this started. You are good. And thank you, Kips, for posing the question that elicited that lengthy response. Clever boy.
>Mark this location in our mind, then head off to follow the scent from the east.
>Carefully! Place is creepy.
-
>Did the hole in the tree look like someone could fit in it? Perhaps a child, or a sufficiently small adult?
I'm thinking it's the same story as us almost, animal(arachnid in this case) becomes a youkai, carves out a small home to reside in, and starts hunting.
We probably didn't get that far because we had ichirin, but if this is indeed a new youkai, then they'll need someone to show them the ropes about things like Ichirin did for us.
I know I'm sounding like a broken record on that, but I feel it bears repeating.
-
>There are innumerable kinds of youkai. Aside from the major races like the tengu, kappa, or oni, there are animal youkai, tsukomogami born from all manner of object, manifestations of ideas or conceptions, and others that defy classification. You imagine someone has probably made efforts to catalog this, although your own knowledge is less comprehensive. The Grand Academy would likely have the most encyclopedic records on this topic, such as they exist. As for the matter of extinction, certain complications are raised when considering this with regard to youkai. While there are major groups that can be clearly defined, many youkai are idiosyncratic, perhaps not belonging to any specific species in the same way that animals do. If one individual died, there might perhaps never be another youkai with quite their nature. Would it be appropriate to say that this type of youkai went extinct at that moment? Many kinds of youkai are born spontaneously, without need of anything resembling a biological parent. Would this mean a type of youkai could rebound from their own extinction? Perhaps extinction is an applicable concept only for those youkai which are distinctly defined as a single race? At the very least, you know of no major type of youkai which has died out entirely.
That's deep man. Like, really deep. I've actually never thought of it this way before...
>Head off and keep wary.
-
At the least, we need to confirm what happened to the cows. It could turn out to be an amusing case of monkey see, monkey do with a newly minted spider youkai. Or more mundanely, something that's hungry.
Given it's only come at night, only targeted cattle, and left people alone, I would not make the presumption what we're dealing with it going to be innately hostile. But I can imagine a whole lot of scenarios where assuming that and coming in with a weapon with make things degenerate pretty quickly.
-
At the very least though, we should be careful.
Can't be too careful when spiders may be involved y'know.
Based on what research I've done, the most likely suspect seems to be a Camel Spider, but the environment's totally wrong.
We're in a coniferous forest, Camel Spiders live in dry, arid locations like deserts and wastelands.
My command should give me more research keywords to work with...man, something so serious-ish has turned into a research subject for me. Thanks Draco. 8)
>Do we know what kind of tree it was?
-
I wouldn't necessarily assume any real-world data would apply to this, given we're dealing with non-real world things.
-
Even so, some real-world info has to apply, given that there's a good deal of non-magic things as well.
I'm not sure how well this would go over, but I think that Rinnosuke might have some useful info...shame we're not anywhere near the guildhall.
-
>Did the hole in the tree look like someone could fit in it? Perhaps a child, or a sufficiently small adult?
>No. The depression is no more than an inch or two deep in most places.
>Do we know what kind of tree it was?
>You believe it's a fir tree.
>Mark this location in our mind, then head off to follow the scent from the east.
>Carefully! Place is creepy.
>Head off and keep wary.
>You make a note of your current location, then turn to the east to follow the other scent. The environment has impressed more than little wariness in you, and you proceed carefully.
>As you move away, you hear a sudden frenzied rustling in a clump of thick bushes past the base of the scarred tree.
-
I suggest we call out to it. There's no way it doesn't know where's here. And put up the kunai if it answers in anything like language.
-
Sounds like a plan to me.
Shall someone more diplomatic do the honors then?
-
>"Hello?"
-
>"Hello?"
>You turn and call out towards the rustling bushes. As you speak, a form bursts free of the foliage, dashing west.
>It.... is a hare. Followed shortly behind by a small bobcat. You're not quite sure whether to be relieved or irritated with yourself. Perhaps both.
-
>Definately both.
>Wish the hare luck and get back on track.
>How badly did that affect our pulse?
-
>Definately both.
>Wish the hare luck and get back on track.
>How badly did that affect our pulse?
>You decide you are definitely simultaneously relieved and annoyed. Grumble, grumble...
>You wish the hare luck. Judging by their speeds, you think it will probably outrun its pursuer. The bobcat look a bit on the young side...
>You're certainly feeling tense at the moment, but you take some comfort in the fact that you didn't get too distinct a jolt from that.
>You continue eastward, tracking towards the other scent. If this is indeed the scent of a creature, you definitely suspect there is more than one, although you can't tell precisely how many. Still, everything looks normal... Another minute or two pass.
>You think you hear a very faint scraping noise against the bark of a tree, behind and to your left.
-
>Do not wheel and look. Turn slowly.
-
>Do not wheel and look. Turn slowly.
>You stop and turn very slowly to look behind you. In the corner of your eye, you catch something moving every so slightly against the trunk. Something green and spindly... like legs.
-
>Green? Do spiders come in green?
>Is that all the motion we can detect?
>Are all we can see legs?
>Which way is it going?
>Are the other similar noises coming from anywhere else in the vicinity?
-
>Green? Do spiders come in green?
>Is that all the motion we can detect?
>Are all we can see legs?
>Which way is it going?
>Are the other similar noises coming from anywhere else in the vicinity?
>It's a deep earthy green, but whatever it is is certainly green. The legs look at least possibly spider-like, although far too large for any spider you've ever seen.
>At the moment, yes.
>Partially turned, this is as much as you can see, and out of the corner of your eye, no less. You stopped turning once you caught sight of something.
>It seems to be very slowly moving down the trunk... It's currently several feet above your head on a tree a couple feet to your left.
>Not that you can hear at the moment.
-
>Move another couple feet away from the tree, then turn and get a better look at the sucker.
-
>Move another couple feet away from the tree, then turn and get a better look at the sucker.
>You shift a few feet to the right, then turn to get a better look at it. As you move, you think you see the creature freeze in place out of the corner of your eye.
>It is a spider, no doubt about it, with 8 long and spindly legs supporting a relatively narrow body. It is perhaps two feet across, deep green mottled with flecks of brown.
-
>Is it humanoid in any way?
>Try not to anger it, But be ready just in case.
-
>Is this thing the source of the acrid scent, or is it stronger yet in the direction we were traveling?
>And signs of webbing about the thing?
-
>Is it humanoid in any way?
>Try not to anger it, But be ready just in case.
>No. It looks quite thoroughly spider-like, aside from its unusual size.
>You're not quite sure what angers a spider, but you do your best not to agitate it, while readying yourself to respond to any aggression on its part.
>Is this thing the source of the acrid scent, or is it stronger yet in the direction we were traveling?
>And signs of webbing about the thing?
>While this shares some of the scent that you've been following, there is plenty more of it yet eastward.
>You can see no signs of webbing.
-
This goes against nearly all my instincts to leave a potential enemy at our backs, but I just don't know if killing this thing is the right thing to do. So unless anyone else can think of anything else, I say we move on track down the source of that smell.
-
Well, that or we can try talking to it.
>Watch that spider carefully.
>"Hey."
-
If it's unresponsive, we can probably give it a wide berth. Also, assuming it's unresponsive, looking around for bits of cow may not be a bad idea.
-
>Watch that spider carefully.
>"Hey."
>You lock your eyes on the spider. It remains still.
>It makes no response.
-
>Glance around briefly for cow bits. But be ready to get the hell out of the way if the spider moves; don't glance away for more than a second.
-
>Glance around briefly for cow bits. But be ready to get the hell out of the way if the spider moves; don't glance away for more than a second.
>You look around for any sign of cow remains, taking very short glances away so as not to miss any motion on the spider's part. You don't see anything that looks obviously like the remnants of any animal, although it's hard to do a careful search and keep an eye on the spider at the same time. For its part, it remains nearly motionless.
-
>Glance toward the direction we were previously going. Does the way seem relatively clear, or are other signs of similar spiders?
-
>Glance toward the direction we were previously going. Does the way seem relatively clear, or are other signs of similar spiders?
>You glance as far as you can in that direction without turning. The way seems normal, as best you can see. However, you can't look in quite the direction you were previously walking without mostly turning your back to the spider. Even then, you know from before that the trees kept you from seeing any great distance ahead.
-
>Take a deep breath. Gut check time, Nazrin.
>Back up a couple of steps, slowly.
>If the spider does nothing, turn and head towards the stronger concentration of scent.
>If it reacts, pause, and see what it does.
-
>Back up more than a few, and glance behind us every so often if it doesn't do anything.
-
>Take a deep breath. Gut check time, Nazrin.
>Back up a couple of steps, slowly.
>If the spider does nothing, turn and head towards the stronger concentration of scent.
>If it reacts, pause, and see what it does.
>Back up more than a few, and glance behind us every so often if it doesn't do anything.
>You take a deep breath, then start to back up while glancing behind you every now and again. The way seems clear behind, and the spider continues to remain mostly still. You get a couple feet away, and then a couple more. The spider's head seems to follow you, but there is little other movement from it.
>You decide that you've opened up a generously safe distance without the spider taking any action, so you turn and carry on towards the greatest concentration of scent.
>Barely have you taken a step forward before you hear a short, shrill cry behind you. So shill, in fact, that you're quite convinced no human would be able to hear it.
-
>Halt, turn, get ready to jump if we see or hear anything coming at us!
-
>Halt, turn, get ready to jump if we see or hear anything coming at us!
>You stop and turn, getting ready to jump out of the way of anything charging you. The spider has already scampered halfway down the tree, and is continuing to descend. Quite quickly, at that! You don't see or hear any other movement just yet.
-
>Draw another kunai.
>Hold position and observe the direction it moves in.
>If it charges us, leap to the left and throw the kunai in our main hand at it.
>If it moves in another direction, observe where it goes but take no aggressive action.
>Come to think of it, are we right or left handed?
-
>Draw another kunai.
>Hold position and observe the direction it moves in.
>If it charges us, leap to the left and throw the kunai in our main hand at it.
>If it moves in another direction, observe where it goes but take no aggressive action.
>You draw a second kunai in your off hand.
>You hold position and watch what the spider does. It finishes scurrying down to the base of the trunk, then disappears into the undergrowth. You can hear it moving off northeast-ish, widening the distance between you slightly, but moving in what is distinctly not the opposite direction.
>Come to think of it, are we right or left handed?
>You are right-handed.
-
>How large is that spider, in terms of height and diameter?
Hopefully it wouldn't be able to get through thick brush too easily.
-
>Stow the kunai in our left hand away.
>Follow that spider. Might lead us back to its lair.
>Carefullly and quietly, of course.
-
Judging by the research I've done, thanks to the additional info, I've come to the conclusion that it's related to the Diaea dorsata (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaea_dorsata) a member of the Crab Spider family of spiders.
Since it was found in a tree, that would correlate with the Diaea dorsata's status as a Leaf-dwelling Spider.
The color also generally matches due to Diaea dorsata's chameleon-like ability to change color.\
>Yeah we should follow it, might be important.
What do you guys think, could it be a scout-class meant to watch for anyone coming?
But if that's the case, a Jumping Spider would be better-suited, having the best vision of any member of the spider families.
of course, if it wasn't the source of that shrill sound, then whatever's behind the spiders was the source.
-
I don't think Nazrin would actually know any of that. Assuming it applies to what's happening here.
>How traversable does the path it followed look?
Edit: Also, should we be assuming it has a master? I mean, we are pretty chill with mice, but it's not like we have a minion army. And I am pretty sure Nazrin would have set up lookouts if she could have just for having information to use.
-
>How large is that spider, in terms of height and diameter?
>It was close to two feet in diameter, counting to the tips of its legs, and probably no more than a half a foot tall.
>Stow the kunai in our left hand away.
>Follow that spider. Might lead us back to its lair.
>Carefullly and quietly, of course.
>Yeah we should follow it, might be important.
>You put the second kunai away again, the follow after the spider. Maybe it'll lead you right back to its lair, or somewhere else important?
>You move towards it quietly, but after you've closed several steps, the spider seems to pick up its pace. You think you're likely to lose it unless you sacrifice at least some measure of stealthiness. You're also moving away from the largest concentration of the scent you've been following.
>How traversable does the path it followed look?
>About as traversable as much of this forest. If you followed straight after it, you might be slowed by undergrowth you had to weave around or over, but the general direction it's going is still navigable.
-
>It couldn't be scared of us, could it?
>Pick up the pace a scootch. Don't want to lose it.
>Can we hear anything out of place other than the scurrying of Diaea Legs ahead of us?
>What does the air ahead of us smell like?
-
well crap. my power goes out and look what i miss. I actual like spiders. i no where close to an expert however. the hole from before seems to be something like a shot of acid. like acid spiting spider. I sure hanzo can say its not unheard of to have acid spiting insects. Spiders also do pour their stomach acid into their prey to drain the gross insides up like soup, so its not impossible.
the acid probably makes some fums or gas. which is never good for plant life.
i have a sneaking suspension that we just heard an important member of the spiders nest, i say a leader, if so lets hope youkai we can talk to.
-
Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that fact! Thanks for reminding me man.
It's true, Spiders do eat like that.
And besides, Nazrin doesn't have an army of mice simply because we've not bothered to gather one.
>If need be, we can take a few shortcuts to catch up right? We did grow up in this area afterall, both as a mouse, and a Youkai.
-
>If need be, we can take a few shortcuts to catch up right? We did grow up in this area afterall, both as a mouse, and a Youkai.
>While you did grow up in Easthaven, you're far from intimately familiar with every corner of the woods out here. By this point, you're actually quite a bit distant from the village and have only a general idea where you are in relation to it. You don't know of any shortcuts, per se, nor in fact what is waiting ahead of you. That being said, while the spider's size gives it some advantages over you in terms of avoiding obstacles, you're clearly quite a bit faster than it, if you were to run.
>It couldn't be scared of us, could it?
>Pick up the pace a scootch. Don't want to lose it.
>Can we hear anything out of place other than the scurrying of Diaea Legs ahead of us?
>What does the air ahead of us smell like?
>You have no idea what sort of instincts a spider like this might possess, although you've rarely seen mundane spiders exhibit obvious fear in the face of proportionately larger creatures. At least not those who've yet to do anything to it.
>You pick up the pace to avoid losing the spider. This makes your pursuit rather non-subtle as you shift brusquely over and through foliage, although you're inclined to think that it could sense you even when you were being quieter.
>Not at the moment, although the sound of your own swift movement through the brush would make it hard to pick up anything as subtle as the sound of a spider's legs against bark that you noticed last time.
>The wind is fairly dead at the moment. There's a general scent that you've come to assume is a result of the spiders' presence through these woods, though it doesn't seem quite as strong in this direction.
>Your pursuit takes you further north, and slightly east. Every now and then, the spider makes a sudden course correction, and then another in a different direction when you try to compensate. While each of these movements narrows the gap between you, they eventually serve to muddle exactly which direction you've traveled compared to where you started, and indeed how far you are away from that position. This being said, you think you could overtake the spider at any time, should you choose to.
-
>Choose not to, and just keep pace with the thing for a little while longer. See where it takes us.
>Can we still determine, at this point, the direction we detected the stronger concentration of scent from before the chase began?
>How many kunai are we currently carrying?
-
>Choose not to, and just keep pace with the thing for a little while longer. See where it takes us.
>Can we still determine, at this point, the direction we detected the stronger concentration of scent from before the chase began?
>How many kunai are we currently carrying?
>You continue to keep pace as the spider as it darts one way, and then the other. It's beginning to seem almost like it can't quite decide where it should be going.
>You're not fully certain. You think you've crossed another couple scent trails and the wind is still. It might take some time to get your bearings again.
>You have one in hand, and two more on your person.
>After chasing it around and over some more rocks and bushes, the spider suddenly all but doubles back on its course - you nearly trip up in it the process. As you turn to follow, you catch a sudden flash of movement out of the corner of your eye to the left as a cluster of massive spidery limbs burst out from the foliage next to you, arcing down above your head!
-
>Throw self to the side!
-
>Throw self to the side!
>You throw yourself to the side, hitting the dirt hard and rolling. The spider legs stab into the ground mere inches away from you. Each of them is quite a bit thicker around than your own limbs, dull brown and green and covered in stiff hair. They waste no time scrabbling towards you once the first strike misses.
-
>Roll up to our feet, if we can, and back away, kunai ready.
>"Stop it!"
>If we have time, assess opponent.
-
>Roll up to our feet, if we can, and back away, kunai ready.
>"Stop it!"
>If we have time, assess opponent.
>You roll back to your feet and back away. The spider surges forward more quickly than you can step backwards, however.
>You yell out at it, but it either cannot understand you or does not care. It raises its forelimbs for a second pounce.
>At a moment's glance, it is substantially larger than the first spider, and in fact quite a bit larger than you, though not as tall. It is thick-limbed and stocky, with a pair of scary-looking mandibles flexing beneath its eyes.
-
>"Alright, ugly. You wanna tangle? Fine."
>Brace legs. When it pounces, leap to one side and slash at its legs as it goes past.
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>If time permits, take a kunai in each hand.
We're doing this right. Serial killer style. >=|
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>"Alright, ugly. You wanna tangle? Fine."
>Brace legs. When it pounces, leap to one side and slash at its legs as it goes past.
>If time permits, take a kunai in each hand.
>You call out a taunt to the spider and hastily draw a second kunai as it pounces. With no more than a moment to spare, you leap hard aside and slash out at its legs as you pass. You score a graze on one, and a deeper gash near the bottom of the second. Your weapon comes back trailing a thin line of blueish blood. The spider rounds on you almost immediately.
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>Blue? Is it supposed to be blue?
>How much ground clearance does that thing have?
>Is our jumping skill enough to allow us to clear it in a leap without a running start?
>Throw the kunai in our offhand at the spider's.... head? Where its eyes are.
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>Blue? Is it supposed to be blue?
>How much ground clearance does that thing have?
>Is our jumping skill enough to allow us to clear it in a leap without a running start?
>Throw the kunai in our offhand at the spider's.... head? Where its eyes are.
>You have no idea what is normal for a giant spider!
>There's probably no more than a foot distance between the underside of its body and the ground.
>Certainly not, and even with a running start you doubt you could get high enough to clear its forelegs if they were reared up.
>You throw the kunai in your offhand at the spider's head as it turns. Its motion throws off your aim a little, but you still manage a solid hit on the left side, although the kunai doesn't penetrate very deeply. Still, the reaction is immediate. The spider flails and screeches. It is a harsh, grating noise. So much so that you almost miss the faint rustling in the brush behind you.
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>One problem at a time...
>Dash forward, slide under the big spider, and drive our kunai into its belly with both hands while it's still flailing about.
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>One problem at a time...
>Dash forward, slide under the big spider, and drive our kunai into its belly with both hands while it's still flailing about.
>Don't do this.
It'll fall on us.
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That's why God invented rolling after we shank it.
Have you got a better idea?
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Not immediately, but how are we going to roll through the legs when they're thicker than bits of us?
I'm thinking we need to move so they're both facing us. With luck, the one what got stabbed in the eyes is now done with us. It is a wild animal.
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Believe it or not, I was considering that plan, as well. I just figured dealing with the one at a time was a better approach.
But fine, we'll try it your way, see what happens.
>Leap to the left, and turn to give us a field of vision including the big spider and the brushes that were behind us.
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>Leap to the left, and turn to give us a field of vision including the big spider and the brushes that were behind us.
>You leap aside and turn. As you do, you hear the sound of scraping against the ground where you'd just been standing. A new spider, of similar appearance and only moderately smaller size than the last one stands among the bushes, forelimbs extended across your previous position.
>The first spider's thrashing steadies as it tries to gather itself again, turning towards you.
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So. Strategic retreat?
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I wasn't sure turning our backs on ONE spider was a good idea, let alone two of them. But on the other hand, I don't know how to beat two of them at once with the tools we have. At least not with any degree of certainty. If we make it back to the village, we can tell the farmers what we've found, and come back with backup and torches. Might cost us some pay, but it's a better chance of winning.
I agree, strategic retreat.
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Of course, we're not running. Once we get a better position, let's not throw knives and get on top of them where about all they can do is buck us off. While we stab 'em about the neckparts.
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I like the stabbing part.
Think we should try climbing a tree for the extra leverage, or just leap on 'em and hope we don't run into their fangs?
>Did we notice an incline in the ground on the way here, or any sort of incline now?
>Did we pass by any rocks or tree stumps small enough to hop on top of, or are there any around here?
>Is our first kunai still embedded in the larger spiders' head?
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Your second command is largely what I'm thinking. Climbing would be slow, and more their deal.
>How much range of mobility do these spiders seem to have? In particularly, can they freely look around, or do they have to face whatever they're looking at?
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>Did we notice an incline in the ground on the way here, or any sort of incline now?
>Did we pass by any rocks or tree stumps small enough to hop on top of, or are there any around here?
>Is our first kunai still embedded in the larger spiders' head?
>The ground is somewhat uneven and bumpy, although there are no distinct defined inclines near you that you've noticed.
>You leapt over a moderately sizable rock not far back, when you were chasing after the smaller spider.
>It is, though fairly shallowly.
>How much range of mobility do these spiders seem to have? In particularly, can they freely look around, or do they have to face whatever they're looking at?
>You haven't seen the spiders move enough to know how agile they are over general terrain, but their heads do not appear to be able to freely turn. The spread of their eyes does look to give them a fairly wide field of vision, however.
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Okay, here we go.
>"I proved I can keep up with you, uglies. Let's see if you can keep up with me."
>Turn round and make for that rock, while keeping both ears open to keep tabs on how close they are behind us.
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>"I proved I can keep up with you, uglies. Let's see if you can keep up with me."
>Turn round and make for that rock, while keeping both ears open to keep tabs on how close they are behind us.
>You call out a taunt as you turn and make a dash for the rock. Judging by the sound, you think it takes the second spider a moment to readjust itself and fully extricate itself from the foliage serving as its cover, but after that, its land speed is quite impressive. You're almost certain it's gaining on you. The first spider trails behind it, somewhat slower; something about the sound of its footfalls seems slightly uneven.
>After a few frenzied seconds, you reach the rock and vault onto it, the second spider very close behind you now.
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>With a yell, leap off the rock and onto the back of the spider!
>Assuming we actually make it, start stabbing the thing in its head and neck.
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>Really, just stab it anywhere. Get a clear hold on it with one of the blades so it can't buck us off easily.
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>With a yell, leap off the rock and onto the back of the spider!
>Assuming we actually make it, start stabbing the thing in its head and neck.
>Really, just stab it anywhere. Get a clear hold on it with one of the blades so it can't buck us off easily.
>With a yell, you spin around and leap from the rock towards the spider. Geez, it was almost on top of you!
>The spider rears its forelegs up as you leap at it, grasping towards you. The rock gives you some height advantage, but not enough to clear them entirely. They knock at your legs from below as you sail into them, sending you tumbling aside. But as you careen, you manage to swing your arm out and around a limb. Pulling yourself close, you use your momentum to flip up onto it, then with your other hand, you stab! Its exoskeleton is firm, but far from armor-tough; the kunai drives inward, cutting through softer flesh. The spider gives a short cry of pain, and goes stiff for a moment. You drag the kunai back out, trailing slick fluid across the blade, then slide backward down the limb and leap onto its back. And then you stab again, driving your right blade in its thorax for grip while laying savagely into it with the other. The spider screeches and thrashes wildly beneath you, sending your legs tumbling off the side of it, but your grip on the other kunai remains firm. Using it for support, you scrabble you feet against its side and back up again.
>The first spider is closing in behind you, although it seems to be hesitating a little.
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Let's be civilized.
>"Lay down and I'll stop!"
>Try to regain our purchase.
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>"Lay down and I'll stop!"
>Try to regain our purchase.
>The spider shows no obvious response to your words, continuing to shriek and try to throw you. Blood oozes slowly from the multiple gouges in its thorax and the back of its head.
>You've managed to work your legs back up again already. You're about as secure as you're likely to get on the back of an angry, thrashing giant spider.
>The other spider moves around to the side of his companion and you, raising his forelimbs carefully. You can see the tip of one of its limbs bent a little awkwardly where you slashed it earlier. The wound seeps blue fluid.
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>What does the other spider look like it's trying to do?
>How secure do our kunai feel?
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>What does the other spider look like it's trying to do?
>How secure do our kunai feel?
>It looks like it may be trying to reach out and grab you towards it, without simply pouncing on the other spider.
>Fairly secure. The exoskeleton is firm enough that they can't cut through it without a appreciable amount of force applied. Your right kunai tore into it slightly further when you were nearly thrown off, but otherwise feels fairly firmly embedded.
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>Try to keep away from from its grabbing. Try to make the purchase of the dagger opposite the interfering spider a bit stronger, so we can use the other if needs be.
>"You're being smart, now be smarter and tell your buddy to surrender!"
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>Try to keep away from from its grabbing. Try to make the purchase of the dagger opposite the interfering spider a bit stronger, so we can use the other if needs be.
>"You're being smart, now be smarter and tell your buddy to surrender!"
>You try to shift away from the side the spider is reaching towards, driving the kunai opposite it into as secure a position as you can find. The thrashing of the spider below you is slackening a little.
>The spider makes no apparent note of your words, rearing up and reaching its forelimbs overhead and towards you.
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>Yank out the kunai closest to big ugly and give his forelegs a slashing.
>"If either one of you two can understand the words that are coming out of my mouth, now's a good time to show it! Otherwise, I get even stabbier."
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>If it feels like our position on the spider is getting too perilous to stay in a good position, free both daggers and leap away, putting our riding spider between the interfering spider.
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its to bad we don't have spiked chains. because i can't get the scene in castlevina lords of shadows, where you ride the giant spiders. Only now its with nazrin.
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Well, we could probably find some bailing twine and tie it onto our kunai hilts for future events.
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>Yank out the kunai closest to big ugly and give his forelegs a slashing.
>"If either one of you two can understand the words that are coming out of my mouth, now's a good time to show it! Otherwise, I get even stabbier."
>If it feels like our position on the spider is getting too perilous to stay in a good position, free both daggers and leap away, putting our riding spider between the interfering spider.
>You yank on the kunai closest to the encroaching spider, pulling it free with a wet ripping noise, then you slash at its legs. This time, it manages to pull back the limbs you strike towards, keeping them just out of your range. Clinging to the bucking spider with your other hand as you are, you don't have much leverage to follow up on these slashes, merely fend them off. As you slash at one limb coming from your left, more grasp dangerously close from the right as the spider all but moves on top of you.
>You decide that you're too held down to dodge properly with its limbs moving to surround you like this, and yank out the other kunai and kick off, landing a couple feet beside the injured spider. The second spider immediately starts to scrabble around the first, so that it can move towards you.
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>Play keepaway by going behind the wounded spider, and take a quite assessment of the terrain, our opponents, and get our footing and balance back.
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>Play keepaway by going behind the wounded spider, and take a quite assessment of the terrain, our opponents, and get our footing and balance back.
>You shift your position around the wounded spider, trying to keep it between you and your pursuer. You gain little respite, however, as the spider shifts around nearly as quickly. The terrain here is fairly flat, with hard packed ground, some low-lying scrub, and a scattered few small rocks. Stocky conifers crowd the landscape with the ocassional smaller tree among them. The spider's large size appears to be less of an impediment than you would think, as its limbs are able to flexibly navigate over and around obstacles quite quickly and move easily through gaps between trees that would seem too narrow for it at first glance.
>The wounded spider, for its part, seems to be calming down and trying to turn, although its movement is quite obviously uneven.
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Whachu think, Sour? Think we've been mean enough to our horse, or give it some leg stabbies while playing keepaway?
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Much as I enjoyed riding that thing, the sooner we can elimintate one of them, the better our odds will be of beating the other. If we can take its legs out, or at least damage a couple on one side, we won't have to split our attention quite so much.
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>Try to keep the more wounded spider between us and his buddy as much as we can, without letting its head turn to face us.
>Slash our 'shield' spider about the legs, try to limit its movements even more.
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>Try to keep the more wounded spider between us and his buddy as much as we can, without letting its head turn to face us.
>Slash our 'shield' spider about the legs, try to limit its movements even more.
>You continue to strafe around the heavily wounded spider, while the other chases after you. You already moved past its head once earlier, and you really can't circle much further without moving in front of it again at this point. Especially since it seems to be trying to face you.
>While you move around it, you dart closer to slash at its legs. You score a glancing blow against one, but another flails out towards you, nearly knocking into you. You stumble, and the spider chasing you gains precious ground. It's no more than a quarter circle away from you now.
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>All right, wanna gain some ground? How about all of it.
>Stop circling the more wounded spider and charge at the one chasing us.
>If it rears up enough to expose its underside, try to stab it in the guts.
>If it stays nearer to the ground, stab in the head again, try to get a better shot than the last time.
>Whichever act it takes, prepare our offhand kunai to ward off its counterattack, so we can stab it with our main hand.
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>And should it try to spring on us and pin, try to slide and bring both our knives up to let apply that momentum in stabbing itself.
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>All right, wanna gain some ground? How about all of it.
>Stop circling the more wounded spider and charge at the one chasing us.
>If it rears up enough to expose its underside, try to stab it in the guts.
>If it stays nearer to the ground, stab in the head again, try to get a better shot than the last time.
>Whichever act it takes, prepare our offhand kunai to ward off its counterattack, so we can stab it with our main hand.
>And should it try to spring on us and pin, try to slide and bring both our knives up to let apply that momentum in stabbing itself.
>You switch direction and charge the other spider. This is a very short charge, it being no more than a couple feet away from you at this point. As you move towards it, it raises its forelegs. This action doesn't raise its body off the ground much at all, nor expose its underside, so you rush for its head instead. As you crest the edge of its reach, its limbs slam down hard from above and behind, trying to push you towards its waiting mouth. You shift aside from one leg and pivot to stab, but another two limb collide against your back and knock you to the ground. The spider's mandibles are upon you immediately.
>It is only by the narrowest of margins that you manage to drive a blade up into the underside of its head before they tear into your side. The spider recoils as it meets sharpened steel rather than soft flesh, pulling your arm up along with kunai still embedded in it. Its mandibles continue to shift, the motion unsettlingly near to your arm. It could probably rip it apart if you moved a few inches forward...
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All right, this is all I got, so if anybody else has any ideas, then feel free to counter me.
>Stab upwards with our other kunai as hard as humanly possibly! See how he likes having three kunai imbedded in its head.
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>Before we act, can we roll aside?
>Could we grab the knife we threw from this position, and wrench it?
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>Before we act, can we roll aside?
>Could we grab the knife we threw from this position, and wrench it?
>You can roll aside, although you might need to let go of the kunai you just stabbed the spider with, depending on how firmly embedded it is. There are limbs on all sides of you, but some room to maneuver within them, and you could probably make your way out past them, provided it doesn't try too hard to stop you. It's a little distracted at the moment, what with the knife driven up into its head.
>No. The first kunai is on the upper side of its head and you are on the ground below it.
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>Let's roll away and get back to our feet. Take the second kunai with us if we can, but if it is wedged in, leave it for now.
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Agreed. Even if my plan had worked, and we'd killed the thing, it probably would have fallen on us and pinned us.
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>Let's roll away and get back to our feet. Take the second kunai with us if we can, but if it is wedged in, leave it for now.
>You roll to the side, trying to wrest your kunai free with the same motion. You feel the blade shift within the wound, the spider shrieking anew as the blade further rends its inside, but it doesn't fully dislodge. In fact, the motion also pulls its head and mandibles closer to your arm. You release you grip before it decides to clamp down on you, then tuck your limbs close to make it through a gap in its legs. One steps towards you and closes the gap up just before you break free. Shifting your momentum, you push a palm out and pivot your legs around it, then spring to your feet again. You're clear!
>At the edge of your vision, you notice the other spider is very close by and shambling unsteadily towards you.
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>Move away.
>"You sure you wanna keep going? I'd let you go easily, you know."
>Are there any trees close by?
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>Move away.
>"You sure you wanna keep going? I'd let you go easily, you know."
>Are there any trees close by?
>You move away. It tries to speed up in response, but seems to be having some difficulty coordinating its limbs and almost stumbles on a bush. You think you could probably outrun it in its present state without too many issues..
>The spider makes no sign of acknowledgment, continuing to advance on you.
>There are plenty of trees close by, in nearly any direction you care to name.
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>From what we can recall of their climbing speed before they were injured, is it possible for us to climb a tree, at least for a few feet, before they could catch up to us?
>Glance about for the tree that looks the closest and easiest to scamper up.
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Rather than climb a tree, use them to get in the spiders' way.
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As in, dash behind one, wait for it to come 'round, then stab it in the head?
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>From what we can recall of their climbing speed before they were injured, is it possible for us to climb a tree, at least for a few feet, before they could catch up to us?
>Glance about for the tree that looks the closest and easiest to scamper up.
>You have never seen these spiders climb any trees. In fact, you expect their size might make that impossible on any that were not significantly stout. The smaller one you encountered earlier could climb faster than you can, but it also appeared to be a different variety of spider entirely, and not just a smaller specimen of this one.
>You have a quick scan about the wood, and find a suitable climbing tree about 12 feet to your left, in the opposite direction of the other spider.
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>Based on what we can observe about the spiders' current mobility, can we reach that tree before they catch up to us?
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I'm thinking more, use them as obstacles to the spiders' mobility. They can step around them, but it takes time and coordination we don't have to worry about ourselves.
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>Based on what we can observe about the spiders' current mobility, can we reach that tree before they catch up to us?
>You're pretty confident you can.
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That sounds much simpler than my idea.
I was gonna climb a tree for leverage, then jump off and throw our kunai at the head of the one we were riding earlier. Then I was gonna land on the first one, the one with our kunai stuck in its head, yank it out, and finish off that one.
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>Still coming, eh. In that case, I think it's time to get at least one of my kunai back.
>Turn to the left and make a dash for that tree.
>If there's any sturdy-looking low-hanging branches we can leap and make a grab for, do so.
>If not, scamper up it as fast as possible.
>Get as high up as we can, then wait for them to get within a couple feet.
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>Still coming, eh. In that case, I think it's time to get at least one of my kunai back.
>Turn to the left and make a dash for that tree.
>If there's any sturdy-looking low-hanging branches we can leap and make a grab for, do so.
>If not, scamper up it as fast as possible.
>Get as high up as we can, then wait for them to get within a couple feet.
>You turn and dash for the tree, the spider shambling after you. Despite its awkwardness, it still covers ground fairly quickly, though not as quickly as you. Glancing back, you see the other spider has collected itself and is also chasing towards you. It's moving quite a bit more deftly than its companion, but you both have a substantial head start on it.
>You spy a suitable branch and leap towards it at a run, scrabbling onto it and then grasping out at another. You've scaled perhaps 10 feet by the time the first spider reaches the base of the tree. It rears up a little and paws at the trunk, but you appear well out of its reach. The second spider closes in behind the first and then starts to move around to the side of the tree.
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>No guts, no glory.
>Leap off the tree, falling towards the spider with the kunais stuck in its head.
>Before we lose a shot at the first spider, throw a kunai at its head.
>Assuming we land on the spider's back that we're falling towards, grab ahold of the kunai on top of its head, yank it out, and give the thing a good stabbing.
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>No guts, no glory.
>Leap off the tree, falling towards the spider with the kunais stuck in its head.
>Before we lose a shot at the first spider, throw a kunai at its head.
>Assuming we land on the spider's back that we're falling towards, grab ahold of the kunai on top of its head, yank it out, and give the thing a good stabbing.
>You shift around on the branches to get a good position on the spider that still has your weapons embedded in it and then you leap off! While falling, you flick your hand out and send your last kunai sailing towards the other spider's head. The angle doesn't afford you a very good shot and you don't get a chance to see it connect as the lower boughs of the tree block off your vision, but you hear a satisfying shriek and see the spider shamble a few steps backwards.
>You land on top of your target with a jarring impact and almost immediately get tossed off as the spider rears up and shakes itself. Before you slide off, you reach out and grab the kunai still shallowly embedded in the side of its head. Your own weight combines with gravity to rip a deeper gash along it, splattering more blueish fluid across your hand and arm. The spider shrieks and flails, but you dig your other hand into the curve between its head and thorax for grip, the rip the knife free and puncture one hole after another in its head. It is a tortured sound that hurts your ears to listen to. It you had to put it into a single word, that word would be 'panic'.
>In the side of your field of vision, you catch a glimpse of another spider skittering through the undergrowth towards you, coming from vaguely the same direction as you encountered these two initially. It is much smaller, and you think somewhat different-looking than these two, but you didn't get a very good look at it.
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>How do we feel about our footing and the other large spider?
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>How do we feel about our footing and the other large spider?
>Your footing is very poor, and in fact you're doing more hanging on with your hands than your feet at the moment.
>The other large spider doesn't seem to have done much in the last few moments, at least. You can't see it clearly at the moment, with the tree you climbed still in the way.
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>Try to regain our footing, in case we need to abandon spider.
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>Not before giving it at least one more good jab, see if we can get it to stop thrashing, at least.
>Glance about for that third spider we saw a moment ago, see if we can tell if it's the same one we chased out here.
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>Try to regain our footing, in case we need to abandon spider.
>You try to regain your footing. The main issue is that the spider seems to keep trying to rear up - probably to dislodge you - and its body is near upright at points with aid of the tree trunk for support. This doesn't give you a great deal to stand on. However, abandoning it should require little more than letting go and rolling aside.
>Not before giving it at least one more good jab, see if we can get it to stop thrashing, at least.
>Glance about for that third spider we saw a moment ago, see if we can tell if it's the same one we chased out here.
>You puncture the spider once more, but if anything, this prompts more thrashing rather than less.
>You glance around for the third spider, but it seems to have gotten lost behind foliage again. You're fairly confident it's not the same one you chased here initially. The coloration is quite different: the first was deep mottled green, while this looked more gray.
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I don't like that third one. But we're kind of a sitting duck here.
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The first one didn't seem to anxious to grab while we were on its' mates back, I'm not certain a smaller one will be anymore anxious to try it. And even if we can't see it, if it makes a charge at us, we'll be able to hear it coming.
I think we should stay where we are for at least one more post, and see if we can put this one down. I mean, we've stabbed it repeatedly in the head. It's got to go down sometime.
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>Keep our ear open for sounds of the othe two spiders heading our way, then drive our kunai into one of the deeper-looking wonunds we've made, and start twisting.
>"FALL, already!"
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>Keep our ear open for sounds of the othe two spiders heading our way, then drive our kunai into one of the deeper-looking wonunds we've made, and start twisting.
>"FALL, already!"
>You pull your weapon free again, then drive it into a deeper-looking wound and twist. The flesh makes a sickening sound beneath your blade as more gooey fluid smears across your hand. The spider continues to flail, though you think its motion is weakening. At the very least, its spasms are more discordant.
>With the spider still shrieking next to your ears, you think you'd be hard-pressed to hear any motion that wasn't either very loud, or very near to you. You can see the other large spider's legs shifting around the other side of the tree, but there's still no sign of the third.
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>Can we reach around its head to grab our other kunai from where we are?
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>Can we reach around its head to grab our other kunai from where we are?
>Not without reaching an arm blindly around under its mandibles.
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>That would not be a hot idea. Guess we'll make do with what we've got.
>Which direction is the other big spider coming around the tree from?
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>That would not be a hot idea. Guess we'll make do with what we've got.
>Which direction is the other big spider coming around the tree from?
>You decide that, all things being equal, you'd much rather lose a knife than a hand.
>It's approaching from your left.
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this is a fine problem... it should be considered guys that we don't know the numbers here. if i am not mistaken... aren't we still away from the MAIN source of the scent? IE most the spiders? Even if not, we don't know how many large ones there is, or how many other ones there are at all. Where having problems with two, and another we don't know where it is. or what it could do. Hell for all we know this is a hive of spiders, these could be big warroirs and that other could be anything froma acid shooting sniper, to hive idiot.
All we know is there dangerous, and they live near a populated area.
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One problem at a time, narogue.
>Slash at our current victims body, where its legs meet its... torso? On its left side. If it won't go down, we can at least hamper it's turning radius before we deal with the other threat.
>Slide off the things' back, stab it in the backside one more time for good measure, then turn to face the oncoming big spider.
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>Slash at our current victims body, where its legs meet its... torso? On its left side. If it won't go down, we can at least hamper it's turning radius before we deal with the other threat.
>Slide off the things' back, stab it in the backside one more time for good measure, then turn to face the oncoming big spider.
>You slash at the side of the spider's body, near its legs. Sadly, you have a much harder time getting through its exoskeleton with this motion, short of practically sawing at it.
>You decide this is wasted effort for the moment, and slide off the spider's back and onto the ground, giving it a parting stab from behind as you do so. Your weapon is almost frightful to behold now, so smeared with spider innards it is.
>The other spider crests the side of the tree and then seems to nearly lose its footing entirely, its legs crossing over each other in a way that looks quite unnatural. It seems that the kunai you threw earlier met its mark; it juts out from the top of the spider's head, a trail of blood leaking down over its eyes.
>You hear a strange squishing sound from close behind you.
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>What is that sound?
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>Are either of our sides clear? If so, move that way and out of the road. Particularly if there's something we can put between ourself and the sound.
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>recap the current wounds and conditions of both spiders, and are self.
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>recap the current wounds and conditions of both spiders, and are self.
>Both of the large spiders have suffered numerous stab wounds, the first primarily to its head, while the second has many in its thorax with a few shallower head wounds. Both also currently have one of your kunai embedded in them, the first in the underside of its head, near its mandibles, while the other has one jutting from the top of its head, near its eyes. The first spider, which you just dismounted, is twitching and pawing almost reflexively at the tree in front of it, while the second moves haltingly towards you on unsteady limbs.
>Up to this point, you've managed to escape without any notable injuries. Perhaps a minor bruise from tumbling around and being smacked by the spider's limbs, but no wounds. Your hands and parts of your arms are rather disconcertingly slick with spider fluids, however.
>What is that sound?
>You're not certain. It was definitely not the sound of a spider's legs, nor motion against the ground or foliage. It was something almost like the churning of a viscous liquid.
>Are either of our sides clear? If so, move that way and out of the road. Particularly if there's something we can put between ourself and the sound.
>The other large spider is shambling close to your left, but your right is fairly clear - both of obstacles and immediate cover, unfortunately. You shift to the right and almost immediately feel something wet splatter against your left shoulder. You barely have time to ponder what it is before a searing sensation spreads swiftly across the skin beneath it. Oh god it burns! In what part of your awareness still has time to note such details, you catch a small splash of viscous fluid sail past the edge of that shoulder and land on the ground just beyond it, where it starts to seethe - presumably the rest of whatever just hit you. An acrid smell fills the air.
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acid. shooting. i told ya. Now then. what to do apart form get the acid on us off? I see it as simpley run or deal with the acid shooter. As the one comeing to us probley be easy to dodge and slay later, and the one we came off of is.. .well i pretty sure its just a mater of time before it dead. As much i want say run. i rather not leave are back to blasts of acid, which probley came from the spider we lost sight of..
I also like ot remind that there most likely more stuff on the way, or its least safe toa sume there is. If one shrick atracted a small spider, alot of them....
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And given we dodged and got hit anyways, chances are this li'l bastard is way too accurate to just rush. So the questions become, how much can he do this, and how often.
Maybe use the larger spiders as shields until we can assess things further?
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He who fights and runs away, live to fight another day, eh?
Time to cut our losses and get the hell outta dodge I'd say.
We've already ensured the defeat of two of the spiders, however small a triumph that may be, and with an acid-shooter on the way, I'd say now's as good a time as any to get outta there and come back with backup.
I say we get Marisa in on this, her explosive methods might not be safe for us, but they definitely won't be safe for the spiders.
Cirno might be a help too, since it'd be considered heroic to save a village's livelihood from a horde of spiders, and who-knows-what all else. And her ice-based skills could prove useful in freezing out the acid-shooters, as well as the normal spiders.
Well, those are my backup picks.
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spiders don't like the cold ether. they be knocked out. It also be far less destructive to the area then marisa or fire.
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So, all in favor of getting the heck outta there?
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Not yet. The large spiders have largely not been a problem. The spitter is the first thing we've really had to worry about, and I don't like the idea of just cutting and running due to that.
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running also make it harder to avoid shots as we not see them. we also could drag the thing back to the village, which be bad.
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I'm not convinced that the village is in any immediate danger, regardless of what we do here at the moment. Although the risk of humans being attacked isn't one I'm prepared to discount, either.
I'm with Purvis on this one, I don't like the thought of running. At least not yet. If that thing can only spit once every couple minutes, then we've got a wide window with which to down it. Especially since I don't think the two bigger ones are in shape enough to be a serious threat right now.
I'd feel better if we could retreive at least one of our kunai before taking on the spitter, but if we can't, then we'll make do. The little one shouldn't be able to take near as much punishment as the big ones.
I might add, that if we have to take on multiple spitters, then I'd give serious consideration to tucking our tail between our legs and running.
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>How far away is the spitter?
>Is it still emitting that weird squishy sound?
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>How far away is the spitter?
>Is it still emitting that weird squishy sound?
>Given that you're still partially back-on to it, you can only approximate from the sound. Perhaps 10 feet?
>The sound was brief in duration. You hear nothing from it now.
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>Rotate our shoulder. Does the acid appear to have done any severe damage?
>Spare a glance behind us to get a better sense of how far away the spitter is.
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>Rotate our shoulder. Does the acid appear to have done any severe damage?
>Spare a glance behind us to get a better sense of how far away the spitter is.
>You rotate your shoulder. Giving the continued searing pain, you're quite certain it's still doing damage! Moving it only seems to exacerbate this, and you grit your teeth to keep from crying out.
>You glance behind you. The spider you spotted through the bushes earlier is standing on a small rock, about 9 feet behind you, its body somewhat raised. It is only mildly bigger than the spider you chased here, slate gray in color with a large bulbous abdomen and knobby, angular legs.
>The other giant spider gains another foot or so on you.
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>Spit a curse. That might be an issue. But one problem at a time.
>Dash up the back of the spider we just dismounted
>Then leap off the thing towards the spider coming at us from the left, while we still have momentum.
>If we land on its back, turn around and stab it in the head.
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>Not yet.
>Do we have anything that we think could clean this acid off? How thick does it seem to be on our shoulder?
>What are those other two spiders doing?
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>Do we have anything that we think could clean this acid off? How thick does it seem to be on our shoulder?
>What are those other two spiders doing?
>You're not sure how caustic it is to various materials. About the only cloth you have on you is either part of your clothes, or your umbrella. And judging by how quickly it started to burn once it hit you, you're inclined to think the former doesn't hold up very well. You have some water in your canteen, but the fluid is fairly viscous. You can't tell precisely how thick it is, but it's opaque enough not to be able to see your shoulder through the fluid. It was probably a fairly substantial glop, if the amount that flew by and landed on the ground is any indication.
>The other large spider doesn't seem to be doing much of anything, just twitching. The spitter is adjusting its position to follow you, but remains stationary otherwise.
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So. Step one really should be to get this crap off of us. Possibly using a handful of leaves to sop it up. Step two, which may actually be step one, toss a kunai at spitter, then follow up with a firm boot to the something. Also, the umbrella may serve as a one-time defense if we want to get close. But I really don't wanna break it unless it's a last resort =[
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I hesitate about giving up our last kunai while the other big spider is at least mobile. It would leave us defenseless, and even if the spitter isn't as tough as these two, I wouldn't want to bet on one-shotting it. If we could get at least one kunai back, then I'd be very comfortable with throwing one of them.
But I do like that leaves idea. My plan for getting rid of the acid would be to scrape our shoulder again the twitching spiders' leg, hope that was abrasing enough to remove it without being so abrasive as to do our skin any more damage than's been done. Which I couldn't guarantee, and the last thing I want is to force acid into open cuts.
Here's a thought. If the leaves don't work, what about using a stick to scrape this stuff off? Be less risky than spider leg-armor.
>Is there a stick around our feet thick enough to scrape the acid off our shoulder?
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>Is there a stick around our feet thick enough to scrape the acid off our shoulder?
>There are a couple twigs and such scattered about the nearby forest floor, although none of the ones near you are particularly thick. You might be able to scrape a little off with one, just the same. There's a somewhat stouter branch on the ground a couple feet away that might suffice, although it still has its needles on it.
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Well, a little one isn't gonna do us much good. And I'm not about to scrape needles over an acid-drenched arm, although I suppose spider-leg armor might not be much better.
I'm inclined to think your leaves idea is the better one, Purvis.
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I wouldn't worry about being defenseless at this point; the daggers aren't going to let us parry anything, and we can hang onto spiders with our hands. We wouldn't be able to attack much, but we're still fairly dodgy.
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I hadn't thought of that. My instinct is to never disarm myself completely if I can help it, but I suppose hanging on to an offense-only weapon isn't all that useful in this situation. Besides, if my first idea work once we deal with the acid, we'll have at least one kunai back anyway.
Incidentally, I have to ask. When you said 'sop up the acid', did you mean sponge it up, or wipe it off?
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Either/or. Whichever works.
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>Transfer the kunai to our left hand.
>Grab a handful of leaves and wipe them over the acid in an attempt to scrape it off, or at least let the leaves sponge up some of the stuff, insomuch as leaves can.
>Keep an ear open for that acid-y sound again from the spitter.
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>Transfer the kunai to our left hand.
>Grab a handful of leaves and wipe them over the acid in an attempt to scrape it off, or at least let the leaves sponge up some of the stuff, insomuch as leaves can.
>Keep an ear open for that acid-y sound again from the spitter.
>You swap your weapon to your off hand, and then make a dash for the nearest leafy bush, gritting yourself against the pain which seems to sear deeper with each passing breath. In the edge of your vision, you can see the spitter round to face you. You roughly grab a handful of leaves and tear them off the plant. As you do, you hear that same distinctive squishing noise from your side.
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>Crap. That's a faster recharge cycle than I'd like.
>Wait until we see the first sign of its firing, then dive sharply to the left and forward.
>Assuming the acid misses, get the first damn glob off us as fast as possible.
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>Crap. That's a faster recharge cycle than I'd like.
>Wait until we see the first sign of its firing, then dive sharply to the left and forward.
>Assuming the acid misses, get the first damn glob off us as fast as possible.
>It certainly would be nicer if it were slower...
>Glancing at it, you're pretty sure that sound is it firing. You dive sharply to the left and out of the way of the incoming volley. Geeze, it moves fast! You hit the ground hard, but thankfully manage to shield your shoulder from scraping across the dirt by bracing with your forearm. The motion strains it a little, but you'd rather not imagine how much worse the alternative would have been. A moment after you land, yYou feel a sharp stinging sensation in your right leg, near your ankle. While you narrowly missed the majority of the shot, a few stray bits splattered away from the impact and across your skin.
>Considering it enough of a miss, you take the cluster of leaves in your hand and try to quickly smear away the acid. It hurt bad enough already, but this is acutely worse. You bite down hard on your lip, and even then it's hard not to cry out as you drag the leaves firmly over your shoulder. It feels like claws tearing through your flesh, while that flesh is already on fire. You note dryly that salt probably isn't really such a bad thing to have in a wound after all. At least in comparison... It doesn't take more than a moment to feel the acid start to burn your hand, as well, whether it seeped between gaps in the leaves, or just ate holes through them.
>Uncoordinated as it is, the still-mobile giant spider is almost on top of you now. The spitter doesn't appear to have moved at all.
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Alright. Kunai up the spitter, close the distance, and kick the shit out of it if needs bit. If it's still mostly intact, stomp its legs and fuck up its aim. We've been nice to the others, offered them mercy, and they haven't really hurt us. This one gets the horns.
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I admire the sentiment, but are you sure it's a hot idea to charge the spitter after we throw our kunai at it? What if we miss?
And as much as I'd love to try putting the boots to the damn sniper, I'm not certain we can. At least not with any degree of success.
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It's a fairly small one, as I recall. We'd probably be able to beat it from mass alone.
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Let's find out.
>How big is the spitter?
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>How big is the spitter?
>It is of a bulkier frame than the spider you chased here, with less spindly limbs and a noticeably more bulbous body, but its overall size is not much larger. It is perhaps two and a half feet in diameter, and a foot and a half high.
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Well if it's bigger and broader, that means it probably isn't as agile, either. Means we have a good chance of hitting it, singed hand or no.
Also, make note. When this fight is over, we should definately head back to the village to get some better gear, or some reinforcements. If not both. I'm thinking at the very least, a pitchfork. Extra reach would be handy against any more of these things.
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>Are we near any sort of roads, or are we still in the forest?
Seriously guys. We're outnumbered, And facing an acid spitter. We're going to get killed if we keep this up without running away, or somehow Deus Ex machinma Marisa.
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wait.. what if this thing explodes baneling style? i mean i assume it creates the acid with two chemicals, otherwise it burn a hole in itself. Would pummeling it really be such a hot idea?
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wait.. what if this thing explodes baneling style? i mean i assume it creates the acid with two chemicals, otherwise it burn a hole in itself. Would pummeling it really be such a hot idea?
Exactly my thoughts bro.
Afterall, when normal acid-using creatures use acid, they have to blend two chemicals together, lest they risk it eating a hole in them.
Example? Bombardier Bugs. They use a moderately weak acidic compound that hurts like a dickens. Stinks too. Much like the acid used by spitter here.
Long story short, we should avoid fighting it without a more solid ranged weapon than just a flung Kunai.
Of course, that's unless we actually get the heck out of here, like I've been saying.
But judging from how it's goo-like, I'd say it might be some sort of modified webbing compound adjusted to corrode whatever it touches, and is most likely what did the damage to the earlier tree.
I say that if we have to, we ding a Kunai it's way to throw it off, then get the heck out of there. Kunai can be replaced, we can't.
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Has anyone else other than me actually thought "We're winning."? Because we are winning.
Think about it. One giant spider's basically dead, and it's out of the fight. The other's still mobile, but one or two good stabs will put it down, and it's not that big a threat anymore. That's two down, and all they gave us was a couple bruises.
And as for the spitter, yes, it is a threat. It's proved it can hurt us. But we've proved that we can dodge its blasts, especially since we don't really have anything to distract us now. And more importantly, it doesn't have a continuous rate of fire. It can't just sit there and spit like a machine gun. That gives us an opportunity to move in and take it down.
I think we should charge it, but don't throw our kunai at it from this range. Wait till we get to within 4 feet or so; no matter how agile it is, it can't dodge us from that range. Judging from the damage inflicted by one good headshot on the big one, a clear and solid headshot make take this thing down in one fell swoop.
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sorry but while yes, we where wining. but that doesn't change the fact that the thing could explode. Also while yes we could beat it, i rather it not explode in a acidly rain, that stuff hit us, and we didn't fully dodge it, it splattered on us, and just removing the stuff got it all over are hands.
I am not saying run. i saying we need to be careful with how we kill it. Especially if we face more is all or if it manages to not get killed in one shot. I say never assume you will win with the next blow. assume you need another attack, otherwise bad shit can happen.
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>Are we near any sort of roads, or are we still in the forest?
>You're still precisely in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest on all sides. The pastures of Easthaven and the village beyond are somewhere broadly south of you, although you don't know exactly how far away you are now. There are no roads or habitation that you know of anywhere north of Easthaven.
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Welp, Heres what I think. We run south, Pray to god we dont trip up somewhere, And hopefully get near some form of humanity. The spitter wont explode acid, But did you guys know when you get poisoned it stays until you get a doctor, no matter if you know it or not? The acid burns. It most likely is going to poison us at this rate and we will die no matter what if we keep on fighting. It took about 10 posts to kill the first spider, and even then that was mostly sheer luck.
The other option is fight the weak spider, keep an eye on the spitter, and flee. I have this gut feeling that the spitter is going to kill us, And my gut is usually not wrong.
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Wait why would it explode? Spiders digest things via acid vomitting, as do other animals. They don't explode.
Anyways, Sour is correct in his assessment. We're winning by and large. I concur with his plan.
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Wait why would it explode? Spiders digest things via acid vomitting, as do other animals. They don't explode.
Anyways, Sour is correct in his assessment. We're winning by and large. I concur with his plan.
but that doesn't change the fact that the thing could explode.
I was saying that it wouldn't explode. As least, Unless we're playing by video game logic. In that case
>are there any green mushrooms?
Well, If you guys want to go with fighting, I wont stop you. Just keep in mind that you get Naz checked out by a doc sometime after the fight.
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As long we don't see a doctor named Eirin, I'm all for that. Evilass moonbroad gives me the creeps.
By the way, narogue.... What's a baneling?
>Drop whatever leaves haven't been disolved by the acid and roll quickly to the side, towards the spitter.
>Spring to our feet once we get out of range of the big ones' legs, then charge the spitter.
>Once we get to within 4 feet or so, take aim at the things' head and let fly with the kunai.
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starcraft 2 unit. its an exploding, acid filled zergling. which explodes when killed.
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>Drop whatever leaves haven't been disolved by the acid and roll quickly to the side, towards the spitter.
>Spring to our feet once we get out of range of the big ones' legs, then charge the spitter.
>Once we get to within 4 feet or so, take aim at the things' head and let fly with the kunai.
>You throw the clump of leaves aside and then roll to the side and dammit maybe that wasn't such a bright idea. Perhaps predictable in hindsight, but the motion pushes your injured shoulder over the ground, scraping dirt against the raw flesh. Nevertheless, you grit and bear it, and make it back to your feet. Spring may be a generous to call it, but you'll take what you can get, after that. Then you make a dash for the spitter.
>Unfortunately, while you have faster land speed than the larger spider, this course requires you to run virtually alongside it. It moves to interpose itself, raising its forelegs unsteadily at you. Wait, only three of them. The last doesn't seem to be moving properly.
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>At least it was not giant monster cats.
>Can we manage to get past the spider in anyway and still charge the spitter?
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Okay, I thought that the big one was in front of us, and the spitter was behind us. Had I thought they were BOTH behind us, I'dve done things differently.
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>At least it was not giant monster cats.
>Can we manage to get past the spider in anyway and still charge the spitter?
>That would be troublesome on a whole new level.... Although they probably wouldn't spit acid, at least. You hope.
>The spitter is directly in front of you, while the larger spider is moving to pounce from slightly to the right of that. You still have a potential shot at the spitter, if you take it quickly before the legs crowd your view entirely. It isn't quite ideal, and you can't guarantee a headshot, but you'd likely still hit it. Actually charging at the spitter will take some fancy footwork of one sort or another, since the larger spider will be literally on top of you before you can reach it.
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>Is the larger spider low enough that it can block off the spitter's aim?
>For later reference, do we have any kind of medical supplies at all?
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>Is the larger spider low enough that it can block off the spitter's aim?
>For later reference, do we have any kind of medical supplies at all?
>At least from the spitter's current position, you think it would have a harder time hitting you than you would, hitting it. It certainly is not positioned to shoot below the larger spider, although it might also be able to fire off a shot before the spider pounces, if it's yet capable of doing so.
>Not on you, no.
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So that big spider. It's probably not smart enough to bait us, so I don't think we'll have to worry about horrible surprises if we go for its
injured side. Also, I ponder it's ability to pounce right with a screwed up leg.
>How fast have these things pounced in the past? Could we conceivably see it and get out of the way in time? Or is it more of a thing where we just have to guess when it'll act and act just before? If it's the former, how comfortable of a margin do we have?
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>How fast have these things pounced in the past? Could we conceivably see it and get out of the way in time? Or is it more of a thing where we just have to guess when it'll act and act just before? If it's the former, how comfortable of a margin do we have?
>They pounced quite quickly in past, although this one is moving slower in general than it was when it first struck. The pounce consists largely of a burst of speed from the rear legs while the forelegs scythe downward to scoop the target towards the mandibles and pin it; they haven't actually demonstrated any ability to jump. While you can react when it rushes, the primary issue is how much coverage the spider has, with multiple large limbs grasping inward. Previous dodges were narrow misses, but both spiders had been attacking from concealment at the time. You expect that dodging away from the direction of the pounce should be fairly reliable, but this would also be widening your distance from the spitter and letting the larger spider block line of view more full. Trying to run past it while it pounces would be trickier.
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>Did there seem to be sufficient clearance to dive under it in such a way that we wouldn't be stuck prone/eating dirt if we did pull this off?
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>Did there seem to be sufficient clearance to dive under it in such a way that we wouldn't be stuck prone/eating dirt if we did pull this off?
>There's roughly two feet or so of clearance between the bulk of the spider's body and the ground below it. You wouldn't be stuck fully prone, but you wouldn't have much headroom either. You know it can lower itself at least somewhat, when the other spider tried to tear into you with its mandibles earlier.
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I don't know if this is what you had in mind, Purvis, but it's all I got. Feel free to stop me if you think it's too risky.
>Dive forward, towards the big one, then tuck and roll. Roll right under the big sucker and out the other side of his undercarriage.
>Assuming that actually succeeds, come to a crouching stop once we're clear of the big one, then throw that kunai at his little spitting friend's head.
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It's not really already in front of us, though.
>Try this tuck and roll as it pounces, in hopes of making it of over us If we feel we're on a bad foot, though, at the last second, just try to dive aside toward it's wounded leg.
>In either case, get back to our feet immediately.
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>Dive forward, towards the big one, then tuck and roll. Roll right under the big sucker and out the other side of his undercarriage.
>Assuming that actually succeeds, come to a crouching stop once we're clear of the big one, then throw that kunai at his little spitting friend's head.
>Try this tuck and roll as it pounces, in hopes of making it of over us If we feel we're on a bad foot, though, at the last second, just try to dive aside toward it's wounded leg.
>In either case, get back to our feet immediately.
>You continue running forward towards the two spiders, watching the larger one closely as it shifts position. You can see its forelimbs twitch as you close the last couple feet. It's going to be close...
>There is a sudden burst of movement as the spider rushes you, forelegs sweeping downward. You dive! Pulling your limbs tight, you hit the ground rolling. This is perhaps even less pleasant than the last time you tried this maneuver, but there's nothing for it now. Whatever pain you have to endure is certain to be less than what that spider would do if it caught you. Even wounded as it is, though, the spider looms over you almost immediately, its limbs grasping at your rolling form. You make it past the outer edge of its legs, but another pushes at your side a mere instant before you would have crested it as well, knocking you off course and towards the spider's waiting mandibles. Its head dives.
>However, its impaired state makes its grip less airtight than it would otherwise have been. As you soon as you get knocked aside, you thrust a leg out and roll to your feet, slipping between a gap in the spider's grasp.
>You see you shot and you take it, letting your kunai fly sharply towards the spitter's head. It moves its legs to turn away from the projectile, but at this range manages only to catch it in the side of its head rather than the front. It gurgles and its legs shift awkwardly, nearly toppling the spider from the rock on which it was perched.
>Unfortunately, you're basically standing between two of the larger spider's legs at the moment, barely past the edge of its body.
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That actually worked better than I'd hoped. But now we need to get one of our kunai back. And with the spitter at least temporarily incapacitated, I want to finish off this big one.
>Sprint forward to a nearby tree, scamper up it, and leap onto the back of the big spider. And once there, yank our kunai out of the things head and give it a good stabbing.
>UNLESS that gurgling sound the spitter made was the same sound we heard before it fired. In this case, charge forward at the thing before it can fire, tear our kunai out of its head and stab it again.
>If it fires before we reach it, dodge and roll to the left, then charge, yank and stab.
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>Actually, do we even need a try to mount the big spider? Could we just leap onto it from where we are successfully?
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>Actually, do we even need a try to mount the big spider? Could we just leap onto it from where we are successfully?
>You couldn't jump onto its back from a standing position without at least a running start, but you could probably scrabble up a leg, or pull yourself up onto it with your arms, after jumping.
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That's about what I expected. I wasn't sure about trying to climb a giant spider while it's still alive, and I didn't think we could leap up on it from where we are now. That's why I went the tree route. Although, now that I think about it...
>WAS the gurgling noise the spitter emitted the same sound as it's 'preparing to fire' sound?
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>WAS the gurgling noise the spitter emitted the same sound as it's 'preparing to fire' sound?
>Distinctly different. You're pretty sure this one isn't a sound it's supposed to make.
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I like the sound of that. Right, back to business.
>Sprint forward to a nearby tree, scamper up it, and leap onto the back of the big spider. And once there, yank our kunai out of the things head and give it a good stabbing.
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>However, don't leap blindly. We've done this once before. If the spider seems like it's going to counter the maneuver, don't jump onto it.
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>Sprint forward to a nearby tree, scamper up it, and leap onto the back of the big spider. And once there, yank our kunai out of the things head and give it a good stabbing.
>However, don't leap blindly. We've done this once before. If the spider seems like it's going to counter the maneuver, don't jump onto it.
>You make a break for the nearest tree. In the corner of your eye, you see the spider's limbs shift around as you dash out of them; it follows closely behind.
>You reach the tree, grabbing hold of a branch and hoisting yourself roughly up. The spider's limbs grasp at the air where you were a moment before, rocking the branches just beneath you, but you make it out of its reach.
>Turning about, you size up the spider's position. It seems to be lurking in wait, with its limbs extended. That being said, this gives it coverage mostly in front, while impairing its ability to shift aside. You aim yourself, then kick off the trunk to get enough momentum to crest its reach; it still grasp for you nonetheless, but is far off the mark. You land roughly on the spider's lower abdomen, gripping its hairy body as firmly as you can to prevent falling off, then you try to pull yourself back up to its head.
>The spider turns from the tree immediately, trying to throw you off sideways. Still, your grip remains firm. Making it to its head, you rip your kunai free and lay into the spider nearly as savagely as you did the last. There are a few more moments of agonized struggle from the creature, but it's clearly losing the last of its fight.
>You hear another squishing noise behind you, somewhat different than the previous two.
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>Stab the sucker one more time for good measure, then look over our shoulder in the direction of that noise.
>Be prepared to dive off this spider in the event we have something coming at us.
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>Stab the sucker one more time for good measure, then look over our shoulder in the direction of that noise.
>Be prepared to dive off this spider in the event we have something coming at us.
>You give the spider another stab, then look behind you.
>You see the spitter on a nearby log, having apparently adjusted position to give it a clear shot at you once again. The sound does seem to be it firing, but... something is wrong. Much of the blast is coming out quite a few degrees to the right of where its head is facing, while more of it dribbles on the ground below its mouth. Some of the splash is still aimed at you, but with too little power to actually reach you. It splatters harmlessly at the feet of the spider you're riding; the ground starts to sizzle beneath it.
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>"HAH! Not so bad NOW, are ya! Should've hit me better when you had the chance!"
>How far away is the spitter?
>Stab the big guy in the head some more, until it goes down.
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>"HAH! Not so bad NOW, are ya! Should've hit me better when you had the chance!"
>How far away is the spitter?
>Stab the big guy in the head some more, until it goes down.
>You through a vicious retort at your damaged foe. Although, if you're perfectly honest with yourself, you're actually rather glad it did not hit you any better than it already has...
>About ten or so feet away.
>You keep stabbing, while your mount continues to weave and flail uncoordinatedly. Although, if the previous large spider is anything to go by, it can probably keep this up for a while without being any real threat to you. That one took quite a while to actually stop moving, even after you left it to paw futilely at the tree it was standing by. Glancing back, it's quite still now, crumpled in a splayed heap at the base of the tree.
-
>We must look absolutely frightening right about now.
>One last stab, then leap off the back of the dying spider.
>Dash forward, then throw our kunai at the spitters' head. No way it can keep going after two headshots.
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>We must look absolutely frightening right about now.
>One last stab, then leap off the back of the dying spider.
>Dash forward, then throw our kunai at the spitters' head. No way it can keep going after two headshots.
>Your hands and arms are splattered with blue blood and scatted bits of spider gunk, your right hand has shallow acid burns, as does your ankle, you've got dirt all over your clothes and you don't even want to imagine what your shoulder looks like, raw and caked with dirt and undoubtedly blood. It still hurts profusely. Frightening seems an apt descriptor.
>You give the spider one last stab for good measure, then dismount off its back, leaving it to stumble about in its death throes.
>Then you turn and dash towards the spitter, letting lose your kunai once you're close enough to guarantee the hit. You blade sails through the air and drives into the spider's head with a wet thunk. It seems your instinct was correct; the spider's legs stumble and splay, and then give out underneath it. It tumbles off the log into a twitching heap.
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>Pause for a moment, breathing deeply.
>Perk our ears. Can we hear anything moving in the underbrush, anything resembling the spitter's acid-y sound? Anything at all that might be more spiders lurking about?
>Is there any sign of the first spider, the one we chased here in the first place?
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>Pause for a moment, breathing deeply.
>Perk our ears. Can we hear anything moving in the underbrush, anything resembling the spitter's acid-y sound? Anything at all that might be more spiders lurking about?
>Is there any sign of the first spider, the one we chased here in the first place?
>You pause and breathe. Breathing is good. Being able to stand still for even a moment without something trying to kill you is good, too. ...is it over?
>You listen to the environment. You hear nothing at all resembling that squishing noise, and if any spiders are moving about out there, they're being extremely quiet about it.
>You can neither see nor hear any sign of it. In fact, you haven't caught a single hint of it since the first larger spider attacked you.
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>Let out another deep breath, then straighten up.
>Walk over to the big spider we killed first, then yank our kunai out of its jaw.
>Wait until the spitter spots twitching, then retrieve our kunai from its skull.
>Then find a tree a bit removed from the carnage, and sit down against it. Heavily.
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>Let out another deep breath, then straighten up.
>Walk over to the big spider we killed first, then yank our kunai out of its jaw.
>Wait until the spitter spots twitching, then retrieve our kunai from its skull.
>Then find a tree a bit removed from the carnage, and sit down against it. Heavily.
>You let out a very deep breath indeed, then straighten up and go retrieve your kunai from the fallen spiders once the last of them seems safely dead. All of them look quite disgusting in their own right at the moment, splattered and smeared with spider innards and blood. You cringe at the thought of stowing them without a thorough cleaning. ...although, your clothes themselves are going to need some work, too, aren't they? Any other damage aside, they're missing a shoulder at the least.
>You take a few steps away from the spider corpses and find a pleasant looking tree, then flop against it. Aww, dammit! Must your shoulder be involved in everything you do? You adjust your position so that it's not leaning against the trunk, and let yourself sag. This... was a little rougher than you were expecting when you took this job.
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>Okay, now that the adreneline is passing, and we can realize just how painful that wound is, let out the scream that's been building all this time.
>Once that's passed, have a listen for any sounds of running water.
>Look at the legs on the two different spiders. Can we remove one of them with the tools we have without enormous difficulty?
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>Before we get into corpse mutilating, take a few minutes to just listen for other spiders.
-
>Do these spiders yield contaminated meat when butchered?
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I'm thinking, if we're going to take proof, we should take something small and not too bad mutilately.
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That's why I asked about their legs. I figure everyone knows what a spider's leg looks like, so seeing one that's three feet or so long would substantiate our story pretty well. Assuming we don't have to stand here for half an hour sawing at arachnid tendons with a knife. Or whatever passes for tendons in arachnids.
Come to think of it, to arachnids even HAVE tendons, Hanzo?
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Giant spiders might.
And legs are huge and pains in the ass. And if there's any intelligence behind these, is going to probably take further offense at them being cut up.
Also: If there aren't any more spiders coming by the time we're done recuperating? It suggests we've dealt with the worst and out to press onward until confronted again.
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Well, what else could we use for evidence? Apart from the smoldering wound on our shoulder.
On the other hand, Ichirin would probably take our word for it, and she's the one paying us. We'd probably only need to bring back proof if we wanted to enlist backup, and I'm not sure that's necessary.
And I'm afraid I disagree with the thought that the worst is over. For all we know, these three were just sentries, and the bulk of the swarm is somewhere else. There's still that stronger smell we haven't investigated, as well. I'm convinced we haven't seen the worst this quest can throw at us, and I don't want to be caught unprepared a second time. I don't think we should investigate that other scent source until we go get some more gear. A weapon with some reach, like a pitchfork. Some bailing wire for our kunai, so we can retreive them more easily; we've seen how that can be an issue with so limited a supply.
I know, I don't want to spend any more time on this quest than is necessary, but I believe this is necessary.
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Um.
The evidence is on our shoulders, our kunai, And our ankles. I doubt we need to bring back any parts of a freaky spider.
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Normal spiders lack tendons, but giant ones might have 'em.
That said, since these are only about the size of a normal dog, we should be able to cut one of the legs off, it shouldn't be much more of a hassle than say, those boxed cats.
Particularly if we coil it into a hoop.
And yeah, the worst is definitely not over. I may not be a spider expert, but I am Genre Savvy.
If there's a spider's nest mentioned or hinted at, the hero will have to go there eventually.
That having been said, we shouldn't linger too long, this here's spider country.
And we're gonna need backup for the rest of the investigation in this area regardless, we won't be able to fight at 100% until our shoulder gets fixed up, and heals.
So we need someone to make up for that, and give support.
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The worse is not done. these are social spiders, and as every game tells you, spider hives always have a queen which is the best guarded, or strongest. We need to gear up and get healed up like sour says.
the spider blood all over us should also help the case well. I mean we got gore all over us.
Also i just remembered there a goddess around, at the very least she been around the block for a while.
>Think about a bath or shower that could be back in home right now.
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>Okay, now that the adreneline is passing, and we can realize just how painful that wound is, let out the scream that's been building all this time.
>Once that's passed, have a listen for any sounds of running water.
>Look at the legs on the two different spiders. Can we remove one of them with the tools we have without enormous difficulty?
>You let out a half-curse half-cry of pain through gritted teeth. Though the acid seems to ended its work on your flesh, the burning rawness left in its wake isn't a whole lot better at the moment.
>You take a moment to listen for the sound of running water. Unfortunately, you don't hear any, nor had you for some time now. There's the river back the way you came, although that's a fair ways away by this point.
>You size up the spiders' legs. The spitter's are considerable smaller in diameter than the other spiders', but you're fairly certain you could hack either of them off, given a bit of time to work at it.
>Before we get into corpse mutilating, take a few minutes to just listen for other spiders.
>You take another few minutes to listen carefully to the surrounding wilderness. You do hear the occasional sound of distant movement, though nothing notable nearby and nothing that sounds conclusively unusual for the forest - at a distance, you don't think you could distinguish a spider moving through foliage from some other more mundane creature.
>Do these spiders yield contaminated meat when butchered?
>Since 0.8, but you lack rPois at the moment, making the question rather moot.
>Think about a bath or shower that could be back in home right now.
>You think back to some of the comforts of civilization, like a hot bath. Man... that actually sounds really nice, right about now. Get all this gunk off of you... Your shoulder would probably sting like hell, but it probably ought to be cleaned anyway.
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So, I suspect we took out the main forces. If the wound doesn't look too bad, I say we press on. We do have Youkai restorative abilities, so it's not going to cripple us, I'd think. If we run into more bad times, we can retreat.
>Examine the wound. Do we feel we can recover from it. Does it seem like we can do anything more to treat it here? How is our first aid skill?
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I'm beginning to have doubt about there being a sentient intelligence at work here, at least a humanoid one. If there were, I think it would have ordered these three to back off before we aced them.
But I also think Kips and Narogue are right in that bringing back a limb may be a little redundant. And probably more trouble than it's worth.
I'll be at work for the next few hours, so if anyone wanted to move things forward, feel free. I still reccomend going back for more gear first, but Purvis is right as well in that we can run if we meet anymore spiders. Might be nice to know where the lair is, too, so we know where it is in case we have to come back.
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>Examine the wound. Do we feel we can recover from it. Does it seem like we can do anything more to treat it here? How is our first aid skill?
>You crane your neck back and try to examine your shoulder as best you can. It's... a mess, to say the least. The wound covers an area a little larger than your hand, stripped clean of skin and almost a little sunken-looking in places. The flesh is raw, bloody, and caked with dirt. There are even a few tiny bits of leaf stuck to it. That being said, you can definitely heal from this and much worse, although it would help if you could clean it. While it doesn't really pose any long-term harm to you, you wouldn't be surprised if you could still feel it in the morning, although the skin should have regrown before then.
>You have rudimentary first aid skill, but no equipment on you for it.
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ok order of business one. clean that wound. I also vote go back for gear. At teh very least some string or something to pull are kunai back with, even if we coudl take the spider on now. i rather make it less tedious for now then having to require are kunai. That should getting basic care to the shoulde, such as bandages to keep stuff out of the wound, before heading back in to the lair.
>head back to he river from before to clean the wound.
>how much help could the village have for are shoulder? like bandage it?
EDIT: and another thought came to me.
>Frist Oni, then ice fairy with a big sword, now giant spiders that shoot acid, whats next? Huge dragon cats?
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>Don't go back just yet. If we're going to recover anyways, then right now it's a non-issue. If we don't strike while the iron is hot, all sorts of things could be done to make things much worse by the time we get back.
>Let's try to pick the little bits of leaf out of it. Those can't be good...
>Get some distance away from the carnage, keeping wary for more possible spiders, and see if we can catch that odor we were following before all this went to shit.
>Also check our kunai for damage.
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>ignore what purvis said
Most us want go back and least get healed up. or get better gear. your the only one who wants to go on at this very moment. That is why i said clean the wounds. so we have time to put it to a vote.
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This being said after the facts that it wasn't actually bad were revealed. Also, I'm just information gathering at this point; the reason I said to move was that the smell of gore would overpower just about everything else and make further checking futile there.
>Resume as previous said, it doesn't really commit to anything at this point save getting more information.
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ok then. i just didn't want you jumping into a spider pit, where everyone else in the part as it where rather not yet.
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I too think that we should at least clean it out if we're gonna go any further.
Even with Youkai Regeneration, we don't want an infection do we?
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Getting the leaf bits out out ought to do the best. The problem is, the nearest water source is a distance away. In doing that we, would lose a lot of time, during which any spiders still about, if they are about, would be able to organize for us much better. Right now, if there are still any, they are going to be either unsuspecting or in disarray. We should take advantage of this while we can.
Not to mention, they're going to have to have some water sources, not to mention all this flora, so I'd be highly surprised if we didn't find a creek or spring somewhere with a little looking. So there's also a good probability that we'd find a place to clean anyways, possibly faster than doubling back would.
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Yeah, but the odds are, that if there is water there, it's likely gonna be right in their nest.
And if there's one thing I've learned, water found in a giant spider's nest is not gonna be the safest water to be muckin' about with.
Sure, we might lose some time, but better safe than sorry. Besides, we aren't going to go into the nest. If anything, we're just going to scout it out.
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Well, we're already safe, is the point. We already know the wound is going to heal up nicely. And, there's typically dozens of water sources in a forest. So, what're we're doing is trading an advantage we can't ever get back ever for something that is nice, but can be put off. And likely be served anyways by going forward. Given the situation, it's best to plow on ahead and exploit it within reason.
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the thing is. the time your saying their taking to prepare for us. where taking to prepare for them. in other words, the point moot. what will they do? build more webs? position spitters from where we can't to to where we can't see +1? Move the big spiders into better formations? Assuming they even do anything, or that there a large intelligence behind this.
We didn't come here to fight a large group of giant spiders, as a result we got acid all over are shoulder and splashed over two different areas. the two large spiders would been down much faster if we could just yanked the kunai out them and chucked them again. If where really lucky something to wrap around their "heads" and cut thought their necks with as we stab them. A pitch fork also sounds nice, it be able to stab into the giant spider far deeper then are kunai and with a range to.
Their spiders. i see it as far more advantageous to go back and be prepared and keep are wounds cleaned. then what tiny difference the spiders knowing something killed other spiders.
if these where humans or yokai or something. i be considering your idea. but their spiders that proven to not be intelligent, or most likely led by something that human like intelligence like sour said.
BIG EDIT: the point that we have a surprise on them now is moot. the first spider got away and we never say it again.
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...I have no idea what you were trying to say with half of that. But what did make sense don't actually counter anything I said. We have this chance before they can prepare. What can they prepare? More sentry types. Better ambushes. Things that would be a lot more disadvantageous than the situation now. So yes, moving now is the best option.
Also, Hanzo, something I've noted: they fought to the death. Animals don't fight to the death most of the time. This highly suggests there's an intelligence behind them. The other possibility is children. I don't know if we can discount the latter or not, but I am inclined to. Normally spiders aren't very much parent types, but who knows with giant spiders? I think an organizing intelligence is very likely. Especially given multiple species working together.
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That's what i was thinking from the get-go.
These may not have been bright, but what's stopping later ones from being clever little bastards? All the more reason to come back when we're prepared.
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And they're prepared as well, and have a home turf advantage. Simply put, there is no better time to act. It'll just be worse when we come back. Especially since we can retreat if things get hot, resupply as you suggest, and come back better informed as well as better supplied.
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ether way. in the end. Three of us say go back and get geared. to just you who wants to go now.
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You and Hanzo are not three people. Nor, really, has Hanzo come down definitively against; as we're still discussing things. And there's still information to be gathered before a final decision can be reached. So watch warmly, and let Sour have his say rather than saying for him.
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he did. before. look at his post. -.- he said he was for going back for gear.
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>how much help could the village have for are shoulder? like bandage it?
>Frist Oni, then ice fairy with a big sword, now giant spiders that shoot acid, whats next? Huge dragon cats?
>There certainly would be basic medical supplies in the village; you know that Ichirin herself keeps some. Also, if memory serves, Minoriko is well-versed in herbal remedies. She might have something that would dull the burning while it heals.
>If you have to take down huge dragon cats before this job is done, you don't know there's enough money in all of Easthaven to afford your fee...
>Let's try to pick the little bits of leaf out of it. Those can't be good...
>Also check our kunai for damage.
>You gingerly try to pick out the bits of leaf that you can see. This manages not to sting too terribly, although it's hard to be certain you've got all of them; the position of the wound makes it hard to see all of it without a mirror or something.
>You inspect your kunai for damage. Aside from the gunk on them, the blades seem to be in good shape.
>Don't go back just yet. If we're going to recover anyways, then right now it's a non-issue. If we don't strike while the iron is hot, all sorts of things could be done to make things much worse by the time we get back.
>Get some distance away from the carnage, keeping wary for more possible spiders, and see if we can catch that odor we were following before all this went to shit.
>You consider backtracking to the river to clean your injury, weighing this against potentially giving any other spiders more time to anticipate your arrival in their domain. For the moment, you decide to just scout and see if you can find the scent you were originally tracking.
>The smell of the corrosive residue and slain spiders is too strong to have any hope of picking it up from here, so you try to put some distance between you and the battlefield. Your zig-zagging pursuit of the first spider threw off your sense of position somewhat, and the battle itself did not help this. Still, you think the trail you were walking earlier was broadly south of here. You head that direction, keeping a wary ear out for any more spiders lying in wait.
>You actually cover a fair bit of ground before you get even a hint of the earlier scent. You think your nose is a bit oversaturated with the sharp acrid scent of the acid as it ate away at your skin so close to your own nose. Even with a fair distance put between you and the carnage, you can still smell that first on every breath. You think your tracking abilities are going to be impaired for a little while, at least. That being said, you think you may have picked it up again. It's less pronounced, but it matches your general sense of where you were traveling originally. You believe you're still some distance to the north of your original path, although you can't be certain of this.
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it also seems it be harder to detect the scent. huh. getting wash down will least help with that. hopefully.
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Indeed. Aside from picking a direction, Scent is what we have. That said, just picking a direction has a pretty good chance of yielding some clues. BUT!
>Do we recognize this area at all?
>If not, do we have faith we can find it again?
>How well do know the course back; aside from "Go <a direction> until we hit some large thing we recognize and adjust from there."
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>Do we recognize this area at all?
>If not, do we have faith we can find it again?
>How well do know the course back; aside from "Go <a direction> until we hit some large thing we recognize and adjust from there."
>Not specifically. It's fairly nondescript, but your gut says that you didn't pass by it on your way after the spider, nor along your original route towards the scent.
>Unless something turns you about, you're comfortable enough in your navigational ability to retrace your way back to the general area if you walk off.
>You don't know specifically where you are. At worst, you should eventually hit the river if you move west, and you will certainly reach the pastures outside Easthaven if you keep moving south.
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Well, it'd be a wise idea to get geared up before further investigation, as I, and others have iterated.
And plus, with the acid overworking our scent-based tracking ability, I'm seriously convinced that going much further with things as they are now will not be a sound idea.
Long story short, I'm with Sour and Nar here on this. We should at least get the shoulder fixed, if not at the least cleaned off. And at the least, get something to help our combat odds, should it come to that.
Like how Nar and I think Sour were suggesting a Pitchfork and some of that twine stuff for our Kunai.
Here's my idea for combat potential boosting, But it hinges on how many Kunai we have, and if we can fling groups of them at once.
My idea is to affix the twine stuff, or something stronger, to all our Kunai. And then getting a new attack method by flinging a group of Kunai at a single foe, or a larger group of foes.
>How many Kunai do we have in our possession, in addition to the two we used on the spiders?
>Are we capable of flinging more than one Kunai at once?
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>How many Kunai do we have in our possession, in addition to the two we used on the spiders?
>Are we capable of flinging more than one Kunai at once?
>You have 3 in your possession, all of which were used during your last battle.
>You have two hands, so you're certainly capable of throwing two at once, although aiming for two separate targets at the same time would make it harder to hit either of them. Your aim is more precise with your right hand than your left in any case. Technically, you could fling more than one with a single hand at once, but at that point you wouldn't count on hitting anything usefully; you're a competent shot, but not a masterful one.
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Yeah, but while doing, the spiders are very likely to take a lot more advantage of the situation than we are. We get a pitchfork, okay, and they get time to put out a lot more guards. And as I've reiterated several times, if we run into trouble and draw back, we can still do all of that and have that much more information to work with. The propose is to give up an advantage that is time sensitive and easy to lose for something we can literally do whenever we please. It's a poor trade of opportunity costs.
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Wow. That was quite a debate.
First of all, when Nar said 'three people', Purvis, I think he was including Kips, who managed to avoid this debate, but also wanted to fall back, as I recall.
Second of all, having had some time at work to consider the situation, I recall what Draco parsed when we were chasing the first little one. That we could have overtaken it had we wanted. I have no reason to suspect the bigger ones are any faster. Which means that if we get ambushed us again, and we decide to run, we can outrun it. And in military terms, it is best to have information about what you're preparing for before preparing, such as location and numbers. So here's what I propose.
We take a moment to rinse off our wound with canteen water, then go forward again, try and find the big source of scent. Along the way, we look about for more water. There has to be something in here - a brook, a stream, a gully, SOMETHING - that hasn't been contaminated, that we can use to refiill our canteen and wash our wounds more throughly. We probe deeper to try and find the lair, and find out just what we're in for. Assuming we find it before getting attacked again, we can decide then what we do from there.
BUT, if we get attacked again on the way to the lair, we fall back and regroup. I'm willing to risk being ambushed once more with the gear and wounds we have, but not twice. That would be pushing our luck too far.
Does that sound fair to everyone?
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rinsing off the wounds first is what i wanted to do. so i for it.
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Forgot all about our poor Canteen. Let's do this.
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I'd still rather pull back. But it looks like that ain't gonna happen unless we get swarmed, the way things are going.
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I'm not gonna let it get that bad, Hanzo. One more ambush is my limit, I'm not prepared to risk anymore than that. Not yet, anyway.
>Use some water from our canteen to rinse out the acid wound, enough to ensure the leafy bits are washed away, at least. Have a swallow if we have any left over.
>Once said wound stops stinging from that, rise and get our bearings.
>Set off towards the source of the scent, as near as we can determine it to be coming from.
>Look for any signs of water as we go, the sounds, the smells, anything we can associate with proximity to fresh water.
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If you really think it'll work, go right on ahead.
Just keep in mind that sometimes, one ambush is all it takes.
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>Use some water from our canteen to rinse out the acid wound, enough to ensure the leafy bits are washed away, at least. Have a swallow if we have any left over.
>Once said wound stops stinging from that, rise and get our bearings.
>Set off towards the source of the scent, as near as we can determine it to be coming from.
>Look for any signs of water as we go, the sounds, the smells, anything we can associate with proximity to fresh water.
>You take out your canteen, and pour some water over your wound to rinse the dirt and other debris off. It stings a bunch, but you've almost sort of gotten used to everything involving your shoulder stinging at this point. It does feel cleaner once you're done, if nothing else, though the water the runs onto the ground is tinged unpleasantly red. You have a swig of some of what's left over.
>You give yourself another few moments, but figure that waiting for your shoulder to stop stringing is a lost cause at the moment. You get your bearings and prepare to move out.
>You set off towards the scent, at least as best as you can determine it at the moment, while keeping your senses peeled for water or more spiders. In stark contrast to the frenzy of a few minutes ago, the walk is without incident, and nearly as mundane as when you first set foot in these woods. It's almost enough to make you wonder if your encounter was something of an anomaly. Your lock on the scent remains much more vague than earlier, although you think you're still moving in more or less the right direction.
>After several more minutes of trekking, you hear the sound of running water, somewhere to the northeast.
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>That's a lovely sound.
>Change course towards the sound of water.
>Have we seen any signs of anything indicating something other than spiders living in this part of the forest?
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>Do keep wary of possible ambushes and unusual noises.
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>That's a lovely sound.
>Change course towards the sound of water.
>Have we seen any signs of anything indicating something other than spiders living in this part of the forest?
>It indeed is a pleasant sound to hear at the moment.
>You change direction and head off towards the water.
>There are some signs of other wildlife in the area, yes. Perhaps scarcer than further to the west, but certainly not entirely absent.
>Do keep wary of possible ambushes and unusual noises.
>You've been keeping your senses especially peeled since the first spider encounter, and you're not about to let that slip until you're more comfortable that you're in the clear.
>After a short walk, you catch sight of the brook. It is a very tiny stream indeed, less than a foot across at most points, but it should serve your purposes. The water looks clear and unsullied by anything unnatural.
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>Fill that canteen after making sure there are no bears around.
>While doing so, check around the stream, if it has proper banks. Any interesting tracks we can see?
>Afterward, have some good drinks, and wash our should again if we think there's any benefit to be hand.
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>Rinse off our kunai and face as well. And the burns on our leg and hand.
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>Fill that canteen after making sure there are no bears around.
>While doing so, check around the stream, if it has proper banks. Any interesting tracks we can see?
>Afterward, have some good drinks, and wash our should again if we think there's any benefit to be hand.
>You have a look around the stream to make sure it's unoccupied, then fill your canteen. On the whole, bears are actually something of a rarity in these parts, but it never hurts to be cautious.
>While doing this, you scan about for tracks. The are scattered signs of a few small animals having walked here, but nothing you would consider interesting.
>You take a drink from the stream. It's not the coolest water you've had, but it's still quite potable.
>Rinse off our kunai and face as well. And the burns on our leg and hand.
>While you're at it, you rinse off your face and the acid burns on your hand and ankle. Neither of them look very serious. Patches of skin are an angry red and a touch raw, but the acid didn't burn deep enough to have drawn blood except at a couple tiny spots - small enough that they've already basically healed shut.
>Next you rinse off your kunai. It takes a bit of scrubbing to get the spider gunk off of them, dried as it was getting. Wisps of murky blue swirl away with the current as you work at it. Still, they look much more respectable for your efforts. You dry them off on your shirt once you're done and stow them again.
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>Pocket two kunai, but keep the third one in hand. Just in case.
>Take a moment to enjoy the respite, the sense of knowing on battle is done but another is yet to come. Glad I didn't take you with me, Honeysuckle...
>Continue on.
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>Hell, wash our face and hands, too. See how much spider gunk we can get off.
>After that, try to catch the smell again.
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>Let's not wash off too much. It might help disguise our scent from the rest of them, assuming spiders use scent.
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I don't think smelling of spider gore is going to hide us any more than smelling like blood is going to hide you from most animals.
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Touche.
Disregard my previous post.
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>Hell, wash our face and hands, too. See how much spider gunk we can get off.
>You've done about as well at that as you're likely to get without proper soap. Your hands look more or less fine, but they still smell... pungent.
>Take a moment to enjoy the respite, the sense of knowing on battle is done but another is yet to come. Glad I didn't take you with me, Honeysuckle...
>You take a moment to savor the calm and the clean, feeling a little glad not to have accidentally dragged poor Honeysuckle in over her head. Talk about an initiation by fire...
>Pocket two kunai, but keep the third one in hand. Just in case.
>Continue on.
>After that, try to catch the smell again.
>You keep one kunai in hand in case you need to fend off something quickly, and then continue back to the south, trying to hone in on the scent. A few more minutes pass without event. There are a few conflicting scent trails in the area which make it somewhat harder to tell exactly which way it is you want to go; you think other spiders have walked past here, though it's hard to be certain. The scent is a little hazy here.
>And then the wind shifts and you get a distinct wiff of what you were following originally, from the southwest. You've actually moved past it, traveling north of your original route.
-
>Does this location more or less correspond with the direction of the scent we were tracking in the first place?
-
>Does this location more or less correspond with the direction of the scent we were tracking in the first place?
>Given that you aren't certain where you are now in relation to where you were then other than the scent, you can't really say. The scent was east of your first position, and southwest of your current one. Accounting for how you've moved in the meantime, this isn't obviously wrong.
-
>Head that way, then. Slowly.
-
>Head that way, then. Slowly.
>You head slowly and carefully in the direction of the scent. After a time, the terrain grows rougher than in much of the rest of the wood that you've covered thus far, with slopes becoming steeper than more frequent. If you had to guess, it's possible this may be the northwestern extent of the hills that rise up along the northeast of the pastures before they get swallowed by forest. While you're definitely approaching something, you still see no immediate sign of spiders for another couple minutes.
>As you move around a small rise, you think you catch the sound of legs scraping against bark, a short distance ahead of you.
-
>Duck behind a tree.
>Crane our head round to have a look from cover.
-
>Duck behind a tree.
>Crane our head round to have a look from cover.
>You duck behind the nearest tree, then crane your head around to have a look in the direction of the sound. You see nothing amiss.
-
>Wait a few moments to see if anything appears.
-
>Wait a few moments to see if anything appears.
>You wait a few more moments. The sound stops, but you still see nothing.
-
>Sigh quietly. How vexing.
>Continue on, but give a wide berth to the area that sound was coming from.
-
>Sigh quietly. How vexing.
>Continue on, but give a wide berth to the area that sound was coming from.
>You sigh quietly. This is about the last time and place you'd want to hear noises without sign of their cause.
>You continue onward, taking a detour from the direct route to leave a wide distance around the place it seemed to be coming from. You make it about 50 feet away when you hear more sound of quiet motion to the west. The original spot is still quiet, although roughly within sight, through the trees.
-
>Look westward. Can we tell where that motion may be coming from, or how large of a thing can be concealed?
>Ready a kunai. In fact, ready two.
-
>Look westward. Can we tell where that motion may be coming from, or how large of a thing can be concealed?
>Ready a kunai. In fact, ready two.
>You look westward. Frustratingly, you don't see anything in that direction either, at the moment. You can tell fairly specifically where the sound is coming from; it's perhaps 30 or so feet distant. There is enough foliage and trees blocking line of sight in that direction that it's possible a larger spider could be concealed, although if the source of the noise is large, it's extremely quite for its size. It's quite quiet, period, actually.
>You've kept one kunai at the ready since your break at the stream. You draw a second to accompany it.
-
>Glance up. Can we see anything in the branches of the trees above us?
-
>Glance up. Can we see anything in the branches of the trees above us?
>You glance up at the trees above you. You see nothing among the branches that shouldn't be there. You don't hear any noise coming from above you, either.
-
>Find a decent tree to climb, then climb it.
>Look westward once we get a better vantage point.
-
>Find a decent tree to climb, then climb it.
>Look westward once we get a better vantage point.
>You find a suitable tree nearby and make your way up its branches.
>Once there, you look west again. This doesn't give you as far a vantage as you might hope, given how the land continues to rise up in that direction, still crowded with trees. If you keep moving forward, you're going to have a rather more strenuous hike on your hands soon. You still don't see anything out of place. The sound stops.
>Wait, there it is again! Just as you're about to mutter in frustration once more, you finally catch a faint hint of motion on the other side of a bush. There is a small spider creeping through the undergrowth about 25 feet away. Well, 'small'; it's funny how an encounter like you had earlier can change your perspective on such things. It's around the size of the first spider you chased and seems to be roughly similar in kind. Its coloration makes it blend in quite well with its surroundings; if it hadn't been moving, you're pretty certainly you wouldn't have spotted it at all.
-
>Which direction is it moving?
>Is it the only spider we can currently detect?
>Are we agile enough to leap from one tree to another?
-
>Which direction is it moving?
>Is it the only spider we can currently detect?
>Are we agile enough to leap from one tree to another?
>It is moving vaguely southeast, somewhat in your general direction, although not directly towards you.
>For the moment, you believe so, but you wouldn't be able to detect similarly quiet movement at much further than the distance this spider is from you now.
>That depends on how suitable the tree in question is as well as how close. Although the forest is fairly dense in most places, a great many of the trees aren't particularly suited for climbing and even less so for leaping onto - they simply don't present clear branches at the right height. That being said, there are one or two nearby that you might be able to attempt this on, if you were so inclined.
-
>Are any of those in the direction we're traveling in?
>If so, make a leap for one of them.
-
>Are any of those in the direction we're traveling in?
>If so, make a leap for one of them.
>Neither are directly in the direction you were traveling, but you decide one is close enough.
>You position yourself, aim for a clear branch, and leap, reaching your arms out to grab onto your target. You grasp your hands firmly onto the branch as you sail within reach, making a dull creaking noise and rustling the leaves heavily as they shake with the sudden force. You push your feet against the trunk for purchase, then hoist yourself up onto the branch.
-
>Nin nin!
>Look westward again.
>Can we hear any running water sounds?
>Check beneath us and around as well for any spider signs in the immediate vicinity.
-
>Nin nin!
>Look westward again.
>Can we hear any running water sounds?
>Check beneath us and around as well for any spider signs in the immediate vicinity.
>You look westward again. You can't see much that you couldn't see a moment earlier. The spider has stopped moving, however. It seems to be facing in your direction.
>You do not.
>You look about the tree and the nearby landscape. You see no other signs of spiders at the moment.
-
>How clear a shot do we have at that spider?
>How much distance is there between us and that spider?
-
>How clear a shot do we have at that spider?
>How much distance is there between us and that spider?
>There are a few other limbs of the tree partially obscuring the view, but you think you have a passable shot through an opening in it.
>Around 20 feet or so.
-
>Too far away.
>Is there another tree we can jump to in that direction?
-
>Too far away.
>Is there another tree we can jump to in that direction?
>You decide the distance is too far at the moment.
>There only trees directly closer to the spider are either too far away to reach from where you are or too short. There is one about 45 degrees off that direction, but it should still put you at least a couple feet closer to the spider. It's not as suitable to leap to as this one was, but probably still doable.
-
Let's not snipe the spider. Better to just let it wander off.
>Do we recall any distinctive physical features of the spitter?
-
>Do we recall any distinctive physical features of the spitter?
>It was slate gray, and had a very large bulbous abdomen for its overall size, with knobby angular legs. The one you are currently looking at does not resemble it particularly.
-
If it wanders off, so be it. But if we can get a clear headshot, we should take it. One less spider now is one less that can bushwhack us later, or swarm us when we find the lair.
>Does the one in front us resemble the small spider that led us into that ambush?
-
>Does the one in front us resemble the small spider that led us into that ambush?
>Its coloration is somewhat more muted, but it does indeed look quite similar.
-
Given there is very likely someone intelligent behind them, taking aggressive action will probably kill our ability to make a peaceful resolution. Right now, we can claim ignorance and self defense. It'd actually help in such a case if we can claim to have seen one and let it go.
-
Then how would you suggest we deal with this one? Stare at it until it gets bored and wanders off?
>Make a leap for that tree.
-
Then how would you suggest we deal with this one? Stare at it until it gets bored and wanders off?
>Make a leap for that tree.
>Disregard this.
It doesnt see us, And I'm pretty damn sure we can make a safe path around it. We dont need to go through any more trouble today. Also, Remember how much trounle we had with one spider. You make it seem like a headshot will kill it instantly, And we'd be perfectly fine after.
-
Because we would. The spitter was nearly dead after one headshot, and that wasn't even a clean hit. This one doesn't even look to be as tough as the spitter. So yes, I do think one clean headshot would take it down, we'd be fine and clear to continue on, and have one less spider at our backs that can jump on us.
Unless you've got a better idea, Kips?
-
I say we just shadow this one, if it leads us to someone intelligent that we can talk with, then there's hope yet for these eight-leggers.
And if memory serves, the type of spider that I assumed the one spider that we first found was could act almost chameleon-like in respects to colors.
So it's quite possible that this is the very same one from before, just "wearing a different outfit" so to speak.
-
Reasonable enough. For now.
Just for the record, though, I have serious doubts there's any sentient life out here other than us. Maybe I'm wrong, though. We'll see.
>Observe the spider from our current position.
-
We've seen the equivalent of wolves, hyenas, and jackals cooperating. I think Nazrin can probably ICly assume there's something behind it. Different species don't tend to do this unless there's a guiding intellect behind them.
-
Just for the record, though, I have serious doubts there's any sentient life out here other than us. Maybe I'm wrong, though. We'll see.
Same. I firmly believe this is just a social spider hive. I also think that by the time we head up there it be to late to avoid a few things. Ambush predators after all.
Also members of the same race of insects can look like completely different races. Just cause they don't look the same and have different skills dose not mean their different races.
-
>Observe the spider from our current position.
>You continue to observe the spider. It remains motionless, not unlike the last time this sort of thing happened, albeit with your vertical positions reversed.
-
Given that the better part of an hour's gone by, I'll assume nobody else has any better ideas. So unless anybody else wants to sit here until that spider moves...
>Make a leap for that tree.
-
Well, it's not worked in the past, but would you guys be opposed to making small talk with the spider?
Hell, for all we know it could respond verbally. which although improbable, is not entirely impossible. We've seen some crazy shit today, so it can't get any weirder.
-
If you wanna try, feel free to give it a shot. It's already looking at us, so it's not like we're giving away our position. We can always go back to tree-leaping after.
-
I wouldn't recommend brachiating any more than we absolutely have to. It's just asking to fall and break something. While that might not be so fatal as it would be to a human, it'd definitely lay us out for awhile.
>"So, is this what we're going to be doing? Do a little bob once for no."
-
>"So, is this what we're going to be doing? Do a little bob once for no."
>You speak out casually to the spider. You don't notice any bobbing, or anything else by way of reply; it continues to remain almost perfectly still.
-
>"I wonder if you can even understand me?"
>Shrug as best we can, current tree-bound situation limiting as needed.
>"Well, ether way we slice it little guy, it's been quite a day. If you ever get far enough to become a Youkai like I am, hopefully you'll understand."
Maybe this'll get a response outta the little bugger?
-
Possibility: Jump down and continue on our way. Make him have to figure out what to do next. Given he's probably not a spitter, we ought to not have much to worry about; if he comes at us we can nife him up.
-
>"I wonder if you can even understand me?"
>Shrug as best we can, current tree-bound situation limiting as needed.
>"Well, ether way we slice it little guy, it's been quite a day. If you ever get far enough to become a Youkai like I am, hopefully you'll understand."
>You continue to chat with the spider, pondering aloud whether it can comprehend you and musing casually on what a day you've had. The spider remains unresponsive. If it can understand you at all, it is an extremely stoic conversationalist.
-
If you think it'll work, purvis, give it a bash.
-
Aye, give it a go.
-
>Lower ourselves down to the ground. Hop down if we think we can take it. Try not to be threatening about it, just get out of that tree.
>Do be ready in case the spider does something we'd regret.
-
>Lower ourselves down to the ground. Hop down if we think we can take it. Try not to be threatening about it, just get out of that tree.
>Do be ready in case the spider does something we'd regret.
>You grab hold of the branch you're standing on and lower yourself off it, quickly working your way back down. Once you get a little closer, you let yourself drop to the ground, landing in a crouch to cushion the fall.
>You keep an eye on the spider as you move. It remains still.
-
>"I'm going this way."
>Resume our prior course. Keep an eye on spidey.
-
>"I'm going this way."
>Resume our prior course. Keep an eye on spidey.
>You let the spider know your intentions and then make good on them, resuming your prior direction.
>After you take a couple steps, the spider lets out a short, high-pitched noise and scrambles northeast. Another cry answers it from back in the direction you gave a wide berth to.
-
So, any ideas?
Because for once, I got none.
-
We be ready for the next wave. This time, don't follow the critter.
>As a reminder, what points of interest have we seen around here, and what directions have we found hints of futrter points of interest? And what directions are these places from our current position?
-
>As a reminder, what points of interest have we seen around here, and what directions have we found hints of futrter points of interest? And what directions are these places from our current position?
>The stream you took a break by is an appreciable distance north-northeast, the primary location of the scent you're tracking is somewhere to the southwest, the noise you skirted around and from which you heard a second spider cry is a short distance to the north. The spider you can see is currently scurrying northeast.
>Other than that, the terrain has been fairly unremarkable. It is hillier than earlier, and looks to be even hillier to the south, but is otherwise similar to most of the forest you've traveled through.
-
>Southwest. Keep wary for anything like an oncoming spider, and take note of useful terrain features for dealing with them.
-
>Southwest. Keep wary for anything like an oncoming spider, and take note of useful terrain features for dealing with them.
>You continue southwest, along your original course. Despite what just happened, no spiders rush out at you from the bushes or around trees. Nor, for that matter, do you hear much movement that could be attributed to one. You make your way over a few uneven rises in the ground and ascend into somewhat rougher terrain. The area is still well-treed, but many of them are shorter and stockier than before; quite a few would be difficult to find purchase on for swift climbing. However, the lay of the land might allow you other opportunities to gain the high ground on attacking spiders, by exploiting steep changes in elevation as one slope abuts another. Unfortunately, you suspect the larger spiders might still be able to pursue you up many of these.
>Before you make it very far, you hear the sounds of scurrying approaching you quickly from the rear.
-
>Face the noise, ready knives, get to some high ground if time permits. Be ready to jump or dodge as needs be.
-
>Face the noise, ready knives, get to some high ground if time permits. Be ready to jump or dodge as needs be.
>You turn about, readying your weapons and shifting sideways onto a slightly higher patch of ground; you already have elevation on much of the ground in the direction you're now facing.
>Skittering towards you is a spider very similar to the one that ran off a few moments before, still about 30 feet distant.
-
>Does this imply it's not similar to a spitter?
>"Hold it!"
>Get ready to throw if it does not hold it.
So, do we do the nice thing and give it a warning shot? Or do we just knife it if it gets too close?
-
I vote the latter. We may only get one shot at an opening round attack, let's not waste it. IF it attacks, of course. Never know.
If it gets with 5 feet, I saw throw one at its head, before it can get into melee range.
-
Alrighty. That'll be the plan.
-
>Does this imply it's not similar to a spitter?
>"Hold it!"
>Get ready to throw if it does not hold it.
>It does not look like the spitter, no.
>You call out for the spider to stop. It shows no signs of slowing its pace, closing another few feet.
>You ready your shot.
-
>"If you get too close, I am going to cut you."
>Let it get closer. If it gets within a couple yards with no sign of slowing, or if it springs at us, throw a kunai at it.
>In the case of the former, move sid after throwing. In the case of the latter, dive aside.
-
>"If you get too close, I am going to cut you."
>Let it get closer. If it gets within a couple yards with no sign of slowing, or if it springs at us, throw a kunai at it.
>In the case of the former, move sid after throwing. In the case of the latter, dive aside.
>The spider continues to close without obvious acknowledgment of your statement. However, once it reaches about 10 feet, it stops suddenly and makes a lower-pitched sort of creaking sound.
-
>Does this sounds like any other sort of noise we've heard a spider make?
>Does it seem to be making any other kind of movements?
Either it's talking, it's setting something up, or it's being a really suicidal homing beacon.
-
>Does this sounds like any other sort of noise we've heard a spider make?
>Does it seem to be making any other kind of movements?
>It's considerably lower-pitched than the previous cry you've seen this type of spider make, and not especially like any other you've heard so far today.
>It seems to be shifting its position back and forth slightly, but not moving much in any particular direction.
-
>Given we've heard spiders squeal in pain and surprise, does this noise feel anything like that?
>Take a deliberate step to the side.
>Do keep ears open for other spiders.
-
>Given we've heard spiders squeal in pain and surprise, does this noise feel anything like that?
>Take a deliberate step to the side.
>Do keep ears open for other spiders.
>It doesn't sound obviously distressed, nor does it especially resemble any of the other cries you've heard the various spiders make.
>You take a deliberate step to the side. The spider turns to follow your movement, seemingly shifting about more quickly itself, but doesn't change its own position. It continues to make that sound.
>You don't hear any other spiders at the moment, but the sound this one is making might be able to cover more distant, quiet sounds of motion. You're still fairly confident you could hear if anything was moving close to you, though.
-
>"So, what do you what, little guy?"
-
>"So, what do you what, little guy?"
>The spider simply continues to look at you, shifting back and forth a little. It makes another low-pitched creaking sound.
-
>Take a deliberate step toward it. Stay ready to counteract any surprises, but don't be overtly hostile.
-
>Take a deliberate step toward it. Stay ready to counteract any surprises, but don't be overtly hostile.
>You take a deliberate step towards it, trying to seem casual and non-threatening. As soon as you move towards it, the spider lets out another high-pitched cry, turns, and skitters away.
-
>"Now you know how I felt the first time."
>Let it run away, and see where it goes.
-
>Listen for any indication of spiders approaching us.
-
>"Now you know how I felt the first time."
>Let it run away, and see where it goes.
>You let the spider flee and it continues to do so. It seems to be heading eastward, following a path somewhat to the south of the route you took to get here. It isn't actually going amazingly quickly, if you were inclined to catch up.
>Listen for any indication of spiders approaching us.
>You think you may hear some noises a moderate distance to your rear, although they're indistinct at the moment.
-
>Look back, do we see anything coming?
>If not: Leave it be, and turn to face the new noise.
-
>Look back, do we see anything coming?
>If not: Leave it be, and turn to face the new noise.
>You look behind you. You don't see anything approaching, but the land rises fairly steeply in that direction and you can't see very far at all. It's quite possible something as short as those spiders could be as little as 5 feet away and not be visible, if they were standing in just the right spots.
>You turn and face the new noise, or rather, noises. It's becoming more distinct now, and there is clearly more than one creature moving out there. The sounds start to separate as they move in different directions - something moves left while something else moves right. It's difficult to tell if there are more than two- ...wait, the left noise seems to separate into two distinctly positioned sounds as they approach. They're perhaps 15 feet away now and spreading out. You can't yet see anything.
-
>Find a direction those sounds are not at, and dash that way. Preferably back the way we came; employ the memorization of the terrain we used beforehand.
>Keep ears peeled for movement, squishing noises, and the like.
-
This is why we dont talk to spiders. They call their friends.
>Keep weapons on standby.
-
judgeing by the sounds. ethere we just stired something big and everything runing for its life from the thing. which i dought simpley cause i would asume that make a more distenctive sound.
Or the spiders are scattering. Off in random direction.
-
>Find a direction those sounds are not at, and dash that way. Preferably back the way we came; employ the memorization of the terrain we used beforehand.
>Keep ears peeled for movement, squishing noises, and the like.
>There are perhaps a few gaps in the positions of the sounds ahead of you, and to the sides, but the way back seems the most clear at the moment. Well, aside from that one spider that's already fled a fair distance from you. You turn around and dash back the way you came, angling somewhat north of the fleeing spider. It nonetheless picks up its pace as you get closer to it.
>You keep your ears peeled for other sounds of movement. The sounds from behind still seem to be moving on your position, although you're outpacing them. You don't hear anything obvious from ahead of you.
>Keep weapons on standby.
>Your weapons are about as ready as they're going to get.
-
>Keep moving, stay wary for new noises.
>Can we distinguish whether our pursuers are smaller or larger spiders by the sounds they made make when moving, given we've heard both and larger ones are theoretically louder?
-
>Keep moving, stay wary for new noises.
>Can we distinguish whether our pursuers are smaller or larger spiders by the sounds they made make when moving, given we've heard both and larger ones are theoretically louder?
>You keep on running, scurrying down and over hills and around trees. It's difficult to hear the pursing noises over the sound of your own much louder flight, but what snatches you catch seem to be becoming steadily more distant. No other sounds nearer to you grab your ear.
>You get the impression that they are smaller, although the spitters and fleeing spiders were of similar size; you don't know that you could distinguish them by listening.
>Eventually, you can no longer hear the sounds of anything following after you.
-
>Slow down to a proper walk, continue to listen.
>Estimate how far we came.
-
>Slow down to a proper walk, continue to listen.
>Estimate how far we came.
>You slow down to a comfortable pace, while continuing to keep an ear out for spider activity.
>You've returned to a point some ways distant of the first suspicious noise you encountered on this path, and subsequently gave a width berth to. This is perhaps 600 or so feet from where you started to run.
-
>Take a moment to recover our breath, and make sure nothing is following.
-
>Take a moment to recover our breath, and make sure nothing is following.
>You pause and rest a moment. You're not actually tremendously winded; you weren't being chased fast enough to have to break out top speed, but a rest is still welcome. You listen to your surroundings while you wait, but hear no sounds of pursuit or other unusual noises.
-
>From where we, can we determine which direction takes us back towards Easthaven?
-
>From where we, can we determine which direction takes us back towards Easthaven?
>Easthaven is definitely southward, and perhaps somewhat west; you aren't certain how far east you've traveled since following the original scent. Heading directly there from here would require trekking over the same hills that you fled from earlier, although you could give a wide berth to the specific area that you were in at the time (which is southwest of your current location).
-
>Estimated travel time between here and Easthaven farms, assuming a wide circle around the area we just escaped.
-
>Estimated travel time between here and Easthaven farms, assuming a wide circle around the area we just escaped.
>That would be difficult to estimate, given that you don't actually know how far away you are, nor how hilly and difficult to traverse the terrain to the south is. Maybe 30 minutes?
-
Okay, so the point of this excercise was to try and find the lair, or at the least, get a bead on where it is. We've done that. I'm still not convinced there's an intelligence at work here, but I do believe, more than ever, that we're going to need more gear than what we have now to deal with what's ahead of us, one way or the other.
>Set off in a southerly direction, taking a wide circle around the spider's location.
>Keep an ear and nose open for any furthur signs of pursuit, or spiders ahead of us.
-
What we're really going to need is a way to not get acided up. Sadly, I don't think Easthaven has hazmat suits.
-
I don't think they even exist.
But at any rate, our next orders of business should be to get back to easthaven, possibly report what we found, and then get new gear and some backup.
-
I'm wary about backup. I think we're pretty much the only action youkai around, unless Minoriko or Ichirin moonlights as Batman. Bringing humans is a super bad idea, because they tends to die when they're killed.
Not to mention we'd be obligated to split the take, and we're already obligated to work on the cheap since this is home and all.
Getting some more knifes would be a good idea. Chances are they won't throw as well, but if we can free up the kunai for throwing and then melee with butcher knives or some such, that alone is an improvement.
-
even so much as adding a sting or something to the kunai help as well. we could swing it around and pull it back from a throw. Also a pitch fork would be able to go deeper and do more damage then kunai if we see a bigger spider, as a more reasonable distance then kunai to (when we don't throw).
-
As much as I like the idea of leading an angry mob, I think Purvis is right. None of the humans have our speed or skill. Heck, that first pounce that we dodged would probably have killed a man in our place. Granted, they might be willing to fight and die against this threat, but I'd prefer to keep the body count to a minimum.
I like the idea of having knives on hand to free up our kunai for throwing.
In fact, I'd like to take this opportunity to suggest that, once we get back to Braston, we do some weapon shopping. A Kusari-Gama would be a nice fit for Nazrin. At the very least, picking up a few extra kunai would be nice.
In any event, I think Nar has good points on both counts. Retreiving our kunai was a bit of an issue on that last fight, and a pitchfork would give us better range with which to attack. We could hit a big spider in the head without having to jump off a tree or rock, or throw a weapon at it. I was initially thinking scythe, but they're a bit ungainly in reality. A pitchfork would wokr much better
-
Well, that's why I'm inclined to call in Cirno. Because unlike humans, Fairies don't stay dead.
And plus, we can talk her out of getting a cut of the cash by convincing her that it's the heroic thing to do, with the comment that we aren't a hero, just a mouse looking to get things done.
As for weaponry, I'd say get a hold of a Kusari-gama if possible, like Sour said, as well as wire for our Kunai, and something long, like a spear or pitchfork.
-
Wires and chains are horrible ideas in a forest. All the branches and trees and foliage are absolutely horrible for getting them tangled up. Not to mention getting them tangled on our actual targets, which is super bad if there's more than one target. There's a reason why this kind of thing was almost never actually done.
-
>Set off in a southerly direction, taking a wide circle around the spider's location.
>Keep an ear and nose open for any furthur signs of pursuit, or spiders ahead of us.
>You set off southward, angling east to put even more distance between you and the place you were pursued from. This makes your journey rather more circuitous, but you decide to err on the side of caution. The walk is thankfully uneventful and largely free of suspicious noise. A small handful of times you catch snatches of sound that alert you; most often this proves to be something much more mundane than giant spiders, in the end, though a couple times you fail to conclusively settle the question of whether one is lurking nearby or not. Still, you manage not to see any for certain, and nothing untoward happens on the way back.
>The terrain grows quickly rougher as you turn directly southward, changing from the occasional steep slope into rugged hills that often require hands to scale. This slows you down considerably and gets rather tiring after a while. Eventually you crest a particularly high hill which rises above the surround treeline. You can see the pastures of Easthaven in the distance to the southwest; it seems you have have indeed ended up among the hills that form their northeast boundary. With your goal in sight, you resume a more direct route. The descent is much easier going than the ascent, and soon enough you find yourself among the open grasslands once more, the cattle scattered about much as they were this morning. It is roughly midday.
-
Wires and chains are horrible ideas in a forest. All the branches and trees and foliage are absolutely horrible for getting them tangled up. Not to mention getting them tangled on our actual targets, which is super bad if there's more than one target. There's a reason why this kind of thing was almost never actually done.
actually. chained weapons where created alot, along with similar concept weapons. they where by no mean a sword or lance in commonality, but they where very effective. Also yes it would tangle if we swing it around branching trees, however a throw is a straight line. also if we need to we could use the length to purposely tie up the enemy.
However i don't' suggest wire or chain.. to permanent, string which we be able to cut with another kunai, or your knives, if the string becomes to messed up around something.
-
>Cast a glance back towards the way we came, make sure we weren't followed.
>Can we see any farmers around the cattle?
-
Cecil: Little of what you said is supported by history.
Also, having to cut strings in the middle of a combat is a bad thing. I would very strongly recommend not tying anything to throwables.
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Not strings, I don't think. Twine. Twine would be stronger, and would still let us cut them if need be. Which is a second's effort. Minimal risk for the ability to draw in and reuse our kunai after throwing them.
-
>Cast a glance back towards the way we came, make sure we weren't followed.
>Can we see any farmers around the cattle?
>You have another look back the way you came. You see no sign of anything following you.
>You do see some, yes, keeping an eye on scattered herds. There are nearly none by the northern extent of the grasslands, but become more numerous further south.
-
and prove to me purvis that they where not used. they where specialty weapons. The weapons poped up more in japan, china, and india.
As sour said it take a moment to cut a string. where trying to recover a thrown weapon would be far easier if we didn't have to actually go to what we throw ed it at.
EDIT: before we continue arguing about them. i leaving wiki to it, and saying chances are nether use are experts in the field. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_weapon
-
You know, We could tell Minoriko about the Spiders. She is a god, and she kinda would know good fighters since she is an innkeep. I define 'good fighters' as people who wouldn't die from a hit, and know their shit.
-
>Are any of them familiar?
>Head in their direction.
-
Cecil: Prove to me there's not a teacup floating about .5 AU between the earth and the sun.
Also, I really shouldn't have to go into how hauling back a line in the middle of a fight is a terrible idea, or how taking a moment to cut a string (which would not be a moment, we'd need something decently sturdy) in the middle of a life or death in seconds situation is a very bad thing, or limiting our throwing range and having yards of string around to trip us when we're having to move quickly. It's a completely bad idea.
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Cecil: Prove to me there's not a teacup floating about .5 AU between the earth and the sun.
Also, I really shouldn't have to go into how hauling back a line in the middle of a fight is a terrible idea, or how taking a moment to cut a string (which would not be a moment, we'd need something decently sturdy) in the middle of a life or death in seconds situation is a very bad thing, or limiting our throwing range and having yards of string around to trip us when we're having to move quickly. It's a completely bad idea.
Purvis. i dropped the argument in that regard. we have different opinions, leave it at that.
Also i think the benefits out weigh the problems. so dose sour as he said. So simply to put this to and end. lets just vote for the stringed kunai.
-
Well, there's the part where there isn't actually a real benefit, as standing there hauling back a weapon is not a good idea. And if you're going to argue that jerking a sharp bladed thing at us is a good idea, there's really nothing more to be said. On the other hand, there are the numerous disadvantages I've pointed out that you seem to be not answering.
-
>Are any of them familiar?
>Head in their direction.
>A couple are perhaps vaguely so; no one you know well, at any rate. Neither of the two you talked to earlier in the morning are visible at the moment; likely, they're on the other side of some of the slopes to the south.
>You head towards one of the nearer farmers, who is still actually a fair distance away from you. You can see a few people glancing in your direction as you walk, although you're too far away to read their expressions. As you draw nearer the one you're approaching, he moves out ahead of his herd and towards you, looking just a tad wary.
>"Afternoon," he says, giving you a look over.
-
>"Hi. I hope your days' been going better than mine."
>"Name's Nazrin. I'm the seeker investigating the livestock dissapearances around these parts."
-
>"Hi. I hope your days' been going better than mine."
>"Name's Nazrin. I'm the seeker investigating the livestock dissapearances around these parts."
>"Going good enough," he says noncommittally.
>He gives you another dubious stare, then nods slowly. He probably can't see your shoulder wound, although your clothing doesn't hang quite right on that side, thanks to the large hole in it. You imagine you still look a little roughed up from the fight in any case.
>"Something I can do for you?"
-
>"That depends. I need to see someone about extra equipment, in order to finish the job."
-
>"That depends. I need to see someone about extra equipment, in order to finish the job."
>He frowns warily. "What kinda equipment?"
-
>Glance at our shoulder wound for a moment.
>"Some gauze, something to sterilize an acid burn, a pitchfork, large knives, bailing twine, and some pesticide."
-
>"Extra-strength pesticide at that."
-
>"And a few jars for carrying said pesticide."
I'm thinking pesticide grenades. Minus the C4, of course. That's why I didn't ask for kerosene, don't wanna burn the forest down.
-
>Glance at our shoulder wound for a moment.
>You have a glance back at your shoulder. It still looks really nasty, although perhaps somewhat improved from earlier today.
>"Some gauze, something to sterilize an acid burn, a pitchfork, large knives, bailing twine, and some pesticide."
>"Extra-strength pesticide at that."
>"And a few jars for carrying said pesticide."
>"What the heck do you need all that stuff for?" he says, frowning harder. "Besides, you think I keep half that stuff on me?"
-
>"Let's just say, I have a very good lead as to what happend to your cows, and I'm going to need some more equipment to resolve the problem."
>"And no, I don't expect to find half that stuff out here. But you did ask me. So who can I talk to about that?"
-
>"Let's just say, I have a very good lead as to what happend to your cows, and I'm going to need some more equipment to resolve the problem."
>"And no, I don't expect to find half that stuff out here. But you did ask me. So who can I talk to about that?"
>"Equipment like pesticide and gauze?" His expression gives you the impression he can't entirely decide whether you're somehow trying to scam him or whether something is actually very wrong. "And what's this about acid burns?"
>"Anyhow, I figure you can find pitchforks and bailing twine off of a lot of folks around here. I don't have a clue what you use to treat acid burns. I suppose Minoriko might know, if anyone. Gonna have trouble finding pesticide, though, I reckon. Don't use much of that around here."
-
>"You don't? Don't get much insect life out here?"
>Do we recall a particular increase in insect life between here and Braston?
-
>"You don't? Don't get much insect life out here?"
>Do we recall a particular increase in insect life between here and Braston?
>"Oh, plenty of bugs," he says. "I mean, you used to live out here yourself, didn't ya? But the harvest's always fine, just the same. Don't really have much need of it, most of the time."
>Easthaven probably has more than Braston does, actually. There's certainly no curious shortage of them in this area.
-
>Harvest time... That'd be Minoriko's doing, I reckon.
>"Stiil, take what I can get. Now you said "a lot of folks". Does that include you?"
-
>Harvest time... That'd be Minoriko's doing, I reckon.
>"Stiil, take what I can get. Now you said "a lot of folks". Does that include you?"
>A great many people believe that the land here is blessed her and that its fertility is her direct doing. Minoriko herself has always been quite a bit more modest about any role she plays, instead emphasizing the farmers' own hard work and dedication. This has done little to change most people's beliefs, just the same.
>The man is silent for a moment. "Yeah, I guess it does," he says, somewhat resignedly. "But they're back home and I'm not letting these guys out of my sight with the way things have been. Sorry."
-
>"I can respect that. And I don't blame you, either. Guess I'll find somebody else to help me."
>If he doesn't object, head back towards the farmsteads, to find another source of gear.
-
>"I can respect that. And I don't blame you, either. Guess I'll find somebody else to help me."
>If he doesn't object, head back towards the farmsteads, to find another source of gear.
>"Sorry about that," he repeats. "Good luck to you."
>He makes no effort to stop you as you leave and head south. It takes a little while to cross the rest of the pasture, but the walk is a pleasant change from having to keep constant vigilance as you did in the forest. After a few minutes, you reach the road into the main part of town. Fields filled will all manner of crops flank both sides, stretching into the distance; among them is scatted an occasional building or two. More houses are towards the village center, further south.
-
>Set off towards the nearest one of those buildings that appears to a barn, or a silo, something on a farming compound.
-
>Set off towards the nearest one of those buildings that appears to a barn, or a silo, something on a farming compound.
>You scan the buildings within sight, then select the nearest barn and head towards it. It's set in some distance from the road on the other side of a modest cornfield. A small path leads towards it, although it's frankly a little overgrown. You set to picking your way through it.
>After you make it about halfway to the barn, you hear a voice call out from among the corn. "Something I can help you with?"
-
>I like corm.
>"I hope so. I'm trying to solve the dissapearing cow problem, but I need some more supplies. Think you can set a Seeker up?"
-
>I like corm.
>"I hope so. I'm trying to solve the dissapearing cow problem, but I need some more supplies. Think you can set a Seeker up?"
>"Sorry, we only grow 100% linguistically correct produce on this farm."
>"Maybe." You hear rustling from among the corn, and eventually a youngish woman emerges from it, her hair tied back in a short braided ponytail. She gives you an appraising look.
>"Whadda ya need?"
-
>Recount the list we mentioned before.
-
>Recount the list we mentioned before.
>You rhyme off the list of items you mentioned earlier. The woman's expression gives way to a quizzical frown almost as soon as you begin and only deepens by the time you're done.
>"Mighty odd list of stuff you're asking for, there. I got a pitchfork and some twine, sure, but that other stuff?" She rubs the back of her head with a gloved hand. "Might have some gauze lying around somewhere, I s'pose. What's all this got to do with the cows, anyhow?"
-
>"Chances are, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. I might not've believed it myself, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
-
>"Chances are, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. I might not've believed it myself, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."
>Her face takes on a kind of grim neutrality. "Try me."
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>Before we go around spreading the story, just how well do we think Easthaven would take this kind of news, based on our past experiences?
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>Before we go around spreading the story, just how well do we think Easthaven would take this kind of news, based on our past experiences?
>You imagine this would vary from person to person. Gensokyo is filled with all manner of magical and supernatural things; you doubt too many people would have a problem believing that giant acid-spitting spiders could exist. Now, whether they would think them a plausible explanation for this specific incident is another matter. Easthaven has never been a hotbed of the exotic and dangerous; wild youkai are fairly uncommon, there are no confluxes of magic or other strange phenomena nearby, and the region draws neither magicians nor practitioners of other esoteric arts. All in all, it's a very mundane place; many corners of the world are far more prone to dangerous unknowns. Still, you imagine many people could accept you at your word. Others would probably remain skeptical, inclined to blame thieves rather than a sudden appearance of giant spiders that no one but you has seen. All things being equal, even you might have admitted that was the more plausible explanation.
>One thing is fairly certain: once word is out, it will spread quickly. There will probably be the usual arguments over whether it is or isn't real. Some people will probably be frightened by the implication of such dangerous creatures living so close to their own homes. You doubt it will cause either chaos or mass panic, though, nor unruly mobs charging into the forest to eradicate things. If anything, the more dangerous the threat, the more you imagine they'd want to leave it up to the professionals.
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>As far as we know, no one actually goes into that forest, right?
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>As far as we know, no one actually goes into that forest, right?
>You don't know of any development within it nor is there much hunting in the area, although you wouldn't be surprised if the occasional adventurous type had poked their head in on occasion.
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>Her face takes on a kind of grim neutrality. "Try me."
>Twitch. This one's got spirit, methinks.
>"All right. Would you believe me if I told you that giant spiders are behind it? Some of them the size of large dogs, some of them the size of small horses, and some that spit acid. And maybe more, I haven't found the lair proper yet. Wanted to get those supplies before I went back in."
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>Twitch. This one's got spirit, methinks.
>"All right. Would you believe me if I told you that giant spiders are behind it? Some of them the size of large dogs, some of them the size of small horses, and some that spit acid. And maybe more, I haven't found the lair proper yet. Wanted to get those supplies before I went back in."
>She certainly doesn't seem very phased at the moment.
>She gives you a long hard look. "You're serious." The tone makes it sound almost more like a statement than a question.
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>"I couldn't make it up if I tried. And I even got the burn to prove it, too."
>Point to our shoulder wound.
>"Woulda been a lot worse if my hearing isn't as good as it is."
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>"I couldn't make it up if I tried. And I even got the burn to prove it, too."
>Point to our shoulder wound.
>"Woulda been a lot worse if my hearing isn't as good as it is."
>You show her your shoulder wound. Her facial expression remains firm and impassive, almost clinical, but you can see the alarm in her eyes once she gets a look at it.
>"And for that you want a pitchfork and twine? I don't think you're gonna find any pesticide in the village that can kill something that did that."
-
>"So I've been told. So I gotta make do with what I can scrounge. I need a weapon with some reach to it, and I need a way to retreive my kunai without jumping on the back of one of the damn things and yanking it out it its skull. I thought about trying to improvise a fire-bomb of some kind, but I wasn't hired to burn the forst down, so that's too risky."
>"I also thought about trying to round up some help from the farmers, but that's even more risky. None of them have youkai reflexes or senses, and the sneak attacks that nearly got me probably would get them. I don't want anybody dying today."
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>"So I've been told. So I gotta make do with what I can scrounge. I need a weapon with some reach to it, and I need a way to retreive my kunai without jumping on the back of one of the damn things and yanking it out it its skull. I thought about trying to improvise a fire-bomb of some kind, but I wasn't hired to burn the forst down, so that's too risky."
>"I also thought about trying to round up some help from the farmers, but that's even more risky. None of them have youkai reflexes or senses, and the sneak attacks that nearly got me probably would get them. I don't want anybody dying today."
>The farmer listens along as you explain your situation. For the most part, she remains resolutely composed, though a worried frown breaks through the firmness of her countenance as you casually mention burning the forest down.
>"Have you told the others yet?" she asks firmly.
-
>"Not yet, no. Like I said, I dodn't think anyone would believe me, and I didn't want to risk panicking anyone."
-
>"Not yet, no. Like I said, I dodn't think anyone would believe me, and I didn't want to risk panicking anyone."
>"There's still people out near there," she says, "and if it's half as dangerous as you say, they need to be told."
-
>"I don't think they're in immediate danger. I wasn't followed, and the spiders haven't attacked people yet."
>"Still, I see your point."
-
>"I don't think they're in immediate danger. I wasn't followed, and the spiders haven't attacked people yet."
>"Still, I see your point."
>"You're people, aren't you?" she says.
-
>"I was also on their turf. And for all I know, youkai taste better to giant spiders."
-
>"I was also on their turf. And for all I know, youkai taste better to giant spiders."
>"Youkai are also harder to catch," she counters. "I can get you a pitchfork and some twine, but people have got to be told."
>She gives you another long look. "Pardon my saying so, you sure you've got this one on your own?"
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>Give the girl a slightly surprised look.
>"Are you offering?"
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>Give the girl a slightly surprised look.
>"Are you offering?"
>"I'm no fighter," she says, shaking her head. "Won't find many of them around here, either. But I don't want to see someone marching off to get themselves killed. If you're considering a pitchfork an upgrade, well...."
>She puts her hands out in a disarming gesture. "Look, maybe it's not my place. You're a Seeker; maybe you do this kind of stuff all the time. You'd know better than I would. Just don't go trying to do anything stupid."
-
>"Never done anything like this before...."
>"But like I said before. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, or anything, but as a youkai, I've got natural advantages that humans don't. I can survive things that would kill a human."
-
>"Never done anything like this before...."
>"But like I said before. I'm not trying to sound arrogant, or anything, but as a youkai, I've got natural advantages that humans don't. I can survive things that would kill a human."
>You catch another frown tug at the corner of her lips as you say this.
>"You're not invincible, either," she says. "If you think you're in over your head, let someone else handle it. There's no shame in that. Pride's a stupid thing to get yourself killed over."
>She shrugs. "Not going to say any more on it. Probably said too much already. Hope you don't take that the wrong way. Only you know what you can do and what you can't; I don't mean anything else by it."
-
>"No offense taken. Sound advice, actually."
>"Now about those tools...?"
-
>"No offense taken. Sound advice, actually."
>"Now about those tools...?"
>She gives a curt nod.
>"Right," she says, moving off down the path towards the barn.
-
>Folllow.
-
>Folllow.
>You follow along as she makes her way towards the barn then undoes the lock on the doors and pulls one aside. It opens with the low creek.
>Stepping inside, you get a pungent whiff of stables. Looking to your right, you see several stalls along the wall, currently stabling a pair of horses; they quietly acknowledge her entrance. Much of the rest of the room is devoted to storage: you see a plow and tack, and other basic farming and carpentry tools. A rack against the opposite wall holds spades, hoes, and a pitchfork, while the corner next to it is piled with sacks of seed or feed or something of that nature. Among this are scattered other bits and bobs of the trade, along shelves built into the wall or stacked on top of wooden boxes. It is relatively tidy, if not scrupulously organized.
>The farmer quickly makes her way over to ones of the shelves and pushes a few items aside, retrieving a large spool of bailing twine. Then she fetches the pitchfork off of the tool rack and brings it over to you.
>"Anything else you need?" she asks, handing them to you.
-
>"A question. About how much twine is in this spool here?"
-
>"A question. About how much twine is in this spool here?"
>"Was a 3000-footer," she says. "Most of it's used now. Couldn't say exactly how much is left. 500 feet, maybe? Is that good enough?"
-
>"More than good enough. I only need around 100 feet or so, I think."
>Measure out about 40 feet of twine, seperate it from the spool, then tie one end of the string to the end of a kunai, and the other end to our belt. Repeat twice more.
>Then, give pitchfork a couple of experimental thrusts, to get a feel of the thing.
-
>"More than good enough. I only need around 100 feet or so, I think."
>Measure out about 40 feet of twine, seperate it from the spool, then tie one end of the string to the end of a kunai, and the other end to our belt. Repeat twice more.
>Then, give pitchfork a couple of experimental thrusts, to get a feel of the thing.
>"Just bring the rest back when you're done with it," she says.
>At the moment, you have nothing on you to measure with, although you could approximate. However, you also are not wearing a belt, presenting a flaw in at least one other part of this plan.
>You take the pitchfork and give it a few experimental thrusts. You catch the farmer giving you a dubious look while you do this, muted and subtle though it is. It isn't an ideal weapon; the haft is fairly heavy, making the balance feel a little uneven and the curvature of the tines also means that a straight thrust wouldn't bring its full penetrating power to bear. Still, even if you aren't able to be particularly agile with it, it does offer range in melee that your kunai do not, and could still do appreciable damage to something you hit with it.
-
>"I'll do my best."
>"Oh, I forget to mention earlier. I'd also be well served if I could get a butcher's knife, or something like it. My kunai are good throwing weapons, but I'd like something bigger, if the need arises. And perhaps an old belt, as well, if you've got one lying around."
-
>"I'll do my best."
>"Oh, I forget to mention earlier. I'd also be well served if I could get a butcher's knife, or something like it. My kunai are good throwing weapons, but I'd like something bigger, if the need arises. And perhaps an old belt, as well, if you've got one lying around."
>She nods.
>"A... belt? Are you sure you-" She pauses, then shrugs. "Sorry. I might have something. I can get you a knife, anyway. Don't know if it's big enough for you."
>She turns and walks back over to the one of the shelves in the corner and starting shifting through things. A few moments later she returns with a stout hunting knife in a simple leather scabbard.
>"Will this do you?"
-
>"That's what I'm talkin' about, that's perfect."
-
>"That's what I'm talkin' about, that's perfect."
>"Good."
>She hands you the knife, then seems to take a moment and sizes you up again.
>"Don't suppose I can ask you what you need the belt for?"
-
>"I plan to tie a piece of this twine to the end of my kunai, and tie the other end to my belt, so I can reel it back in without having to run 20 or so feet, or jump onto a spider's back to yank it out."
>"And if need be, I can cut the twine off my belt in event of an emergency. I don't really have anything to tie the lines to on me right now, and keeping 100 feet or so of twine in my kunai pouch would probably just lead to getting it all tangled together."
>"If nothing else, it'd give me something to belt this nice knife here to."
-
>"I plan to tie a piece of this twine to the end of my kunai, and tie the other end to my belt, so I can reel it back in without having to run 20 or so feet, or jump onto a spider's back to yank it out."
>"And if need be, I can cut the twine off my belt in event of an emergency. I don't really have anything to tie the lines to on me right now, and keeping 100 feet or so of twine in my kunai pouch would probably just lead to getting it all tangled together."
>"If nothing else, it'd give me something to belt this nice knife here to."
>She is silent for a moment. You can see a faint suggestion of a frown upon her face. "Don't see how a belt's gonna help with that, but I guess I could look for one if you want to come with."
-
>"Works for me. Lead on."
-
>"Works for me. Lead on."
>Her expression barely wavers as you give her an affirmative. She pauses silently for another moment, then turns and walks out of the barn again. You follow after her as she leads you past the cornfields and towards her house, some distance further towards town. It's a fairly plain dwelling, though well-maintained. The interior exhibits a similar functional style, with few embellishment or decorative touches, though you do notice a number of rustic wood carvings of modest skill arrayed around the space.
>She offers you a seat at the table while she goes off into another room to search for a belt. A short while later she emerges with a fairly worn and not terribly attractive specimen.
>"It's only an old thing," she says as she returns, "but I'm sure it'll do you as well enough as any."
-
>Not looking to win any fashion contests here.
>"Long as it fits, it'll do just fine by me."
-
>Not looking to win any fashion contests here.
>"Long as it fits, it'll do just fine by me."
>She nods and hands it to you. "That it, then?"
-
>Nod.
>"Once I get my weapons set up, I'll be on my way. Bit of luck, and this problem'll be done by suppertime."
>Come to think of it, did we at least touch that twine? Enough at least to get a grasp of how easy it would be to cut with kunai? It is thicker and tougher than normal string, after all.
-
>Nod.
>"Once I get my weapons set up, I'll be on my way. Bit of luck, and this problem'll be done by suppertime."
>Come to think of it, did we at least touch that twine? Enough at least to get a grasp of how easy it would be to cut with kunai? It is thicker and tougher than normal string, after all.
>She nods slowly. "Well, good luck to you. I'm going to go spread the word to the people still out north, let 'em know what they need to be watching out for."
>It is lightweight, but quite densely corded. Cutting it would likely require applying some force to secure the twine and a little elbow grease.
-
>Would more run of the mill string serve the same intended purpose? That would have to be easier to cut on the fly.
-
>Would more run of the mill string serve the same intended purpose? That would have to be easier to cut on the fly.
>Run of the mill string is certainly capable of pulling something as light as a kunai without snapping, although there is more potential of it breaking if caught on rocks or trees.
-
>"Oh, before you go, I've just had a thought."
>"I don't mean to sound demanding, but for what I've got in mind, run of the mill string might serve the purpose better than twine. Would you happen to have about 100 feet or so of that lying about?"
>Fasten on the belt.
-
>"Oh, before you go, I've just had a thought."
>"I don't mean to sound demanding, but for what I've got in mind, run of the mill string might serve the purpose better than twine. Would you happen to have about 100 feet or so of that lying about?"
>Fasten on the belt.
>She gives you another dull stare, then opens her mouth as if to speak, but says nothing. She shakes her head. "Don't think so, no."
>You put on the belt. It was clearly intended for someone larger than you and hangs rather loosely even using the tightest loop. It doesn't help matters that your outfit lacks any place to thread it through; it looks rather out of place, all things considered.
-
>Bats. Guess we'll have to make do.
>"Had to ask."
-
>Bats. Guess we'll have to make do.
>"Had to ask."
>This may be true.
>She nods.
-
>Back to that twine!
>Affix knife sheathe to belt.
-
>Let's head off to visit Minoriko while we're doing this, given she probably is most likely to know about unusual fauna.
-
>To the inn, then.
>Still affix knife sheathe to belt.
-
>Let's head off to visit Minoriko while we're doing this, given she probably is most likely to know about unusual fauna.
>To the inn, then.
>Still affix knife sheathe to belt.
>You part ways with the farmer and head for the Harvest's Bounty. She wishes you good luck in her taciturn way, then heads northward towards the pastures. Your own path takes you southeast, to the village center. Along the way, you thread the hunting knife's sheathe over your belt. It hangs fairly comfortably; at least as well as you can expect from this belt.
>It is but a short trip to the inn, Easthaven being what it is. Rather in contrast to your last visit, the place is a bustle of activity; it is basically lunchtime, after all. The place is filled with both the sounds of friendly banter and aromas of hearty stews and roasts and baked potatoes. You spot Minoriko on the far side of the establishment, laying out a bowl of soup before a patron, that warm smile of hers on her face. >Among the crowd, you also catch sight of another familiar face, sitting at a table in the middle of the room. Or rather, a familiar hat, back-on to you as she is.
-
>Identify the hat.
-
>Identify the hat.
>It is a small conical white hat, capped with a blue sun decoration. You are quite certain it belongs to Merlin Prismriver.
-
>Ah, yes, the Prismrivers had a concert out here. Almost forgot about that, with all the going ons over the past couple days.
>Head in Minoriko's direction, and hope she can spare a moment for us.
-
>Ah, yes, the Prismrivers had a concert out here. Almost forgot about that, with all the going ons over the past couple days.
>Head in Minoriko's direction, and hope she can spare a moment for us.
>Now that you think of it, Marisa did mention something about that...
>You walk over to Minoriko as she leaves the woman to her soup and heads back towards the kitchen. She looks in your direction as you approach.
>"Ah, hello again," she says, smiling at you. "You certainly haven't missed mealtime this time around."
-
>Keep our voice as low as possible to make ourselves heard to her.
>"As much as I'd love to join the crowd, I'm afraid I'm still on business. And I need your expertise on something. Can I have a minute? In private?"
-
>"...And maybe a quick sandwich."
-
>Keep our voice as low as possible to make ourselves heard to her.
>"As much as I'd love to join the crowd, I'm afraid I'm still on business. And I need your expertise on something. Can I have a minute? In private?"
>You speak as quietly as you think you can get away with. Even as you begin, you can see a slight frown trace Minoriko's face at the unusually hushed tone.
>"It's really quite busy here at the moment," she says, looking just a tad uncomfortable. "Is it urgent?"
>"...And maybe a quick sandwich."
>"Well, I can certainly take care of that much," she says, with a touch of a smile again.
-
>Glance about the room to see if anyone's paying us close attention, then lean in a bit closer.
>"I need to know if there's any herbs or plants in the area that are effective at treating acid burns."
-
>Glance about the room to see if anyone's paying us close attention, then lean in a bit closer.
>"I need to know if there's any herbs or plants in the area that are effective at treating acid burns."
>You glance around. While a few people are looking in your general direction, you don't think anyone is paying you any particular attention.
>"Acid burns?" Minoriko's face takes on a look of concern. "Is someone hurt?"
-
>Alright. If I must....
>"Yeah. Me."
>Point quickly at our shoulder wound.
>"And what did it might knock your socks off."
-
>Alright. If I must....
>"Yeah. Me."
>Point quickly at our shoulder wound.
>"And what did it might knock your socks off."
>You indicate your shoulder wound, and turn just enough for her to get a look at it. Her eyes widen in alarm.
>"That looks awful," she says. "What happened?"
>Then she takes a step towards a hall on the other side of the dining area. "Come along. I'll find something for you."
-
>"Wrong end of an agruement with a bug."
>Follow that goddess.
-
>"Wrong end of an agruement with a bug."
>Follow that goddess.
>"What sort of bug could do this? And quite recently, at that." Her tone is hushed but serious and obviously concerned.
>You follow Minoriko as she walks past the tables and the crowd and turns down a small hallway that runs alongside the dining area before turning discretely from view. She stops in front of a fairly nondescript wooden door, then reaches into her pocket and withdraws a small iron key which she uses to unlock it.
>Inside is what you can only assume are Minoriko's own rooms. They are modest, but scrupulously cared for; the simple wooden furnishings and floor are cleaned almost to a sparkle and there is scarcely an out of place object to be seen. You enter into a living room area, brightly decorated with splashes of warm reds and yellows and arrayed with all manner of tiny personal touches, from cross-stitched cushions upon the chairs to a bowl of neatly arranged fruit serving as a table centerpiece. While the space is densely furnished, and perhaps even a little loud, it feels like every object in it is arranged just-so.
>"Please, have a seat," Minoriko says, gesturing towards the table while she walks off towards another small hallway, past the living room.
-
>Nice place. Grab a chair for ourselves.
>"Well, I suppose it's technically an arachnid. And if I'm right, they're behind your cow problem."
-
>Nice place. Grab a chair for ourselves.
>"Well, I suppose it's technically an arachnid. And if I'm right, they're behind your cow problem."
>You grab a chair and sit down. The cushions are quite comfortable, actually.
>"An arachnid?" comes Minoriko's voice from down the hall. "Do you... mean a spider?"
-
>"As a matter of fact, I do. And not just any spiders, either. Giant spiders, some of them about the size of a horse. And one of them can spit some kinda corrosive chemical, as I found out the hard way."
-
>"As a matter of fact, I do. And not just any spiders, either. Giant spiders, some of them about the size of a horse. And one of them can spit some kinda corrosive chemical, as I found out the hard way."
>"Oh dear..." She pauses for a moment or two. You can hear the sound of some objects being moved about from a room down the hallway. "Where was this?"
-
>Bring her up to speed with our encounter with the crawlers, and their general location.
-
>Bring her up to speed with our encounter with the crawlers, and their general location.
>You relate your encounters with the giant spiders and explain where they took place, as well as you can. Minoriko is fairly silent during your explanation, aside from an occasional exclamation of dismay. You can hear her continuing to work on something, and the sounds of ceramic and glass. As you're wrapping up your tale, she reemerges from the hallway, carrying a small mortar in her hands. Inside it is mottled greenish paste. It smells rather pungent.
>"Sorry to keep you waiting," she says. "If you could turn just a little, so that I can put this on your shoulder? It should help a little, anyway."
-
>Having a strong sense of smell does have its drawbacks sometimes...
>"Sure."
>Follow the doctor's orders.
-
>Having a strong sense of smell does have its drawbacks sometimes...
>"Sure."
>Follow the doctor's orders.
>Thankfully being perceptive does not necessarily mean being inundated by every scent that passed your way, despite what some people might assume. That being said, there has been the occasional smell in your life you probably could have done without being able to pick up on. This is fairly mild on the scale of unpleasantness, at least.
>You turn to better expose your shoulder as Minoriko dips her fingers into the concoction.
>"I'll try to be gentle," she says, then starts to spread the paste over your wound. She applies only a light pressure, but every brush against your shoulder is magnified into pain just the same. Perhaps a little better than when you first were injured, but not by a great deal. You do your best not to grimace and are largely successful in this, although you do draw in breath sharply enough at one point to make Minoriko pause. You can practically feel her concerned frown on you without even having to look. The paste feels cold and slimy against your skin, but not otherwise unpleasant. In fact, it's just a little bit soothing. Soon enough (or not soon enough at all, depending on your perspective) she finishes coating the entirety of the wound. It still burns, but you think it may be ever so slightly improved already. Or perhaps that's just wishful thinking.
>"There," she says once she finishes. "Just let that stand for a bit. I'm sure you'll heal from this just fine, but that should help the pain a little."
-
>Observe the wound for a moment. Compared to earlier, it's not that bad at all. Minoriko here makes a good medicine woman.
>"I just knew you'd be the right woman to ask about this. Thanks."
-
>Observe the wound for a moment. Compared to earlier, it's not that bad at all. Minoriko here makes a good medicine woman.
>"I just knew you'd be the right woman to ask about this. Thanks."
>The wound is rather coated in medicinal paste at the moment. This doesn't leave much of interest for you to observe. The gentle weight and coolness of it is somewhat lulling, though.
>"I just do what I can," she says, still frowning a little. "But I don't think this is the worst of it, is it?"
-
>"Honestly, Minoriko, no. I don't think it is. I had to kill three that ambushed me, but there's at the very least four or five more between me and what I think is their lair. Heaven only knows how many more there really are, but that lair is where I'm going, once I'm outta here."
-
>"Honestly, Minoriko, no. I don't think it is. I had to kill three that ambushed me, but there's at the very least four or five more between me and what I think is their lair. Heaven only knows how many more there really are, but that lair is where I'm going, once I'm outta here."
>She nods hesitantly. "I worry for you, but... That's not quite what I meant. If these creatures really have been stealing cattle, that means they've been down among the farmers. There aren't many people in Easthaven who could heal from this as well as you will, and nothing I could prepare would change that."
-
>"Oh. Well, I suppose you have a point there, but..."
>Having a thought.
>"None of the farmers had any idea what was causing the dissapearances. And there's no humans that have been reported missing, have there been?"
-
>"Oh. Well, I suppose you have a point there, but..."
>Having a thought.
>"None of the farmers had any idea what was causing the dissapearances. And there's no humans that have been reported missing, have there been?"
>She shakes her head. "No, thank goodness. And I'm quite certain I would know."
-
>"I think I'm having a thought here.... The spiders that attacked me only attacked me from ambush. And one of the ones I met later, I almost seemed to scare off. And they've never shown themselves to humans...."
>"Do you know of any wild youkai in the area? Or for that matter, would you be sensitive to the emergence of a new youkai in the area?"
-
>"I think I'm having a thought here.... The spiders that attacked me only attacked me from ambush. And one of the ones I met later, I almost seemed to scare off. And they've never shown themselves to humans...."
>"Do you know of any wild youkai in the area? Or for that matter, would you be sensitive to the emergence of a new youkai in the area?"
>She shakes her head. "My domain is the harvest. I'd be no more sensitive to the birth of a new youkai than you would be, I imagine." She pauses thoughtfully. "Unless, I suppose, she was also related to the harvest somehow. Even then, I'm not certain."
>"In either case, there are a few out in the woods somewhere. Or at least have been, over the years. Every now and again someone sees one, or they wander into town. But I don't think any of them would be connected to this. They've mostly harmless, and certainly none of them were spiders."
-
>"Well, things have been pretty strange lately. So I've learned to not count anything out, no matter how bizarre it might be."
>Check on our shoulder to see how it's doing.
>Did we tell Minoriko about Cirno, and the job those fairies asked us to do?
-
>"Well, things have been pretty strange lately. So I've learned to not count anything out, no matter how bizarre it might be."
>Check on our shoulder to see how it's doing.
>Did we tell Minoriko about Cirno, and the job those fairies asked us to do?
>She frowns slightly. "Be that as it may, I wouldn't be able to tell you where to find any of them, I'm afraid. No more than 'somewhere out there'."
>You glance back at your shoulder. The medicinal paste looks unchanged.
>You did not mention anything about Cirno to her, although you did originally inquire after what happened to Isato's cart. At that point, you had no idea of Cirno's involvement in events and Minoriko had simply repeated the story Isato told the village.
-
>"Yeah. That's about what I was expecting. Still had to ask, as I've seen just enough in this affair to make me wonder if there's some intelligence at work here. Knowing one way or the other would make my job a lot easier, but I suppose I'll have to make do."
>Stand.
>"Still, I suppose there's no reason to rush of to a spider's nest on an empty stomach."
>"Oh, I almost forgot. I think I saw one of the Prismriver sisters in here on my way in. You wouldn't happen to have seen either of her sisters today, have you?"
-
>"Yeah. That's about what I was expecting. Still had to ask, as I've seen just enough in this affair to make me wonder if there's some intelligence at work here. Knowing one way or the other would make my job a lot easier, but I suppose I'll have to make do."
>Stand.
>"Still, I suppose there's no reason to rush of to a spider's nest on an empty stomach."
>"Now that's something I feel quite capable of fixing," she says, a smile returning to her face a little. "In fact, consider it on the house today, if you're really going back into that place for us. It's the least I can do for you."
>"Oh, I almost forgot. I think I saw one of the Prismriver sisters in here on my way in. You wouldn't happen to have seen either of her sisters today, have you?"
>"I saw Lunasa at breakfast this morning," she says. "The three of them are staying here at the moment, actually. There's a concert this evening, you know. I gather that quite a few people are looking forward to it. I might even attend myself..." she adds, trailing off.
-
I realize that earlier we were reluctant about splitting the take on this job, but by this point, I want to tip the odds in our favor as much as humanly possible. Whether a peaceful resolution is even possible or not, I want some decent backup behind us, and the Prismrivers can be that. There's a philosophy that's served me well throughout my life, "Half of something is better than all of nothing" and nothing's all we're gonna get if we fail.
And if they say no, so much the better. More money for us.
>"Which room would that be, if you don't mind me asking?"
-
>"Which room would that be, if you don't mind me asking?"
>"I don't mind the asking," she says, "but I wouldn't feel right saying so of my own accord. Sorry. Propriety, you understand."
>"Merlin's probably still having lunch," she adds. "You could ask her, if you like. She might even know where her sisters are off to, if that's what you were wondering."
-
>"I do understand. In fact, I probably shouldn't have even asked. Sorry."
>"In fact, I think I will have a word with Merlin."
>Point to our shoulder paste. "Assuming of course, this's sat long enough, doc?"
-
>"I do understand. In fact, I probably shouldn't have even asked. Sorry."
>She shakes her head. "Don't worry about it, please."
>"In fact, I think I will have a word with Merlin."
>Point to our shoulder paste. "Assuming of course, this's sat long enough, doc?"
>"I'd really rather bandage it and let it sit by the wound for a bit, if that's alright with you," she says. "I'm sure it would feel better that way."
-
>Consider.
>"I can live with that."
-
>Consider.
>"I can live with that."
>"Ok, just sit tight for another moment," she says, "and I'll be right back." And with that, she darts back down the hall again, reemerging a few moments later with a length of cloth bandage in her hands.
>"Now just hold your arm out a bit, if you would."
-
>Extend arm out a touch.
-
>Extend arm out a touch.
>You extend your arm a little and Minoriko starts to wrap the bandage snugly over your shoulder wound and around the underside of your arm. The compression is a little unpleasant at first, but less painful than you might have expected. The paste being pressed tighter against your shoulder gives a sort of cooling sensation.
>"There," she says, taking a step back. "I think that should do it. Let me know if it's too tight."
-
>Flex and rotate arm a time or two. Does the bandaging appear to impact mobility? Or too tight?
-
>Flex and rotate arm a time or two. Does the bandaging appear to impact mobility? Or too tight?
>You flex and rotate your arm. Some of the muscles this involves are still painful to use, though this is hardly the bandage's fault. It does impair your mobility somewhat, but you're inclined to think that's inevitable with the place that's being bandaged. Otherwise, it doesn't feel uncomfortably tight.
-
>"About how long would you suggest I leave this thing on?"
-
>"About how long would you suggest I leave this thing on?"
>"Well, I suppose that depends on how quickly you heal," she says. "If you were human, I'd probably say to keep it on for the whole day and change it in the morning. I still say you probably shouldn't take it off before then unless it's already mostly healed."
>She fixes you with a mildly chastening expression. "And don't go saying it's mostly healed if it isn't. I'm sure you can tell the difference."
-
>Yes, mother....
>"Yeah, yeah. I just wanted to know before I go swinging from trees again." In anticipation of her confused look. "It's a long story."
-
>Yes, mother....
>"Yeah, yeah. I just wanted to know before I go swinging from trees again." In anticipation of her confused look. "It's a long story."
>You grumble silently to yourself. Why must people insist you taking care of yourself?
>"I know I can only ask so much," she says, "given what you're planning to go back and do, but... try not to push yourself any harder than you have to, okay?"
>Then she nods, letting the worry vanish from her face. "And on that note, let's see about getting you some lunch, shall we?"
-
>"Sounds like a plan to me."
>Move to the door.
>"What's the soup of the day, anyhow?"
>We're probably fairly hungry, aren't we?
-
>"Sounds like a plan to me."
>Move to the door.
>"What's the soup of the day, anyhow?"
>We're probably fairly hungry, aren't we?
>You give the plan your approval and head for the door.
>"Butternut squash," she says, following close behind you.
>You had a satisfying breakfast, but quite the workout in-between. You could certainly go for some lunch.
-
>Hold the door open for her. Goddess' first, after all.
>Do we like butternut squash soup?
-
>Hold the door open for her. Goddess' first, after all.
>Do we like butternut squash soup?
>You hold open the door for Minoriko. She smiles and nods to you as she steps past you, then locks the place up once you follow after her. She heads towards the dining area.
>You've not had it more than a scattered time at most. It doesn't stand out distinctly in your mind, but most of what Minoriko cooks comes out quite appetizing.
-
>Look around for that Prismriver hat. And an empty table, if there's one to be had.
-
>Look around for that Prismriver hat. And an empty table, if there's one to be had.
>Merlin is easy to spot among the crowd, still sitting where you last saw her. A further survey of the room notes at least two empty tables.
-
>Grab an empty table, but keep an eye on Merlin, in case she finishes her grub before we do.
-
>Grab an empty table, but keep an eye on Merlin, in case she finishes her grub before we do.
>You go ahead and claim an empty table, towards the front counter and relatively close to Merlin. Given that she was eating when you came in and you've yet to be served, you expect it's almost a certainty that she'll finish before you do.
>"So, what can I get for you?" Minoriko asks as you seat yourself.
-
>"Think I'll have a bit of that soup. And a ham sandwich. With extra cheese."
>"And if you could, tell Merlin that I'd like to speak with her, once she's done, of course. Please."
-
>"Think I'll have a bit of that soup. And a ham sandwich. With extra cheese."
>"And if you could, tell Merlin that I'd like to speak with her, once she's done, of course. Please."
>Minoriko nods. "Of course."
>"I... suppose I could do that," she says. "Sure."
-
>"Thanks."
-
>"Thanks."
>Minoriko nods and waltzes back towards the kitchen, leaving you to yourself for the moment.
-
>Kick back and wait for grub.
-
>Kick back and wait for grub.
>You kick back and wait for your meal to arrive. A few minutes pass while you idly watch the room and the people in it chatting and eating; many of them you recognize in passing, though few you know beyond that. Minoriko darts in and out of the kitchen several times while you wait, buzzing about taking orders and delivering a meal or two to other patrons who arrived ahead of you. You do also note her speak briefly with Merlin. The later cranes her neck in your direction and then waves enthusiastically. You return the gesture rather more mutely. Eventually Minoriko makes her way back to your table, a tray of food in her hands. She places a bowl of soup and a plate with a ham sandwich on the table before you.
>"Here you go," she says, smiling at you. "Enjoy."
-
>Blast. Forgot the drinks. But savor the smell of good soup, regardless.
>"And a glass of pomegranate juice as well, if you have it."
-
>Blast. Forgot the drinks. But savor the smell of good soup, regardless.
>"And a glass of pomegranate juice as well, if you have it."
>You curse your forgetfulness, but the appetizing scent wafting from the hot bowl of soup before you ameliorates that somewhat. It has a warm savory aroma with just a hint of sweetness.
>"I believe I have a little left, yes. I'll get you a glass right away." And with that, Minoriko putters back to the kitchen.
>Almost no sooner has she left before a voice beside you cries "Heya!"
-
>"Dah!"
-
>"Dah!"
>You cry out in startlement, but the voice seems unfazed by this. She pulls up a chair next to you.
>"Fancy meeting you here," Merlin says. "I hear you wanted to say hi?"
-
>After all the surprises we've had today.... Frazzled mouse nerves....
>"Yes. I did. Thank you."
>Try a couple spoonfuls of that soup.
>"In point of fact, I was hoping to have a word with Lunasa, after my lunch here. I have something of a business proposal for her."
-
>After all the surprises we've had today.... Frazzled mouse nerves....
>"Yes. I did. Thank you."
>Try a couple spoonfuls of that soup.
>"In point of fact, I was hoping to have a word with Lunasa, after my lunch here. I have something of a business proposal for her."
>You've had more than your share of unexpected noises beside you today that were far less benign...
>"Nice to see you, too!" she says.
>You have a spoonful of the soup. It is a somewhat different flavor, but quite creamy with a subtle zing to it. It's pretty good.
>Merlin gives you a surprised look. "Really? I wouldn't have figured you for the business type. We're booked pretty solid for the next month, though, I think. Busy, busy!"
-
>"Yes... I imagine you are. I'm pleased to hear it."
>Have a bite of that sandwich.
>"But my proposal won't go beyond today. In fact, it'll only take a few hours. Plenty of time to get the task done and not keep your adoring public waiting."
-
>"Yes... I imagine you are. I'm pleased to hear it."
>Have a bite of that sandwich.
>"But my proposal won't go beyond today. In fact, it'll only take a few hours. Plenty of time to get the task done and not keep your adoring public waiting."
>"Yup, it's good. Lots of places to see and all. Even if they're some of the same places, travelling's fun."
>You take a bite of the sandwich. It's simple fare - even Orange would have a hard time screwing up ham and cheese - but that doesn't stop it from being good.
>"I dunno..." she says, frowning. "Sis is still off tying up loose ends with something and Lyrica already thinks we're overbooked."
-
>Work on the soup between sentances.
>"You wouldn't happen to know where Lunasa is, then, would you? After all, it couldn't hurt to hear what I'm offering, could it?"
-
>Work on the soup between sentances.
>"You wouldn't happen to know where Lunasa is, then, would you? After all, it couldn't hurt to hear what I'm offering, could it?"
>You continue to eat while you converse.
>"Hmmm...." Merlin taps her head a few times. "She said she... where was it again...? She had a delivery to make, and then I think she wanted to give the hall a look over before the concert, and I think there was something else..." She gives you something of a sheepish look. "I, uh, may not have been paying much attention. But I'm sure she'll be back here eventually!" she adds with a smile.
-
>Twitch. Right. Not the sharpest kunai in the pouch, this one.
>Are we familiar with the hall she's referring to?
-
>Twitch. Right. Not the sharpest kunai in the pouch, this one.
>Are we familiar with the hall she's referring to?
>From what few interactions you've had, Merlin seems to mean well, but she's all enthusiasm and not so much thought. She seems to go over well with a lot of people just the same, though.
>You suspect she's referring to the community hall. It's basically the only venue in the town that could seat a crowd at once, unless they were performing outdoors.
-
>"You weren't planning an outdoor concert out here, were you?"
-
>"You weren't planning an outdoor concert out here, were you?"
>She frowns at you. "I just said sis was checking out the hall for the concert, didn't I? Wants to make sure everything's all set up right for tonight, y'know?"
-
>"Right, right. Sorry. I've had a rough day so far."
>Polish off the rest of that soup.
-
>"Right, right. Sorry. I've had a rough day so far."
>Polish off the rest of that soup.
>She gives you a sympathetic look. "Aww... that's too bad. You should come to the concert tonight! I'm sure we can put a smile on that face."
>You set to work on your meal in earnest.
>"That stuff's pretty good, isn't it?" Merlin says.
-
>Consider that offer. Bit of a show might not be so bad, depending on the condition we're in once the job's all said and done. "I might just do that."
>"Minoriko here's one of the finest cooks on the continent, far as I know."
-
>Consider that offer. Bit of a show might not be so bad, depending on the condition we're in once the job's all said and done. "I might just do that."
>"Minoriko here's one of the finest cooks on the continent, far as I know."
>"The more the merrier!" she says.
>Merlin nods. "I can believe it. I don't even like squash!"
-
>"Maybe you can get her to handle the refreshments at your shows out here? Good food and good music go hand in hand."
-
>"Maybe you can get her to handle the refreshments at your shows out here? Good food and good music go hand in hand."
>"That's a neat idea," she says, nodding thoughtfully. "Sis handles all that sort of stuff, though. Maybe I'll mention it to her if we're out this way again."
-
>"I'll be sure to mention it to her myself, if I see her later."
>And negociate for a share of the profits, as well.
>Attack that sandwich.
-
>"I'll be sure to mention it to her myself, if I see her later."
>And negociate for a share of the profits, as well.
>Attack that sandwich.
>"Might be a while... but sure, I suppose."
>You're certainly not going to let a possible opportunity pass you by.
>You start in on your sandwich. The bread is fresh and the cheese is good and on the whole, it's a fine complement to the other half of your meal.
>At this point, Minoriko walk back over to your table, a glass of pomegranate juice in hand.
>"Here you go," she says, placing it on the table.
>"Great soup, by the way!" Merlin pipes up. "Meant to say so the first time."
>Minoriko smiles at her. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
-
>"I agree. Hits the spot nicely."
>Have a sip of that juice.
-
>"I agree. Hits the spot nicely."
>Have a sip of that juice.
>Minoriko turns her smile in your direction. "My pleasure." Then she turns and walks off to the next customer.
>You take a sip of juice. It's a touch on the tart side, but still good.
>"So... anything else up?" Merlin asks. "Because I kinda promised Lyrica I'd take care of something for her after lunch. Don't want to keep her waiting too long."
-
>"Naw, it's fine. Thanks for the company."
-
>"Naw, it's fine. Thanks for the company."
>"Hey, no problem," she says. "Always nice bumping into someone you know. The other night was a real riot, wasn't it?"
-
>Actually, do we know if the Prismrivers are even capable of being helpful? Do they have any real skills when it comes to dealing with problems like this?
-
>Actually, do we know if the Prismrivers are even capable of being helpful? Do they have any real skills when it comes to dealing with problems like this?
>Lunasa is a fully certified Seeker, with the basic competencies that entails. You think she's a fairly capable one, even if the sisters are mostly known for the musical end of their activities. You know that the three of them have some control over sound that transcends the natural, although you're not certain the exact scope of their abilities. Lunasa herself is also a modestly accomplished fencer, and carries an unusual signature weapon. It's something of a cross between a violin bow and a sword, with a 'string' of phantasmal energy forming both cutting edge and musical contact surface. It is capable of achieving harmonics more subtle and complex than an ordinary bow, or at least so you've been told. You lack the musical ear to distinguish Lunasa's own finesse with the violin from any supernatural advantages her instrument conveys. As a weapon, it seems capable of great sharpness, although you think this requires conscious manipulation on her part. In most people's hands, it's just a piece of wood; you're not certain if Lunasa's ability to bring forth the string is due to her affinity with sound or because of her poltergeist nature. You've never seen either of her sisters try. You don't know if either of the other two have any weapon proficiencies of their own, although you're inclined to suspect not.
-
Badass.
>By the other night, she's referring to our 'graduation' party, isn't she?
>Do we remember much of that night?
-
>By the other night, she's referring to our 'graduation' party, isn't she?
>Do we remember much of that night?
>You assume as much. Certainly she was there and she seemed to be enjoying herself.
>Not much more than you did the morning after. You remember the early bits well enough, later sections somewhat less well, to the point of being fragmentary. You barely remember arriving home at all. It somewhat pains you to admit, but you think you may have enjoyed yourself despite yourself, even if you're in no hurry to be reminded of your ill-conceived attempt at karaoke. You were uncharacteristically drunk by the end of it. You cannot even be sure quite how much. At least you feel justified in hoisting some of the blame for that onto the others. Orange got rather insistent at one point...
-
>Note to self, if we haven't done so already: At some point in the future, get Orange liquored up to the point that she challenges Marisa and Rinnosuke both, then duck.
>"You, uhh... You remember all of that night?"
>Try not to wince at the memory of the hangover.
-
>Note to self, if we haven't done so already: At some point in the future, get Orange liquored up to the point that she challenges Marisa and Rinnosuke both, then duck.
>"You, uhh... You remember all of that night?"
>Try not to wince at the memory of the hangover.
>You make a note to give Orange a little taste of her own medicine and then some.
>"Enough of it!" Merlin says cheerfully.
>You try not to wince at the memory. In retrospect, it probably wasn't as bad as what you've already been through today, to say nothing of what remains.
-
>Groan, and cover our eyes with our hand. That night may not have been as painful as this mission, but it had to've been a damn sight more embarassing.
-
>Groan, and cover our eyes with our hand. That night may not have been as painful as this mission, but it had to've been a damn sight more embarassing.
>You groan and cover your eyes. Those are not memories you're entirely comfortable recalling.
>"What's wrong?" Merlin asks, sounding just a little concerned.
-
>"Yeah...but you know how some folks get drunk to forget? Well, I'd rather forget drinking."
>"But today was pretty crazy too, and this time I didn't need to drink any."
-
>"Yeah...but you know how some folks get drunk to forget? Well, I'd rather forget drinking."
>"But today was pretty crazy too, and this time I didn't need to drink any."
>"Awww.... but we had a good time, didn't we?" She smiles encouragingly at you.
>"Good crazy or bad crazy?"
-
>Was it a good time?
>"Crazy Crazy. You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."
-
>Was it a good time?
>"Crazy Crazy. You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."
>You're fairly certain you enjoyed yourself at the time, although in retrospect, you find some of it a bit embarrassing. And the morning after was... a bit unpleasant, although if Lunasa is anything to go by, Merlin's was far worse than yours. She was quite thoroughly sloshed by the end of it, though you don't know if a smile left her face the whole time.
>"I can believe a lotta stuff," she says, leaning towards you. "Try me."
-
>"You sure you have the time, Merlin? It's a bit of a story, and you wouldn't wanna keep Lyrica waiting too long, after all."
-
>"You sure you have the time, Merlin? It's a bit of a story, and you wouldn't wanna keep Lyrica waiting too long, after all."
>She frowns at you. "Hey, that's teasing!"
-
>Chuckle.
>"I suppose it is, at that. All right, Merlin, if it's a story you want, you got it. But try not to yell too loudly when you hear the good parts, okay? It's a heck of a tale, and I don't wanna scare the folks here in the middle of their lunch."
-
>Chuckle.
>"I suppose it is, at that. All right, Merlin, if it's a story you want, you got it. But try not to yell too loudly when you hear the good parts, okay? It's a heck of a tale, and I don't wanna scare the folks here in the middle of their lunch."
>She grins eagerly. "I hope you're not just getting my hopes up."
-
>"That depends on your experiences with arachnids."
>Bring the Prismriver up to speed with our day.
-
>"That depends on your experiences with arachnids."
>Bring the Prismriver up to speed with our day.
>You launch into a tale of your adventures today while Merlin listens in eagerly. She nods along as you cover the mundane beginnings of your search, though you can tell by the look on her face that she's already started to get bored with the routine details. She perks up again once you reach the first encounter with the spiders, however, her expressing quickly giving way to dismay.
>"Giant spiders!?" she cries, not loud enough to draw the attention of the whole inn, thankfully, although you get more than a handful of odd stares in your direction. Merlin is predictably oblivious. You do your best not to cringe and simply bush past it. She listens through the rest in rapt attention, punctuating the tense moments with the occasional gasp.
>"That's... that's a big problem!" she says as you finish up.
-
>"You're telling me. As a matter of fact, that's what I wanted to talk to Lunasa about. She's a pro Seeker, and so am I, and there are times when pros need to ask for some backup. I think this is one of those times."
-
>"You're telling me. As a matter of fact, that's what I wanted to talk to Lunasa about. She's a pro Seeker, and so am I, and there are times when pros need to ask for some backup. I think this is one of those times."
>"Maybe, yeah..." Merlin nods, a rather somber look on her face. Then she frowns a little. "Hey, what do you mean 'pro'? You only graduated a couple days ago. I was there, y'know..."
-
>"Yeah. Graduated. That makes me a professional. I may not have as much experience as Marisa, your sister, but I earned this badge, and all that goes with it. And that includes this problem here, even if I didn't quite know what I was getting into at the time. From missing cows to giant spiders. Never a dull day, is there."
-
>"Yeah. Graduated. That makes me a professional. I may not have as much experience as Marisa, your sister, but I earned this badge, and all that goes with it. And that includes this problem here, even if I didn't quite know what I was getting into at the time. From missing cows to giant spiders. Never a dull day, is there."
>"You do bump into some pretty strange stuff sometimes..." Merlin muses. "Like when my trumpet got possessed or that time we ended up having to fight off an octopus youkai in the middle of a concert, years back. One of those big theatrical gigs in Val Razua, you know? I think she had a grudge against one of the actors or something." She smiles a little. "Sis tried to make it look like the whole thing was just part of the show. That was actually kinda fun, now that I think of it..."
-
>Did they get an airship out of the deal, too?
>"One of the good things of Seeker life: no shortage of adventures. Or good stories to tell, either."
-
>Did they get an airship out of the deal, too?
>"One of the good things of Seeker life: no shortage of adventures. Or good stories to tell, either."
>Sadly it was impounded by the authorities after Merlin went joy riding around the habour one too many times
>Merlin nods. "Sis takes it all so seriously, but at least this means she's also the one that takes care of the boring bits. Mostly."
-
>Add quest: Airship Liberation, in which we acquire said airship and go buzz the tower.
>"'Mostly'?"
-
>Add quest: Airship Liberation, in which we acquire said airship and go buzz the tower.
>"'Mostly'?"
>Quest added!
>"Eh, well, sometimes she makes us chip in," Merlin says, a slight frown on her face. "Speaking of which, Lyrica's probably going to grouch at me if I don't get moving soon. I'll make sure to tell sis about the spiders, if I see her. We might be too booked, but someone really needs to handle that. It sounds nasty..."
-
>"Very nasty. But it has to be done, and if I have to do it by myself, then so be it."
-
>"Very nasty. But it has to be done, and if I have to do it by myself, then so be it."
>"Well, I'll see what I can do."
>She stands up and gives a little wave. "Stay safe now!"
-
>Salute her with our juice glass.
>"I'll certainly try."
>Finish lunch.
-
>Salute her with our juice glass.
>"I'll certainly try."
>Finish lunch.
>You raise your glass to Merlin.
>Merlin smiles and nods. "It's a promise!" Then she turns and walks out of the inn.
>You work your way through the rest of your meal in a leisurely fashion, savoring the moments of calm comfort before you set out again. Almost too soon, you reach the last spoonful. You are well sated, but that also implies it's time to get back to business.
-
>Well, she's off to handle Lyrica. Let's see if we can find the third one.
>Head for the concert hall, see if we can catch her in action.
-
>Well, she's off to handle Lyrica. Let's see if we can find the third one.
>Head for the concert hall, see if we can catch her in action.
>You leave and head for the community hall, hoping to find Lunasa. It is certainly far from a proper concert hall, but it's the largest indoor venue Easthaven has to offer. It also happens to be a very short distance from the Harvest Bounty.
>It is a fairly large structure, quite obviously so by contrast with the other buildings around it, but constructed of a similar style, looking rather like a very long two-story house. A bank of windows runs along the upper part of the walls along the main hall space inside, giving it good lightning. The rest of the building is partitioned into smaller spaces, for the administration, or for use by smaller clubs and groups. At the moment, there are several posters affixed to the front entrance advertising the upcoming concert.
-
>Head on inside, keeping an eye out for that distinctive Prismriver hat.
-
>Head on inside, keeping an eye out for that distinctive Prismriver hat.
>You step inside and head towards the corridor to the main hall, keeping an eye out for Lunasa. You pass a couple people on the way, moving between other rooms along the side of the corridor, but when you reach the doors to the hall itself, you find them locked. You can hear some activity from inside, though.
-
>Can we hear enough to identify Lunasa's voice among said activity?
-
>Can we hear enough to identify Lunasa's voice among said activity?
>You can dimly hear some conversation, but no voice stands out as obviously belonging to her.
-
>Is there anyone moving about out here that we might be able to flag down?
-
>Is there anyone moving about out here that we might be able to flag down?
>You passed a couple people a few moments back; you don't know if they're connected with this or not. There's no one in sight at this very moment, though. There might also be someone in the administrative office you could ask.
-
>Head towards the administrative office. No sense interrupting something important that isn't tied to this job.
-
>Head towards the administrative office. No sense interrupting something important that isn't tied to this job.
>You walk back down the corridor and take a left, shortly thereafter finding yourself in a small, relatively cramped room with a pair of desks and filing drawers and little else. A middle-aged woman looks up from the one closest to the entrance, eyes you appraisingly for a moment, and then asks:
>"Is there something I can do for you?"
-
>"I'm looking for a Lunasa Prismriver, performing here tonight. I was told she might be in the building?"
-
>"I'm looking for a Lunasa Prismriver, performing here tonight. I was told she might be in the building?"
>"Do you have business with her?" she asks, regarding you dryly.
-
>"As a matter of fact, I do. And rather time-sensitive, at that."
-
>"As a matter of fact, I do. And rather time-sensitive, at that."
>She is silent for a moment, then says: "She was by some time earlier. I don't know if she's still here or not. I can take a message for her, if you want to leave one."
-
>"No, that's alright. Thanks for your time."
>Head back to that room we were before and have another listen, see if we can hear her this time.
-
>"No, that's alright. Thanks for your time."
>Head back to that room we were before and have another listen, see if we can hear her this time.
>She nods to you, then returns to paperwork.
>You leave and head back to the hall doors, having a closer listen this time. There are at least 3 people inside the room, you believe, although none of them sound like Lunasa. They're too far away for you to tell what they're talking about.
-
>Knock, knock.
-
>Knock, knock.
>You knock on the doors firmly. Some moments later, a young man opens one of them a crack. He looks at you somewhat uncertainly.
>"Yes?"
-
>"Sorry to interrupt. I'm looking for Lunasa Prismriver, have you seen her about? I have business with her."
-
>"Sorry to interrupt. I'm looking for Lunasa Prismriver, have you seen her about? I have business with her."
>"She was here earlier," he says. "Left about... 20 minutes ago, maybe?"
-
>"Did she mention where she was going?"
-
>"Did she mention where she was going?"
>"Uh... I think she might have said something about lunch?"
-
>".... Lunch at Minoriko's place, by any chance?"
-
>".... Lunch at Minoriko's place, by any chance?"
>He shrugs. "Couldn't tell ya, sorry."
-
>Of course.
>"Thanks anyway."
>Stroll around the place for a little bit, see if we can't spot her.
>If we don't, head outside.
-
>Of course.
>"Thanks anyway."
>Stroll around the place for a little bit, see if we can't spot her.
>If we don't, head outside.
>He gives you a sheepish expression. "Sorry."
>You leave and wander around the building for a little bit. Poking your head into some of the side rooms, you find a couple other people going about their business, but no sign of Lunasa. You decide to look elsewhere.
>You exit the building and step back outside. You're currently on the eastern end of the village center, next to the village council office. The Harvest's Bounty is a short trip west, and a handful of other small shops are dotted about the area.
-
>Do we see Lunasa in the vicinity?
>Are any of said shops food stalls or cafes of any sort?
-
>Do we see Lunasa in the vicinity?
>Are any of said shops food stalls or cafes of any sort?
>You don't see Lunasa within sight at this very moment, although it wouldn't take too long to sweep the area.
>There are a handful of food stalls elsewhere in the area, and a coffee house and bakery.
-
>Have a stroll around, see if we can see her. If nothing else, be a few moments more of civilization before the pain sure to come.
-
>Have a stroll around, see if we can see her. If nothing else, be a few moments more of civilization before the pain sure to come.
>You have a walk around the area. It's fairly busy at the moment, by Easthaven standards, but not enough to obscure anyone in the crowd. You wend your way through the stands and shops once without event, but on a second pass, you catch a glance of Lunasa's distinctive profile leaving the general store.
-
>Quick, before she gets blended into the crowd and gets away!
-
>Quick, before she gets blended into the crowd and gets away!
>You make a dash for Lunasa before you risk losing sight of her. She turns her head in your direction as you approach.
>"Oh, good afternoon, Nazrin," she says. "I didn't expect to see you here. Are you in on business, or just spending some time back home?"
-
>"Business, I'm afraid. And a bit more than I bargained for. I know you're busy, with your concert and all, but can I have a minute or two?"
-
>"Business, I'm afraid. And a bit more than I bargained for. I know you're busy, with your concert and all, but can I have a minute or two?"
>"I can spare a minute or two at least," she says, giving you an appraising look. "What is it?"
-
>Glance around, see if we can see somewhere a bit less crowded within range.
-
>Glance around, see if we can see somewhere a bit less crowded within range.
>It's not particularly crowded where you are and there are several places a short distance away that are relatively private, either off the beaten path or behind shops.
-
>Gesture 'off the beaten path'.
>"Away from public ears, if it's all the same to you."
-
>Gesture 'off the beaten path'.
>"Away from public ears, if it's all the same to you."
>You gesture to a isolated spot somewhere nearby.
>"Of course," she says, a hint of a frown forming on her face.
-
>Once we get to said spot,
>"I don't know if you'd heard since you got out here, but there'd been some cows out here dissapearing recently. I came out here to investigate, see if I could get to the bottom of it. And I think I have, but I ended up finding more than just cattle rustlers. Something I'm not certain I can handle alone. That's why I came looking for you. I want your help."
-
>Once we get to said spot,
>"I don't know if you'd heard since you got out here, but there'd been some cows out here dissapearing recently. I came out here to investigate, see if I could get to the bottom of it. And I think I have, but I ended up finding more than just cattle rustlers. Something I'm not certain I can handle alone. That's why I came looking for you. I want your help."
>You walk over the location you gestured at and then lay out your preamble.
>Lunasa's expression grows yet more serious. "What did you find?"
-
>"Spiders. Giant spiders. Some of them bigger than some horses I've seen. And one nasty type that can spit acid up to at least 10 feet away. I'd have a hole in my back, if I didn't have so good a sense of hearing. As it was, I picked up this in the proces."
>Point to our shoulder. "Was a lot nastier before Minoriko patched me up."
>"The point is, I had to kill three that ambushed me, and that was before I even found their lair. Heaven only knows how many's waiting there. I've got more supplies now, so they won't catch me unprepared again, but I don't like my prospects if I have to face three times that many, on their own turf. Marisa may be Seeker enough to handle everything like that on her own, but I recognize when I might be getting in over my head. At least if I'm by myself."
>"I know you have your show tonight, but you're also the best in town I can ask. Hell, you may be my only hope, at that. Will you help me?"
-
>"Spiders. Giant spiders. Some of them bigger than some horses I've seen. And one nasty type that can spit acid up to at least 10 feet away. I'd have a hole in my back, if I didn't have so good a sense of hearing. As it was, I picked up this in the proces."
>Point to our shoulder. "Was a lot nastier before Minoriko patched me up."
>"The point is, I had to kill three that ambushed me, and that was before I even found their lair. Heaven only knows how many's waiting there. I've got more supplies now, so they won't catch me unprepared again, but I don't like my prospects if I have to face three times that many, on their own turf. Marisa may be Seeker enough to handle everything like that on her own, but I recognize when I might be getting in over my head. At least if I'm by myself."
>"I know you have your show tonight, but you're also the best in town I can ask. Hell, you may be my only hope, at that. Will you help me?"
>You explain the situation, offering your shoulder as a convenient visual aid. Lunasa's expression continues to darken as you speak, looking downright grim by the end.
>"Can you estimate how many there might be?" she asks. "And where is this lair of theirs? Did you see inside it at all?"
-
>"There were at least four, maybe five spiders moving outside their lair that I saw or heard after I escaped that ambush. I was afraid they'd overwhelm me as it was, so I got out of there after that. I didn't see anymore of the large spiders or spitters, but I'd bet my tail there's more of 'em in or around the lair."
>"And I didn't actually see the lair itself, I didn't get that close. But the acid they spit has a particular smell, that's what I was tracking. I was getting closer to its source, or at least a very strong concentration of it, when I was almost swarmed. I can find it again, and this time, one way or the other, I'll be ready."
-
>"There were at least four, maybe five spiders moving outside their lair that I saw or heard after I escaped that ambush. I was afraid they'd overwhelm me as it was, so I got out of there after that. I didn't see anymore of the large spiders or spitters, but I'd bet my tail there's more of 'em in or around the lair."
>"And I didn't actually see the lair itself, I didn't get that close. But the acid they spit has a particular smell, that's what I was tracking. I was getting closer to its source, or at least a very strong concentration of it, when I was almost swarmed. I can find it again, and this time, one way or the other, I'll be ready."
>"Yes, but where was this place?" she repeats.
-
>Describe the layout of the area we fled from, and the rough location of the strong scent source.
-
>Describe the layout of the area we fled from, and the rough location of the strong scent source.
>You describe the location and the path you took to get there. Lunasa is silent for a few moments after you finish explaining.
>"That's a considerable distance into untamed territory," she says, "facing an unknown number of provably dangerous creatures. You admit you have no idea of their numbers, nor the size or layout of their lair to estimate. That's a great deal to expect can be slotted neatly into a few hour window."
-
>"I realize I'm asking a lot, believe me, I do. But the longer those spiders are there, the chances that they're going to move from attacking cows to attacking people grows more and more. I'm not prepared to let that happen. I'm prepared to go back by myself, if I have to. But since I knew you were here, a Seeker more experienced than I am, I had to ask. Any chance of improving the odds, I had to take."
-
>"I realize I'm asking a lot, believe me, I do. But the longer those spiders are there, the chances that they're going to move from attacking cows to attacking people grows more and more. I'm not prepared to let that happen. I'm prepared to go back by myself, if I have to. But since I knew you were here, a Seeker more experienced than I am, I had to ask. Any chance of improving the odds, I had to take."
>"You said they've been responsible for cattle disappearances, yes? How long has this been going on and how close to town have they been sighted?"
-
>Recount what we know on that matter.
-
>Recount what we know on that matter.
>You recount the details of situation. Lunasa listens attentively, occasionally asking for a point of clarification or additional detail. She is silent for a few moments after you finish, then lets go a heavy breath.
>"If we leave now, I think we're taking a real gamble that we can make our concert time at all. Even if we left this very moment, it's at least an hour's round trip and then a very uncertain length of time to deal with the problem, given that you have no idea whether we're facing 3 or 30 or 300. And this presumes that none of us get too injured to perform, which sounds like a real possibility from what you describe."
>She sighs. "I don't mean to sound callous and I share your concern for the well-being of the village, but I'm not certain that anyone here is in urgent danger. The spiders have made no attacks upon farmers when they've clearly had opportunity. In fact, I think it's fair to say that they've taken steps to actively avoid them, or someone would have seen them already. We shouldn't discount that."
>"If we're to deal with a problem like this, we can't afford to be rushed. Haste could well get someone seriously hurt. We'll need to scout the their lair itself so that we know better what we're up against and can make sure everyone is prepared for it. If you're willing to wait until tomorrow morning, we may be able to assist you. I don't believe anyone here will be put in danger because of this."
-
>Take a moment to consider her words.
>"What you say makes a lot of sense. To be honest, the thought has occured to me, as well, about the spiders' avoiding human contact. I haven't been able to work that part out myself yet, if these are just beasts. And as much as I'm not sure I can handle this solo, the thought of simply leaving them out there doesn't sit quite right with me."
>Take another moment.
>"How does this sound to you? Like you said, the more information we have, the better. So I'll go back out there myself now, to see if I can get a look at the lair itself. I'm better prepared to defend myself now, if I have to, and I've already proven that I can get away from them if I get overwhelmed. Even better, they seem reluctant to follow me too far."
>"If it turns out not to be as bad as it could be, I might be able to handle things on my own. And if I get in over my head, I'll beat feet and come back here with more information."
-
>Take a moment to consider her words.
>"What you say makes a lot of sense. To be honest, the thought has occured to me, as well, about the spiders' avoiding human contact. I haven't been able to work that part out myself yet, if these are just beasts. And as much as I'm not sure I can handle this solo, the thought of simply leaving them out there doesn't sit quite right with me."
>"I understand," she says. "I know this is where you grew up, too. If I was in your place, I'd probably feel the same."
>"How does this sound to you? Like you said, the more information we have, the better. So I'll go back out there myself now, to see if I can get a look at the lair itself. I'm better prepared to defend myself now, if I have to, and I've already proven that I can get away from them if I get overwhelmed. Even better, they seem reluctant to follow me too far."
>"If it turns out not to be as bad as it could be, I might be able to handle things on my own. And if I get in over my head, I'll beat feet and come back here with more information."
>Lunasa nods. "I think that sounds sensible. I'm sure I don't need to say this, but make sure not to overextend yourself. If you have doubts, don't hesitate to withdraw. You've nothing to prove here."
-
>Why has everyone we've met today told us not to try too hard, or be a hero, or something? You'd think we were fragile, or somethin'.
>"But you're wrong. I do have something to prove. Not just to myself, but to Marisa, and to Ichirin. One day, I'll be every bit the Seeker Marisa is- maybe even overtake her, and I mean to start now. And Ichirin... She has faith in me. Not just because I'm a Seeker, but in me. I may not live here anymore, but I'm not about to let her down."
>"None of that, however, means I'm some gung-ho glory seeker. I wasn't afraid to cut and run last time, when I had to, and I'm not afraid to do it again. I ain't much good to no one stuck in a coccoon on some big spider's web."
-
>Why has everyone we've met today told us not to try too hard, or be a hero, or something? You'd think we were fragile, or somethin'.
>"But you're wrong. I do have something to prove. Not just to myself, but to Marisa, and to Ichirin. One day, I'll be every bit the Seeker Marisa is- maybe even overtake her, and I mean to start now. And Ichirin... She has faith in me. Not just because I'm a Seeker, but in me. I may not live here anymore, but I'm not about to let her down."
>"None of that, however, means I'm some gung-ho glory seeker. I wasn't afraid to cut and run last time, when I had to, and I'm not afraid to do it again. I ain't much good to no one stuck in a coccoon on some big spider's web."
>You could always prove them wrong! Or would that be missing the point entirely...?
>Lunasa's frown deepens as you declare that you indeed have something to prove. She looks about to say something, but then stops.
>"Quite right," she says, when you finish. "Don't take what I said the wrong way; I have faith in your competence. My apologies."
-
>Casual wave of the hand.
>"s'alright. I appreciate the sentiment."
>"I suppose we both best be getting back to work, though. You've got a show to do, and I've got some walking to do."
>Small grin. "But if you've got a bit of spare luck lying around, I wouldn't mind borrowing it."
-
>Casual wave of the hand.
>"s'alright. I appreciate the sentiment."
>"I suppose we both best be getting back to work, though. You've got a show to do, and I've got some walking to do."
>She nods. "Good hunting to you."
>Small grin. "But if you've got a bit of spare luck lying around, I wouldn't mind borrowing it."
>"You might want to ask Lyrcia about that one," she says, sounding just a touch sardonic. "I don't think fortune and I get along very well."
-
>Not the broadest sense of humor on this one.
>"Well, I'll try to bring some back for you, then."
>Get to steppin'. Like she said, we got a lot of ground to cover.
-
>Not the broadest sense of humor on this one.
>"Well, I'll try to bring some back for you, then."
>Get to steppin'. Like she said, we got a lot of ground to cover.
>You're not sure you've ever seen Lunasa be anything other than serious on those occasions you've spoken.
>"You'd best keep it for yourself, I think," she says in a neutral tone.
>You part ways and head back towards the pastures, moving west through the village center than then following the road north. Reaching the southern edge of them, you note that they seem more empty than earlier today. There are still cows in sight, but most definitely fewer herds present.
-
>Do we suspect this is just part of the herds roving through the day?
-
>Do we suspect this is just part of the herds roving through the day?
>You suppose it's possible; you certainly can't see nearly the whole of the pastures at the moment due to the slope of the terrain. Still, it does seem a bit conspicuous.
-
>Shit.
>Any spider-like odors in the air?
-
>Shit.
>Any spider-like odors in the air?
>This isn't terribly reassuring...
>You get a good sniff of the air. You don't smell anything out of place - chiefly grass and cow - and certainly no distinct whiff of the scent you were tracking in the woods earlier.
-
>Well, there's always one other way...
>Look around for fresh and close to fresh cowpats, and see if there is much of a pattern to where they are or lead in a particular direction.
-
>Well, there's always one other way...
>Look around for fresh and close to fresh cowpats, and see if there is much of a pattern to where they are or lead in a particular direction.
>Grumbling just a little to yourself, you scan about the pasture for fresh cow dung. Finding some is not difficult, although it's hard to immediately tell any pattern to it, given how freely many of the herds wander.There is some among the southernmost ends of the fields, at any rate, suggesting they didn't all disappear northward.
-
>No sign of webbing, or unusual tracks? ... Or cow parts?
>Are there any people in sight?
-
>No sign of webbing, or unusual tracks? ... Or cow parts?
>Are there any people in sight?
>You see no sign of webbing or unusual tracks, and the only cow parts visible are those currently attached to apparently living cows.
>You can see two or three of them in the pastures from here.
-
>Move in their general direction.
-
>Move in their general direction.
>You proceed in the general direction of the ranchers, roughly northeast. None of them seem to take more than the usual notice of you, nor do you see or hear anything else unusual on the way. The cows look about as unperturbed as ever, lazily moving across the grass or eating it.
-
>Do these ranchers appear familiar to us?
-
>Do these ranchers appear familiar to us?
>You think you recognize all of the ones you can see at the moment from earlier in the day, although none of them were among those you spoke to.
-
>Good, they might know us, then.
>Approach and see if we can flag the attention of at least one of 'em.
-
>Good, they might know us, then.
>Approach and see if we can flag the attention of at least one of 'em.
>It does seem that they might.
>You approach the nearest of them, a tall man with a rather stark countenance. He eyes you without seeming to move so much as a single facial muscle.
>"What is it?" he asks.
-
>That's a neat trick.
>"Place seems a bit emptier than it was earlier on the day. Where'd everybody go?"
-
>That's a neat trick.
>"Place seems a bit emptier than it was earlier on the day. Where'd everybody go?"
>Perhaps he could moonlight as a scarecrow.
>"Well, that's your doing, ain't it?" he says, sounding somewhat less than pleased about this. Although, perhaps he always sounds that way? With a face like that, it wouldn't surprise you.
-
>"Ah. Word's spread, I take it."
-
>"Ah. Word's spread, I take it."
>"I'll believe it when I see it," he says.
-
>"And I don't blame you. I won't keep you, either."
>Assuming her doesn't stop us, resume our original course.
-
>"And I don't blame you. I won't keep you, either."
>Assuming her doesn't stop us, resume our original course.
>He nods.
>He makes no effort to stop you as you turn and continue northward, over the hills and towards the forest. You see another scattered cluster of cattle on the way, although they remain similarly thin or perhaps even moreso.
>Given that you approached the spider's lair from two different directions and fled via a third route, none of which was entirely direct, how do you wish you proceed?
-
>From the first direction, the way we were going before we got ambushed by the big ones.
-
>From the first direction, the way we were going before we got ambushed by the big ones.
>Do you wish you retrace your original route from the other side of the river to the west, or attempt to head northward and pick up a later part of that trail from a likely closer location?
-
>'Likely closer location' sounds promising, let's try that.
-
>'Likely closer location' sounds promising, let's try that.
>You make a rough estimate of where your original path might have taken you after it headed east from the river and aim in that direction, heading northward. This is a very rough guess indeed, but you hope that once you pick up the scent again, you'll have a good enough signal to go by.
>You traverse the rest of the pasture, past what few more cattle remain, and slip into the woods beyond them. As you do, you raise your guard for unusual noises or other things you've come to associate with the spiders. Still, your previous flight from the woods was spider-free for quite some distance north of the pasture, and the return trip appears to be similar. It takes some time before you get any useful wiff of the scent you were originally tracking, but it does eventually happen, perhaps 15 minutes after entering the woods. You aren't certain if you've ended up north or south of your original route, but the lair, or at least what you believe to be it, is definitely northeast of you now and still quite some distance away. You've yet to see any signs of spider activity.
-
>Emphasis on the yet.
>Any signs of human activity since we entered the forest? One of the farmers that heard the story might've come up and tried to be a hero himself.
-
>Emphasis on the yet.
>Any signs of human activity since we entered the forest? One of the farmers that heard the story might've come up and tried to be a hero himself.
>It does seem likely that will change soon enough...
>None that you've seen, although there's quite a lot of forest up here, and the odds of you bumping into even someone's trail would be slim, given that you have no idea where they might have entered or where they might have been heading.
-
>That'd make the day complete, wouldn't it, having to save some wannabe hero on top of everything else.
>Proceed in a northeasterly direction, senses sharp. And keep a solid grip on that pitchfork.
-
>That'd make the day complete, wouldn't it, having to save some wannabe hero on top of everything else.
>Proceed in a northeasterly direction, senses sharp. And keep a solid grip on that pitchfork.
>Hopefully no one's planning to be quite that foolish today...
>You continue to the northeast, making your way carefully through the trees. You keep a firm grip on your pitchfork and a sharp ear for any sounds of motion that could possibly be attributed to a spider. Several times a noise gives you pause, but turns out to be no more than an ordinary forest creature rustling through the brush. Progress is slow and somewhat tiring for your vigilance, but you continue to approach your target and several more minutes pass without event.
>You think you're closer now than you were during the original ambush, although likely approaching from a slightly different angle. If anything, the lack of spider activity is making you more edgy than if you'd seen several already. The ground is growing hillier again, first in gentle slopes and then somewhat steeper ones. The trees thin somewhat as the ground grows less even, although the canopy remains dense. Some distance ahead, it looks like the terrain starts to rise up sharply. You may either be in for some climbing, or have to trace along the edge of the hill.
-
>Still no signs of webbing about?
>Sniff the air. What does our nose tell us?
-
>Still no signs of webbing about?
>Sniff the air. What does our nose tell us?
>None that you've yet seen.
>You take another good sniff of the area. You're definitely getting quite close at this point. In fact, you suspect what you're looking for may be among those very hills, although you can't yet localize it with certainty; you would need to move closer. There is also a faint hint of the acrid smell you've come to associate with the spitter, although not strong enough to suggest that one is in the immediate vicinity.
-
>About how far would we have to circle around to avoid heavy climbing?
-
>About how far would we have to circle around to avoid heavy climbing?
>You can't tell. In fact, you can't really see the hill clearly through the trees; if it didn't cover so much of the horizon, you might not even be aware of it yet.
-
>Continue on the way we're going, carefully. At least until we get to the point where we'd need to start climbing or start cicling. Cross that bridge when we come to it.
-
>Continue on the way we're going, carefully. At least until we get to the point where we'd need to start climbing or start cicling. Cross that bridge when we come to it.
>You continue forward, making your way up the rising terrain, and soon enough find yourself facing an increasingly steep slope. The edge of the hill is poorly defined among all the other inclines that form the local terrain. In front of you, the incline is quite sharp - too much so to walk up - though it looks like it may be gentler at some points further along, at least from what glimpses you can catch through the trees.
>The scent actually grows fainter as get close to the hillside, though you're fairly certainly you were moving in the right direction. You think this may be due to the hillside itself blocking the breeze, with you standing its shadow. This suggests that what you're looking for is either higher among the hill somewhere, or on the other side of it.
-
>Walk apart a ways, try to find a less steep part of the hill to scale.
-
>Walk apart a ways, try to find a less steep part of the hill to scale.
>In which direction will you search? The steep slope in front of you is running very roughly from northwest to your left and southeast to your right. The scent you are tracking appeared to be emanating from somewhere to the northeast, although the hill itself makes it difficult to determine this confidently.
-
>Search in a southeasterly direction.
-
>Search in a southeasterly direction.
>You follow the edge of the slope to the southeast. The terrain beneath your feet is still fairly rugged and uneven, though navigable, but the steep incline remains to your left for some time. Eventually the hillside starts to curve to the right as part of the hill sweeps out in sort of crescent. Soon you find yourself traveling more south than southeast and then nearly west. At this point, a section of the slope to your side flattens out, giving way to a broad gentle rise. The hillside beyond this remains steep, making this section almost a sort of valley cutting into the hill.
-
>Which direction would that gentle rise take us?
-
>Which direction would that gentle rise take us?
>It appears to extend generally east-southeast, although you can't see the lay of the land beyond a short distance.
-
>Move that way, then, see if it takes us around the hill a little, if nothing else.
-
>Be sure to examine for anything that looks out of place too.
-
>Move that way, then, see if it takes us around the hill a little, if nothing else.
>Be sure to examine for anything that looks out of place too.
>You move towards the area where the hill flattens out somewhat, keeping your senses sharp for things which seem out of place. While the rise is relatively gentle, it continues to steadily ascend as you walk. The hillside to your left remains fairly steep, though glimpses of the upper reaches that you can see through the trees suggest the slope is far from uniform. You might be able to find a way up if you probed for one.
>After a little while, the ground around you starts to slope gently downward. You think you may be able to emerge on the other side of the hill if you keep going forward. You can detect a faint scent of spider in this area - not enough to suggest one is closely present, but enough to make you suspect that some have passed close by relatively recently.
-
>Is the scent of spider the only sign of their presence in the vicinity? No webs, no... signs of feeding?
-
>Is the scent of spider the only sign of their presence in the vicinity? No webs, no... signs of feeding?
>Nothing that you've yet seen.
-
>Can we determine the scent was going to and/or from the top of the hill, or over it?
-
>Can we determine the scent was going to and/or from the top of the hill, or over it?
>You couldn't really tell where they were going without physically tracing said route, and even then it might be a vague thing.
-
Well, you guys think we should try to track it?
I got a feeling it might lead us to something important, or useful at the least.
-
It's worth a shot. We've got nothing to lose by trying, anway.
-
I'm going to assume that you have no objections, Purvis. Or anyone else, for that matter. So, with that...
>Try to get a bead on that scent.
-
As long as it doesn't lead us too far off from our nebulous goal.
-
>Try to get a bead on that scent.
>You start to wander the local area, trying to narrow down a potential trail the spider might have taken. This proves fairly difficult, as the more prominent scent you've been tracking competes with it, as well as what are likely numerous older trails through this area. After several minutes of sweeping the vacinity, sniffing at trees and bits of ground, you think you pick up the more immediate path it walked along. You follow it for long enough to get a general idea of where it was going. The trail seems to extend south-westward in one direction and roughly northward in the other. You can't determine which way the spider was traveling.
-
>What lies in those directions, as nearly as we can tell from here?
-
>What lies in those directions, as nearly as we can tell from here?
>Northward leads to where the hill slopes up, while southwestward leads back in the general direction you came, although angled somewhat more to the south. From your current position, you see nothing obviously notable in either direction aside from changes in elevation.
-
>'Somewhat more to the south.' Would be more or less in line with the farmsteads, or Easthaven proper?
-
>'Somewhat more to the south.' Would be more or less in line with the farmsteads, or Easthaven proper?
>You have no idea how steadily the spider kept to that direction beyond the immediate vicinity, and you are too far into the wood to know what lies exactly in that direction in any event. It may well miss most of the pasture, and it certainly is not angled far enough south to reach the village itself.
-
>Mark this location in our memory, then follow that trail south. At least until the trees clear enough to let us see some ways, or until we see something interesting.
-
>Mark this location in our memory, then follow that trail south. At least until the trees clear enough to let us see some ways, or until we see something interesting.
>You do your best to mark this location in your memory, as unnotable as it is, and follow the trail south. This is quite slow going, since there is little visible evidence of its passage, and the scent trail is subtle enough that you often find yourself needing to do course-correction when you realize you've drifted off the mark. The is little sign of the trees clearing, nor do you see anything unusual along the way. The trail does start to wind after a several minutes and becomes even harder to follow - you think it may have looped around on itself at one point - but you could continue following it if you wanted. It seems to be heading more southeast at the moment.
-
>Produce the twine, wrap a piece of it around a tree, cut it with a kunai and tie it off. Landmarks, yo.
>Does the scent appear to be strengthening or weakening as we've traveled?
-
>Produce the twine, wrap a piece of it around a tree, cut it with a kunai and tie it off. Landmarks, yo.
>Does the scent appear to be strengthening or weakening as we've traveled?
>You use the baling twine to tie a visible marker for yourself on a nearby tree.
>It seems fairly similar, particularly given its vagueness. The sort of distances you're dealing with here are unlikely to be enough for the scent to have decayed at your starting point noticeably either more or less than at your present location.
-
>Continue southeast for a bit more.
-
>Continue southeast for a bit more.
>You continue to follow the trail southeast as it wanders about. Several more minutes pass without sight of anything more exciting than a squirrel and a blue jay.
>The trail is starting to get more confused now. You think several different spiders have walked through this area in the last little while; it's increasingly difficult to tell trails apart.
-
You may have been right, Hanzo.
>Can we get any sense of how long ago a little while was?
-
>Can we get any sense of how long ago a little while was?
>Somewhere between hours and a day or two, most likely.
-
>Can we determine if the disparate trails were going in roughly the same direction?
-
>Can we determine if the disparate trails were going in roughly the same direction?
>You believe they were going in different directions, although it's not always easy to cleanly separate them.
-
>Can we pick one scent out from them that appears to be stronger than the others?
-
>Can we pick one scent out from them that appears to be stronger than the others?
>You think the trail you were following may still be strongest, but it's somewhat hard to tell for certain.
-
>Visual inspection of the area.
-
>Visual inspection of the area.
>You are in a nondescript patch of forest, surrounded by stocky conifers and the occasional bush. The trees offer poor sight lines, though there are scattered breaks in the canopy. There is little low-lying grasses in this area, although the soil is dotted with patches of moss or small clumps of flowing plants. You see no obvious sign of spider presence, and while some of the shrubbery shows signs of being mildly disturbed, there is no visual reason to suspect it was not caused by some mundane forest inhabitant.
-
>Estimated time elapsed and travel distance from first trail marker.
-
>Estimated time elapsed and travel distance from first trail marker.
>You've probably spent not much more than five or so minutes tracking since the marker you tied. Given that progress was slow, you could probably double back there in half that time.
-
>Probably don't need to tie another cord.
>Still, cut a couple notches in a tree with a kunai, then continue to follow the first trail.
-
>Probably don't need to tie another cord.
>Still, cut a couple notches in a tree with a kunai, then continue to follow the first trail.
>You decide that you haven't gone far enough to tie another twine marker for yourself, but cut a few notches into a tree with a kunai instead. Then you attempt to continue following the original trail.
>This proves to be harder than expected; the path wanders to and fro, and several times you find yourself drifting off course without even realizing it. After a while, you are no longer certain which direction to proceed in or if you're even still on track.
-
>Well, figs.
>Can we still backtrack from this point, pick up the first trail?
Unless anyone else has a better idea, this seems to be the end of this trail, far as I can tell.
-
I'd say go back to following the original one.
-
>Well, figs.
>Can we still backtrack from this point, pick up the first trail?
>This hasn't turned out as useful as you'd hoped.
>You've been taking enough care to keep your bearings as you search that you think you can backtrack to any of the marked locations or the hill without issue.
-
I have to agree, Purvis. Sorry, Hanzo, but it was worth a shot.
>Does there appear to be anything of interest, anything out of the ordinary, where we are now?
-
>Does there appear to be anything of interest, anything out of the ordinary, where we are now?
>You appear to be surrounded by nothing but ordinary trees, plants, and rocks. You can see nothing that draws your attention.
-
>Right, then.
>Backtrack, back to where we first picked up this trail.
>But keep an ear open for spiders, just in case.
-
>Right, then.
>Backtrack, back to where we first picked up this trail.
>But keep an ear open for spiders, just in case.
>You head back, carefully following your own trail past the tree you cut notches in and the one you tied the marker around.
>As you start to make your way up the gentle slope in the hillside one more, you hear sounds of movement some distance away from you. It sounds like something fairly large.
-
>Determine direction of sound, turn and look.
-
>Determine direction of sound, turn and look.
>It's generally to your left. You turn and look in that direction, but can't yet see anything through the trees. You suspect it's too far away.
-
>Continue walking up the slope, slowly, but keep a sharp ear on that noise.
-
>Continue walking up the slope, slowly, but keep a sharp ear on that noise.
>You continue slowly moving forward, while you keep a close ear on that noise. It is definitely the sounds of something moving through the brush. It is not moving especially quickly and is fairly quiet, but the amount of foliage being disturbed is highly suggestive of its size. As best you can determine, the noise is not moving directly towards your position, but rather angled further to the south. However, you estimate that if you continue as you're going, you'll likely come very close to bumping into each other shortly.
-
>Hold our position here, track its movement.
>Prepare pitchfork if it starts moving directly towards us.
-
>Hold our position here, track its movement.
>Prepare pitchfork if it starts moving directly towards us.
>You stop moving and continue to follow the sound. It draws ever closer to you as it heads southwest. After a little while you start to glimpse snatches of movement through the distant trees; at first just branches swaying as they're brushed aside, but then a brief hint of a spidery limb, and then another. They look similar to those of the two large spiders you fought earlier, although you haven't gotten a good enough look to be certain. Its path continues to bring it closer to you, although it has not adjusted course towards you. You estimate that, unless it changes direction, it will probably close within 20 feet or so of your position before it starts to grow more distant again.
-
>Move at least partially behind a tree, for some cover, then keep watching it.
>Do the limbs we've seen appear to be larger than the limbs of the big spiders we fought before?
-
>Move at least partially behind a tree, for some cover, then keep watching it.
>Do the limbs we've seen appear to be larger than the limbs of the big spiders we fought before?
>You shift behind a nearby tree for cover, then peer around it to continue looking for the spider. Somewhat disturbingly, the sound of movement has stopped. You cannot currently see it through the trees, either.
>You didn't get a good enough look to tell. They were at least still in the same ballpark.
-
>Stay still, senses sharp. What stopped ya, you big sucker....
-
>Stay still, senses sharp. What stopped ya, you big sucker....
>You remain still and listen. Painfully long seconds pass. You continue to neither see nor hear anything from the spider's direction.
-
>Are there any stones on the ground within reach?
>If so, grab one and throw it along the path we were taking before seeing legs over there.
-
>Are there any stones on the ground within reach?
>If so, grab one and throw it along the path we were taking before seeing legs over there.
>There are a couple small ones.
>Which direction along that path did you wish to throw it? In the direction you came from or the one you were going?
-
>Back towards the place we decided to turn around, the place where we lost the trail.
-
>Back towards the place we decided to turn around, the place where we lost the trail.
>You quietly bend down and reach out for a stone, then stand up and hurl it back the way you came. It sails through the air, loudly rustling foliage as it crashes through them before impacting against another tree trunk with a sharp thunk.
>Once the noise has settled, you hear motion from the spider's direction again - much slower and quieter now, but definitely audible to your sensitive hearing. It appears to be moving towards the rock you just threw. Unfortunately, this means drawing even closer to you in the process.
-
>Is it moving directly towards us?
-
>Is it moving directly towards us?
>Not directly, no. You threw the stone southwest. The spider is currently east-northeast of you. Its course will probably take it within less than 10 feet of you, though.
-
>Can we climb the tree we're behind before it gets that close?
-
>Can we climb the tree we're behind before it gets that close?
>It's unfortunately not a very suitable tree for climbing - it's far too bushy and not very tall. There's another close by that could work, though. You expect you could be up it before it got close, even if it abandoned its slow pace for something more hasty.
-
>Make for that tree, then, and start scampering up.
-
>Make for that tree, then, and start scampering up.
>You shift out of your cover and make for that tree, then start to hoist yourself up it. Your ascent shakes the limbs beneath your feet, setting their leaves to rustling. It becomes impossible to hear the spider's quiet motion over the sound of your own movement, but at least this implies it hasn't started to rush you.
>You make it 20 feet or so up the tree without hearing the spider burst towards you or even catching a glimpse of it. Somewhat frustratingly, it seems to have fallen silent again. You're quite certain it could not have gotten far enough away to be outside of hearing range in the time your climb took.
-
>Glance downward, see if we can see that spider.
-
>Glance downward, see if we can see that spider.
>You glance downward; the spider is certainly not below you. You decide to go a step further and glance in other directions, as well. You can see no sign of it at all at the moment.
-
>It's a giant spider, it can't stay hidden forever. At least not from all our senses.
>Can we smell it from here?
-
>It's a giant spider, it can't stay hidden forever. At least not from all our senses.
>Can we smell it from here?
>At very least, it would seem to need to more eventually.
>Not in any sense useful enough to suggest where it is.
-
>"Alright, you overgrown fly eater. I got all day, how about you?"
>Is there another tree around we can jump to?
-
>"Alright, you overgrown fly eater. I got all day, how about you?"
>Is there another tree around we can jump to?
>You call out a taunt but receive no reply from the spider. Apparently your hash language has failed to rile it.
>While there's no shortage of trees in the vicinity, the most probable result of leaping at most of them would be a face full of spruce needles followed by a swift tumble to the ground. There's only one you would bank on safely transiting to from your current position. It is a short distance north-northwest.
-
>"Fine, you wanna sit there and watch something? Watch this."
>Make a leap for that tree.
-
>"Fine, you wanna sit there and watch something? Watch this."
>Make a leap for that tree.
>You flip the pitchfork's tines behind you, then twine your arm around the haft to secure it for the jump, while leaving that hand just a little leverage to grasp at branches. Then you position yourself carefully, shifting towards the most open section of the other tree. You leap!
>You grasp your free hand tightly around a stout branch as you sail by it, then reach out somewhat clumsily with your other hand, grabbing another branch to halt your momentum. After a moment to shift your grip along the branches and get firmer purchase, you flip yourself up into the tree and land on your feet.
-
Hot damn, we're back in business.
>Look around once we're confidant of our footing. Let's see if that made Crawly come out of hiding.
-
>Look around once we're confidant of our footing. Let's see if that made Crawly come out of hiding.
>Your footing feels sufficiently secure. You scan about the forest, but still neither see nor hear sign of the spider. That being said, the trees provide enough cover to fully conceal even something as large as a giant spider in quite a few places, some of them even fairly near to you, although your vantage does help somewhat.
-
>Bah.
>Inventory.
-
>Bah.
>You grumble in silence. Stupid oversized arachnids...
>Inventory.
>Pitchfork (in hands)
>Prism Pendant (around neck)
>Seeker's Badge (pinned to chest)
>195 Val Razuan guilders
>Compass
>Traveling pack
>Traveling rations
>Canteen (mostly empty)
>Lockpicks
>3 kunai
>Picture of Sokrates
>Fuwafuwa Heart Droplet
>Mysterious rusty part
>Antique Val Razuan 1 guilder coin
>Dowsing rods
>Tie-dyed umbrella
>Spool of baling twine
-
>How far is it to the ground from where we are?
-
>How far is it to the ground from where we are?
>Around 12 feet or so.
-
>Do we think we can make that kind of drop if needs be?
-
>Do we think we can make that kind of drop if needs be?
>It shouldn't be a problem for you, if you did it deliberately.
-
>Pause for a moment. What do we hear? Particularly in regards to leaves moving?
-
>Pause for a moment. What do we hear? Particularly in regards to leaves moving?
>You pause and listen attentively for a few moments. The forest is fairly quiet, although you hear a pair of birds among the nearby trees, and some snatches of short, quick movements in the brush, a short distance from you. The movement sounds like it is coming from far too small a creature to be a giant spider, however - perhaps a squirrel? Your quarry still seems to be laying annoying low.
>Wait. You think you hear a very faint sound of leaves rustling to the east, perhaps 15 feet away. The sound is moving painstakingly slowly, making it a little hard to estimate size at first, but you think there's a very good chance it could be the spider. Several trees and quite still-looking brush are blocking your sight lines in its direction.
-
>How firm do we feel out footing is in out current position?
>What is to our other cardinal directions, and below us?
Trees are not a good place to fight. Especially with a two hander.
-
>How firm do we feel out footing is in out current position?
>What is to our other cardinal directions, and below us?
>Reasonably secure. You're at no risk of falling off unless you try to do something very fancy, or something physically encroaches on you.
>You are on a large branch extending from the southeast side of the tree. There are several other branches capable of bearing your weight spread around the trunk. You are surrounded by broadly similar terrain on all sides: stocky conifers and scattered dense shrubbery on gently sloping ground. There is a notably large rock to the southwest. To the north is the hill that you were working your way towards. The slope is closest to your northwest, and grows more distant as you move eastward. The terrain appears to be most open towards the northeast, although only enough such that there are scattered breaks in the treeline, and nothing that could be rightly called a clearing. Immediately below you is relatively open dirt, with a scattered leafy plant.
-
>Do we have any idea how likely we are to lose balance if we went around stabbing with a pitchfork?
What do you think, Sour? I don't like our odds up here, there's a good chance of those tines getting stuck and us being taken for a ride.
-
>Do we have any idea how likely we are to lose balance if we went around stabbing with a pitchfork?
>You have a very good sense of balance, and your current perch is not especially precarious by those standards. You don't imagine that stabbing alone would do enough to make you lose your footing.
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Hmmmm.
Things would be so much simpler if we could see the damn thing.
I had planned to cut a segment of twine, tie it to our kunai, and throw it into the ground, see if that gives us a view of where Crawly is, then we can judge how to handle him. If it charges the kunai, we can either pull it back up, or simply let the string go. Either way, we can then stab Crawly the head with our pitchfork, or throw another kunai at it. If it doesn't charge, we pull the kunai back up, no harm done, and then go from there. I'd rather not jump down when we don't know where it is, but if we have to, so be it.
-
I'm thinking that the twine may take too much time; better to just toss a kunai and get it back when we can. Otherwise, it's not a bad idea.
-
We don't appear to be in any rush. Nothing's harrying us (yet), and we don't have anywhere pressing to be. And really, how long does it take to measure out and cut 12 or so feet of twine and tie it to something else? A minute, tops? And you never know, Crawly might give us some sign of where he is in that span of time, save us the trouble of throwing it in the first place.
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A lot of shit can happen in a minute while we're fumbling around trying to cut it. Not to mention that, if we pull it back, we're going to have 12 feet of twine dangling around us all ready to trip us up.
-
I may not entirely agree, but I concede the point. Besides, even if we lose one kunai temporarily, we've already killed a big one with only two kunai, and now we have more weapons than last time. We can easily make do without.
>That sound to the east of us. Can we determine which direction it's moving in?
-
>That sound to the east of us. Can we determine which direction it's moving in?
>It appears to be slowly approaching your position.
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>Keep a kunai on hand, but don't throw it yet. Wait and track its movements.
-
>Keep a kunai on hand, but don't throw it yet. Wait and track its movements.
>You draw a kunai and keep it at the ready. You wait another moment and track the sound as it continues to approach. After it draws perhaps another foot or two closer, it stops moving. You haven't yet managed to see anything.
-
>Son of a rat...
>Throw the kunai into the ground under us, then draw another one.
-
>Be ready to leap down in case it's preparing one of its traditional pounces.
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>From what we've seen of their pounce tactic, would it be able to reach us up here?
-
>Son of a rat...
>Throw the kunai into the ground under us, then draw another one.
>You're seriously getting irritated with this thing now.
>You throw the kunai into the ground below you. It sinks into the dirt with a soft thunk as you draw a new one. Unfortunately, this does not seem to provoke an audible reaction from the spider.
>From what we've seen of their pounce tactic, would it be able to reach us up here?
>It's possible that the tips of its forelegs could reach your position if it reared up, but you're uncertain of even that. It certainly could not bring the main force of a pounce against you.
>Be ready to leap down in case it's preparing one of its traditional pounces.
>For the moment, you still see no sign of it.
-
>Wait a few moments, see if we can hear it moving. Or anything big moving, for that matter.
-
>Wait a few moments, see if we can hear it moving. Or anything big moving, for that matter.
>You wait a few moments. The forest is still and quiet, save for the occasional noise of its mundane inhabitants. You're just about to resign yourself to coming up with a new plan when you hear a slight motion resume from the same direction as before, approaching your position. It is slow and near-silent, though not hard for you to follow when you pay attention. As it draws closer, you finally catch a hint of its body shifting between trees. It seems to be keeping itself especially flat to the ground. Were it not for the height your perch provides, you wouldn't be able to see it at all.
-
>Cautious little bastard, aren't you.
>Can we determine if it's eyes are pointed at us?
>Observe a little longer.
-
>Cautious little bastard, aren't you.
>Can we determine if it's eyes are pointed at us?
>Observe a little longer.
>It does seem to be slow and methodical, rather in opposition to the behavior you saw its apparent kind demonstrate earlier.
>You can't really get a good enough look to tell. It does not show obvious signs of having spotted you, at least.
>You continue to observe the spider as it closes. Its body disappears behind another large tree for a moment, and then you see limbs emerge from the other side in what snatches you can catch of them amid the bushes. It is probably no more than 8 feet away now, moving into the open space between you and the nearest dense cover.
-
At this point, I'm hoping it doesn't know where we are. We bide our time, and wait for it to go away. Then we can either track it from a distance, or get back on our original course.
>Continue tracking its movements.
>There's no abnormal smells in the air, is there?
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Sounds like a good plan. But the last time or two we've followed spiders, it hasn't gone well. That said, I'm all for waiting on it to lose interest. Worse comes to worst, we leap down, let it come at us, and let it meet the pitchfork.
-
>There's no abnormal smells in the air, is there?
>Other than the general scent of spider that you were already aware of, you sense nothing unusual.
>Continue tracking its movements.
>You continue to watch the spider as it makes its way into the open and closes on your location, or rather the location of the kunai you threw at the base of the tree. It moves up to it and appears to examine it, poking at it with a limb and knocking it flat on its side. After this, the spider remains still for several more moments. It is not quite underneath you at the moment, but you could easily leap on top of it from your current position, should you choose.
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I've reconsidered. We have the opportunity for a sneak attack here, as I see it. And one less big spider here is one less that can ambush us later. Plus, on a personal level, the thought of driving this pitchfork into that thing's head is very satisfying.
But the last time I wanted to snipe a spider, I was stopped. So I may as well check this time first, rather than wasting a command.
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I'd been considering dragooning it for awhile. I leave you the honors, and hope it shant bite us in the booty later on.
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Hah, that's just the analogy I was thinking of myself. Alright, time to get Kain on his ass.
>Stow the kunai, pull out the pitchfork.
>Leap from the tree and drive our polearm into the thing's head.
>And try to land on it's back, rather than in front of him.
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>Stow the kunai, pull out the pitchfork.
>Leap from the tree and drive our polearm into the thing's head.
>And try to land on it's back, rather than in front of him.
>You put away your kunai and get a firmer grip on the pitchfork.
>Given that its head is currently closer to you than its body, landing on its back while skewering its head would require a 180 degree midair twist on top of the other maneuvers. Would you rather aim for the back as both target and landing, aim for the head and accept landing on front of it, or still attempt to do both?
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>Do we feel capable of pulling off 'a 180 degree midair twist on top of the other maneuvers'?
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>Do we feel capable of pulling off 'a 180 degree midair twist on top of the other maneuvers'?
>Confident, not at all. Possible, maybe. It could easily throw off either your thrust or your landing.
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>Not the most ideal outcomes, given our opponent.
>Hold our position for now, wait until it gives us an opportunity to land on its back and stab it in the head.
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>Not the most ideal outcomes, given our opponent.
>Hold our position for now, wait until it gives us an opportunity to land on its back and stab it in the head.
>You'd really rather not risk botching your sneak attack.
>You remain still in hopes that the spider presents a better opportunity to strike. After what begins to feel like an interminable pause on its part, it turns and starts to move south at a less cautious pace than earlier. This causes it to pass nearly directly underneath the branch you are standing on. You leap!
>The branch sways beneath your feet as you spring from it, leaves rustling nosily from the motion. The spider reacts to the sound immediately, quickly turning about to face it. Its head shifts wide of your aim as you plummet towards it, limbs and open ground taking its place as the spider rotates. It gives a sharp cry of recognition.
>You angle the pitchfork to the side as the ground rushes up at you and manage to catch the spider in the side of its abdomen before it moves out of range entirely. You feel but a moment's resistance as the tines strike its exoskeleton and then the sink wetly into its body as far as they can go. The spider's first cry is replaced with something far more tortured. The pitchfork levers downward under your weight as gravity refuses to relinquish you, but your impact with the ground is halted abruptly when your weapon refuses to shift further, leaving you dangling from the haft protruding from the spider's body. The spider starts to rush forward, shrieking, its legs scurrying so close as to nearly brush against you.
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>Throw out weight back, to try and dislodge the pitchfork.
-
>If this doesn't work, can we use the pitchfork like a spring, to vault up onto the spider's back?
-
>Throw out weight back, to try and dislodge the pitchfork.
>You throw your weight into it and try to pry the pitchfork free. The spider's screech changes pitch a bit as you feel the tines move about in the wound, but it refuses to dislodge. You think the angle is what's making it difficult to remove. The spider continues charging forward, and you feel yourself bumped on either side by its frenzied legs. A bush rushes up to engulf you, foliage and thin branches whipping across your arms and face.
>You throw yourself against the pitchfork a second time and feel it suddenly give way. You tumble to the ground and barely roll aside in time to avoid being trampled. The spider barely seems to waver in its momentum, still rushing forward.
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Okay, was not expecting it to keep going forward. It's probably faster than us, too. So now we have no way of stopping it, and no way of catching it, as far as I can tell.
Anybody else got any ideas? Because I kinda got nothing.
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>Get back to our feet.
>Which way does it seem to be going?
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>Get back to our feet.
>Which way does it seem to be going?
>You scramble back to your feet.
>It is moving roughly west-northwest.
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>Recall where we are, and what's around here.
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>Recall where we are, and what's around here.
>You are in the southwest end of a shallow rise that cuts across a steep roughly crescent-shaped ridge of hills extending from north to southwest. Based on the scent you have been tracking, you believe the spider lair is either among the higher reaches of hill to the north, or just beyond. Either way, it is fairly close; you were looking for either a path up the hill or a route around it when you first found this area. Easthaven is quite some distance to the southwest.
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>Follow the spider for now, looking for ways to go north.
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>Follow the spider for now, looking for ways to go north.
>Following the spider would mean roughly retracing your own steps from some time back. You originally reached the west slope of the hill from much further north and followed it south, looking for a way to move inward, which this area provided. Given the spider's trajectory, it might eventually meet up with the approach you took the very first time you came this way. Do you still wish to do this?
-
Thoughts, Sour?
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I have flipped a coin, and it tells me to let the thing go, and resume our course over the top of the hill. Even if that involves some climbing.
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>Back toward the north and the hill.
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>Back toward the north and the hill.
>You leave the spider to its flight and head northward. The sounds of its travel are evident for a short while before they fade into the distance.
>As you walk, you grimly note that the tines of your pitchfork are thoroughly ichor-coated, and spotted with the occasional bit of... something that probably belongs on the inside of a spider. Once you think you're safely out of range of any second thoughts the spider might have, you take a moment and clean it on a suitable bush. It is... somewhat improved for your efforts, though only somewhat. Wryly, you ponder the futility of cleaning a weapon that may only meet the innards of another spider in a few minutes. Still, at least you don't have to smell it as much in the meantime.
>Soon enough, the gentle rise of the terrain grows rapidly steeper until it is too sheer to walk up. The hill face is about half exposed rock, dotted with small patches of thin soil and the occasional scrawny tree.
Glancing around, it appears to continue this way for as far as you can see in both directions. Of course, with all the tree cover, this isn't much. Sizing up the rock face, you think you could climb it with a little difficulty, although there may be a more accessible path further along. The pitchfork may be something of an issue with the former plan, however.
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>How high is the cliff face?
>Walk along it a bit, see if we can find a spot that won't take climbing. Don't wanna fight the spiders on their turf.
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>How high is the cliff face?
>Walk along it a bit, see if we can find a spot that won't take climbing. Don't wanna fight the spiders on their turf.
>The ascent is not a single shear face, but multiple staggered slopes broken up by small ledges and gentler inclines that retreat from view before rising up once more. You cannot see the very top of it from here, but you would guess it could be a couple hundred feet, anyway. It is, however, probably only a little over thirty before the nearest walkable path. You can't see from here whether it leads anywhere useful, or just to more sheer inclines.
>You walk eastward for a little bit, searching for a easier way up. After a couple minutes, you find something of a narrow pass, cutting into the hillside and rising upwards. It would not provide an unbroken ascent, but it looks like it might enable you to reach higher ground with several shorter segments of easier climbing.
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>Survey the way up. If we were a spider, are there any places we can see that we'd use as hiding spots?
Thoughts, Sour?
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>Survey the way up. If we were a spider, are there any places we can see that we'd use as hiding spots?
>There is an overhang or two that could provide some concealment and you can't see the terrain much further back past the first few 'plateaus', but by and large the ascent offers much less cover than the forest did. There are few fewer trees along the steeper parts, and they are smaller - almost universally too small to hide the larger spiders. For that matter, given their apparent inability to scale trees earlier, you think one might have difficulty navigating this terrain at all. It is possible there could be a smaller spider tucked away in a few places, though.
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This seems a better option than trying to climb where we were before. The alternative is to walk all the way around the hill, and I myself would rather take the direct approach, especially now that we've found this path here.
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Spitters are the problem, really. But let's do this.
>Head up this path.
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A reasonable concern, so let's adress it.
>Are there any hints of the chemically smells we know the spitters and their acid produce? Or of suspicious burns or holes in the area?
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>Are there any hints of the chemically smells we know the spitters and their acid produce? Or of suspicious burns or holes in the area?
>You see no signs of suspicious burns or anything at all suspicious in any way, for that matter. There is a faint hint of that acrid smell along the various scents wafting from the north, but nothing nearly pungent enough to suggest either a spitter or the signs of its handiwork are nearby.
>Head up this path.
>You head roughly northward, following the path as it rises and twists along inclinations in the topography. It is a steep trek, over and around exposed rock and loose soil. Several times you are forced to use your hands to scale an obstacle or work your way around a narrow section, but by and large the ascent is manageable. Glancing behind you as you proceed, you find that the spot you started from rapidly disappears from sight, obscured by bends in the terrain and simple altitude. After some time, the path sweeps out westward in a series of small rocky plateaus, separated by sheer outcroppings. The spot affords a very clear view of the forest below; you would say you're at least 100 feet up at this point.
>Surveying the area, you think you can trace a path onto higher ground by navigating around the outcroppings to the west and connecting with a narrow path that seems to double back east, above them. Judging by what you can see of it, there appears to be a wider grassy area above above you. The last leg would require scaling a relatively sheer rock face for 20 feet or so, though it looks uneven enough to provide the handholds necessary for the task.
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>Do there seem to be enough cracks or dirt and such for kunai to be useful as climbing aids?
>Regardless, if the path looks clear, go for it. Keep a kunai close at hand.
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>Regardless, if the path looks clear, go for it. Keep a kunai close at hand.
>You work your way westward, skirting carefully around the sometimes narrow sections of navigable terrain. Pleasantly, this is broken up by patches where you can simply walk at ease. You keep a kunai close at hand, though nothing more hostile than a unsteady bit of rock presents itself along the way. Eventually you start to work your way back east, perhaps 20 feet above where you started. You can see the lip of the plateau above you grow closer, as it slopes downward while you rise. Soon, the path you are following comes to an abrupt and precipitous stop, and you are left with the rock face to scale. This is above the shortest distance between the ledge above and any terrain you can otherwise see a way to reach.
>Do there seem to be enough cracks or dirt and such for kunai to be useful as climbing aids?
>Looking at the rock face, there is little dirt, but a few cracks that could let you use a kunai as a climbing aid. It would probably be best to figure out what to do with the pitchfork, though; this climb will require a bit more precision than the others you've done on the way.
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>Can we sling it on our back, slipping it through our pack straps and such?
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>Can we sling it on our back, slipping it through our pack straps and such?
>You think you could probably slip it through the straps crosswise. The size of the pitchfork head would make it unlikely to slip out when stowed that way, although it might have enough maneuverability to bring the tines uncomfortably close to your head. Perhaps not, though. At least it should probably be ok if you're not going to be making any sudden leaps or falling backwards. And really, if you're going to be falling backwards while scaling this rock face, the pitchfork is going to be the least of your concerns.
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>Do that, and if the coast seems, sounds, and smells clear, get to rock climbing.
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>Do that, and if the coast seems, sounds, and smells clear, get to rock climbing.
>You work the pitchfork in between the straps of your pack, giving it a few tugs to test its security. It seems good enough, you think. Then you take a last moment to satisfy yourself that the coast is clear and set to climbing.
>You slowly work your way up the rock face, using a kunai in one hand to anchor yourself along suitable cracks while you feel around for grip with the other hand. Your feet can find only very narrow purchase as you ascend, but it's enough for you to manage. You shift from handhold to handhold, angling along a thin rising fissure in the cliff. In this manner, you steadily gain one foot after another until the top of the rock face is almost within reach.
>As you near the top, you hear faint sounds of motion from the grass above your head.
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>What kind of motion? Big spider motion, little spider motion, bovine motion, a hinacle miracle?
>How is our position right now?
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>What kind of motion? Big spider motion, little spider motion, bovine motion, a hinacle miracle?
>How is our position right now?
>It doesn't sound like it could be a big spider, but there's a chance it's a smaller one. It isn't immediately overhead, but some feet further inward. It doesn't seem to be moving directly towards you.
>The kunai in your left hand is wedged into a crack about two feet below the edge of the plateau, and you were in the process of shifting your right hand to the one last handhold you would likely need before you can put the other over the top and pull yourself up. Your right foot is wedged into a decent toehold at the moment, but your left is essentially dangling.
-
>If that's a spider, odds are it's gonna know we're coming whether we go fast or slow. So increase speed, get to the top before we get ambushed here.
-
>Also focus on getting out left foot somewhere and then getting that kunai free. If the spider tries something, giving it a face full of blade may be an effective deterrent.
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>If that's a spider, odds are it's gonna know we're coming whether we go fast or slow. So increase speed, get to the top before we get ambushed here.
>Also focus on getting out left foot somewhere and then getting that kunai free. If the spider tries something, giving it a face full of blade may be an effective deterrent.
>You do as much as you can to pick up the pace, digging the fingers of your right hand into an indentation and shifting upward. You shift a little to the side and try to wedge your left foot into a crack alongside your right, then shift the right to higher ground. You hoist yourself another foot and throw your left arm over the top. In another moment, your head crests the top of the rock face.
>Before you stretches a large reach of comparatively level ground. It is bumpy and uneven, but no more than the base of the hill was, making it very much walkable. The ground is covered in rough grasses, and trees are more plentiful than they were for much of the ascent. Further west and far to the north, the hill continues to rise up, but this terrain carries on for some distance to the east. You can't see how far its extent is, for trees. What you can see, however, is a small green spider, about 15 feet away. It turns and looks in your direction.
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>Small green spider? Like the one that led us into that ambush?
-
>Small green spider? Like the one that led us into that ambush?
>It does look similar, yes.
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>First things first. Let's get on top of this rock, get our feet under us.
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>First things first. Let's get on top of this rock, get our feet under us.
>You shift your other arm onto the ledge and pull yourself up after it. It is comforting to have solid ground beneath your feet again.
>The spider remains essentially motionless while you do this.
-
>Next, let's move away from the precipice.
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>Next, let's move away from the precipice.
>You move a couple feet further inward, stepping away from the edge of the cliff. The spider remains still.
-
>What does the air smell like?
-
>What does the air smell like?
>Like spider. You think you're very close now; the source of it seems to be somewhere east. The whiff of spitter acid in the air is stronger, too, but still vague.
-
>"So, what're we doing, my little green friend?"
>Can we head east without turning our back to the spider too much?
-
>"So, what're we doing, my little green friend?"
>Can we head east without turning our back to the spider too much?
>The spider shows no sign of reaction to your question
>The spider is roughly northeast of you. The terrain here is navigable enough that you could walk past it while continuing to largely face it, with only the occasional glance for footing.
-
You thinkin' about going around this little guy?
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Yeah. I'm a marshmallow, perhaps, but I don't like attacking things what ain't attacked us.
We're gonna adopt him.
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Hah. Sure. Why not. It'll do until we get Honey back.
>Launch an Ice Trap towards the spider, quaff a potion of haste, then begin channeling Tame Beast.
-
Shit, Honey's going to need a noble steed.
>More for reals, make our way around him, and hear eastward toward the spider hole. Do be ready for him to do something.
-
>Launch an Ice Trap towards the spider, quaff a potion of haste, then begin channeling Tame Beast.
>An 85 flies by and one-shots it a half-second before you finish taming. A cry of 'kek' can he heard on the wind as he disappears just as quickly as he arrived.
>More for reals, make our way around him, and hear eastward toward the spider hole. Do be ready for him to do something.
>You make your way eastward, keeping a careful eye on the spider as you proceed. It is still and silent, although you swear it rotates position to keep facing you in the moments that you glance away to check your footing. Nonetheless, you make your way past it without it taking obvious action.
>The terrain before you slopes downward into something of a gully, its walls thick with scrub. It twists its way from north to southeast then curves out of sight.
>As you get about 20 feet past the spider, you hear it make a series of short high-pitched noises, almost like chittering. Glancing back, it does not seem to have moved.
-
>Damn you, kill-stealing ally! Just wait till I get my lock out here! I'll see you in GOLDSHIRE!
>Does that noise sound like the one we heard before we retreated the first time?
>How accurate are we at throwing kunai at relatively small targets, like, say, that spider's head?
And I know you may not like sniping it if it hasn't attacked us, Purvis, but we almost got swarmed the last time one of these things made a sound like that (at least I'm assuming it's the same sound) and I'd rather avoid that if possible. The less noise, the better.
-
Bit late if you ask me. Also a good chance of it falling off the cliff if we toss a kunai. But I leave it up to you; my suggestion is if we're going to deal with it, use the pitchfork to pitch if off the cliff.
-
>Does that noise sound like the one we heard before we retreated the first time?
>How accurate are we at throwing kunai at relatively small targets, like, say, that spider's head?
>It is less shrill and sustained, though still pitched beyond the range of human hearing, you expect. You don't know what significant the difference in tone would imply.
>Your marksmanship skills are quite competent. You're certainly capable of reliably hitting a target that size from this distance. The main issue would be if the target decided to relocate itself in the meantime.
-
I have consulted my flipping coin, and it advises me not to shoot it. The way my track record's been lately, I trust the coin before myself.
>Do we hear anything else other than that noise? Other sounds of spiders moving, or signaling?
>Unsling the pitchfork.
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>Do we hear anything else other than that noise? Other sounds of spiders moving, or signaling?
>Unsling the pitchfork.
>You don't hear any other unusual noises at the moment, nor does the spider seem to be continuing to call out.
>You take a moment to work the pitchfork loose from your pack again.
-
>Do we note any activity toward where we suspect spiders are?
-
>Do we note any activity toward where we suspect spiders are?
>You neither see nor hear anything moving in that direction at the moment.
-
>How high are the walls of that gully down there? Could we climb them without much difficulty?
-
>How high are the walls of that gully down there? Could we climb them without much difficulty?
>From what you can see, they're rarely much higher than you are, and the slope is actually fairly gentle at several points; you could pretty much walk into it.
-
>Adress the spider, "Good. Now stay that way."
>Make for that gully. Slowly.
>Prepare a kunai, just in case Shrimpy starts squaking again.
-
Stepping out early, I seem to be developing a migraine. Carry on as/if you see fit.
-
>Adress the spider, "Good. Now stay that way."
>Make for that gully. Slowly.
>Prepare a kunai, just in case Shrimpy starts squaking again.
>The spider is predictably taciturn.
>You continue cautiously towards the gully, keeping a kunai at the ready with one hand while you hold the pitchfork with the other. The spider remains still and no others burst out to accost you, nor do you hear a swarm bearing down on you through the brush. You skid down a short incline and reach the base of the gully without incident.
>Faintly, you hear movement from the spiders' position. The slope at the edge of the gully blocks your sight of it now, however it does not seem to be moving directly towards you.
-
Climb onto the opposite slope?
-
Well. This must be how Kilga feels most days.
>Which direction DOES that movement appear to be moving in?
-
>Which direction DOES that movement appear to be moving in?
>It sounds like it's heading roughly east-northeast, making its path perhaps 30 degrees north of yours.
-
>Well, suppose that's better than attacking, or signalling for help.
>Geography check. The gully travels down in a roughly southeasterly direction. Does that seem in keeping with the trail we were following, seem the direction we'd want to go in?
-
>Well, suppose that's better than attacking, or signalling for help.
>Geography check. The gully travels down in a roughly southeasterly direction. Does that seem in keeping with the trail we were following, seem the direction we'd want to go in?
>Unless it's fetching help, of course...
>You take a moment to sniff the area and look for trails. There is a fair bit of ambient spider scent about, and far from all of it is coming from that direction, though you are fairly sure that the gully has seen more travel by spiders than the immediately surrounding area; scent markers on the ground here are more distinct than they have been in most places you've been.
-
>Might not be the best idea to stay in the gully, then.
>Examine the grounds around the gully walls. Does the terrain up there seem especially treacherous, or show any visible signs of spider activity?
-
>Might not be the best idea to stay in the gully, then.
>Examine the grounds around the gully walls. Does the terrain up there seem especially treacherous, or show any visible signs of spider activity?
>You suppose this depends on whether you aim to find them or avoid them.
>The terrain along both edges of the gully is relatively homogeneous. It is a bit lumpy, with more scrub than trees, but is otherwise not terrible dissimilar to the terrain throughout the area immediately surrounding the base of the hill. The walls of the gully itself are mostly covered in fairly loose soil, and alternate between steep and more gentle slopes. You would describe none of them as treacherous though, since none of them are very high. You see no obvious signs of spider activity from here.
-
>Climb the left bank of the gully, then proceed in a southeasterly direction following it.
>Keep pitchfork at the ready.
-
>Climb the left bank of the gully, then proceed in a southeasterly direction following it.
>Keep pitchfork at the ready.
>You climb the opposite bank of the gully and then follow it as it twists its way southeast, keeping your weapon at the ready. The terrain generally descends as you proceed; you think you must be working your way down a fair bit of the height that you climbed up. After a little while, further hills start to press in upon your left, leaving you fairly narrow footing, though not so little as to force you to return to the gully.
>Although you're confident this place has seen spider activity, you see no obvious sign of it for several more minutes, when you catch sight of another smaller spider emerge from behind a thick patch of scrub along the opposite wall of the gully, about 30 feet ahead of you.
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>Assess this spider.
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>Assess this spider.
>The spider looks very similar in build and coloration to the one you encountered a few minutes earlier. After emerging from the side of the gully, it proceeds further southeast. It does not appear to have noticed you.
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>Let it pass by. Check the alleged spider house from here.
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>Let it pass by. Check the alleged spider house from here.
>You let the spider wander its way down the gully and out of sight. Looking at where it emerged, you can see nothing but a thick wall of tall brush covering the side of the gully for a fair distance around that spot. This is not, in and of itself, a particular unusual sight from what you've seen over the last few minutes.
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>Can we tell if it's just brush, or if there's something under it?
>How large does the area seem to be?
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>Can we tell if it's just brush, or if there's something under it?
>How large does the area seem to be?
>You can't see anything past the brush from here, but given the position of the top of the wall and the spider's own size, you suspect there wouldn't be room for it to disappear completely behind the brush unless there was, at the very least, some sort of concealed depression.
>Brush lines the walls of the gully here and there for much of its length. The section where it is too unbroken to see the wall itself runs for perhaps 15 feet.
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>How far does the wall run? What does the general shape of the spider house seem to be?
>Throw baby
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>What does the air smell like down there, or can we tell through the brush?
>Can we hear any sounds of movement from behind the brush, any sounds of moo-ing?
>Retreive grenade from belt, pull pin with teeth, then lob it into the spider mansion. Walk away in slow motion, then pull Marisa down from the sky and ravish her.
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>Throw baby at Marisa.
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>Retreive grenade from belt, pull pin with teeth, then lob it into the spider mansion. Walk away in slow motion, then pull Marisa down from the sky and ravish her.
>You grab the grenade from your belt, and yank the pin out with your teeth, a grim expression on your face. You came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and bubblegum hasn't been invented yet.
>You throw the grenade towards the brush and turn. A dramatic fireball erupts behind you as you walk slowly away, your hair rustling dramatically from the shockwave while dramatic music plays. Marisa inexplicably falls from the sky into your arms and you press your lips to hers before she has even a moment to speak. Hail to the mouse, baby! The credits start to roll.
>Throw baby at Marisa.
>"I- it's not mine!" she cries, looking extremely flustered. "I swear I didn't do her- um, it!"