< thearchitect > Seeking assistance

[emet_sulk]

[ Attached is a picture of one of the spider nests in the Red Hills. It's from a wary distance but there are no spiders visible; only their many, many webs. The picture comes with a VOICED message: ]

I had thought to tackle this task myself, but I quite overestimated the number of arachnids here. I would like to collect some of this venom for myself in addition to what this quest asks, and for that I require some help.

[ A pause. ]

A healer would be a boon but I care not so long as you are capable.

Comments

[eightfoldfiend]

It can't? Why not?

[emet_sulk]

Apparently it goes off. Which is why the spiders must be captured alive or their venom harvested fresh.

[eightfoldfiend]

Alive? Peh

...And I was hoping for a good fight.

...Should I assume that this harvesting is why you need a healer?

[emet_sulk]

Their venom is said to be a paralytic. It would be remiss of me not to take precautions.

That said, there is no shortage of the creatures. As long as you don't completely obliterate them I doubt the locals will complain about you thinning their numbers.

[eightfoldfiend]

Hmm...

Okay. I will come, should you need a sword arm.

I can...heal. As well.

[That last part is still hard for him to accept. Of all the spell schools this world could have thrust upon him why did it have to be healing?]

[emet_sulk]

Very well. The spiders make their nest in the hills south east of the Red Spring. I shall meet you along the road. Look for a man with pearl-like 'eye' on his forehead.

-->action

[eightfoldfiend]

[It takes a bit of time before Yuber crests a nearby hill and comes walking down the path. Getting around on horse or by foot is still mostly alien to him... He wishes he could still teleport.

Yet another wonderful power that he's lost.

He's walking with his shoulders hunched, feeling sorry for himself when he sees Emet-Selch out of the corner of his eyes and lifts his gaze. It's not until he gets closer that he sees the apparent jewel in the other man's forehead.]

Hmmm...

Are you the one I'm looking for?

[emet_sulk]

That would depend on whether you are the man I'm waiting to see.

[ Such is his cryptic answer as he looks them up and down. Well, there haven't been many people coming this way, and certainly not anyone who has approached him like this. ]

You may call me Emet-Selch. And yourself?

[eightfoldfiend]

I am called Yuber.

[He looks around, up and down the path, then back at Emet-Selch.]

You asked for help with spiders. Where are they?

[He's feeling antsy after the trip and is already eager to stab something.]

[emet_sulk]

[ He turns and points to a spot in the hills where the trees seem to hang with the suggestion of gossamer threads. The crest of one hill hides the cave mouth. ]

There. They make their nest further down than can be seen from here. Remember, I do need living specimens to collect venom from.

[eightfoldfiend]

Yes.

[He rumbles.]

Gather your spiders, I will keep them from overwhelming you.

[And he starts walking in the indicated direction without waiting for a response.]

[emet_sulk]

[ Straight to business, is it? Excellent. Emet-Selch follows on their heels, drawing his gunblade in case they're surprised along the way. In short time they attract the attention of the spiders who guard the nest's outer perimeter.

Deciding to trust the man at his word, Emet-Selch wordlessly charges at the one in front. It chitters and sprays venom at him, which he avoids by sliding beneath the creature. With a grunt of effort, his blade slices into one set of legs, causing them to buckle. He rolls out of the way as the spider collapses, glancing about sharply in case another surprises him. ]

cw: mentions of murder

[eightfoldfiend]

[There is a loud chittering from the bushes and Yuber quickly wheels on the spider that creeps forward.

His previously bored expression sparks with excitement as he flicks his wrist, dropping one of his collapsible blade into his palm from his sleeve.

Spiders are not quite as satisfying as human prey, he decides, but as long as they die some of his cravings can be sated.

Before the creature can move forward much farther he thrusts outward with his sword... and watches it bounce off the carapace.]

...My sword...

[emet_sulk]

[ He hears the grating ring of metal sliding off a hard surface and pivots in time to see the man's sword bounce off the spider. Eyes widening, he immediately spins back to the spider he thought he had disabled, only to see it getting all its legs beneath it. Its unharmed legs.

The creature is not happy.

He throws himself to one side to avoid another spray of venom, tucking himself into a roll that brings him into a crouch. He ignites the ceruleum on his weapon, thanking the foresight he had to purchase ammunition for it earlier, and slashes a glowing blue X in the air before him. Unfortunately the spider skitters out of the way as he sends it flying towards them and the form scatters into aetherial blue flame against quickly dissolves. It looks like magic. ]

Just our luck that these would be immune to steel, [ he seethes. ]

[eightfoldfiend]

Damn it!

[The spider Yuber had attacked chitters angrily and spits a spray of venom towards the swordsman's face.

Yuber dances out of the way but the venom might be heading for Emet-Selch now.]

My magic won't be enough for this.

At least...not the lowly magic Avalon has saddled me with. Peh.

[emet_sulk]

[ A shout: ] What magic do you have? You should have another besides healing!

[ He reels away from the venom, getting to his feet in the same movement. Another X flashes towards the spider and this time hits its mark. It screeches as the fire scorches its outer chitin, now enraged. ]

(sorry for the wait! had family visiting) (cw: raising the dead)

[eightfoldfiend]

Tsk!

What a pain...

[Yuber balls one hand into a fist and holds it out to his side. There is a soft rattling as the scattered bones of past spider victims come together then rise up into a humanoid skeleton.]

Now, my servant, slay the beasts!

[The skeleton takes one shaky step forward then falls apart.]

no worries, I'm trying to catch up myself

[emet_sulk]

[ Another user of Death magic, is it? That skeleton had been...underwhelming.

Well. It isn't like he can do any better right now, that said. ]

Oh Zodiark, give me strength...

[ His blade flashes, swathes of blue sweeping through the air as he fends off the beasts. His familiar hops out of a swirl of dark at a whistle from him and immediately sets itself on the spiders. Earthen spires jut out suddenly from the ground, impaling a few and scattering the rest. ]

...Isolate some of them! I'll trap them in a cage. We may yet salvage this!

[eightfoldfiend]

...Yes.

[Yuber runs forward toward the spiders, striking them with the ends of his long swords. The steel bounces off the carapaces but does manage to drive a few of them back.

He continues his loop, running circles, striking, dodging venom, then running circles again like an agile, demonic herding dog, rounding a few up into a cluster.]

[emet_sulk]

[ Between them, they manage to separate a couple from the rest of the swarm. A sigil flashes in the air as he snaps his fingers and an earthen cage rolls over the isolated spiders to trap them in place. Whilst they click angrily at him from there, he attempts to instil godly fear into the rest so that they won't be tempted to interfere as they harvest their venom.

With several of their number dead, this doesn't take long. They retreat into their burrow but only as far as the shadows. Their multitude of eyes peer out of the darkness, watching the two men warily. ]

Do you know how to collect venom? It will be faster if we both do it.