《Spider Wears a Hat: Monster Evolution LitRPG》 Prologue "Eeeekkkk!" "Kill it! Kill it!" Skitter "It''s tiny, harmless little thing." "Too many legs Kill it!" "Please Kill it!" Skitter "Jeeze, Girls Alright." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Twump Skitter "AH It''s on me!" Jump-Skitter "Getitoff!" "I told you, too many legs!" "Kill it" "Getitoff!" "It''s too fast" Skitter "It''s on your hat!" "Getitoff!" "Good Idea" Snatch "No! wait that''s my..." Chuck "Bye little terror!" "...Magic Hat..."
Cling Fall Cling Fall Cling Fall Cling Fall Cling Fall Cling FLUMPH Dazed Skitter Rain Sounds Shelter Seeking Skitter Exhausted Collapse 1: Old me, and New me Warm Safe Soft, not my silk. ... My? ... New All this is new ... Legs press, lifting from the soft silk. I didn''t make this. ... I ... Confusion, why am I now I, Me and My? This is new. ... I skitter and scatter, so much silk, many webs worth, but tight. It is strange, it is not new, but new to me. ... New to Me? Everything is, these silk threads are woven tightly together. I could not make this, but someone did. ...Someone... The someone''s who were trying to squash me? Squash, end, kill... I tremble, I will stay away from them... but it looks like they dropped my new nest in a safe place... nobody has come to find it. ... Fear, I... this is new... I was before, but not like this. I did not... I was not but was. I have no thoughts from before, everything is fuzzy. Food make me feel better. ... Ok I''ll go find some food and then I w... Skitter Climb Web Lurk Catch Wrap Drag ...ill eat. AHHH I wasn''t... I stopped, I was gone... my legs were here, I left the soft silk nest and wove my web, then caught a big juicy meal... I am unsure why I dragged it back to here. But... I didn''t... I wasn''t in my body... I shudder, I don''t want to end. I think I am new. Yes, that makes sense, part of me existed earlier... I remember the others trying to squish me. They were much larger than me. But then at some point, the old part of me, and the new part of me joined. The new part is the bit that noticed, the old part... is dumb? Then why did the new part of me ''stop?'' I went to get food and when I left the new part stopped and the old part... it did it. I didn''t notice anything that happened... not until I came back to the ne... The Nest. both parts exist inside the soft woven silk nest. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Shudder I... must find out. I will go out the other side of the soft nest... but leave the half eaten... half eaten? Oh I was eating it all this time. I still hunger, so old me should return if new me is... not here. It is hard, but I step towards the edge, slowly and surely nothi... Food Oh... oh I was right... old me just came back to eat more. I shudder a little I only exist here... why... why do I exist here at all. Is it because of the big soft pink killers? The nest was on one of them, it must be. It is so strange to me, but they must have some manner of making new me''s. My memories don''t recall much safety, I almost ended many many times. I could have avoided more if I was new me. I need to keep new me, but I don''t know how. I don''t want to end, either new or old me. Eat first, then I will try to figure it out. Nom Ahhhh Delicious, let me suck up all this wondrous food. Ok, food is done... I am going to try making the nest home. If it is home, then old me will come back. Then new me can set it up and care for it. First I must make defenses. First I weave the web in the middle. This will be where I rest, and where I hide, old me saw that we got knocked into a hole, so outside the soft nest is a hard nest of stone, but just a bit away is an opening. I am worried about things coming in, my old me wants to make webs high up, but if I am careful I think I can make the soft nest work. So with a cocoon of webs forming a rest area at the top of the soft nest, I lead webs down the wall, all the way to the openings. I looked through memories, and I know the soft nest only has an opening, but it is folded over itself, so that the heavy woven webs open up more. It is too heavy to move, so I will not try. I have to make catching webs on the openings. I do one for the larges, then one for the next opening, and a final one for the third smallest opening. Third? as in three. Whaaaaaat? I put out a stand, then another, and then a third strand. Why is it called a third... why do I know it is called a third... does another have another name? Yes, yes it''s called second, and first is called first. I have others for other amounts... I am not sure what an amount is, but I know how many an amount is. The soft nest has three openings, that is a different word for third. I have put up webs on two, and I am just about to do the last. The first was called one, and two is the same as second... one more opening would be a fourth or four, I am unsure what another after that would be, but I know it is a thing. This is great, old me could never think about this... old me is gonna be good now that new me is here. We just have to be careful so new me doesn''t end. Ok, I worked hard, and need rest, but the defense webs are done, I made two for each opening just in case. Old me would not have done that before. I am really hungry, I wonder why, I just made webs, I didn''t go... oohs, I need food to make more webs. I feel a bit silly, but I will be careful, I will get food soon, I don''t need it too soon. Rest first. I climb up to my cocoon and fold my legs under me. I have more than four legs. Oh I have four on one side, and four on another. I am sure their is a word for that, but I have something at least.
Shudder Oh, that wasn''t me, what was that. Something... Oh something touched the soft nest from outside. Oh this isn''t good, that was strong enough to move it. What am I... I feel it moving around the soft nest, looking for a way inside. I shiver a little and watch... it is going around to the small third entrance. It''s big, too big, it just tried to push it''s way in, but it couldn''t fit. Now it''s moving, but slower, I can feel that it was caught by some of my webs. Ok, well, I was hungry, and I can feel it approaching the second. It is bigger than me, probably three of me could fit inside it. I hope I am not food. It is here, it moves into the first web, and with a bit of straining it breaks through. I can see it now, it''s big, with a big horn and three legs on each side. It''s seen me two and immediately charges into my third web. Oh it stops, I see, the first web it hit tangled up two legs, then the second tangled two more. All three seem like enough to catch it, go new me. Old me would be dead. It''s struggling, oh no, It just broke a few strands, I need to end it before it gets free. I jump down on top of it quickly and bite. But Ow, it has hard shell. I bite again and again, but it is too tough. Oh, it doesn''t have a shell under it, or not as thick. Wrapping a thread to the shell I quickly I leap to the side. I have to dodge it''s leg, it just got one free. I pull and pull and pull. It''s so heavy, so big. I need to tip it... Yes, it tips over. I rush around the big thing and find it''s underside. So much thinner, but still thick and hard. It takes two bites to break through. My mouth gets wet, like when I feed, and it thrashes and thrashes. OW! it fell on top of me, Ow ow ow ow ow! Each squirm is painful as it hit me again and again. I need to get free, but it''s starting to get it''s legs free. I am going to end here aren''t I. I don''t want to end. It stopped moving! Oh I did it, I ended it. I am so lucky.
Horned Beetle [0] Defeated.
For defeating a creature ten times stronger than you, you have earned the title [Slayer]
Gained 5 Attribute points Nonsapient Autoallocation begun [Error = Expected Integer not found] Intelligence is Greater than 5, auto-allocation cancelled [Error = Trait = Mindless required auto-allocation] Recursive loop detected, [Mindless] trait upgraded - > [Mindless Body]
[You have unspent points remaining.]
2: Getting Smarter Every Day What is this? Is this what I killed. What... what I see a box floating in front of me. I am unsure what it means... not that isn''t true Old me has seen this before, but it''s way more complicated. Is that a new thing that New me can do? I think I killed the [Horned Beetle]... that checks out, it has a horn. But... I think ten is a amount, like four. It was stronger than me, so I got a reward. But a bad thing happened. It had to do something to fix it. What did it do? I don''t understand what it did, but it fixed it. I have point remaining. What do I do with points. Oh! A new box came up.
Name = Level = 0 Title = [Slayer] Type = Arachnid
Family = None Class = None Home = Purple Hat Species = Common Spider
Attributes
Body Mind Social
Size 0.001 [Tiny] Ego 0 Id 1
Strength 1 Intelligence 0 [+8 Item] Charisma 0
Agility 5 Cunning 0 Empathy 0
Toughness 1 Sanity 0 Submission 0
Stamina 1 Focus 0 Vigor 0
Traits
Racial Trained General Knowledge Feats Deeds
[Arachnid Body] [General Knowledge 1] [Slayer]
[Exoskeleton] [Arachnids Knowledge]
[Mindless Body]
[Spinneret]
[Venom]
[Legs 8]
[Tiny]
Equipment
Head [Purple Hat]
Is this me? Like the Horned Beetle, I am a Common House Spider. At least I think that is it, I feel that is right, and looking at [Legs 8] the amount feels right, two fours is eight. I got that Mindless Body thing as a reward, and I have spinneret and I guess venom. I don''t know what all of this means. Oh, Intelligence, I need to see what that is... oh it just came up, Yay!
Intelligence
Innate Bonuses
0 +8 [Purple Hat]
Intelligence is a creatures capacity for thought, how much they are capable of knowing. Sometimes called Sapience, this attribute is the raw power of a beings mind. Without this a creature is a [Mindless] bug, incapable of even the smallest thoughts. With a high enough intelligence, a creature is capable of understanding anything. Average intelligence amongst civilized races is 10-12 Average Animal intelligence is 2-6
AHHHHH!!! This is new me!, quick, what is [Purple Hat] all my new me is from it.
Head [Purple Hat]
[Enchanted Purple Silk Cloche]
Bonus +8 Intelligence
This stylish hat is crafted from rare purple silk, and crafted with the great skill of a Weaver. It confers a temporary intelligence bonus to the wearer.
Oh, I don''t exist. Not really, I just exist as long as I am in the soft nest... or the [Purple Hat] I don''t know what purple is, but I am doomed... unless, what is the [Mindless Body]
Mindless Body
This trait confers immunity to all forms of mind effecting abilities. It does not protect the Mind. If the creature is under the control of a mind effecting ability, the body ignores the mind and continues using it''s normal instinctive reactions. Additionally, this trait does not automatically add attribute bonuses as [Mindless] does, allowing the Mind to add them as desired. Levels and Attributes will accrue while the Mind is controlled until the Mind is next free.
Oh Yay! I can exist, I need to put points into Intelligence. I got five, more then half my legs. I will put 2 in now, so I am like an animal whatever that is. It should let New me help Old me even outside the Hat. Then I will read more of these so I can figure out what else to do!
OWWWWW I pressed the little more symbol twice, then everything started hurting. It hurts so much, like my shell is too small, Oh gosh, no I see cracks... I gonna end, how should I know that it was a trap, Owww oh it hurts so bad. Crack Oh, that is so much better. Why did it hurt so much... and why am I covered in cracks. Oh, my skin pulls away now... is that bad? Oh no, I have a new skin underneath. Whew, was super scared... what was that, Oh I have a box.
Intelligence +2
Error Body Neuron Integer below minimum. Upgrading body, adding Trait [Brain Spider]
[Brain Spider]
This trait confers a centralized nervous system as the [Brain] trait. But due to prior body already having it''s own type of nervous system, this trait manages the new system as a secondary independent organ.
Oh... It was a good thing, but... it really hurt, please no more of that. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Ok, I''m going to just sit here and eat for a bit. Then I will look at more boxes and see what to do with last three points. Chomp Oh Yummy, the [Horned Beetle] tastes good.
Full, and I put my webs back. Three this time, just to be super safe, as well as a few hanging loops of silk, I think they would snag and catch pretty well. Oh... Think, that''s a thing I can do now. I spent ages just thinking. I didn''t even eat that much of the Beetle, so I should have tons and tons and tons of time. Let''s do some more box looking. First I want to know what the other attributes I can spend point on are. Thank you Box.
Attiribute Grid Body Attributes Mental Attributes Social Attribute What they do
Base Size Ego Id How Much you are, partially derived from other attributes.
Power Strength Intelligence Charisma The raw power attribute, capable of doing work. Usually direct in it''s use, but can be adjusted using attributes.
Solution Agility Cunning Empathy Solution attribute, finding, ability to find ways of effectively using attributes.
Durability Toughness Sanity Submission Durability attribute, represents ability to take damage. This is specialized to the category of damage.
Energy Stamina Focus Vigor The Energy Attribute, represents ability to do work. Must be replenished regularly. Most actions consume an amount.
Body Attributes represent the physical ability to do work and interact, movement, climbing. Mental Attributes represent the ability to think, to know or understand the world. Social Attributes represent the connection to other living beings, and the interactions with them.
Wow, that is a ton, I don''t really get it, but I am sure I will. I am curious about why some numbers are so different than others.
# How good is it.
0 0-5 5-10 10-15 15-20 20-25 25-50 50-75 75-100 100+ Lacks attribute or levels entirely Frail: Very bad at this, dangerously low. Weak: Below average Normal: Average Good: Above average Strong: Most creatures will never get this strong Peak: About as strong as is normally possible Beyond: Broken through the First Limit Demi-god: Broken through the Second Limit Deity: Broken through the Third Limit
I am frail, bad at everything but Intelligence. I am pretty sure that those numbers that start with 0 are smaller than one. I''ma little scared, I would be so easy to end right now, I don''t know... I need more attribute points... and I can''t waste them. Ok, well, what is the size mean. Is it why the [Horned Beetle] and the big ones were so so much bigger?
Attribute: Size
Size is a representation of how large a creature is. From the humblest [Grub] to the titanic [Dragon], all have a size. This attribute is a combined attribute, gaining a small bonus from Strength and Toughness attributes. In practice Strength Agility and Toughness are relative to a creature''s size. A creature with the same high strength will be able to move more if it is larger. It will also be less agile. Typically other attributes will be close to size, only larger or smaller if the creature is weaker in that attribute than others of it''s kind.
Size is currently affected by the [Tiny] trait. This trait reduces the effective size of a creature by multiplying it with 0.001. Spending a point on Size instead increases the Tiny Trait to [Mini], [Little], then [Small]
That is really important, I need at least one point in that, but it sounds like that makes my size jump a fair bit. Right now according to this I am much more agile than someone else my size. Is that why the [Horned Beetle] had trouble hitting me and the big ones were trivial slow? I think it is, I have eaten [Grubs] before, they are smaller than me, but not by much... so I must be almost as small as you can be. Ok, then, I think I want to keep being agile as I liked that it was easy to dodge. I''d better check some other things as well. Let''s do detailed boxes of the rest of physical.
Attribute: Strength
Strength is a creatures muscles and fitness, how much force they are capable of using. This attribute is the raw power of a beings body. Without this a creature is a immobile, incapable of even the smallest movement. With a high enough Strength, anything can be moved. Average Strength amongst civilized races is 10-12 Average Animal Strength is 1-40
Attribute: Agility
Represents the Bodies flexibility and mobility. While powered by the bodies strength, this is how capable the body is at using itself to it''s maximum capability.
Attribute: Toughness
Represents the Durability of the Body. It is depleted by physical damage, but it will return to the cap with regeneration. Current toughness is used when resisting physical conditions. Regeneration is slow unless modified, and drains stamina.
Attribute: Stamina
Represents the Energy available for all uses of the Body, both traits and skills. Using it depletes current Stamina, but it will return to the cap with regeneration. Regenerated by consuming food and resting, must use both methods of replenishment.
Ok, yes, I need these. I am sure the other score are important too, but... if I am so small I need to make sure nothing else is going to hurt me. I have 10 intelligence in the hat, and 2 outside it, so I should be able to manage. I think I can skip Agility for now, because I have so much of it, and Stamina, I can probably get away with, I have such a big food right here. I don''t know how soon I can get more points, but I should be good for a while. Ok, I am going to put 1 in Strength, and 1 in Toughness, then I wanna see how much size is changed. I might put a point into that if I am still weak, but I wanna see first.
Strength + 1 Toughness +1
Size bonus increased to .002
OWWWW! That hurt, not as bad as the [Brainspider] Trait, but is the blue box always going to be really painful? Oh... wait... everything shrunk. No, I grew, my size increased. On... is that the [Horned Beetle] It''s... I must be twice as big as before. I might need food sooner than I though. At my new size I can just barely get through the smallest hole. I don''t want to grow too fast, that be just dangerous. It didn''t add much to my size at least, I think if I put a point in I would grow an bunch more. I''m going to save my last point for now. Ok, I move a but faster now, my legs are longer, but also I feel lighter. I would say I am a little more clumsy, maybe because my size went up but my agility did not. I can still really move, so I think that''s ok. I will try to spend points in Agility in the future. Despite the pain, I am feeling pretty good. I am a little hungry again, I''ll eat just a little more and have a rest. Then... I don''t want to do this, but I think I need to find out what Intelligence 2 is like.
Ok, Here we go, I rested, and ended up eating almost half my food... I think my stamina was low. When I go out I have a few plans, I want to explore the area around the soft nest... no HAT, it''s a Hat... not sure what Purple is, but Hat is clearly a thing that... that was on top of the big creatures head. Anyways, I want to set some webs to catch more food, and try to figure out if any threats are around. 3: Dumb Again
Unequipped [Purple Hat]
Entering [Mnoko Deepmarsh]
[Swamp] [Un-Civilized] [Natural] [Haunted]
Dumb Better in Hat Need Food Make Web Make Web Make Web Make Web Make Web Capture Make Web Make Web Make Memory? Move around Move around DANGER! DANGER! RUN! RUN! HIDE! MAKE WEB! CAUGHT! FIGHT! RUN! HIDE! Safe. Sneak. Sneak. Find Web Follow Web Capture Capture Need Food, Need Rest Happy, Go back to hat
Equipped [Purple Hat]
That was bad... not as back as the first time, but I''m shivering. I don''t Like being that dumb But I need to check my stats before I can spend that last point. What if I find an attribute that is even more important, and I have spent my last point. Ok, so I''ll have to look through my memories of all that. I desperately need food and a rest, almost all my stamina is gone. Good news, I caught two little grubs and a larger bug, all of them are still alive, but wrapped up nicely in cocoons. Let me hand them here for now. Just give them a little venom to make them quiet for now. They''ll be ready to eat in a little. Ok, let''s see what Old me was up to... Alright, I take a sip of the [Horned Beetle] and clamber back into my nest. Dumb Oh, well I clearly know I am dumber with 2 Intelligence. I immediately collapsed on the ground outside the hat and started reeling. I am not a happy spider right now, it looks like I even considered going back inside. Well, while I suffer I will focus on... better things. We got two blue boxes upon exiting the Hat. The first of which was just informing Old me of it... and the other. I guess that is where I am. I have no idea what that means, but the words below are giving me feelings. I like them, and feel they are good... except the [Haunted] one. I don''t like that, it makes me shiver in the same way the growing pain does. What Old me is seeing is a rock first, it looks like the Hat was knocked into a crack in the rock. I see dirt and mud in here, and a bit of green... plants... Why do I know this, ah I think this is the [General Knowledge 1] trait working. It is pretty basic, but when I look at something I know that that is long grass and dirt, and over there is an old willow tree... not dead but not very healthy. It seems more like I know, though my memories are far simpler than this. Thank you, knowing stuff is nice. It seems like this whole place is very wet, very big puddles almost everywhere, and almost all the long grass and trees are emerging from it. A very large rock rises above where my Hat is hiding, it''s bigger than the tree, and has many cracks. Ohhhh, it''s a Cliff. It seems to go quite far, but kinda juts out, so most of the area is the [Marsh] I can see some food, it isn''t here, but some small bugs are flying through the long grass. Great, so Old me probably set traps in there. We''ll get some of that when I. I have to go back out, I find that unpleasant, but I will have to do it. We managed once, another hunting trip can be done later. Better in Hat Ah Old me is sad, and I think Old is thinking about going back in. We didn''t, but I feel for you, don''t worry, you got smarter. Need Food Ok, that was a long time to stare at the hat, next time I will have to make sure I am hungry first. Here we go, Old me went and... good, found a grub, not as nice a taste, but it will do. So let''s see, this is a pretty defensible spot, and it will be pretty simple to put some webs here. Make Web Alright, that is less good, Old me is very dumb, and that web is just... no, that will make it difficult for us. Nooooo please can you... Make Web Ok, very dumb, well we can manage, I have to make a plan before next going out. Half of this web is wasted, the defenses are awful, and trivial to avoid. Make Web Yep, so much waste. Make Web Make Web Wow, we are almost half finished our Stamina, Web is expensive. I defiantly saw a dangerous memory, I should not have gone out into dangerous places while this low. How did I even manage, Oh... Oh, what is that. It looks like... brown, sludge, it''s a creatures waste. Oh, [grubs], that explains things. I am seeing five, no six, and they are just squirming around slowly. Ah, old me just grabbed one and bit it... and another, great that is how I had energy. These are a bit less tasty, but it will do. No boxes, so maybe they don''t count because they are so small and helpless. Capture All but two eaten, so that should give old me the energy for the rest of this trip. They tried to run, well squirm, but they just can''t go fast enough. The last two... yep, I am wrapping them up for New me. Thanks Old me, keeping some in reserve will be useful. I will probably finish the [Horned Beetle] soon, so a few [Grubs] wrapped up could be useful. But what is the last bug, I must have caught it later. Make Web Alright, I see I have covered the waste in some webs, that must be an instinct, it should catch us some [Grubs] though, so useful to know. Make Memory? Oh, here we go, so Intelligence 2 is enough to follow my plans. Instead of coming back we are heading out away from the [Hat]. The willow tree, that makes sense, we can climb up and have a good look around. Alright, well I will take in the area so my brain-lacking old self doesn''t have worry. It seems like we are on a small fairly dry stretch of the marsh, pressed up against a cliff. I can see the [Purple Hat] from here, tucked into the crevasse I came out of, but the entrances and my web are still hidden. Tall grass fills the area, but close to the cliffs we seem to be on a bit of a rise, and until we move deeper into the Marsh I can see pretty far. Dominating the area seems to be the Willow, the closest tree to me. The cliff tucks around it, and it''s leaves provide shade to this area. Beyond it I can see several other trees, but they are quite far away. It''s dark, and humid, the roots of the tree pressing into the wet marsh. While the long grass covers nearly everything I can see where it is partially submerged. This place is very wet, even the dry land beneath my legs has significant give, and I suspect it wouldn''t hold something heavy, even the twigs and sticks scattered around are half buried in the grass. The sweet scent of rot is around us, the grass is half dead, and is growing on the remains of long dead grass,. Move around It is a while before we reach anything of note, one of the sticks I had noted earlier. I had assumed were twigs, but closer inspection reveals that this one at least is the remains of creatures. Decayed meat sticks to the bones, too small or far gone for even scavengers. It looks like it died a long time ago. Long before I gained my [Purple Hat] at least. But it is empty, not even bugs gnawing on the remains so Old me pressed on-wards. Move around I am unsure how long until Old me reaches the Willow. It seemed so close, but in truth I think that is because it dwarfs my sense of scale. It just keeps going in every direction from where I stand at the end of the furthest root. This place is massive, but Old me barely notices, unable to understand how big this is. Now I''m closer to the Willow I can really see how old it is. I am unsure if it''s still alive, the hanging fronds seem dry, and many of the leaves are brown. [General Knowledge 1] is speaking to me and saying that it''s not good. Brown means unhealthy for plants... but it''s huuuuuge, I am unsure what could cause something like this to get sick... and ending it? I don''t think it''s possible to end something this big. Oh, the bark has several fairly large grooves in it, and I think I see a... yes, those are teethmarks, someone big gnawed on the tree... I shudder, but thankfully, something that large would have no use for me, I wouldn''t be food. Old me doesn''t notice, and just trundles up one of the roots. The bark is in tatters in some places, but most of the tree is normal, and it makes for easy climbing. Oh, if we look down the root we are on, it looks like someone dug a hole under the Willow. It seems pretty large, twice the size of my little crevasse, and like six times the height. Come to think of it, I had seen a few things in the area that could be caves like this, dark spots that could go deeper. A couple in the pond a little down the cliff from my [Hat], a couple others around the Willow, and a few other dotting the dryer parts of the cliff. I''ll investigate later. Oh, we finally stumble across another bug, it''s a little larger than us, another spider I think... [General Knowledge 1] Says it''s not the same as me, but it is a spider. I also don''t think it''s food, it just doesn''t... feel like food, the same way the bones I found earlier didn''t. Old me agrees, and skitters alongside the other... we made a friend! Well not really, it doesn''t seem to notice us, and Old me doesn''t notice it. Wait... what is a Friend, Oh, right, the social attributes were for communicating with other creatures. Well those were as low as my mental attributes, so I guess that will be something for another time. I''ll look them up later, but I doubt 1 attribute will make a huge difference. Big sound, like a thump, then another, something is moving inside the den. I don''t know... what is that, I see movement, but [General Knowledge 1] is silent. DANGER! I FEEL IT! Oh no, I can feel old me and the other spider cowering. The thing moved out of the cave, it''s not that big, but way way way bigger than me. I doubt it notice us, but something is making my legs twitch and curl up. The other spider is a little closer to the cave, and is visibly twitching, it looks horrifying. What is it, it looks... it has four limbs, and a grey carapace, no, hide, I don''t see any cracks, and it''s missing huge chunks. It looks like a ended creature, something that should be in the middle of being eaten... but it''s moving, moving like a big creature should, slow and ponderous. It looks wrong, and as it leaves the cave everything starts to look wrong. Everything looks blurry, I don''t understand, and Old me certainly didn''t. I am so scared even though I am remembering my old self''s memories. The creatures eyes pass over us, it doesn''t care, we are so small I don''t think it noticed... it also seems to be missing an eye. The wrongness seems to be growing, growing, growing, everything is wrong, I don''t know why. The other spider twitches again, violently this time, then goes limp, seven of it''s legs letting go of the willow and it hands just a little way away from me. Wait, [General Knowledge 1] says that the other spider ended, and and, the big scary creature is ended. Oh Oh no, I put a point into toughness, the other spider didn''t... it got ended. Sorry Friend! DANGER! WHAT! The other spider just twitched again. It''s flailing, trying to grab the tree. Old me felt fear, it doesn''t move right anymore. I think it''s still ended. How, how are these things that ended still moving. It grabs hold of the willow with a leg, but the third... it just broke it''s third leg, and it hasn''t noticed. What what what what whaat what what whaaaat? Four grabs hold, and so does five, but three is just smashing around. The big scary ended creature still hasn''t noticed us but the ended spider has, it turns and snaps it''s jaws at me. It''s last legs are just finding purchase on the wood now. RUN! I agree, Run Old me! It''s like someone let me go, all eight legs start climbing away furiously as I dash. The ended spider almost looks surprised, and flails as it tries to grab on with it''s last legs. I need to get away, and Old me is very much ready to run. The scary ended creature does not move closer, and as we gain distance the world seems to look less wrong, but... but... the ended spider manages to grab hold, and make chase... it''s not doing as good a job as when it was un-ended, but it is making progress, and it''s legs are significantly longer than my own. How did we get out of this? RUN! Old me doesn''t hesitate for even a moment, running and running and running. Soon we are halfway back down the Willow, the titanic ended creature much smaller and further away. The ended spider however is still after us. I am glad the un-ended did not chase us, as the only reason it has not caught us is because it was ended. It has two bad legs, although only the third is missing at the second joint, and it staggers with every step, but it takes half as many with those long long legs. It''s going to catch us, but... the grass is just ahead, and it will be harder to find us if we get down. Oh, another ended creature, with still a little flesh. It has [Grubs] squirming on it, but it''s big, big enough at least. And it''s in the grass not far from the base of the tree. I think old me has seen it as it... HIDE! ...is making it''s way... I was right, I just felt the memory. Old me run through the grass, trying to lose vision on the... it did it, if we can''t see it then it can''t... Old me jumps onto the ended creature, the yummy bits are missing, pulled out by some creature, we crawl inside, ignoring the [Grubs] that we have to squirm past. Ok, we are inside, the area in here is pretty big, but it would have to crawl through... let''s just peek out for a moment. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. It''s here. Oh, it just ran into the ended creature and... lost an eye. That must be painful but it doesn''t seem to care it crushed and eye. It grabbed a [Grub] and bit into it. Ok, we should have a while as it eats... WHAT! it just discarded the [Grub] not even wrapping it for later... it just, it ends the food instead of capture, and is now ending another. It isn''t stopping, it is just ending and ending and ending. It''s so wrong. MAKE WEB! Oh, good instinct probably because Old me''s dumb little mind is remembering the defense we set up on that [Horned Beetle] We work furiously, spinning and spinning as we set up a quick web at the exit. We can''t see it, but we hear it as it ends and ends. Ok, this should work, it should be able to... CAUGHT! OWW, it just stabbed me... Oh shoot, Old is dumb, we didn''t check for other holes. The ended spider just crawled inside and stabbed Oldme in the back with a leg. This isn''t good, it went right through my sternum. It didn''t end me, and as Old twists around the leg breaks off. I didn''t see that when I got back, so it must have been removed at some point. Old me lashes out, still holding some web. Oh lucky, I don''t think Old had noticed, but it stuck to the ended spider and gummed up it''s jaw. It tries to bite but doesn''t manage. FIGHT! Old is vicious biting the ended spider in the face immediately. It doesn''t seem to stop it, the ended spider lashing out again. It is injured though, and Old batters it with it''s legs, drawing back onto the web. We take another blow, but it just hurts. Ow, the one penetrating us really hurts, but it doesn''t stop as we lash out again, stabbing with our legs and biting and ripping as hard as we can. It isn''t trying to defend it''self, the ended spider is just pure attack. But it''s missing enough legs that it''s off balance, and one of them would be used for attacks, so it only has one to hit with, and it''s gummed up bite. OW, the bite still hurts, but it didn''t get it''s venom into us, Old takes advantage and impaled the ended spiders sternum in the same way it got us, but even as dumb as Old is it knows to push the leg deeper, and move to prevent it being broken off. Whatever happened to this spider really hampered it''s instincts. Wait, that was a really good hit, why didn''t it get ended. Old me went right in, and then moved around and made the stab deeper. Can it not be ended again? Shoot, that is not good, I don''t know how we did this. Old me is scared as well, backing up away from it. Oh, it is real dumb, it followed us onto the web, and it''s acting like a normal bug, it didn''t step on any of the non-sticky webs, and got caught it''self. Old me stabbed it again and again, both really nasty injuries. And that was a bite right into it''s eye, my venom should end it... why... why isn''t it ending. It gets another hit in, and luckily it''s just a scratch, but how did it... OH! it broke the tip of it''s leg off in the web. RUN! I agree, and Old is already in motion climbing along the wall... the inside of the body and rushing to the exit. I am so scared of this thing, it''s already pulling off the web... no, it''s pulling off the bits of it''s carapace that is attached. HOW! I couldn''t do that even if I didn''t care about the lasting injury. Ok, we got out, it''s delayed, and is missing three entire legs now, I can hear it coming, Old me is running, oh oh no, the scary Creature is approaching, we have to get away. Top speed, we need to get away, this is terrifying... and the ended spider emerged, now missing a fourth leg. Oh no, we can''t do this, but we must have... how... It still chasing, but we can do this. Ok, the grass is starting to obscure us, we just need to get far enough away... HIDE! Thank you Old me. It was catching up, but you ran inside a old piece of wood... I shudder, gosh that was terrifying. We peer outside the wood, and it looks like the scary creature noticed something, it''s turning away. The ended spider is still coming, but it looks fragile now. It makes it to the wood... and I notice that every leg is wounded, and it looks like it even damaged it''s jaw getting out of the webs earlier. Old me seems to agree. We got some distance, and it''s slower now. Old me climbs up to the roof of the wood, slow and steady, stalking it like we would stalk food. It is missing half it''s eyes... but if we climb up a little higher. Alright, Old me climbed until it was directly above it. It hasn''t noticed... ok, I see what we are doing, and we creep down behind it as it shambles forwards. With a jump we are on it''s back, and biting into it''s head just behinds it''s eyes. I feel the venom enter it. It thrashes, but I hold on, it can''t reach me here, and it can''t stop me as Old me starts stabbing it. Again and again it is stabbed. Old me is vicious, unfocused but relentless. I would have gone for the legs, and vitals, but Old me doesn''t know that, and is busy stabbing and stabbing with half of my legs. It''s ages, but the ended spider is incapable of reaching us, and is so dumb it doesn''t realize it could climb the wall and drop to the ground back first. Then it stops. I am unsure what killed it, by the time it stopped moving it had no eyes, and was missing most of it''s back. It''s leaking from all over, and has only a single intact leg... but it stops thrashing, and doesn''t move even as Old me carefully bites it''s head off. Safe. I think you might be right. Old me looks out of the wood, and sees no sign of the terror that caused all this. I can feel it''s fear as it moves slowly away from the body, limping out of the wood, pausing to pull out the leg still stabbed into our back. I can feel the wound throb, even now. Sneak. Old me is taking no chances. It enter the grass slowly, and limps towards the [Purple Hat] slowly. I think our stamina is low, and I realize the tips of my legs are cracked from the sheer number of impacts. Ow, I do not look forward to recovery. Sneak. The sun is going down, I am surprised, I though it has been a short trip, but clearly not, Old me is carefully avoiding a pair of [Horned Beetles] as it makes it''s way back, and we''ve seen many different bugs. It hurts too much to fight them, it would be different if they were caught in web. Find Web We find the web, set up ages ago... so long that I barely remembered it. Old me stumbles to it... it has several Grubs squirming along it... Old me deserves this, and starts biting them with near reckless abandon. I watch the surrounding, not that I could help, but it takes long enough I can observe the Marsh. I see a fair bit of bugs now, more in the air, and more moving. I am uncertain why, most of the area is the same, but I see something beyond the clifftop. Black clouds, surrounded by white. Curious, and they appear to rise high into the sky. It takes ages, but I enjoy my observations of the area until we are done eating. Follow Web Alright Old me is following the trail of webs I set. I don''t think it recalls where home is... but I am unsure. It manages to find the next web, then the next. Most empty, or broken, they were smaller webs, so nothing to be worried about. Capture We are close now, and this is one of the better webs, it has a bug in it, and Old me carefully moves in and starts wrapping it up. Clearly this is the one brought back, as Old me starts dragging it... and soon after finds a pair of [Grubs] in a different Web... both are bound up and it makes it''s way back. Capture Ohhhh that is a Very Large Bug. I certainly can''t lift it, but I see Old me stagger up to the web regardless. It appears to be a beetle as well... weird carapace, looks wrong, but not like the ended creatures. Old me is careful here, but the beetle is surprisingly docile, only twitching a little as it tries to break the web. It does not seem to notice Old me. A bite hurts, so Old me gives up after it is secure, and starts moving around looking through the last few webs. Need Food, Need Rest. Alright, I see Old me is headed towards the [Purple Hat] the three bugs in tow. This was a scary day, but we survived it. I am so glad I put those two points into Intelligence, I don''t think I would have survived without it. Unless I need a different attribute, I am going to make it higher. Happy, Go back to hat I see the entrance now, and I feel like we are coming to the end of my new memories. Ok, this is... this is the first time I am going to feel my mind get stronger, I wonder how it feels. Ohhhh yes, that is nice, oh that feels so much better. I shake my legs... ow, they still all hurt... my mind is back, and I feel so much better.
Intelligence > 5, Un-mute Notifications.
Wait... what?
x3 [Quest] Started [Q: Watching Willow], [Q: Stock Food], [Q: Escape!]
x12 [Grub] Captured, x10 Consumed
x1 [Un-ended Grass Spider] Ended For ending an otherwise unendable foe with a sneak attack, gain the [Ambush] trait
x1 Unknown [Un-ended] Threat avoided
x1 [Cricket] Captured
x1 [Clockwork Beetle] Captured x1 [Quest] begun [Q: Clockwork Curiousity]
x3 [Quests] Completed
Progression to Level 1 possible, no [Class Training] detected, limited options available.
Oh... that... that is a lot. Just a moment world, I have to check where the spider stabbed me. Ok, I can''t really see it, but touching it is painful. Owch, I see. I got lucky, it did break through my chitin, but it didn''t get nearly as far as I thought it did. Old me did much much better. Still that is going to hurt for a long time. According to the boxes I just have to eat and sleep to regenerate it, so I can do that. Ok, let me read this, wow, wow, and wow. I don''t know what any of this means, but I see that it recorded Old me''s entire adventure and told me once I got smart again. I like that, I hope I can set it up to do it every time, I think Old me would have gotten distracted, and probably ended. I am very scared of being ended with the scary [Un-ended] around. I really need to rest, but I have to know about a couple of things. I grab one of the grubs, and start eating, my hunger just cannot wait. I can see what is going on while I am eating. First, I need to know, what was the [Un-ended Grass Spider] I focus on that. I need to know what these scary things are.
Un-ended Grass Spider [0] Defeated
[Un-ending] [Arachnid] [Cursed] [Monoko Deepmarsh] This Spider is cursed to be [Un-ending] You do not understand what [Un-ending] is
For defeating a [Un-ending] creature with a sneak attack, you have earned [Ambush] Trait
[Ambush]
You Understand how to ambush a target, attacking while a target is unaware deals critical damage. When ambushing a creature immune to death from damage, you can end the creature.
Awww, I was hoping I could figure out the scary [Un-ending] creature. I do not have the knowledge. I am curious how I can learn that, but I have not seen a method for doing so. Well, it was worth a try, now the only other think that can''t wait until I rest is this progression. [Slayer] was a progression, so this [Class Training] must be important.
[Class Training]
A set of teaching that allow a creature to grow in specific ways. Without a [Class Training] a creature is stuck using only it''s racial class, family class, title class, or a simple class. Many classes provide starting bonuses to attributes, and some have larger bonuses. These bonuses do not stack, so if you take two classes with the same bonus, you only take the highest. Classes give additional free trait options during progression, the exception being the simple class, which offers nothing.
[Progression]
Creatures are capable of leveling up if they meet certain situation. By default the creature will gain a level in the [Simple Class], unless a [Racial Class] is available. Upon progressing in a class a creature gain all the starter attributes and one class trait. Further levels will grant a class trait or a attribute bonus beyond the base attribute increase. Class bonuses do not stack if they grant the same attribute or traits, but at each progression the creature will be able to take a level in any class it knows. It is important to note, that no class can be higher than level 100, it takes more progressions to afford high levels. A high level gains access to rare traits, but is otherwise no more powerful than a low level with the same attributes. Progression accumulates if not spent.
Available Classes
[Arachnid Class] [Family Class] = Error, no Family joined [Title: Slayer Class] [Simple Class]
Ok, well that explains a fair bit. I probably want a [Class training] before I progress... but I will look at them after my rest, it might be worth taking [Slayer] if that is good... maybe [Arachnid]. I don''t think I will touch [Simple] that sounds like it is for the dumb creatures. With that done I think I can go rest. I carefully clamber up to my resting web. I am curious to all the stuff I earned, but with all my webs out I should be ok to figure it out when I am not feeling as fragile as I currently do. The food helped, but I am scared that [Un-ending] might start moving around the area. It had moved away the last time I saw it, so with luck it won''t be back until I am ready. 4: Figureing out how to progress I feel so much better, I don''t hurt any more, my hunger is gone, and I think... I think the injury is smaller, the scratches seem a bit less bad at least. Well, before I get ahead of myself, and before anything else, let''s see what my current progression is.
Name = Level = 0 [1 Progress] Title = [Slayer] Type = Arachnid
Family = None Class = None Home = Purple Hat Species = Common Spider
Attributes
Body Mind Social
Size 0.002 [Tiny Trait] Ego 1 Id 1
Strength 2 Intelligence 2 [+8 Item] Charisma 1
Agility 5 Cunning 1 Empathy 1
Toughness 1.7 /2 Sanity 0.7 /1 Submission 1
Stamina 1 Focus 1 Vigor 1
Traits
Racial Trained General Knowledge Feats Deeds
[Arachnid Body] [General Knowledge 1] [Slayer]
[Exoskeleton] [Arachnids Knowledge] [Ambusher]
[Mindless Body]
[Brain Spider]
[Spinneret]
[Venom]
[Legs 8]
[Tiny]
Equipment
Head [Purple Hat]
Why are all the zeroes now 1? Is this because of the Brain Spider trait? Or maybe because oh, it''s because I put a point in intelligence and no longer count as [Mindless]. That is so nice, I was a little worried I would have to put a point in each of the attributes. I had eight zeros, so that is a lot just to get here. I guess most creatures start at 1. Still other than Intelligence I just have a general understanding of what the mental and social attributes are for. I think, I need to know more, at least more about the other attributes. We will start with the Mental then Social, and then see see what the other can do for me. The class I take is going to help, but best I know before I get to that. I grab my second grub, and start consuming it as I bring up the boxes.
Attribute: Ego
Ego is a representation of how large a creature mind is. From the dumbest [Bird] to the genius [Electric Mind], most creatures have a mind. The notable exception being [Mindless] Egoless creatures who are controlled entirely by their [Id]. They are incapable of reason and thinking.
Attribute: Intelligence
Intelligence is a creatures capacity for thought, how much they are capable of knowing. Sometimes called Sapience, this attribute is the raw power of a beings mind. Without this a creature is a [Mindless] bug, incapable of even the smallest thoughts. With a high enough intelligence, a creature is capable of understanding anything.
Attribute: Cunning
Represents the Edo''s flexibility and creativity. While powered by the minds intelligence, this is how capable the mind is at using itself to it''s maximum capability.
Attribute: Sanity
Represents the Durability of the Ego. It is depleted by psychological damage, but it will return to the cap with regeneration. Current sanity is used when resisting mental conditions. Regeneration is slow unless modified, and drains focus.
Attribute: Focus
Represents the Energy available for all uses of the Ego, both traits and skills. Using it depletes current Focus, but it will return to the cap with regeneration. Regenerated by resting and avoiding sources of stress.
Those descriptions are very similar to the ones for the Body. I guess they are similar then, just mental instead of physical. I still really want more Intelligence, but I could take a little Cunning.I note that Sanity is not full, just like Body. Is that because of the scary [Un-ended] and the thing it did to end the other [Grass Spider]? I really want decent attributes in all the durability then. I could have been ended if this was the case. I finish up my grub, and shiver once more. I am lucky that everything has been frail so far, because if most creatures have 5-10 then a single hit to either body or mind could end me. Still, I need the body that Old-me had, and New-me has Ego that I can certainly work on. I am sure what the social category is about, I am unsure why talking to creatures has an entire category of it''s own. It is that important? Let''s find out.
Attribute: Id
Id is a representation of how a creatures instinct and desire. From humble [Insect] to the insatiable [Tyrant], all living creatures have desire. The notable exception being some [Constructs] Id-less creatures who are without purpose until they are give commands. These are incapable of decision making and independence.
Attribute: Charisma
Charisma is a creatures capacity to impose it''s desire, as well as how much they are capable of desiring. This attribute is the raw power of a will. Without this a creature seems unimportant, incapable of even basic communication. With a high enough charisma, a creature is capable of communicating anything, and convincing other creatures to obey. It is especially used in tests of Dominance, without traits a higher Charisma usually, but not always wins Dominance, amongst creatures of the same [Status] that is.
Attribute: Empathy
Represents the Id''s flexibility and comprehension. While powered by the creatures charisma, this is how capable the creature is at using communication to it''s maximum capability.
Attribute: Submission
Represents the Durability of the Id. A creature with a higher status or certain skills and traits can give a command. A creature can choose to react by either challenging or submit to the authority. Both submitting and failing a challenge cause obedience. Submission is the capability to retain ones Id and desires during obedience. It is depleted by obedience, and is especially depleted if the command was challenged and the challenge failed. Having a higher Submission allows a creature to avoid breaking from interacting with powerful superiors, and keep from breaking if undergoing multiple obedience. Unlike other Durability, this does not innately regenerate. It can be replenished via mundane social interactions. Certain traits can also regenerate Submission.
Attribute: Vigor
Represents the Energy available for all uses of the Id, both traits and skills. Using it depletes current Vigor, but it will return to the cap with regeneration. Regenerated by resting and avoiding sources of stress.
YES! Gosh, I am so glad I am not a [Construct] That other beetle might be one, and that''s why it barely reacted to my bite. Oh it''s like it''s not a real creature. I understand now, this world is a social world, and [Mindless] was basically protecting me. At least with [Mindless Body] the worst that can happen is my mind is taken out and my body acts on my Id. I have a bit of an advantage at least. Still, Submission is quite scary, if I understand this right. I think it''s the most scary durability. A more powerful creature could make lesser creatures submit to it. I only have the 1 right now, with such a low Charisma I would break if anyone gave me a command. I need to be careful, I feel myself shaking with fear at the though someone could take control of me. I might spend my last point. I think if it was depleted I might lose all desire and be just like the [Clockwork Beetle] Ok, well... this already feel like it''s taken forever. I think we need to look at classes first and see what is available. I am definitely not going to go out of my [Hat] until I can survive a [Unended Grass Spider] With a bit of luck something will be able to help. Oh, Classes.
Available [Class Training]
[Arachnid Class] +4 Agility, +1 Id
You are a member of the Arachnid species, an insect-like species of eight legged bugs. Arachnids typically are agile, use poison, and the famous spider web, though not every Arachnid follows the typical, and everything from the humble Scorpian to the massive Titan-crab are part of this species. +1 [Arachnid Evolution], +1 [Arachnid Trait]
[Family Class] = Error, no Family joined, Processing Error Family Class availability mandatory for Sapient Creature
You grew up in a family of [Error] and were trained to join the family business. You could have gone a different way, but you showed talent as a [Error] and learned the family trade. Family class must be selected as first progression or will be removed.
[Title: Slayer Class] +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +2 Cunning, +2 Empathy
They said it wasn''t possible, and you laughed at them. Your opponent was everything, and you were nothing. Yet it is not you who was ended. In a supreme display of skill and cunning you managed to find a weakness in an insurmountable foe, and you ended them. You are well on your way along the path of violence, and people will know you. +1 Trait with [Physical Attack] Tag
[Simple Class] No Bonus
You never amounted to anything No Bonus
Oh, another Error? What... what do I do. Can this be fixed, Old me doesn''t recall a family, and I suspect they don''t count. Can I get one? Besides that, well [Slayer] looks really good, but I am not really a fighter. I got lucky a few times, but I really don''t want to be seeking out things to end. I can catch food in my web well enough. Still those attribute bonuses are really really good. [Arachnid] isn''t bad, but what is evolution, is it... I need to know more. At least [Simple] is obviously a waste of time, I can''t imagine a creature that would have to take it.
Error correction, selecting [Family Class] without an active family grants the [Adoptable] Trait
[Adoptable] You are in search of a family to call your own. You gain half the bonus of the Family Class of your choice until you are formally adopted by someone with a connected class, and then the bonus become full.
Basic Family Most often found in villages
Gatherer Works with Taking, this family is known to learn the land and the best places to gather it''s resources for themselves. Fields: Miner, Woodcutter, Basket Gathering, Herb Lore, Quarry [+6 Cunning ,+4 Stamina] +1 [Gather Trait]
Hunter Works with Ending, this family is known to track down and End creature, harvesting resources from them. Fields: Trapper, Sniper, Chaser, Ambush, Insect Gatherer [+5 Agility ,+5 Stamina] +1 [Attack Trait]
Farmer Works with Growing, this family is known to tend to a section of land, making it perfect to grow food. Fields: Crop, Pasture, Tending [+6 Stamina, +4 Cunning] +1 [Growing Trait]
Common Family Most often found in towns
Chef Works with Food, this family is know to combine food products into better tasting, and more effective foods. Fields: Meat, Grain, Nutrition, Taste [+4 Cunning, +2 Intelligence, +2 Submission] +1 [Cooking Trait]
Artisan Works with Making, this family is known to combine resources to craft useful objects. Fields: Smith, Carpenter, Weaver, Mason, Engineering, Clockwork, [+4 Intelligence, +4 Cunning, +2 Focus] +1 [Craft Trait]
Laborer Works with Strength, this family is known to use their bodies and strength to move and aid with heavy tasks Fields: Carry, Teamster, Worker, Optimize [+6 Strength, +2 Toughness, +2 Submission] +1 [Strength Trait]
Server Works with Helping, this family is known to use their skills to care for the needs of their clients Fields: Waitress, Maid, Innkeeper, Cleaning, Service [+6 Empathy, +4 Submission] +1 [Assisting Trait]
Defender Works with Protecting, this family is known to protect the community Fields: Guard, Scout, Observer, Manage [+6 Toughness, +2 Cunning, +2 Submission] +1 [Defend Trait]
Mover Works with Moving, this family is known to move cargo from one place to another, sometimes people. Fields: Driver, Carry, Teamster, Handler [+4 Agility, +4 Strength,+2 Stamina] +1 [Agility Trait]
Uncommon Family Most often found in cities
Merchant Works with Exchange, this family is known to regulate the goods, as well as tend to the exchange of goods. Fields: Trader, Shopkeep, Peddler, Manage [+4 Cunning, +2 Empathy, +2 Intelligence, +2 Charisma] +1 [Trade Trait]
Mater Work with Breeding, this family is known to use their skills to tend to a community mating needs. Fields: Matchmaker, Mating, Attraction, Egg Tending, Service, Relief [+4 Charisma, +4 Submission, +2 Empathy] +1 [Mate Trait]
Owner Works with Owning, this family is known owning and managing something, usually property or expensive equipment. Fields: Landowner, Company Owner, Rent, Manage, Lord, Criminal [+10 Charisma] +1 [Administration Trait]
Leader Works with Creatures, this family is known to lead a community, setting forth the path and leading them to a brighter future. Fields: Chief, Command, Military, Guild, Manage, Lord, Royal, Criminal [+4 Charisma, +4 Empathy, +2 Cunning] +1 [Command Trait]
Librarian Works with Knowing, this family is known for storing and sharing knowledge, preserving a communities history Fields: Teacher, Book-keeper, Observer, Manage [+4 Cunning, +2 Charisma +2 Empathy, +2 Intelligence] +1 [Knowledge Trait]
Scribe Works with Details, this family is known for using records, maintaining the details that keep the community operating Fields: Law, Administration, Optimization, Organization, Fraud [+8 Cunning, +2 Intelligence] +1 [Administration Trait]
Lender Works with Coins, this family is known to lend out Coins and other goods to allow others to prosper Fields: Banker, Rent, Book-keeper, Fraud, Teamwork [+6 Cunning, +2 Intelligence, +2 Empathy] +1 [Value Trait]
Investigator Works with Truth, this family is known to search for the truth in matter, combating crime and lies. Fields: Detective, Lawyer, Judge, Magistrate, Truth [+6 Empathy, +2 Intelligence, +2 Cunning] +1 [Truth Trait]
Soldier Works with Ending, this family is known to organize large numbers of creatures during collaborative attempts to End a creature or more. Fields: Military, Defender, Guard, Scout, Knight, Teamwork [+8 Submission, +2 Toughness] +1 [Teamwork Trait]
Rare Family Not found often, and tend to travel
Storyteller Works with Memories, this family is known for telling tales of a community past and present. Fields: Oral, Record, Perform, [+8 Charisma, +2 Empathy] +1 [Knowledge Trait]
Wizard Works with Learning, this family is known for studying and learning about the world, creating new knowledge Often wise and revered. Fields: Inventor, Researcher, Experiment, Discover [+10 Intelligence] +1 [Science trait]
Pastor Works with Minds, this family is known for caring for their communities minds and heart, often well respected. Fields: Psych, Faith, Guidance, Relief, Counseling [+6 Empathy, +2 Cunning, +2 Charisma] +1 [Community Trait]
Healer Works with Healing, this family is known for caring for their communities physical well being, often well respected The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Fields: Medicine, Surgery, Counseling [+8 Cunning, +2 Intelligence, +2 Agility] +1 [Healing Trait]
Artist Works with Thinking, this family is known for caring for their communities stress, providing outlets and insightful commentary Fields: Insight, Creativity, Sculpture, Performance, Relief [+8 Charisma, +2 Cunning] +1 [Inspiration Trait]
Illicit Family Found often, though many wish they were not
Thief Works with Stealing, this family conceals that it steals from it''s community, taking goods that were promised elsewhere. Fields: Pickpocket, Fence, Theft, Con, Sleight [5 Agility, 5 Cunning] +1 [Rogue Trait]
Liar Works with Faking, this family is known Fields: Fence, Con, Forgery, Racket, Smuggle [4 Charisma, 4 Empathy, +2 Submission] +1 [Dominance Trait]
Thug Works with Hurting, this family is known Fields: Racket, Intimidation, Pain, Blackmail [+5 Strength, +5 Charisma] +1 [Combat Trait]
Wow, I guess that fixes it, but I have toooo many choices now. Half bonus is totally worth it for most of these. Only [Slayer] give better numbers, and I think that was because it was dangerous to get. Biggest problem is I only get one, and I have to take it now. I find it interesting that so many of these are about a community. Is that what a town or a village is? Another reason why Social attributes are really really important now. If that''s the case, I think I can safely rule out most of the options that involve ending or fighting. I don''t want to fight, I do like eating, but I don''t want to be focused entirely on finding food... bugs are everywhere, it isn''t hard to catch a few. I could just skip the Family and go with [Arachnid], I know that is the path that I would have taken if it was just Old me. But, if I do that I will be just like the poor [Grass Spider] and get ended. I think I do need to take one of these, I can take [Arachnid] after my first level. Maybe [Slayer] if fighting is something I have to do. I also have to remember that class bonuses do not stack, and until I find a family, I only get half. That is still really good, the Family Class give me half of ten, while Arachnid only gives five attribute points. So almost the same, but Family will give me an extra five later... and I can pick a good one. Ok, well let''s see, what do I want in my first level. I want more Intelligence, and some more Cunning. You know what, I want Mental scores, I can take Slayer if I need Body stuff. Right now I am alone, so Social can wait until it''s starting to look like that might change. I might put that last point in Submission just in case, but I don''t need to be good at communication until I can meet other smart creatures. Chef, Artisan, Server, Merchant, Mater, Leader, Librarian, Scribe, Lender, Investigator, Storyteller, Wizard, Pastor, Healer, Artist and Liar all help strengthen mental If I am looking to have a little everywhere, then Chef, Artisan, Merchant, Mater, Leader, Librarian, Lender, Investigator, Pastor and Healer all provide bonuses in three different attributes. Some of those will just be one point, but at this point I really need the points. Some of these though, they focus on things I don''t understand. What are coins? why does that matter, and this includes property and truth. I could probably figure it out later but it sounds like it matters in a social community, so I think Lender, Investigator and... Merchant have to go. Merchant hurt, it had so many nice attributes, but I don''t think I could use a Trade trait. I think I need to cut out Social focuses stuff as well, so Mater, Leader, Storyteller, Pastor, Artist, and Liar. I am curious to why mating is a class, and leader sounded useful, but I just don''t have need of what they could get me right now. So that leaves Chef, Artisan, Librarian, and Healer... all give three bonuses (Ok Librarian gives 4) and are really Food, Make, Knowledge and Healing. So that is the big question, what do I need now. Let''s just see... I can probably do without food, and while Knowledge could be useful, it looks like I would need a library to get the most use out of it. Healing may be useful, but I do regenerate. That leaves Make. Let me have a Expanded look at that.
Artisan Works with Making, this family is known to combine resources to craft useful objects. Artisan families are the backbone of society, they take raw material and transform it into useful goods. Civilization is filled with good that had to be made. This encompasses a wide range of Artisans, from the humble [Weaver] to the skilled [Engineer], many of them sharing skills and traits with one another. Example Fields: Smith, Carpenter, Weaver, Mason, Engineering, Clockwork, [+4 Intelligence, +4 Cunning, +2 Focus] +1 [Craft Trait]
Oh, didn''t I see... Weaver, and Clockwork, I have see those terms elsewhere. The limp hard [Clockwork Beetle] outside is clockwork, and... Oh the [Purple Hat]! I thought it was made of silk just like mine. I said it was woven, but what if it was weaved... I need to see, can I make stuff like that if I take a Craft Trait?
Head [Purple Hat]
[Enchanted Purple Silk Cloche]
Bonus +8 Intelligence
This stylish hat is crafted from rare purple silk, and crafted with the great skill of a Weaver. It confers a temporary intelligence bonus to the wearer. It woven into a Cloche style hat, using special silk from a rare spider, it has been enchanted.
That is more detail than before, but YES! I can make things like this if I take Artisan. That is great, I think that does it. I already can weave silk, so I need is food, and I can start making stuff, maybe even better nets... I wound get a bit smarter as well... I got smarter after the last time I looked at the Hat, would getting more Intelligence let me know more about the Hat... would it let me do stuff with the [Clockwork Beetle]? The description of Id said Constructs have no Id of their own and will listen to me. Will it help me? I''m gonna do it. I will take [Artisan Family Class] now, and then next progression I will probably take [Arachnid Class] That should also let me put my last point in Submission... and I get a [Craft Trait]. But... but before I do, I am going to finish the [Horned Beetle] I ended.
That is better, I don''t know why I got hungry like that, does thinking take Stamina? Maybe just time passing does, it has been ages since I started poking the boxes and figuring this out. Ok, let''s get this started. Select [Artisan Family Class] for my progression please.
[Artisan Family Class Selected]
+[2]4 Intelligence +[2]4 Cunning +[1]2 Focus +1 Attribute(Level) +1 [Adoptable] +1 [Craft Trait] +3 [Starter Trait]
Attributes Unspent
1/1 Attribute(Level) 1/5 Attribute(Title)
Traits Unspent
Craft Trait Options Starter Trait Options (Pre-req)
[Craft Textile 5] (Recommended) (Racial Bonus) Crafting with Threads [Craft Metal 1] Crafting with Metal [Craft Wood 1] Crafting with Wood [Craft Stone 1] Crafting with Stone [Craft Leather 1] Crafting with Creature parts [Craft Clay 1] Crafting with Clay [Craft Tinker 1] Crafting with assorted ingredients [Knowledge Mnoko Deepmarsh 3] (Resident) Gain Knowledge of the area known as the Mnoko Deepmarsh [Wanderer] (Resident) Not from anywhere, you can live anywhere, increases ability to find useful raw materials. [EnVenom] (Racial) Can poison parts of body as preparation, Poison more potent [Spinneret 5] (Racial) (Racial Bonus) Can adjust properties of silk. [Stealth 1] (Agility) This Training boosts ability to hide from other creatures [Acrobatics 1] (Agility) This Training boosts agile movements [Climb 1] (Agility) Redundant with [Arachnid Body] [SilkWeaver 1] (Artisan) (Racial) Can weave webs and simple objects in a instant [Nimble Manipulator] (Artisan) (Agility) Can replace nimble tools with agile manipulators [Sneak Attack 1] (Slayer) Increases the damage of attacks from stealth
Sweet Grub! I get two Attributes, I though I only got the slayer one, I forgot level would give me a second point... and I get to pick four traits! That''s almost half as many as my legs. Alright, well I am sinking one of those into Submission, and the other into Sanity. That puts all my durability attributes at 2, and that is way better than Old me would probably ever get. As for traits... well, I have to take [Textile Craft 5], I get a racial bonus, and it''s crafting with threads. That gives me a good options that I can use now. The other three are a bit harder. I think I have to take [Spinneret 5] it looks like it''s getting a big bonus, my current Spinneret doesn''t even have a number. That leaves two... Shoot, [Wanderer] will help me find materials to craft that are not my silk. That seems really good, but I kinda want [Stealth 1] as well as [Silkweaver 1] and even [Nimble Manipulators] All of them are so good... [Acrobatics 1] sounds like it let me dodge even better as well, all of these sound great. I could use the [Monoko Knowledge 3]... it starts at 3, but I can probably learn that myself since I am here. I have to use my big Intelligence 12 brain to figure this out. Oh, that''s right, it didn''t hurt this time, but I feel that thinking is easier, my mind moves faster. That might be the cunning actually, but I feel good. Ok, so... let''s look at the abilities, both [Silkweaver 1], [Acrobatics 1] and [Stealth 1] have numbers on them. I think that means they progress like [Spinneret 5] has. It also means that I will probably have more options to increase them. But [Nimble Manipulator] and [Wanderer] do not. They also say that they do stuff that I don''t really have already. [Silkweaver 1] does do that too, but I don''t really need instant webs yet... so I think I will hold out until I get another Trait. Alright, let''s see my new sheet.
Name = Level = 1 Title = [Slayer] Type = Arachnid
Family = [Adoptable] Class = Artisan Home = Purple Hat Species = Common Spider
Attributes
Body Mind Social
Size 0.002 [Tiny Trait] Ego 2 Id 1
Strength 2 Intelligence 4 [+8 Item] [2] Charisma 1
Agility 5 Cunning 3 [2] Empathy 1
Toughness 1.9 /2 Sanity 2 /2 Submission 2 /2
Stamina 1 Focus 2 [1] Vigor 1
Traits
Racial Trained General Knowledge Feats Deeds
[Arachnid Body] [Craft Textile 5] [Nimble Manipulator] [General Knowledge 1] [Slayer]
[Exoskeleton] [Arachnids Knowledge] [Ambusher]
[Mindless Body] [Adoptable] [Wanderer]
[Brain Spider]
[Spinneret 5]
[Venom]
[Legs 8]
[Tiny]
Equipment
Head [Purple Hat]
Fantastic, now Old me will be at 4 Intelligence, and that is like wayyyy higher than when it was zero, halfway to when I first wore the [Purple Hat] I doubt attributes will keep coming this fast, but now at least I have something going for me. If I can get [Adopted] then I would have Six Intelligence and Five Cunning, and that''s almost average! Alright, now I''d like to check out my prized possession with 14 Intelligence, and a [Craft Textile 5] Please show me the [Enchanted Purple Silk Cloche]
Head [Purple Hat]
Craft: Superior Masterwork [Enchanted Indigo Spider Silk Cloche]
Bonus +8 Intelligence (Enchantment Capacity 8/20)
This stylish Cloche hat is crafted from rare Indigo silk from a Dreamspun Spider, and crafted with the great skill of a Master Weaver. -An amateur Enchanter has enchanted it with a temporary intelligence bonus for the wearer, the enchantment is old, amateur and very much needs to be redone, but will last 1 ####. -It has a makers mark under then buckle marking it as the creation of the ancient Master Elf weaver Laele''yaell [Fame 11]. -Cloche hats are not in Style -This Hat is damaged, and frayed, it needs mending. It''s durability is at 4.3/10 -This hat is is valuable
I love you [Enchanted Indigo Spider Silk Cloche] I will make you all better, thanks for making me smart. This does bring up an uncomfortable question... how long is a ####? I feel that it represents time, but I don''t know how much. How much time do I have until Old me is stuck at 4 intelligence. I should have spent both points in it... shoot. Well I did make myself more survivable, but I am a little worried right now. Well, I plan to go check out the [Clockwork Beetle] but before I do... let''s see what this got me. First let''s try a basic web. Yes, that was so much faster and easier, it''s like I am squirting web out instead of having to drag it out. And it makes a web real easy... not instant like [Silkweaver 1] would have done, but fast enough I could set a trap with a few moments. Now let''s see how the properties are changed... Yep [Spinerette 5] is worth it, first I can make it thick, and almost rigid if I carefully draw it out slowly. It''s no wood, but if I wove this it could probably take an impact. And I can make is super soft, and stretchy. And now it''s sticky. Nice I can''t make the [Dreamspun Silk] but I think I could replace the stitches and tidy it up. Oh interesting, I can make it very thin, and very very hard to break... I can use that I am sure, I will have to try it. Oh how about I try Indigo... No, I don''t see any changes. I wonder what that means, I feel like I did it right. Oh well, I think I am going to make some thing now... not anything complex but I will use the tough thread, and the Indigo option, make a nice wrapping to protect me. I saw that Toughness was almost back to normal, and I can barely feel the hole, but I would be safer with something tough around my Chitin. I can see how [Nimble Manipulators] works now. I could pass my silk through the holes like it was easy... It have taken ages without good old [Nimble Manipulators]. Weave Weave Weave Alright done, that should do it. I even put in holes for my legs, and a few flaps in case I need to protect my legs. Let''s see what I got so I can compare it to the amazing [Purple Hat].
Body [Armour] [Purple Sarong]
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Indigo Spider Silk Spider Full length Sarong]
Bonus +5 Toughness vs Physical damage, [Flammable] (Enchantment Capacity 0/1)
This stylish Sarong is crafted from Indigo silk Common House Spider Spider, and crafted with the skill of an amateur Weaver. -It is unenchanted, but thick and durable, it can take a few hits, but is quite [Flammable] and will combust if exposed to fire. -It is unmarked -Sarong are in Style -This Sarong in in good condition 5/5 -This Sarong is cheap
That put''s a scale on how far from Laele the Master Weaver I am. My [Purple Hat] is amazing, if I ever meet her I will have to say thank you to making New me. Now I feel protected at least, it''s tougher than I am. I am not keen on it being [Flammable] but I haven''t seen fire yet... wow, I just realized what fire is, thanks [General Knowledge 1], Alright I am going to finish off the [Horned Beetle]. I am so very hungry, Silk seems to drain my Stamina quite fast. I will have to keep that in mind and upgrade it soon. Alright food done, now it''s time to go see about that [Clockwork Beetle]. I have to admit to myself, I am terrified of leaving again, of becoming less than I am. But with all the changes I should be quite a bit safer than I was before. On top of the new defenses and my new Armour, I have much higher Intelligence, and some of my other score are ok. They arn''t something I could consider strong, but they are so much better than before. When those big creatures were swatting Old me I only survived because of Luck, it it happened to Old me now, I think I might just survive. Still, better make a simple memory for Old me to make sure they have easy instructions. Hello slightly less dumb Old me! We are going out, remember these things. -We want to examine the [Clockwork Beetle] -We want to look around and see if any other threats exist. -We want to avoid the scary [Un-ended], and if you see other scary things run or hide. -We want to grab some bugs from the nest to eat, bring them back here. -If you get scared, come back. 5: Elaborated Dumbness
Unequipped [Purple Hat]
Entering [Mnoko Deepmarsh]
[Swamp] [Un-Civilized] [Natural] [Haunted]
I am dumb Do not like Do things for New me Look at [Clockwork Beetle] Look for baddies Hide from baddies especially big [Un-ended] Bring food If scared come back. I can do that. Not as dumb as before or before before. First, [Clockwork Beetle]
Hello [Clockwork Beetle] Is not moving. Is ended? Cold, heavy, no move. Bite not hurt Leg stab not hurt Still not moving Box came up, with stuff New me will look when back Go look around.
Stay away from Willow, but peek. Sit watch, wait Wait more I see it, big, far away, dragging Dragging Swatter Creature, but smaller Not small like me Not eating See other bugs. Moving like [Un-ended] Wandering, leave now before seen.
Still Water, Cleaner than other water. Not far from [Purple Hat] This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.Not deep gets deeper. Big hole in back. See flyer land Drinking Water shifts Slitherer moved Very quick, bite bird. Swallowing Swallowing all Scary, leave now.
Far from [Purple Hat] Far from Willow. Seen bugs Seen big creatures, still small. Use Caves, come from water Not swimmers, Hoppers. Looks sick, needs food Too big, move on
Around Cliff, away from Willow Near sick hoppers. Sounds strange. Buzz? Bad Bugs! Bad Bugs! ambush Many, many bad bugs Stung stung stung, Sarong protect Bad Bug Surprised, I hit Flier, stinger. Big scary nest. Only few see, running Can''t outrun Flier Chasing me Stung, Stung, Sarong protect I safe, I wait. Stung I bite Sarong protect Almost Fly Too heavy, Hit hit hit, Venom. It get away, stung again, Sarong protect. Bite, Same trick, Stingers dumber than old old me Venom Half are poison Stung, Sarong protect Missed Bite, but leg hit hurt stinger, Last threat, two fall out of air Last attacks, Dumb bug. Maybe not, Stung and avoided bite, Sarong protects. Try New me trick. Web sticky, make super sticky. It stung, it avoid bite, not expecting throw It stung, it stuck, Sarong protect, Bite. Last one hurt, can''t sting Last one leave when next last falls. Extra job done, food got. Dragging unpleasant.
Too far, getting hungry. Eat Stinger, make web. New me make Sarong, Old me make... Old me not sure, new me will name. Put Stinger on it. Web drags Easier to drag back.
Check webs, more food. Thing heavy, but close. Thing not big enough for [Clockwork Beetle] Not worried, drag drag drag. Almost back. Hello [Purple Hat] Hello New me 6: Exploring the Limits
Equipped [Purple Hat]
Hello Old me, we certainly were busy, a bunch of food and... how damaged is the [Purple Sarong], it certainly looks damaged, I will have to review these memories carefully.
Body [Armour] [Purple Sarong]
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Indigo Spider Silk Spider Full length Sarong]
Bonus +5 Toughness vs Physical damage, [Flammable] (Enchantment Capacity 0/1)
This stylish Sarong is crafted from Indigo silk Common House Spider Spider, and crafted with the skill of an amateur Weaver. -It is unenchanted, but thick and durable, it can take a few hits, but is quite [Flammable] and will combust if exposed to fire. -It is unmarked -Sarong are in Style -This Sarong in in bad condition 2/5 -This Sarong has be hit by several strong stinger attacks, they did not penetrate. -This Sarong is cheap
Alright, we will have to fix that, it kept us alive though, I wonder what did that, I will have to check that, but let''s just drag this food all the way in and get to eating some of it while I think, I am super hungry from all of Old me''s effort. Well then, let''s go from the start. Old me takes a moment to adjust to the new intelligence. Compared to last time it''s only a few moments before Old me catches up and heads towards the [Clockwork Beetle]. It is nice to see that with the extra intelligence Old me remade my list so I could remember. The four is definitely helping here.
Alright it seems that it really is... well not ended, but inanimate. My old self poke and explores the [Clockwork Beetle], trying to move it. This doen''t work, it''s physically four or five times my size, and it''s not encased in mere Chitin. Biting it fails as well, now I am looking at it closer I can see that it''s not anything close to something I''ve seen before. The attempted impacts are making different sounds, just like the bite. Nothing is damaging it. Hm, it seems that even with 4 Intelligence my past self is smart enough to manipulate the boxes. I raided up a leg and rested it on the [Clockwork Beetle] for a moment, and brought up the box.
Construct [Mass-Produced] [Clockwork] [Insect]: Nikkolla [Clockwork Beetle] 10
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Clockwork Brass Beetle Construct]
Size:0.008 Str:10 Agi:5 Tou:20/22 Stm: 0/5 Ego:2 Int:6 Cun:6 San:10 Foc: 4/10
This clockwork beetle is crafted from brass forged by dwarves, and crafted with the skill of an average Clocksmith. -It is enchanted with intelligence by a skilled Enchanter with intelligence -It is dented from a collision, but otherwise undamaged -This [Clockwork Beetle] is cheap
Oh, that is... significantly stronger than me, and it is almost unhurt, but it''s Stamina is zero. It is just resting? I also don''t see Social stats, so I my conclusions about [Constructs] is right, I am guessing that means it doesn''t have them. It''s so tough, and it''s made with... Brass. [General Knowledge] isn''t telling me much about it, but tapping the brass did trigger a sense that it was made of metal. I guess Brass is a metal. In any case, I don''t currently have the correct craft, so I doubt I could get it to move again. Peeking at it I see deliberate cracks, and strange round objects that I seem to recall were spinning before when the [Clockwork Beetle] moved. Those memories are fuzzy now, I was just too dumb to recall every detail, but the vague sense is here. Maybe I will poke it a bit when I get some more intelligence. Seem to be the Conclusion Old me reached as well, already heading out.
Well... I am quite bored, Old me crept into the same broken tree that I killed the [Unended Grass Spider] in. It''s gone, and clearly eaten by something, with clear bitemarks, large enough that I shiver at the thought. But then Old me just sat down in the shade and started watching the Willow... it is so very very dull. I don''t understand how Old me hasn''t... done something. Am I not bored? Oh, is it because I am dumber? Well, I can''t wait any longer, I can study some boxes in the meantime, how ab... Never-mind, maybe later, something is happening... It''s here, I can feel the shudder of my Old-me as it notices the looming [Un-ending]. I feel my own shiver a little as well as it arrives, seemingly backwards. It''s dragging another large creature... one of the creatures that was swatting me, and wearing the [Purple Hat] before me. But smaller, maybe half the size. This one is missing two of it''s legs, and certainly seems ended. The scary thing has four legs, long body, and a long tail. It has fur, and several patches are different. A long muzzle, filled with teeth longer than I and two pointed ears. At least that''s what it would have, if it was in better condition. Half the fur is missing, along with the hide attached to it, a few scraps hanging around it. Several teeth are missing, as well as most of an ear, and several of the inside bits are sticking out. It''s in better shape than the ended creature it drags, but not my much. I could stand on my head more times than I could count just trying to reach it''s shoulder. It''s not eating the creature, just dragging it into the cave beneath the Willow. It''s only now my focus shifts from it that I notice the [Tiny] horde of bugs around it. A swarming multitude, maybe enough to stack until it could touch the creature. They are all [Un-ended] it only had the [Grass Spider] before, where did these come from. I watch, and see that they are slowly scattering, though they had started in a horde, following the scary creature. They aren''t moving fast, random directions... but I see some that fly, some that swim. I don''t want to be here, and I note that Old-me is already turning and quietly stalking away. I am concerned, this is not that far from my [Purple Hat] close enough that this is a threat. But they are dumb, I will have to focus on setting some very very good traps.
We reached the pond that is... well kinda between the Willow and my home. Again Old-me crawls to the side and starts watching. I did ask for this, but is mildly irritating to have to wait. I will try the boxes later, for now I try to rest, observe my Old-me''s surroundings. It''s a large, shallow body of water, I could stand fairly deep in it... and I might, it is far cleaner than the other water I have seen. It''s not far from the crack with the [Purple Hat]. It does get deeper eventually, but not for a long while, and when it does it is already deep into a small cave. I can''t see the back of it. The water is perfectly still, a small ripple occasionally disturbs it, from a fallen leaf or a animal brushing the water, but it is a bit strange. Nothing happens. Nothing happens. Nothing happens... until it does. It''s because I am so bored that I notice it so swiftly. It''s so subtle, a tiny ripple near the center of the pool. Oh it''s small, I don''t think Old-me even saw it. A [Grub] would have made less of a ripple. It was because a small bird was starting to fly low, just beginning it''s descent, and coming in to drink. I watch as it brushes the water and... Beautiful dark scales erupt from the water, and in a moment it''s over, a the bird grabbed by the maw of a great serpent. It''s uncanny to feel Old-me react after I already have, shaking from the sudden disturbance. Together we watch the... I guess ''Slitherer'' as it falls back towards the water. The bird has already met it''s end, the shock so sudden that I am trembling. It feels like it takes ages to fall, the distance the serpent came out of the water seems immense to me. Slitherer is so massive compared to me, yet it''s probably only half the size of the scary [Un-ended] it lands in a big plume of water. It''s maw opens once more as it swallows the bird whole. In that instant any creature near the water flees. I would not be worth considering food, so I just watch the slither as it slithers through the water and into the depths of the cave. I feel Old me shake from my stupor, and start departing, shaking at the sudden end of the bird. It was terrible, yet beautiful. It was sleek, with immaculate scales, a maw of truely impressive teeth, and enough speed and power that I am in awe. A true predator in it''s natural habitat, not like the un-natural [Un-ended] that lurks by the willow.
Our next destination is quite some distance. We can''t follow the cliff one way thanks to the willow and what lurks beneath, but following the cliff away from it is still an option. Crossing the wet ground and long grass isn''t hard, and I pass some more common insects and small animals. Old-me pauses to feed, enough time is passing that stamina must have begun depleting. Sometimes I feel myself shake, especially when watching predators catch prey. The slitherer certainly frightened both old and new me. The next moment of interest doesn''t come for some time. The Willow has shrunk behind us, and we are approaching the cliff again, on the other side of us the deep water of the marsh and several other trees laying just beyond. I feel a thump before I see them. Leaping over the water are a pair of large furry creatures. Old-me ducks into the long grass before they land on this side. It''s terrifying that those strong legs can push them over such a large expanse of water... Though it must not be much to them as large as they are. Still, while they lack the [Tiny] Trait, they are not large, maybe twice as wide as the serpent, but significantly shorter. I am starting to desire size, so much would be easier if I was a bit larger, though to be fair, the Slither and others would see me as food. These... hoppers, do not look as healthy, but at least they are not [Un-ended] They are missing patches of fur and are oh so thin. Two of them soar through the air, and land just a few steps from me, the impact enough to make Old-me jolt into the air. Neither notice, the feet so large they could crush me and fail to notice. Neither of us is a danger to the other, so we watch as they launch again, jolting me again as they bound towards the cliff. I notice a cave, the largest yet, that the two enter. They then stop and sit. Old-me watches for a while, they nibble on the long grass at the edge of the cave. They must consume plants. They look frail... they could end me in moments, but the both the Slitherer and the Scary could end them in half the time. I am curious to why they are here, but Old-me is not, and continues it''s long walk. I watch the two as we go, the larger seems to rest while the smaller brings more long grass to it. If they stay here they should be safe from the creatures below the Willow, but I fear they might cross the Scary soon enough... I would not like one of these to be [Un-ended] and chasing me.
It is much later as Old-me approaches the edge of the cliff. It turns and moves out of view, but it looks like it comes back much later... dry land is in the distance, the far far distance shows the winding cliff coming around the trees. This route is certainly safer than trying to squeeze between the Willow and the Scary. However it is quiet, we haven''t see a creature since the Hoppers, and I know that this memory was not quiet. Ah, here it is, a buzz fills the air, a slow droning. I am surprised when a distant part of the cliff wall opens, revealing a cleverly disguised cave. Even from here I can see that the cave splits off into many directions. I am more concerned by the sound. While we hear a buzz, the edge of hearing is filled with a low droning. Out of the cave come three bugs, slightly larger than me. They buzz as they depart, the cave concealed once more as they fly out. They are covered with stripes, and each has a large stinger protruding from where my spinnerets would be. Six legs I think, but also two large wings. They have mandibles, but nothing capable of doing real damage. They don''t see me at first, and Old-me disregards them after a moment, continuing the trip. I know they will find us, but I watch as they do a slow patrol over this part of the marsh. They don''t find much, likely having scared off most bugs. They are not subtle creatures. Old-me has discounted them as a threat as I continue walking through their lands. I wish it had been more hoppers, those would not see us as food, these however are the right size. Here we go, they are arcing away from this region, until one twists from the others. It saw me, and pauses. the other three turn around and join with it. I know Old-me survived this, but I feel both her and me shudder as the three start dive towards me. No way to run, and three of them are far beyond what I should be able to manage. The first of the Stingers goes into a hover above me, stabbing down with it''s Stinger. It misses, and Old-me leaps a little away. I feel the indignant rage that they would gang up on something so below them. I would be a good meal for one, but four? I barely be a days food. It surges towards me, and stings again, not hesitating before coming in for three more. I feel the impact thrice, the thick Sarong turning an impalement into a blunt hit. It hurt, but no more than when I kicked the [Grass Spider]. It stops for a second, as if expecting that Old-me is finished, and seems taken aback when we scramble to the side and ram one leg into it. It shudders in the air, giving up a moment to start running. We can''t outrun them, but staying this close to the nest is foolish, and we can survive long enough to get some distance. The four buzz over me, occasionally diving and knocking me to one side from the impact. I feel Old-me turn, and look around, we are almost back to the hoppers, I ran faster than I though possible. The stingers nest is now firmly out of sight. They still are here, diving at me. But I feel Old-me relax a bit, we are protected, I am sure they could find a weakness with some effort, but in the end, they are just dumb six legged. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. They first one dives again, and this time I watch as Old-me takes the blow like a champ, and uses the opportunity to bite into the thorax of the stinger. Nom! I feel the poison squirt from my fangs, and I want to celebrate... it''s trying to fly away but I am hanging from it, holding on tightly... it''s ally comes in a moment later and thrusts it''s long sharp stinger. I let go, the Sarong does not cover everything, so Old-me does have to be careful not to let them in. The first is flying badly, and a little back from the others. I got a good load into it, so I am not concerned, it will be ended soon enough, but still can aid the others. I notice that they too have venom, a little drip lays atop my Sarong. I have to be really careful, one of those and I likely end. The next dumb six-legged flies in to take it''s allies place. It dives and stings, I am ready for this one, and Old-me lunges again, it falls into the same trap, the motion of it''s body all but identical to the first. It makes it comically easy to bite, and this time Old-me holds on just long enough to dump my poison. The other stinger wastes no time, but neither do I, dropping back down as the injured flier joins it''s increasingly erratic ally. Last two, one is larger than the others, they attack at nearly the same time and it throws Old-me off, dodging backwards they slips in an alternating series of stings. Their co-ordination is impressive, one comes in just as the other backs off. I begin to get a little worried, they are too good. I take several consecutive hits, and it hurts enough to stagger Old-me. Then the two poisoned come around behind me and dive to strike. Despite knowing we survive I am on the edge, this is bad... but the poison coursing through them seems to be having an effect, they are far slower than before, and despite starting the attack in near perfect co-ordination they become a mess in moments. There, one of them collides into the large one, and distracts it, the other misses it''s attack, so when the unhurt one comes in Old-me dive and try to sink my fangs into it... but it jerks to one side, as if it had seen my ruse. Shoot, they are dumb, but clearly capable of learning at least a little. I take the moment to skitter under the reeling insect to just behind it. They turn and flitter to follow, but I am back already. No time for a bite this time but I thrust forwards violently with my leg. I hear it''s stinger make a crack as it breaks off. That is three, I can do this, just the big one left. Old-me turns to regard the last, it is a little more cautious this time, coming in for a sting only once the two sickened bugs have already attacked. I ignore the two of them, the weakened stings barely impacts on my Sarong, and try to bite. It seems this one is much more prepared to fight me, hovering backwards in a impressive display of flight. I doubt it will fall for the same tricks again. I worry, but it seems Old-me is ahead of things. I feel my spinnerets working as Old-me dodges the big ones next sting and takes the two weakened blows. From the force that the big stinger used I am a little concerned that my Sarong might not be enough against it. Yet Old-me isn''t daunted, it seems that the energy of the frantic fight is keeping me focused. I watch as I pass the end of the thread along my body to my pedipalps. They are less useful for attacks normally, but now they have a use, the two drawing out a decent ball of web. The big stinger sees this of course, but it is dumb and does not know much of spiders. It takes a moment to gather up enough for what Old-me is planning. I take a few more from the two weakened stingers, and nearly have to leap out of the way of the big ones next... the injured one even tries a reckless slam, yet it misses quite significantly. Good, it''s ready. The next time the big one comes in I try the same fake out, dodging and trying to bite. Yet this time I do not bite, Old-me instead reaches out with both pedipalps and tosses the ball of web to the thorax of the stinger. I find it amusing as the stinger is coated in the adhesive web, and it starts to retreat. It can''t this time as Old-me starts pulling in the web swiftly... it drags us along, the other stingers loosing track over us, though one get''s a lucky blow to my Sarong. Old-me ignores them, busy gathering web for the next move. A quick toss and we launch a strand of web out and into the beating wing. As strong as these are, the web sticks instantly and stops the wing. To the surprise of the stinger it can no-longer fly, and crashes to the ground in a moment. Old-me launches at the big stinger, working on it like it was already caught in a real web. It resists, but it is confused, and disoriented from the impact. My pedipalps draw more from my spinneret as they wrap and wrap and wrap up the stinger, rotating it as sticky strands follow the strange lines across it''s fur... the two venom weakened come to it''s aid a moment later, but I barely notice the impacts. A moment later it becomes obvious why as the first one crashes a moment later, the venom finally ending it... the last holds out for two more feeble attacks before joining the others. It''s quite impressive, and Old-me finishes cocooning the large one. The injured one doesn''t slam me this time, just hovering a distance away, unable to stop me... it stays as I move and wrap up it''s two other allies. Old-me is just starting to try to figure out how to catch it when it turns and flies off towards it''s nest. I''m a little taken aback at first, that is more intelligence than I expected. I was thinking it would charge me in a moment. [Mindless] should make it follow it''s instincts... did I become a scary predator after catching three of it''s allies? I can''t wait here any longer in that case. It may still be capable of returning with allies. I grab the three, and the extra stinger and start dragging them behind me as I head back towards my [Purple Hat]. Fortunately all three are quite light despite how large they are. I am concerned that they learned, even the little they did. With the sheer numbers living in the caves, can I manage to get past? No, I think if more had come... they might be as scary as the Scary [Un-ended]. That brings up a further concern... I have two escape routes away from here, but both have a dangerous threat behind them. I would be ended if I went either way. I can''t swim across the water, and the trees are on the other side... except for the willow of course. I could climb the cliff, but I could never bring the [Purple Hat] with me, and I will never leave that behind. I am trapped. Before it was possible to increase my size a bit, and drag the Hat away, but now I know... well I have to be careful. Old-me noticed the scary creature had a large number of [Un-ended] bugs, who were starting to spread out from the Willow. I am unsure how long I can remain undiscovered, but I cannot flee. I shake a little worried. It is a question for later, but the pressure on me has grown. I will not be safe forever.
Interesting. Old-me was complaining for a while, and I had started to come up with plans on how to help it. The three stingers were quite heavy, enough that Old-me had stopped twice each time consuming the heads of the two smaller ones. I had some ideas that I had planned later, but after this complaint, Old-me started work on something. We are just a little past the Hoppers, so it is quite some distance still. I did not expect that Old-me could use [Craft Textile 5] However I am watching the 4 intelligent version of myself do just that... also using [Nimble Manipulators] as it weaves a bunch or tough and hard fibers together. It is not a bad piece either, I can see improvements,but not as many as I''d expect. Old-me finds a few small twigs, lashing them together with web, and making a mounting point for the web. I think it could carry around seven or eight insects. The [Clockwork Beetle] is beyond it, but it should be capable of just about anything else with a little work. Watching myself load the bodies, and move back to the front I am amused, the creation definitely works, and Old-me starts moving significantly better. It is better if we stick to grass, but not impossible on the soft ground of the marsh. The occasional puddle is more of a problem, but I note that the wood seems to float, and a little more could make it work. I doubt we could get enough wood to cross the wetter portions of the marsh unfortunately. Not with [Purple Hat] anyways. Good progress is made, and we soon find ourselves coming back into sight of my cave.
Once we get to the webs Old-me pauses and starts going around to each, gathering up [Grubs] and some other bugs that have been caught by the traps. Quite frankly it''s decent squirming mountain once it''s been piled on Old-me''s sled. Some are new to my memories, but most are things I''ve eaten before. The weight significantly slows me down, and it''s just starting to get dark as Old me arrives back home. Old-me drags the pile close to the smallest entrance so I can reach it without leaving and getting dumb again, then circles around and comes in unsealed main entrance. I find it charming that Old-me greets New-me. Alright, time to check the progress, it was a really busy day, I think that should level me up. The description said each level should be at the same rate.
x1 [Quest] started [Q: The Horde], [Q: The Glittering Princess], [Q: Hoppity Ever After], [Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong], [Q: Spider Eater Hive], [Q: Homesteading]
x22 [Grub], x9 [Cricket], x5 [Mnoko Black Violin], x8 [Water Skimmer], x1 [Spidereater Wasp Lieutenant] Captured,
x2 [Spidereater Wasp] Ended
[Q: Clockwork Curiosity] Objective complete, [Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong] Complete
Wait... I didn''t progress? I captured way more than last time, and I ended just as many creatures as last time. Why?... I explored a bunch, and found a bunch of new things, but I didn''t progress. Well that is annoying, I was sure progress was based off how much you won. Was I wrong?... also, what are these things I captured. The [Spidereater Wasp] must have been the stingers we fought, but why is the bigger one called a Lieutenant. I though [Mindless] didn''t progress normally... and what are the [Mnoko Black Violin?] I guess I''d better bring in the food so I can figure out what is going on.
Sooo much food. It took ages to slowly bring then in, give them a little top up of venom so they wouldn''t wake, and hang them on my webs. I am not strong, and it emptied my stamina just to carry them in. Finally I turned to the few special bugs I had cocooned to one side. With a little exploration it turns out that [Mnoko Black Violin] are these black [Crickets]. They appear larger and stronger than the normal [Crickets]. I unwrapped one just to have a look and it let out this wailing sound that made me want to run. I had to end it to stop it... it tastes a bit better than the [Cricket]
Mnoko Black Violin [5] Defeated
[Insect] [Monster] [Cursed] [Region: Monoko Deepmarsh]
Clearly I was wrong about bugs, [Insects] I guess, from not being able to level up. This thing is a higher level than me. It wasn''t that much stronger though. I am unsure what this [Monster] means, The others make enough sense. I think it''s a regional variant of the Cricket. I am guessing the big [Spiderwasp Lieutenant] also has a few levels. I try touching it like Old-me did to the [Construct], but unlike the [Clockwork Beetle] I don''t seem to get a box. I guess I have to End them. Fortunately I have plenty of food now. Goodbye you nasty thing, you can be my main meal, and if gaining levels is based on
Spidereater Wasp Lieutenant [7] Defeated
[Insect] [Monster] [Lieutenant] [Hivemind]
Ok, yes this one has [Monster] as well, but not [Cursed]. Wait a moment the [Un-ended] were cursed with [Un-ended] but the [Mnoko Black Violin] is not... alright, so it doesn''t ''have'' to be the same curse. The Wasp on the other hand, has [Lieutenant] which is in it''s name, and [Hivemind] which... well I have seen Mind used as a term several times in the boxes, and always addressing things like my Ego and other mental scores. So it isn''t fully [Mindless] just like me. Neither of these [Insects] have [Mindless] but they were listed in the traits description as having it so I guess it''s less important. I didn''t level upon ending it. It''s seven levels higher than me... or six if you count like that. It''s not ten levels higher than me? Or is [Slayer] a one time thing, with a one time bonus. I guess it wasn''t as tough as the [Horned Beetle] but I still should have leveled. ...how do I gain Progress
Progress
The experience required to gain a level, this is gained in one manner. Gaining life experiences. To do so a creature must complete three major quests. -A major quest is something difficult to do at your current progression. You can view available quests in the quest menu. -Creatures with less than 5 Intelligence are automatically given quests -A major combat encounter, with a significant risk ending, is automatically a quest. -Some hidden quests will be added and completed automatically, revealed only after success
Level 1: 3/3 [Q: Watching Willow], [Q: Stock Food], [Q: Escape!]
Level 2: 1/3 [Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong],
Ah, ok, I... wasn''t looking at [Quests] I guess they are important. I''ll have to have a serious look at them I probably could have progressed if I had looked at this before departing. I take my most recent quest is dealing with those [Wasps]?
[Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong]
[Survive] [Combat] [Ambush]
Three [Spidereater Wasps] and one [Spidereater Wasp Lieutenant] have spotted you, and are ambushing you. Completion: -Escape -Fight them off
Ok, it''s simple, and I wasn''t in that much danger. I guess to progress fighting I would need more quests like this, but presumably the other quests will let me level up without fighting. I think I prefer that, almost being ended is not a good experience to repeat. I''ll look through them once I''m well rested, but for now, it I need to regain both Stamina and Focus. 7: Questing for fun and profit Ok, fed and rested, let''s look at the quests.
[Q: Clockwork Curiosity]
[Knowledge] [Construct] [Curiosity]
You have discovered a [Clockwork] [Construct] that is out of energy. -What is it, -What is it''s purpose or objective -Can you gain any benefits from it''s presence?
[Q: The Horde]
[Knowledge] [Un-ending] [Threat] [High Danger] [Mind-Control]
You have discovered a [Lesser] [Un-ending] [Monster] and it''s [Horde] or minions. -What is it, -What is it''s purpose or objective -Can you gain any benefits from it''s presence?
[Q: The Glittering Princess]
[Knowledge] [Reptile] [Threat]
You have discovered a [Divine] [Serpent] [Monster] and it''s home in a small pond. -What is it, -What is it''s purpose or objective -Can you gain any benefits from it''s presence?
[Q: Hoppity Ever After]
[Knowledge] [Mammal] [Curiosity]
You have discovered a 2 [Athlete] [Sickly] [Tainted] [Lagomorph] that are undergoing some sort of trauma. -What is it, -What is it''s purpose or objective -Can you gain any benefits from it''s presence?
[Q: Spider Eater Hive]
[Knowledge] [Insect] [Infiltration]
You have discovered an entrance to a [Spidereater Wasp] nest. They pray on your kind and are quite strong, so you need to be very cautious as you learn about them. Don''t get caught. -How many [Wasps] are in the hive -Any way to neutralize the hive as a threat -What is the layout of the Hive
[Q: Homesteading]
[Crafting] [Mnoko Deepmarsh] [Defense]
You are unsafe, and surrounded by <[20] potentially hostile or hostile creatures that exceed your level by more than 5. You are a [Noncombatant] and [Artisan]. Objectives -Survive until all other objective are complete -Built walls capable of repelling a level [11] creature. -(26/200) Built food storage and stock it with enough to outlast a creature stamina -Build defenses capable of repelling a Level [11] creature -Repel [20] creatures of Level [6] -Repel [10] creatures of level [11] Bonus -Repel [1] creature of level [17] or higher This objectives scale according to your level
Oh alright, most of those are basically... learning quests? I have a hard time believing those are major quests. They don''t say though, so it''s possible they are and some additional conditions exist. [Q: Spider Eater Hive] might count, because those are super dangerous to me... and [Q: Homesteading] is a notable exception. I like that one, I can do that, avoiding fights sound like a good objective, and after the [Grass Spider] and the [Wasps] I think avoiding fights is better for me. Wait... wait... this tag... [Divine] I am getting the opposite feeling as I get with [Un-ending]. Well... not opposite, but related? I definitely should find out more about that one. The feeling I got around it was intense, so I''m not surprised it is a strange creature. Hey, [General Knowledge 1] Anything? Nope, well worth a try. Alright, so I need to do two quest if I am going to level again. Homesteading will take a while, so I guess I should explore and look around for the others. The [Q: Hoppity Ever After] and the [Q: The Glittering Princess] seem like good chances, those creatures should ignore something as small as me. But wait, these were given to me automatically while I was dumb. Can we get other quests?
Quests Available
[Q: Smoke signals] You have seen Smoke, where is it from?
[Q: The Mnoko Deepmarsh] [Regional Quest] What is up with the Mnoko Deepmarsh, it''s getting more dangerous every year.
[Q: Market Day] [Artisan] It will be market day soon, prepare something special to sell impress the village
[Q: Bandit Lord] [Slayer] [Danger] A local Bandit lord has set up operations in the area, find him and kill him
[Q: My first Sale] [MF] [Artisan] Your still a novice by any means, gather the materials, craft, and exchange 1 good.
[Q: My first Friend] [MF] Make a friend, and add them to your journal.
[Q: My first Kill] [MF] [Ambusher] Kill someone sapient that is your equal.
[Q: My first Argument] [MF] Win a test of wits and a test of dominance against another creature.
[Q: My first Wound] [MF] Bandage a wound successfully
[Q: What do they call me] [No Name] Choose a name, or have it chosen for you. *This quest is minor if you choose your name.
Oh that is quite a few. I see that depending on my abilities different quests are available. Some of these should be easy, wait... no, most of them require something I don''t have. The My First series seems to mostly be dependent on other friendly creatures, so does [Q: Market Day] which is a shame, because I could probably gain a level from all this assuming they count as major quests. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. I can however attempt [Q: Smoke signals] soon, and maybe [Q: My first Wound] if I get hurt. I guess I have my goals then, I can start by examining the Serpent and the Lagomorphs. Neither of those will probably even notice me. Then I can climb the cliff, assuming the black clouds I saw earlier are the smoke... [General Knowledge 1] makes me think that is right, but just a vague sense this time. I can gather some resources and try to get started on [Q: Homesteading] when I get back. If I get lucky and level while out in the wilds I will put a point in Intelligence, so I can try and act independently a little better. ...wait, what is a name. I don''t see one on my sheet, and I got a quest for it. It must be important.
Name:
You do not know what this means
Huh, I guess it''s got something to do with the Social attribute, since it is referred to in by the [Adopted] trait and [Family Class] I will take that quest as well, in case it''s required if I find friendly creatures to communicate to.
Quests accepted: [Q: Smoke signals], [Q: My first Wound], [Q: What do they call me]
Well a few last things before we go out. First off, let''s fix my Sarong, I might need to eat a little, but it should be possible. Alright, that didn''t take long Now. let''s see what does this thing Old-me made do, and can I make it better.
Container [Dragged] [White Silk Sled]
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Durable] [Silk]
This Silk Sled is made of a durable silk weave, -It is worn, but otherwise undamaged -It can be rolled up to store in a smaller [Container] -This [White Silk Sled] is cheap
Wait... what can I make... can I make other [Containers] I feel like those make it easier to carry things. Right, thanks [General Knowledge 1] I want one, smaller than the sled. Also I want... can I make something in case I have to fight again. I wasn''t effective if I failed to bite, and I think I only have a limited supply of venom. Oh, if I make a cocoon, that is stuck to my back... then... let''s see like this, so I have some sticky thread on either side, and I will stick it to my [Purple Sarong] so I can reach it and maybe take stuff out of it.
Container [Back] [White Silk Cocoon Backpack]
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Durable] [Silk]
This Silk Backpack is made of a durable silk weave, -It is worn, but otherwise undamaged -It is stuck to the [Purple Sarong] -This [White Silk Sled] is cheap
Got it, that should work, I can put three [Grubs] into it, so it can carry a little. Now, let''s see if I can make something that can hurt things. That [Wasp] Stinger was pretty dangerous. Here it is, Ok, if I wrap the part where it broke off with silk, I can grab it with my pedipalps a little better. It''s not as good as biting, but I reaches out a little more... and I can do that for the three small ones, and the big one.
Weapon [Carried] [Silk-wrapped Stinger]
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Durable] [Silk]
This [Wasp] stinger is wrapped with a durable silk weave, -It is the equivalent to a short one handed blade when equipped by a [Tiny] Creature -It is undamaged -It can be used as a thrusting weapon -It can be thrown -This [Silk-wrapped Stinger] is cheap
Weapon [Carried] [Silk-wrapped Long-stinger]
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Durable] [Silk]
This [Wasp Monster] stinger is wrapped with a durable silk weave, it is longer than the average stinger. -It is the equivalent to a Two-handed blade when equipped by a [Tiny] Creature -It is undamaged -It can be used as a thrusting or slashing weapon -It cannot be thrown -This [Silk-wrapped Stinger] is cheap
Great, this worked. I have three of the short [Stingers] and one of the longer ones. They fit in my [Cocoon Backpack] easy enough. I am unsure the short ones will be useful, but the long one could almost outreach my legs. Shame they are not poisoned, but it gives me another option. I can throw the little ones, so maybe I can attach my web or something and use them. Well am as set up as I am going to be, I eat a [Grub] just to get my Stamina full, let''s do this. Hello Old me, this is what I want you to do, I''ll try and be super simple. -Sneak close to [Serpent] and see what is going on -Sneak close to [Lagomorph] and see what is going on -Climb Cliff and see where black clouds are from. -When returning gather twigs, long grass, and one or two pebble. 8: Seeking Serpants and Smoke
Unequipped [Purple Hat]
Entering [Mnoko Deepmarsh]
[Swamp] [Un-Civilized] [Natural] [Haunted]
Dumb again. Irritation, but New-me did better, instructions simple. Go see Pretty [Serpent] first... [Lagomorph] far far far... [Smoke] maybe closer. Will ignore [Lagomorph]. [Wasp] close and scary. If no progress, [Lagomorph] Put [Grubs] in [Cocoon Backpack]
Back near serpent Not seeing it Still Water Going in cave, climb above water to do so. Slow going, stone... wet, not impossible. ...[Un-ending] [insects] approaching from willow. They don''t see, I safe. They are broken. I climb more, they don''t see. They killed bug that passing by. Not good, Pond is half-way to [Purple Hat] Oh... from here I see serpent. Underwater, water not obscure from here. It slowly drifting in pond Slithering and swimming, deeper into Cave I climb further, follow it deeper Much deeper, deeper, cave twist, can''t see entrance. Water stops, serpent slithers up onto sand. This looks like nest, hidden safely. Serpent curls around shiny stones. Stone and serpent lay on textile. Not silk, rougher. I must touch. So small, takes ages to climb. Serpent is resting, eyes closed. Onto sand, across sand, paused to eat some grub. Inside cave has some insects, nothing big. some bigger than me, Serpent not eat Close, little closer, little more Touch. Good blue box, New-me can see the. OH! Um, Eye is open. It is looking at me. Serpents head just moved to keep looking at me. Back off slowly, I am a normal spider. Not even big enough to eat. It is not closing eye, but isn''t moving towards me. Tilted head to follow as I climb. Getting far away, still watching. Almost out of cave. Can''t see Serpent, it is still watching. Safe, outside cave. Forgot about [Unended] many attacking! Need to escape, too many! [Serpent] attacking! Smashing all bugs. I run away. Far enough away, I hide it still smashing [Horde] I leave before it looks for me.
Cliff is high, but good at climbing. Climbing Climbing Climbing Climbing Climbing Very tall Cliff, need rest, eat [Grub] Look back, see Willow, see Scary [Un-ended] and it''s [Horde] too many. Don''t see [Serpent], must have gone into puddle. Black clouds closer. Climbing Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.Climbing Climbing Climbing Climbing Almost to top. It is dark Climbing Climbing Climbing Climbing Climbing It is very dark. I just climbed top. Black clouds coming from many places many places has many swatters in it, some have [Hats] some have almost [Sarong] Old Old memories say swatters swat. New-me still wanted to see} Scary This is for New-me, hopefully bigger numbers help me not-end. Be grateful.
Entering [Caecs-Freithe Village]
[Village] [Civilized] [Swamp] [Defended]
This is community, this is social. Old Old memories were hazy, but swatters always together. Different from other creatures Curious nests and non-sticky webs. Sturdy and long lasting. Twigs, trees, sticks, and stones, cut up and put together. New Me will understand more Seeing many textiles. All swatters have several. Some in middle of Swatter nest. Some being made by swatter, like wood, clay, and stone. Nests house multiple swatters Some swatter big, some less big. Swatter using Social all the time. Oh... That is a creature, friendly with Swatter And that, that creature looks like scary [Un-ending] but is not. That nest has silk, that nest has textiles. Explore.
[Constructs]? What are... what is small swatters Bigger than me, not moving. Not... not creatures but almost Strange, not important, but must touch textiles. Boxes maybe teach New-me things about textiles and silk. Textile and silk important to class. "Habiari buibui mdiogo, subiri, ni naini hiyo." Freeze! Swatter noticed, get ready to skitter. "Hiiyo ni... umevaa ngiuo?" Tick Tick Tick "Lo, weiwe ni, hiyo inaipendeza, Mama, buiibui amevaa ngiuo" The Swatter isn''t moving closer. Has it noticed? It is not, it must be looking elsewhere. I am close. "Ni kwiamba mikoba kidogo? na upanga? hiiyo ni hariri kwa haikika. Nashiangaa ikiwa umeiwafanya au buiibui mwiingine." It is making sounds, but swatter is missing me. I touch silk, and get box, I touch rougher textile and get box. New-me should be happy. "Subiiri ... ni weiwe, unataizama kiitambaa. Utambuliisho wako. Lo, niilijua wanyama wanaiweza kupata ujiuzi, lakini kamwe ujiuzi wa biiashara. Nataimani ningekuwa na lenizi bora ya tathimini. Hunielewi wewe?" Another textile another box. I should touch the not-[Constructs] More boxes. New-me will be happy. "Nadhiani nina la msiingi, wewe ni nini. Lo, buiibui wa kawiaida wa ngiazi ya kwainza, wa chiini sana. Oh, huna jina la kwainza? Lakiini jina lako la mwiisho ni [Artisan]" The swatter said [Artisan] I turn to look at it, does it know, has it seen me. "Lo, kiitu kidogo, wacha niizuie macho yangu. Naam, nadihani wewe ni mpya. Kweli, katiika kesi hiyo, nawieza kukuisaidia. Wewe ni mwainamke, ngoja tuione... vipi, nakuipigia simu..." Good, it looked away, it hasn''t noticed me. I should be good. I saw a few small pieced of textile, I will take that with me, back to the nest. "Kysa o''Mnoko" 9: Seeking Serpent My head hurts... I wonder why... Old-me just returned to [Purple Hat] and before I could do a thing I was thrust deep into Old-me''s memories. Maybe we took a bit to long getting back, I am starving, but I need to finish reviewing these memories before... I am not too hungry for that at least. So from the beginning I guess. I watch as Old-me is irritated at the lowered intelligence once more. But she seems to adapt better this time, even going so far as to adjusting my plan to fit the environment that I have only seen in memories. It is fine, the [Lagomorph] were more optional, hopefully we will gain enough to progress. Glad Old-me took a moment to grab some [Grubs] this way we won''t have to waste time catching more food.
Alright, the water is calm again, no sign of the [Serpent] or the bird it had caught. Old-me walks along the edge of the water. I know it''s bad to go deep in water for some instinctual reason. I am guessing [Arachnid Knowledge] is giving me that. However, just having the ends of my legs in the water, feels really really nice. I don''t even thing Old-me realizes we are doing it. Just wading until we get closer to the cliff wall and the climb ahead of us. Climbing, well, feels pretty normal, I only realize now it''s not common. Very few creatures seem to be able to climb like spiders. My old old self has often used it to escape predators. Still, this surface is slightly wet, making it a little treacherous for me, and likely impossible for a different climber. All the damp does is slow Old-me down a bit... and bore me of course. I''m gazing at the water hoping to get a glimpse of the serpent as we climb. Right now the water seems opaque. In the distance though, I see something more troubling. At first it looks like a fight between a few bugs, but I realize what it is just as the fight ends. [Un-ended] I see a bunch of them, they just ended a [Horned Beetle] half-way between the pond and the willow. That poor bug, but more concerning is that the [Un-ended] slowly scatter in every direction, including this way. Some of them are missing basically half their legs, but even then some of the ones moving this way are intact enough to be a threat. I''m well up the wall, and almost into the cave when the first of them reach the waters edge, they were [Crickets] normally harmless bugs, but twelve of them just hopped onto the side of a small furred creature and ate it. I watch in horror, as they slowly start killing random creatures as they go. They are horrible broken things, and most are being injured or ended by the local residents... the small furred creature ended all but four before it ended it''self. A little bit of relief fills me as I realize that many are being ended. Still, the pond is half-way between the Willow and my [Purple Hat] I need to be aware of what the horde is doing. I''m just shifting around the edge onto the cave wall proper when I see the [Serpent] slithering and swimming through the water, the dark scales almost blending in with the dark mud below. It''s a beautiful as I remember, a lethal predator slipping through the water. Old me notices a few moments later, and we watch through our eight eyes as we climb deeper into the cave. We are hardly fast, but it appears the Serpent is in no hurry. Despite the long climb we reach the inside of the cave at around the same time. Light doesn''t reach here, but we are hardly the only living thing, I see some smaller bugs moving around, so odd plants, and some other creatures. Some are larger than me, but nothing would be worthy of being food for the Serpent. It silently slithers out of the water, and I realize that unlike the mud and marsh muck outside, in here has fine sand. It''s covered in the marks of the slithering [Serpent], a bright contrast to the dark creature as it moves to it''s nest. It is an odd nest, many stones that seem to glint despite the lack of light. To me they are boulders, I could never move them, even the [Serpent] must have trouble, it does not budge them, instead slithering around the stones. I notice that the sand moves wrong, something is under it and the stones... it looks not unlike my [Purple Hat]. Yet it is different the fibers are certainly not silk. Old -me comes to the same conclusion, we must touch it, see what the box says. So Old-me starts the slow climb down the wall. It seems we are a little less high than outside the cave, I am unsure why. As we climb down the [Serpent comes to a stop, coiled around the stones and atop the textile in a strange whorl. I disregard it at first, but it seems to be stretching out so it can touch every stone. At first I think they might be eggs, but both [Arachnid Knowledge] and [General Knowledge 1] disagree, though they give me nothing further. Soon we step onto the sand. By now the [Serpent] has closed it''s eyes and seems to resting. The bugs of the cave seem unimpressed, though I suspect that is just because of [Mindless] I creep out from the wall, and across the sand of the floor, then Old-me pauses behind a rock. To my surprise Old-me withdraws a grub and starts eating. I had not expected that, but looking at these as mere memories I still feel full. It''s painfully stressful, and I dread something going wrong, but my fearless and dumb old-self starts moving a little after, creeping towards the [serpent] once again. We arrive finally, and nothing has changed. I watch as the [Serpent] seem to rise and fall, breathing slowly. We slink a little closer, and reach out with a single leg to touch the textile and receive a box.
Utility- Survival Blanket [Cotton Muslin Swaddling Blanket]
Craft: Skilled, +1 rank from [Lovingly Crafted] [Small] [Durable] [Soft] [Cotton Muslin] [Relic]
This Survival Blanket is made of a durable Cotton weave, -It is worn, and heavily damaged from age and use 4/12 Toughness -It was crafted by a parent to wrap around their child This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.-The blanket is very soft, and is great at keeping something warm -It is enchanted, but the enchantment is frayed and unidentifiable -It is a [Divine] [Relic] of the minor rank
The Eye is open!, A large slitted eye is just a small distance away. The [Serpent] is watching me. I feel Old-me go very still, and almost run. The eye is massive, filling the view of half of my eyes. Almost glowing in the dim light of the cave. Old-me twitches, taking a step back, and the head of the [Serpent] tilts just a little, just enough that it makes it clear that it isn''t looking just generally in my direction, but actually at me. Old me edges back slowly, one step, then eight, then eight again... but the head moves slowly, watching Old-me move. It could devour me at any moment, nowhere in this cave or outside is truely safe from something so much larger and faster than me. But Old-me is untouched as we withdraw. The [Serpent] blinks, and the sudden movement almost breaks the spell, but the head backwards, resting against one of the stones, almost lazily watching as we cross the pale sand to the wall and begin our assent. It watches us rise, even when we are at the top of the cave I doubt we are out of danger, and it watches as Old-me climbs towards the cave mouth, the [Serpent] shrinking with every step... but that eye ever-watches from amidst those dark beautiful scales. Finally we turn the bend, the eye and [Serpent] finally vanishing from sight. I feel Old-me untense slightly, and I wish I could warn my old self that at the speed it can travel, the [Serpent] could reach us even here... but I can''t, so instead I watch in silence tense as my body makes it''s way out of the cave. It had been boring coming in, but the looming threat means every moment I watch, looking for a sign that something is wrong, that perhaps I was followed.
I finally start to feel safe as Old-me slips out of the mouth of the cave and descends to the dryer marshland below. I have never been so focused and my mind is reeling, but it has been ages and the [Serpent] never followed. I watched the water the entire time, and while it''s scales help it blend into the dark mud under the waters surface, from this angle we would have seen it easily. We skitter onto the marshland, and start to move away from the pond. We must have been a curiosity but not food. From our size difference that makes sense, I doubt I''m larger than it''s smallest fang. Owch, something hit me, sending me a distance away and into some mud. What was... ohh shoot, that is bad. I had forgotten about the [Unended] I had though them weak, and in too few numbers. My opinion has changed as I notice... I don''t know the number, more than... more than twelve bugs of various shapes and size. Most are broken, some are long [Ended] an not even worthy of being considered food... but enough enough are intact. Enough have legs and jaws and intact bodies that Old-me is in trouble. I had been hit by, an [Unended] [Horned Beetle] just as large as the one I had ended. Yet this one was fully intact, only it''s shambling scrambling limbs a hint to it''s nature. It is not the only one, I see two more [Horned Beetle] amongst the horde. Worse, I see a furred creature, far larger than any bug, it isn''t the one the [Cricket] ended earlier, but it''s just as big, missing one leg, and with a neck that looks broken and almost bitten off. It''s slow, and in the moment I have been looking at it it ends several others of the Horde with a pointless attack. It could end me in a mere moment, without even noticing. Normally when creatures could end me this fast they seem uncaring, but fortune is not with me, like the [Serpents] eye, this creatures is locked onto me, lumbering towards me with alarming speed. I am already too far from the wall, this is certain to be my end. It reaches me and raises up a twisted mockery of a leg, and is bringing it down to crush and end me... Then it''s gone. More accurate to say it''s replaced with a solid wall of beautiful dark scales. I''m drenched in water along with much of the horde, the spash washing us away from the impact before it even registered. It takes Old-me a moment longer, too busy scrambling to grab the ground for a second I thought water had gotten into my spiracle before it sealed, but I do not feel water moving inside me. Old-me staggers to our feet, and gives me a view. The furred creature is... ended. It was not eaten, but instead is discarded in a twitching smear halfway inside a un-rotted broken branch. Meanwhile the [Serpent] is casually playing with the larger of the [Horned Beetles] just batting it around like it was nothing. I shudder partly in fear, partly in awe, but mostly because it tires and slams the bug into the ground so hard that it bursts apart and splashes those nearby almost as much as the water had. Neither Old-me certainly didn''t have the presence of mind to run away, and I am too awestruck to even notice, but I come to to realize that we are skittering away as fast as we can. Our spiracle unsealing and air rushing into the folds of our book right as we started to feel feeble. We don''t... can''t stop, so helpless I watch as the [Serpent] displays it''s sheer unbridled power, the large numbers of the horde helpless against a force of nature. The [Un-ended] don''t seem to notice, and instead are smashed with every moment, until they are mere marking left on the edge of the pond. This scene is visible for what seems like ages, by the time the fury ends we are far from the battle. The horde had long since vanished so we never saw the last end. We only knew because the [Serpent] calmed, lazily coiling up as it surveyed the damage. It can''t possibly see us from here, the only reason it''s visible is the sheer size of the creature. Yet we hide from the incredible looming eye behind the first solid object, a small stone in this case. We hears a distant hiss, and Old-me peeks around the rock. We see the [Serpent] uncoiling, and unhurried as it lazily slithering back inside the cave. Old-me runs to the cliff, and starts climbing, nearly desperate as it starts looking for the smoke and the possible power the level promises... I couldn''t agree more. 10: Village Designation The cliff is predictably massive. I am climbing, and climbing, and climbing. It is dull, but at least unlike the wet cave I can climb as fast as I can normally move. It is still taking forever, Old-me is patience at least. I use my other eyes to look out. It seems the Willow is just slightly taller than the cliff, so mostly I am observing the leafy fronds, and occasional bird or bug that is moving through the leaves. Moving through the fronds I notice the scary [Un-ended] again, this time it''s dragging along a [Lagomorph]. For a moment I think it''s my other quest target, but no, the fur is darker. It only takes a moment before the pair is out of sight, if I was on the ground I would be able to see more... I can see that is is surrounded by a teeming horde of monsters. To see more I would have to be closer as well, and... I am staying up here where the horror cannot possibly get me. A little after that I see a glimpse of something even larger than the scary [Un-ended] It seems to covered in spikes, and moving extremely quickly. I am glad it woudn''t notice me, but I see so little that all it really does is give my mind terrible shivers.
Fortunately the rest of the trip is without further scary stuff. Old-me is soon to the top of the cliff, as I crest the cliff. I emerge surrounded by rows of plants, un-naturally spaced at even and regular distances. Through the bright green leaves I see a several large objects, that at first I think they are more cliffs and trees. But they are connected in a manner than old, old me remembers from being close to the swatters. I think I found nests, all of them massive. Large enough for even the [Serpent] and scary [Un-ending] to be able to fight inside.
Entering [Caecs-Freithe Village]
[Village] [Civilized] [Swamp] [Defended]
I can see further here, less obstructions, and I can see many many swatter. More than I can count at least, each larger than almost anything else I have seen. This must be [Caecs-Freithe Village] I do see some swatters that are much smaller. Even the smallest is the size of the scary [Un-ended]. They will not care about me, so I work my way forwards, I will climb the nearest next to get a good look. It is clear that the plants here have been planted, I see holes that have been dug where plants are missing, and I even find one that has been partially eaten. Food I assume, I would have through the swatter to be predators, but perhaps they use Intellect to grow plants. Bug here, of course, though significantly less than down in the deepmarsh. Soon enough I am at the wall, the area was so tidy and clear it was easy to travel along. I climb up, it appears to mostly be stone, but soon it becomes wood. Up, up, up I go, until I reach the top of the wall. The top is slopped, made of small stones, so I continue up the slope. I see a small, hot stone that protruded up up up, and from the top emerges the black smoke. I climb up and up until I reach the top where a the black cloud is formed. I finally get a good view of the area, and I see nests as far as I can see. Way more than twelve swatters, maybe twelve sets of twelve, or more. They are going around, some wear different [Hats] some wear things that look like [Sarong]. I see so many things that are like silk. Huge amounts growing from tree-trunks in the water, large bits with different shapes hang above swatter that are yelling. So many, some that are very clearly not silk. A wood platform with dozens of different textiles, all sort... Oh I must know more. They are making sounds at each other. It is strange, one makes sounds and then the other grunts back. I wonder what they are doing for a moment, but then as one hands a pile of textiles to another I understand. This is co-operation, this is social. I am watching them use the attributes that other creatures seem to ignore. This is what it looks like, and this is why they can have so many swatters in one place. Is this how the [Spidereater Wasps] do it as well? Perhaps the two [Lagomorphs]? I have not heard sounds like this from other creatures, but they must communicate somehow. It is dangerous to be alone, so the social attributes must help creatures go from a simple [Arachnid] like me to the swatters. Oh, I see a creature, it looks like the scary [Un-ended] but with more fur and less stagger. It is the normal version I think. It is following the swatters, one of the smaller swatters, just around half the size of the big swatters. It looks like the not-scary creature is communicating with the swatter, so it is not a unique ability to them. I will have to learn it, but for now I will focus on finishing my quest and finding out about the textiles. The nest that I am on, is not unique, many very similar ones constructed and scattered across the area, as far as I can see. Each is a little different, in layout and size, it would take me forever to explore every nest. Oh, I see the swatter from earlier walking to this nest with container full of textiles. This is good, I feel that Old-me has chosen to go here first, and find out more before I search other nests. It enters the nest, and I skitter back off the black cloud pipe and then down the sloped stones until I reach the wood again. I had see some holes in the wood while climbing that I hadn''t given any though to when I passed them before. I peek in a few and I see a pair of swatters inside the nest. It is warm inside, I can feel heat creeping out the cracks... a big fire in the center. That is where the black smoke is coming from. It''s hard to see something as [Tiny] as me, but just in case I will try to slip into a different part of the nest. I can see that it''s divided into several parts. I climb along to the next hole and I am rewarded with a much darker room. No fire, and no real light. But deep inside the room I do see a pile of textiles of all sorts, and a... What? Why are their small Swatters, the wood surface is covered with them. They are not moving, but they are much much bigger than me. Almost half as big as the [Serpent]. I don''t think they are creatures are they? No, no, they are not. Nothing stands still for that long, and they are only as warm as the wood. Old-me is also quite wary of them... because even the [Un-ending] look warmer. Oh, they could be [Constructs] like the [Clockwork Beetle]. Well they don''t move, so if they are it is ok. Old-me can go in and touch them, learn about the textiles on them. I carefully skitter into the hole and climb down to the ground. It doesn''t take long, and the warmth is making everything easier. Soon Old-me am climbing the wood that hold the textiles. I am excited, so many things to see. I am sure I can learn about the [Artisan] [Family Class] if I look at all these textiles. Probably not progress, but perhaps it will teach me something like [Slayer] did. I finally reach the piles, from here they loom far over me, and in fact look almost like the [Trees] of the [Deepmarsh] a forest of fabric sounds about right. I get close enough to the first one to reach and touch. The textile is rougher than my silk, folded neatly into a dense pile.
Material(Textile)- [Raw Plain Weave Linen Bolt]
Craft: Average [Small] [Durable] [Plain Weave Linen]
This bolt of undyed linen is unremarkable -It has a common [Plain Weave] -It is undyed -It is in good condition and undamaged
That is so interesting, so this is a very common textile, and something I could certainly use. I think my silk is a little better than this, but I haven''t made a whole bolt to compare with it. Several others are here so I grab as much as I can. This one was folded and very flat, but this one over here is a very thick strand wrapped in a ball. I wonder why.
Material(Textile) [Raw Chenille Silk Yarn]
Craft: Average [Small] [Soft] [Chenille Silk]
This spindle of yellow dyed Silk is unremarkable The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.-It is a the uncommon [Chenille Yarn] -It is made with [Silkworm silk] -It is dyed yellow -It is in great condition and undamaged
Oh, other creatures can make silk, that is interesting. Wait, I heard a sound near me, and light fills this part of the nest. "Habari buibui mdogo, subiri, ni nini hiyo." Old-me Freezes, and I look at the creature with my eyes. It just entered and is making those strange sounds. I don''t know... I don''t think it''s seen me, I should be too small for it to notice, even though it''s eyes are looking towards me. "Hiyo ni... umevaa nguo?" Tick Tick Tick "Lo, wewe ni, hiyo inapendeza, Mama, buibui amevaa nguo" It isn''t moving closer, I think I am ok. It is a much smaller creature, less than half the size of a swatter, but basically a smaller version of it in every way. It must be looking at one of the [Constructs] wearing textiles around me. It is holding one, I think it brought it in when the swatter arrived, they must be important to it. "Ni kwamba mkoba kidogo? na upanga? hiyo ni hariri kwa hakika. Nashangaa ikiwa umewafanya au buibui mwingine." Curious to what it''s doing I watch it for a moment, but it''s just looking at the [Construct] in it''s hand, then back at the forest of [Textiles]. If it is missing me then I am quite content to explore the forest more and find out what possibilities my class might bring. This first bolt seems so light and soft.
Material(Textile) [Raw Chiffon Silk Yarn]
Craft: Average [Small] [Soft] [Chiffon Silk]
This bolt of blue dyed Silk is unremarkable -It is a the uncommon [Chiffon Silk] -It is made with [Silkworm silk] -It is dyed blue -It is in fantastic condition and undamaged
More silk! I thought it might be, it seemed so much like the webs I spin, yet it''s still from this [Silkworm], I admit I feel a little jealous of it, why have I not found any [Spider Silk] I know we can all make it, and I am supposedly very common from the [Common house spider] in my name. I want to try making this, but it will have to wait for now. I touch a what appear to be a much rougher fabric as I move past it.
Material(Textile) [Raw Mohair Wool Bolt]
Craft: Average [Small] [Rough] [Wool]
This bolt of undyed wool is unremarkable -It is a the common [Mohair Wool] -It is made with [Goat Hair] -It is undyed -It is in decent condition and undamaged
Alright, so it still from an animal, but a different one. I am surprised at the feel of it, it is not nearly as rough as I expected, and... the thread stretch... where is the tension. I don''t understand this, my thread doesn''t move like this. I guess I can''t discount other creatures. I feel another smug sense of satisfaction as Old-me completes another of our tasks. The swatter moves, not towards us, so it should ne fine. Old-me is still surprised and skitters behind the wool for a moment. "Subiri ... ni wewe, unatazama kitambaa. Utambulisho wako. Lo, nilijua wanyama wanaweza kupata ujuzi, lakini kamwe ujuzi wa biashara. Natamani ningekuwa na lenzi bora ya tathmini. Hunielewi wewe?" No sudden swat attempts by the swatter, so after a moment Old-me re-emerges and moves towards yet another bolt, which is by far the largest towering above me.
Material(Textile) [Raw Waterproof Jute Canvas Bolt]
Craft: Average [Large] [Rough] [Jute] [Waterproof]
This bolt of undyed canvas is unremarkable -It is a the common [Jute Canvas] with a mild treatment to [Waterproof] -It is made with a [Jute Fiber] and [Bees Wax] -It is undyed -It is in decent condition and undamaged
Oh, I like this one, it is heavy, but if it protects from Water, that could be super useful... it''s the size of all of the other textiles here combine though, I couldn''t even take the Yarn at my size... maybe some scrap was left behind... I will keep an eye out. Old-me isn''t paying attentions to the textile or my musings and is already moving towards the [Constructs] skittering over, careful to stay out of easy reach of the swatter. Did they make the [Constructs] I see so many all over, not quite twelve twice but more than twelve. I get close to some of them, some have textiles, others do not, I choose one with an interesting [Sarong]. Instantly I feel a sense of contentment from Old-me, happy to get the boxes to me.
Trinket(Toy) [Female Dressing Doll]
Craft: Average [Small] [Doll]
This small doll is made of -It is humanoid, with elfish proportions -It is made of [Oak Wood], [Porcelain], and [Iron] -It is in great condition and undamaged -It is wearing a [Feminine Green Boufont Dress]
Body [Clothing] [Feminine Green Boufont Dress]
Craft: Fine [Small] [Doll-wear]
This small dress is made of green silk -It is designed and tailored for a humanoid doll -It is made of [Spider Silk] -It is dyed green -It is in perfect condition and undamaged
Spider silk! someone else made stuff out of it, that''s great this [Dress] is made of the best fabric here, everything else looks rather sad next to it. I wonder if the [Arachnid] that made it is still around. I hope they gained a new-me like I did. Old me is moving on, clearly missing how wonderful this development is... clearly in a hurry to get back. Well I also learned that they are not [Constructs] and are no different than the [Clothing] they wear. The wonderful [Clothing] that I thought to be a [Sarong] is instead called a [Dress] I''ll need more words for this clearly. In any case, Old-me isn''t wrong, we''ll just see... "Nadhani nina la msingi, wewe ni nini. Lo, buibui wa kawaida wa ngazi ya kwanza, wa chini sana. Oh, huna jina la kwanza? Lakini jina lako la mwisho ni [Artisan]" Old-me eyes swivel to face the swatter almost instinctively, my attention had meandered, but the fear washes away my curiosity. The small swatter said [Artisan] and I know that word. I can''t tell if it is looking at me, but for the first time it seems to be looming. I focus all eight eyes on it, noticing that it has been getting hotter this whole time. It keeps making sound, and is starting to move around a little, stepping from one side to another and partially rotating in place. I don''t like it. "Lo, kitu kidogo, wacha nizuie macho yangu. Naam, nadhani wewe ni mpya. Kweli, katika kesi hiyo, naweza kukusaidia. Wewe ni mwanamke, ngoja tuone... vipi, nakupigia simu..." It looked away, and I feel old me relax, and start to move again. No, don''t you fool, I can hear the sounds, and they sound wrong, stop thinking the threat has passed because you instincts aren''t... Damnit, it is too late, Old-me skitters across the surface, at least it''s moving away from the swatter. I see that Old-me decided to visit the small pile of [textiles] they look like scraps, clearly intent on grabbing something for later. I watch as the swatter turns around to face me again, right as Old-me grabs hold of a [Tiny] scrap of the [Jute Canvas] "Kysa o''Mnoko" I''m not even really here, but agony lances into my mind and my vision goes black. 11: Instinctive Running Ow mind ow. Dumber I dumber, need Hat. Wait Dodge! Chink "Damn it, karibu kukupata [Kysa]" Swatter SWATTING DODGE! Swatter has rock with big hole! Chink "Njoo, Kysa, ingia hapa, nitakutunza." Swatting with rock, trying to hole me. Dodge dodge. Not smart like New-me, but... can dodge! Dumber than normal. Why I here. Why not Nest. Danger. Danger! Dodge! Chink "Sijaribu kukuumiza, njoo, ninahitaji hariri yako wewe [Artisan] mdogo" Swatter mad, swatter swept [Textile] away! Try to catch me. Climbing, climbing Swatter Fast, jumped, high to catch. Need Risk, Jump, up high. Need safer NO JUMP! Chink "Mimi nitakutunza tu, njoo, acha kukimbia. Mama, nimepata [Arachnid] maalum." Owch, landing hurt. Not that Dumb. Swatter calling to other swatters, Trying to catch! Need Run. Other Swatters coming. Run! [Textiles] scattered, use to hide "Uko wapi? Acha kujificha" Swatter throwing [Textiles] Jump JUMP! Safe, other [Textile] hiding, as run for opening. "Unamaanisha nini [Artisan], binti yangu." Oh no, other swatters arrive, new sounds made, I know me. One and then One, that makes. One, One, One. Dumber, need Hat Run! "Mama, nimepata [Arachnid] ambaye amevaa nguo zilizotengenezwa kwa hariri, pia ana darasa la u[Artisan]." "[Arachnid] [Artisan] hiyo inaweza kuwa ya thamani." Reached nest wall, Swatters know me, new ones too. Climb, climb, I am [Tiny] "Ndiyo, lakini inaenda, nisaidie kumpata [Kysa]" That... I feel. What is this. "Lo ni rahisi basi ukiipa jina, haiwezi kuwa na akili nzuri." "Njoo hapa [Kysa], ambaye ni msichana mzuri" I stop, I go back. I good girl. Why I not stop Why I climbing? I good girl. "Iko karibu na dirisha, kwa nini haikomi." "[Kysa], msichana wa chini, njoo hapa." Clink I must go down, I good girl. Why I no I need be good girl. Legs climb through window. I can''t stop. "Lazima iwe na aina fulani ya kinga, sijawahi kumvutia [Arachnid] hapo awali. Toka nje kabla ya kutoroka." Ow Ow, I can''t see them. It''s gone... words made me. Words made me want to get caught. I need new-me, legs didn''t obey, thank you legs. Run away, run away. I am fast, they are faster. I hear shaking Going to hurt, jump to grass. Jump! Safe in Grass "Nilimwona, akaingia kwenye nyasi hiyo, nitampata." Twump Swatter JUMPED landed flat, head on ground. Swatter wrap upper legs around me Surrounded No escape. Wait, [Silk-wrapped Long-stinger] I grab with pedipalps. STAB STAB STAB Legs strange, made of softness. Many pedipalps on end of leg. I stab between pedipalps "Jamani! inaweza kuuma. Hujasema inaweza kuuma." Swatter recoiled. I may not end. RUN! Grass around, I [Tiny] I get lost. "[Kysa]! Acha kuwa Msichana Mbaya! Toka nje na kuomba msamaha." Not Bad Girl! I need go out I sorry! Legs not stop I not Bad Girl, legs not stop! Oh they found me, I can be good girl. STAB, SQUIRT Ah! they did again, Swatters nasty, pedipalps moved without me, stabbed deep. Swatter recoil again, I free. Legs Run! Almost Cliff, So close, just up ahead.
"Anaenda kwenye bwawa, mzuie kabla hajafika juu ya mwamba au hatutampata kamwe." "Ni rahisi kwako kusema, uliona mwiba huo, ni mkubwa!" Swatter making sounds at each other. Both are big swatters, The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.Where is small swatter. Doesn''t matter, close to cliff, JUMP! Chink "Nimeelewa!" OW, hit hard stone. Oh no, I am caught. STAB STAB It not working! It not WORK! "Umempata, mzuri, sina uhakika jinsi tutakavyoidhibiti, lakini hiyo ni hariri isiyo na kikomo." Nothing working, stone never break I will end, I will never be New-me! "Ah, [Kysa] uliyeogopa ... sikufikiria ... wazazi wangu ... wanataka wewe kama kipenzi." Swatters voice is softer No more shouting. "Samahani, sikumaanisha. Tafadhali rudi baadaye, nilitaka tu kuwa marafiki." Catcher raised up Just a little. I can escape. ESCAPE! RUN! JUMP! "Risasi, nilimwona tu [Kysa] akiruka juu ya mwamba, nadhani alitoka nje." Ahh, I escaped, but falling! Falling fast! Need to stop! Silk, Silk is good. Make a ball, make a big ball, draw lots from Spinnerette. Got it THROW! It stuck, rock! It slow, slow slowing. STOP Wrong WAY! To fast, STOP! Not able to st...
Ow, wake up. Very hurt. Need food. Can''t move... too hungry Stamina low Trouble. Oh... hello other spider. Little smaller Hi... don''t hurt... Oh gentle touch, boop. Friend spider Sorry, can''t move Other spider like me but smaller. Oh, leaving Please Don''t leave Not leaving Oh, your dumb, you don''t understand. What are you... Oh, dragging me, thank you Lucky Your web close Bring me close Yes, here is good. No, don''t need to climb I am heavy, big, I can do it. Yes, here we are, This is safe. Thank you. Do you have food? Yes, yes, a [Cricket] Thank you. Yum. Rest? Yes Rest.
More energy, wounds healing. Thanks little one I like you Thanks for help I want more social now If we go to [Hat] New-me could help. Eghuu, no, not yet, more food, more rest. Oh, neat, I can''t move much, but I try. Like this? Yes I like. Tired now, moving fun I like your moves. Food then Rest Yum, thanks you. Oh!, yes, Rest together? Warm, like [Hat] legs firm, chitin soft.
Better, more move. Wanna Move, wanna Dance? Yes, move, move, move. I like that, wiggle legs, wiggle legs. I like, I like lots, feels good. Oh nice, nice touch. I like little one, touch nice. Thank you, I Dance more. Energy, lots, see me dance. What, what you want. Rest? not Rest, Dance? Wish New-me here. Oh, Oh! I understand Yes, I see, webbing your pedipalps Ok, I like you, climb me. Yes I am ready, touch my thorax Get them ready Soft touch, I like you. Ok, open, both open. Web in, put them in Yes, in, in ah, yes that''s where they go. Shudder Yes This is right All full Best feeling Thank you I eat Food I eat
No! NO! not NO!!! I eat, I eat little one. I stop rest and find remains. No, I didn''t want too I just... I just... Couldn''t stop. New-me said, instinct. But I liked you. I didn''t want you End. I did, I end you. I''m sorry I take care of littlest ones. I can''t stay Little one danced so well. I have to go. Go to [Purple Hat] I rested enough. I''m sorry. New-me... I take silk. Please use. Old-me not want Not forget.
Not happy But I see home. Almost, just a little longer. Full up, from Little one. I''m sorry. I''m home Today bad Take care of me New-me
Equipped [Purple Hat]
12: What is in a... Oh, It hurts, it hurts so bad. I feel myself twitching on the bottom of the [Purple Hat] what is happening to me. I need to see it, what... what ow ow. What happened, I don''t recall what happened after I...
Name =Kysa o''Mnoko Level = 1 Title = [Slayer] Type = Arachnid
Family = [Adoptable] Class = Artisan Home = Purple Hat Species = Common Spider
Attributes
Body Mind Social
Size 0.0002 [Tiny Trait] Ego 2 Id 2
Strength 2 Intelligence 4 [+8 Item] [2] Charisma 2
Agility 5 Cunning 3 [2] Empathy 2
Toughness 1.5 /2 Sanity 1 /2 Submission 1 /3
Stamina 0.2 /1 Focus 0.5 /2 [1] Vigor 1 /2
Traits
Racial Trained General Knowledge Feats Deeds
[Arachnid Body] [Craft Textile 5] [Nimble Manipulator] [General Knowledge 1] [Slayer]
[Exoskeleton] [Arachnids Knowledge] [Ambusher]
[Mindless Body] [Adoptable] [Wanderer]
[Brain Spider]
[Spinneret 5]
[Venom]
[Legs 8]
[Tiny]
Equipment
Head [Purple Hat] Body [Purple Sarong] Back [Cocoon Backpack]
What? I have... I have a name, when did that... oh, when the swatter... The Swatter named me! it must have know I was looking through it''s fabrics. But I am tiny, almost as small as you can be, how did it notice me. I am so confused, to what happened. Why did it name me... WHAT DID THAT DO!
Name: Kysa o''Mnoko (Of Mnoko Deepmarsh)
Attributes Gain 1 Id by gaining 1 Charisma, 1 Empathy, 1 Submission, 1 Vigor
Effect: -Gain Hidden Trait [Soul]: Effect unknown -Gain Hidden Trait [Unique]: Creatures can gain individual [Knowledge] about [Unique] creatures, and make [Records] with [Knowledge] -Can be designated by single-target social and mental effects -Gain access to [Name] skill tree -Gain Hidden Trait [Self]: Short term mental and social effects do not effect designated [Self] but may repress it and/or prevent interactions.
Ah... ok, that is a ton... and I have no idea what some of this means. So I gain hidden traits, one of which let''s people effect me better, and now they can target me with things. I don''t like this, it seems like it''s really really bad for me. It did significantly improve my social scores though. I guess that is good, but I wish I had known first... or better yet, avoided getting a name. Can I get rid of it? No, looks like it is here to stay. Well this is why Old-me rushed back and was so low on food, it must have felt the effects and wanted Kysa''s intelligence. Wait... I just called myself Kysa in my head. Oh, that is a little scary, I hadn''t intended that. I... um... I don''t like this... What, Sanity just dropped more down to 0.3... is this why my Sanity is so low right now, it''s getting lower. I feel myself shaking... I need food and rest... and I need them soon. I have the last of the [Horned Beetle] I am going to eat that and and and and and and and and and and...
...
...
...Why... I am in my resting web... but I can''t move. Why can''t I move... I''m not... I don''t want to move, this is warm...
...
Oh, I don''t recall cocooning myself, but I guess I did... I could get out of here with a little work.
...
I am getting hungry again, the husk of the [Horned Beetle] in here with me is drained dry. I guess I should get out. But it''s so snug and warm.
Ok, if I bite here, and break this strand I can pull my leg out. Wow that was bound tightly, it''s hard to even bend... Got it, now then I can move it over to here and break the one holding my other leg in place. Some progress, alright with both my legs I can twist myself a little like this, and pull out... alright, that''s half my legs, just need to free... The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Got it, just need to bite off these last webs, and I am free. I feel a lot better now, it looks like... that was probably sanity. I need to eat. A [Cricket] will do for now. So now I know what taking mental damage is like. The namer who [Named] me is terrifying, and I dread what else the namer could do to me. I guess being wrapped up in my resting web helped me recover. I wonder why...
Sanity fully restored, interface restored. Pending notifications.
Persistent Condition acquired from Mental break: [C: Cowardice] Minor surprises cause shaken condition, and all fear increased by 1 level.
Recovery Comfort acquired from Mental break: [RC: Restrained] Being warm and unable to move while safe doubles Sanity regeneration.
Quest complete: [Q: The Glittering Princess], [Q: Smoke signals], [Q: What do they call me], [Q:Escape from Caecs-Freithe]
Quest Gained: [Q: My first Life]
Progress Level 2 3/3, Progress Level 3 2/3
Progression to Level 2 possible, no [Class Training] detected, limited options available.
I don''t like [Cowardice], I already though being scared was bad, and now it''s so much worse. At least [RC: Restraint] seems pretty good, I guess that''s why I curled up when I broke. I don''t like that I broke, I need to avoid that. Having a name is awful. On the good side, I got level 2! That''s something at least, I can take another class and get my attributes a little higher. I''m not hesitating, what are the choices, and what do they get me.
Available [Class Training]
[Arachnid Class] +4 Agility, +1 Id
You are a member of the Arachnid species, an insect-like species of eight legged bugs. Arachnids typically are agile, use poison, and the famous spider web, though not every Arachnid follows the typical, and everything from the humble Scorpion to the massive Titan-crab are part of this species. +1 [Arachnid Evolution], +1 [Arachnid Trait]
[Adoptable] [Artisan Family Class] 2 +1 Intelligence
You grew up in a family of [Artisans] and were trained to join the family business. You could have gone a different way, but you showed talent as a [Artisans] and learned the family trade. Family class must be selected as first progression or will be removed. +1 [Craft Trait], +1 [Craft Knowledge], +1 [Craft Feat]
[Title: Slayer Class] +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +2 Cunning, +2 Empathy
They said it wasn''t possible, and you laughed at them. Your opponent was everything, and you were nothing. Yet it is not you who was ended. In a supreme display of skill and cunning you managed to find a weakness in an insurmountable foe, and you ended them. You are well on your way along the path of violence, and people will know you. +1 Trait with [Physical Attack] Tag
[Simple Class] No Bonus
You never amounted to anything No Bonus
Great, well, I could continue down [Artisan] but it just gives +1 Intelligence... and [Arachnid] gives me 4 agility, a [Arachnid Trait], and whatever a [Arachnid Evolution] is. Stayer is still strong, but only for attributes, and if the trend continues maybe I''ll take it when I hit 3. I really don''t like the thought of being in lots of fights though. I do think I need to know what [Arachnid Evolution] is, can I know about that first?
[Evolution] [Arachnid Evolution]
Effect Each time this is taken it grant the creature the ability to evolve into a more powerful form belonging to it''s racial tree. It is limited only to creatures of the Evolution type. Evolution is permanent, and can grant benefits and drawbacks, sometimes this will even downgrade or upgrade traits, more powerful forms may be locked behind the characters level, attributes, skills or even deeds, and often require a previous form selected from the same lineage tree. Lineage trees tend to correspond to one of the three categories, Body, Mind, and Social, some forms and trees can be a combination of multiple trees. You can only see options that your appropriate creature knowledge would know about.
Wow, that is really good. I will definitely want more of these, probably Mind focused, that might make me less dependent on my beloved [Purple Hat] I wonder if I get one of these with every level, that would be really good depending on the options. Can I see the options? No, darn it, I guess the first is going to be a risk, but it can''t be that bad even if I am limited to very weak forms. It gives me a big boost to agility, a new form, a trait... and a bonus to Id, though that is low enough that I''m sure a later level will overwrite it. I could just keep to [Artisan] but I really learned enough about it to try it for the first time. It can wait a little, I think I will come back for my third level. With the progress I have made that should be pretty soon anyways. Alright I will take [Arachnid]... in a little, I should probably check the quests I just completed, they were mostly learning quests, so I am surprised they counted as major quests.
[Q: The Glittering Princess]
[Knowledge] [Reptile] [Threat] [Complete]
You have discovered a [Divine] [Serpent] [Monster] and it''s home in a cave at the back of a small pond. -What: [Divine] [Serpent] -Purpose: Live in cave nest -Benefits: Non-hostile intelligent local power
Oh the Serpent has Intelligence? Is that why it stared at me, watched me, but didn''t do anything until I left? It may have been coming to my aid when all those [Un-ending] attacked. or it might have been protecting it''s home. That''s really intresting, I guess maybe I could try to communicate with it. Shaking trembling, jittering. Ah... wow, ok, that must have been [Cowardice] I got so very scare of the [Serpent] it is so very very large.
[Q: Smoke signals]
[Knowledge] [Civilization] [Threat] [Complete]
You have seen Smoke, where is it from? -Where: [Aodaich] house [Village] of [Caecs-Freithe] -Purpose: Warmth of Civilization -Benefits: A busy social area that will remain and contain resources during times of [Scarcity].
This place is far more terrifying than I expected when I was there. I don''t know if the namer is always here. I might want to avoid it, but I might be tempted if [Scarcity] caused problems. The other swatters may also have scary powers. I think I can assume they have very high Ego and Id''s, higher than me for sure. I dread what they can do to me know they know my name. At least nothing has happened yet.
[Q: What do they call me]
[Knowledge] [Name] [Bonus] [Complete]
[No Name] Choose a name, or have it chosen for you. *This quest is minor if you choose your name. [Complete]: You have been named [Kysa o''Mnoko] by the villager [Liosa o''Caecs Aodaich]
The namer is called [Liosa] a villiager, that means she probably lives in Caecs, and rarely leaves the nest. Unfortunate, that gives me another reason to avoid the place, I''m not sure how the danger rates compared to the other threats. The other dangers are clear enough, I think they are even clearer in fact now I have [Cowardice]. -[Spidereaters] have ending me built into their name, and have a nest of far more than I can count. They want to end and eat me. I need to avoid them. -[Divine] [Serpent] is huge, and far more power than I expected. I think it could take the [Un-ended] and it seems intelligent enough to notice me. -The big scary [Un-ended] It doesn''t seem to notice me, but the very area it''s in is dangerous, and might even end me without it''s intent -The [Un-ended] horde. While they are scary, they also seem slow and dumb, and if I am careful I should be able to avoid. But it''s possible the numbers of them is growing. -[Lagomorphs] could end me in an instant, but they didn''t notice me, and even if they did I doubt they would go after me. With that done, let''s check out the extra quest I got and completed.
[Q: Escape from Caecs-Freithe]
[Knowledge] [Reptile] [Threat] [Complete]
A villager is trying to catch you, escape!
Wait, when did I... I didn''t finish reviewing my memories, I got kicked of my memories the moment I was named. I''d better check what happened. 13: Escape from Caecs-Freithe Village Ow mind ow. This is almost as painful, what happened, what is going on to Old-me
Temporary Condition: Overwhelmed
This condition is caused when exposed to powerful effects meant to target higher sapient or intelligent creatures Effect: Halves Mind and Social scores End: When Ego or Id increases for any reason, or when resting at Home for one week
Oh that explains it, Naming must have caused it. That is a nasty condition, it must have ended when I got into the [Hat] maybe that is why it hurt so much. Woah! I wasn''t paying attention, but Old-me is in the middle of dodging... That is [Liosa o''Caecs Aodaich] the Namer. It''s got a small stone [Container] just like my [Cocoon Backpack] But she is swinging it and trying to get me inside. Old-me... well, our mind may be hurt, but our agility sure isn''t. I''m watching me dodge and run across the surface covered in [Textiles]. Good job [Old-me] your doing good. The Namer is crying out with frustration, that is good, we just need too... Curse, the Namer just swept away the textiles, scattering them across the floor. Now it''s coming in for another swing. Old-me starts climbing, good, Swatter can''t climb, but watch out they do have rea... Wow, that was a jump, right off the wall to the floor, Oooff well it didn''t hurt, but knocked the air from my folds I was expecting it to hurt more... [General Knowledge 1] is telling me that small creatures can survive bigger falls. I hear the Namer raise it''s voice. It''s calling for other Swatters, and Old-me Skitters into cover while the Namer is distracted. Good job, keep going Old-me, the big hole is just over up that wall. Woah, agility rocks, I just watched Old-me leap from textile to textile as the Namer starts searching them with it''s upper legs. So ungainly, I don''t know how it balances on two... they must fall over a ton. We get closer to the wall and the opening above, phew, well I am here, so I shouldn''t be worried, but still, I am shaking from the sudden action. Oh, we just got to the wall as two larger Swatters arrived and they make sounds with Namer Liosa. I hear [Arachnid] and [Artisan] in their strange sound. The larger swatters are agitated, and start looking around furiously. Old-me is already climbing, we just need to escape their notice long enough that we can slip out the hole. We are so [Tiny] that I watch through four eyes as the three looks right at me. Once then twice, moving to look through the abandoned [Textiles] in between glances around the nest. We can do this, we are almost... I hear one call out [Kysa] Oh no, that is my name. I feel Old-me''s confusion and shiver, she doesn''t understand what it is, but she must recognize it. It carries weight. "Njoo hapa [Kysa], ambaye ni msichana mzuri" Wow, Old-me just started freaking out, I feel the words settle on me. Even I feel like I want to descend, to obey. But despite this my legs keep moving, entirely ignoring Old-me''s attempts to obey. This has to be a Social attack, my Id and other scores are still low, especially with [Overwhelmed] in play. I''m terrified, but Old-me is devoted, desperately trying to stop our legs from climbing. What''s worst is the second command, I know what it is, and this is but a memory, but I feel myself bend. In that moment I fear even I would have obeyed. But it must be [Mindless Body] that is working right now. The Namer had scared me, and no attempts at social control will stop my instincts from retreating back home... It would have been nice to get caught. No, Stop that. you don''t know what they would have done. My Id''s instincts are right, they wanted us to stay, so we flee. Good we are here, the edge of the hole. I see the moment they see us, both the tall Swatters moving towards the hole. It is not large enough, and we slip through, despite their sounds of wretched loss. The moment they pass from sight I feel the compulsion depart me, both old and new. I shiver in sync with Old-me. The distraction hits Old-me greatly, and for a moment we would have stopped. We are [Overwhelmed] and reeling, but safe for the moment. Our [Mindless Body] ignores us in it''s panicked flight. It''s darting closer to the other wall, and it leaps off the edge with no hesitation. I shudder, we are so high up, in the world of birds and flying bugs. It is un-natural. Still it was the right decision, as we fall to the distant floor we hear a rumble, as the tallest swatter comes around the corner. So fast, I am startled, I haven''t even reached the grass below me. I''m almost caught out by the sheer speed... and then I am caught out when I hit the ground hard enough my chitin creaks in protest. I reach it first, I will be safe in the grass. Ow, God that hurts, I can''t stop, I have to move. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Twump The Swatter jumped, and in a moment was lying down, his legs around me. It was so fast, I fear this Swatters agility. It''s not over, I feel Old-me fear for a moment, before desperation works... a moment and I feel my Pedipalps grasp the [Silk-wrapped Long-stinger] and draw it. Old-me moves desperately, barely able to use the Stinger with any capability. Stabbing out again and again. I get a good look at the upper legs of the swatter, each of them has five pedipalps on the end of them, larger than my entire body. The carapace is soft... incredibly soft. Old-me''s thrusts are chaotic and random, but each plunges deep into the carapace of the swatters pedipalps. The armour should have taken that, in no way would even the deepest wound I could inflict harm such a large creature... but it recoils, making agitated sounds and throwing itself back as if grievously wounded. I am stunned by the frailty, but Old-me is helped by a good dose of instincts and is barely phased. My eight legs whirl as without hesitation we are launched forwards deeper into the grass, to the clear and audible agitation of the swatters. It''s Old-me''s hope that we won''t be ended, so much of the area ahead is wondrous concealment. "[Kysa]! Acha kuwa Msichana Mbaya! Toka nje na kuomba msamaha." My brain almost freezes up, and Old-me certainly does. A shudder runs through our body, but our [Mindless] legs keep running. I am not a bad girl, I''m not, I can''t stop. My legs won''t let me stop, why won''t they let me stop. Please let me stop, I need to be good. I hear the thudding of the Swatters legs, they must have spotted me... my [Mindless Body] had not kept to the concealing grass. Good, they can catch me, and I can be a good girl. The leg and pedipalps come down to scoop me up, and I feel relief. Then I stab so deep that red water coats my leg. Stop, I need to be good, I don''t want to be bad. Bad gets punished. My legs keep running, I need to stop, stop... AHH, they did it again, but the large swatter just obscured the medium swatter for a moment and I felt the compulsion break. I don''t have time, and I am ever so thankful my legs haven''t stopped for even a moment. They are behind me, the larger Swatter is being helped to it''s lower legs. I have time, I am so close. The cliff is just up ahead. Old-me puts on a last burst of speed, we can make it... we did make it. I feel Old-me''s hesitation... Where did the small Namer go. We let that go, we just need to jump over the side and begin out climb down. Swatters can''t climb... JUMP... Chink "Nimeelewa!" NO! OW!, I impacted the stone, I am inside the container. No, how, I got to the [Purple Hat] I know I did. I don''t know... How... My [Mindless Body] is acting on instincts, stabbing the stone, yet nothing works. I feel Old-me panic, and I am ashamed I might be as well. I don''t even see a scratch on the stone or dirt, just a happy hum of the Namers sound. The other Swatters are speaking, I hear the Namer speak [Kysa] and for once, well since I was named, it''s voice is soft. Old-me is worrying about it''s end, [Mindless Body] knows nothing but a frantic escape attempts, but I listen. The two Swatters, are speaking loud, to the Namer, I listen, something is off. The Swatters sound loud, aggressive, but contrast sharply to the Namers sound. I don''t understand, but I doubt I will ever understand Social like these creatures. Then the Container lifts up, just a crack, but more then enough. Old-me would have moved our body, but [Mindless Body] is already out, and without hesitation leaping off the cliff. Oh gosh, we are so high up, in the realm of birds and flying bugs... AHHH! I could fall anywhere, we need to stay close to the [Hat]. We are moving so fast, the wind catches us immediately and sends us hurtling away from the Namer... no Liosa. I hear my name as I hurtle away from them. "Risasi, nilimwona tu [Kysa] akiruka juu ya mwamba, nadhani alitoka nje." I need to stop, and Old-me is flailing, no, our legs are reaching for our spinneret... Old-me is making a ball of web... as sticky as we are capable. It''s a good plan, we need to stop, and perhaps our Silk can help. We draw out more and more, until we have a good sized ball and a very long thread. Out out leg stretches, I feel Old-me''s exertion as we throw as hard as we can. It''s so close to missing, as we whizz past and outcropping... just a little slower and it would have certainly passed by. But luck is with Old-me as the ball of my web catches one edge of the stone and spreads out. I feel the relief from my dumber self moments before the line tightens. I agree, we are still under the branches of the Willow, a miss and we could have been blown far far away. Owww, that hurt, my spinneret most of all, it felt for a moment like I was going to lose them. But it worked, we aren''t being blown away, instead swinging on an arc towards... the cliff...Too fast, way to fast, Hurry Old-me, we need to stop before we... Crack 14: Little One The memories of pain lance through my mind as Oldme wakes, still stunned from the impact. I''m glad we survived, it''s so simple to forget that I''m merely watching the actions of my self. Even now, Oldme ravenous hunger threatens me, we must have regenerated after the impact. It hurts... in fact it hurts more than the small cracks I can see in our chitin. It''s not good, we must be almost out of stamina, and if that''s the case, then well... [General Knowledge 1] is warning me that starving is fully capable of ending me. We are still on the cliff, a fair distance away from where we started. In fact I think if we went to the ground the pile of waste would be nearby, covered with more food. We need to reach it. We slammed into a small ledge, our web still stretched out and waving in the wind. Oldme tries to move, but the pain from the broken chitin, and the lack of stamina keeps us from moving. I can feel, and feel fear myself. No, we will be ok, Oldme somehow got out of this and back to the [Purple Hat]. This explains why I had felt so much pain. Oldme is panicking, but unable to do a thing in our current state. Wait, a tremor through the ground, felt through my legs... I''m not alone, I don''t think Oldme notices it. The fear flooding my other self is almost as great as the pain. A bug, but we can''t catch a bug in this state. No, not a bug, I see it creep along the ledge and just into view. Eight legs, an [Arachnid]... not just a spider either, a [Common Spider] just like me, though half my size. It''s watching Oldme from safety, lurking close enough to the edge that perception is unlikely. It takes a few gentle steps forwards, intentionally revealing itself to Oldme once it''s clear we aren''t in any condition to attack. I feel a little hope and happyness in Oldme and I''m glad for myself. The smaller spider moves forth tentatively, clearly surprised at it''s newest visitor. It pokes me... no it pokes the [Sarong] in curiosity... well this spider is likely as [Mindless] as we were before the [Hat]. I admit, if we had met it a little while ago I would have dismissed a [Mindless] spider. But it was [Mindless Body] that got us out and away from the swatters. Oldme was defeated early, and I never had true input... well I made the weapon and armour, but it was [Mindless Body] who carried us out. Something can be said for unthinking instincts I guess. Unfortunately, those instincts have clearly warded it away from us, it skitters back after it''s gently stroking our carapace. The sensation was nice at least, avoiding the clear cracks with it''s leg. But it''s gone now, to the despair of Oldme. Oh, it''s back already, I barely had lost sight of it, when relief had flooded Oldme. I''m sorry I didn''t know that this journey would be so hard for you. I picked the two easiest quests and everything... well at least now we can see were are safe, now I''m looking I can see some of it''s webs, we must have landed very near to it''s nest. Oh, I am sorry little one. We are heavy I know, you are doing well dragging us closer to your nest. Oldme is very relieved and is shaking... it feels like the fear is slowly drifting away. It does occure to me that this spider might be planning on eating us, but I get the feeling this was never the plan. [Arachnid Knowledge] suggests that this is normal friendly behavior. Oldme is glad the smaller spiders nest was so close, and I am inclined to agree. We very much got lucky with where the silk brought us, I doubt the smaller spider could have dragged us far. It''s not a cave exactly, more an outcropping of rock, eventually forming the ledge we landed on, and the protrusion our web had caught. The smaller spider does not try to drag us all the way into the nest, stopping just before we reach the web. I am curious about the two small shining stones, but without movement they matter little right now. To pull us up to the web would likely get us tangled right now, so I am glad we stopped. Oldme desires to climb to the center for rest, but we are still too weak. But when the smaller spider presses a cocooned [Cricket] into our Pedipalps I feel a flood of relief. I had known that we would survive of course, but seeing the assistance felt good. Better than good, it feels wonderful. Huh, what? Oldme is so remarkably happy right now. It''s not like the [Cricket] is delicious, it''s not bad, and draining it is filling us satisfactory. But it''s not that good. It''s like we just put on another [Sarong] everything feels warm and safe. More than I would expect anyways. I don''t understand, but watch as Oldme finishes the food, discards the waste, and then slowly climbs up into the nest. A warm bubbly feeling fills us this place feels almost as safe as the [Purple Hat] I wonder what is going on. In any case, I don''t feel unsafe, and [Mindless Body] is co-operating as we get ready to rest and recuperate. The Little One clambers up a few moments later to join us, bringing another cocoon and leaving it within arms reach. I recognize a bursts of warmth at that, not unlike when the [Serpent] fought the [Unending] and saved us. Perhaps a beneficial social effect? I will have to study that, but after we rest.
We shift as Little One brushes our carapace gently, a happy feeling of safety and warmth bubbling up from the start of our rest. This is nice, I am hurting significantly less. Little One is busy stroking my thorax, careful to avoid the cracks. It''s a nice sensation, and I shiver at it''s touch. Oldme is pleased, and reaches out for the nearby bug, a [Grub] this time... a good one as well, fat and juicy, little of the husk is left once we drain it dry. It is a good way to wake, is this also Social, it feel similar, but better than when the Swatters were freaking us out. We stay in the restful web for a while like that, Oldme healing slowly, Little One occasionally moving to grab another bug. It shares a few with us, but needs significantly less stamina it seems. Oldme is very happy with it, and I agree, I wish we had invited it back to our nest, we have better webs and more food. Perhaps coaxing it out of this crevasse is hard, I have certainly seen enough danger around to last a lifetime. Oldme tries to move after a while, but pain lances through our entire body. We cannot move, that could be a problem. Thankfully Little-One is unhurt, and much smaller, it''s barely eating the food it has, so we should be good for a while, we are both very thankful to it for taking care of us... wow, that was warm, what are you doing... oh, Little-One has moved in front of us, and raised it''s pedipalps and front legs. It sways to each side, it''s legs jittering as if trying to dodge a Swatter. What do you want? I am confused, it is making no... Ah, Oldme is not confused. We can''t move, but Oldme raises up our own front legs and pedipalps, jittering them to each side in a playful mimic of Little-One. Little-One is clearly pleased, the [Mindless] spider whirling in a way we cannot, and raising up it''s other legs and jittering in time. What fun, Oldme cannot whirl, but we do raise up several legs and jitter them, not nearly so nicely as our host. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. The pain has gone down, so perhaps that was a way of caring for aches, it was fun regardless. Thank you Little-One you do it well... and thanks for the [Cricket]. As we receive the gift Oldme brushes it''s chitin, just to one side of it''s black eyes. We consume it ravenously, with a rest we should finally have enough stamina to move once more. Little-One moves closer once we have eaten, Oldme let''s it get up real close, sitting next to me, legs on one side in between mine. I feel a bubbling of happiness in Oldme... I also like the companionship, Little-One soft chitin pressing against me and it''s warmth seeping through. I guess it also wants to rest, and we listen to the wind blowing. This is nice, just like inside [Hat]
Legs don''t hurt anymore, I am up molting. Little-One is disturbed by my movements. Oldme knows how to escape the molt, though [Arachnid Knowledge] says we were not due for another soon. The cracked chitin falls off in large chunks, Little-One helps pulling the old discarded parts of our legs and body. Soon we are free, and Old-me stretches out. This is so much better, Little-One seems bouncy, clearly happy that we can move once more. We will have to see how to move it to our wonderful [Purple Hat]. Oh, it''s moving again, jittering, and this time wiggling all of it''s body. [Arachnid Knowledge] says this is a dance. Just watching Little-One feels good, really good. Oldme is already wiggling, our legs jittering as we move around the nest in opposite to Little-One. After quite a while of inaction, being free to move is wonderful, Oldme jitters and wiggles instinctively, not even aware of all our movements, perhaps this has something to do with [Mindless Body] or our Id. I shiver as Little-one dances close and strokes along my sternum, rearing my larger body as it dances close, it''s legs moving and rubbing against my own. My current body shivers from the memories of my old. Little-One seems to know just what to do and where to touch. Clearly both of us feel energized by the contact, and we spin and whirl together in a odd harmony, our bodies seeming to know what each others are going to do. Little-one caresses my pedipalps, running it''s own along them during a moment of particularly close contact. My thorax pulses in time with it''s movements, and I feel Oldme folds struggling to pull in enough air. It bellows in and out through the hole. I don''t understand, and Oldme is nearly delirious, we should maybe stop. Little-One makes a motion that makes us shudder, Oldme is uncertain what it wants as am I. Does it want to dance more, is it hungry, or has the charged dance made it need a rest. Oldme want my aid, but I have no idea what is happening. Little-One spins us around the web in a final dance, then starts drawing web from it''s spinneret. Oldme exclaims in excitement in our memories to my confusion, our thorax pulsing faster and our folds heaving in and out air. I''m confused, and I feel conflicted, what is going on. Oldme desired it to climb us, and Little-One strokes us once more before beginning exactly that. I see it''s spinneret dripping into the wrapped web. Suddenly it makes sense, [Arachnid Knowledge] explains and I nearly recoil. No, Oldme, we need to leave, we can''t. We are in too much danger, we have too many things we need to do... we can''t do that to him... we can''t do that to us, and who knows if the [Hat] will work after. But for all my cries of despair and horror, this has already happened, and Oldme is enthralled in the dance. I feel my current body shudder as he makes his way up my old one, my thorax throbs in fear while Oldme throbs without. Little-One is [Mindless] he doesn''t understand what he is doing... and neither does my delirious past self. His gentle rubs along my thorax make it throb faster, and he climbs up high onto my back... his webbed pedipalps leave lingering and slightly wet touches, his legs press against it until my thorax feels like it''s going to explode. I beg my memory to stop this, but neither could ever respond. Gently Little-One strokes my copulatory openings, bringing a shudder to both my memory and real body, coaxing open each of them in turn. Oldme stops standing, resting our torso on the web, and my current body collapses to the ground as well. Little-One runs the tip of its pedipalps along the openings, making sure we are ready. I make another pointless plea to long gone memories before he presses his pedipalps into me, pushing the little wet balls of web in ever so slowly. Our bodies shudder, and Oldme squirms, the feeling of him entering is... well it is mundane, but both of us can feel [Mindless Body] instincts kicking in, our desire for Little-One efforts incredible. He is inside me, pressing the web deeper and deeper, I feel him fully enter both of my openings, Little-Ones skill superior to others. Neither of us has done this before, but both of us know how, he plays our body like an expert, deeper and deeper until his pedipalps breach my spermatheca. We shudder again, as he presses the wet and sticky web into the cavity inside our body... slowly and languidly unwinding it from his pedipalps. It''s like he is lingering intentionally, like he knows that our dance is soon to end. I sob as Oldme cries in joy, her comprehension lacking. Little-One finally lets go of each web, then doses them once more with his essence. The action nearly knocks Oldme out, and sends my own mind reeling, our instincts pulsing along with our filled pulsing thorax. Little-One is so gently pulling out, his work having ended. We almost don''t notice, Oldme breath is drawn in through her folds rapidly while mine is exhaled with much greater force. I can''t change anything now, I beg and plead with memories, but Oldme can''t hear, driven mad with instinct as Little-One withdraws from her openings, letting them seal up and tighten around his essence. Oldme instincts are sated in all but one respect, I watch in horror as we whirl and dance around Little-One, our fangs plunging through his eye, our pedipalps holding his body steady as we tear his head from it. Little-One end is mercifully short, he felt nothing, certainly nothing as Oldme cocoons his ended body instinctively, already dissolving his to consume. I can''t tear my eyes away as we bite down on his body and drain and drain until little is left but his husk. I feel sorrow, I feel sadness, and I do not know how to express them. But Little-One is ended, and when Oldme recovers she will grieve like I do.
It is unpleasant to rise to the sobs of Oldme. Realizing what is done the moment our eyes open to the pale husked Little-One. She repeats my earlier thoughts, she sobs, she begs, she cries to me that it is not fair. We shall name him Little Dancer, for he danced so very well. She does not stop as she packs away what she find in his web, taking a stone wrapped in his web, and another stone so shiny he did not. She departs and returns, begging to be wrong, asking that I can help. But it changes nothing, Little-Dancer has ended, and we carry what is left. 15: Mourning, and Choices. I admit, I am angry about Little-One, no, Little Dancer, our first companion ended by our own fang. I had though that Ol''me disorientation was due to the Swatters and their socials. In and some of it probably was, but not all of it. Certainly not most of it. I had watched the rest of my memory, the slow stumbling of Ol''me as it returned to our beloved [Purple Hat], a far cry from the delighted whirling with Little Dancer. But I cannot blame Ol''me for that. In truth, between [Mindless Body] and Ol''me performance, we would not have survived. [Kysa] certainly would not have reacted with the same unthinking agility, and the Swatters would probably have caught me, or any of the [Unended]. But Little Dancer would have been here if I had been in control. It is clear that a Balance must be made, I need to get stronger, I need to find a way to move while in my smartest form. The Swatters could move with a [Hat], surely I can find a way. I wouldn''t have yielded to him so quickly, and if I had brought him back I could have aided him to get his intelligence up as mine was. Now he is ended, and according to [Arachnid Knowledge] it won''t be long before I have a horde of my own. I am in no position right now, I must work fast. To that, I must Progress, and get stronger, maybe larger... gain more skills... and make allies to protect me against the threats. To start with, I am Progressing
Available [Class Training]
[Arachnid Class] +4 Agility, +1 Id
You are a member of the Arachnid species, an insect-like species of eight legged bugs. Arachnids typically are agile, use poison, and the famous spider web, though not every Arachnid follows the typical, and everything from the humble Scorpion to the massive Titan-crab are part of this species. +1 [Arachnid Evolution], +1 [Arachnid Trait]
[Adoptable] [Artisan Family Class] 2 +1 Intelligence
You grew up in a family of [Artisans] and were trained to join the family business. You could have gone a different way, but you showed talent as a [Artisans] and learned the family trade. Family class must be selected as first progression or will be removed. +1 [Craft Trait], +1 [Craft Knowledge], +1 [Craft Feat]
[Title: Slayer Class] +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +2 Cunning, +2 Empathy
They said it wasn''t possible, and you laughed at them. Your opponent was everything, and you were nothing. Yet it is not you who was ended. In a supreme display of skill and cunning you managed to find a weakness in an insurmountable foe, and you ended them. You are well on your way along the path of violence, and people will know you. +1 Trait with [Physical Attack] Tag
[Simple Class] No Bonus
You never amounted to anything No Bonus
...nothing new, so it will be in [Arachnid Class] Evolution is promising significant upgrades, and if it doesn''t I can fall back on [Slayer Class] next level. The main focus is that I need to be able to defend myself and my nest. It would be nice if I could find something that also aided me socially. I was discounting companions before, but the taste of Little Danger... no ughh, I didn''t mean that. The feeling of Little Dancer and me was wonderful, and I want to have that again... just with less, ending. I am spending the Level Attribute in Intelligence, just so Ol''me reaches 5 and is capable of most things.
[Arachnid Class Selected]
+4 Agility, +1 Id +1 Attribute(Level) +1 [Arachnid Evolution] +1 [Arachnid Trait] +1 [Starter Trait] (Level) +1 [Knowledge Trait] (Level)
Attributes Unspent
1/1 Attribute(Level)
Traits Unspent
Knowledge Trait Options (Pre-req) Starter Trait Options (Pre-req)
[General Knowledge 2] [Basic Visual Creature Identification] [Knowledge Mnoko Deepmarsh 1] (Time) [Knowledge Materials 1] (Class) [Knowledge Crafting 1] (Class) [Knowledge Gestures 1] (Social) [Knowledge Groupings 1] (Social) [Knowledge Vital Identification 1] (Slayer) [Knowledge Self Analysis] (Mind) [Knowledge Consequences 1] (Mind) [Knowledge Motion 1] [Knowledge Mnoko Deepmarsh 3] (Resident) Gain Knowledge of the area known as the Mnoko Deepmarsh [Wanderer] (Resident) Not from anywhere, you can live anywhere, increases ability to find useful raw materials. [EnVenom] (Racial) Can poison parts of body as preparation, Poison more potent [Spinneret 5] (Racial) (Racial Bonus) Can adjust properties of silk. [Stealth 1] (Agility) This Training boosts ability to hide from other creatures [Acrobatics 1] (Agility) This Training boosts agile movements [Climb 1] (Agility) Redundant with [Arachnid Body] [SilkWeaver 1] (Artisan) (Racial) Can weave webs and simple objects in a instant [Nimble Manipulator] (Artisan) (Agility) Can replace nimble tools with agile manipulators [Sneak Attack 1] (Slayer) Increases the damage of attacks from stealth
Great, well I really could have used [Silkweaver 1] So I am absolutely taking that, I did not expect another [Starter Trait], and the Knowledge trait is certainly a nice boon. What to take with it... [General Knowledge 1] has been invaluable, improving it might be useful. I am surprised these don''t have description like the [Starter Trait]... can I look them up? Let''s try [Knowledge Self Analysis] is missing a number, why is that.
[Knowledge Self Analysis]
You lack this Knowledge
Well I guess that happened. It will be a chance whatever I take. Well so far I have found the abilities without numbers to be unique and special, so let''s take [Knowledge Self Analysis] along with [Silkweaver 1]
[Knowledge Self Analysis]
This knowledge let''s you understand and identify thing happening to your own body, mind, and social. You can discover hidden effects by examine yourself as well as what caused them. This works automatically for lower level effects but required more effort the more powerful the effect. -Lower Level effects are half your level plus half your Intelligence (1(Level)+4(Int)=Level 5) -Your maximum detectable effect is your level plus your intelligence. (2(Level)+9(Int)=Level 11) This ability does not give you knowledge about your organs or similar abilities, but does give you the basics for what they do and why that is important.
Oh, that is useful, very useful if it warns me of some of these things that have hurt me. Can it tell me why my Thorax was pounding? Oh, thank you [Knowledge Self Analysis] My blood is pumped through part of my thorax, and was pumping very hard due to the situation and instincts. That is also why my folds were straining through so much air. Well just this minor effect is useful, I am glad about this. Now onto the main show, Time to Evolve, but just to be safe, my webs are all up, and I will curl up right in the middle of my restful nest. I wasn''t going to, but the instincts from [Mindless Body] seem to know what to do.
[Arachnid Evolution] Part 1
Base Tree (One Trait)
Body (Stalker Tree) Mind (Poison Tree) Social (Eusocial Tree)
Wolf Spider: +4 Str, +2 Agi, +2 Tou [Mini] The Wolf Spider stalks it''s pray until it leaps on them and attacks, it is a very sneaky ambush predator. [Camouflage 1] Bonus to Stealth when in environment that matches your camouflage. Changed to match environment extremely slowly during Molting. Hobo Spider: +4 Agi, +2 Cun +2 Sta [Tiny] The Hobo Spider is very dangerous, a single bite ending even large prey. [Lethal Venom 1] Venom is capable of wounding even large sized creatures. Venom is very lethal to similarly sized creatures. Grass Spider: +4 Emp, +2 Sub, +2 Tou [Mini] Common and not very dangerous, the Grass Spider works best when near other spiders, it is great at co-operating. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.[Commonality(Arachnid)] Arachnid lack aggression towards you. Actions taken to assist you, or the Arachnid you are aiding have extra chance of success. Outcome of shared action has significant chance to result in greater reward.
Alternative Trees (One Drawback, Two Traits)
Body (Scorpion Tree) Mind (Weaver Tree) Social (Swarm Tree)
Bark Scorpion: +4 Str, +4 Tou, +4 Sta [Mini] The Common Bark Scorpion is small but dangerous, it is very armoured for it''s size, and has significant offensive weapons. [Hardened Exoskeleton] This Arachnid has a very strong Exoskeleton. [Pincers] This Arachnid Pedipalps have powerful Pincers. -[Silkless] This Arachnid does not have Spinnerets or Silk. Orb Weaver: +2 Agi, +4 Cun, +2 Sub, +2 San, +2 Cha [Mini] The common Weaver creates magnificent webs, utilizing it''s amazing webs to craft delicate and sophisticated traps. [Stabilimentum] This Arachnid has special Silk decorations. [Greater Spinneret] This Arachnid has a wide variety of Silk tools. -[Delicate Exoskeleton] This Arachnid is very fragile, and relies on tools in order to capture pray. Harvestmen: +4 Emp, +4 Sub, +4 Vig [Tiny] The long legged Harvestmen is gregarious, working in large swarms to hunt down and End prey. [Swarm] When near other Arachnid of it''s type, share Id and Instinct information automatically [Long Legs] This Arachnid legs have the [Reach] property. -[Venomless] This Arachnid does not have Venom
Exotic Trees (Two Drawbacks, Two Exotic Trait) [Additional Trees Locked]
Body (Material Tree) Mind (Planning Tree) Social (Essence Tree)
Gold Stalker +10 Toughness, +4 Strength, [Little] The quiet Gold Stalker is often found consuming discarded equipment, depending on what they feed on they can appear to be made of nearly any metal or crystal. They are most commonly a dull Gold, which is the result of consuming Iron. [Mineral Eater] Can consume minerals as if they were organic [Heavy Metal Exoskeleton] Consumed Minerals accumulate in Exoskeleton, eventually changing it. -[Heavy] Effective Agility halved, Speed halved -[Mineral Requirement] Need to consume Minerals daily Thoughtspinner: Set Int to 4, +5 Cunning, +5 Sanity, +5 Focus [Mini] Malicious predators, Thoughtspinners rarely end their prey, preferring to leech it of intelligence slowly. Be wary for even their webs can prove dangerous to the mind. [Brain Spider] This Arachnid lacks the [Mindless] Trait. [Thought Eater] Venom, bite, and special web damage Intelligence. -[Delicate Exoskeleton] This Arachnid is very fragile, and relies on tools in order to capture pray. -[Thought Requirement] Need to consume Intelligence Daily Dreamweaver: +6 Empathy, +4 Charisma, +4 Vigor [Mini] The Benign Dreamweaver can be found in many homes, and is sometimes worshiped as a minor spirit. Often though to catch bad dreams, their webs often glisten with strange dew. [Essence Weave] woven objects gain special properties [Dream Catcher 1] Web gains ability to catch social and mind effluence. -[Divine 1] You have 1 Divine Rank -[Dream Eater] Need to consume Effluence daily
Wow, ok, some options then. Wow I really really should go Wolf, it synergizes with [Slayer] and [Ambusher] really really well. But... I am trying to avoid focusing on fighting, even as a [Wolf Spider] Everything is bigger than me. [Scorpion] would at least make me tougher, but I need my silk. I am interested that Grass Spider could be such a good friend. I will have to see if I can seek our one to help me with things. So the big question is what Tree, sure the first entry is good, but I understand that more options unlock later on, and it looked like I can come back and start on other trees if I don''t want to continue. Some of these look very very interesting, and the abilities granted are significant, this was certainly the best choice. The question is what do I want to do with it. Weaver is obvious, and clearly will work well with what I have. But the drawback is real bad, it''s unclear how fragile it makes me, but it cannot be good. So basically, if I want to fight, Wolf, Hobo, Bark Scorpian, or Gold Stalker. Wolf and Hobo are sneakier, and Bark and Gold are more like the [Horned Beetle] I fought, tough and strong. If I want to communicate, and seek allies then Grass, Harvestmen, or Dreamweaver. The first two seem to be only good along with Arachnid allies. Dreamweaver is very interesting, but the requirement for Effluence is... is scary. Is that easy to get, I don''t know, it sounds like a risk. It also has [Divine 1] and that is a drawback, but what does that mean. I think I saw something about [Divine] with the [Serpent] but I don''t recall. I am so tempted, but I think maybe I shouldn''t risk it. So that leaves well Thoughspinner. I really like it, but I already got [Brain Spider] for free. It''s important because it means that some other [Arachnids] exist that are not [Mindless] which makes Grass Spider a bit tempting. But I don''t know any, and having to consume Intelligence might be really hard. Also, and the most important thing. It says Sets Intelligence to 4. Does that mean it can''t be increased, or if it is higher it is reduced? I can have an Intelligence of up to 13 now! I really don''t want to be stuck at Ol''me Intelligence. Well Orb Weaver gives me everything I really want. It even has nice attribute bonuses, and I need to start getting bigger, and this will let me grow a little. I was hoping for more defense, but maybe I can make a better [Sarong] to protect me. [Greater Spinneret] will let me really push what I can do, and [Stabilimentum] might have some neat tricks, Alright, Orb Weaver it is.
Orb Weaver Selected
[Arachnid Evolution] Part 2
Improves [Arachnid Trait] Description
Body Body Body Legs Legs Eyes Eyes Jaws Jaws Venom Venom Book Folds Book Folds Pedipalps Pedipalps Pedipalps Spinneret Exoskeleton Exoskeleton Exoskeleton Carcinisation Mimicry A World of Giants Tremorsense Jumping 1 Heat Vision 1 Vision 1 Painful Bite 1 Strong Jaws 1 Envenom Venom 2 Amphibious Bellowing Folds Pincers 1 Throw Web 1 Manipulator Pedipalps Great Spinneret 6 Exoskeleton 2 Colourful Chitin Muted Chitin Gain the Crab subrace and base traits Ability to mimic ants or other similar bugs Increase Size Category Detect movement via vibrations other than through web Double Jump distance Detect temperature with a high degree of accuracy Improve Vision Regardless of Venom, a successful bite makes all targeted creatures recoil. Jaws capable of increased damage, and will break through thicker obstructions Deposit Venom on objects coating them Increase Venom Potency Gain Ability to use folds to extract air from Water Gain Ability to breath faster and boost body for a short time Pedipalps become stronger and larger, but lose ability to delicately manipulate objects. Pedipalps become capable of throwing web out a significant distance Pedipalps that have a full range of motion and can manipulate most objects. Increases Spinneret capabilities Increases Exoskeleton Reduce Stealth with bright colorful pattern, many creatures instincts will avoid Increase Stealth with muted hard to see pattern
Wow, ok, some of these are super good, and all are quire nice. It seems that the [Arachnid] Trait can upgrade parts of my body. Well... several of those would make be better at ending prey and I can discount that, Weaver by it''s description and capabilities, should not be fighting, which is good for me. I have my weapons if I need other ways to end things. Let''s see things that could help me fall into two, no three camps. 1. Not get hurt, which includes Exoskeleton 2, and both Colourful and Muted Chitin. I am tempted to take Colourful just because the passive avoidance, but hiding could help. But I suspect it neither will fully offset Weavers [Delicate Exoskeleton] 2. Sense more, and of these Tremorsense is the most fascinating. I didn''t think my eyes were bad, but being able to detect things like this sounds really good. But, it implies I can do this via webs. I haven''t tried it, but I will definitely do this now. I have noticed very large tremors from time to time, so it makes sense. 3. The fun general utility. Now upping my Spinneret is the obvious choice, but I just did that with [Orb Weaver], so perhaps I can save it for later. Manipulator Pedipalps seems good, but it may overlap with [Nimble Manipulator] so I can wait, and Bellowing Folds... I know I can hold my breath pretty well, but actually breathing water would let me slip deep into the Deepmarsh, avoiding all the threats... then again I don''t really know what sorts of threats might be in the water, and it does not give me any special water capabilities. Web I suspect, will be weak. Now the last thing I notice, was Throw Web, Ol''me did that earlier to try to stop us moving so fast. It worked, but badly, is that because I didn''t have this. With my [Orb Weaver] I suspect I will be able to do quite a bit with it. Alright, that''s it, [Orb Weaver] with [Throw Web]
Arachnid Evolution begun
Preparing to Molt
16: Molt and Food CRACK SNAP CRAK CREAK CRACK SNAP Pained Wheezing I have never hurt so much, I would be rolling around in my nest, if I had not writhed so hard that the very webs had tangled and snapped around me. My body is on fire, I shudder and quake, each tiny movement wrapping up my body in my precious silk. But even the strands hurt, pressing against my chitin as it seems to press out with unrelenting force. I don''t so much feel the impact as find myself on the ground a few moments after. I had felt it, and it had if anything lessened the agony as my mind was able to focus on something, anything that wasn''t. Was not. I cannot express how painful this is, my mind, shiny and grown, fails me. Time has passed, I know not how much, but I regain my wits on the soft silk of my [Purple Hat] I would have shuddered, but I am less spider than tangled web right now. Moving one of my pedipalps just slightly almost wrenches my opposite hind leg off my body. No, it did, fortunately, after the agony of loosing a leg has passed, my fresh new leg can stretch out in the space it left.Clearly this was the worst Molt I have had, not a single one of Ol''me memories has felt like this. I am gentler the next time I try to move, merely squirming and shifting my new body. Old Chittin breaks off, and broken silk saws through others, but I slowly work out what happened. I have grown. Substantially, I am the size, no larger than the [Horned Beetle] I fought... what seems so long ago. My old body is broken and partially attached around my new, but the web I had rested in broken and twisted around my new form. If I move slow it is not painful, but the strand could cut into me as easy as my discarded husk. Moving slowly is not unwelcome. My new body is far more sensitive to silk, and as it slides against me it feel ever so good. It seems however than I will have to untangle myself slowly. It is a exercise for my mind I guess, In the meantime I guess that I should check in on my boxes.
Name =Kysa o''Mnoko Level = 2 Title = [Slayer] Type = Arachnid
Family = [Adoptable] Class = Artisan 1 / Arachnid 1 Home = Purple Hat Species = Orb Weaver Spider
Attributes
Body Mind Social
Size 0.002 [Mini Trait] Ego 4 Id 4
Strength 2 Intelligence 5 [+8 Item] [2] Charisma 4
Agility 11 Cunning 7 [2] Empathy 2
Toughness 2 /2 Sanity 3 /4 Submission 3 /5
Stamina 0.1 /1 Focus 1 /2 [1] Vigor 1 /2
Traits
Racial Trained General Knowledge Feats Deeds
[Arachnid Body] [Craft Textile 5] [Nimble Manipulator] [General Knowledge 1] [Stabilimentum] [Slayer]
[Delicate Exoskeleton] [SilkWeaver 1] [Arachnids Knowledge] [Ambusher]
[Mindless Body] [Throw Web] [Adoptable] [Wanderer]
[Brain Spider] [Knowledge Self Analysis]
[Greater Spinneret 5]
[Venom]
[Legs 8]
[Mini]
Equipment If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Head [Purple Hat] Body [Purple Sarong] Back [Cocoon Backpack]
I am bigger then, up to [Mini] that explains why everything is so much closer now. It is still a utterly massive [Hat] for me, to the point that I could still fit twenty of me. Hmm, that is a higher number than before I think, I haven''t checked that in a while. In any case, while I was examining that I have manage to free my Pedipalps... and freeing myself has become significantly easier. I have to pull the thread tight twice. It cracks off the last remains of my prior form. The pain seems to have fully left, and working my way out of my chitin feels good now. Confusingly good, so much so that I did it a third time even though it was unnecessary. It reminded me of Little Dancer pressing against me. I as Kysa never even met him, but I miss him all the same. I stand when the last of the webs drop, and examine myself. It is clear immediately that I am no longer a [Common House Spider] My form is sleeker, and even my eyes have moved. I feel a rush of joy at my new form, my legs are more elegant, and far far more agile than I had expected. I am hungry so I do not try my Spinneret yet, but I can feel it, and when before it felt simple, I feel my new one able to move in strange and exciting ways. I realize a moment later that I had been wearing my [Sarong] when I molted... it is no longer a thing. I worry at that of course, I can feel the air against my exoskeleton, and it flexes in ways that hint at just how much weaker it is. The [Cocoon Backpack] survived to my amusement, but it is now so increasingly small. I did not expect such a large change, I am still not even worth biting for the [Serpent] of the scary [Unending] but I think the [Lagomorph] may actually care if I landed on one. I am afraid of course than my wonderful weapons are now far far to small. I had not though of that, in a pinch I could use the [Silkwrapped Longstinger] in one Pedipalp, but even then it looks small. Yet, it might still be useful. The smaller ones... well I might use them for something else. Alright, time to eat, I look to my Larder, and frown, noting that the huge stockpile of food I had looks... well nearly pointless. It is not however, and I move to it. It is a little tricky, my instincts have changed, but getting my legs to move requires me to practice. Fortunately the food was nearby. I do not hesitate, and consume and consume... right through my stockpile. I feel better immediately, but I finished everything, and I still would like a little more. This is a problem, and I will have to be very careful. I will have to go out, and catch some food with my new webs. I want to check a few more things, first off, I had some conditions, and I need to know about them before I do anything more. Especially [Overwhelmed]
Conditions
Temporary Conditions Permanent Conditions Recovery Comfort
[Overwhelmed] Recovered [Pregnant 1] [Cowardice] [Restrained]
Oh, I pauses, and lets out a slow stream of air from my folds. Well, it appears Little Dancer has succeeded. Had succeeded. I stare at the entry for a moment, it is inconvenient, but it''s all that is left of him now. I will have to work around it. I am curious if it has any effects.
Temporary Condition:
[Overwhelmed]
This condition is caused when exposed to powerful effects meant to target higher sapient or intelligent creatures Effect: Halves Mind and Social scores End: When Ego or Id increases for any reason, or when resting at Home for one week
[Pregnant 1]
This condition is caused when successfully impregnated by a male spider Effect: No current effect End: This develops to [Pregnancy 2] after enough time passes
Permanent Condition:
[Cowardice]
Minor surprises cause shaken condition, and all fear increased by 1 level.
Recovery Comfort:
[Restrained]
Being warm and unable to move while safe doubles Sanity regeneration.
Ok, that is good, I was a little worried it might cripple me like [Overwhelmed] did. I''m not please with it, but Little-Dancer... well I am pleased that Little-Dancer did not fully end. Little Dancer. I''m sorry. I am sorry, enough sadness, I need to get moving, I need to gather enough food for me, and make the area safe enough for when I. When I lay my clutch. But first, Practice... and making some proper tools to help me survive. 17: Webbity Worbbibi Weave! Here we go, I drag away the ruins of my rest web, and the web that I had been using for food. I will have to remake them anyways, and now I need the room to move, especially if I am going to be practicing [Throw Web] it makes my nest look a bit bare, but with my new skills and body that shouldn''t last long. Now I have been moving around I am starting to get a good idea of how big I am in comparison to before. It''s about ten times larger, I could line up ten of my prior selves in any direction and my new form would just eclipse them. Still I am so very small compared to the big creatures I have seen. I suspect the [Lagomorphs] are [Little] then the Serpent would be [Small]. If I had gone for the Gold Stalker I could have already been as large as the [Lagomorphs]... but it was too far from what I am already good at. I think the Scary [Unended] might be [Small] as well, but it could be Size 1. I am unsure of how fast it continues, but the Swatters are the biggest thing I have seen yet. Ol''me vague memories recall creatures even larger, but they are too unclear to determine what and where they are. Now, time to try out [Greater Spinneret 5] I can just feel it itching to get to work. Wait... as I was focusing on it my instincts started pulling me towards the remnants of my old resting nest. Why... on, Oh, I can eat them. This is strange, and I don''t feel my hunger falling, but I feel like... Ah ok, I can do this to absorb old web and use it for my next work. Well that''s great, I will eat my old prey web and [Sarong] well what is left of them. Good, all eaten, and I feel like that will give me more web to spin. I didn''t feel that way before so it''s probably a function of... wait, I never looked at [Greater Spinneret 5] and I should look at the other one I got with [Orb Weaver], what was it called. Right [Stabilimentum] that was even a few category of Trait, a [Feat]. I might as well look at [Throw Web] while I am at it.
[Greater Spinneret 5] [Racial Trait] [Arachnid]
You have a Spinneret and can make standard web. -Your Spinneret has improved and can make web with up to 5 of the following traits. Traits can be selected multiple times, this doubles the cost for every trait. -[Sticky] [Durable] [Light] [Strong] [Hidden] [Tension] [Razor] [Elastic] -You can create web by consuming your stamina at a moderate rate -Your reserve can store 1 thread per level of this skill, this reserve is filled when stamina is full and you consume food. Greater Spinneret As a dedicated weaver spider your Spinneret is greatly improved -Traits cost is calculated additive, and is slightly reduced for each level in this trait. -The reserve that hold 1 thread per level, additionally doubles for every level of this still, it slowly fills when stamina is full. -The reserve can be replentished by consuming web, at half the cost they would have cost, this improved by 5% per level of this trait. -You can add the traits [Degrading] [Wound Tight] [Triple-strand] [Sensor] [Rigid] to Webs you can create -You can create thread three times as fast if not adding a trait that granted by Great Spinneret, or Stabilimentum
[Stabilimentum] [Feat Trait] [Arachnid]
You have learned to create intricately detailed webs, and no pattern or shape is to difficult for you. At the cost of thread of web you can add Stabilimentum to your web. These can have a variety of functions, imbued in the web when you initially install the Stabilimentum. [Trapdoor Stabilimentum] This adds a concealed door to the web [Warning Stabilimentum] This warns creatures away from your web if they are too large to get caught [Camouflaged Stabilimentum] This conceals the web from all creatures [Stability Stabilimentum] This provides stability to the web, greatly reducing the damage done by prey [Redundant Stabilimentum] This web can survive a creatures escape up to once per Spinneret level, even if destroyed it is simple to repair. [Binding Stabilimentum] This binds prey that would normally be too large to catch, up to size 10 above your webs [Attracting Stabilimentum] This causes more prey to be drawn into the web [Breeding Stabilimentum] This alerts mates that you are ready for them. [Tumble Stabilimentum] This converts the web into a mobile ball [Thermal Stabilimentum] This causes the web to either heat or cool faster [Audible Stabilimentum] This causes the web to make sound patterns in the wind. A Stabilimentum take ten times as long to install in a web than the entire web takes to weave.
[Throw Web] [General Trait] [Arachnid] [Silkworm] [Chimeric]
You gain proficiency in Web, as if it was a Improved Thrown Weapon, and can use any of it''s intrinsic properties or the properties of a net. You do not gain the ability to control the web during or after the throw, but clever design can set it to trigger on touch or via similar contact.
Wow, just wow, [Stabilimentum] is so good. I mean so is [Greater Spinneret 5] But just... It is clear now that [Orb Weaver] is absolutely worth taking, [Delicate Exoskeleton] doesn''t even half matter with how much I just got from those too. With [Throw Web] in the mix I can certainly make some good webs. The thing is though, can I mix these with the stuff [Artisan] gave me. I saw [Durable] earlier on something an artisan made, can I put a [Stabilimentum] on a [Sarong]? Before I try that though, just a reminder of my other amazing web abilities.
[SilkWeaver 1] [Artisan] [Arachnid] Can weave webs and simple objects in a instant
You can weave webs and other textiles objects much faster than normal in an emergency. For ten times the normal stamina cost you can craft a web of your size, or a object of your size nearly instantly. You must still have the materials and the freedom to create the object.
[Nimble Manipulator] [Artisan] [Arachnid] [Construct] [Agility]
Your manipulators are incredibly agile. This let''s you use them to emulate basic crafting tools or other simple tools so you don''t take a penalty for not having tools. It does not let you emulate quality tools of any sort, but higher quality toolkits can be stripped of the simpler tools to reduce their weight and bulk by 2/3rds.
[Craft Textile 5] [Artisan] [Craft] Upgraded from [Craft Thread Mastery]
You can craft objects using threads, fibers and other woven products. These often come from plants, but some furs and special thread can be produced. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. -You can craft both basic and complex thread with any fibrous raw material on hand. -You can craft textile by consuming your stamina at a very slow rate -You must supply adequate raw materials -You require tools to craft threads that require techniques greater than rolling. You can weave together threads into many different types of cloth, and even simple garments or objects. -You can weave cloth from thread or similar materials, giving it with up to 5 of the following traits. Traits can be selected multiple times, this doubles the cost for every trait. -[Insulated] [Light] [Breathable] [Durable] [Strong] [Layered] [Elastic] [Dense] -You can craft textile by consuming your stamina at a moderately slow rate -You must supply adequate raw materials -You require tools to craft textiles
Great, so [Craft Textiles 5] is great, but very very similar to [Greater Spinneret 5]. I should have read the details on all these sooner.... probably for my other skills too, but these are the essentials. Silkweaver lets me make some simple silk thing really really fast. I feel like a [Stabilimentum] is too much to ask, but maybe later. [Nimble Manipulator] is way way too good, but I am so glad it exists. I would have had so much trouble using [Craft Textiles 5] otherwise. These are going to be useful, let''s check how it feels now, just a basic web ball like when we jumped off the cliff, I won''t even speed it up. Reach behind my thorax with my legs, grab the silk, let my [Greater Spinneret 5] start up. Oh, Oh wow, that feel so good, so... shiver... right. Not like when Little Dancer was touching me and dancing with me, but I see my instincts are very happy with me making silk. Ok, I will add sticky to this, it took a little more, but way way less than when I threw basically the same thing during Ol''me jump, that must be the Greater part kicking in. Time to throw! Stick Great, that worked just as expected, the throw was easier, and I didn''t miss like last time... It was so much faster too, I could probably make this silk faster than my legs could pull it out of me. Maybe toss it too if I sped it up. I wish I could watch me making it, but my whole body is in the way... unless... I do have very high Agility. Yay, I am way more flexible than before. It''s hard to see bending in an arc like this, and even with my longer legs it is hard to stand like this, but I can see my [Greater Spinneret 5] now. This is such an important part of Kysa... of my life. I watch where the silk comes from, and it comes from six moving little... I want to call them Pedipalps, they seem to flex and move almost as much, but that''s wrong. I guess Spinneret is the right thing to call them. The silk it-self is coming from what appears to be small hairs. I can see that some are larger and some are smaller. [Arachnid Knowledge] is letting me know how to draw out the different types of web. I watch them move as I draw out a single thread first, then they shift as I shift back to the [Sticky] silk I usually use to wrap prey. Today I draw it out and with my rear legs I wrap it into a little ball, not unlike the first. Again I toss the ball, I even aim for the first. Stick Perfect, I return to the eyes watching me weave. This time I enjoy myself, speeding it up with [SilkWeaver 1] to make another Ball, my Spinnerets themselves whirl into action, and by the time my leg reaches them I have a ball ready to grab. This one I don''t toss, instead I see if I can consume it with my Spinnerets. My first failure unfortunately, and my instincts are very confused... instead I eat the ball, and feel it rejoin my reserve. Fantastic, I am so happy I can see myself work now. I draw out a small thread of each type, just to make sure I have not missed anything. Now, with the new knowledge at hand, let''s try making a new [Sarong] I will have to go find food eventually, and I do not want to risk my [Delicate Exoskeleton] To start, let''s make a good thread. I think it''s going to be [Durable] [Durable] [Strong] [Light] [Elastic]. I want it to be able to take hits, and be light enough that it doesn''t hamper my really good agility. I realize this is going to take a while as I start drawing out the silk, but it is very very important. I will not risk using up my reserve and stamina with [Silkweaver] right now. I will however, install a simple [Stability Stabilimentum]. In this case it appears to be a second set of strands wrapping around the thick and strong threads I am using. The result is a interesting pattern, the silk forming what appears to be a quite stretchy yet very strong and light silk. Now I have made a [Sarong] before, but I hadn''t read what I could do with it, so I am going to do a better job this time. [Durable] [Durable] [Strong] [Light] as before, but this time, I want to make a layer. I add [Layered] and that let''s me make a second layer. For the first I add the [Elastic] trait, over most of the [Sarong] but the inner layer is where nothing needs to move. Here I add a layer of [Dense] instead. Looking at the final [Sarong] I am quite proud. It looks better than my first, and looks more like the amazing bolts of [Textiles] I saw in the swatters nest. I did unfortunatly use most of my silk to make it, so I will have to go use the last silk I have to catch something... likely with a web. Still, this looks quite nice.
Body [Armour] [Layered Sarong]
Craft: Apprentice [Mini] [Layered Spider Silk Full length Sarong]
Bonus +10 Toughness vs Physical damage, [Flammable] (Enchantment Capacity 0/5) +10 extra Toughness vs Physical Critical Damage
This stylish Sarong is crafted from white silk of a Orb Weaver Spider, and crafted with the skill of an Apprentice Weaver. -It is unenchanted, but thick and durable, it can take quite a few hits, but is quite [Flammable] and will combust shortly if exposed to fire. -It is unmarked, but has a twisting pattern -It is layered, and vital organs are protected -Sarong are in Style -This Sarong in in perfect condition 50/50 -This Sarong has not be hit -This Sarong look moderately priced
YES! Look at that, [Apprentice] Oh, that is a special thing. Nice, and the other abilities all went up. Fire is still a threat, but the only Fire I saw was in the Swatter nest, where the smoke came from. I don''t know how tough this makes me, but I can survive a few [Spidereater Wasps] Now, I want to acquire food, set up a web to catch food, and find something to help me make a weapon. I will put my old [Cocoon Backpack] in reach of my Pedipalp... I guess I can just wrap it right to my leg since it is so [Tiny] now. Still, I doubt it will be useful to me anymore, at least it warded off the Swatters a little. Ok Ol''me, did you get that. 18: Expanded Words Better, not as bad. Thanks Kysa, Intelligence helped bunch. Didn''t hurt as much. Am I Ol''me? No hard. Olme work better. [Sarong] nice, thanks. Made bigger too fast. You want more Food, and Web? We can do. New big web, go around. Instinct tells. Will Check little old webs first, maybe free food. Then make big web and wait. Need to use less Energy until Food.
First Web, has several [Grubs] and couple [Crickets] Not lots, not enough to fill, but close. This help get ready. Web not great, new web will be better. Eat Web for later. Next Web not far, but broken, had caught [Cricket] but it gone, and ended. Big creature broke, just eat Web for later. Next Web is little farther, set on waste. Many many [Grubs] caught, more than enough fill. No, wrong, [Grubs] ended. Not me, not predator, just limp and ended. Not eat, not eat web, abandon. Web after, is good, several [Grubs] and a little not horned [Beetle] All squirming, wrap wrap up, and drink until husks. All full, web will be better if moved, eat now. Two more little Webs, with [Crickets] Wrap them for later, and eat web. Stamina full, reserve almost full. Time for real and new web. Kysa be proud. Need good location.
Been walking and walking, all the way to [Lagomorph] but no good locations. Everything flat, and now I see [Spidereater Wasps] hunting. Not worth risk, look in on [Lagomorph] one is resting, other sees me. It moves between and watches. Not worth risk, I go, it still bigger than me, much bigger. I don''t want to go to [Willow] I can see [Unended] from here. Many many. Shame, [Willow] looks great Web place. [Serpent] still too big to see me as prey. I saw ok places for Web.
Yes if look closely, right between [Serpent] water and [Purple Hat] is broken branch. I can make good web here, gather much food. Instincts leading me, help from [Arachnid Knowledge] I have to climb, climb, climb. Get to the highest spot, Branch is higher than close cliff. Then up here I look around. I can see bit of [Purple Hat] and bit of [Serpent] Pond. Bugs should come here. I see several little ones already. Instincts says to start, make big ball and use [Throw Web] at Cliff. Away it goes... good, solid hit, tug tug, it can hold weight. Let me put some weight on it. Yes, good it hold me with no problem. Down I go to lower branch, where I will put next thread. Started thread then up up back to top branch. Then along the silk, weaving a nice [Strong] and [Durable] Silk. Stop partway across, and dab a little thread... Set up a little crossing, then continue with thread alll the way along. Now on Cliff, check to make sure that thread is stuck good. Then continue down down cliff to other good spot. Then tighten thread I been trailing, just a little and stick it down. Back across the second thread until we reach the cross with the first. This will be center of Web, but it''s way way to high up. Link a new thread, stick it good, then down I go, go go. I see really big branch, hollow, a good waiting place if wet. Good place gets third thread stuck good. Now I tighten and tighten, pulling down web center a little. Time for very important thread. But back I go to the center. Easy to climb up now third thread is here. At center I stick down fourth thread. This thread is way important. It will being center down and make everything be right. I don''t climb this time, I just make sure thread is stuck good. Then I hang. I don''t let [Greater Spinneret 5] take it, that would hurt. Back legs carefully hold on and have thread wrapped around them. Then as [Greater Spinneret 5] finishes web, back legs carefully let out more. Instincts says to do this. [Arachnid Knowledge] says weight will help bring center down. Also, I like, very much like when I jumped off cliff, but I control. Wind is little here, but still noticeable, need to be careful Down down down down down down. My target is hole in branch. Like smaller one, but way way bigger. I hit target, hang down through hole. heh, I did a neat thing. Not as neat as [Sarong] it is comfy, and not slowing me down. Thanks Kysa, Olme will bring back much food. Inside Hole I look around, it dark, but warm. No creatures. I stick web down, then pull it tight, then tighter again. I look up, and see center came down, but I need more. Pull it tighter until instinct says it is right, then climb back up it. Upupupupup Way easier than climbing on rock or wood. Ok, time for the top, and starting at the beginning. Then across again, then back up. Because center moved down this thread goes across top. Just like first thread, but only after it moved. Fasten it to cliff, joined up where thrown web landed. Take a moment, make sure all is stuck down well. [Throw Web] is great, stuck almost just as good as if I stuck it. Not perfect, so adjust a little, this give it better stretch. Now back along top thread until I am in middle. Make another cross thread, then like earlier hang. Down down down, using my spinnerets to let out just enough. Hang by my legs, but not going alll the way, just to thread a little lower. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Grab on, it got a little windy, but I just had to have patience. Now move along to the center, and add this thread to the cross. I tighten it, and the top thread comes down a little. But I feel the tension in the center grow a ton. Hardly moves when I move along it. I could stop now, but it not catch food, more silk to weave. This bit takes a long time. I have to make the outer bit. Like top thread. These don''t go to the center, but from sticking point to sticking point. Around I go and around I go. Sometimes [Arachnid Knowledge] tells me to put in a bit extra. Not sure why, but it''s smart like Kysa, so I do. I even add a few sticky thread that don''t go to Center. Ooops... I didn''t mean to, but the two thread that go from center to cliff are really close. Like not touching, but almost. I have to put some more cliff sticking points in. It''s ok, I have to wrap the two threads, I do that in a bit. It makes them [Strong] Ok, outer bit done. What is next... oh, I have to make next webs more less [Strong] and more [Elastic] I have to take them from center to outer bits... sometimes use some very short [Strong] and [Elastic] It seems to be working, and with so many thread in place it is a breeze to get around. I don''t even need to be looking anymore... and the wind isn''t a problem. Ok, now I need to fix my mistake. So I just have to go along the two threads for a third time. This time I go around, with another thread, around and around it until all three are woven together. Very nice, I like that. I think I''ll call these inner bits. They are all done, and they gave web some flex. Web is basically done. Very strong, but nothing is sticky. I have to put that down. Sticky is less fun, I have have to make it, and go around again and again putting it down. It looks neat though, Instincts say to start in center and go around and around in one long thread. Each time I go around it get''s a little bigger, and bigger. It takes ages, but thanks to the rest of web it isn''t tooo slow. Very pretty, but huge holes that bugs can fly through. Instinct says I have to make more. My web reserve is empty, but I have my Stamina still. I have to go around and around and around more. Around around around around. It was annoying at first, but I am enjoying it now. Around around around around. Looks so good, I should make [Textiles] that look like this. Around around around around. Almost done, just a few more times around I did run out of space in a few places. But fixing them up so they would work was simple enough. Alright, all done. But... but... but... but... I want to make a Stabilimentum. I have eaten enough that I can make two. The first is going to [Stability Stabilimentum]. I want this to last for much much food. The next is [Warning Stabilimentum] The [Serpent] nest is not far away, I can''t lose a web because it didn''t see it. Ok, what do I do, oh, good I can almost see it, it should be simple enough, Great, I am done. Breeze is not moving web now... well not much. Now, I can crawl to the center of the web, so I am within reach of any bugs that fly past. If it get''s wet I can go hide in branch. I wonder how long it wi... Oh, what was that, the web trembled. Oh, I see, the tremor, I can feel... a [Cricket] near the bottom of my web. Kysa mentioned that [Tremorsense] would let me do this without web. That may be useful. Well, I will take a moment to feel it out. I can feel it''s leg bumping against one of the nonsticky web. Neat, I like this. Down I go and as the tremors warned me a [Cricket] is pressed against the web. I bite it and wrap it up all nice and quick, carefully unsticking it and carrying it with me. Back to the center and I can eat it while I wait for the next. Ah, the next, that is a much much bigger bug, one of the Fliers, and it just went right into my web. This time I saw it with eyes. My web stretches as it impacts but holds. I did a good job, my web is good. Up I go, I see it''s wings all stuck, it will take a little longer to wrap up. This one is almost as large as me. Bite, Wrap Wrap Wrap. It was a little harder, it has four very big wings. It tried to bite me, but it was very very stuck. All wrapped up, I think I''ll eat this one as well, it should be large enough to start filling up my reserve too. It wasn''t a [Grub], [Cricket] or [Beetle]. Kysa get''s boxes easy. Can I has box about this please?
Dragonfly [4] Defeated
[Insect] [Monster] [Dragon]
Fun I have five intelligence. I can do a bit more now. This [Dragonfly] is very tasty, I will defiantly catch more. Oh another tremor, and another. At this rate our food stock will be full. Wait, the air stopped. Turn Oh. Shudder Oh. No touch web, means no tremors. Hello Again. Am I big enough to eat? 19: None, Wings, Eight Hello [Serpent] You are very very large. You are very very close. I am very very small. I wouldn''t be good to eat. Is reason your eye... is close enough I could stab it? Oh, you''re backing off. Shudder Thank you You don''t see me as food do you. Oh, the [Stabilimentum]! You know my web is here. You came to see didn''t you, not here to end me. Is it pretty? I see you peering at it. You move around very silently. I should put down more web next time, so you can''t sneak up like that. Yes, those are [Stabilimentum] they make my web sturdy. They also make it easy for you to avoid. Please avoid? Oh, your, done looking at it? You don''t have to look at me. I''m not important. I''m really small. Your teeth are bigger than all of me. Shudder Please... go away. Oh, you looked at my leg when I moved it. ...again, go away? You saw.... but not understand. That''s ok. I was dumb too until Kysa fixed that. Oh, another [Dragonfly] hit my web... are they not scared of you. You were watching it? Oh, uh... Do you mind... Not attacking me when I move to it... [Serpent] is very still. Will you stop me biting it? no? How about wrappi... Your head moved. Was that you looking closer? Can I keep... Wrapping? Ok, all wrapped. You watched me. But I am done... you can... go away. No, I guess that was too much to ask for. I will continue then. I have a [Cricket] to wrap. And three more bugs just landed... do you mind. No... ok Bite wrap wrap wrap Bite wrap wrap wrap Bite wrap wrap... Oh, [Serpent] is gone. It was so swift, so quick I didn''t see... but I see the grass between me and the pond is moving. a slow winding pattern as the grass parts. I guess we can confirm I am not food. That was scary. I need to wrap up food and go back to Kysa. Kysa will understand.
x1 Dragonfly [2] Defeated [Insect] [Monster]
x8 Cricket Defeated [Insect] [Animal]
x3 Mnoko Black Violin Defeated [Insect] [Monster] [Cursed] [Region: Monoko Deepmarsh]
x1 Spidereater Wasp Defeated [Insect] [Animal] [Hivemind]
x5 Common Fly [Insect] [Animal]
x12 Gnat [Insect] [Animal]
Bird. It''s not that much bigger than me, most birds are real big. I have a big pile of food hidden in branch, but Bird can''t see. It landed on other branch. It sees web I think, should stay away. BIRD! No, your too big! No I''m not your food! Bird came to end me, didn''t care about Web! Ahhh, ahhh, it bit me, [Sarong] protects, but pain. Climb down, it''s flapping. Getting stuck! Hah, [Stabilimentum] makes it stronger. Bird wings got all stuck, it''s flapping but web is flexing enough. It can''t get out! I caught it. It''s way way to big... can I even wrap it? It''s not too much bigger, but not really food. Uh, oh, it tried to bite me, it''s beak long. Just got away. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.Start with wings. Bite Wrap Wrap Wrap. Then other side, it slowed down a bunch. Bite Wrap Wrap Wrap. Good, I don''t know how to move it. Really really big. I may have to make special stuff. I was going to carry other Food, but this is way way big. I will try.
Goldfinch [5] Defeated
[Bird] [Animal]
It took a long time, but the bird stopped moving. I guess it''s a [Goldfinch] That was scary, the Bird bite was very painful, and it was super strong. I work it out of the web slowly, it''s cocoon is pretty thin, it''s big enough that I used a lot of silk. I think I will eat a little of it. It was a bunch of work. It is good, different than bugs. I don''t think I tasted something like this before. But moving it hard. I couldn''t even fit it in hole to where I was storing cocoons. I will try to drag, another [Sled] It might be hard. Ok, all loaded up, time to pull pull pull. Oh, very heavy, It''s very slow, dragging behind me. Fortunately it is not far. Just have to... Oh That is a big spider. Like, much bigger than me, not as big as [Serpent] I feel so very small, and that is after I became [Mini] It is moving to me... I''m not Food am I. No, that isn''t a predator, it isn''t rushing or sneaking. I could be food, it is bigger, but not that much bigger. I couldn''t run if I tried. But [Arachnid Knowledge] isn''t warning me, I should be ok, Almost here... uh, I just keep pulling my [Sled] If it ignores me I won''t bother it. It''s not just passing me, it''s close to me now, moving slowly. Oh... I doesn''t want me, it wants the Bird. It just reached out with a massive leg and grabbed my largest cocoon. Yes bigger [Arachnid] I give you [Goldfinch] willingly. Can I poke you? Is that ok. You are busy biting my... no your Cocoon. Hi Gently poke
Goliath Birdeater Tarantula [9]
[Arachnid] [Animal]
Oh, so you eat lots of Birds. Well hello kinda family. I didn''t see something like you during [Arachnid Evolution]. Your level is very high though, so I guess this isn''t your first, or even second? Hello I''m not that much smaller than the [Goldfinch] am I not food? It''s like you don''t even know I am here. Well I don''t mind you taking the [Goldfinch] it was hard to pull anyways. Oh, you can wrap it with your own web I guess, mine was running out with how big it was. Gosh your big, like... almost as large as the [Serpent]. Your definitely not [Mini] like me. Are you [Little]? would that make the [Serpent] [Small]? If I was as big as you I could at least move my [Hat] Well, Nice to meet you [Goliath Birdeater] Not interested in my other bugs? Ok, Bye. it''s not fast or agile, perhaps the Body focused evolution would lead to it. Even so, with it''s very long legs it is faster than me. It lumbered back into a cave in the cliff. I''d better be careful if I get much bigger, I don''t know if it would consider me food. The [Serpent] didn''t either, maybe because I have something? Well with both the big ones gone I can drag the rest of this back to my [Hat] I hope this makes more sense to [Kysa] 20: Three unwise creatures Olme? Oh, Old me, but I wasn''t really thinking out every part. I can see how you got Olme. I wasn''t trying to name you though, we are both Kysa. Although I guess it does help when trying to refer each other. It''s certainly easier than thinking Older me, especially as you are not really older me anymore, just ''hatless'' me, but Haleme is a bit longer to say than Olme. So I guess that it works, you can be Olme and I can be Kysa. Well, as I drag this large pile of food to my storage I''ll review our memories. I am bigger so it won''t last that long, but it''s long enough to get some things done. That extra intelligence does really help doesn''t it. I can see more thought going into your actions so I don''t think I need to break it down as much. First off, we went to to gather any food from our old webs. Such meager hauls, it looks like they just are not large enough to support us. You ate all the unused web to help us later and... what happened here... the [Grub] covered web on the pile of waste... all the caught creatures are ended already, and I see [Arachnid Knowledge] started warning us off. It think, they are sick aren''t they. I see that the chitin of them is wrong and way to thin. If I look close, yes that [Crickets] leg broke off while it was struggling, it almost looks like something crushed just the upper leg. It''s concerning, but I am glad that we were warned off. We''ll abandon that web in future as well. Then you go off searching for a new place to put our webs... wait web, you just want to make one, why just one, oh it''s the instincts from [Arachnid Knowledge] again. Well, with what you manage to bring back it must have worked. You eventually found a spot not far from here, and got to work. Oh, Oh that is very big, so nice, good job Olme, we really put work into that... Well, it was really Olme and [Arachnid Knowledge] so kinda feel like I shouldn''t lake credit even though Olme is really just a less intelligent me. Curious I should think about that more, does it mean something? Should it mean something? In any case for now, I will just watch Olme put the finishing touches on the web, no sooner had we done so then bugs started getting caught in it. I really like how the [Stabilimentum] are helping to catch those larger bugs by helping the web stretch and hold. Not to mention I really want to sit and just rest in the center of it. Shame I can''t get a feeling for it while my intelligence is higher. Oh! That scared me, The [Serpent] was so sneaky. I''m not even that sneaky, and I am still [Mini]. At least it just looks like it was watching us work. I am very glad that it didn''t eat Olme, probably just because I am so much smaller than it. Wait It clearly sees me, and it''s watching. Is it... is it smart like the swatters and the namer? I guess [Mindless] seemed pretty specific to bugs, and it''s so big, and special that perhaps it has some intelligence. Hmmm, well it didn''t stay long, and appears to have just gone right back to it''s nest afterwards... I''m terrified of it, it is almost as scary as the big [Unending] creature, but maybe I should stop considering it as a predator. No, it''s dangerous, and would eat me if I was larger... or perhaps, it isn''t a predator like [Arachnid Knowledge] suggests, but more like the swatters and namer. Capable of thought, and a huge threat, but not actually trying to eat me. I am sure the swatters don''t want to eat me... rights? Perhaps, I don''t even reach the size of any of these creatures fangs, but they might change their mind if I grow. The swatters did have several low intelligence creatures they had used social attributes on. Perhaps [Serpent] can be like those creatures. I think Little Dancer was also using social on me, so perhaps I shouldn''t consider it a threat in the same way. In any case, I have some stuff to do, I certainly should observe the serpent a little more in any case. Alright what happened next. Oh! a bird shoot I don''t think Olme has seen it, it''s on a nearby branch and is looking at us. We should get out of here... we must have survived, maybe hiding in the hollow of the branch. Oh right, the [Stabilimentum] should ward off big creatures like that. That should scare off... Oh shoot it''s coming, why doesn''t it care. Olme, you need to move, it''s too fast, hurry. Owch, Ah even just the memory of this pain hurts. That was such a huge bite. The [Sarong] really saved me there, I think the bite would have cut me in half. It looks like old me... sorry Olme is ok. The bird however is caught by our web. It''s still lunging, flapping and trying to get to us. Wow, the [Stabilimentum] is really helping her, the bird wings are unable to pull out of the thick and well packed web. Oh, yah, it''s not getting free but it did try to bite me again. We are at risk as long as it''s not caught... Olme clearly agrees and is already moving to bite it. It takes a bit of careful wrapping to avoid the bird getting close enough to hurt us. It seems though that dumping out a bunch of strong and durable web out of [Greater Spinneret 5] is the thing to do. The web is clinging to it''s feathers very well, and after carefully navigating around it and just out of reach the birds jerky movements are slowing. Olme then moves in for a big bite, then returns to carefully wrapping it up. It takes a ton of web, but fortunately the Bird wasn''t that much larger than us. We''ll have to be really careful in future if birds like this see us as prey now. If I had been out and far from the cover of grass I would have been done for, even with my protective [Sarong]. I watch as Olme continues to tie down the bird, and it eventually starts to slow down, my venom coursing through it and bring it closer to it''s end. It is much slower than bringing down a bug close to my size, but it feels nice watching a creature that could end me so easily slowing, and slowing until it ends. It stops moving and Olme finally approaches and touches the bird.
Goldfinch [5] Defeated
[Bird] [Animal]
Quest Gained: [Q: Tangled Gold]
Quest complete: [Q: Tangled Gold]
Progress Level 3 3/3
Progression to Level 3 possible, no [Class Training] detected, limited options available.
Oh great, I got to three, [Q: Tangled Gold] I definitely didn''t select that, so it must have been one of those automatically added quests, for the bird right?, it tried to sneak up on me.
[Q: Tangled Gold]
[Survive] [Combat] [Ambush]
One [Goldfinch] have spotted you, and are ambushing you. Completion: -Escape -Fight them off
Yes, well great, that means I get to progress again. I''ll need to look into quests then, I will probably need to take a few. Last time I finished a bunch of them, so progressing to 4 will probably take a long time. I don''t think I have many more memories to review so I''ll do that first. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Alright, Olme has finished wrapping the bird, cocooning it and lowering it slowly to the ground. It''s not easy, it is way bigger than me. Not enough that we can''t do it, but enough that it''s hard. Basically we are slowly untangling each part and pulling it together, then unsticking each thread until it falls just a little closer to the ground. The cocoon is so thin that it''s almost transparent, but Olme just couldn''t spare that much webbing. Still, now it''s motionless Olme takes a bite and we savor the new flavor. It''s good, the delicious juice makes our body tremble. The flavor is not something we have had before, but [Arachnid Knowledge] says it is very very good for us. Eventually we get it down, and set up on a new sled, mostly made out of the pile of Cocoons that we have caught. It would be nice to leave them all in the web, but having to return to [Purple Hat] is a bit of a problem when our web is not close. The sled is way bigger than the last one I made, but otherwise Olme copied it as close as possible.
Container [Dragged] [White Silk Sled]
Craft: Amateur [Mini] [Durable] [Silk]
This Silk Sled is made of a durable silk weave, -It is worn, but otherwise undamaged -It can be rolled up to store in a smaller [Container] -This [White Silk Sled] is cheap
Heavily loaded, but shouldn''t be a problem we are not that far away. I am a little worried another bird will see us, but the grass is just long enough to make it hard to see us from the air. I watch as Olme sets us up and start pulling and dragging the load. It get''s quite dull to watch for a long time until one of my eyes catches a warmth in a nearby dark cave. It keeps moving closer and I am worried for a moment. Olme didn''t react to it, but I doubt [Arachnid Knowledge] is perfect. It emerges into the light a few moments later, and my other eyes catch the details. It''s another [Arachnid] almost as big as a [Lagomorph] and far far far larger than even my [Mini] self. Olme doesn''t seem to mind as it moves closer to us. Gosh it is big, even if I was that size, it''s entire body is so very much thicker than mine. If we were the same length then every part of it''s body, legs, and even pedipalps are twice as thick as mine. It looks really tough and scary. I would bet the larger limbs is related to [Delicate Exoskeleton], I think my current legs might be thinner than they used to be. In any case it isn''t rushing towards me though, it''s moving fairly slowly, well, it''s way way bigger than me to start with, so It''s legs are moving it fast even though I would say it''s on the slow end. Olme can''t run from that, especially when hooked up to the sled. Not even trying, I am still here, so I''m curious to how these memories play out, clearly it isn''t hostile. It''s possible that it is just passing by, no, no it definitely altered it''s walk to make sure it was headed towards Olme. It doesn''t take long before it is here. That is not polite, it reached out and casually grabbed the [Goldfinch] cocoon. That is mine, it tasted really good. That is why the sled in my Hat lacks the large load isn''t it. Irritating, I had been looking forward to having so much to devour but the memory has passed, so it is far to late. I watch through Olme eyes as it bites into the cocoon and starts consuming. I know that their is nothing we can do, but it is unpleasant to watch our hard work consumed. Then Olme has the audacity to reach out and touch the [Arachnid]
Goliath Birdeater Tarantula [9]
[Arachnid] [Animal]
That is... quite a high level. Curiously it isn''t a [Monster] as some of the other high level creatures have been. I wonder what the difference is. In any case a Tarantula, I was not offered that option during evolution. I guess it is a rare option that is hidden for now. I don''t think I want it, it would likely be a body focused evolution. Still this shows that at least some options exist that might be quite strong. I''ll make sure to look at the boxes super carefully next time. Olme can''t exactly move while the [Goliath Birdeater Tarantula] is consuming the bird. I guess it prefers them. We have to wait quite a while until it relaxes and longer till it is finished with the husk. It let''s go and pulls away. Thankfully it ignores the rest of the pile and Olme, instead it turns in place and slowly lumbers back towards the cliff it came from. I say lumber, but in truth with how much larger it is, the creature moves quite fast. I think with my agility I am as agile as my old body, even though it was smaller. without the sled I could run around the [Tarantula] several times with no issue, even though it could out run me. I think I might be quite a bit faster now I am larger. It makes me eager to keep my agility high, I certainly don''t want to be this clumsy. Well Olme returns easy enough, and doesn''t seem to have any additional issues. I will have quite a bit of food for a while, though I will send Olme out again once it starts getting light out. For now though, I have progressed, so let''s have a look at the options.
Available [Class Training]
[Arachnid Class] 2 +1 Agility
You are a member of the Arachnid species, an insect-like species of eight legged bugs. Arachnids typically are agile, use poison, and the famous spider web, though not every Arachnid follows the typical, and everything from the humble Scorpion to the massive Titan-crab are part of this species. +1 [Arachnid Trait], +1 [Arachnid Knowledge], +1 [Arachnid Feat]
[Adoptable] [Artisan Family Class] 2 +1 Focus
You grew up in a family of [Artisans] and were trained to join the family business. You could have gone a different way, but you showed talent as a [Artisans] and learned the family trade. Family class must be selected as first progression or will be removed. +1 [Craft Trait], +1 [Craft Knowledge], +1 [Craft Feat]
[Title: Slayer Class] +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +2 Cunning, +2 Empathy
They said it wasn''t possible, and you laughed at them. Your opponent was everything, and you were nothing. Yet it is not you who was ended. In a supreme display of skill and cunning you managed to find a weakness in an insurmountable foe, and you ended them. You are well on your way along the path of violence, and people will know you. +1 Trait with [Physical Attack] Tag
[Simple Class] No Bonus
You never amounted to anything No Bonus
21: Third Rising
Available [Class Training]
[Arachnid Class] 2 +1 Agility
You are a member of the Arachnid species, an insect-like species of eight legged bugs. Arachnids typically are agile, use poison, and the famous spider web, though not every Arachnid follows the typical, and everything from the humble Scorpion to the massive Titan-crab are part of this species. +1 [Arachnid Trait], +1 [Arachnid Knowledge], +1 [Arachnid Feat]
[Adoptable] [Artisan Family Class] 2 +1 Focus
You grew up in a family of [Artisans] and were trained to join the family business. You could have gone a different way, but you showed talent as a [Artisans] and learned the family trade. Family class must be selected as first progression or will be removed. +1 [Craft Trait], +1 [Craft Knowledge], +1 [Craft Feat]
[Title: Slayer Class] +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +2 Cunning, +2 Empathy
They said it wasn''t possible, and you laughed at them. Your opponent was everything, and you were nothing. Yet it is not you who was ended. In a supreme display of skill and cunning you managed to find a weakness in an insurmountable foe, and you ended them. You are well on your way along the path of violence, and people will know you. +1 Trait with [Physical Attack] Tag
[Simple Class] No Bonus
You never amounted to anything No Bonus
Well... as tempting as that Slayer class is, I think pushing tools is a better build for me... still, this gives me more agility and more cunning. Now that all my other classes are only giving me small bonuses is it worth it to... wait, right, so the class bonuses do not stack with other class bonuses... That is going to be really important as I progress, is their any way to see the breakdown of bonuses? So I don''t get caught up taking something unnecessary?
Detailed Attribute Breakdown
Body Mind Social
Stacking From Size Str Agi Tou Sta Ego Int Cun San Foc Id Cha Emp Sub Vig
Base 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1
Type [Mini] 4 0 [-1] -1 0 [-1] 0 [-1] 0 [-1] 0 [-1] 0 [-1] 0 [-1] 0 [-1] Trait negates -1
Level 1 1
Title 1 1 2 1
Name 1 1 1 1
Class Artisan 2 [4] 2 [4] 1 [2] 1/2 until condition
Class Arachnid 4 1
Racial Racial 2 4 2 2 2
Synergy 1.5 4.5 3.25 Averaged Attribute
Equip 8 Temporary Bonus
Total
2 11 2 1 4 11 7 4 2 3 4 2 5 2
Oh, well that is useful, but... my type is still giving me a penalty to Intelligence? That doesn''t seem right, but it must be. It also give me these nice final numbers. Well my strength and toughness are weak, and my stamina... I should really raise. I was going to put my level attribute in intelligence again, but I can see where my stamina has gotten low. Focus isn''t great either, until I get adopted, and vigor is also low. I think I can leave vigor for now, I don''t do many social things yet. What is more important is that if [Slayer] doesn''t stack with Arachnid or Artisan, well... it will basically just give me strength and some empathy. Ok, a little cunning until I get adopted. In return I just get a single [Physical Attack] trait. I just don''t see that mattering to me, my web and bite took down a [Goldfinch] a better bite is hardly important. Ok then, simple is still bad, so [Artisan] or [Arachnid]. Oh, no [Evolution], so I guess no new body yet. That''s fine, I like this one, and it was great. I see both classes are offering a [Feat] this time. Currently I only have [Stabilimentum] which is... really really good. They have their own category, so I''m guessing they will be good. Oh wait, the class attribute is focus. It was intelligence last time... so they can change I guess, maybe it''s when I take a class, or is it random. Closing and reopening the box doesn''t seem to change it. I will keep an eye our. Basically though, this breaks down to... do I want to improve my crafting, or do I want to improve my body. Let''s think about this, for a moment, it looks like the number of [Unending] are growing. I need defenses to protect me, seeing how easily my web caught that [Goldfinch]... can I get that better. [Orb Weaver] was a great choice, but I took all the good traits for weaving. [Artisan] however is offering another [Craft Trait] as well as [Craft Knowledge]. That certainly will give me some additional option for protecting my nest. I don''t think additional [Arachnid] trait will help as much right now, I have so much I can do with my web already. Alright let''s lock that down, a bunch of crafting options will be great, maybe I can take some additional stuff other than textiles... something flexible.
[Artisan Class Selected]
+1 Focus, +1 Attribute(Level) +1 [Craft Knowledge] +1 [Craft Trait] +1 [Craft Feat] +1 [Still Rank] (Level) +1 [General Feat] (Level)
Attributes Unspent
1/1 Attribute(Level)
Traits Unspent
Craft Trait Options (Pre-req) Craft Knowledge Options (Pre-req)
[Craft Textile 6] (Recommended) Crafting with Threads [Craft Metal 1] Crafting with Metal [Craft Wood 1] Crafting with Wood [Craft Stone 1] Crafting with Stone [Craft Leather 1] Crafting with Creature parts [Craft Clay 1] Crafting with Clay [Craft Tinker 1] Crafting with assorted ingredients [Knowledge: Basic Physics] about motion [Knowledge: Basic Material] about objects [Knowledge: Basic Life] about creatures [Knowledge: Basic Communication] about socials [Knowledge: Basic Aesthetic] about appearance [Knowledge: Basic Society] about socials [Knowledge: Mnoko Deepmarsh] about location
Oh wow, I get a second feat? alright, well I was a little worried that this progression would not be as good as becoming an [Orb Weaver] And I get a [Skill Rank] whatever that is. This should be a pretty good time. Let''s see to start with... I really should know more about the crafts, I have good [Textiles] so I can skip that... Oh, Olme had grabbed some stuff as we came back... what did I fine.
Material Stockpile
Number Name Type Description
3 Bark, Willow Wood A piece of bark from a Willow Tree
6 Twig, Willow Wood A piece of twig from a Willow Tree
2 Twig, Oak Wood A piece of twig from a Oak Tree
1 Stick, Willow Wood A piece of twig from a Willow Tree
1 Pebble, Granite Stone A granite pebble
1 Button, Steel Engraved Icon Metal A steel button, with a symbol carefully engraved on it
7 Scrap, Canvas Textile A piece of scrap canvas, assorted colours
4 Scrap, Linen Textile A piece of scrap linen, grey
2 Scrap, Silk Textile A piece of scrap silk, blue
Ok, so no clay or creature parts, and it seems wood is the easiest to acquire. I can pick up others later once I know more, but wood is more rigid than my web, so it should help. After all my first real web was mounted to a branch... this button what is it, I got it from the same floor as all of the scraps of textile. Olme did a great job, though gathering this did put us at risk. This button though... what does Engraved means.
Material, Metal [Button, Steel]
Craft: Apprentice [Tiny] [Button, Steel Engraved Icon]
Bonus
This matte grey button is crafted from steel, and crafted with the skill of an Apprentice Smith. -It is unenchanted -It is Engraved, a symbol carved right into the metal -This Button has not be damaged -This Button look moderately priced
Oh, ok, so Engraved is making a symbol on it, I can probably do that with other materials as well, I will have to try later. I don`t have enough metal to pick [Craft Metal 1] though. [Craft Wood 1] it is then, I am sure I`ll be able to do a bit with that. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Now, before we go onto look at the Feats, what knowledge trait to take. I''ll start by discounting [Basic Communication], [Knowledge: Basic Aesthetic], [Knowledge: Basic Society] for now. I am just not doing social yet, not until I understand everything a bit more. For now, I could learn about creatures using [Basic Life], objects using [Basic Material] and... whatever motion is if I take [Basic Physics]... not sure about that. I do note that [Knowledge: Mnoko Deepmarsh], which is about location, is starting without a number attached. I think that means that it''s starting at the lowest level? That would mean I was offered a much higher level of it before when I was picking [Starter Traits]. I think it''s important to note that just because I am offered something does not mean I will be offered it again. I do regret not taking [Knowledge: Mnoko Deepmarsh 3] now, but it is done. So... I have some knowledge of what I can get with that, and two of the others... but what is motion and what is [Basic Physics]? ...no, not making it that easy. Oh, so I don''t get to know until I take it... well I will probably be offered the other three in later progressions, I am alive, living in the Deepmarsh, and have a class that deals with [Materials] so it is pretty safe to say. I don''t know if I will get [Basic Physics] again. Ok, we''ll take it. [Basic Physics], [Craft Wood 1], and that attribute I will put in Stamina. Woah, I felt my thorax pulse as it pumped more blood to my mind... oh, right, [Knowledge Self Analysis] is giving me some of what [Basic Life] would have given me, but just when looking at myself. It''s also telling me I am lightheaded... and I think that is because of my new understanding and focus. [Basic Physics] is telling me everything has motion and energy... like this husk, it''s sitting next to me on my rest web... but it''s held well above the bottom of my [Hat] it has motion waiting to be used... so if I poke it it will... Crump ...Fall. Ok, so I would have been able to tell that before from [General Knowledge] but now can kinda guess better? Neat, it will take a while until my mind clears, but I can definatly see how this could be used... I think I could make my webs better if I think about it... I feel like I could do something with this wood now as well... and well... Oh wow, that is a lot of energy. I was distracted by my disorientation, but what a rush. I feel like I could climb from here to the smoke tube without needing a break... maybe twice? I need a short break to get use to this, but then it''s time for feats. ...wow this is almost as bad as my molt, but just in my head... owch ow ow...
It took a meal, and ages until my head cleared enough to continue. We are good now, I am glad Olme didn''t try to progress without me, I am unsure how well we would do. Feat time please
Feats Unspent
Craft Feat Options (Pre-req) Still Rank up option (Choose 3)
[Appraiser] Appraise at range, significant chance to pierce deception [Craftsmen] +1 Craft Skills, Blueprints can be mentally projected [Crafters Journal] Index of known recipes [Crafters Reserve] Storing and retrieving material is enhanced [Tinkerer] Modifying item properties becomes predictable [Tool Utilization] Tools useable as weapons, Tools more effective, and grant user proficiency in all tools. [Scavenger] Breaking apart salvage does not risk destroying [Material] [Equipment Utilization] minor proficiency with any item crafted. [Quartermaster] Instinctive Knowledge of where all possessions are stored [Makers Mark] Crafted Items clearly display makers name of pseudonym [Experimenter] Using unusual materials has predictable effects Trained Rank up [Craft Textile 6] [Craft Wood 2] [General Knowledge 2] [SilkWeaver 2] Artisan Untrained Rank up [Appraise 1] [Craft Specific 1] Arachnid Untrained Rank up [Stealth 1] [Melee: Natural 1] Basic Untrained Rank up [Perception 1] [Melee Unarmed 1] Deed Untrained Rank up Ambusher [Deception] [Melee Small Blades 1] [Stealth 1] Slayer [Dodge 1] [Endure 1] Wanderer [Athletics 1] [Acrobatics 1] [Survival 1]
General Feat Options (Pre-req): Options available, generating shortlist
All Above Crafting Options [Adrenaline] Attacks against you appear slower [Sneak Attack] If undetected when landing an attack do increased damage [Weapon Proficiency: Knives] Gain proficiency in Knives [Weapon Proficiency: Garrote] Gain proficiency in Garrote [Endurance] Physical movement use less stamina when sustained [Hardened Body] Take physical damage as if wearing light armour [Sociopathy] Immunity to Sanity damage from emotions [Meditation] When resting, resist mental conditions and enhance thought [Mystic] Access low level system commands [Weapon Focus: Bite] Enhance attack and damage of bite [Ability Focus: Venom] Enhance attack and damage of venom [Lucid Dreaming] Able to act in dreams [Juggernaut] Immunity to Toughness Damage from attacks [Slave] Immunity to Submission Damage from commands. \/\/\/ Reroll Options \/\/\/
Wow, that is a ton of options. a choice from ten crafting feats, three rank ups, and a general feat from a very very large list. Rank ups are interesting, and I am hazarding a guess that it is improving the number on some of my traits, up to 3 times. Interesting that [Silkweaver 1] can be ranked up but not [Greater Spinneret 5] is it because it is a racial trait? In any case it also seems to give me possible new traits depending on my classes, and deeds. I should pick up some that I lack, [Stealth 0] comes to mind, ranking that up would be useful, especially if I am using webs and traps to fight. I could pick up a new craft skill it seems... or increase one of my old ones. I would like stone or metal, but they can wait, improving wood right away might be good. Alternatively [Acrobatics 0] or even [Silkweave 1]... or [Dodge 0] and [Endure 0] if I want to avoid getting hurt. Ok, I can branch out with three available options. [Stealth 1], [Craft Stone 1] and [Endure 1], some utility and if the worst happens [Endure 1] will hopefully help. Now Craft Feats, these almost all seems really good I think I really really want all of them. To start I should cut it down, I think these can be split into three categories. Better at crafting: [Craftsmen] [Crafters Journal] [Crafters Reserve] More utility with crafts [Appraiser] [Equipment Utilization] [Scavenger] [Tool Utilization] [Quartermaster] Making crafts better: [Makers Mark] [Tinkerer] [Experimenter] I think [Craftsmen] might be the best option All Craft skills? that would be really good. I don''t know what Blueprints are, but even without them it be a huge consideration. Yet, I think I might be pretty good at crafting right now. I haven''t really sat down and tried to make things properly, and I just got access to two more types of material. I can take this later, General Feats has that line that says I can take Craft Feats. I think that means that I should seriously consider taking the rarest options I can for any option. By the same note, all the better at crafting options can be put away for now... and probably also Making Crafts better... I am really tempted to take both [Tinkerer] and [Experimenter] but those can wait until I know everything about crafting. So utility options it is... and my goal is to take something that let''s me do something new. With that in mind both [Equipment Utilization] and [Tool Utilization] are tempting, but really just teaching me things I can get elsewhere. Maybe they will be more useful later. This leaves three. [Appraiser] let''s me see boxes at range, that would really help, and probably would let me check out predators from safety. [Scavenger] Well, it would help find materials, but seems a bit weak. Finally [Quartermaster] seems very useful, and would let me know where all my stuff is. I don''t have much stuff though, so would it even be useful, It would probably give me the contents of my [Hat] and that be useful a fair bit. Alright, [Appraiser] is the most clear useful new skill, I will have to make sure Olme is happy using it, but it should prove useful. Now, General feats, they seem to be pretty different from one another. I''m not going to take a Craft feat, because I can get one of those later, but what to choose instead. I''m not going to look at [Juggernaut] [Slave] or [Sociopathy]. I got my intelligence by an act of random chance, and just looking at those is making me squirm. They must be a trap for the unintelligent just like the [Simple Class]. I will have to avoid traps, hopefully even though they are traps they won''t be instant ends. I''m not squirming when I look at [Adrenaline] [Endurance] or [Toughness] I am a little suspicious knowing traps exist, but they sound reasonable... I will probably have a close look. I''m disregarding the weapon and poison feats for now, I was able to use a weapon a few times, so it isn''t essential. That leave me with some of the odd ones. [Meditation] is... probably not good for me, but the swatter social commands were terrifying. Then we have [Lucid Dreaming] which seems likewise very very specialized. And [Mystic] I need to know what this means, nothing in its description makes sense. So please bring me more details for [Adrenaline] [Endurance] [Toughness] and [Mystic] please.
[Adrenaline] [Feat Trait] [Core Trait] [Body Feat]
When an attack is projected to hit you, and not be mitigated by Armour or other damage reduction, the world seems to slow down. This effect recharged after five standard attacks either miss or hit you.
[Endurance] [Feat Trait] [Core Trait] [Body Feat]
Physical movement uses about half as much stamina as normal, as does using the [Endure] trait to resist dangerous climates
[Hardened Body] [Feat Trait] [Core Trait] [Body Feat]
All physical damage done is reduced as if wearing a set of leather armour. The [Endure] trait is twice as effective when resisting poison and disease.
[Mystic] [Feat Trait] [Core Trait] [Mystic Trait]
Access the systems command line, with guest user access. Guest User: Use simple commands to manipulate they system View: Observe Query: Request Information GUI: Modify user interface
Oh wow, uh... is [Mystic] really allowed. I don''t really understand it, but isn''t implying that you can modify the boxes? That be stronger than giving social commands for sure. The fact I understand so little about it means it become the most important feat to take. Except, the system has clear traps like [Simple Class], [Juggernaut], [Slave] and [Sociopath]. Could this be an unclear trap. I really don''t want to get ended because I failed to use my very large intelligence. I think, I will pass on this for now, until I understand how the world works a bit better. In that case, while [Endurance] and [Hardened Body] are good, they are not as life saving as [Adrenaline]. I already can''t really afford to be hit. If by chance I do risk being hit, then [Adrenaline] should help keep me intact. Let''s take them all and have a look.
Name =Kysa o''Mnoko Level = 3 Title = [Slayer] Type = Arachnid
Family = [Adoptable] Class = Artisan 2 / Arachnid 1 Home = Purple Hat Species = Weaver Spider
Attributes
Body Mind Social
Size 0.003 [Mini Trait] Ego 4 Id 4
Strength 2 Intelligence 5 [+8 Item] [2] Charisma 4
Agility 11 Cunning 7 [2] Empathy 2
Toughness 2 /2 Sanity 4 /4 Submission 3 /5
Stamina 2 /2 Focus 3 /3 [1] Vigor 2 /2
Traits
Racial Trained General Knowledge Feats Deeds
[Arachnid Body] [Craft Textile 5] [Nimble Manipulator] [General Knowledge 1] [Stabilimentum] [Slayer]
[Delicate Exoskeleton] [Craft Wood 1] [SilkWeaver 1] [Arachnids Knowledge] [Appraiser] [Ambusher]
[Mindless Body] [Craft Stone 1] [Throw Web] [Adoptable] [Adrenaline] [Wanderer]
[Brain Spider] [Stealth 1] [Knowledge Self Analysis]
[Greater Spinneret 5] [Endure 1] [Basic Physics]
[Venom]
[Legs 8]
[Mini]
Equipment
Head [Purple Hat] Body [White Sarong] Leg [Cocoon Backpack]
22: Closed Door Questing Well, now I have finished progressing, I''d better look at quests and plan what our next move is. What are my active and available quests please
Active Quests
[Q: Clockwork Curiosity] [Know] Learn more about a local hazard or creature
[Q: The Horde] [Know] Learn more about a local hazard or creature
[Q: Hoppity Ever After] [Know] Learn more about a local hazard or creature
[Q: Spider Eater Hive] [Know] Learn more about a local hazard or creature
[Q: Homesteading] [Craft] [Def] Build and Defend a Home
[Q: My first Life] [MF] Complete the [Pregnant] condition successfully
Quests Available
[Q: The Mnoko Deepmarsh] [Regional Quest] What is up with the Mnoko Deepmarsh, it''s getting more dangerous every year.
[Q: Market Day] [Artisan] It will be market day soon, prepare something special to sell impress the village
[Q: Bandit Lord] [Slayer] [Danger] A local Bandit lord has set up operations in the area, find him and kill him
[Q: My first Sale] [MF] [Artisan] Your still a novice by any means, gather the materials, craft, and exchange 1 good.
[Q: My first Friend] [MF] Make a friend, and add them to your journal.
[Q: My first Kill] [MF] [Ambusher] Kill someone sapient that is your equal.
[Q: My first Argument] [MF] Win a test of wits and a test of dominance against another creature.
[Q: My first Wound] [MF] Bandage a wound successfully
[Q: Monoko Tit for Tat] Come to an agreement with a resident of the [Monoko Deepmarsh] for mutual defense.
[Q: My first Repair] [MF] [Artisan] Repair an object that has been damaged for a client
[Q: Monoko Mapping] Climb to the highest point of the [Monoko Deepmarsh]
[Q: Unending Horde] Survive
[Q: Mothers Care] Manage to keep half your children alive for 1 day.
Good to see I have a few new options. I will probably take a few more, I guess I could explore like the other quests are asking, but I still want to avoid getting to close to the [Spidereater Wasps] or the scary un-ended. I could visit the [Lagomorphs] and see if I can find out more. I am a lot larger now so they may not ignore me like they did before. I think I will focus on [Home Defense] and [My first Life] for now. I need a third quest though A bunch of these quests are not possible right now, I need to be around friendly creatures. Hm, even ost of the new ones are hard to progress right now. Only [Q: Unending Horde] might be doable and... well one word in it''s description... let''s assume this is a trap. Maybe once I have defenses. Shoot, I was gonna do [Homesteading] but I need three before I progress again. Do I even have two more? No, I can split the others into quests that either require children, require friend, or require knowledge or something I don''t have yet. I guess it''s time to start doing social stuff... I don''t have any prior friends yet, but wait, this new quest, [My first Repair] it''s another starter quest I think... I''ve seen the word repair before, and it''s probably here because I have 2 Artisan levels... can I see the full description?
[Q: My first Repair]
[Crafting] [My first] [Social]
You have the skills to repair objects back into good condition, find someone who needs something repaired and repair it at no cost Objectives -Locate an object that a creature wants repaired -Repair Object Bonus -If the object is important and difficult to repair, gain a bonus on friendly social rolls. This bonus lasts longer the more important the object is.
Wait why is... Oh... OH! the [Serpents] textile... that is where I know the word repair. I guess it means to remake an object? That is great, yes if I take this and [My first Friend] I''ll have enough once [Home Defense] is done. That is totally perfect. Wait... this is the [Serpent] I''m talking about. I know it hasn''t eaten me during either of the times it got the chance... but it''s huuuuge and makes my body shake just by thinking about it. The quest didn''t say that it made the [Serpent] my friend, just that I get a bonus to do so. What does [My first Friend] say about making a friend.
[Q: My first Friend]
[Social] [My first]
You have the skills and sapience to communicate and befriend other creatures. Objectives -Encounter a non-hostile creature -Do not antagonize creature -Communicate friendly attitude -Befriend Creature -Add creature to your Journal Bonus -Reduce a creature from hostile to non-hostile first
And yet, it hasn''t... attacked me, not at all which means it''s non-hostile. I can''t believe I am doing this, but it''s the best option available. I want to get stronger and the risk of being eaten is low enough that I just might manage this, and the reward for making friends with a creature as powerful as the [Serpent]. Heck it might be able to end the scary Un-ended
Quests Taken
[My first Repair] [My first Friend]
I have no idea how I''m going to pull this off... no that''s not true, Olme has to pull this off. Ok Olme, ignore the shivers of fear, you are just going to sneak in and repair the [Serpents] blanket nicely. Then we see if it attacks. If it does run away well try, we will probably be ended, if it doesn''t, well try to communicate. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Before we go out though, and take that risk let''s see if we can get started on [Homesteading] This time we have several bits of material, as well as the skills to use them, and can maybe start. Let''s just go over the details.
[Q: Homesteading]
[Crafting] [Mnoko Deepmarsh] [Defense]
You are unsafe, and surrounded by <[20] potentially hostile or hostile creatures that exceed your level by more than 5. You are a [Noncombatant] and [Artisan]. Objectives -Survive until all other objective are complete -Built walls capable of repelling a level [13] creature. -(148/200) Built food storage and stock it with enough to outlast a creatures stamina -Build defenses capable of repelling a Level [13] creature -Repel [20] creatures of Level [8] -Repel [10] creatures of level [13] Bonus -Repel [1] creature of level [20] or higher These objectives scale according to your level
Right, it scales and thus got harder. At least we got most of the food required. I hope the [Materials] I have are enough to do this... I did see a few sticks nearby that I can fetch pretty easily. Originally I was just going to wall off the entrances to the [Purple Hat] but I think that might not be enough. A level 20 creature... I am guessing that it would be capable of damaging the [Purple Hat] Ok, here is the plan. Olme, your gonna have to do most of this, but did you see how the swatters had set up. They had wood walls around them, and stone in some places. We have the cliff on five sides, so we just have to protect the cave entrance. Now it is large enough that the [Serpent] could actually come inside, and I think the scary Unending could at least partially fit inside. That means we need to build a wall across the last side. Yes I know, that is a huge amount of space, but we have a secret weapon, our [Stabilimentum] you saw how quickly it stopped that [Goldfinch]. But the gap is too large you say, and we don''t have any good mounting points. Your right, and that''s where my extra intelligence is going to help. So first I want you to build bits of a wall. We saw a little bit of one when we were up in the [Village] it looked a bit like one of the ended bodies we hid in earlier, with parts missing all over. That isn''t gonna be enough is it... alright, like this, I''ll use some of the twigs and make a smaller one. So over her, where the ground is dirt and not [Hat] I''ll show you. So you take a stick like this... a little larger than this, then you sharpen the tip like this. Just bite here and here, and then scrape it like this. See how sharp it is getting, thanks to [Nimble Manipulator]? Well you don''t need it too sharp, and you''ll have to do this to many larger sticks, but this sharp should be good enough. About half as sharp as out [Silk-wrapped Stinger] was. Now watch, like when we stabbed the swatter we point the sharp bit forwards. In this case we point at the dirt. Then you stab as hard as you can, just like with a weapon. But in this case we stab the ground. Around here the [Deepmarsh] makes the ground soft, so you can see it''s going in pretty easily. Well the sticks you will be doing are much larger, so you will have to hit them again and again. Eventually with enough hits they should be pretty stuck into the ground. Once you have them across the whole cave, you can start spinning web between them. You will want to use [Stabilimentum] and probably even stick down some pieces of the bark to take any hits. We don''t actually want the prey to stick to the wall, so use nonsticky threads for most of it. You will probably want to cover the top of the cave as well, I don''t know if you can get any sticks in, but if not just attach it right to the stone, and use longer sticks that touch the roof if you can. But be sure to leave at least one hole in the wall, hidden if possible, large enough for us, and the [Sled] to go in and out. The piece of [Canvas] might be large enough to use as a flap, but make sure to disguise it as much as possible. Alright, do you got all that? Well, I can''t actually find out until we leave, so just in case I will redo all the hat''s opening so you can have memories. It looks like I can lift parts of the [Hat] now, so I will also take a moment to fasten them down. In fact... I can''t fit in the smallest opening any more, and barely through the second smallest, so let''s hold those down, like this. I use a bit of sticky web now to attach thread to both sides of the [Hat] and I stick them together. We will repeat this all the way along, including the parts of the [Hat] that were not open. Ok, that''s over half done, now this last part, I can fit through, but I want to be able to close it. This will be a little more complicated than you need. But see the first stick, I am going to copy that on the opposite side. Both sides will be attached to the Hat like so. I am also going to take this longer stick and put it across the top of the sticks, tying them together tightly with thread. Now we are going to build a door. Yes like [Arachnid Knowledge] is saying, but unlike the other spiders, we are going to put wood in it. We saw something similar in the swatter [Village]. So I am going to take four sticks and tie them together, making a shape with corners the same size as the previous frame. Then we will cross two longer sticks in the middle, tying them together around the corners. Then we take some of the pieces of bark, and hang them between the sticks like prey hanging from our web... that reminds me, check it for some food before you get started, you will probably need it. Now the door is almost done. Remember the sled, a couple of stick wrapped in web... we are doing that again, and you better be sure we are going to use a [Stabilimentum] Wrap it around and around, don''t use to little thread, I am fairly certain this will be stronger than just the wood if we do more wrappings. See it''s starting to look a bit like a [Trapdoor] But we won''t be hiding under this like those other spiders. Do put some bark up, like this, to cover the more vulnerable area''s, that way a lucky hit won''t undo all our work. Now it''s done, this is our new [Spidersilk Wicker Door.] Huh, Wicker, that is a new word. I think it''s the sticks. Ok, so now we are going to hand this from the top stick. Just like that... and Oh, interesting, this must be [Basic Physics] at work. I was going to just lift it into place, but it is quite heavy, so instead we are going to pull the thread from the other side of the stick... look it''s raising up, hoisting, that is the word, we are hoisting it into place. We did something similar when we lowered the [Goldfinch] down, but with this it would have been much much simpler. Ok, got it... now it''s hanging freely. We don''t actually want that, see how I can just open and close it super easily. Well we are gonna fix that. It won''t be hard, all we will do for this is to put a stick on either side that will bang against the other sticks. See, this is [Basic Physics] again. Now the door can only open outward... so it''s easy to leave by pushing out, but to come back in you need to lift it. You should be smart enough to manage Olme, but the [Mindless] bugs and other dumb creatures shouldn''t understand. Now, the big question... how strong is this door, I want you to make a similar, but larger one outside the [Hat] as well as the wall, which should use similar methods. Is this enough beat out quest?
Structure (Door) [Spidersilk Wicker Door]
Craft: Amateur [Mini] [Durable] [Silk] [Wicker]
This door is constructed of Oak wicker and a durable spidersilk weave, -It is durable and highly resistant to physical damage, especially blunt force. -It is undamaged -It opens outwards -It is unenchanted -This [Spidersilk Wicker Door] is moderate value.
Well it''s a shame it doesn''t tell us what level this could resist. It does sound good, keep doing the walls until they look this good Olme. 23: En-Walled Ah No Kysa! tooo much, [Walls] and [Doors] and and... Do I start, or gather bark or sticks, or stones, or do I web sticks an then... Or do I practice doors, or so repair [Serpent] blanket or hoist, hoisting could be...
High risk of temporary Condition: Overwhelmed
This condition is caused when exposed to powerful effects meant to target higher sapient or intelligent creatures Effect: Halves Mind and Social scores End: When Ego or Id increases for any reason, or when resting at Home for one week
NO! that''s the bad one... calm! No progress is available so it hard to fix. Ok, Kysa left directions, just... just one at a time. If I get [Overwhelmed], I go back to being dumb Olme, not ok Olme. Kysa be sad if I got dumb. Can''t let Kysa be sad. Kysa was right always right, food first, I bring [Sled]. Then Wall, Wall, Wall. Wall harder than expected, but Kysa sounds sure. We do it Kysa way, I get much food to build. First watch as [Door] close, and as Kysa said can''t push through. I can lift, and get in again, dumber won''t know. ...I might not know without Kysa. [Overwhelmed] would be bad. That sounds like plan. One at a time, don''t get [Overwhelmed]. Blood has slowed, I think danger past. Boxes am I in danger of conditions.
Low risk of temporary Conditions:
Plan is helping, ok, let''s look and get ready. Door Hidden Well. Web and bark, hard to see. Ok, Sled here. Construct here... I should check, maybe more info? We got [Appraiser] I check from a little away.
Construct [Mass-Produced] [Clockwork] [Insect]: Nikkolla [Clockwork Beetle] 10
Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Clockwork Brass Beetle Construct]
Size:0.008 Str:10 Agi:5 Tou:20/22 Stm: 0/5 Ego:2 Int:6 Cun:6 San:10 Foc: 4/10
This clockwork beetle is crafted from brass forged by dwarves, and crafted with the skill of an average Clocksmith. -It is enchanted with intelligence by a skilled Enchanter, it can follow simple commands. -It is dented from a collision, but otherwise undamaged -It has three rotary command dials, currently set to [Fetch] [Object] and [Purple Hat] -It has a winding key storing it''s energy, current 0% wound. -This [Clockwork Beetle] is cheap
New info, is good, will have Kysa look. Wait, Dial says [Fetch] I can reach, I rotate. [Set] [Fetch] [Defend] [Observe] [Travel] and [Rest] are on first dial. [Object] [Creature] and [Location] are on second dial. The last dial complicated and changes, it showed many strange names. One of them was [Kysa o''Mnoko] and [Liosa o''Caecs Aodaich], found when second dial on [Creature] Other time showed [White Sarong] [Cocoon Backpack] and even [Engraved Button] while second dial [Object] When second dial [Location] then saw [Monoko Deepmarsh] and [Caecs-Freithe Village] Kysa need to understand, interesting, maybe help? Almost wound, but thought better, not yet. Food now.
Arrived with sled, Web is full full. More than eat today, maybe eat ever. I eat a few, little ones and a big one... most very tired and barely fight. Wrapped all and all, took long, had to stop to eat twice. All wrapped now. Stored in log for now... too much for 1 sled. Dumped Husks and loaded Sled. Oh hello [Goliath Birdeater] I have no birds. Ignores me, not prey. Oh, [Golieth Birdeater] attack an un-ended. Very mad, very big, glad I am not prey. Unended Beetle was not much larger than me and Kysa. Good that even [Mindless] see them as threat. Oh, I appraise again? Don''t have to touch again.
Goliath Birdeater Tarantula [10]
[Arachnid] [Animal] [Enraged] [Cursed]
It progressed too, and is [Enraged] and [Cursed] Something must have happened. Sorry [Goliath Birdeater] I hope it''s not bad. We will avoid just in case.
Bringing Food back took three trips. Uneventful, some predators, but hide in grass. Ate little more, putting the rest away.
Wall making time. Kysa didn''t say bigger, but bigger. We have small twigs, I get big sticks. Cave is large, so I get lots of sticks. Drag drag them back. One two three four five six seven eight. Eight is good, stick close together, and same number as legs. Not all sticks straight, but I get long long sticks that can reach top of Cave. Now put sticks down in row, and sharpen. Sharpen sharpen. Now holding them up is going to be hard. Very long heavy sticks. Hoist! I hoist. I go up and attach thread then lift. No, didn''t work. How then. Oh, need stick. Wrap hoist thread around stick then lift! Almost, but still to heavy. Need more weight. Stones! Attach stones to thread, and lift... and lift And Lift, and Lift, and Lift, and Lift! Stick in place, just need to put in dirt. Hmm, lowered a little and moved. Need little hole. Twig, jut like Kysa, stick down and hit hit hit. Now though pull up... yes, little hole made. Put big stick? Yes, point in hole. Now take off stone. Stick sinks a little. Now another and another until all. Yes it is sliding into ground. Need a bit more though, I climb up cave wall to top. Hit Hit Hit. It sinks in a little. Hit Hit Hit. It sinks more. ...Jump... yes if I jump on it sinks, even more than hit. Jump Jump Jump. Oh, stick stopped, more jumps not helping. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.Can''t move stick anymore... seem stuck down good. Ok, now repeat for each leg... this will take long time.
Stick two sunk perfectly, almost didn''t need jumping. Stick three sunk too far... little gap at top, will have to put more on. Stick four is bent, but otherwise sunk in well. Stick five perfect, straight and in hole can''t move it at all. Stick six was straight, but went in and tilted. Stick seven crooked, but tilted until almost straight. Stick eight... snapped in half, not good, had to get new stick. Not able to pull out pieces of stick eight. Stick eight-two sunk in well. Touching eight, but it seems firm, will wrap them together in thread. Rest a little and eat, had some bugs half way between four and five. It is dark again, crafting is not short.
All rested, now for next part. Webs. First I stick Two and Eight to cave walls. Very well, lots of mounts and even a [Stabilimentum]. Not sure if that works, mounts are covered in web, maybe too thick. I stick bark on it later just in case. Now climb up to top of cave, where all sticks touch, and Stick them down good. Web Web Web. I fill gap above three with smaller stick, and attach it like I did with eight. Other are just stuck down with web, until they don''t move at all. I use a little more web where sticks go into dirt, just to hold them in place. None of sticks wiggle, even if I jump on them, good now. Before Web between sticks, I put more sticks up. I don''t know why Kysa put two crossed sticks in [Door] but I copy. I use twigs instead of sticks, and go across at top, in the middle, and at the bottom. Each time I go across I use two sticks, and cross just like Kysa did. It takes ages, each twig needs to be stuck down with web. I need to eat a big bug after this. Drain it into very frail husk. Now Webs. I start with one and two, crossing webs like with twigs. The around I go again, and again and again. Cross the twigs, Cross the sticks. When done, I use even more threads to install a [Stabilimentum] Very durable, later will stick bark on top. Then I move to two and three, repeat. Two and three required extra care at top, the extra stick is wrapped tightly to three. Three and four easy, top stick and four are close, so very firm Four and five easier, five didn''t move even at start, so tight tight tight. Five and six very tight, six is not straight, but I pull it tight Six and seven tightening here seemed to also straighten six a little. Seven and eight little tricky I am putting door here. Eight has two sticks, one broke. I twist broke bit over to seven, where I tie it down. A big space between sticks. Perfect for door. All webs get a [Stabilimentum]... but I am so very hungry, I drain three big bugs dry. It''s mostly done. Kysa said to put up bark. I look around and find the spots, I''m gonna need quite a lot. The nearest log is probably where my web is, so I will have to go back again. I grab a [Grub] to eat and head out.
Not good, concerned. Kysa will need to know, one of the bugs in my web is unending. It is stuck, but spasms and spasms no matter how much I inject. It isn''t ending, not even when I switch to digestion. I am not eating it, but I fill it up and break it''s chitin. Out it leaks, out and out... the food smell bad. I am glad I didn''t try to eat one when I was dumber. It''s still moving, how, it''s little more than a husk. It is a husk, I hit and hit it until it head is smashed. It kept moving until the last moment. Scary... I am lucky it is only unending. I move to log, this is why I am here. Delicate work, but use pedipalps to pull bark up. Avoid web, but pull from other parts of log. Some is squishy, other bits break to easy. But most is good, hard to get off without [Nimble Manipulator] Soon I have pile. It took longer to deal with unending than bark. Back I go, pull pull pull.
Back, with tons of bark. Start with stick one. At places with many wrapped webs I put bark. I copy for two, and as I move over, I put extra bark between sticks, held in place by web, protecting webs a little. These bark are more bouncy, but protect critical web. Same pattern continues, and I press grass where I don''t put bark. [Arachnid Knowledge] says to camouflage, Kysa didn''t say no. Soon I am all the way over at seven and eight. Just the door left... it is hard to tell that anything is hiding. The big gap is a little obvious. If I copied Kysa then it be a noticeable. She said use canvas, so I do. I start with a door just like Kysa''s. Four twigs wrapped in web, with twigs between. Then wrap in web, wrap wrap wrap. All wrapped, and hang the same way. This time instead of back goes Canvas. I take but out, and unfold and unfold. It get''s quite big after third unfold, just enough. Above door I stick canvas all the way along, and hang it down. It drapes over door, and just touches dirt. Perfect. I pull it out and prop it up with a big stick. Then I hoist door to canvas and use sticky web to stick them together. Stick, Stick, Stick, Stick. Well attached. I stick twig in canvas to grab. Now I unprop up canvas and it falls down. Covers hole great. Heavy and sturdy, hard to break, and not easy to lift without stick. Now gather dirt, wet dirt best, and press into canvas. Stick, Stick, Stick, in a very different way. All brown and dirtlike, looks like cliff now. Add a little grass, and done. Stand back and look
Structure (Wall) [Spidersilk Wicker Wall]
Craft: Amateur [Mini] [Durable] [Silk] [Wicker]
This door is constructed of willow wicker and a durable spidersilk weave, -It is durable and highly resistant to physical damage, especially blunt force. -It is undamaged -It is unenchanted -This [Spidersilk Wicker Door] is moderate value.
Structure (Door) [Hidden Canvas Spidersilk Door]
Craft: Amateur [Mini] [Durable] [Silk] [Wicker] [Canvas]
This door is constructed of willow wicker and a durable spidersilk weave, -It is very well hidden by a dirt and grass covered canvas. -It is durable and highly resistant to physical damage, especially blunt force and slashing. -It is undamaged -It opens outwards -It is unenchanted -This [Spidersilk Wicker Door] is moderate value.
I think that will do nicely. Kysa should be happy. Let''s go find out. 24: Sticks, Web, and Twigs Sorry, that was a little much wasn''t it. I am sorry Olme, but you handled that well. I see that our sanity and focus dropped significantly. You avoided getting [Overwhelmed] so that is good. I will try to keep the instruction a little more simple, at least until we gain a higher intelligence. Still for that rough start wow Olme, you certainly accomplished quite a lot. I am glad this should help significantly. I will just go over and review, maybe something will come up. Let''s start with the [Construct] you got quite a bit more information for us... is it enough to complete it''s quest perhaps? No, I didn''t see a quest completion. So what did we learn from our new [Appraiser] feat. Well first we learned that it was sent to fetch out home, but it ran out of energy. It''s stamina is zero, is that because it is a [Construct]? From the context I am guessing winding it is important. I am unsure what or why that is, but it must be related to the large object between it''s wings. Olme brushed it and it moved, so perhaps moving it winds up the [Construct]. Olme, do not touch that until we are ready. Now, the dials, it shows my name. That is concerning, I guess names have a use here... as it also shows my namers name. [Liosa o''Caecs Aodaich]. From Olme''s memories the dial contained many more names, I don''t know most of them but I notice that a few of them end in o''Caecs Aodaich. Others just have o''Caecs. A few have other names, too many for me to remember. I am curious how this [Construct] manages. It''s very curious what happens when the [Creature] dial is changed to [Objects]. All of a sudden the third dial changes, and unlike before, when changing it requires rotating it, this time the letters themselves seem to flip over themselves. It is so fine that even by best two eyes can hardly see it, but a thin seam is in the center of the metal. I might be able to fit a single strand of thread between them, but no more. It is by far the most slight seam, elsewhere I suspect I could pass multiple threads wrapped in a cord... even around the rest of the dials. Looking at the first dial, it seems like the words form an [Action] then a word to [Clarify] and a final words to point the action to, a [Target]. I remember that Constructs lacked Id entirely. The boxes specified that [Arachnids] and other [Insects] lacked an Ego... as well as the [Un-ending], and [Constructs] were similar but different and lacked an Id instead. From what I have seen the Id is a creatures desire. Every [Arachnid Evolution] offered a bonus to Id, and I gained some for getting Sapience through [Brain Spider] and when I got a [Name]. So if they lack desires like I once lacked a sense of self, does this mean that these dials are used to set a desire for some master? Olme rotated these freely, so can we set them ourselves?
Quest Completion
[Q: Clockwork Curiosity]
That is interesting, so understanding what is happening is the requirement for quest completion. I had the info, but as Olme I hadn''t understood... now I do, it completes. Good to know, I might be able to complete quests if I learn enough from other places. Let''s have a look just to be sure.
[Q: Clockwork Curiosity] [Complete]
[Knowledge] [Construct] [Curiosity] [Complete]
You have discovered a [Clockwork] [Construct] that is out of energy. -What is it: A clockwork construct, a crafted creature designed to be a controllable pet -What is it''s purpose or objective: It was sent to fetch the hat for some unknown master, it is unwound and thus out of energy. -Can you gain any benefits from it''s presence?: The dials appear to give it commands, you may be able to set those commands.
As I thought. Useful, though I am still hesitant to activate the [Construct]. Maybe in a while once I feel more confident. Alright next, right, Olme went to collect food from the web. Interesting it is fairly heavily laden with bugs, but look at those tears Something larger escaped. I am unsure how large, but I guess that is the cost of an passive web. Olme get''s to work quickly enough, it looks like we caught quite a bit of food at least. The web looks a bit rough though, we probably should tear it down soon. We can leave it a bit yet, Olme did a few small repairs as we gathered food. Wrapped the prey up tightly and loaded the sled. It looks like three trips. Oh, what is this... The [Golieth Birdeater] again, and it''s fighting what looks like a beetle. Oh, it has some of my webs attached, that must be what pulled out of my web. Shoot, that bite tore half it''s head off. That beetle has to be [Unended]. I knew they were spreading but I though we had a bit more time before they reached my part of the [Deepmarsh]. Well the [Birdeater] has this, every hit is connecting with the twitch ridden beetle. It seems furious, the attacks are way more aggressive than when it ate my [Goldfinch] Hmm, it is [Cursed] and [Enraged] curious, what is going on with that. It leveled up to be sure, but what happened to get it two... what are those, the [Black Violin] had [Cursed] but they arn''t like [Animal] or [Arachnid].
[Cursed] This creature had been added to a witches [Curse]. It gains special abilities and will automatically attack targets of the [Curse]
[Enraged] Some effect has driven this creature berserk, it will attack other creatures with no regards for it''s safety. Physical stats enhanced. This condition does not force attacks against neutral or allied creatures.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.Both of those seem bad to get, I will have to avoid them. The [Black Violin] I have see all have [Cursed] so I thought it was like [Arachnid] and integral to them, but this means a creature is doing it intentionally. I have not been attacked by the [Birdeater] so I am not a target fortunately I would have to catch it in my web to stand a chance... and as a fellow [Arachnid] it could probably escape. The rest of Olme food fetching is peaceful, we see another [Goldfinch] and a few [Spidereater Wasps] but the long grass here hides us well enough. Soon we''ve dragged it all back and loaded it away.
Olme is getting ready for the wall now, eating a few more just to fill us up. It looks like everything should go as planned. Olme gathered up eight good sized sticks, not perfect, but they should serve well enough for our wall. We sharpen them up nicely, and line them up in place. I see that for all the earlier trouble Olme is smart enough to understand the hoist I had displayed as we hoist each of the sticks into place. I guess it is that our cunning is matched, as it doesn''t take Olme long to remember to hoist over a pivot stick... but I''m a little caught off guard that Olme managed to figure out to attach stones to the end of the threads in order to lift them up. I maybe would have guess a single stone, but no, Olme is clearly using [Basic Physics] when adding the second, third, and in one case four stones to the thread. If I was off guard before I am shocked that Olme decides to poke a hole in the dirt with a smaller twig before trying to force the stick in. I would have done so as well, but I needed to see the problem first. Not a few moments later Olme is not only hitting the stick repeatedly like I expected, but leaping on the stick, using our bodies weight to push the stick into the ground more. For just a moment I feel unnecessary, but Olme was almost [Overwhelmed] it makes me wonder, when we have much more intelligence, will their really be a big difference between us? We may not need the [Purple Hat] at if that point ever comes. It is not here today however. I feel surprising happiness as Olme pounds each stick into the ground, hopping up and down on them while gleefully making progress. Olme doesn''t seemed bothered by how repetitive or long this will take. Sure their is a little annoyance here and there, like when stick three sunk into the ground too deeply, or when stick six sunk in in suddenly but with a bad tilt. Olme was surprised when stick eight turned out rotten and snapped, it was right as we jumped on it, so the fall caused a little panic. I could remember our heart pumping ever so fast, our thorax trembling from being startled. Olme couldn''t pull up the remnants of eight, so I could feel a little frustration as we found another stick, sharpened it and got it into place. Fortunately that one went well. Olme got through well enough for all the struggles. Most of the sticks are straight enough. We rest up and then Olme get''s to work with the next part. This is where our webs come in, and Olme carefully and firmly attached stick one and eight to the cliff wall. Some sticky thread, but the focus here is making good anchor points for everything. Olme used a thick and durable thread, as well as layering it with a strong and durable [Stabilimentum]. Eight also gets an extra thick wrapping around the old eight stick, just so it''s totally immobile. Now we or rather Olme goes around and sticks down each of the stick where they scrape the roof of the cave. Same thick heavy durable and reinforced web, and on every stick, even one and eight. Only three get''s extra care, a small and short stick wrapped tightly to the original and then to the roof, so the gap is closed. Then Olme descends, and does the same to the bases... by the time we are done none of the sticks wiggle. Olme even tests it, with a bit more glee than I, must have forgotten the trouble of eight. With that done Olme goes across with again, this time carrying stricks... well almost twigs. I didn''t instruct this, but Olme copies the crossed sticks from my door. I would have done the same thing, I had merely forgotten to mention it in my mental note, but I am glad to see the autonomy of Olme is more than capable of fixing my mistakes. [Basic Physics] is telling me the structure is quite secure as each twig is added. By the time the last goes down it is hard to pass through the wall, except for the entrance, which looks as though it''s going to be between the cliff and eight. Not impossible for smaller bugs, and even we could squeeze, but difficult enough. Olme pauses construction, finding one of the larger beetles. Almost as large as us, but smaller than the [Horned Beetle] we had trouble with. It seems like so long ago, I think I could take it head on now. I don''t think Olme lesser intelligence would even hinder such a fight. In any case the husk is discarded, and Olme returns to work with a great enthusiasm. This is simple enough, we are not using sticky thread today, just durable thread. This is the main part of the wall though, so it need to be quickly repairable. Because of this we go with just a durable thread and a single durable [Stabilimentum] overtop. Nothing fancy, Olme just finds every opening, and wraps the thread around each stick until it is a densely packed as our inner trapping web. It is tempting to make it sticky, but this takes so much web that to try would require a great deal of food and time. Even with the simple thread and simple reinforcement chosen the web takes ages to put together, but Olme manages in the end. Mostly it''s just a matter of wrapping them tightly, but around six and seven we wrap them extra tightly, trying to draw both sticks a little so that they are a bit straighter. It isn''t a total success, but enough that it looks a little better. Eight is the most tricky, we do part above the doorframe easy enough, but we need to focus the tension on the two tied sticks. It''s a lot, and I think for a moment that Olme has gone to far, and almost broken it again, but thanks to the innate nature of [Arachnid Knowledge] Olme manage to keep it balanced. Soon only the opening is left for a door to be concealed. Yet this takes us three entire beetles to manage. So very much web to cover such a large distance. My trapper net is larger technically, but it doesn''t need to hold firm to direct attacks, and thus isn''t quite as dense. I am pleased so far, but we have more to do. The next step however is going to require bark, and a lot of it. We don''t have that much. So Olme is going to head to the trapper web again, this time to gather bark from the log instead of the food. We pack up the sled and head out, I am happy with our progress so far. 25: Bark & the Wall Great just great, they have started to arrive. I was worried the [Unended] were increasing, I was seeing more an more of them when I went far away, but it''s unmistakable. My web has caught one. Olme stops the moment we skitter into view of the web. It is caught right in the corner, near one of the other bugs. Normally a bug get''s caught, struggles, and runs out of stamina. This [Unended] is certainly not running out of stamina. We can see significant damage to the web, and the bug it was after is ripped into several parts, most likely from the threads being tightened by the [Unended] relentless assault. Still it flails and twitches as if trying to end the already ended.
Checkered Beetle [Unended] [Insect] [Horde] [Unended Checkered Beetle] 6
This Unended Beetle is relentless attacker, that is capable of little else other than forceful attacks. -It is [Mindless] with a desire to end all it encounters. -It was ended by a [Unended] [Aura of Unending] -[Horde]s tend to fight as a swarm of creatures
We must know a bit more in any case, and Olme moves closer. We get a better look as we approach. It''s another bug, a beetle again. Not a [Horned Beetle] this time. Fortunatly it is caught in my web, the [Stabilimentum] seem to be holding it fast. The normal thread are all torn, and it does have quite a big of movement. The moment we get in range Olme attacks, biting the creature and injecting it with venom. We move back to wait... but nothing comes of it, the spasming and attacks never cease. Olme shows a little more cunning, and bites again, pushing out digestive juice into it like we do for something we would eat. Not this time, I can feel Olme nausea and know we agree that this must not be eaten. Even then, as it liquified on the inside and becomes ready to drain, it does not stop it''s struggles. A different creature would have ended ages ago, but the [Unended] it seem do not end until they are fully destroyed. To test Olme dart forth one more, landing a hit on it''s chitin. Once, the twice, and it cracks as we retreat. We watch as the creatures insides drain out, just like we had risked eating them. They are wrong, and turn our desire to eat off. It is not appetizing in the least. Even my newly awakened self did not try to eat the first [Unended] to attack, and I am ever so glad. The last of it''s internals drain away, and it becomes a husk, nothing left to eat even if we desired it. It does not stop it''s spasms, not even when Olme moves forth and hits it again. The chitin cracks freely now, no internals to dampen the blow. It''s like breaking apart a husk, the [Unending] a shell of it''s former self. I check with [Appraiser] on a whim, and I am surprised.
Checkered Beetle [Unended] [Husk] [Insect] [Horde] [Unended Checkered Beetle Husk] 3
This Unended Beetle is a mere husk of it''s former self, it is still capable of attacking -It is [Mindless] with a desire to end all it encounters. -It was ended by a [Unended] [Aura of Unending] -[Horde]s tend to fight as a swarm of creatures -It was drained and turned into a husk by an [Arachnid]
Does this mean my other husks can become [Unending] I wish I had known this sooner. Olme, make sure to destroy any and all husks you leave. As I am thinking this I skitter over to my pile of refuse and start smashing anything that I thing could return. I feel our body shudder in terror, but I am glad to see that it appears turning them to husks would weaken them greatly. It halved the creatures levels, and even the description changed to imply it was significantly weaker. I watch as Olme finishes smashing it, and stashing any surviving food. We emptied this web earlier, so it isn''t much... the most important thing is what we learned of the [Unending] In fact, knowing what I do of the [Construct] what does the quests say, maybe I will be fortunate.
[Q: The Horde]
[Knowledge] [Un-ending] [Threat] [High Danger] [Mind-Control]
You have discovered a [Lesser] [Un-ending] [Monster] and it''s [Horde] or minions. -What is it: The former body of a creature, that has been un-ended. -What is it''s purpose or objective: Destroy all creatures -What is [Hordes]: The former bodies of creatures, that has been un-ended. -What is the [Hordes]''s purpose or objective: Destroy all creatures -Can you gain any benefits from it''s presence: Uncertain
Unfortunate... perhaps... I cannot benefit from them? No, I was hoping that saying the last would finish this quest as it did with the [Construct]. I do note that the entries have increased, it was just two when I first saw, so perhaps the number of objectives can also change with the knowledge I gain. Well, we do need to do something about it, and the non-husk version of this would count towards the [Homesteading] quest. If it can''t get through my web, my walls should stop it. Speaking of wall, Olme didn''t wait while I studied the [Unended] and smashed it to bits. Then Olme went down to the log to remove bark. I am a little alarmed to see the pile of [Husks] left in the log, but they are not [Unended] yet, so we are fine for now. Olme looks a little confused for a moment as we study the log, but after reaching out and manipulating the bark for a few moments Olme seems to grow in confidence. Olme pushes our pedipalps against the bark, and used them to carefully pull it away. It isn''t easy, the bark appears to still be at least partially attached, but gently sliding one pedipalp between the wood and the bark seems to work. It feels a little like cutting thread, but much much thicker. Olme takes care to make sure the pieces are fairly large, and as thick as possible. Mostly running our pedipalps through existing cracks in the wood, or where the bark is thin. It works, surprisingly well, Olme discards the softer rotting bark and pulls off a significant amount of bark. It isn''t fast work, slower than weaving, and even than building the wall. Each time Olme pulls a large piece or bark from the tree I am pleased. It is slow progress but it is progress, and soon the log is looking much smoother. Eventually as we get to the bark touching the ground it all starts getting squishy so Olme stops. We did gather a bunch, though I am dissipointed that it is much less than the total cave entrance. We will have to prioritize parts... maybe we can find more bark, but all the other local sources are rather small. Except for the Willow, which is guarded by that huge [Unending]. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. It will have to do, and Olme loads up the sled and starts on our way back.
The wall is shaping up nicely, as we approach I am proud of... well mostly Olme''s work. Speaking of, Olme just got straight to work, taking a big piece and placing it over one of the more vulnerable sticks. All of the webs are wrapped around that, so it be bad if that took a big hit. I observe as Olme gathers a little of our stick web from our [Greater Spinneret 5] and carefully goes around the edge fastening it down. It is good to see that as we do the web is sturdy but flexes beneath us. It should hold, at least well enough to keep us from being ended. Even the strands holding the bark can flex just enough that an impact shouldn''t dislodge our hard work. I note that with so much web used in the construction, I can see basically the whole wall through our sense of web tremors. I do really want the upgraded version, but for now we will have to lay down some sensory threads to expand what we can sense from inside the [Purple Hat]. I think the gaps in the web might be large enough for us to see the heat of creatures as well, so that should be useful. OIme grabs a larger piece of bark and carefully places it over the largest bundle of web. I agree, but was expecting a visit from Olme first to at least discuss... Olme doesn''t know of course, so I feel a little annoyed as Olme starts placing bits of the bark in the wrong places. Well, not wrong, I think [Basic Physics] might be assisting Olme. Still, I would do it differently, but it does seem that our new knowledge skill is helping. The Bark will act as armour against the more brute force attacks, so we carefully place it over the critical parts of the web. Where the twigs and sticks meet, wrapped up tightly by web, where the web gathers and spreads from, and where the sticks are heavily webbed to the ground. It''s not awful, but I could have done better. At least Olme doesn''t put the bark in the middle of the unsupported webs. These are bouncy and unarmored with good reason. A hit here will just flex the web, and [Basic Physics] suggests that it be very very difficult to break the web with anything but fire. The whole web is flexible and should absorb most hits, the Bark is as well, even where we place the thickest pieces. Olme starts filling the flexible gaps between the bark with some long grass from the area. [Arachnid Knowledge] suggested it be hard to notice the web and make it look more like debris. I am happy to confirm that to be true, and as we are finishing the wall it seems to be little different than some of the other piles of debris I have seen. Come to think of it, I have seen several, but I never gave them a serious thought. It''s possible some of them are disguises. Something to consider. Now the only thing left is the big hole left on one side of the web. Olme is already planning to set up a door like I suggested. We find a few more twigs and recreates my frame from before, only a fair bit larger. It does have twigs across and a bunch of supporting web holding them all in place. Once it is complete we start wrapping the whole thing with a very durable [Stabilimentum] pattern. I am pleased as it comes together, and looks as durable as most of the wall... yet maybe a bit lighter, it is mostly web after all. For the next part, Olme moves to the pile of our salvage and searches until the Canvas we took from the Swatters is found. To our surprise it is tightly folded, and Olme unfolds it several times to get a nice large piece. It might not fully cover the hole, but it should do for most of it. Olme presses into the canvas quite hard with our bite and it is quite a tough material. We can bite through on the edge of it, but when trying to tear through the middle we can''t get a good position. It certainly should do well enough. We drag the canvas out, and place strong web threads on one side. We clamber up the wall and stick these around the stick at the top of the opening. Like we hoisted the food we drop down, slowly hoisting the canvas up and into place. It takes a little while, and six different hoists to get it up, but I manage eventually. Olme goes along and webs it to the stick quite tightly, but only on the top edge. It does touch, a little a small gap on each side, but we can adjust that with a few extra bits. Backing up we can lift up the canvas enough that we or our sled can slide through. It looks like it might be difficult if we didn''t put stick in place to hold the new door in place, and Olme does it. A little simple, just a stick to prop it up, but I would probably have done something too complicated. It is quite heavy already, but we still stick the previously made frame to the inside side. Thick web holds it to both the canvas, and the supporting stick. With this in place it can probably take a hit more than the rest of the wall. Olme lowers the nearly finished door once we are done, and gathers up a pule of dirt. We start rubbing it into the canvas. At first it just makes the canvas a little dirty, until we find some still wet dirt that had been pulled up when Olme had been gathering long grass. This works much better, smearing onto the canvas thickly, and making it look almost like ground. For some extra fun we pull up a bit of grass and some sticks and put it on the canvas dirt as well. It almost looks just like the nearby cliff once we are done. I think that will work well.
This door is constructed of willow wicker and a durable spidersilk weave, -It is durable and highly resistant to physical damage, especially blunt force. -It is undamaged -It is unenchanted -This [Spidersilk Wicker Door] is moderate value.
Structure (Door) [Hidden Canvas Spidersilk Door]
Craft: Amateur [Mini] [Durable] [Silk] [Wicker] [Canvas]
This door is constructed of willow wicker and a durable spidersilk weave, -It is very well hidden by a dirt and grass covered canvas. -It is durable and highly resistant to physical damage, especially blunt force and slashing. -It is undamaged -It opens outwards -It is unenchanted -This [Spidersilk Wicker Door] is moderate value.
Good job Olme, now with luck we will be safe in our [Purple Hat], maybe even complete that quest if we get attacked. More importantly, this has shows me the quality of your work when I am unavailable. I think we can see about something new. The [Unending] are expanding, and we need to as well. We certainly can''t eat them, so at the very least we need to stop them from replacing the food in the area with them. I can''t think of anything worst that a web filled with [Unending]. So we''ll eat up, rest up, and then. Then we''ll see if we can use social skills on the [Serpent] 26: Home Ok, yes, Olme, I imagining that you are upset. Yes the [Serpent] is scary, almost as scary as the big scary [Unending] thing. But hear me out. It''s fighting the [Unended], it hasn''t attacked or eaten us, and it has textiles in it''s home. Think about that. To start with the [Unending] are clearly known by [General Knowledge 1] as something we can eat. A dumb creature wouldn''t consider them as a target. If a dumb creature could, it would probably avoid the [Unending] because they are all aggressive, and are not food. Yet we saw the [Serpent] attack them, and in fact had gone to rest right before that. This means the Serpent is probably not dumb. It probably isn''t as smart as me, but might even be smarter than you. Considering it was ignoring us, and possibly even only attacked the [Unended] because we cause it to notice them nearby. It might be the only creature or bug in the area that doesn''t see us as food. [Arachnids Knowledge] is warning us about most other spiders, and everything else either eats bugs our size, or is eaten by bugs our size. The only possibly exception are the two [Lagomorphs] we saw earlier, and they are farther away likely very dumb, and also possibly hurt. I know, your still scared of... the giant [Serpent] that could eat us and end us in an instant. This is where the third thing comes in. Did you see the large [Blanket]? The blue boxes said it was important... what was it exactly that it said.
Utility- Survival Blanket [Cotton Muslin Swaddling Blanket]
Craft: Skilled, +1 rank from [Lovingly Crafted] [Small] [Durable] [Soft] [Cotton Muslin] [Relic]
This Survival Blanket is made of a durable Cotton weave, -It is worn, and heavily damaged from age and use 4/12 Toughness -It was crafted by a parent to wrap around their child-The blanket is very soft, and is great at keeping something warm -It is enchanted, but the enchantment is frayed and unidentifiable -It is a [Divine] [Relic] of the minor rank
Great, thank you Blue Box. So see Olme, it is heavily damaged as we saw. But, what I was thinking about is that it is apparently [Lovingly Crafted] which sounds important, and that it clearly notes that this [Blanket] was made for a creature. Considering that it was once enchanted, and currently has whatever this [Divine] [Relic] property added to it, it has to be important to the [Serpent]. So what I suggest, is that we go, and use all these new skills of ours, to repair the [Blanket]. My guess is that doing something will give us a bonus to our social interactions. Considering that right now the [Serpent] is not trying to eat us, making it happy should convince it to help us. Once we have it as a friend, we can either see about making the [Lagomorphs] friendly, or just focusing on getting rid of the [Unending] it''s not that much larger than the [Serpent] if it is actually larger at all. I think if we made a good trap, and got [Serpent] to attack it, we might just be able to re-end it. Yes I know, it''s so much bigger than us, but did you see how our [Stabilimentum] reinforced web dealt with the [Goldfinch]? If we play to our strengths, and got [Serpent] to hit it as hard as those beetles... we might be able to deal with it. The alternative is to climb up the cliff again and go live with the huge number of [Swatters] you saw how one of them froze us in place with social stuff... I think it''s more dangerous. Do you agree?
Kysa has more intelligence then Olme. Olme is happy that Kysa stepped out of the [Purple Hat] to ask. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. I agree [Serpent] is not eating us, and that [Blanket] being fixed would help with social. We could avoid Swatters though, they don''t cover the top of the Cliff. Olme knows you probably say smart thing to convince Olme. Maybe that anywhere we go will have danger that needs fixing. We do know this Danger. Can we really web it? It''s sooo big. Our really good web wasn''t big enough... could maybe have webbed [Serpent] or [Lagomorph]. I say yes to social [Serpent] but maybe plan more before try to end scary [Unending] perhaps use [Construct] if figuring out is yes.
Thank you Olme, I can certainly plan more. Focus now on socializing the [Serpent] so here are some thoughts. First off, we need to be careful, we are much larger now, and while the [Serpent] ignored us when we were last at our web, we need to be aware that we are probably large enough to cause a response if we do something that the [Serpent] doesn''t like. Don''t do anything that could alarm or worry it. In fact, don''t even eat any of the bugs in the cave. We don''t know for certain that the [Serpent] is not protective of them, so don''t risk it. Think about everything twice, it''s better to be slow than offend a creature that strong. Next make sure not to repair it while the [Serpent] can see you. Not at first at least, sneak in while it''s off hunting and do some [Blanket] repairs, at least until it is very clear what we are doing. The [Serpent] probably don''t even understand what a repair is, so we will have to teach it. After a few repairs you can test if the [Serpent] is upset, just make sure you have a way to run away if it turns out that we are wrong. If it watches you that is ok, even if it is terrifying, and if it ignore you than still continue. I am sure that the [Blanket] is important, so it might be a tricky subject, remain careful and you should be ok. The [Blanket] appeared to be made of [Cotton] so we probably need that to enact proper repairs. We know [Silk] quite well and got to play with a little [Canvas] when putting together our new home... we didn''t get any from the swatters, we could go back. Nooo no, that is foolish, they know way more about everything, I cannot risk it. Though the namer did... did let me go. So, will any of my skills help me acquire some [Cotton]? First off, what is [Cotton] ah, perfect, both [Craft Textile 5] and [General Knowledge 1] seem to be capable of supplying that information.
Cotton
A soft material that is wrapped around the seed of the Gossypium family of shrubs. The material is commonly gathered and spun into yarn. When ready to harvest the plant has small white tufts from the boils atop it. The plant is most commonly found in warm and wet locations.
Ah, this is promising. If someone made the [Blanket] presumably some of this [Cotton] is around. We saw [Yarn] in the Swatters house so one of those was probably [Cotton]. Down here it seems like most of the plants are across the marshes water, but I did see several on-top of the cliffs... right above the [Lagomorphs]... also a few smaller ones against the base, but I hadn''t really looked at them too much. I think with our skills we would recognize the [Cotton] plant, perhaps even if it wasn''t ready to harvest... I think we can do that first, and if we can find some we will gather it up and... and... yes [Craft Textiles 5] know how to make [Cotton Yarn]. Ok, that will be our plan then, but we don''t want to wait too long, so if we can''t find any [Cotton] then that''s ok, we can instead try to [Repair] with silk. It won''t be perfect, but we just need it to make the [Serpent] more favorable to us. Alright Olme start at the base of the cliff, then if you find nothing go up, and then head to the [Serpent]''s nest. Keep an eye out for the [Unending], they are on the move, but you''ll be going quite far, you might see something.