Open [Quest] Along came a Spider

{QUEST}Hwyn's walk home is plagued by an invader of ambiguos intent.

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A city floating in the center of a lake, Ravok is a place of dark beauty, romance and culture. Behind it all though is the presence of Rhysol, God of Evil and Betrayal. The city is controlled by The Black Sun, a religious organization devoted to Rhysol. [Lore]

[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Xen on September 19th, 2016, 4:05 am












Along Came A Spider

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The air was crisp and clean here. It lacked the scent of people, dirt, and general urban aspects. And the waters were immaculate and pure, seemingly untainted by the boats and buildings of stone and wood. While looking at these things, Xen felt deceived. The city appeared to be like all the other cities he had been to from afar. That was until he rode the ferry across the calm waters and walked amongst the citizens within the confines of the city.

It was as though the world beyond the shoreline was a lie and the beauty of truth existed here within the floating city. Xen was not able to understand how he could be at peace within Ravok, especially, since he had only spent a short amount of time on its streets. This place should have been a new and distant environment filled with adventure and exoticism. Instead, Xen felt like he was at home. It was strange, suggestive of the uncanny.


“ Bells? ” Xen said as he looked around.


Xen did not see the bells from where he stood. However, he saw people rushing to get somewhere. Xen thought it was strange in the way they immediately lost interest in their shopping endeavors and headed in the direction where others were seemingly excited about something. What drew the attention of so many people away from the People's Market?


“ I'd better go too, walking away from something potentially grand will haunt me forever, ” Xen said as he proceeded to follow the small stream of Ravokians. He figured he'd return to the Citizen Registration Office later.


It did not take long. Xen arrived at The Temple Of The Black Sun on time to hear Gru'tral's request. He stood in awe as he gazed at the Ebonstryfe and lingered in the presence of the druvin. And was not so different in appearance from the natives of Ravok, who utterly respected and awed at their protectors.


“ The Voice? Is this person the one who commands him and these soldiers? ” Xen thought as he looked around inquisitively.


He noticed the expressions of the people; they wanted to help but feared to step forward. Xen was no different from them; standing before a bunch of soldiers and one of their leaders would only remind him of how hollow he felt. And to go volunteer and say that he would help them find their voice was like a god or gods finding meaning in his existence. But a piece of Xen wanted to be a part of something great despite this.


“ I volunteer to help find the voice for Ravok and Lord Rhysol! ” Xen exclaimed as he pushed through the crowd.
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Vladislov on September 20th, 2016, 6:47 pm

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Deep within the bowels of the Black Hole, a cacophony of screams and moans wound its way through the halls and cells to spill out of the vent shafts into the Temple and Vitrax. The strange chorus was soothing to a shadowed figure who stood against a damp wall. The skittering of rat feet mixed with the scratching of a prisoner to generate an eerie rhythm in this symphony of pain. Black eyes pierced the darkness and followed the movements of a pair of Ebonstryfe soldiers who marched through the tunnels.

The Symenestra shook his head because it was obvious that the detail was lost. He blinked and slipped out of his cloak then folded it and tucked it into his waistband. Being careful so as not to make a sound, Vlad took one foot out of its sandal and then the other. He moved slowly and cautiously within the darkness doing his best to avoid detection. When he bent down to lift his shoes, his leg brushed against a chain and it scraped the wall. Vlad did not freeze but stood with his shoes and moved to the other side of the tunnel and down a ways further into a dark corridor. He waited and counted his breaths trying to make sure that he wasn’t breathing as loud as the beating of his heart which thumped in his ears.

Ticks went by then chimes and still nothing but the ever cautious being did not move. After what felt like an age, Vlad slipped from the shadows. He debated walking towards where he had last seen the soldiers but decided on a better approach. Using his cloak, he wrapped up his shoes and toied the arms of it around his waist so that it became a knapsack of sorts. The Symenestra, barefoot and in a sleeveless shirt, ascended the wall behind him. His skin reacted by latching on instinctively which gave him a powerful grasp on the damp stones. Vlad moved up until he reached the ceiling and then he looked down the corridor. The braziers left pockets of light alternating upon the blocks above the walkways. Black eyes mapped a route while the thief tapped into his courage. Despite having earned a position within the Hole, he was not Black Sun and he certainly was not human. There were some within the order who would see him dead or at least broken. The fiend had a higher level of self-preservation than most because he had spent most of his life sleeping with one eye open, as they say.

A plan had been formed and accepted. The pale-skinned being crawled along the ceiling using his hands and feet. His pace was slow at first as he allowed himself time to gain familiarity with the texture and grip that this environment afforded. When he reached the first pocket of light, Vlad hesitated. He backed up and simply looked for a moment. There was still no one in sight so he decided to take the chance. Vlad powered forward at twice his previous pace and leapt before the light-kissed stones. He angled himself to make the shortest distance possible without contact, the goal being to not touch the light as if it were some kind of game. The trick was reattaching. He was not going fast enough, however and began to fall. Feeling gravity take over, Vlad reacted as best he could. He flexed his core to create a tight center from which he tossed his legs and arms towards the opposite wall. The action sent him spinning with just enough force that he was able to catch the vertical stones about three feet from the floor. Angry at himself for his failure, he now knew what had to be done to accomplish his goal.

The cursed creature was about to ascend the wall and try again when the patrol rounded the near corner and began towards him. Vlad scampered up into the deepest shadow where wall and ceiling met. He waited until they passed and then dropped down behind them. Staying out of swinging distance, Vlad grinned revealing his fangs. His long pale hair and arms hardly reflected the flickering torchlight; he was an apparition. In Common, he spoke plainly and clearly but his voice was quiet since the tunnels were not loud even amidst the howls of agony. “Are you lost, sirs?”

They pair was obviously stunned and whirled on armored bootheels to face the tall and lanky being. Both men grumbled something then one spoke in a commanding tone. “There is a matter on the surface and all are required to attend. Come with us…” He lowered his gaze so Vlad could see the malintent in his eyes. “Or resist… I’d wager a season’s pay that I could punch a hole clean through you, vermin.”

Vlad was tempted to say something in response but simply bowed his head after marking the soldier’s face. The black eyes looked up from a position of servitude. “I will happily accompany you to the streets, sirs.” The tone was only slightly sarcastic. Vlad turned and started on the long winding journey up to the Temple. Vlad had never been in the proper parts of the temple yet since he wasn’t really allowed. He had been allowed to pray to Rhysol from the wings as well as within the Black Hole but until he was fully accepted, he had been forbidden to frighten the citizens with his monstrous appearance. Once he reached a door that lead out to an alley, Vlad took his tied up cloak, unbound it and unfurled it which dropped his sandals to the ground. He slipped into them then slipped the silken garment over his body and drew the hood up. He tucked his hair into it and buried his hands into the opposite sleeves. He bowed his head and stepped aside for the soldiers. “This is a side exit to an alley on the west side of the square, sirs.”

“I know where we are, scum.” He shoved past Vlad and opened the door. Standing aside, he motioned the obscured individual to come outside. Vlad did as he was ordered and followed them to the edge of the square where he could witness the spectacle. The thief was not disappointed. He remained hidden in the shadows for the whole speech. The man who addressed everyone had a shine about him that made Vlad sincerely listen.

“Who is that man?” Vlad asked softly. He received a jab in the ribs for his ignorance.

“He’s the Ebonlord, Grutal. He bears a shard of Rhysol; a Druvin!” The soldier spoke with an awestruck tone. Vlad soaked in the words and felt his chest ache to serve this higher purpose. Astute black eyes followed the swift and quiet steps of a messenger with an armload of papers. The obsidian orbs watched carefully. He was beyond intrigued; he was hooked. Sold. Whatever this show of force and devotion was about, Vlad wanted to be a part of it. Vlad also wondered about this Silvas person. He had just been given a lesson in torture earlier on this day but given the tone the Ebonlord used, the thief suspected that Silvas was going to be very uncomfortable. A devious smile split his pale lips allowing fangs to protrude from beneath the cloaked head.

Vlad’s heart beat quickly against his chest. He was indeed excited for what came next. A man volunteered and the Symenestra could not restrain his enthusiasm. "I wish to serve our Lord Rhysol!" His shout was so loud that it took him by surprise as well as the soldiers who were with him. The one who threatened him in the tunnels dropped a mailed fist against Vlad's back. The blow buckled him and hurt a good deal but the armor certainly kept him from being wrecked.

"Stay silent, worm!" The man growled in a whisper.

Vlad growled deep in his throat and brought himself to his full height. he did not face the man who attacked him but kept his black gaze fixed upon the figure in the middle of the square. He said no more but he did cast off his hood and allowed his pale skin and white hair to stand out in stark contrast to all of the black around him.
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Crow on September 20th, 2016, 6:49 pm

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Strange occurrences through the city of Ravok, only seemed to resound the claims of Grutral. The Ebonstryfe was normally far more discreet in their ventures, and for good reason. For the past year and a half Grutral had been receiving plaguing dreams from the first voice known to existence, Sasha Veleer. His nights were filled with harsh sweat, his skin burned to the touch, and he woke with ash coughing up from his lungs. These nightmares and images spoke out to him, spoke out to him to go save the voice from the depths of a prison. He had finally found the key to such prison, but just as he attempted to venture to set her free himself he had received another image. One from Rhysol himself.

Grutral was not to risk his own life, and was called back to the city of Ravok. In serving his lord he would still attempt such ventures, but not without the added expense of what he considered expendable adventurers, though he would only allow a few to take the stand for such a thing. Too many, and the people would learn that he had lied, that Rhysol had lied... to his people.

So the whole rouse of this act was to be started, and at impeccable timing it seemed. In one section of the city Aemeli had been anxious and bored, choosing to finally toy with those few that deserved it. In the other Silvas had been locked away in the confines of his own territory. The Well of Madness.

"Good people,

Those who wished to step forward has done such, I can only allow at most two more to take this incredible venture." Grutral had stated. His act was clearly unbecoming of him for those who had the pleasure of meeting him before.

"Within my hands are papers that will forever show your devotion to the city of Ravok. You will be considered a permanent citizen and be allowed to join select missions in aid of the city, regardless of what or who you are currently."

The crowd went dead silent. It wasn't as if the people weren't happy in their current positions, but so far the only to have stepped up for such positions were outcasts and non-citizens. Even so, the call was alluring.

"The journey will be long to Kalea, only those brave enough to be at sea for almost a full season should step forward. Once there things will not be so easy."

Grutral was getting ready to hand over the papers just as hushed whispers from his apprentice suddenly cause him and the rest of the Ebonstryfe to disperse. Some descended into the Temple of the Black Sun, some jumped out and into the canal on some boats, and some ran into the direction of the marketplace.

"Those who have stepped up, meet at the North Ravok Outpost on the 85th when the sun is lowest in the sky. There we will start our journey to Kalea. My apprentice here will give those few brave souls the papers necessary to join us on our venture." He stated hastily. It wasn't soon after that Grutral handed the papers back to his apprentice and the apprentice approached each of those interested and informed them of their life long change. Grutral during all of the commotion descended back into the temple of the Black Sun.

The crowd would slowly dwindle and only those who had stepped forward would remain, waiting patiently until the time that the apprentice personally spoke with them.

"You understand that this service is binding? Every action you will take after receiving this paper will be in service to finding Sasha Veleer. Should you defect from this service like a coward I will see to it that Grutral tends to you."

Meanwhile at the marketplace commotion of the giant spider had begun to spread panic. It all worked in favor to one unknown force which had been causing dead bodies to float up from the canals. There that unknown force stood, smiling eerily towards the unskilled morpher who had been consumed by her own powers. She wondered what possibly the spider would do next.

~Thanks to Aladari Coolwater for the template
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Sevris on September 21st, 2016, 2:27 pm

OOCNot sure if I was skipped but...here goes.

Sasha Veleer. There were secrets that Grutral and the Ebonknights were keeping to themselves. There was more than one Voice it seems. Which begs the question...what happen to the last one? The golden Paladin stood amongst the many Stryfe members in attendance to the crowd. Though it seemed as if the Stryfe knew everything that was going. They didn't. Not everyone it seemed.

Sevris Lazarin was not briefed on the specifics of the mission but the Marshals were adamant that he be there to show his service and loyalty to the Ebonstryfe and Black Sun. This was what he meant. The Ebonlord wanted the people of Ravok to help find the new Voice.

Of course it would be his utmost duty to help find the Voice. Having just returned from to Ravok from Riverfall he was a bit tired from the journey. But duty calls. Sevris had stepped forward and but said nothing, only saluting to Grutral as he asked for those willing to serve.

A citizen and a member of the military, he was bound by duty and loyalty to Rhysol and Ravok to bring a new Voice. The crowd begin to disperse and those that stepped forward seemed to be non-citizens. The Ebonlord made his back to the Temple of the Black Sun. Sevris stayed behind to hear the briefing from Grutral's apprentice.

However his eyes wondered towards the marketplace for a few seconds. It seemed that there was something going on down there. He would have to inspect it as soon as the briefing was done.
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Sayana on September 22nd, 2016, 1:02 am

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To market, to market
To buy a fat pig
Home again, home again
Jiggity jig

To market, to market
To buy a fat hog…


The hunk of ham Sayana carried tucked under a low arm wasn’t exactly a whole ‘pig’, but she was rather proud of her findings in the busy market square. Ever since arriving in Ravok, she had taken upon the more domestic duties around the Sullins Residence. Although, it wasn’t like the mage had much of a cooking area. Hence the ham. The butcher had assured her that it had been properly cured and could be eaten as is. Now all she had to find was an assortment of vegetables to go with it.

The Eypharian slid amongst the crowd with ease, moving with the ebb and flow of buyers and sellers alike. She wore a long black robe but without the hood up, and the garment covered both her dress and additional arms. Only her highs used the two sleeves provided by the robe and the fabric generally concealed her overly large shoulders. Or at least, they would appear overly large. Nonetheless, she was finding that robes were a common piece of clothing among Ravokians and it suited her purpose well to blend in.

Partly out of habit, she kept her head down and partially obscured by her brown locks. Even if she wasn’t identified as Eypharian, there were few of such a dark skin tone. Her brown eyes fell upon a stall boasting peppers and carrots and… figs! That is, until three loud tolls rang out and her attention was diverted to near the middle of the square.

Black soldiers swept in, even as a crowd was forming. There was no doubt they were soldiers. Sayana was certainly well accustomed to combat to know the watchful gaze of a trained man, and the posture of someone who was balanced and ready to deflect a blow at a moment’s notice. Bystanders were curious, and so was she. She pushed at the crowd with her shoulders, and although her small stature allowed her easier passage, it also meant she couldn’t bloody see.

It was only after she heard scattered sniggers that she caught a glimpse of the spectacle. The man creating the scene was very nude, and humping his way over to an invisible… Petch. Someone’s head was in the way again. However, the accompanying splash and a few shocked gasps were enough for Sayana to fill in the details.

The mass of people seemed to subside a little as though the show was over. Had this been Alvadas, Sayana wouldn’t have thought much of the scene. Probably made up for a good laugh. But did Rhysol have a similarly dark sense of humor? Just as Sayana made up her mind to continue her shopping with the dispersed crowd, there was another sudden display that drew just as much attention, if not more.

A shimmering dome of water sprung out of nowhere and glistened in Syna’s light. It seemed that some people had the sense to stay back while others were truly intrigued by the phenomenon. Quite frankly, Sayana was beginning to grow skeptical and wondered if there was an illusionist within their midst.

It took several chimes for the dome to break. And yes, she could actually see it the entire time without squinting through shoulders. She couldn’t help but chuckle at the fact that the ‘front row’ would have probably been splashed. However, she wasn’t laughing for long as a giant spider came into view from the remains. To stay, to go? Was the show done and was it time to book it? Spiders… she could vividly recall a certain despised symenestra.

Even as she, herself was trying to decide her next move, she could practically feet the panic of the crowd begin to set in. Waves of nervous motion, mostly trying to slip away from the monstrous creature that had so suddenly appeared at the scene. At any moment, it was all going to break. Turn to havoc. To utter chaos.

Sayana had but a moment to ask herself whether that’s what she wanted. Would Rhysol want such chaos? But what if she directed the chaos her way…

From within the folds of the crowd, Sayana shouted out, “What do you do with a giant spider?” She wanted the mob to stall its panic, to question, to think. But even with a dramatic pause in her delivery, she couldn’t risk to let her audience wait too long with baited breath.

“You hunt it down!”

She drew a dagger from within her robe and raised it high into the air. But words and small actions didn’t always get the job done. Within ticks, she had picked out three targets. Two burly men and a woman with a staff. Seizing her djed, she fiercely concentrated on the emotion she wanted to transmit, and shot two piercing stares. Courage to one man, and a sense of protection other. However, the woman had her back to Sayana.

The Eypharian was already feeling the toll of the fast magical action, but she wanted at least a third. Harnessing her magic once more, she laced her mouth and lips with it as she focused on the final emotion. Retribution.

“Show it no mercy!” Sayana called out as she released her magic.

Her lips stung with the excessive use, so she camped her mouth shut as she began to push through, or with, the crowd depending on how the people reacted to her leadership. At the moment she was rather stuck with the momentum of the other people, however, if she slipped out she might be better able to catch up with the giant spider. It was only after she saw the spider making its escape that she noticed it was carrying something. Something quite sizeable, like a child, wrapped in layers and layers of… silk?

ReceiptHam (1lb) - 5gm

Credit: Shimoje
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Hwyn on September 22nd, 2016, 1:57 pm

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Along came a Spider


It was a miserable feeling... being trapped he was so certain that he and Eva would be making a clean getaway, and yet, when the water began swirling about them Hwyn knew that his chances of getting away from the scene were abysmal. But even has he was having those thoughts the world around him was already fading.

When he woke he found his mother standing before him with the knife she so liked to threaten him with. yelling questions at him while brandishing the knife Hwyn tried to back away from her only to find a solid wall behind him. Why had he been stealing..

"because I'd rather be a theif than be around you..."

What was his relationship to the man... what the hell was that kind of question theire was no relationship, that seemed like such an odd question to ask.

"He was someone who didn't deserve to breathe.. he tried to molest me"

Why did you come to Ravok?... Agian strange questions, he came to Ravok in search of a home, and in search of answers... but their was an answer beyond that too.

"Because I'm looking for a place to be wanted.. something you never offered"

Who brought you here? Another odd question... he had come here with many people... Clyde had put him on the track to coming here.. but in the end...

"I brought myself"

And then the world was back, but when he looked to his side he wasn't holding hands with Eva anymore, he was staring down a Giant spider that was actively lunging at him.

Trying to move Hwyn was still so dazed that all he managed to do was prevent a direct hit by jumping to the side, he cried out as the skin on his right side around his ribs was sliced. Holding his Side Hwyn watched the spider flail about in the bubble with him.. what sort of nightmare was this exactly? The scond time the spider lunged he was able to dodge the body by ducking but not the webs, the webs that followed surrounded him, even as he struggled all the legs that surrounded him and the spider above him wrapped him with a terrifying precision. it was like he had been caught in some horror story that travelers liked to tell, but he'd never imagined anything like this. then the world was comfortable gray again as the cocoon covered his face, he could breathe but he could no longer see a thing. Then movement began Hwyn felt himself being jostled and moved along by the creature that had nabbed him, he needed to find a way out, he felt himself suddenly being lifted upward as if the beast was scaling something tall and his cocoon slammed into the side of a building him braining him slightly and dizzying him, but also he saw more light from the left side of his head, had the cocoon torn their? When the motion stopped Hwyn was already working out a rather unpleasant method of escape, the webbing tasted awful, but his teeth were slowly clearing though the stuff, wriggling Hwyn began the arduous process of trying to eat his way out of the shell he'd been placed in.


Credit to Shimoje, the bestest buddy
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Evarista on September 22nd, 2016, 4:19 pm

Evarista thought she could catch a breather up on the roof and get a calm overview of the city. She thought the roof was reasonably safe, but she was wrong. The heartbeats on the marketplace below suddenly went into a rush, moving towards the base of the building, as if on someone's command. Weren't they afraid and panicked just a moment before?

A crossbow bolt whizzed past her, and another ricocheted from the cornice next to her with a menacing twang. There would be no rest and no peace. Evarista left the corner of the roof and idly rolled her self-made, Hwyn-containing package around while determining what to do with it. She didn't have time to consume it here, and lugging it around in a marathon was out of the question. There was no better option than to leave it here for the time being. She'd be back for it, though. This heartbeat felt special to her, somehow. Turning away regretfully, she decided to leave at once. It was unsustainable to stay still any more. It was unsustainable to stay still at all. There was a mad rush before her, and the first step was now.

Hooking the many strings at the end of her spinneret, the spider spun, and spun and spun, throwing the sticky ends out across the windy rooftop. The silk was instantly captured and carried by the airflow, as if pulled across the sky over the marketplace by invisible hands. A barely-visible net spread out from the roof, sticking to other buildings all around, irregular walkways forming in the air. Those walkways were all she needed. Even a single thread was more than strong enough to support her entire weight.

Stepping on the string-thin bridges with instinctual precision, she left the rooftop and dashed over what appeared to be thin air between the rooftops, letting the wind build more bridges ahead of her. She didn't want to abandon a whole plaza full of prey, but the crowd of heartbeats was too formidable. Someone there agitated the rest through unknown powers, making the timid cattle more aggressive than it should be. This was not her battle. With long strides over the brick of the rooftops and the silk of her bridges, she was retreating from the Merchant District, but before she could leave it altogether, a peculiar aroma struck her senses. The smell itself was weak, but it roused something in her, something... this was...!

A sudden rush of a never-before-felt emotion, a craving for something, washed over Evarista, overwhelming her senses completely, shocking her like lightning; nearly making her lose balance and fall down into the canals far below. It pushed everything else away. The hunger, the pain in her joints, the heartbeats pursuing her, all was drowned out. At first it felt like even the agony of her boiling djed felt insignificant, but that was not true at all. On the contrary, it was felt even more acutely. The weight of impending death rested on her shoulders, heavier than any pain, heavier than gravity, heavier than she could possibly carry. Her body was a rubber band, strained nigh fully, threatening to give out any moment, and before that happened, there was only one things she could absolutely not neglect to do.

Yes, that aroma. There was a mate nearby.

The prospect of dying a virgin would not have fazed Evarista as a human, but in her current situation, it was completely unthinkable. Accepting one's place as an evolutionary failure was something only a human could be pathetic enough to do. Being quite a bit past the onset of sexual maturity was an incentive in itself, but the looming shadow of Dira set her priorities in stone. She could not and would not accept death before her biological imperative was satisfied. And she would satisfy it right now, interlopers be damned.

It was like a second wind. Suddenly changing direction, Evarista's body moved on its own with astonishing speed, ignoring the pain and the surroundings, towards the source of the pheromones. The lush vegetation of a vaguely familiar café came into her monochrome view. There, at the very top of the shrubbery. She could not see it, but the sensors on her legs could hear the vibrations acutely, despite their minuteness. A tiny web, with a decidedly potent and all-around handsome gentleman sitting right at the center. Oh, where has he been all this time?!

Rushing towards him, she jumped down onto the café roof recklessly, sending patches of shredded greenery flying all around the terrace. The heartbeats lounging there were frozen in shock for a moment before making a panicked escape, but they were the least of her concerns right now. It felt like the arousal would make her belly explode, and the suitor emanating the pheromones was right in front of her. That's when one major issue became apparent. He was a tad bit... not to scale. No matter what she did now, she would not be able to mate with him.

Confusion was mixed with frustration, and eventually anger, as she understood that nature has cheated her. Ah, this was merely a continuation of their war, the bloody and dirty struggle that would only leave one of them standing. And since last time, nature has certainly improved your tactics. No, not just that; nature was pulling its trump card by denying her a realization of the most sacred of her instincts. But she would not back down, as she had a trump card of her own. Now, if ever, was the time to play it.

The whole world was against her. Gravity, the armed heartbeats, her own djed, everyone clamored for her death. Her chances of survival were slim to none. Heck, she'd probably not see the next morning, but even so, she was absolutely determined to leave something behind. A legacy. To that end, she was prepared to make the wildest gambit, the ultimate denouncement of nature the archnemesis.

The gentleman before her would have to adjust his role. Her eyes were too dull to see his tiny form, but the sensors on her legs could hear his vibrations, those of his body, and those of his aura. She was already intimately familiar with the aura of an orb weaver, notwithstanding the fact that she was one herself. There was only one detail she was missing, and it did not take her long to find it. All that was left was to make this foolishness come true.

Deep within her abdomen, a strange process occurred, in defiance of description, and in defiance of reality. She was impregnating... herself.

Using even a minute amount of magic sent a destructive surge of agony through her, making her body contort in pain. Another shower of mauled vegetation was sent flying as she writhed uncontrollably on the roof of the café. Her djed was strained to its very limits, but there was only one path ahead of her that she could not back out of. As if to combat the increasing pain, a new force of will rose mightily within her; the will to protect her future offspring.

It had felt like an eternity, but it appeared that all of this took mere moments. The aggressive vibrations of many heartbeats were encroaching on her, and another crossbow bolt struck the coat of vines below her. It was time to move on. Bidding her little suitor a silent goodbye, she clambered across the wind-carried silk, out of the Merchant District and wherever her legs would take her. The walls of the Temple of the Black Sun rose not so far away, but she was not daunted.

After all, she was no longer retreating. She was advancing towards future victories.
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Xen on September 23rd, 2016, 12:03 am












Along Came A Spider

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Xen was overjoyed. He had been accepted into something grand and become a part of it. There would be no more restless nights and days of meaningless wandering and contemplation on what he would do next because now he knew. Xen understood and saw the preparations he needed to make for the approaching quest within his mind. And he possessed the power to make what he envisioned tangible.


“ This is beyond what I expected! I'll be considered a permanent citizen too? ” Xen thought as the image of a beautiful house manifested within his mind. He imagined it floating upon Lake Ravok's crystal, clear waters as he wore an exquisite arcane robe and stood on a balcony that overlooked the canals and swaying boats.


“ A home and recognition are my true rewards. These things and power are what I have desired the most. So I will not falter in this quest. And I must burn and destroy all obstacles that will compel me to do so, ” Xen clenched his right hand and formed into a fist. He strengthened his conviction along with the mindset he would possess on the long journey ahead.


“ I understand. I will not flee from the task that Lord Gru'tral has given to me, ” Xen spoke to the apprentice while he looked into his eyes. “ And Ravok's peace will be restored. ” Xen was willing to risk his mortal flesh and become a monster for the sake of the mission. For there was so much to gain from it. Even if Xen knew that the quest he just accepted was a divine one, he'd pursue the idea of appeasing Rhysol and being able to make Ravok his home.


“ Why are those people yelling so much? ” Xen was slightly annoyed by the distant panic and discord he heard. “ I can barely hear the sounds, yet it frustrates me, ” Xen continued, noting the other peculiar sounds that were increasing in intensity as they drew closer.
Xen

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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Sayana on September 27th, 2016, 3:13 am

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Even within the surging and writhing crowd, Sayana managed to keep her eyes on the massive spider with the bundle it carried. Despite the size of the spider, it was long and spindly, whereas the silk covered cocoon was about the size of child. Maybe a bit bigger.

However, the spider had already climbed onto a building and despite trying to harness the crowd’s energy against the creature, it was soon clear that the crowd would have far less success with the creature so high up. Sayana continued pushing with the crowd and looked up as she heard the whiz of a crossbow bolt. Arrows. She had her daggers, four small ones for throwing and her two larger ones for face to face combat, but with this many people to fight the spider, it seemed like a waste and that she’d sooner miss the long spindly legs of the beast.

Then, high above the crowd of people she spotted the spider as it continued its path, and spinning silk in the process. However the Eypharian noticed that something was no longer the same. The bundle was gone. Had it eaten its prey? That was awfully fast.

The chaos of the crowd was now well beyond Sayana’s control, and she certainly didn’t want to try hypnotism on a grander scale in attempt to steer the tides. Even as the Eypharian moved with the mixing and swirling waves of the mass of people, she directed her attention to the building the spider had first gone to. There was a strange protectiveness about her. That she wanted to do something daring but also something that served and benefitted, while going against the spider’s wishes.

But as she drew near to the building, weaving amongst the people, she realized she had not brought along any climbing resin or rope. And while some of the wooden door frames could be impaled by her daggers, it would make for a rough climb. Except… A shimmer of light caught upon a couple of stray silky strands hanging from the roof top. With sudden excitement, Sayana rush towards them and grasped them in her highs. Right, her daggers. She made a conscious effort to replace her weapons so that she might climb while only using her highs.

First she tugged at the silk to check that it was secure, then with a jump to start, she began scaling the wall. Hand over hand, and feet against the wall, she actively searched for other footholds and handholds like window sills to assist. More than once she reached out instinctively with a mid hand but she managed to refrain from making it too obvious, and caught herself each time.

By the time she made it to the rooftop, she swung her legs over and felt her heart pounding with the effort. Not to mention the curiosity and excitement. Not many would have the courage to do that in the middle of a market square. Gingerly she stepped along the rooftop in search of the mysterious bundle. It could have been eaten, but she needed to know…

As soon as her eyes fell upon the long blond hair of the child, she froze in a moment of recognition. She had not been expecting that. “Someone’s been getting into trouble.”

She took at tick to scan the view from the rooftop, half expecting the spider to return.
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[Quest] Along came a Spider

Postby Crow on September 27th, 2016, 6:33 pm

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Grutrals apprentice was if anything auspicious in his task. There wasn't much to be said either than the details to meet at North Ravok Outpost and to bring the papers that was handed to Bartholomew, Xen, and Vladislov. There were still 2 papers clutched within his grasp, and when he was approached by the Sevris he simply nodded and said "I was instructed for you to just show up. Each of you will be informed more of the situation upon arrival early morning as the sun rises. Do not be late."

With that the apprentice left for the temple in a hurry only relevant to a quick sprint. That was when havoc not too far from the city center was taking place. A great deal of shouts and members of the ebonstryfe charged forth to the market in a flurry of different manners. A few leaped across building, a few jumped into ravosala's and quickly made there way to the market center, and a few even seemed to be using strange devices that allowed them to scale and climb across building. It was for sure a sight to see. As they approached the strange and vile creature that defied nature they were met by none other than Aemeli. She addressed the people and soldiers in the vicinity with loud mannerisms.

"Soldiers, Citizens, Slaves, and uninviting parties. Go to your homes. Lock your doors. Seal yourself in. Only those willing to sacrifice their life for the good of Ravok remain. This foul beast was set upon the city to instill fear into your hearts. We will meet this fear with the guided protection of Rhysol!"

Her intentions couldn't be farther from the truth. She was indeed the one that caused this mishap, and through it all masked her intentions with hope. From the fear and the dissonance of chaos she looked to instill guidance with the ambitions of Rhysol. This only furthered the dedication of the citizens to Rhysol. A number of soldiers remained, and amidst the chaos and screams a large portion of the population now ran away to the safety of their homes or closeby buildings.

A few children remained panicking and crying alike as they watched a flurry of arrows fly up to the beast. Aemeli stood and watched as the beast scattered across rooftops and spun bridge webs. It was very interesting to her, and so she studied the beast with great fortitude. A prismatic aura bursting with djed surrounded the spider. It was as if something was spinning chaotically between the flurry of colors collapsing amongst themselves. It was engulfed in a fiery vortex of vibrant reds, greens, and blacks. It was far stronger than a normal humans aura and even had animalistic natures to it. Whatever this forced morphing did to Evarista made her seem far less than human.

The priestess of the Black Sun concentrated her magic once more and between a terrace on the dock where silk was present. Spinning her body slightly she threw herself back first into the shield and the silk with great force. The resulting action repelled her with a great force. Using the momentum her pace quickened. Her legs worked quickly underneath her. Eventually, she caught up to the spider after a lot of leg-work. Her glowing eyes looked deeply into it's. Her hand raised and slightly touched the spider on its palps.

With great fury and driving ambition she controlled the spider once more, calming it in a wave of magically controlled hypnotism. That was when she realized. Somehow this beast had impregnated itself, and the resulting chaos and djed caused the process to grow much faster than normal.

Somehow this beast had managed to escape plenty of Ebonstryfe soldiers, arrows, bolts, and those which had looked to pursue it in the name of Rhysol. She had other plans, but just as those plans were to emerge a deep popping sound was made as billions of small spiders erupted from it's mother. She couldn't control that many, and even if she tried it would drain her powers far too quickly. The billions of small spiders crawled across their mother and positioned themselves on her back. They were still newborns and haven't developed a strong chitin or exoskeleton. That was when the priestess with her vast power lost control of the mother. Immediately dodging back she looked towards her surroundings to see if anyone saw the result.

One would be able to see her remarkable jump and then see her place her hand on the spider, and almost immediately afterword billions of tiny spiders would erupt out. Almost as if she was the cause to the chaos. This time, it wasn't her however. Chaos was if anything unpredictable, and though she tried to organize it, she was not in control.

"Rhysol has needs of this great beast. We must lead it away from the city! She has given birth! These creatures may serve as a vessel to protect Ravok someday! Their Entropy is a great resemblance!"

oocSorry if this seems rushed I wanted to get the post up during my lunch break. As such players who wish to remain amidst the chaos must create some clever ways to lead away the spider. The spider itself will wish to remain in the city, so this task will be difficult, and now that it is a mother she will do anything to protect her Children of E

"The Children of E"
Secret :
[size=150]Children of E


ImageName: Children of E, or Spawn of E, is the official designation given to the monsters by the Black Sun. Generally, 'E' is believed to stand for 'Entropy', and the creatures are colloquially known as 'Chaos Children'. However, the deliberately ambiguous title actually refers to Evarista Nitrozian, the original human identity of the monster who gave rise this chaos-touched species.

Habitat: Children of E can primarily be found in and around Ravok. They are not extremely common in the city proper, but present a hazard on the lakeshore, as well as the surrounding roads, swamps and forests in northern Sylira. Unlike most other arachnids, they have no particular preference for a type of environment, and live wherever they can reliably hide and hunt.

Origin: The creatures began appearing after the city of Ravok was attacked by an arachnid monster in the late autumn of 516 A.V. The creatures are the offspring of said monster, left behind before the parent vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. All of this is common knowledge in the city, hence the name of the creatures.

Physical Characteristics

All Children of E are arachnid invertebrates with a vague resemblance to golden silk orb-weavers. Most of them have eight legs with yellow and black stripes, a similarly striped abdomen and a black cephalothorax. However, the similarities end there, and so does the uniformity. The chaotic energies involved in their original conception has scrambled their genetic makeup, often far beyond common sense. Each specimen possesses one or more strange and unnatural characteristics. The diverging features can range from subtle and inconsequential to outright reality-defying. No two Chaos Children are the same.

On average, a Child of E is about 5 cm long, excluding legspan. The smallest specimens are less than 1 mm in length, while the largest are about 10 cm. Most females fall above the 5 cm average, while most males fall below. The tiny spiders are in practice more dangerous because they can enter a person's body unnoticed, usually when the person is asleep, at which point the victim is at the complete mercy of whatever abilities the Spawn has.

Their diet depends on the size of the spiders. Larger specimen tend to be carnivorous, while smaller lead parasitic lifestyles on, or in, something else. The Children have a voracious appetite and will target the largest prey they can afford to attack. Single hunters usually do not target humans or other large creatures, but groups of several cooperating Children with a diverse set of abilities do so eagerly.

They reproduce as most spiders do, but gestation and incubation periods are somewhat shorter. Depending on the size of the spider, it can take a Child from one week to one year to reach maturity, with larger specimens developing slower.

Social Structure

Children of E do not have any patterns of social behavior and no social hierarchy. If two or more spiders meet, they tend to cooperate loosely when hunting or protecting offspring, but would generally not make any last stands for anyone other than themselves. Most spiders have at leas one sharp sense that they can use to detect potential mates, sometimes over large distances. In the wild, Children integrate themselves into any ecosystem that can accommodate for them, pushing out any other arachnids and claiming the niche for themselves.

Females show much ingenuity when choosing a location to lay their eggs, looking for places that are both safe and close to potential food sources. They are also clever enough to exploit the structure of man-made buildings to find inaccessible spots where their young can safely hatch and disperse across the building or settlement. Tiny specimen enjoy climbing inside of a larger creature and lay their eggs there, providing excellent safety and food supply for their young, much to the distress of the host.

Encounter Generation


OOC: To determine the nature of an encountered specimen, first roll 1d100, where the result is the specimen's length in millimeters. Second, roll 1d18 to determine a characteristic feature. Roll more than once for more features. Rolling the same feature more than once results in stacking where applicable (ex. two 4 would give multiple tails, and two 16 would give near-instant regeneration). The current feature list is a starting package of sorts; adding more variants is always encouraged.

1. Improved Silk: This spider can generate more and stronger silk than usual, and is much more generous in its use. It may spin gigantic and extremely sticky webs, booby-trap doorways and objects, and use elaborate silk kites to become airborne even if it would normally be too heavy to do so.

2. Improved Venom: This spider can generate more and stronger toxin than usual, and is much more generous in its use. It may cover its web in venom, deliberately poison food or use other indirect means of getting the venom into its prey, or even fire globs of venom as projectiles. Venomous properties and effects during contact of skin include a burning sensation that slowly eats away the skin if not washed off. Cysts will form and pus often resulting in the venom spreading. The topical area will itch severely. Venomous properties if ingested: very slow internal hemorrhaging which can result in catastrophic organ failure.

3. Improved Legs: This spider has more, longer and stronger legs, which are equipped with a large number of ball joints instead of the usual pin joints. The legs can bend at nearly any place and angle, making them as flexible as tentacles for practical purposes.

4. Tail: This spider has a scorpion-like segmented tail protruding from the back of its abdomen. The tail has a long stinger at the end. The venom glands in the tail are different from the ones in the creature's mouth, and thus its sting will have different effects than its bite. These effects cause temporary paralysis of the area stung. If multiple stings incur it is possible that the full body will be paralyzed.

5. Jaws: This spider has unusually large and strong jaws, with the lower jaw running along most of its torso. By default, it has a set of tiny but razor-sharp teeth that can shave off soft tissue easily. To deal with harder surfaces, the creature can eject a set of four larger fangs, two on each jaw.

6. Claws: This spider has a crab-like pincer at the end of one or more of its legs. The pincer is strong enough to instantly sever fingers, noses and other protrusions. Larger spiders are capable of crushing through armor. It also allows the spider to move and hold onto objects more easily.

7. Voice: This spider can imitate vocal sounds produced by other creatures, usually with impeccable accuracy. When dealing with humans, this is usually used to imitate cries for help to lure prey, roars of intimidation to scare away dangers, or other ways to confuse or misdirect.

8. Smoke: This spider has an organ that can produce smoke of various colors and textures. This is usually used to impair vision, attract or distract attention, or to communicate across large distances.

9. Smell: This spider can release a colorless airborne chemical with an extremely strong odor, usually but not always foul. The odor can be intense enough to cause nausea or even loss of consciousness in humans.

10. Grinder: This spider can produce a horrible grating noise, along with a shower of sparks, by rubbing its legs together. The noise is extremely intrusive and, with enough exposure, deafening. The sparks can be used to misdirect or communicate in the darkness, and also present a serious fire hazard.

11. Bioluminescence: This spider can make any part of its body glow in the dark at will, or produce a series of bright flashes to blind and disorient. More notably, it can spin bioluminescent silk, which it uses to construct breathtaking visual arrangements to deceive or communicate.

12. Breathless: This spider mysteriously doesn't need oxygen to stay alive. It cannot be drowned or suffocated, and the lack of need for respiratory organs leaves more room for muscles and other useful tissue, making it stronger, faster and tougher than an opponent could expect when judging by size alone.

13. Autonomous propagation: This spider can produce offspring without the aid of a mate, and has greatly reduced gestation periods, possibly able to lay several batches of eggs per day.

14. Acoustic vision: This spider has an extremely fine sense of hearing and the ability to produce ultrasound. It can 'see' around corners and obstacles, easily recognize persons by their voice or heartbeat, and otherwise have complete auditory awareness in a large radius around itself. When underwater, this radius expands even further.

15. Electrogenesis: This spider has organs to generate and sense electricity. It projects an electromagnetic field which it uses to detect living organisms nearby, as well as manipulate metal objects in a short radius around itself. It can emit brief but powerful electric discharge to attack anything it touches, or anything close by if underwater.

16. Regeneration: This spider can regenerate lost bodyparts in a matter of chimes. The regenerated organ may have different properties from the original one.

17. Chlorophyll: This spider has a bright green body with green-and-yellow striped legs. It uses sunlight to acquire energy and is not directly aggressive towards humans. This type of spider reproduces not by laying eggs, but by implanting parasitic seeds into other lifeforms. The seeds slowly merge with the host and seize control of various organs, controlling the host's behavior by forcing unnatural physiological needs on them. Once control of the reproductive organs is seized in this way, the offspring of the host will be born with a new seed already in them. Humans usually become victims by accidentally swallowing such a seed.

18. Sapience: This spider is capable of abstract thought. It has a human-like mental capacity and its aura is as large and complex as that of a human. It understands human speech but lacks the means for verbal communication. Someone who can get around this obstacle, such as a telepath, would be able to converse with it. It tends to be less directly aggressive than its feral counterparts, but is perhaps more dangerous than any of them, on account of its intelligence. It can even learn magic if it finds a means to do so.

Credit: Evarista
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~Thanks to Aladari Coolwater for the template
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