*the story of this thread is legendary, and I’m overjoyed I’m able to play such a big part in it with the Barley King, I hope this arc is fun for y’all :>*
far off in the Autumn Country, a ways away from All the madness and bustle of the wild hunt for the King, nestled deep in a cozy part of an old forest, a woman sits on a thick, low hanging branch of an ancient oak, in front of a smoldering fire. She weaves a long white scarf in her hands, out of pure, fine silken thread. She is wrapped in layer after layer of silver robes and flowing fabrics, making her seem larger than she truly is. Her hair is graying, her face is wrinkled with age, and though only her forearms are exposed due to her folded sleeve, it is apparent she is deathly thin. A necklace hangs on her neck, simple silk thread and three rings. Engagement rings.
in the surrounding trees, dozens-… no, hundreds- no, thousands of cocooned moths lie dormant, waiting to hatch. The ground is covered in a thin layer of silk, not adhesive, but it blankets the area for nearly a hundred feet around her- it doesn’t catch fire, however, despite being dangerously close to an exposed flame in the campfire the woman is sitting next to.
*It has been so far.*
Wading through the blanket of silk is the slender, brass body of the October Hare. He lifts his legs high in the air with each step with the sound of a spring coiling. He struggles to wipe away the strands of thread with his metallic paw before placing his foot down and repeating the process. He freezes when he spots you, "Ah, company! Would you spare a poor traveller some room at your fire?"
The woman notices the October Hare and seems absolutely overjoyed. She stands up, making her way to the October Hare. “Hello! It’s been quite some time since i’ve had a visitor… of course, you are welcome to warm yourself at my fire…” she produces a walking cane from her robes- though she doesn’t seem to use it to walk, and uses it to clear a way in the silk for him to walk to the fire unimpeded. “I am terribly sorry about the mess-… my children come out every dusk to repair it…”
"I cannot thank you enough." He pads through the cleared path on all fours, "Your children?" He looks up at the cocoons in the branches, "Does that have something to do with your unusual ornamentation?"
She sits back down on the branch, offering him a seat next to her. “Well… I am their mother, and therefore they are my children. All beasts that spin silk are my children… that makes me Mother Moth.” She smiles sheepishly. The October Hare can roll a history or Arcana check if they wish.
17 History
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mother Moth. Yes, a pleasure." He says as he takes his seat. "I myself am the October Hare. You certainly have an impressive family."
He recognizes the title of Mother Moth-… it’s an old, old name. It’s associated with traditional prayers and rituals regarding the Moonlit court- a rather large court of the Unseelie fey, ruled by the mad Moonlit King. Mother Moth- whether this Mother Moth or another Mother Moth- is rumored to not only be one of the oldest members of the court- but also the mother of the Moonlit king. Her Dappled Majesty, Queen Mother of Moonlight-… until Mother Moth lost favor In the court eight hundred or so years back. She hasn’t had a single ounce of sway in that court since, and faded into irrelevance. Perhaps this is that Mother Moth, or perhaps not.
”Why, you are very kind… I care for all of them, and they care for me… they are in hibernation this very moment- the Moths, at least. My other children thrive in the Autumn Country.”
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
He sighs, "This land, it is thrown into trouble and turmoil. The main forests are overrun by ghouls and I dare say they are guilty of the scarcity of prey." He shakes his head as the pot begins to scream with built of heat. "Two weeks is a long time to go with no food or drink. I have a few tea biscuits that may take the edge of your hunger if you'd like them?"
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
He sighs, "This land, it is thrown into trouble and turmoil. The main forests are overrun by ghouls and I dare say they are guilty of the scarcity of prey." He shakes his head as the pot begins to scream with built of heat. "Two weeks is a long time to go with no food or drink. I have a few tea biscuits that may take the edge of your hunger if you'd like them?"
She tilts her head as he speaks, curious. “What has caused this sudden surge in ghoulish activity?” She pauses again for a while when he offers her biscuits. “No… that will not sate me… you are very kind for offering that, though.”
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
He sighs, "This land, it is thrown into trouble and turmoil. The main forests are overrun by ghouls and I dare say they are guilty of the scarcity of prey." He shakes his head as the pot begins to scream with built of heat. "Two weeks is a long time to go with no food or drink. I have a few tea biscuits that may take the edge of your hunger if you'd like them?"
She tilts her head as he speaks, curious. “What has caused this sudden surge in ghoulish activity?” She pauses again for a while when he offers her biscuits. “No… that will not sate me… you are very kind for offering that, though.”
“A coup, I’m afraid. A demented sunflower swollen on pride and sunlight seeks to bring ruin to the Autumn Country.” He gingerly places tea leaves in the cups and pours water around them, “And as if that wasn’t enough, this gluttonous death angel has allied itself with the Ghoul Queen! I’ve always thought the King was too soft on her and now it is coming back to bite him. Ehehe, metaphorically speaking of course. I do hope it doesn’t go that far. I’m sure he has some great plan in all his wisdom, but I do wish he would come out and say something about this mess. Last time there was a would be assassin, he took away the traitors welcome! That sure showed him!”
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
He sighs, "This land, it is thrown into trouble and turmoil. The main forests are overrun by ghouls and I dare say they are guilty of the scarcity of prey." He shakes his head as the pot begins to scream with built of heat. "Two weeks is a long time to go with no food or drink. I have a few tea biscuits that may take the edge of your hunger if you'd like them?"
She tilts her head as he speaks, curious. “What has caused this sudden surge in ghoulish activity?” She pauses again for a while when he offers her biscuits. “No… that will not sate me… you are very kind for offering that, though.”
“A coup, I’m afraid. A demented sunflower swollen on pride and sunlight seeks to bring ruin to the Autumn Country.” He gingerly places tea leaves in the cups and pours water around them, “And as if that wasn’t enough, this gluttonous death angel has allied itself with the Ghoul Queen! I’ve always thought the King was too soft on her and now it is coming back to bite him. Ehehe, metaphorically speaking of course. I do hope it doesn’t go that far. I’m sure he has some great plan in all his wisdom, but I do wish he would come out and say something about this mess. Last time there was a would be assassin, he took away the traitors welcome! That sure showed him!”
“Hmm… if the Autumn King hasn’t done anything yet, are any of the Autumn court acting to prevent the coup?…”
"Do they now? Who are these thriving ones?" As he speaks he procures a small cloth bundle. In it is a tea kettle, some tea cups, a few spoons and dishes, and tea leaves. "You don't mind if I brew a pot do you? It's almost tea time."
She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
He sighs, "This land, it is thrown into trouble and turmoil. The main forests are overrun by ghouls and I dare say they are guilty of the scarcity of prey." He shakes his head as the pot begins to scream with built of heat. "Two weeks is a long time to go with no food or drink. I have a few tea biscuits that may take the edge of your hunger if you'd like them?"
She tilts her head as he speaks, curious. “What has caused this sudden surge in ghoulish activity?” She pauses again for a while when he offers her biscuits. “No… that will not sate me… you are very kind for offering that, though.”
“A coup, I’m afraid. A demented sunflower swollen on pride and sunlight seeks to bring ruin to the Autumn Country.” He gingerly places tea leaves in the cups and pours water around them, “And as if that wasn’t enough, this gluttonous death angel has allied itself with the Ghoul Queen! I’ve always thought the King was too soft on her and now it is coming back to bite him. Ehehe, metaphorically speaking of course. I do hope it doesn’t go that far. I’m sure he has some great plan in all his wisdom, but I do wish he would come out and say something about this mess. Last time there was a would be assassin, he took away the traitors welcome! That sure showed him!”
“Hmm… if the Autumn King hasn’t done anything yet, are any of the Autumn court acting to prevent the coup?…”
“Oh yes, quite a few.” He nods, “I for one, lowly servant that I am. The Librarian remains ever faithful to the old rule. Julius of course, and many other patriotic locals continue to hunt the Barley King for that is the surest way as of now to secure the Country’s safety.”
The Ravenous Flame is continuing to eat its way through Atticus' prison, having already consumed around a quarter of its total prisoners. The Scrapple feels abnormally warm to the touch, as if it had been sitting next to a fireplace.
The crooked ghoul has been busy, tearing open untouched graves and wrenching the lids from caskets in its demented hunger. Its tangle of thorns now full-to-bursting with cadavers, it sits perched atop a mausoleum roof, planning something while it digests.
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)
A relatively large strugel has joined the hunt, armed with an elephant rifle and dressed in a ghillie suit with a lot of leaves and branches attached. He has black markings instead of the colorful ones strugels typically use, and doesn't have any magical aura or visible powers. It seems he's just a dude. Right now he's just chilling in a camp at the top of a large hill, drinking coffee and eating some gourmet rations with his scopeless rifle beside him. The ventilated corpses of ghouls litter the ground up to 300 yards out from the camp.
*Other dudes include:*
Atticus has removed the Uzumaki Scrapple from his eye socket, and is trying to come up with a plan that doesn't involve releasing the Ravenous Flame.
Felix has returned to the Autumn Country, looking for Helianth. The new person watches him from around 800ft away.
A relatively large strugel has joined the hunt, armed with an elephant rifle and dressed in a ghillie suit with a lot of leaves and branches attached. He has black markings instead of the colorful ones strugels typically use, and doesn't have any magical aura or visible powers. It seems he's just a dude. Right now he's just chilling in a camp at the top of a large hill, drinking coffee and eating some gourmet rations with his scopeless rifle beside him. The ventilated corpses of ghouls litter the ground up to 300 yards out from the camp.
*Other dudes include:*
Atticus has removed the Uzumaki Scrapple from his eye socket, and is trying to come up with a plan that doesn't involve releasing the Ravenous Flame.
Felix has returned to the Autumn Country, looking for Helianth. The new person watches him from around 800ft away.
*Good morning, brother! That's an awesome character intro! I'd like to interact with them, but only have one-and-a-half characters at the moment. Would you like for me to send a time-split Ghoul-ianth their way?*
The Scrapple is warm to the touch, as if it had been sitting in the warm glow of a fireplace when he picked it up. Atticus' missing eye within the demiplane can see that the golden wildfire within has grown, regularly sweeping across the prison to catch any demons or curses it can.
Helianth- or at least, what was Helianth- is leaning against the side of a tomb as it thinks to itself, not noticing that Felix is there yet. He can see what looks to be the bones of a giant that its crooked form has wrapped around, and can sense that its characteristic divine aura of stolen radiance... is oddly absent.
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)
A relatively large strugel has joined the hunt, armed with an elephant rifle and dressed in a ghillie suit with a lot of leaves and branches attached. He has black markings instead of the colorful ones strugels typically use, and doesn't have any magical aura or visible powers. It seems he's just a dude. Right now he's just chilling in a camp at the top of a large hill, drinking coffee and eating some gourmet rations with his scopeless rifle beside him. The ventilated corpses of ghouls litter the ground up to 300 yards out from the camp.
*Other dudes include:*
Atticus has removed the Uzumaki Scrapple from his eye socket, and is trying to come up with a plan that doesn't involve releasing the Ravenous Flame.
Felix has returned to the Autumn Country, looking for Helianth. The new person watches him from around 800ft away.
*Good morning, brother! That's an awesome character intro! I'd like to interact with them, but only have one-and-a-half characters at the moment. Would you like for me to send a time-split Ghoul-ianth their way?*
The Scrapple is warm to the touch, as if it had been sitting in the warm glow of a fireplace when he picked it up. Atticus' missing eye within the demiplane can see that the golden wildfire within has grown, regularly sweeping across the prison to catch any demons or curses it can.
Helianth- or at least, what was Helianth- is leaning against the side of a tomb as it thinks to itself, not noticing that Felix is there yet. He can see what looks to be the bones of a giant that its crooked form has wrapped around, and can sense that its characteristic divine aura of stolen radiance... is oddly absent.
*I would adore that!*
He sits there, pondering what to do. After a bit, he takes the Scrapple and uses his last bit of power to Catapult it as far as possible, shattering it in the process. "I hope someone else can deal with it..."
Felix tentatively approaches. "H-helianth? Why are you wrapped around a giant skeleton?"
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Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
A relatively large strugel has joined the hunt, armed with an elephant rifle and dressed in a ghillie suit with a lot of leaves and branches attached. He has black markings instead of the colorful ones strugels typically use, and doesn't have any magical aura or visible powers. It seems he's just a dude. Right now he's just chilling in a camp at the top of a large hill, drinking coffee and eating some gourmet rations with his scopeless rifle beside him. The ventilated corpses of ghouls litter the ground up to 300 yards out from the camp.
*Other dudes include:*
Atticus has removed the Uzumaki Scrapple from his eye socket, and is trying to come up with a plan that doesn't involve releasing the Ravenous Flame.
Felix has returned to the Autumn Country, looking for Helianth. The new person watches him from around 800ft away.
*Good morning, brother! That's an awesome character intro! I'd like to interact with them, but only have one-and-a-half characters at the moment. Would you like for me to send a time-split Ghoul-ianth their way?*
The Scrapple is warm to the touch, as if it had been sitting in the warm glow of a fireplace when he picked it up. Atticus' missing eye within the demiplane can see that the golden wildfire within has grown, regularly sweeping across the prison to catch any demons or curses it can.
Helianth- or at least, what was Helianth- is leaning against the side of a tomb as it thinks to itself, not noticing that Felix is there yet. He can see what looks to be the bones of a giant that its crooked form has wrapped around, and can sense that its characteristic divine aura of stolen radiance... is oddly absent.
*I would adore that!*
He sits there, pondering what to do. After a bit, he takes the Scrapple and uses his last bit of power to Catapult it as far as possible, shattering it in the process. "I hope someone else can deal with it..."
Felix tentatively approaches. "H-helianth? Why are you wrapped around a giant skeleton?"
*Wonderful! Here, catch [throws an entire eldritch zombie sunflower at you]*
Ghoul-ianth, as I've dubbed it until it finds a more proper name, tentatively approaches the camp, carefully avoiding crushing the corpses of any of its siblings as it slithers across the ground on its roots. It approaches slowly, with no hostile intent that they can see.
The Scrapple breaks with, unexpectedly, a sound of shattering glass- followed soon after by an explosion. The brilliant golden auroras of destruction unravel from where the prison struck, grabbing at any fiends or spectres that attempt to flee and dragging them back into the flames. The only remnant of what it came from that Atticus can see is nine golden orbs of radiance, each like a miniature star, that dance and flutter about the divine inferno as it grows to ever-larger sizes.The Ravenous flame stares right at Atticus, literally burning with hatred. It screams... and it screams... and it screams.
The crooked ghoul looks down at Felix in surprise- even in as wretched a state as it is, it immediately recognizes him. It hasn't forgotten him in the least, even for a moment. "You're here..." It rasps- its voice is hoarse and faint, like when they first met, like before it consumed the Frenzied Flame. "...I tried to stop the Autumn King... I failed... I won't fail again." It approaches him, and he can faintly see in its tangled briar that lies within its stolen ribcage... are more bones. Much more bones. Much smaller bones. "...I am so sorry, Felix..."
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)
He sits there, pondering what to do. After a bit, he takes the Scrapple and uses his last bit of power to Catapult it as far as possible, shattering it in the process. "I hope someone else can deal with it..."
Felix tentatively approaches. "H-helianth? Why are you wrapped around a giant skeleton?"
*Wonderful! Here, catch [throws an entire eldritch zombie sunflower at you]*
Ghoul-ianth, as I've dubbed it until it finds a more proper name, tentatively approaches the camp, carefully avoiding crushing the corpses of any of its siblings as it slithers across the ground on its roots. It approaches slowly, with no hostile intent that they can see.
The Scrapple breaks with, unexpectedly, a sound of shattering glass- followed soon after by an explosion. The brilliant golden auroras of destruction unravel from where the prison struck, grabbing at any fiends or spectres that attempt to flee and dragging them back into the flames. The only remnant of what it came from that Atticus can see is nine golden orbs of radiance, each like a miniature star, that dance and flutter about the divine inferno as it grows to ever-larger sizes.The Ravenous flame stares right at Atticus, literally burning with hatred. It screams... and it screams... and it screams.
The crooked ghoul looks down at Felix in surprise- even in as wretched a state as it is, it immediately recognizes him. It hasn't forgotten him in the least, even for a moment. "You're here..." It rasps- its voice is hoarse and faint, like when they first met, like before it consumed the Frenzied Flame. "...I tried to stop the Autumn King... I failed... I won't fail again." It approaches him, and he can faintly see in its tangled briar that lies within its stolen ribcage... are more bones. Much more bones. Much smaller bones. "...I am so sorry, Felix..."
The strugel calmly unloads all but a single round from his rifle, then sets it down in front of himself. He prepares a glass of water and a morsel of collected radiance for the sunflower when it gets to him. He does all of this slowly and gently, taking his sweet time to make sure everything is in its perfect place.
A ring of runes carved into the ground ignite in blue flames. Atticus disappears as the runes burn away into worthless charred dirt and leaves. Atticus is out of here.
He looks up at it. He puts a paw on its femur. "Stop him from what?"
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Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
*Wonderful! Here, catch [throws an entire eldritch zombie sunflower at you]*
Ghoul-ianth, as I've dubbed it until it finds a more proper name, tentatively approaches the camp, carefully avoiding crushing the corpses of any of its siblings as it slithers across the ground on its roots. It approaches slowly, with no hostile intent that they can see.
The Scrapple breaks with, unexpectedly, a sound of shattering glass- followed soon after by an explosion. The brilliant golden auroras of destruction unravel from where the prison struck, grabbing at any fiends or spectres that attempt to flee and dragging them back into the flames. The only remnant of what it came from that Atticus can see is nine golden orbs of radiance, each like a miniature star, that dance and flutter about the divine inferno as it grows to ever-larger sizes.The Ravenous flame stares right at Atticus, literally burning with hatred. It screams... and it screams... and it screams.
The crooked ghoul looks down at Felix in surprise- even in as wretched a state as it is, it immediately recognizes him. It hasn't forgotten him in the least, even for a moment. "You're here..." It rasps- its voice is hoarse and faint, like when they first met, like before it consumed the Frenzied Flame. "...I tried to stop the Autumn King... I failed... I won't fail again." It approaches him, and he can faintly see in its tangled briar that lies within its stolen ribcage... are more bones. Much more bones. Much smaller bones. "...I am so sorry, Felix..."
The strugel calmly unloads all but a single round from his rifle, then sets it down in front of himself. He prepares a glass of water and a morsel of collected radiance for the sunflower when it gets to him. He does all of this slowly and gently, taking his sweet time to make sure everything is in its perfect place.
A ring of runes carved into the ground ignite in blue flames. Atticus disappears as the runes burn away into worthless charred dirt and leaves. Atticus is out of here.
He looks up at it. He puts a paw on its femur. "Stop him from what?"
The crooked undead eventually arrives, rooting itself into the soil opposite from him. A few bones, picked entirely clean of flesh- from pillaged graves, no doubt- shift and fall from its tangled thorns as it does this. "Greetings... I don't believe we've crossed paths before. Who are you, hunter?"
The Ravenous Flame rushes at him, but he disappears before it can get close enough to pose any risk. It lets out an anger-filled wail into the sky, and then storms off to go looking for him. Even with its mind as gone as it is, the scourge can hold a grudge, it seems.
It places one of its remaining hands gently on his shoulder- he can see that large portions of two of its arms, along with other parts of its original form, have crumbled away into ash. "...Stop his tyranny... and the tyranny of the court... and the land's decay..."
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)
The strugel calmly unloads all but a single round from his rifle, then sets it down in front of himself. He prepares a glass of water and a morsel of collected radiance for the sunflower when it gets to him. He does all of this slowly and gently, taking his sweet time to make sure everything is in its perfect place.
A ring of runes carved into the ground ignite in blue flames. Atticus disappears as the runes burn away into worthless charred dirt and leaves. Atticus is out of here.
He looks up at it. He puts a paw on its femur. "Stop him from what?"
The crooked undead eventually arrives, rooting itself into the soil opposite from him. A few bones, picked entirely clean of flesh- from pillaged graves, no doubt- shift and fall from its tangled thorns as it does this. "Greetings... I don't believe we've crossed paths before. Who are you, hunter?"
The Ravenous Flame rushes at him, but he disappears before it can get close enough to pose any risk. It lets out an anger-filled wail into the sky, and then storms off to go looking for him. Even with its mind as gone as it is, the scourge can hold a grudge, it seems.
It places one of its remaining hands gently on his shoulder- he can see that large portions of two of its arms, along with other parts of its original form, have crumbled away into ash. "...Stop his tyranny... and the tyranny of the court... and the land's decay..."
"Cozotz." He says quietly. "The hunt has had some complications, and I'm here to remove them. Please, eat. We'll need our strength." He twists a key on the table, causing a little train to appear from a hatch. It drives around, steam rising from its chimney as it brews coffee in its steampunk internals.
Felix sighs. "Have you met him? In person? He's not a tyrant. Have you been talking with the ghouls or something?"
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Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
The strugel calmly unloads all but a single round from his rifle, then sets it down in front of himself. He prepares a glass of water and a morsel of collected radiance for the sunflower when it gets to him. He does all of this slowly and gently, taking his sweet time to make sure everything is in its perfect place.
A ring of runes carved into the ground ignite in blue flames. Atticus disappears as the runes burn away into worthless charred dirt and leaves. Atticus is out of here.
He looks up at it. He puts a paw on its femur. "Stop him from what?"
The crooked undead eventually arrives, rooting itself into the soil opposite from him. A few bones, picked entirely clean of flesh- from pillaged graves, no doubt- shift and fall from its tangled thorns as it does this. "Greetings... I don't believe we've crossed paths before. Who are you, hunter?"
The Ravenous Flame rushes at him, but he disappears before it can get close enough to pose any risk. It lets out an anger-filled wail into the sky, and then storms off to go looking for him. Even with its mind as gone as it is, the scourge can hold a grudge, it seems.
It places one of its remaining hands gently on his shoulder- he can see that large portions of two of its arms, along with other parts of its original form, have crumbled away into ash. "...Stop his tyranny... and the tyranny of the court... and the land's decay..."
"Cozotz." He says quietly. "The hunt has had some complications, and I'm here to remove them. Please, eat. We'll need our strength." He twists a key on the table, causing a little train to appear from a hatch. It drives around, steam rising from its chimney as it brews coffee in its steampunk internals.
Felix sighs. "Have you met him? In person? He's not a tyrant. Have you been talking with the ghouls or something?"
"Complications? How so?" It asks, as if it doesn't know exactly what he's talking about. It reaches for the bit of collected radiance Cozotz provided... but the light burns its hand, and it quickly decides against that.
"We've met him together, way back when. I'll admit, he puts up a good front." It replies- it acts like it believes what it says, but it's hard to tell. "They already despised me for when we stole the Frenzied Flame. I am the enemy of the ghouls' enemy- why shouldn't we talk?"
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)
"Cozotz." He says quietly. "The hunt has had some complications, and I'm here to remove them. Please, eat. We'll need our strength." He twists a key on the table, causing a little train to appear from a hatch. It drives around, steam rising from its chimney as it brews coffee in its steampunk internals.
Felix sighs. "Have you met him? In person? He's not a tyrant. Have you been talking with the ghouls or something?"
"Complications? How so?" It asks, as if it doesn't know exactly what he's talking about. It reaches for the bit of collected radiance Cozotz provided... but the light burns its hand, and it quickly decides against that.
"We've met him together, way back when. I'll admit, he puts up a good front." It replies- it acts like it believes what it says, but it's hard to tell. "They already despised me for when we stole the Frenzied Flame. I am the enemy of the ghouls' enemy- why shouldn't we talk?"
He watches, then takes Helianth's plate curiously. "The ghouls. And you. I was going to pick you off from a distance, but that felt... unsportsmanlike." He pulls back the lever, revealing the single bullet, then closes it again. "I was prepared for something really awful. You don't seem like that." He gives Helianth some of the meat from his own plate.
He sighs and pulls back from it. "Their views upset me. I'm fine if you associate with them, but please don't let them destroy the Autumn Country."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
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She smiles. “That’d be simply lovely…”
she holds out her hands, and crawling out of her sleeves is a rather large black arachnid- it’s back marked with a striking red hourglass shape. It crawls into her open palm, and she brings it a bit closer to her, observing it with a soft expression and a careful demeanor. “These ones… they live throughout this country in large numbers… their webs choke the basements and crypts and wine cellars that contain all the ghastly horrors of this realm.”
"So they are the culprits! I regularly clean... er... would you like one lump or two?" He asks, even though the pot hasn't finished boiling.
“One.” She says absently, focused on the black widow in her hands. She pauses, looking to the October hare. “I… I haven’t eaten or drank anything in two weeks. In a land so full of bounty, why do I starve?…” she mumbles, seeming to be asking herself rather than the Hare.
He sighs, "This land, it is thrown into trouble and turmoil. The main forests are overrun by ghouls and I dare say they are guilty of the scarcity of prey." He shakes his head as the pot begins to scream with built of heat. "Two weeks is a long time to go with no food or drink. I have a few tea biscuits that may take the edge of your hunger if you'd like them?"
She tilts her head as he speaks, curious. “What has caused this sudden surge in ghoulish activity?” She pauses again for a while when he offers her biscuits. “No… that will not sate me… you are very kind for offering that, though.”
“A coup, I’m afraid. A demented sunflower swollen on pride and sunlight seeks to bring ruin to the Autumn Country.” He gingerly places tea leaves in the cups and pours water around them, “And as if that wasn’t enough, this gluttonous death angel has allied itself with the Ghoul Queen! I’ve always thought the King was too soft on her and now it is coming back to bite him. Ehehe, metaphorically speaking of course. I do hope it doesn’t go that far. I’m sure he has some great plan in all his wisdom, but I do wish he would come out and say something about this mess. Last time there was a would be assassin, he took away the traitors welcome! That sure showed him!”
“Hmm… if the Autumn King hasn’t done anything yet, are any of the Autumn court acting to prevent the coup?…”
“Oh yes, quite a few.” He nods, “I for one, lowly servant that I am. The Librarian remains ever faithful to the old rule. Julius of course, and many other patriotic locals continue to hunt the Barley King for that is the surest way as of now to secure the Country’s safety.”
*I have to hit the freshly harvested hay. Good night and good writing.*
*Gooooooooooood morning, my good friends!*
The Ravenous Flame is continuing to eat its way through Atticus' prison, having already consumed around a quarter of its total prisoners. The Scrapple feels abnormally warm to the touch, as if it had been sitting next to a fireplace.
The crooked ghoul has been busy, tearing open untouched graves and wrenching the lids from caskets in its demented hunger. Its tangle of thorns now full-to-bursting with cadavers, it sits perched atop a mausoleum roof, planning something while it digests.
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)
*Good morning! I have a new character!*
A relatively large strugel has joined the hunt, armed with an elephant rifle and dressed in a ghillie suit with a lot of leaves and branches attached. He has black markings instead of the colorful ones strugels typically use, and doesn't have any magical aura or visible powers. It seems he's just a dude. Right now he's just chilling in a camp at the top of a large hill, drinking coffee and eating some gourmet rations with his scopeless rifle beside him. The ventilated corpses of ghouls litter the ground up to 300 yards out from the camp.
*Other dudes include:*
Atticus has removed the Uzumaki Scrapple from his eye socket, and is trying to come up with a plan that doesn't involve releasing the Ravenous Flame.
Felix has returned to the Autumn Country, looking for Helianth. The new person watches him from around 800ft away.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
*Good morning, brother! That's an awesome character intro! I'd like to interact with them, but only have one-and-a-half characters at the moment. Would you like for me to send a time-split Ghoul-ianth their way?*
The Scrapple is warm to the touch, as if it had been sitting in the warm glow of a fireplace when he picked it up. Atticus' missing eye within the demiplane can see that the golden wildfire within has grown, regularly sweeping across the prison to catch any demons or curses it can.
Helianth- or at least, what was Helianth- is leaning against the side of a tomb as it thinks to itself, not noticing that Felix is there yet. He can see what looks to be the bones of a giant that its crooked form has wrapped around, and can sense that its characteristic divine aura of stolen radiance... is oddly absent.
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)
*I would adore that!*
He sits there, pondering what to do. After a bit, he takes the Scrapple and uses his last bit of power to Catapult it as far as possible, shattering it in the process. "I hope someone else can deal with it..."
Felix tentatively approaches. "H-helianth? Why are you wrapped around a giant skeleton?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
*Oh, I should say that the sniper is just a level 20 fighter. He's also possibly autistic.*
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
*Wonderful! Here, catch [throws an entire eldritch zombie sunflower at you]*
Ghoul-ianth, as I've dubbed it until it finds a more proper name, tentatively approaches the camp, carefully avoiding crushing the corpses of any of its siblings as it slithers across the ground on its roots. It approaches slowly, with no hostile intent that they can see.
The Scrapple breaks with, unexpectedly, a sound of shattering glass- followed soon after by an explosion. The brilliant golden auroras of destruction unravel from where the prison struck, grabbing at any fiends or spectres that attempt to flee and dragging them back into the flames. The only remnant of what it came from that Atticus can see is nine golden orbs of radiance, each like a miniature star, that dance and flutter about the divine inferno as it grows to ever-larger sizes.The Ravenous flame stares right at Atticus, literally burning with hatred. It screams... and it screams... and it screams.
The crooked ghoul looks down at Felix in surprise- even in as wretched a state as it is, it immediately recognizes him. It hasn't forgotten him in the least, even for a moment. "You're here..." It rasps- its voice is hoarse and faint, like when they first met, like before it consumed the Frenzied Flame. "...I tried to stop the Autumn King... I failed... I won't fail again." It approaches him, and he can faintly see in its tangled briar that lies within its stolen ribcage... are more bones. Much more bones. Much smaller bones. "...I am so sorry, Felix..."
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 strugel calmly unloads all but a single round from his rifle, then sets it down in front of himself. He prepares a glass of water and a morsel of collected radiance for the sunflower when it gets to him. He does all of this slowly and gently, taking his sweet time to make sure everything is in its perfect place.
A ring of runes carved into the ground ignite in blue flames. Atticus disappears as the runes burn away into worthless charred dirt and leaves. Atticus is out of here.
He looks up at it. He puts a paw on its femur. "Stop him from what?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
The crooked undead eventually arrives, rooting itself into the soil opposite from him. A few bones, picked entirely clean of flesh- from pillaged graves, no doubt- shift and fall from its tangled thorns as it does this. "Greetings... I don't believe we've crossed paths before. Who are you, hunter?"
The Ravenous Flame rushes at him, but he disappears before it can get close enough to pose any risk. It lets out an anger-filled wail into the sky, and then storms off to go looking for him. Even with its mind as gone as it is, the scourge can hold a grudge, it seems.
It places one of its remaining hands gently on his shoulder- he can see that large portions of two of its arms, along with other parts of its original form, have crumbled away into ash. "...Stop his tyranny... and the tyranny of the court... and the land's decay..."
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)
"Cozotz." He says quietly. "The hunt has had some complications, and I'm here to remove them. Please, eat. We'll need our strength." He twists a key on the table, causing a little train to appear from a hatch. It drives around, steam rising from its chimney as it brews coffee in its steampunk internals.
Felix sighs. "Have you met him? In person? He's not a tyrant. Have you been talking with the ghouls or something?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"Complications? How so?" It asks, as if it doesn't know exactly what he's talking about. It reaches for the bit of collected radiance Cozotz provided... but the light burns its hand, and it quickly decides against that.
"We've met him together, way back when. I'll admit, he puts up a good front." It replies- it acts like it believes what it says, but it's hard to tell. "They already despised me for when we stole the Frenzied Flame. I am the enemy of the ghouls' enemy- why shouldn't we talk?"
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 watches, then takes Helianth's plate curiously. "The ghouls. And you. I was going to pick you off from a distance, but that felt... unsportsmanlike." He pulls back the lever, revealing the single bullet, then closes it again. "I was prepared for something really awful. You don't seem like that." He gives Helianth some of the meat from his own plate.
He sighs and pulls back from it. "Their views upset me. I'm fine if you associate with them, but please don't let them destroy the Autumn Country."
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.