Fantasy World of Gea: The Greatest Adventure [IC] [CLOSED]

[SilverFlight]

Tatum Aurani-Fafner of Abertsleigh

"D-did you say Cassandra Blackwell?" Tate asked with a delighted smile. "Heavens, and one of the most famous Eranoiran Cartographers? I'd be over the moon right now if I wasn't terrified for my life! Your additions to the elevation maps of the Eranoiran coast line were absolutely stun...right, sorry, more pressing matters please continue. "
He watched as Cecilia jogged over to a supply crate and returned with a dark vial.

"Dear me." Tate said when he heard the ingredients. "Yes, that might just do the trick, but only if we get enough of the substance into the haemolymph...er, blood of the beast."
He listened carefully to what Cassandra explained.
"Right. we'll need to come at it from behind, its field of vision is approximately 180 degrees at the front, but it won't spot us is we keep out of that."
Tate grabbed a stick and began drawing in the dirt at their feet. he drew the spider, an underside view of it.

"There is a very small opening at the base of the abdomen, about a man's length, this is what the creature uses to breathe, like the gill of a fish, it is filled with very delicate blood vessels, exposed to open air. The gill is protected from the front, and on either side by thick chitin walls, but it is consistently open from the back.
Now, here's where things get a little tricky: The blood vessels at the front of the organ are the easiest to hit, but too small to carry enough of the poison at once, so, you'll need to drive the blade in deep to reach the larger artery at the base of the organ, here. Do that, and enough of the poison should circulate up to paralyze the nerves in the muscles there and slow the creature's heart."

Tate looked back at the spider, quelling a new wave of fear as the beast rampaged. He decided to focus on Nora, as she would be their hero of the hour.
"Now, Nora, the larger question, is how to get you up to that gill. I'd lend you a jump potion, but the use of them takes a bit of experience...I can't promise you'd bounce in the right direction in your first go, but I have it here if you'd like to try it. Simply throw it at the ground, and it will allow you to spring from that spot like it was made of rubber."

He gave the others a determined nod. They could do this. It was just then he looked past his new team to see Olivier. He was alive! Tate could have jumped for joy. Then he squinted to get a better look at what the prince was doing...one hand behind his back...
Tate slapped his forehead.
"Oh my giddy aunt...he's actually challenging it to a duel..."

Interactions: Cassandra and Cecilia joshuadim Nora, Vexumin

Mentions: Olivier Elenion Aura

 

[The Prophet]

• Mihret Vivar || Knight of St. Friedwart

• 
  
  
  
  Directly Interacting With:
  Elenion Aura
  
  Indirectly Interacting With:
  The Company
  

  ~ Spider Battle ~
  ~ Midday || ~12:00pm ~
  
  Kneel Before The Crown || Mihret's CS File

  
  
  
  Mihret hadn't registered the fact that the familiar feeling of his metal greaves on the ground had left him until he heard his poleaxe hit the ground before him. They say that a knight's biggest enemy was a good hammer; made enough sense, Swords and knives glances easily off of plate and chaimmail and spears needed the speed and accuracy. But no matter how armored he was, it wouldn't protect him from the sheer blunt force a hammer delivered. It was partly why he picked up the poleaxe, for the hammer in case the axe or spear side easn't enough. But despite the knowledge, he hadn't given it too much stock when it came to himself. He wasn't cocky, he just knew what he was capable of. But as the snap of it's leg struck him with more force and speed he thought possible, Mihret cast out any semblance of a doubt even before the ground reaquianted itself with the dark skinned knight.
  
  The ground had rattled him, and the dirt in the inital attack fell around him, but Mihret was all but silent. Mihret was not one for anger, especially when he knew it was his own mistake, but it still left a more bitter taste than the blood. "..." Olivier was quick to his aid, and Mihret accepted the hand up with a small nod. "... I agree Herr, fighting is much more my stärke. Thank you." In the back he heard a plan; it seemed sound, and any plan was better than none. The seperate groups needed to align. Letting out a breath, Mihret swallowed the blood that remained in his mouth and glared at their quarry. It would be done.
  
  Olivier dashed off and Mihret was right there alongside, leaving his polearm on the ground for the moment and instead drawing his longsword. Inset with silver and steel, It would get the job done. While the blonde prince took to it's underside, Mihret slammed his amoured weight into a leg that looked overextended before gripping his sword like a spear and stabbing. He might not have a good hammer, but it would still bleed. A quick half-sworded strike at the same leg later, the stoic knight rolled outward to join Olivier once more as the man in question challenged the spider. Flexing his free hand as a familiar feeling of cold washed over his body, Mihret drew a line with his sword, a silent threat and goad to the creature. They wanted a distraction? They would have it.
  
  "Kommen. Ich bin bereit."
  
  Battle Notes [TLDR]: Adjusting after the blow, Mihret strikes again and joins Olivier in the supposed plan.
  
  

 

[Vexumin]

Nora's eyes go wide as the words "Night Shade" are mentioned in the discussion. She kept mostly out of the plan making because she was pretty bad at all that, mostly doing things on the fly. At the moment though her mind was almost entirely on the vialed substance that was being brought over to her. Night Extract. There probably isn't an assassin alive that hasn't heard of the poison. A mixture used in some of the most notable assassination around, and it was being applied to one of her daggers.

She watched as the substance was generously applied to the blade. The warning to hold her breath was not even necessary for she had already been holding in a generous amount of air after seeing the vial. She was about to use a poison some assassins only dreamed of having on hand. Though this target was a giant spider and would probably not make any notable headlines in history. When her adventure is over, she'll have to find someone to write her biography and this point of time would make more than just a small footnote.

Blade properly tended to, she looks to Tatum as she began chatting about Cassandra. Her expression did not change as she observed him gushing over her renown. She found it pretty cute how he latched on to the name as if she was famous. For all Nora knew, she was. Though she was pretty bad at remembering notable names that she wasn't responsible for hunting down.

Her illuminating gaze wanders towards the drawing that Tatum was busy with in the dirt. She observed the weak point of the creature, at least in regards to where best to cut with a poisoned blade. Now it was just about getting up there. Well, back up there is probably more appropriate. She had just leapt from the creatures back after all.

"Hmm. Potion or no potion. I could try and get back atop the beast and then, with a bit of rope and a hook of some kind I could latch the hook onto some plates and then swing myself over the edge and towards this 'gill'."

Nora breathes a soft sigh through her nose. She'd have to get close again. Just more of a risk that she'd get hurt. Then again, if she didn't, that was going to be plenty more people hurt as well or even more injured. Potentially beyond recovery. She was the sacrificial lamb it seems. If it comes to that.

"Right. What if I just get to the gill and then jab the dagger in and leave it? Keeps the poison in place. Spider might even focus more on the little venomous splinter than it would the company."

 

[joshuadim]

Cécilia pondered Nora's suggestion for a moment before giving an indecisive shrug. "Night Extract should act quickly enough that you can get the stab in then leave, but with a creature this big... I'm not certain." the scholar replied to Nora, "I leave that decision up to you." She then turned to various members of the company, both near and far and breathed in for courage. "The spider should be focused on everyone else; enough so that you can slip by. Ser Alberto and Pepin will know - hopefully - what to do." Cassandra gave a nod as well on these words: "I'll get the mages ready for their show as well!" the Hob woman said as she went to find the company mages and spellcasters. As she quickly garnered their attention with her voice crowning over the sounds of fighting, Cécilia herself walked off and cupped her hands around her mouth to gather the attention of the two leaders of the melee.

"ALBERTO! PEPIN!" Cécilia cried out, "KEEP THE BEAST'S ATTENTION AWAY FROM NORA!"

Pepin was confused at first as he stilled his blade and turned to where the woman stood. "Pourquoi!?" he yelled back, trying to get an explanation, but was swiftly answered by Alberto.

"Do as she says!" the knight-errant of Tarantina shouted back to the old warrior as he prepared for his strike. He fully trusted Cécilia enough to not have reservations as to whatever was planned and instead focused on maintining an offensive.

"Merde... to arms, Company Members!" Pepin then shouted, flourishing his sword by raising it into the air, "ATTACK!"

The time was now for Noradriia to strike.

Interacting: Nora ( Vexumin )

 

[FloweryMuffin]

His patron had been nothing short of generous in aiding Korzhev in battling the monstrous creature, for his spells struck through and momentarily, the creature would feel the effects of the Company’s spell, where it should have shaken them off with ease.

He had the wit to use one powder he had been trying to perfect, a poison that spread like a rash and tore through that which was alive, making it rotten. With the knowledge that on that day, his patron had his gaze turned to him, Korzhev could fight earnestly, his mind led away from doubt and fears of failure. The people he fought alongside shall see that the vile thing would be soon slain and their slain comrades shown the proper gratitude.

When the creature strikes towards him, he was able to believe he won’t be struck dead. Because his fortune said on that day, his patron smiled down on him.

That his leg is cut open by the creature as he attempts to jump on his way, well, the old man naturally blamed his shortcoming: he felt terribly old then. His reflexes were not what they had once been and age had slowly eaten away at his swiftness. If he cursed, Korzhev was cursing himself. For a moment he caught a glimpse of the rift between him and the giant spider, who had so far sown death and despair and he should not lose his faith now, to throw away all of his patron’s generosity like this.

One man who had been fighting the spider along with him- Berchar if he recalled- brought the dark priest to his aid, who casted his terrible magic on the spider. He wore much the same expression he remembered him to. Contempt, for everything. Faith, in a deity, the frogman could not care to imagine, because his faith there was only one patron he was in service of. The faces of the rest, or those who worshipped them were almost irrelevant to him. Just as his faith must have been to the elf who begrudgingly helped.

Korzhev was supposed to fight, and he may think of foreign faiths and that man’s contempt another different day. Because the adrenaline of battle erased the pain he could barely register anyway, Korzhev readies his staff once again, not in prayer, but in preparation to call down a curse.

The blood trickling down his leg seemed poured off into the ground, but it had to wait. It could wait. He was chanting the words, he told his god of the curse he would cast upon the terrible monster, who would bleed and bleed, because its insides would be burned by a rash much like the one caused by his poison.

 

[Vexumin]

Nora seems almost locked in a thoughtful silence for just a moment. Then, akin to the flash of thunder, she was off and running... towards the caravans. Not towards the spider, but over to a rather enormously packed traveling bag. She fetches a length of rope and a treble hook. One made to scale castle walls if the situation called for it. She ties off the rope on the metal loop at the end of the hook and slings the bundle of rope over a shoulder. She clips the bag shut and takes off jogging towards the spider.

Before she gets too far, she looks back to the three behind her, a frown on her face before she smiles.

"If I die, help yourselves to the coin in my pack... just be sure to burn everything else! Or bury it with me!"

She laughs loudly after having said this, despite how grim it was for her to ask for favors after her potential death. It was as if the possibility was all too familiar to her. A readiness to meet the end. She stops laughing as she draws nearer to the battle, but the grin on her face does not leave her. Circling about the spider as its attention was diverted, she waits for a moment, observing the creature, watching for an opening.

When the moment arrives, she takes off. The same path as last time. Scale a leg as it's still. Such a small window of time, but it seems that the creatures movements have started becoming predictable. A fact that the rest of the company took note of as well. Makes getting up nice and easy, but the sway of combat and the creatures aggressive movements were no less easy to deal with.

Ah, height. Being able to see at a distance. Was this the wrong time to be envious of those taller than her? Probably. Especially considering how unrealistic it was to compare herself to a massive spider, so instead she got to work.

Removing the rope from over her shoulder, she approaches one of the rear legs of the spider. About perfectly in line with the gill that she was supposed to stab. Luckily for her, she was good at stabbing things. So with that thought in mind, she slings the hook attached to the rope around the leg and catches it with the rope in hand. Didn't take long to secure it all and give it a tug to ensure that it wouldn't undo as she did what came next.

Waiting for a perfect moment of balance, she leaps from the spider on the opposite side of where the rope was tied off, yet the rest of the rope was in hand. Her grip tightens on the rope as she begins to swing. In any other situation, she would enjoy this experience, but considering the spider was a threat, it was time to take this serious. She swings, looking for this gill... and she finds it. She reaches, but she was already swinging back by the time she reached. It was a miss. Didn't stop her from building up some momentum and swinging again. This time she managed to grasp the edge of the gill.

The sensation of it. Enough to make her shutter, that's for sure. Only lasted for a moment though. The next moment had seen her draw the poisoned blade.

"Please work... please work."

She draws the dagger back before she moves to plunge it deep into the gill!

 

[joshuadim]

• COMPANY TURN • ​

Rallied by Pepin’s call to arms, the company as a whole went on the offensive again as a collective roar from the company’s fighters roused them the charge into the fray. (Amani uses Smokescreen! +2 to ALL Company member attack rolls for 1 turn.) Amani’s magic came as an additional boon as smoke filled the area to cover their, and the rest of the Company’s, assault upon the monstrous beast that had taken so many lives already. (1d10 + 2 = 11 | Critical Success! | The Spider loses 1 attack against players for 2 turns! ) What made the creature’s situation worse was the assault on its sight by Calocis’ magic, as a black shroud emerged from the dökkálfar’s fingers and landed upon many of the creature’s eyes. The spider hissed as it desperately tried to claw away at it with its pedipalps but failed to even touch the magic that had reduced its visibility greatly.

(1d10 + 2 = 7 | Success | 6 damage.) With the spider’s attention taken away from those on the ground, Gawain took advantage of this as he cast another dark blob in between his hands and launched it at the beast. It collided atop the creature’s abdomen, causing the spider to stumble back with another loud hiss in pain that vibrated through the air. (Unearthly Tether | Gawain heals 1 HP. | Gawain HP = 10/11.) This provided a strong opening for Ziggy, Sentry and Waylond to then commence their attacks as the trio charge together with the former being the first to land a strike due to his speed.

(1d10 + 4 = 4 | Partial Success | 1 damage.) However, like before, his damage was only superficial as his fangs dug into the spiders chitin upon one of its more undamaged legs, causing a small about of ichor to stain his teeth before he was subsequently shaken off. (1d10 + 2 = 8 | Success | 2 damage.) Sentry however landed a solid strike upon the same leg as her weapon struck the same place Ziggy had bitten to cause a collapse in its defenses there with a moderately sized gash. Despite having shielded and taken a massive blow earlier, her strength remained in place for the fight. (1d10 + 2 = 5 | Partial Success | 1 damage.) Waylond would follow the woman’s lead as well as he too struck at the same wound, but only managed a hit to the edges rather than its exposed center as his blade chipped away at the chitin more.

Korzhev was eager to return to the offensive, but the wound at his leg was a cause for concern. (1d10 = 7 | Gsera heals 4 HP | Korzhev HP = 9/9.) Fortunately for him, Gsera arrived on the scene and used her magic upon him as she spoke for aid. Her healing worked as Korzhev could see his wound bind together until there was practically no scar remaining. With his leg as good as new, the Vodyanoy was able to contribute to battle to his fullest extent once more. (1d10 + 2 = 10 | Critical Success! | 10 damage.) Using his repertoire of shamanic magics while Gsera worked her healing upon him, Korzhev summoned forth a powerful hex that coagulated atop his fingertips with a reddish hue. After a brief chant, he sent the spell forth which traveled through the air like a bloody mist before settling upon the spider. The creature hissed aloud again as its dark ichor began to spill forth from its many wounds across its entire body, coming out almost like a flood in more wounded areas.

(1d10 + 3 = 11 | Critical Success ! | 12 damage.) This horrid display of the curse sent out by Korzhev gave Malthara her chance to strike as she commanded her fire elemental to strike again. It lobbed another blob of liquid fire out, landing upon one of the spider’s greater wounds and seared it once more. The smell of burnt ichor, chitin and flesh filled the area as the spider staggered and raised its body to kick with its legs and pedipalps in vain agony. (1d10 + 2 = 11 | Critical Success! | 12 damage.) This allowed for yet another expertly placed shot from Devereaux to lodge itself into an exposed point along its natural armor. The arrowhead pierced deeply into the spider’s innards, likely nicking one of its organs, which in turn made the beast stumble again and nearly collapse. Yet the creature was not out of the fight as it let out another hiss along with an attempt at a retaliatory strike, which Devereaux dodge-rolled out of the way easily.

(1d10 + 4 = 10 | Critical Success! | 4 damage.) Kastalli would strike at the beast’s senses as she rung her bell yet again, only this time with a harsher tune. The vibrational frequency caused the spider to swipe at its eyes and mouth with its pedipalps, as if trying to swat away a fly, but failed as its senses were rattled by the onslaught of sound that barraged it. (1d10 + 2 = 9 | Success | 4 damage | Olivier uses Grand Challenge! The spider is taunted to attack him for one turn.) Olivier would present himself as a duelist would before striking a solid blow with his sabre. Although the damage dealt was decent as he chopped away at a bit of exposed flesh, what was more important was that he now had the spider’s attention as he could feel its gaze fixate upon him.

(1d10 + 2 = 10 | Critical Success! | 10 damage.) Mihret used this additional distraction put onto the spider against it as he landed a powerful strike upon one of the creature’s pedipalps. Hitting one of its connective points, he severed the limb completely from the creature’s front which caused another strong hiss from the spider to rumble through the air. (1d10 + 2 = 6 | Partial Success | 2 damage.) Hazel too joined the fray as he launched his own druidic magic by sending a swarm of insects to sting and bite away at the beast. This only had a rudimentary effect however as many of the stings and bites landed upon its chitin, but those that did crawl into the spider’s wounds caused enough damage to bring a reaction from the spider as it swatted away at the air with its remaining pedipalps.

(1d10 + 2 = 4 | Partial Success | 1 damage.) Alberto would charge forward with his own strike again, following the example set forth by Sentry, as he aimed his strike at an exposed wound. However, like Waylond, he too would only strike at the edges and chip away more of the creature’s natural defenses. (1d10 + 2 = 3 | Failure.) Chi’sa would attempt to help with her slingshot, as there was not much else she could contribute. She wasn’t strong, or skilled, like the adults were. Yet if she could hit an eye with a rock, then perhaps it would help. But unfortunately, her aim was off the mark as the rock she shot simply bounced off of the spider’s top as it sailed over her target and landed atop the creature’s back. (1d10 + 2 = 3 | Failure.) Syllannan would also strike at the spider once more, but found the result wanting as his blade simply hit the carapace of the spider and left only a superficial mark upon its exterior.

(1d10 + 2 = 3| 1/4 damage | 21 damage.) The rest of the company melee, and its newfound reinforcements, charged forward as well, slicing and stabbing at the spider in droves. Though many of the hits only connected with chitinous protection, some strikes broke through and created new wounds or exacerbated older ones upon the creature. “Take that you fucking monster!” Berchar yelled aloud in anger as he swung at the spider, his blade connecting and carving out more of the beast’s flesh and splattering him with ichor across his body and face.

(1d10 + 2 = 12 | Critical Success! | 84 damage.) What was more devastating however was when Pepin raised his sword towards the archers of the Company. “LOOSE!” the old warrior yelled, resulting in a flurry of bowstrings being released as a swarm of arrows flew towards their target. To devastating effect, nearly all of the arrows hit their mark and jutted themselves into the spider’s wounds upon its exposed flesh. Some even struck at the spider’s eyes, jabbing into and destroying two more of them as the beast let out another hiss of agony from this onslaught of damage.

(1d10 + 2 = 5 | Partial Success | 12 damage.) The company’s mages would also go on the attack, lobbing their spells and magics at the creature. Though it was less effective than their other counterparts, they still managed to deliver some strong hits as some spells hit exposed flesh while other spilled out against various parts of the spider's chitin.

(1d10 + 6 = 13 | Critical Success! | 6 damage.) With all these attacks, Nora was able to use the chaos to her advantage. Using rope and treble hook, she found a perfect opening and wrapped itself around a leg, allowing her to swing and use her momentum to prepare her attack on the gill, as specified in its location by Tatum. With her poisoned blade in hand, she swung herself towards it to get the momentum she needed for a strike. With a precises strike, her blade pierced into the gill and lodged itself deep into the spider’s flesh. Remembering the alchemist’s words, she continued to push as she felt a strong resistance. The blade was stuck about three-quarters of the way inside until with a final effort, a large crack was heard as the blade jabbed the rest of the way into the spider.

Night Extract has made its way into the spider’s system! 10 damage to the Spider. Increases by 10 per turn indefinitely.​

Still retaining her grip on the spider, Noradriia found herself shaken as the spider thrashed and tumbled as its central weak point had now been compromised. It let out another hiss in pain, but what became noticeable was that its intensity dulled ever so slightly. The poison was already weakening it, causing irreparable damage to its insides as it struggled against its effects. For a beast this massive however, it would take a bit before it truly keeled over.

GIANT WOLF SPIDER’S HP: 746 / 1200 [196 Damage]​

 

[joshuadim]

• SPIDER'S TURN• ​

The beast wasted no time in returning on the offensive, as its rumblings hit the air again following the amount of punishment it had received collectively from the entire Company. Gsera winced and covered her ears again in a desperate attempt to shut out its violent and thunderous voice from piercing her head, but to no avail as her head was rocked by its words.

“FOOD!”​

Yet for whatever menacing intent the spider had in continuing its rampage, its offensive was greatly weakened. Cal’s magic, along with the poison working its effects, had caused great trouble for the creature to be able to attack. (1d10 = 1 | Failure!) The spider thrashed its limbs out in an attempt to kill other members of the company, but its movements were sluggish and easy to read. This allowed people to dart out of danger quickly enough by the skin of their teeth. Berchar himself nearly met Gaia as the spider’s leg crashed a few inches away from him, but he quickly disengaged himself from the fight by scrambling on nearly all fours. Gaston, a member of the Eranoirians that had charged with Olivier and their Sergeant, also came close to death as the spider’s limb stabbed into the ground right in front of him, causing him to fall over onto his ass in a panic.

Gwenaël swiftly picked up the young man-at-arms with a harsh jerk onto the man’s shoulder until he was back on his feet. “TODAY IS NOT YOUR DAY! FIGHT ON!” the Eranoirian Sergeant yelled at him, preventing the man from breaking into hysteria from his near-death experience. But what caught his eyes next caused him to scream out towards Olivier as a leg descended towards the lordling. (1d10 = 4 | Partial Success | 2 damage.) The spider was intent on striking Olivier where he stood, thrusting its claw at him with a ferocious speed. (Olivier uses Riposte! | 1d10 = 2 | Olivier deflects the blow, taking no damage.) It would have been no measly blow to deal with, but the nobleman had other plans as he was able to use his steel to guide himself to safety along and sidestep the blow with ease. Dirt kicked up from the ground as the spider’s leg connected with the earth underneath, pattering Olivier’s armor with audible clinks until it settled quickly again.

Calocis had been pleased with what his spell had accomplished. In masking much of the spider’s vision, he had been able to nearly hinder the spider’s ability to fight completely. His god’s favor had flowed through him and brought about a blessing of battle in such magnitude that he felt his faith flow through him ever strongly. But a moment of distraction was all it took. “LOOK OUT!” Cassandra yelled out to Cal, who only saw in the corner of his vision the approach one of the spider’s legs swiping at him. (1d10 = 9 | Calocis takes 4 damage | Calocis HP = 5/9) The dökkálfar was launched into the air as the leg connected with his side, sending him tumbling down to the ground with a loud thud as he rolled in the dirt for a few more meters. The taste of blood hit his mouth as a large wave of pain radiated from where he had been hit. If not broken, his ribs were most certainly fractured though it would take a chirurgeon to determine that. However, he was able to stand still as he pushed himself up, stumbling a bit, before settling on his feet again and clutched at his side.

“Fils de pute, he’s still kicking.” Pepin muttered to himself, while Alberto felt relief wash over him. The spider’s attack had not been as gruesome in results as it had been towards Gsera or Sentry, but he still had worry when it had happened. But now he returned his attention back to the spider. “KEEP FIGHTING! THE BEAST WEAKENS!” the knight-errant yelled aloud as he brought his blade to his side and prepared for another attack. “WE WILL PUT AN END TO ITS TERROR!”

 

[BriiAngelic]

• Amani al Kassam || Prince of Kassemid

• 
  
  
  
  Directly Interacting With:
  Hazel (@Ari Number Two) Spider ( joshuadim )
  
  

  ~ Spider Battle ~
  ~ Midday || ~12:00pm ~
  
  The Land Below || Amani's CS File
  
  The technique worked its magic as the charges of humming electricity dissipated into smoke. It would be beneficial to keep it up if it would keep the spider staggered but such fine control was not easy to replicate on the fly. As he heard the surge of blades hit the chitinous exterior of the spider he considered how long he might be able to keep it at bay with better control.
  
  So long as others stood standing he would do his best to continue to provide a distraction. Anything less would leave the spider open to charge at their more vulnerable, and he couldn’t afford to bring Hazel further into the fray without dismounting off their shared horse. For now, he’d have to trust in the ability of the others to continue to fend off the blows since he would not be able to get close enough to heal the damage that had been done yet.
  
  The men at arms seemed unused to landing their blows in the obscurity of the mist. That would be an issue to address later if they managed to maintain their numbers. Instead, he readjusted his aim this time as he worked to focus again. His mind buzzed from the use of Smokescreen. He wouldn't let up on the assault. With a quick movement of his hands, he sent fragments of ice shards across the field aiming at the spider's underbelly to keep it moving.
  
  “Hazel, we may want to move in closer. If we can help the other mages keep it bound it will only be a matter of time before the beast can be felled.”
  
  Battle Notes [TLDR]: Amani continues to provide distraction [Attack: Mana spell] and theorizes about aiding in helping to keep it further bound.
  
  
  
  

 

[BriiAngelic]

Collab B/W Brii & Mook [Ahanu & Pandora]

Far Dawn

The treeline came into focus below as the canopy thinned and a clearing was seen below. Nimki let out a roar at the sound of screams from below. She kicked at the sides of Nimki motioning for them to begin the dive at clearing. As they came just a few dozen feet above the rampaging spider Ahanu pulled back at the reigns bringing them level above the spider.

“Pandora, it seems we’ve found our beast to slay. The rabble below seem adept at keeping it distracted. Though judging at the amount of blood down there it seems they’re losing.”

Holding on for dear life it had been the first time Pandora was ever a rather high distance from the ground. “Yes, I see them.” She mumbled out, speaking in ahanu’s language. “I ummm.. just not. That's really far down.” she continued on. She had been at cliff edges but to be on a creature that could fall out of the sky at any moment was pushing the courage of the golden haired woman.

The second they dove towards the ground Pandora let out a scream but managed to recover staggeringly well, keeping herself balanced and no longer dry heaving. “Okay, we're good. I got this.” she spoke quietly to herself in Lykossian. Sitting up straight she reassessed what was going on below them at Ahanu’s direction. Clearing her throat she clicked once, shifting languages and speaking to Ahanu “Bring us away abit, I think I have an idea.”.

“Understood.”

With a tug to the reigns she created a wider berth of distance between the group and the spider. Below she saw her Fox leading in the way for the heavy infantry below.

“Here comes those troops, think we can get it going quickly?”

Bracing herself against the mount's saddle she took a deep breath and exhaled. “I feel another spider, about its size, could get its attention away from those below for a time. We need to find a space near it that I can weave the spell in, but not close enough that It'll be touching.” Putting her left arm out she stretched before her eyes began to light up. The golden light grew brighter as her hair began to float up, strands moving about as if not under the confines of gravity.

“Be ready, everything has a price. What exactly will happen is always at the whim of chaos… uh… be ready for anything once I try this.” She cautioned Ahanu. Her particular brand of magic always had something come with it. From the whisper of a dreadful voice, a sudden weightlessness to a whistle and burst of soap bubbles. It came in every form but it was always something random, good, bad, funny or dumb it came regardless of what she was using her magic for.

Reaching out with her magic Pandora felt purchase at the location in her mind and began to realize the image of the spider she wished to form into an illusion. It was large, not quite the size of the monster they were fighting but she was sure it would do the job if done correctly. With a final outpouring Pandora attempted to force the illusion into being.

Ahanu nodded as Pandora worked her magic. She brought her bow off her shoulder and drew the arrow back. She was going to damn well do her part as well. She took aim at an eye of the spider and let her arrow sail. Before even checking to see if it landed she’d tied her arm around one of the reigns preparing for blowback from Pandora’s move.​

 

[joshuadim]

• PANDORA, AHANU, AND THE UHLANDERS HAVE ARRIVED! • ​

The shadow of a great bird from above drew the attention of Cécilia as she covered her brow with a hand to try to get a better view. The beast was much larger than any native creature in this region, and when she saw there were two individuals riding atop it her eyes grew wide from surprise. One of them had drawn their bow and prepared to fire what seemed to be an impossible shot from where Cécilia stood, while the other she could faintly make out the use of magic. “Up above, look!” she cried out, before a new development caught everyone’s attention.

The quick marching of footsteps, from one-hundred and thirty-two men, paced quickly in an advance following Kwahn’s lead until they burst out to where the fighting was taking place. “Mein gott!” one of the men yelled, looking upon the size of the spider in disbelief. Their commander however held less hesitation as he barked towards the men he commanded. “BEREITMACHEN!” he yelled, having the riflemen quickly get into position in parallel rows. One such group was sitting, another knelt on one leg and the final remained standing.

Alberto noticed this and recognized what exactly these men were capable of with their equipment and yelled to everyone. “GET BACK FROM THE BEAST! QUICKLY!” he shouted; the urgency being fused into his words. Pepin and Gwenaël noticed the arrival of the Uhlanders as well as they yelled their own orders to their lots, resulting in the tactical retreat of the Company and the Eranoirians for the time being. The spider had continued to attack, but by this point its movements were beginning to slow drastically. It did however notice that not only was there more food that had arrived, but also something else forming from wisps of blue light. (1d10 + 2 = 6 | Success! | The spider loses one attack against players for one turn.) Pandora’s magic had brought forth an illusion of itself, though not as massive as it was in size. It remained however convinced that it was now being challenged by a lesser of its species. The spider thrashed its remaining legs at the illusion and was trying to goad it to fight, but to little reaction. (1d10 + 2 = 7 | Success! | 4 damage.) An arrow then descended from above as Ahanu’s shot collided with the spider’s face, removing yet another eye from its repertoire. It stumbled back in pain and hissed from this new foe from above, trying in vain to grab at its wound with its pedipalps as more ichor flowed from this new wound.

“ZIEL!” the Uhlandian commander then yelled, bringing about the audible movement of wood stocks and iron barrels as they aimed towards the spider en masse. This was a standard volley, of which could fell dozens of men in a single barrage in a battlefield. Against a beast this size, some of the riflemen were unsure if they could even fell the beast with these powerful weapons. “FEUER!” (1d10 + 2 = 6 | Success! | 660 damage.) With loud clicks, thunderous booms and plumes of smoke erupted from their weapons that caused ears to ring and senses to be rattled from such an onslaught. Enough residue from the volley had been made that it obscured people’s vision as they tried to figure out what had happened exactly. It was only moments later that the spider came into view again, only this time sporting such grievous wounds across its entire body. Another one of its legs had been practically blown off while massive holes appeared through its body in various places.

No beast should have remained standing from such damage and yet the spider still stirred, if only just. It let out a defiant hiss, although it was rattled and clearly filled with death. “That damned thing is still alive!?” Pepin then shouted as he looked upon it. “It does not matter, we will kill it now!” Alberto then shouted, rallying everyone for one final assault.

GIANT WOLF SPIDER’S HP: 82 / 1200 [664 Damage]​

 

[Breadman]

It was one moment in time, but it might as well have been a day from her perspective. The spider had targeted the others again was about to strike at her friends. Sentry wouldn't have that. An armor made of stone is a heavy burden to bear, but it didn't seem to bother her none. As the spider's claw descended down she stopped it in its tracks with her own hands.

"This is as far as you go..." She barked at the creature. The stones skin starting to crumble "No more. This is it." The spider let up slightly only to strike again with its claw and break through her again. Sentry let out a scream as the claw left a new scar on her body, but she wouldn't bend. Now it was their chance to attack. One after another their blows fell on the beast.

Her own fury was interrupted by the thunder of some new group. They had metal stick that were smoking. Were those magic pipes of some kind? It didn't matter. Not now. The spider was badly hurt and ready to die. The barbarian gripped her sword to deliver another strike.

Waylond looked over his shoulder as he heard the guns' loud thunder. He had only heard tales of the invention's destructive capabilities in the right hands and never in his life did he expect to see their full carnage so close and not be a target. He thanked the Gods above and bellow that may be looking after him this day. But the battle was not over as the spider would not die. Fine then, to the slayer goes the glory.

 

[Elenion Aura]

Calocis Fellshade

⛧​

Calocis clutched his side. A fresh wave of pain washed over him with each breath. He kept his feet long enough to find a tree stump—it’s upper half had been torn asunder thanks to the spider’s thrashing legs—to slump down against.

Every breath was like fire in his lungs.

A brief flash of movement tore his gaze away from the enormous spider as it battled his companions. His eyes focused on the diminutive creature, its eight eyes staring inquisitively up at him.

 

[Dmaster]

Gawain had worked himself into a flow of slinging spells and keeping focus, and though he may have been injured from the gigantic creature's skittering movements his tenuous relationship with mortality had numbed his pain. So wrapped up in his intent to obliterate the foe with magic, he did not notice the presence of yet more new arrivals until there was a furious fuselage of deafening ballistics being emitted. In that moment he found himself thankful that he did not possess any ears to ring, though his head did turn to meet the source. They practically had a small army engaging this gigantic arachnid now!

With clawed hands that crossed themselves at the wrist, Gawain charged another spell as lightning arced between his fingertips. Points in the air started to electrify around him in a circular halo of sorts, electricity being drawn into those suspended locations before the bolts of energy started to 'sharpen' into lengthy spears of raw charge. Muttering to himself, he finished the incantation before gripping his own palms to ball his hands into fists, the crackling spears growing ever more volatile before he spread his stance. The undead wizard pulled one first back while he swiped his right hand across his left's wrist, his index and middle fingers lancing out as the five spears of lightning launched toward the spider!

 

[joshuadim]

The thunderous cacophony of black powder caused Gsera to double over and cover her eyes, gritting her teeth in the moments following as she awaited something else of occur. But a deathly silence following that allowed her to look above. She wondered whether or not it was truly over, that the fighting was done with. But then, she heard it again; the spider's voice rattled in her mind once more but almost like a whisper. A faint voice one might hear in someone's last, terrified moments in its volume.

"FOOD..."​

It was still alive, much to the surprise of the ddraig as she saw it was barely standing now. Ripped apart and torn asunder by the volley of gunfire, yet it remained defiant against death to the very end. Yet, despite for all its horrors: all that it had done to people she had known, and to herself... she still felt pity. Violent or not, it was a creature of the land. A type that she never had a fondness for, but still was a part of the world. In wordless expression she felt the pain that it felt as she grimaced, standing on her own two legs again and took a step forward. She had to help put it out of its misery once and for all.

The druid took a deep breath as she began to motion her hands to the sky.

"Tormáin na spéartha
Criosanna an domha..."

She chanted in Sótiran, calling upon the magic of storms that the Fir Bolg had passed to her. The skies above rumbled and coalesced, heeding her call to attack.

"Anord ó scamall dorcha
Neart na sean caoineadh osha..."

With hands as if she was grasping towards the heavens, she twirled them about to grow in power. Her gaze went from the clouds above towards the beast below, her determined resolve unwavering as she looks upon a dying soul.

"Tagann stoirmeacha amacht,
Lig do rage dúiseacht!"

She threw her hands in a downwards motion, bringing about a bolt of powerful lightning upon the dying beast to try to bring eternal peace to them.

 

[Taigakitt]

Once arrived back at the spider, it was chaos. Chi’sa had slipped off the horse and had grabbed a slingshot she happened to find in the caravan of the group she brought over.

Testing it in her hand, she had tried to help. For her family! Even if she was terrified.

She missed.

Then there was a volley of something she didn’t understand, whatever it was.

A whimper and she briefly wrestled her feelings.

Her eyes melted to her full gold.

Her hands quivered, the slingshot dropping from her hands.

The heat roiled in her belly and there was no stopping it, no matter how much she swallowed.

There was no more swallowing her fear and anger and sorrow.

The fire spilled from her lips, aimed at the spider.

Arjumand's Fury!

 

[The Prophet]

• Mihret Vivar || Knight of St. Friedwart

• 
  
  
  
  Directly Interacting With:
  Elenion Aura
  
  Indirectly Interacting With:
  The Company
  

  ~ Spider Battle ~
  ~ Midday || ~12:00pm ~
  
  Kneel Before The Crown || Mihret's CS File

  
  
  
  Severing the leg was easier than he had thought, though the blood now soaking his armor's furwould be quick the hassle to clean. Idly he cast his gaze downward twowards his now heavily bloodied blade, the Entariushan inscription somehow stark agains't the monster's ichor. An old saying of his family, dedicated to Gaia and their home's cold climate. He made no motion to think he important enough for Gaia's grace, but it did give them some further resolution to prove himself so. He moved out of the way of the spider's leg whipping past for Oliver, the latter using a brilliant move to out-do the beast. If they weren't in the middle of a fight, he was tempted to give some sembnlance of praise. But this was a battle, one with lives on the line. Instead, he offered a simple nod. As the dirt kicked up yet again, Mihret ran outwards, dodging stray steps and making his way back towards his polearm.
  
  Cracks of smoke thunder came from the side, it seemed yet another group had arrived, this time people accompanying a detachment of soldiers with.. muskets? Any time spent wondering what they were foing out here wasn't effective use of time. Nontheless their attacks were frighteningly effective. It almost made his sword feel heavy in it's limited nature. ".." well, he wasn't going to be useless. And despite the gunfire, the monster had forgotten to die. And now that the they needed to reload, there was no fear of a stray bullet piercing his armor.
  
  Charging the beast with the others felt climactic, it would be quite the story in years to come. Weave left, Dodge right, His goal was deeper. The beast was reeling, and Gaia could be watching. He figured that another leg would cause the spider to fall long enough to target the head, so that would be his target. Upon them now, Mihret struck with religous fury, cleaving at a front leg before spinning to hopefully slash at the head once it lowered enough.
  
  "Bedenke, dass du sterben musst."
  
  
  
  Battle Notes [TLDR]: after giving space for the musket fire, Mihret joins the others in making a final push at killing the giant spider.
  
  

 

[Vexumin]

Before the volley had come, Nora had still been clinging to the rope, hanging below the spider. She could only hang there as the spider had begun thrashing about in something akin to desperation. After the poison and the rest of the assailing blows, it was in its final moments, clearly. However, that only meant that lowering to the ground know might see her skewered by all the rapidly moving legs.

She could understand it at the very least. Trying with all it could to find a means of survival. Perhaps even victory.

That was not to be though. And she believed that especially as the riflemen made their approach. So many weapons... all aimed right at her. She hadn't left the beast yet! Were they just going to fire while she was dangling there. Were they mistaking her for a piece of this wounded beast? Could they not see her in the shade beneath this spider?

"W-Wait! Don't shoot!"

She tried to yell that, but it was drowned out by the roaring impacts of the beasts legs against the ground. She watched as rifles were leveled towards the beast. Towards her. Her eyes were wide with fear. She looked around. There wasn't any time to try and grab their attention again. Pointless. She watched as one of the legs neared her and she kicked off of it. She swing past other thrashing legs and leapt for it. The second she touched the ground, she curled up against it, trying to get as flat as possible. Then there was thunder. Or the thunder of dozens of rounds being fired.

The blows seemed to stun the creature for the time being, but it was still alive. She could only stare up at it, shocked that it still stood. She rose from the ditch she had thrown herself into to avoid the volley. There was dirt all over her. For such a sudden and brief moment of time, the intensity of it showed itself upon her clothing. She kept her head down as she ran past the riflemen. Towards the caravans.

She had been more than prepared to possibly die from the beast. She was ready for that. But what she was not ready for was to be killed by being shot full of holes. Her eyes turn wary as she slowly backed off towards the wagons. She was tired, but she didn't want to turn her attention away from the loud weaponry. Almost as if she was afraid they would turn the weapons upon her. That wouldn't happen though, right?

Well... it could happen. She has met and had to deal with individuals who believed the death of a Cambion was nothing to be mourned. Still, she didn't have or know how to utilize such weaponry. So it had her a bit worried. A bit afraid.

 

[BriiAngelic]

Collab B/W Brii & Mook [Ahanu & Pandora]

Future Guardian

The air filled with smoke as a hundred muskets rained fire upon their enemy. Ahanu was grateful for the distance she held from the beast below. Nimki startled for a moment before she could guide him up and away from the mess below. She recognized that with the grievous wounds it held only pure adrenaline was keeping this thing up.

“That beast, it will not live long even if it were to escape. Best put it out of its misery now. What cruel weaponry the east has formed.”

Watching the muskets fire Pandora gawked. She had heard of such weapons but due to their relative rarity, she never had a chance to see them actually function. “Well, that was truly something.” Pandora muttered. With the large illusion of the spider having formed she turned herself away from having off the flying mount and managed to right herself.

“Once all is said and done, I think that would honestly taste really well. I think we might start cooking it now. What do you say?” Pandora chided out. Turning her eyes back towards the spider she put her hand out and let the illusion fall, turning her attention instead to immolation. “If we pre-cook it, I think it'll taste better.” she continued on, beginning to laugh. Raising the temperature, Pandora attempted to catch the creature on fire, though considering the size she tried to focus on the abdomen in specific, looking to boil the blood seeping from its many wounds.

“Charred over fire, yes that would taste rather good. Though you’ll want more fire than that. Let’s get that thing down for the count before we start meal preparation.”

Ahanu brought her bow back into her hands as she let loose another arrow with all of her strength. From this high up she would be unable to keep an eye on Kwahn, with the lashing of the spider below it was clear the beast was on its last legs.

“Let’s dismount. If we want to collect we’ll need to be collecting some spoil of war as proof.”

“Yes, once it's dead of course.” Pandora replied.
​

​

​

 

[SilverFlight]

Tate & Olivier

Tate watched Nora with his heart in his throat. She executed each step with such skill he felt a pang of jealousy.
I’ll bet Olivier wouldn’t leave me with the wagons if I could do that…
When the blade finally made its way deep into the book lung Tate leapt for joy, punching the air.

“She did it! She did it!!”

The spider thrashed about under the emboldened attacks, then it lashed back; Tate saw the leg come down, straight for Olivier.
Tate gasped, but the prince managed to deflect the blow and get away unharmed.

That was it, he wasn’t going to stand here anymore. He could help!
Tate started off at a jog, waving and calling out to his friend.
“Olivier! Are you all right?”

“J'en ai marre.” With a flourish, Olivier flicked a bit of ichor from the tip of his blade. “Ze beast still lives.”

“I’m fine, now tell me where to cut,” Sparing Tate a quick glance to ensure that he too was fine—which he seemed to be, more or less, despite the twigs and clods of dirt in his hair—Olivier quickly returned his attention to the fading monster.

“It won’t be alive for long. That woman there, Nora, she poisoned it.”
Tate turned his worried gaze back on the beast. Its time may be limited now, but even dying the creature put up a terrifying fight.
Tate thought quickly.

“There is a weak point reachable from the ground, but It’s very risky Olivier, you’ll need to strike at the base of the feet without being crushed. There is a crevice between two chitinous plates that make up most of the armour there. The organs hidden within are used for sensing mechanical vibrations. I imagine putting your sword through one would cause it no small amount of pain, while also making it blind to movements it cannot directly see.”

Tate gave his friend an uncomfortable look. “Hit enough of them, and you might hobble the creature to the point that it could spare some lives…but I’d really rather you didn’t risk your own in such a way...”
He knew what effect his words would have–which was none at all–but Tate also knew that even without diving straight for the tree-sized feet of the beast, they weren’t much safer fighting it any other way.

“Just, be careful.”

“On it.”

Olivier spared his friend a curt nod before dashing toward the belly of the beast. Sliding beneath a flailing limb, Olivier retook his ground—and his duelist’s stance—as he came upon the creature’s undefended belly from below.

Taking a mere moment to connect Tate’s description to the alien anatomy before him, Olivier unleashed a flurry of stabs at the creature’s weakpoint, each one precise, each one lethal.

As he sensed the beast begin to buckle above him, he dove, skidding through dirt and underbrush before wheeling about on his knee to watch the end.

Tate forced himself to breathe. As Olivier dove at the enemy, armed with the knowledge Tate had given him, the young alchemist ran for a second leg, taking out an ice blue vial. He watched the gigantic foot come down, and was nearly knocked off balance as it collided with the earth. He shielded his face from flying debris. Once down, Tate leapt on the enormous leg, tipping the open vial directly into the small gap in the spider's armour. With luck, it would freeze the sensory organ solid, and further blind the monster.

joshuadim

mentions: Vexumin

Spoiler: Base text for mobile peeps

Tate watched Nora with his heart in his throat. She executed each step with such skill he felt a pang of jealousy.
I’ll bet Olivier wouldn’t leave me with the wagons if I could do that…
When the blade finally made its way deep into the book lung Tate leapt for joy, punching the air.

“She did it! She did it!!”

The spider thrashed about under the emboldened attacks, then it lashed back; Tate saw the leg come down, straight for Olivier.
Tate gasped, but the prince managed to deflect the blow and get away unharmed.

That was it, he wasn’t going to stand here anymore. He could help!
Tate started off at a jog, waving and calling out to his friend.
“Olivier! Are you all right?”

“J'en ai marre.” With a flourish, Olivier flicked a bit of ichor from the tip of his blade. “Ze beast still lives.”

“I’m fine, now tell me where to cut,” Sparing Tate a quick glance to ensure that he too was fine—which he seemed to be, more or less, despite the twigs and clods of dirt in his hair—Olivier quickly returned his attention to the fading monster.

“It won’t be alive for long. That woman there, Nora, she poisoned it.”
Tate turned his worried gaze back on the beast. Its time may be limited now, but even dying the creature put up a terrifying fight.
Tate thought quickly.

“There is a weak point reachable from the ground, but It’s very risky Olivier, you’ll need to strike at the base of the feet without being crushed. There is a crevice between two chitinous plates that make up most of the armour there. The organs hidden within are used for sensing mechanical vibrations. I imagine putting your sword through one would cause it no small amount of pain, while also making it blind to movements it cannot directly see.”

Tate gave his friend an uncomfortable look. “Hit enough of them, and you might hobble the creature to the point that it could spare some lives…but I’d really rather you didn’t risk your own in such a way...”
He knew what effect his words would have–which was none at all–but Tate also knew that even without diving straight for the tree-sized feet of the beast, they weren’t much safer fighting it any other way.

“Just, be careful.”

“On it.”

Olivier spared his friend a curt nod before dashing toward the belly of the beast. Sliding beneath a flailing limb, Olivier retook his ground—and his duelist’s stance—as he came upon the creature’s undefended belly from below.

Taking a mere moment to connect Tate’s description to the alien anatomy before him, Olivier unleashed a flurry of stabs at the creature’s weakpoint, each one precise, each one lethal.

As he sensed the beast begin to buckle above him, he dove, skidding through dirt and underbrush before wheeling about on his knee to watch the end.

Tate forced himself to breathe. As Olivier dove at the enemy, armed with the knowledge Tate had given him, the young alchemist ran for a second leg, taking out an ice blue vial. He watched the gigantic foot come down, and was nearly knocked off balance as it collided with the earth. He shielded his face from flying debris. Once down, Tate leapt on the enormous leg, tipping the open vial directly into the small gap in the spider's armour. With luck, it would freeze the sensory organ solid, and further blind the monster.

 

[joshuadim]

​

Pepin brought a small horn to his lips and blew through it, releasing a loud cry into the air heard by all. A signal to all to begin their attack as a flurry of yells arose from the company to meet the call as they charged forward or attacked from afar. Joined by the Eranoirians, the Uhlanders, and the newcomers, it culminated in a tide of steel, arrows, and magic to wash over the beast to put an end to it once and for all. Seeing the beast in its current state after their volley fire, the Uhlanders drew swords to charge rather than take the time to reload. They were intent on being a part of this rather than viewing from afar. Spears, swords, daggers, and all manner of weapon alike stabbed into the beast without stop, many of which gashed into the spider’s weakened chitin and carving out chunks of its flesh. Sentry and Waylond were among those in the melee as they dodged a spider’s leg and in unison swung at its exposed joint to sever one of the beast’s remaining limbs, spilling ichor onto the ground and their blades.

Mihret too led the melee, setting an example for Olivier’s Eranoirians to follow as he chopped off another pedipalp from the spider’s front. Gwenaël and his men pushed forward to deliver their own devastating blows resulting in another of the beast’s limbs being crippled. By now, the spider was incapable of holding its own weight and so it collapsed to the ground. Olivier took the initiative to deliver a flurry of precise strikes from his rapier that dug in between the various wounds and openings available to him, ichor spraying out onto his weapon and armor as a result. Yet it remained thrashing and dangerous as a cornered animal was, trying desperately to fend off the violence. Devereaux would loose his shot again, taking out another of the spider’s eyes with yet another masterful blow, which inspired the company archers to fire themselves. Many of their arrows jutted themselves into the spider’s flesh and armor to devastating effect as their arrowheads dug deep into the creature’s body. Another hiss rumbled in the air as the spider continued to lose its grasp on its own life, though it was a pitiful one compared to the ones it had let out before as Ahanu’s arrow struck another eye, leaving it with barely any remaining.

Gawain’s attack then came forward, with spears of lightning coming forth from his hands that struck at the beast with a primal ferocity. The heat from the blasts caused chitin to melt, further eroding what little remained of the spider’s natural defenses. The company’s wizards and mages attack as well, following the bone-faced man’s example as they let loose their magic upon the beast as well with varying effects further damaging it. Tatum’s own alchemy worked well in tangent with them as his vial froze one of the remaining spider’s legs from the inside. Frost formed visibly on the outside until the pressure of the spider attempting to use it caused it to shatter entirely. Smalls flecks and shards of ice flew out to patter the young alchemist’s face to signal his success. The amount of magic caused many of the attackers from below to retreat back and watch the spectacle as fire, ice, and magical spells of all kinds danced across the spider’s surfaces to grievous effect. Pandora’s attack as well caused the spider’s ichor on the outside to set aflame, causing smoke to fill the air along with a putrid burnt aroma to take hold.

But then came the storm from above, as Gsera’s bolt of lightning from the clouds struck down with a thunderous boom that hit the spider atop its body directly. A flash of light and the subsequent explosion sent ringing through many people’s ears due to its proximity, but the spider remained alive if only just. Its pedipalps still moved to signal life, but even that little bit of strength was beginning to fade. A great silence filled the air for but a moment, until Chi’sa stepped forward. Her mind harkened back to how she saw her friends from the circus, essentially the family she had been adopted by, had been devoured by this beast. Tears welled in her eyes as she approached it, much to the dismay of Pepin as he yelled at her to get back for her safety. Yet she did not waver as the beast’s form filled her vision. Her anger, her sadness, and her fear all welled up in her heart and mind as she felt searing fire form in her chest. It traveled upwards until, at last, she let loose a bolt of dragonfire with as much fury as she could muster. The fire settled atop the creature’s head and began to melt it utterly. The spider rattled for a moment before going completely still with this final, devastating attack as its head was turned to mush.

• THE SPIDER IS DEAD! •​

• The Company has earned the trait “Monster Hunters”! Additional damage towards giant monster enemies. •​

• All Players have earned the trait “Slayers of Zwartspin”! Additional damage against anthropoid enemies. •​

The warriors at the front were stunned at this display of fire from such a small being, and once it was over with they quickly grabbed her away from the spider as to get her away from the heat. The Company let loose cheers of victory alongside the Uhlanders for having felled the beast finally, with both Chi’sa and Nora being central to their celebrations as they both were lifted into the air with a few tosses. Defeating such a creature was no small feat, and many were quick to recognize the greatness of such an event. Olivier was approached by his troops and was congratulated by them in a plentiful manner, with cheers of their own towards their liege. Gwenaël himself gave strong pats to Olivier’s back and raised his hand as an additional celebration.

Additionally, on closer inspection, one of the dvergar warriors closer to the beast inspected the smell and laughed. “Smells like cooked crab to me!” he announced to all, which brought Pandora forth to investigate closer to him as she was drawn by its aroma. Ahanu stayed close by, as she was not familiar with anyone in the area aside from her companion that she had traveled with thus far.

Dakarai led the more religious aspects of the company, including the monks, in a small prayer before moving about across the area. Those wounded or outright exhausted needed aid, and they were there to provide with bandages, washcloths, healing incantations, and additional support through their words. Maximilien, one of the surviving fighters, looked around with a grim look plastered upon his visage and shook his head. “…we lost so many today. Why are we celebrating?” he asked aloud, bewildered by the jubilation occurring around him. But he was soon answered as Conrad, a Hob fighter, walked up to him and gave a knowing smile. “They wouldn’t want us to be sad.”

Post-battle celebrations continued as the cheers settled down and turned to conversations and a flurry of various activities to deal with the aftermath. Paulin himself hurried over to Petrocles and gave him a hug as best as he could, even though his arms could not wrap around his body. This brought the attention of a few nearby who couldn’t help but smile or chuckle at such affection, despite how clueless the minotavur was about Paulin’s feelings. Amani was also the subject of attention from some in the company, whispering to others or muttering to themselves in remark to his beauty. Stephen, a fighter from Ælia, was caught staring by his compatriot Thierry as he gave him a bump on the shoulder. “It’s not polite to leer, you know?” Thierry teased, causing Stephen to walk off with sudden embarrassment.

Gawain was approached by Pepin and was greeted with a strong pat on his shoulder that rattled him a bit. “Thanks for helping lead the wizards.” Pepin said from under his mostly dour expression. Yet his voice exhibited genuine gratitude. “Really did a number on the beast, you lot.” His attention then turned towards a new development with the Uhlanders as he walked off to take a look.

Much to the surprise of Alberto, Pepin and Cecilia, the Uhlanders prepared to leave as they gathered their belongings and weapons and prepared to move out. Alberto approached them quickly, beckoning for their attention. “Wait! Will you not stay?” he then asked, “We could use your skills.”

The Uhlander commander among them shook his head solemnly. “Nein. We look for a home. Most of us do not wish to march and fight as we did before. We have our own to take care of now.” He said, referring to the refugees he and his men had traveled alongside, before looking towards his men and frowning. “But… perhaps some still have ze spark in them. I will not stop them, but they will be sorely missed.”

A few moments passed as some of the riflemen discussed among themselves in their native tongue before some stepped forward to tip their hats towards the errant knight.

• Fifteen Uhlander Riflemen join the company! •​

Alberto gave them a nod along with a hearty chuckle. “Then, we welcome you aboard.” He said to those that sought to join before returning his attention to the Uhlander commander. “And we wish you safer travels than ours.” The commander nodded before turning to his remaining men as barked at them to return back to the refugees they had been escorting. They quickly disappeared back to where they came at a steady pace, the marching of their steps growing fainter until they no longer were seen or heard.

Cecilia in the meantime approached both Ahanu and Pandora and waved towards them. “Hello, thanks for coming to help us…” she said in between breaths to calm herself down from the rush of battle. “Who are you two?”

 

[Taigakitt]

Chi’sa​

Gone.

All the energy she had left had faded away, the spice in her stomach made way to the icy pit that tended to follow.

Her knees wobbled and her small frame began to quiver, but she hadn’t dropped to the ground due to the fact that someone had snatched her up pretty quickly and away from the spider.

Was it still alive? They tried so hard…

She peeked behind the person that snatched her up to see the burnt husk that was the spider, unmoving.

Oh.

It’s dead.

The waterworks fell from her eyes as the news settled into her being.

The monster that was the cause of her family being obliterated was down.

And she was alone— no doubt after her fiery display they’d get rid of her.

The uplift to her body into the air tore her slowly-returning honey eyes away from the beast. They were tossing Nora too—

She was startled at first but realized that they were all celebrating.

The next couple tosses had her smiling as she tried wiping off her cheeks in between the tosses.

 

[Breadman]

A combined strike severed the spider's leg from it's body, bathing both the barbarian and the knight in ichor. A cleaning and shinning of the armor was a small sacrifice for slaying the beast to Waylond. He glanced and noticed it didn't seem to bother Sentry none. Instead, she was looking to find a new way to inflict damage on the spider. Blow after blow pushed it back until they heard a warning to step back for the mages to do their work. It looked like there was need for a final push until they both noticed the child had stepped forward. Before any of them could react, she bellowed out a great fireball that slew the beast. The corpse was still for a moment before it started to collapse. Through pain and exhaustion Sentry bolted and picked up Chi'sa to pull her away to safety.

A moment later the woman would place the girl down and collapse down to her knees. They did it. They killed the beast. Another monster felled and more glory won to her name. She hoped that he smiled down on her for their acts this day. Sentry let the other pick up Chi'sa to celebrate. As for her, she needed rest.

Waylond stepped towards the celebration as he took off his helm. Fortune had smiled on them this day and rightfully, at least to him, the title of spider slayer should go to the child currently being tossed up in the air. Although she probably wasn't preparing to be a monster hunter. He took a look of himself. Covered in ichor and grime. The shinning armor was strong, but lost its luster. At least for now.

"May need to clean yourself thoroughly, ser." Waylond turned around to see his squire on his horse.

"Did I not tell you to run away from the battlefield?"

"I did. But they wanted to join in." Pot pointed to some of the new arrivals aided the company. "I couldn't exactly say no, so I followed."

"A knight knows where he's needed." Waylond nodded in approval to his cousin "Come then. I recognize those banners and it would be rude if we didn't express thanks." The two moved to where Olivier was standing "Our thanks for your timely intervention, ser!" Waylond greeted the other knight.

 

[joshuadim]

Gsera remained silent after the beast was slain, as she took a moment to take in how clear her mind was now without the creature's voice booming inside of it. To have unwillingly shared the beast's mind into her own had been so taxing on her mentally that it now felt as though a great weight had been lifted off of it. The druid closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to enjoy this liberation from such a presence. And she also felt at peace for the beast as she had heard how it had been consumed by an unnatural, insatiable hunger. And now that it no longer drew breath, it could no longer pass on its suffering to others.

This moment of serene jubilation was cut short however by a dull throbbing that emanated from her chest where she had been impaled not too long ago. It was a reminder that, despite the healing she received, that she was not completely whole and that she would likely need to speak with the Company's chirurgeon about this. She would also need to find a way to repair the armor that had been pierced through, but that was less of a concern than her own health and well-being. Her attention then turned towards the child that she and the others had rescued from deeper in the woods, as she approached where Chi'sa and Sentry were and gave a smile as she held a hand over where her wound had been.

"Are you alright?" the druid asked to the child with a soft smile, "This whole thing must have been very scary for you, but you're safe now!"

Taigakitt

 

[Dmaster]

Gawain lowered his hands as the giant arachnid's visage bubbled away after it had completely lost the ability to fight the company. His stance gradually straightened as he began to pat and dust off his robes while simultaneously inspecting them for damage. Fortunately his style of combat casting always kept a good distance from his foe when he could help it, and in this instance it spared him from getting splattered with viscera as Sentry and Waylond had.

Darkarai's sentiment on the company's scores of dead got him to swivel about as he took stock of their losses, grumbling under his breath. "Such a waste," he relents, turning over the idea of whether or not he should raise their dead allies as skeletal minions. It could be argued that they would serve them well if another situation like this arose, an expendable frontline capable of protecting the living members of the company. Yet by now he knew that it would be rather controversial and possibly a blow to morale if he were to do that in this instance. After all, he often justified using necromancies on horrible foes that deserved it, such as the bandits or the cultist turned into a wraith. Perhaps he should get members to sign a waiver giving him consent to raise them as dead?

Pepin touched his shoulder, rousing Gawain from his train of thought as his head swiveled to look the man over. "Eh..? Ah, er - yes, of course. It is a good thing that they are sharp thinkers, exploiting openings as I had," he answered in an effort to be genuine. In truth he was only leading in the sense that he was lobbing his various spells from the front, but he wasn't about to downplay the part he and the other wizards played in the battle.

The undead wizard started to walk alongside Pepin to take stock of the new arrivals, hands crossing over his chest as his vacant skeletal visage looked through them.