"As you wish." He bows. "My constructs will bring you food under the cover of night. Please, eat as much as it takes to satisfy. There are always more ghouls." Spidery branches of oily, black, rotten bone slowly push out of the snow and reach for the sky, surrounding the burrow. A sudden, faint sound is heard, like a jar being opened for the first time, but in reverse.
"Not even the Prince can top my service." He declares proudly. "No task is too difficult, no find too rare! Say my name thrice and I'll be right there!"
The nymph-for-now looks at the forming spires of bone with amazement and a small shred of caution, realizing just how lucky she was to have him as an ally. "I promise I will, I'll need this for what comes next. Speaking of, could you please keep me and everyone else in the burrow safe while I'm in the cocoon? I'll be very vulnerable during that stage, but... something tells me it'll only take a few days." She's already finished a third of her plate, her pace careful yet swift, motivated by that hunger scratching at her mind.
He pulls out a pocket watch. "I'm afraid I'll have to set up some sentinels. Ever heard of a Bobbit worm? Nasty fellows, absolutely horrifying. Living bear traps, and they bury themselves until they can grab prey and pull them down. I'll put in some invisible spiders too. If anything larger than a rat, other than you two or Mother Moth, triggers any of the webs or worms, I'll be here in a jiffy."
"I haven't heard of those before, no, but they sound rather fearsome. Between that and the spiders, odds are nothing will hurt us. Thank you again." She pauses to clean some of the blood from one of her hands, adding a few more symbols to her silk wrappings before continuing her meal. The runes on the silk seem to be specifically placed, as if meant to guide the metamorphosis in the right way, with especially complex ones on the back of her neck and between her shoulder blades, the latter only partially visible through the wing slits of the dress.
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
He pulls out a pocket watch. "I'm afraid I'll have to set up some sentinels. Ever heard of a Bobbit worm? Nasty fellows, absolutely horrifying. Living bear traps, and they bury themselves until they can grab prey and pull them down. I'll put in some invisible spiders too. If anything larger than a rat, other than you two or Mother Moth, triggers any of the webs or worms, I'll be here in a jiffy."
"I haven't heard of those before, no, but they sound rather fearsome. Between that and the spiders, odds are nothing will hurt us. Thank you again." She pauses to clean some of the blood from one of her hands, adding a few more symbols to her silk wrappings before continuing her meal. The runes on the silk seem to be specifically placed, as if meant to guide the metamorphosis in the right way, with especially complex ones on the back of her neck and between her shoulder blades, the latter only partially visible through the wing slits of the dress.
The shadow man fades away with a final bow, taking his box with him.
He pulls out a pocket watch. "I'm afraid I'll have to set up some sentinels. Ever heard of a Bobbit worm? Nasty fellows, absolutely horrifying. Living bear traps, and they bury themselves until they can grab prey and pull them down. I'll put in some invisible spiders too. If anything larger than a rat, other than you two or Mother Moth, triggers any of the webs or worms, I'll be here in a jiffy."
"I haven't heard of those before, no, but they sound rather fearsome. Between that and the spiders, odds are nothing will hurt us. Thank you again." She pauses to clean some of the blood from one of her hands, adding a few more symbols to her silk wrappings before continuing her meal. The runes on the silk seem to be specifically placed, as if meant to guide the metamorphosis in the right way, with especially complex ones on the back of her neck and between her shoulder blades, the latter only partially visible through the wing slits of the dress.
The shadow man fades away with a final bow, taking his box with him.
*Good place to end?*
Adeline bids him farewell as he disappears, before finishing her meal over the course of another hour or so. Roughly two and a half ghouls' worth of flesh later, she is more than satisfied, thanking the constructs for the meal before she cleans the blood off of her hands and mouth. She gently goes to find her familiar Cinnamon, picking the stuffed creature up gently and petting it in her hands. "I have a very important mission for you, Cinnamon." She starts, hugging it before she places it near the sleeping Carnival. "Can you look out for her while I'm gone?" The plush familiar makes some small squeaking sound in response. Adeline smiles. "I knew I could count on you. I'll be back soon, I promise."
Cinnamon curls up beside Carnival, watching as the nymph finishes adding the runes to her silk wrappings and proceeds a silk thread and a bone needle from her satchel. That invisible thread has been tugging at her heart long enough. She's ready now.
While they are sound asleep, Carnival feels the burrow growing warmer, like she was sleeping in front of a fireplace.
Helianth is searching the forest frantically, as though its life depended on it, for a specific person. Everything that's happened, all those lives lost... it can't take it anymore. It needs to find the Prince soon, so they can end this madness once and for all. How ironic, it thinks to itself for a moment- once again it tried to rule the world, and now it's working to save it again. It pushes the feelings of frustration to the side for now- two steps forward and one step back is still progress, after all.
The heart of the burrow in the Silken Sanctuary feels abnormally warm, like a midsummer day in the dead of winter. The warmth has spread enough that snow on the outer bounds of the sanctuary has started to melt, though only just barely. At the source of this comforting warmth is a large cocoon. At the center of that... is Adeline. Every couple minutes, the chrysalis will twitch slightly, or its threads will shimmer with silver for a brief instant, but otherwise it is still. Is she even awake? Does she know what's happening to her? The one thing that's irrefutable is that she's alive.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
Helianth is searching the forest frantically, as though its life depended on it, for a specific person. Everything that's happened, all those lives lost... it can't take it anymore. It needs to find the Prince soon, so they can end this madness once and for all. How ironic, it thinks to itself for a moment- once again it tried to rule the world, and now it's working to save it again. It pushes the feelings of frustration to the side for now- two steps forward and one step back is still progress, after all.
The heart of the burrow in the Silken Sanctuary feels abnormally warm, like a midsummer day in the dead of winter. The warmth has spread enough that snow on the outer bounds of the sanctuary has started to melt, though only just barely. At the source of this comforting warmth is a large cocoon. At the center of that... is Adeline. Every couple minutes, the chrysalis will twitch slightly, or its threads will shimmer with silver for a brief instant, but otherwise it is still. Is she even awake? Does she know what's happening to her? The one thing that's irrefutable is that she's alive.
The Prince seems to be everywhere, but nowhere. Glimpses of him, but never is he in plain view, even with nine heads searching. "Traitorous one." Comes his voice, almost a whisper. "But whom do you betray?"
Carnival cuddles up against the chrysalis, in her own hibernation.
Helianth is searching the forest frantically, as though its life depended on it, for a specific person. Everything that's happened, all those lives lost... it can't take it anymore. It needs to find the Prince soon, so they can end this madness once and for all. How ironic, it thinks to itself for a moment- once again it tried to rule the world, and now it's working to save it again. It pushes the feelings of frustration to the side for now- two steps forward and one step back is still progress, after all.
The heart of the burrow in the Silken Sanctuary feels abnormally warm, like a midsummer day in the dead of winter. The warmth has spread enough that snow on the outer bounds of the sanctuary has started to melt, though only just barely. At the source of this comforting warmth is a large cocoon. At the center of that... is Adeline. Every couple minutes, the chrysalis will twitch slightly, or its threads will shimmer with silver for a brief instant, but otherwise it is still. Is she even awake? Does she know what's happening to her? The one thing that's irrefutable is that she's alive.
The Prince seems to be everywhere, but nowhere. Glimpses of him, but never is he in plain view, even with nine heads searching. "Traitorous one." Comes his voice, almost a whisper. "But whom do you betray?"
Carnival cuddles up against the chrysalis, in her own hibernation.
"I'm hoping to betray the Queen, with your help. My associates... they... they have all perished." It's shaking with anger just thinking of it. "I... I wanted to reconvene with you about our plan. We're running out of time."
From within the cocoon, something stirs, and Adeline leans against Carnival as well. The faintest of humanoid silhouettes is visible through the silk she's pressing against.
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
The Prince seems to be everywhere, but nowhere. Glimpses of him, but never is he in plain view, even with nine heads searching. "Traitorous one." Comes his voice, almost a whisper. "But whom do you betray?"
Carnival cuddles up against the chrysalis, in her own hibernation.
"I'm hoping to betray the Queen, with your help. My associates... they... they have all perished." It's shaking with anger just thinking of it. "I... I wanted to reconvene with you about our plan. We're running out of time."
From within the cocoon, something stirs, and Adeline leans against Carnival as well. The faintest of humanoid silhouettes is visible through the silk she's pressing against.
"Then speak. I have other fiends on this job." His image finally solidifies, but he glides through its view, almost swimming like a hallucination. "Ones that aren't under that (gp)'s gaze."
"Luv... yu..." She slurs. A telepathic feeling washes over Adeline. Gratitude.
The Prince seems to be everywhere, but nowhere. Glimpses of him, but never is he in plain view, even with nine heads searching. "Traitorous one." Comes his voice, almost a whisper. "But whom do you betray?"
Carnival cuddles up against the chrysalis, in her own hibernation.
"I'm hoping to betray the Queen, with your help. My associates... they... they have all perished." It's shaking with anger just thinking of it. "I... I wanted to reconvene with you about our plan. We're running out of time."
From within the cocoon, something stirs, and Adeline leans against Carnival as well. The faintest of humanoid silhouettes is visible through the silk she's pressing against.
"Then speak. I have other fiends on this job." His image finally solidifies, but he glides through its view, almost swimming like a hallucination. "Ones that aren't under that (gp)'s gaze."
"Luv... yu..." She slurs. A telepathic feeling washes over Adeline. Gratitude.
"I still have the Tablet of Reawakening- she hasn't found out about it, and odds are, that'll remain as such. She also gave me this." It retrieves an object that was coiled in its roots- the replica of the infamous Scrapple. "I believe that if we can turn her mortal, this would be more than enough to trap her forever- more than enough time to feel the weight of her sins crushing her. The only thing that I'm not in the loop about is your side of the plan- actually keeping her stuck long enough to use the tablet. So, I went looking for you. Have there been any new developments?"
For a moment, it is still- it seems Adeline wasn't expecting that. Then, the cocoon stirs slightly again, a silver shine on some of its threads as it sends a telepathic signal in response- very faint, but clearly there. Gratitude as well. ". . . l o v e . . ."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Then speak. I have other fiends on this job." His image finally solidifies, but he glides through its view, almost swimming like a hallucination. "Ones that aren't under that (gp)'s gaze."
"Luv... yu..." She slurs. A telepathic feeling washes over Adeline. Gratitude.
"I still have the Tablet of Reawakening- she hasn't found out about it, and odds are, that'll remain as such. She also gave me this." It retrieves an object that was coiled in its roots- the replica of the infamous Scrapple. "I believe that if we can turn her mortal, this would be more than enough to trap her forever- more than enough time to feel the weight of her sins crushing her. The only thing that I'm not in the loop about is your side of the plan- actually keeping her stuck long enough to use the tablet. So, I went looking for you. Have there been any new developments?"
For a moment, it is still- it seems Adeline wasn't expecting that. Then, the cocoon stirs slightly again, a silver shine on some of its threads as it sends a telepathic signal in response- very faint, but clearly there. Gratitude as well. ". . . l o v e . . ."
"Bring her to Cane on the Water. The still-smoldering crater." He shakes his head. "Your minions were essential. The plan has changed. You will be in the firing line."
You're going to be so pretty, Adeline... Thank you... for letting me see you... She lays an arm on the cocoon in a sort-of hug. Their arm is too short.
"Then speak. I have other fiends on this job." His image finally solidifies, but he glides through its view, almost swimming like a hallucination. "Ones that aren't under that (gp)'s gaze."
"Luv... yu..." She slurs. A telepathic feeling washes over Adeline. Gratitude.
"I still have the Tablet of Reawakening- she hasn't found out about it, and odds are, that'll remain as such. She also gave me this." It retrieves an object that was coiled in its roots- the replica of the infamous Scrapple. "I believe that if we can turn her mortal, this would be more than enough to trap her forever- more than enough time to feel the weight of her sins crushing her. The only thing that I'm not in the loop about is your side of the plan- actually keeping her stuck long enough to use the tablet. So, I went looking for you. Have there been any new developments?"
For a moment, it is still- it seems Adeline wasn't expecting that. Then, the cocoon stirs slightly again, a silver shine on some of its threads as it sends a telepathic signal in response- very faint, but clearly there. Gratitude as well. ". . . l o v e . . ."
"Bring her to Cane on the Water. The still-smoldering crater." He shakes his head. "Your minions were essential. The plan has changed. You will be in the firing line."
You're going to be so pretty, Adeline... Thank you... for letting me see you... She lays an arm on the cocoon in a sort-of hug. Their arm is too short.
The sunflower (if you can even call It that) is silent for a moment, realizing the danger he is asking it to place itself in. "...So be it. I shall keep her distracted for as long as I can."
The figure inside the cocoon leans into the hug, seemingly attempting to hug her back, though that's not really feasible- the cocoon's walls aren't that flexible. " . . . t h a n k . . . y o u . . ."
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Bring her to Cane on the Water. The still-smoldering crater." He shakes his head. "Your minions were essential. The plan has changed. You will be in the firing line."
You're going to be so pretty, Adeline... Thank you... for letting me see you... She lays an arm on the cocoon in a sort-of hug. Their arm is too short.
The sunflower (if you can even call It that) is silent for a moment, realizing the danger he is asking it to place itself in. "...So be it. I shall keep her distracted for as long as I can."
The figure inside the cocoon leans into the hug, seemingly attempting to hug her back, though that's not really feasible- the cocoon's walls aren't that flexible. " . . . t h a n k . . . y o u . . ."
"Now go. My monsters are in place. We will soon be rid of her." He disappears.
Carnival goes quiet, and begins to dream of wonderful, beautiful things. All sorts of colors, unattainable with human eyesight, swirling and dancing. Like their namesake, the strugel's mind is a carnival.
"Bring her to Cane on the Water. The still-smoldering crater." He shakes his head. "Your minions were essential. The plan has changed. You will be in the firing line."
You're going to be so pretty, Adeline... Thank you... for letting me see you... She lays an arm on the cocoon in a sort-of hug. Their arm is too short.
The sunflower (if you can even call It that) is silent for a moment, realizing the danger he is asking it to place itself in. "...So be it. I shall keep her distracted for as long as I can."
The figure inside the cocoon leans into the hug, seemingly attempting to hug her back, though that's not really feasible- the cocoon's walls aren't that flexible. " . . . t h a n k . . . y o u . . ."
"Now go. My monsters are in place. We will soon be rid of her." He disappears.
Carnival goes quiet, and begins to dream of wonderful, beautiful things. All sorts of colors, unattainable with human eyesight, swirling and dancing. Like their namesake, the strugel's mind is a carnival.
The crooked god-eater heads towards the half-smoldered town, determined to complete its part of the plan. Determined to be rid of the Queen once and for all. Determined to avenge its friends- er, associates. Its flames burn with ferocity as it leaves.
The actively-changing fey falls asleep again after a while, still leaning against Carnival, the cocoon growing still save for its occupant's slow, deep breathing. It's unclear what exactly Adeline is dreaming of, she's sleeping soundly and happily, so it's probably something similarly pleasant.
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
Ash still hangs in the air here. Little but charcoal remains on this side of Cane on the Water, the sounds of the almost-empty town across muffled by the burbling river in between. Everything here that could be burned is gone.
The crooked god-eater shambles into the middle of the charred half of town, looking around at the destruction it caused without any visible guilt, only a grim determination to complete the task set before it. It had requested the Queen's arrival to this place, stating that it involved their mission to kill Mother Moth, a message sent by letter to buy time. And now, it waits.
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
Ash still hangs in the air here. Little but charcoal remains on this side of Cane on the Water, the sounds of the almost-empty town across muffled by the burbling river in between. Everything here that could be burned is gone.
The crooked god-eater shambles into the middle of the charred half of town, looking around at the destruction it caused without any visible guilt, only a grim determination to complete the task set before it. It had requested the Queen's arrival to this place, stating that it involved their mission to kill Mother Moth, a message sent by letter to buy time. And now, it waits.
The Queen approaches from the village, hands still covered in its friends' blood, now dried in three faintly different colors. "What is it now?"
Ash still hangs in the air here. Little but charcoal remains on this side of Cane on the Water, the sounds of the almost-empty town across muffled by the burbling river in between. Everything here that could be burned is gone.
The crooked god-eater shambles into the middle of the charred half of town, looking around at the destruction it caused without any visible guilt, only a grim determination to complete the task set before it. It had requested the Queen's arrival to this place, stating that it involved their mission to kill Mother Moth, a message sent by letter to buy time. And now, it waits.
The Queen approaches from the village, hands still covered in its friends' blood, now dried in three faintly different colors. "What is it now?"
"The moth-child, the one you're after... she's somewhere here. I tracked her down to this place." Replies the sunflower, hoping to buy its allies time to ready their attack. "I wanted you to have the honor of extinguishing the nuisance- I would not rob such satisfaction from you."
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
Ash still hangs in the air here. Little but charcoal remains on this side of Cane on the Water, the sounds of the almost-empty town across muffled by the burbling river in between. Everything here that could be burned is gone.
The crooked god-eater shambles into the middle of the charred half of town, looking around at the destruction it caused without any visible guilt, only a grim determination to complete the task set before it. It had requested the Queen's arrival to this place, stating that it involved their mission to kill Mother Moth, a message sent by letter to buy time. And now, it waits.
The Queen approaches from the village, hands still covered in its friends' blood, now dried in three faintly different colors. "What is it now?"
"The moth-child, the one you're after... she's somewhere here. I tracked her down to this place." Replies the sunflower, hoping to buy its allies time to ready their attack. "I wanted you to have the honor of extinguishing the nuisance- I would not rob such satisfaction from you."
"Oh, really? I don't smell her ANYWH-" She catches a bullet out of the air with two fingers, about a foot from her head. "What's this?" She looks at it, then up at a tiny speck in the distance. "Who the f-" The bullet in her fingers explodes as it is hit by another. A volley of shots burst against her skin. Her scream of rage is muffled by the thunder of gunfire.
The Queen approaches from the village, hands still covered in its friends' blood, now dried in three faintly different colors. "What is it now?"
"The moth-child, the one you're after... she's somewhere here. I tracked her down to this place." Replies the sunflower, hoping to buy its allies time to ready their attack. "I wanted you to have the honor of extinguishing the nuisance- I would not rob such satisfaction from you."
"Oh, really? I don't smell her ANYWH-" She catches a bullet out of the air with two fingers, about a foot from her head. "What's this?" She looks at it, then up at a tiny speck in the distance. "Who the f-" The bullet in her fingers explodes as it is hit by another. A volley of shots burst against her skin. Her scream of rage is muffled by the thunder of gunfire.
Helianth can hear the Prince's voice. "Two out of three hunters on the field. Now get to work."
"This is for my associates, you wretch." It growls with all the hatred it has in its voice, its flames burning white-hot as it readies its magic. Its flames change color with aberrant power as it calls upon its stolen divinity to cast a Heightened confusion (DC 20 Wis Save with Disadvantage) on the Queen. One of its flower heads overflows with divine fire and spits forth a Quickened create bonfire at the ground beneath the Queen (DC 20 Dex Save, 24 fire damage, half on success). It then moves right next to the Queen and uses its Divine Action of Kill the Lights, siphoning all warmth and light around itself that does not originate from its spells (DC 26 CON save, 19 cold damage plus 20 necrotic damage, half on success).
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Oh, really? I don't smell her ANYWH-" She catches a bullet out of the air with two fingers, about a foot from her head. "What's this?" She looks at it, then up at a tiny speck in the distance. "Who the f-" The bullet in her fingers explodes as it is hit by another. A volley of shots burst against her skin. Her scream of rage is muffled by the thunder of gunfire.
Helianth can hear the Prince's voice. "Two out of three hunters on the field. Now get to work."
"This is for my associates, you wretch." It growls with all the hatred it has in its voice, its flames burning white-hot as it readies its magic. Its flames change color with aberrant power as it calls upon its stolen divinity to cast a Heightened confusion (DC 20 Wis Save with Disadvantage) on the Queen. One of its flower heads overflows with divine fire and spits forth a Quickened create bonfire at the ground beneath the Queen (DC 20 Dex Save, 24 fire damage, half on success). It then moves right next to the Queen and uses its Divine Action of Kill the Lights, siphoning all warmth and light around itself that does not originate from its spells (DC 26 CON save, 19 cold damage plus 20 necrotic damage, half on success).
WIS: 17 DEX: 18 CON: 29
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Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
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"I haven't heard of those before, no, but they sound rather fearsome. Between that and the spiders, odds are nothing will hurt us. Thank you again." She pauses to clean some of the blood from one of her hands, adding a few more symbols to her silk wrappings before continuing her meal. The runes on the silk seem to be specifically placed, as if meant to guide the metamorphosis in the right way, with especially complex ones on the back of her neck and between her shoulder blades, the latter only partially visible through the wing slits of the dress.
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
The shadow man fades away with a final bow, taking his box with him.
*Good place to end?*
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
Adeline bids him farewell as he disappears, before finishing her meal over the course of another hour or so. Roughly two and a half ghouls' worth of flesh later, she is more than satisfied, thanking the constructs for the meal before she cleans the blood off of her hands and mouth. She gently goes to find her familiar Cinnamon, picking the stuffed creature up gently and petting it in her hands. "I have a very important mission for you, Cinnamon." She starts, hugging it before she places it near the sleeping Carnival. "Can you look out for her while I'm gone?" The plush familiar makes some small squeaking sound in response. Adeline smiles. "I knew I could count on you. I'll be back soon, I promise."
Cinnamon curls up beside Carnival, watching as the nymph finishes adding the runes to her silk wrappings and proceeds a silk thread and a bone needle from her satchel. That invisible thread has been tugging at her heart long enough. She's ready now.
While they are sound asleep, Carnival feels the burrow growing warmer, like she was sleeping in front of a fireplace.
*I'd say that's a great place to end!*
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
Helianth is searching the forest frantically, as though its life depended on it, for a specific person. Everything that's happened, all those lives lost... it can't take it anymore. It needs to find the Prince soon, so they can end this madness once and for all. How ironic, it thinks to itself for a moment- once again it tried to rule the world, and now it's working to save it again. It pushes the feelings of frustration to the side for now- two steps forward and one step back is still progress, after all.
The heart of the burrow in the Silken Sanctuary feels abnormally warm, like a midsummer day in the dead of winter. The warmth has spread enough that snow on the outer bounds of the sanctuary has started to melt, though only just barely. At the source of this comforting warmth is a large cocoon. At the center of that... is Adeline. Every couple minutes, the chrysalis will twitch slightly, or its threads will shimmer with silver for a brief instant, but otherwise it is still. Is she even awake? Does she know what's happening to her? The one thing that's irrefutable is that she's alive.
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
The Prince seems to be everywhere, but nowhere. Glimpses of him, but never is he in plain view, even with nine heads searching. "Traitorous one." Comes his voice, almost a whisper. "But whom do you betray?"
Carnival cuddles up against the chrysalis, in her own hibernation.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
"I'm hoping to betray the Queen, with your help. My associates... they... they have all perished." It's shaking with anger just thinking of it. "I... I wanted to reconvene with you about our plan. We're running out of time."
From within the cocoon, something stirs, and Adeline leans against Carnival as well. The faintest of humanoid silhouettes is visible through the silk she's pressing against.
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Then speak. I have other fiends on this job." His image finally solidifies, but he glides through its view, almost swimming like a hallucination. "Ones that aren't under that (gp)'s gaze."
"Luv... yu..." She slurs. A telepathic feeling washes over Adeline. Gratitude.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
"I still have the Tablet of Reawakening- she hasn't found out about it, and odds are, that'll remain as such. She also gave me this." It retrieves an object that was coiled in its roots- the replica of the infamous Scrapple. "I believe that if we can turn her mortal, this would be more than enough to trap her forever- more than enough time to feel the weight of her sins crushing her. The only thing that I'm not in the loop about is your side of the plan- actually keeping her stuck long enough to use the tablet. So, I went looking for you. Have there been any new developments?"
For a moment, it is still- it seems Adeline wasn't expecting that. Then, the cocoon stirs slightly again, a silver shine on some of its threads as it sends a telepathic signal in response- very faint, but clearly there. Gratitude as well. ". . . l o v e . . ."
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Bring her to Cane on the Water. The still-smoldering crater." He shakes his head. "Your minions were essential. The plan has changed. You will be in the firing line."
You're going to be so pretty, Adeline... Thank you... for letting me see you... She lays an arm on the cocoon in a sort-of hug. Their arm is too short.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
The sunflower (if you can even call It that) is silent for a moment, realizing the danger he is asking it to place itself in. "...So be it. I shall keep her distracted for as long as I can."
The figure inside the cocoon leans into the hug, seemingly attempting to hug her back, though that's not really feasible- the cocoon's walls aren't that flexible. " . . . t h a n k . . . y o u . . ."
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Now go. My monsters are in place. We will soon be rid of her." He disappears.
Carnival goes quiet, and begins to dream of wonderful, beautiful things. All sorts of colors, unattainable with human eyesight, swirling and dancing. Like their namesake, the strugel's mind is a carnival.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
The crooked god-eater heads towards the half-smoldered town, determined to complete its part of the plan. Determined to be rid of the Queen once and for all. Determined to avenge its friends- er, associates. Its flames burn with ferocity as it leaves.
The actively-changing fey falls asleep again after a while, still leaning against Carnival, the cocoon growing still save for its occupant's slow, deep breathing. It's unclear what exactly Adeline is dreaming of, she's sleeping soundly and happily, so it's probably something similarly pleasant.
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
Ash still hangs in the air here. Little but charcoal remains on this side of Cane on the Water, the sounds of the almost-empty town across muffled by the burbling river in between. Everything here that could be burned is gone.
The crooked god-eater shambles into the middle of the charred half of town, looking around at the destruction it caused without any visible guilt, only a grim determination to complete the task set before it. It had requested the Queen's arrival to this place, stating that it involved their mission to kill Mother Moth, a message sent by letter to buy time. And now, it waits.
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
The Queen approaches from the village, hands still covered in its friends' blood, now dried in three faintly different colors. "What is it now?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
"The moth-child, the one you're after... she's somewhere here. I tracked her down to this place." Replies the sunflower, hoping to buy its allies time to ready their attack. "I wanted you to have the honor of extinguishing the nuisance- I would not rob such satisfaction from you."
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Oh, really? I don't smell her ANYWH-" She catches a bullet out of the air with two fingers, about a foot from her head. "What's this?" She looks at it, then up at a tiny speck in the distance. "Who the f-" The bullet in her fingers explodes as it is hit by another. A volley of shots burst against her skin. Her scream of rage is muffled by the thunder of gunfire.
Attack: 32 Damage: 86
Attack: 29 Damage: 63
Attack: 21 Damage: 76
Attack: 28 Damage: 85
Attack: 16 Damage: 68
Attack: 23 Damage: 97
Attack: 30 Damage: 67
Attack: 17 Damage: 58
Attack: 18 Damage: 77
Helianth can hear the Prince's voice. "Two out of three hunters on the field. Now get to work."
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine
"This is for my associates, you wretch." It growls with all the hatred it has in its voice, its flames burning white-hot as it readies its magic.
Its flames change color with aberrant power as it calls upon its stolen divinity to cast a Heightened confusion (DC 20 Wis Save with Disadvantage) on the Queen. One of its flower heads overflows with divine fire and spits forth a Quickened create bonfire at the ground beneath the Queen (DC 20 Dex Save, 24 fire damage, half on success). It then moves right next to the Queen and uses its Divine Action of Kill the Lights, siphoning all warmth and light around itself that does not originate from its spells (DC 26 CON save, 19 cold damage plus 20 necrotic damage, half on success).
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
WIS: 17
DEX: 18
CON: 29
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
Awake, impure, divine