For the Swarm

[Master Chunko Char]

((Rp has gone dry. Thought if I put this into motion, maybe it could start back up. Crossed finger and high hopes.))

- With his string pulled to his cheek and game in his sights, Chunko was about to make this three hour trip deep in the forest worth it. He felt his sweat glide down his face from his brow, but he was too focused on his target. Even a scuttling sound off to his side couldn't break his concentration. The deer, however, was startled by the crushing sound of branches and leaves.

Before Chunko could release the creature's death, it took off farther into the trees. He cursed under his breath as he relaxed his arm and wiped the sweat from his face. He scanned the area to find what had run off his game. The sun offered plenty of light, but the shade from the trees dimmed his view. Then he saw it, standing on all eight legs and half as tall as he. It was just a spider, not poisonous and not near the biggest he's seen. Although, its eyes were strange. A dim purple glow came from them. And the teeth were dripping a red ooze. A weird poison, he guessed. Chunko readied his bow again and aimed at the arachnid's mouth.

The arrow flew quicker than he could release his breath. It met its mark between the creature's jaws, where it was dripping the red goo from its wound. As Chunko went to retrieve his arrow, he heard more noises around him. He notched another arrow and again scanned his surroundings. Aside from the limp corpse of the spider and the spring, nothing of note was seen. Chunko relaxed slightly, still aware that he heard those sounds, and made his way to the spider.

A nasty sight. It was a clean shot, but the mess it unleashed from the bug was not so. The red goo had made a nice puddle around the face and its legs were spread out. Chunko ripped the arrow from its mark and wiped it on his tunic. Spider legs weren't so bad once cooked, and the head would be a nice trophy to show his father. So, Chunko took out a length of rope and tied the spider up. He threw the rope over his shoulder and dragged the body toward town.

Then the noises stirred up again, and Chunko dropped his loot and grabbed his bow. He barely had time to pull back the arrow when the thing leaped at him. It crashed into him and sunk its teeth into his leg. The red goo covered his leg. Chunko unsheathed his dagger and sent it down into the things back. He yelled from the pain and kept stabbing the spider until it released him from its jaws. Chunko could feel the toxin spread from his leg. But he pushed the corpse off him and scattered to his feet. The pain was unbearable, and he saw three more spiders approaching him, all with the same glowing eyes and red goo.

He knew when he would be bested, so and turned around and darted toward town. The spiders not far behind him, Chunko ducked under low branches, hurdled over fallen logs, and even tried to lose his pursuers. The latter had no success. When he noticed the trees were growing less dense, he knew town was close. His leg was singeing and the pain was spreading with the toxin. If he could just reach the gates, he would be safe. Of course, nothing goes as planned.

He heard more spiders chasing him. If he had to guess, he would say there were now five or six behind him, wanting a snack. He could see the gates as he broke out of the forest. He was getting weak, the poison was spreading too quick. His vision was going blurry and he was seeing things. Even when he was in the field of grass, he thought he was avoiding trees still. He tried to place the name of this toxin. His father had used it once, he was sure of it. Chunko couldn't hear the spiders, or anything for that matter, and he was flinching at the air. He just had to reach the gate. He tripped into the dirt and scrambled back up. This repeated for several times. He knew the spiders weren't chasing him any longer. If they were, he would be dead. Then again, with the poison reaching his chest, he soon would be regardless. The final time he tripped, he couldn't muster up the strength to push to his feet. So instead, he crawled toward the gate.

He saw the guards looking at him, pointing at him. They looked angry. Maybe they were yelling, maybe they weren't. Chunko couldn't hear anymore. He could barely see, and if a clear image came, he wasn't sure if it was real. The pain had stopped in his leg, if it was still there. Chunko kept crawling. Even when his sight gave out and everything went dark, he felt hands pulling him into the air. Were his feet dragging? Chunko thought they were going to the tavern or the inn. Maybe the Ducal Manor ti his father. He couldn't tell. He was slipping into sleep when he heard the voice. -

"Go to sleep, my hero. Rest. Dream. When you wake, we will speak.."

The voice wasn't cold or sinister. It was calming. Soothing, even. Chunko couldn't resist it, and he followed the stranger's advice. He went to sleep. No more worries. No more pain. Just, sleep.

((Please take care of me. I would like to not die!))

[Ambellina Farseer]

**As chunko slept on a large table in the back room of the tavern, Ambellina worked quickly and silently, first pulling several ingredients from the shelves that lined one wall, then mixing them in a small bowl. While she mixed the concoction, other members of the red hand were preparing Chunko's wounds for the antidote that she would soon administer. Chunko's leg wounds were deep and filled with the red, slimy venom.
The others worked meticulously cleaning the goo from the inside the wounds. They all stepped aside as Ambellina approached with the mixture she had made.
As she poured the syrupy liquid into the puncture wounds on Chunko's leg, she whispered a prayer under her breath. She wasn't sure where she'd heard this prayer or why she remembered every word, but she knew that this prayer and this antitoxin would be the salvation of her young brother.
The red hand was joined by the Du Lacs and Master Taven, all of them standing in silence against the walls, watching, waiting on edge. After Ambellina's prayer was finished, she looked around at all of them and nodded as she stepped back. "Now he can sleep as the medicine works. The antivenom acts as a magnet to the spider's toxins, pulling it back to the wound. There, it will mix with the antivenom and when it has all been drawn out, the mixture will turn into a sort of purple jelly substance that can be removed easily from the wound. The young master will be fine. Your prayers will undoubtedly help to hurry the process, though, so do as you believe is right."
Ambellina left the room quickly and sat quietly near the hearth in the tavern, praying again for Chunko's speedy recovery, and wondering where or even when she learned of the antidote she had just made or the prayer she had just said. She had no recollection other than the words and the ingredients.**

[Valmir Silverwolf]

As Ambellina sits in the corner praying a figure, whose face is hidden by the shadow of the dimly lit lamp sitting on the table in front of him says, "Do you know what happened to our young master sister?"
The Elf Valmir gets up and walks toward her carrying a potato sack in his hand that was dripping with a strange liquid, his bow and shield strapped to his back, shortsword at his side. I fear for the worst Ambellina, i have been gone far to long the kingdom is not the same as i remember.

((I hope it's ok if i joined in the rp i can at least do that for now, if i have interfered some how just let me know and i will stop))

[Master Taven Char]

As Ambellina and Valmir converse near the fireplace, the door to the Tavern opens.
Servants pour in carrying a stretcher heading to the backroom. Upon entering they stop and look to the person that ordered them there. Taven nods toward Chunko on the table,they move to put him on the stretcher as Taven gives more orders.
"Bring him to the manor,fetch the medicus, wait with him till i arrive"
They nod in acceptance and move about their work. Taven speaks softly and close to Sebastians ear as he leaves behind the servants.
Passing through the tavern,Taven catches the surprised looks from Ambellina and Valmir and right when he was about to explain, two of the duchy guardsmen come through the door.
Dragging something behind them they step aside to let the servants pass, Taven stands in front of them.
Both bowing slightly,one of them says,"Sir,we followed the blood trail to the inner edge of the forest and we found this."
Lying at their feet is a very large spider, ripped open and very much dead. Kneeling down and pulling a dagger from under his cloak, Taven starts examining the remains.
"Though no tracks were found beyond where the young master was attacked we think there were more then a few of these things." says the guardsmen.
Taven makes no comment as he pokes and prods with the tip of his dagger, he rubs it against one of the fangs gathering some of the venom on it. He sniffs it and grimaces.
With a raised eyebrow, he says to the two guardsmen." Take this away and burn it, then go clean yourselves thoroughly so as not to suffer the same fate as my son. Afterwards get the word out and warn the people if they are to venture beyond the gates to be watchful of spider attacks."
Bowing, they drag the arachnid behind them to carry out the dukes orders.
Sighing deeply, Taven turns and goes to sit with Ambellina and Valmir.
They begin to stand but Taven waves them to stay seated. Rubbing his hand down his face as he takes a seat next to them they notice that the stress and fear is still there.
"Thank you for doing what you did, words can not express. For that i will share some information with you."
As he speaks,the others start leaving,Taven catches a glance from his knight.
Alone except for the barkeep, Taven begins talking.
"In my line of work one must become very familiar with toxins and poisons and there uses. There are literally thousands, some heal,most kill. This one in particular is most intriguing, because i recognize it somewhat. I say somewhat because there is some things that are strange here. One being the spider, though large spiders are common, this one has markings that i have seen only on other species of animal,no where near a spider. Also the venom is different, not sure how without further inspection but not the kind that would come from such a spider. If i had to make a guess, i would say either evolution has gone nuts and for some reason had reason to create this monstrosity or someone has been fooling with nature. Considering the world in which we live ,evolution like this would be recorded and documented,and i can tell you that it has not."
Pausing for a moment, Taven continues.
Speaking to Ambelina,"I will ask of you this, to go with my servants and stay with Chunko till he has recovered. You are to stay with him and to keep him safe."
To Valmir," I ask this of you, to stay with them both and not to let them come to harm,till i tell you otherwise."
Taven stands and signals the barkeep," Give them drinks before they leave, they need it."
Nodding to him he turns and says,"Thank you again for what you have done, we shall speak again later."
Leaving the Tavern, Taven tried to keep it together, but nothing could stop the tear rolling down his face.

[Valmir Silverwolf]

Valmir stands up.."Master Taven Sir!!!" Valmir tosses the potato sack at Taven's feet, "the glands are right behind the fangs they shouldn't be hard to miss, research what the venom is, i will guard Ambellina and your son with my life, i swear no harm will come to them!!" Valmir bows to master Taven and sits back down with Ambellina.

[Ambellina Farseer]

**Ambellina rose from her place on the floor and motioned for Valmir to join her. "We should hurry along as Master Taven has instructed," she said. "I will tell Fitz and the others of our orders and where we can be found if needed. You fetch our drinks for we have no time to enjoy them here."
Ambellina hurried into the back room where the others still stood. The silence had been broken and crowd had split into groups of two or three, each recounting their own tales of spider encounters or telling the others what part they played in Chunko's swift rescue.
Ambellina approached Fitz and lightly touched his shoulder. When he turned, he could see by the expression on her face that she was in a hurry.
"What is the matter? What troubles you?"
"No trouble, sir. Master Taven has instructed me to stay with our young brother at the Manor until he is well. He has charged Valmir with The task of guarding both of us. We are going there now. I thought you should know where I would be in case you were to look for me. I need to collect a few things before I go, though."
Ambellina hurried to the shelves where she stored many of the medicinal herbs and ointments and selected around a dozen different vials and pouches. She placed them all carefully into a basket that she had emptied of its previous contents. She quickly made her way toward the door, pausing only briefly to kiss her husband and whisper something into his ear, and away she went.
When Ambellina entered the tavern, she saw Valmir standing at the bar, two mugs in hand, waiting for her. He fell into step beside her and together they rushed to the Manor to tend to their recovering brother.**

[Master Chunko Char]

* At the Ducal Manor, two or three days past the events above. *

- Chunko returned from his sleep. When he opened his eyes, the brightness of the room forced him to close them again. He slowly opened them, this time letting them get used to the light. He looked around, noticing he was laying down in a bed. He saw Ambellina, Valmir, and others moving about the room. He slowly tried to sit up and greet them. -

"Which one of you saved my life?" Chunko questioned. He mostly looked between Ambellina and Valmir. He was hoping it wasn't the elf. He didn't want to owe that untrustworthy creature.

[Ambellina Farseer]

**Ambellina hurried to Chunko, helping him sit upright, but cautioning him to move slowly.
"there were many that played a part in your rescue. It was more a community effort than the valiant deed of one person. You have many friends for whom to be grateful. How do you feel? I am sure you are starved. You should refrain from heavy meals yet, but I'm certain some bread and a small portion of meat would be gentle and filling...if you'd fancy such things. First, some water. Lots of water."
Ambellina drew water from a large jar next to the bed and gave it to Chunko. He drank it all at once. Valmir spoke quietly with one of the servant girls, instructing her on the type of food to fetch from the kitchen. The girl nodded and quickly exited the room. Valmir returned to Chunko's bedside. Ambellina refilled Chunko's cup twice more and he finished each cup with one gulp.
"good, brother, regain your strength. You should be walking by tomorrow. Can you describe the pain you feel in your leg now? It will help us know what, if anything, we should do."**

[Master Chunko Char]

"My leg.." Chunko said as he trailed off into thought while blankly staring at his limb in question. After a few moments, he snapped back into reality. His expression showed fear for a second, then he regained his grip and looked at Ambellina.

"My leg feels better than.. When was it? How long have I been sleeping?"

[Ambellina Farseer]

** "Nearly three days. That spider's venom was terribly taxing on your body. Continue to rest today. When the servants deliver your food, eat slowly. I will go inform your father that you are awake. He has not quite been himself for the last few days. He will be overjoyed to hear of your status. I shall return," and with that, Ambellina left. She hoped she would find Master Taven in the manor, but she had no such luck.
Ambellina hurried from the Manor to the tavern, as that was the second place she was sure she could find him. She was right.
Master Taven sat at a table near the wall, alone. He held a mug in both hands, still full to the top with Meade. He did not drink. He merely sat, silent, staring at the table, ignoring the bustle of the tavern's other patrons.
Ambellina approached him and touched his shoulder. Taven jolted in his seat, startled.
'He must be out of his wits,' Ambellina thought to herself. 'For this master assassin to ever be startled in such a manner, he must surely be elsewhere in mind.'
She spoke in a calm and gentle voice "Master Char, I bring great news of your son. He--" Ambellina was interrupted by Taven's swift, unhesitated departure from the tavern. She tried to follow to be sure that he was going to the manner, but when she exited the tavern, the master assassin was, as all good assissins are, nowhere to be found.**

[Reyterra]

The healer dashes into town, breathing heavily as he headed towards the tavern, sure he had felt something - unable to tell if it was a murderous intent or simply a shadow, but rushing nonetheless. Hurrying towards the familiar faces after he had entered, scanning quickly to find the injury he had heard word of while visiting his home town, spotting the injury and seeing that it was already well-kept, but deciding to use what healing he had at his disposal to try and speed up the recovery process as much as he could.
Placing his hands a few inches above the injury and chanting softly all the spells he could think of, ending them all with a slightly louder prayer of "Kyrie Eleison" before moving away.
"Sorry I'm so late, I was called back to Payon to tend to the injuries of a few friends. I'm glad to see his injury taken care of early. The cases I had tended to back home were much more progressed. Had I not brought my magics to keep them stable until our stronger healers could return, it could have been fatal." He nodded to the injured leg and began to turn. "I'll stay in the tavern and assist any hunting parties that choose to explore the woods. I'll heal their sick and restore their dead when they return. It's the least I can do for those that would risk their lives to keep us safe." Reyterra bowed to them and repeated the prayer of his diety before sitting at a small table. "May Yondalla bring you love and peace."

[Master Chunko Char]

((Reyterra, I am in the Ducal Manor, no longer in the tavern. Just saying.))

Chunko was lost in his thoughts again. She wants me to rest? No, I will not sleep again. He will stay there alone. I will not play a piece in his games. I will rest when I am stronger, but now I will stay awake for as long as possible. That terror can die in solitude.

Chunko waited until Ambellina and the rest had left the room. He pulled the covers away to see that his leg was wrapped tightly with cloth. He unwrapped it to examine the damage. The wounds were deep, no doubt. The pain wasn't there, just numbness. Chunko gently felt at his wound. Chunko moved to sit up at the edge of the bed. He took a deep breath and stood up. But only for a second when he collapsed to the ground. At least now he knew just how weak his leg was. And so Chunko sat up against the bed on the floor, waiting for his food. It was colder on the floor. Chunko didn't mind. And so he patiently waited.

He started to nod off. When Chunko realized, it was too late. He was sitting in a field of grass, leaning against a tree. The voice came to him again, this time amplified and echoing. "You don't enjoy my company, boy? You're dreams are so lonely, you're thoughts are even more so. I thought you'd enjoy someone to talk to." A laugh followed that, which did not amuse Chunko.

"I don't like to be toyed with in my escape," replied Chunko to the voice. "Who said I was toying with you? This is your home, not my fault if you left the door open. I simply accepted your generosity." Again the laugh. "You kicked the door open and invited yourself in. I do not enjoy company. Not yours," Chunko said. He was getting annoyed with this voice. He tried to stand up expecting his leg to give out. But he stood to his feet without trouble. "Forget we aren't in the Ducal Manor? We are in your dream, boy. Your leg is a physical problem, not a mind one. Although, you may have some of those as well." That same laugh, only louder. Chunko guessed the voice knew it bothered him. "Why don't you just stop talking? Let me be in peace," Chunko gently demanded. "But you would be so lonely in here. No, I won't let you be alone any longer. You and I? We are going to become good friends." This time the laugh was short and soft. "I don't want to be your friend. Leave me alone!" With that, Chunko sprinted out of the field.

He entered some woods, familiar ones at that. Chunko was too busy running from the voice to take notice. He heard some snarling from behind him. When he turned to look, he saw thirty or so spiders chasing him. He lost his breath quickly and tripped on a root. The spiders were closing in and were on him in seconds. Chunko yelled as loud as he could. He closed his eyes and darkness took over. He felt nothing, no noise, no spiders. Empty. "We will become friends, boy. See you next time." Its laugh increased in intensity and was so loud, Chunko tried to cover his ears. When it ended, Chunko jumped back into the Ducal Manor. He was breathing heavy and sweat was pouring from his body. He looked around to notice he was still on the floor.

He eased back and let out a sigh. The words dug into his thoughts, drilled themselves there more like it. "We will become friends.." Chunko hated this voice. Hated the field. Hated his dreams. He wasn't afraid of them, just hated them. Chunko reached for the jug above him and took a long gulp of water. He placed it next to him on the floor and continued to wait.

[Valmir Silverwolf]

Valmir stands outside when all of a sudden he hears chunko yelling he rushes in the to find the young master on the floor pouring with sweat and gulping the jug of water like he has been dehydrated for many moons. Valmir walks over to the boy attempting to help him up trying to be careful with the injury the boy had sustained. He helps chunko back in bed and says. "Your lucky young master. those spiders that attacked you were crazed, possessed somehow, i cant explain it." Valmir sighs and sits in the stool next to the bed. He looks at the boy.

"Look i know you dont trust me, I can see it in your young eyes, but you must remember I am your brother just like Bren or Scorpius, you have to trust me. I promised your father that i would let no more harm come to you while i still breath, I know you dont need the protection, you are strong,stronger than me i hate to say." the elf looks down at the boys leg and holds his hand over the wound and chants something in elvish.

"There, i wont do much but it should stop anymore pain that may come and it will keep the scaring under control, granted you will still have a nice scar on that leg of yours. I'm no healer, but know that i did my part in your recovery. I did it for you as a brother, remember that next time you wanna judge my allegiance, now you should get some rest your father will be here shortly knowing him, I'll be scouting around the perimeter to make sure we have no unwanted company."Valmir heads to the door,he turns and looks to Chunko with fear in his eyes,"You should regain your full strength and soon for these creatures will not quit,they've tasted your blood, they will be on your trail again,and i refuse to lose my family again, so I pledge that i will do what i can to protect you, the company, and all of crimson moon." The Elf leaves and starts his patrol of the outskirts of the Ducal Manor.

[Master Chunko Char]

*After Valmir has left the room*

"That damned elf. His high morals disgust me," Chunko said to himself. After a few hours alone, not counting the servants bringing him food and refills of his jug, he started to get sleepy. He managed to keep himself busy by tying, untying, and retying different types of knots. But soon he could not hold on. He slipped into his sleep, and entered the field again.

"Why are you avoiding me? I thought we were friends.." Chunko didn't miss this voice. He didn't mind it either. "I'm not avoiding you, I simply have not been tired," Chunko replied with a lie. "Well, you have been missed." The voice almost sounded sad.

Chunko got up and walked around the field. He sat on top of a small hill which had a patch of roses growing on it. These roses were red with purple streaks in it. The thorns had a metallic feel to it, like iron or gold. Chunko was lost in it. It was as if it put him in a trance. "Do you like my roses? They are fused with the same poison as those spiders. And a little magic.." The voice laughed a little at that, which brought Chunko back from the trance. "What do you mean?" Chunko questioned. He was curious at how the voice knows this.

"That rose is one of my many creations. The poison in that rose isn't venom like the spiders carry. No, this seemlessly oozes an odor that carries the poison through the air. Anyone standing near it will come in contact with it by smell, and will become infected. Once they are infected, they lose all sense of reality. Dreams will collide with reality. Imagination will devour the present. That is when I dominate their will. They become my servant. I speak the words and they obey without question. That is where the magic comes in. Simple, really, to control the will of others." Chunko moved the flower around in his hands as he took in the information.

"Why did you tell me all these secrets?" Chunko asked quietly. "Friends have no secrets.. We are friends, are we not?" Chunko looked up from the rose and scanned the treeline. "Why haven't I returned to the real world?" Chunko replied. "Your slumber will take more time. You need rest, and when you deny it for so long, rest takes itself upon you. You will wake a week from hence. We have plenty of time together." The voice laughed. It was friendly, and Chunko didn't mind it. "A week?" Chunko said gently.

"I can teach you things. We can become the best of friends," the voice offered. Chunko thought on this for a while. He got up from his spot on the hill and walked to the nearest tree and touched the bark. After a few moments, Chunko gave his answer, "I will need a form of some sort to speak to. I cannot learn from a distant voice.." The voice snickered and replied, "This can be done." At that, a spark of purple set the forest ablaze. Chunko backed away from it, remembering that this was not reality. The purple flames washed over him in seconds and formed into a figure behind him. The form was a man that stood a foot taller than Chunko.

The man extended his hand to Chunko, "I am Dexius." Chunko was shocked. He had heard stories of this deity. He was supposed to be lord of chaos, sacrifice, and control. How had he not connected the clues! Chunko's mind raced with questions and the answers lagged behind them. Chunko took the god's hand. "My name is Chunko. I am pleased to meet you," Chunko said, barely audible. "Now, shall we begin your lessons?" Chunko nodded, and the god took the boy under his arm as they walked to the center of the field.

((I will put a picture of what Dexius looks like under here.))
((Also changed the poison thing. Sorry for the confusion. The spiders and flowers have different forms of the poison, but pretty much the same effects.))

Attachments:

[Ambellina Farseer]

((like))

[Valmir Silverwolf]

((not too shabby))

[Ravenna DeLoki]

Meanwhile in another part of town (lol, I couldn't resist), Ravenna having heard of young Master Chunko's afflictions had decided to do a little research of her own. She knew from her studies that most natural poisons, toxins and venoms have to have some kind of contact or penetration of the skin and that there would be some form of antidote to them or a spell which could obliterate the vile substance from the body. However Chunko's case seemed to be much more than a simple "natural" toxin despite it's seeming method of delivery.
She went to the back of the Deloki manor to the area she used for her apothecary and workshop. While well lit the room was decorated with many jars, boxes and sheafs of herbs, strange bubbling beakers of odd-smelling fluids, piles of books and scrolls along one wall, and a cupboard full of an unusual collection of animal parts. In the center of the room was a workbench of sorts with more cubbies and cabinets along the bottom. Ravenna quickly strode around the room collecting various oddments and then moved to the workbench and shifted a bit of intricately carved wood which caused the entire bench to slide almost three feet sideways and revealed a chiseled stone stairway going down into the darkness beneath the room. Grabbing a lantern she descended.
Approximately 50 feet down below the level of the ground the floor leveled out onto a manmade tunnel which she followed down to a metal door locked tight against the mouth of a natural cavern. Removing a large key from within the folds of her gown she turned the lock and entered. Beyond the door was a large room roughly circular in shape and several unlit torches every few feet along the walls. In the center of the floor a large sigil had been carved into the rock itself, and it was here that Ravenna now moved.
From her pocket she removed a scroll, a vial of ogre blood, salt, chalk, a bowl and some sulfur. She trailed the salt in a circle around the sigil and with the chalk traced additional symbols outside of that. In the bowl she mixed the ogre blood and sulfur and laid this just inside the salt line. Ravenna then pulled out the scroll and began chanting the words written there. As she chanted a swirling form began to take shape and coalesced into a dark shadow.
"Who summons me from the depths?" the creature asked.
"I do Abduscius, who else would call you unless they needed some ogres knocked down?" she replied.
"Ah, Mistress. Nice to see you again, did you bring me an offering as per our agreement?"
"Yes Abduscius, the bowl is at your feet."
The demon looked down and saw the ogre blood and sulfur and greedily slurped it down which resulted in a rather loud, extremely odoriferous belch. When the demon was sated, Ravenna spoke to it again.
"Abduscius, I have requested your presence. I am in need of information that I cannot seem to locate in my notebooks and parchments. I want to tell you of a poison and see if you can tell me how it came to be in Crimson Moon." The demon merely nodded it's assent and crouched to listen. Ravenna then recalled the tale of Master Chunko's poisoning and the effects it had on him so far as she was aware.
The shadow shook it's horned head back and forth and traced it's claw around the sigil below it. "Well Mistress, I'm not sure off hand. It sounds like a rare assassin poison but the effects aren't quite the same. If I have your leave I should like to go below and ask around. There has been much unrest lately among the greater demons. Something is stirring they aren't sure they have dealt with in a long time and it makes them uneasy. I shall try to make some inquiries for you."
Ravenna looked thoughtful for a moment. "Very well, go and return here in three days and tell me what you have found. Abduscius, I release thee to your task and to cause no additional mischief until such time as I banish you."
With that the demon disappeared.
Ravenna thought to herself, "I wonder what could possibly have the greater demons in such a tizzy? Perhaps there is a god stirring..." She quickly brushed away the salt and cleaned up her mess. As she headed back up to her workshop she reminded herself to ask her part demon husband, Gremio, if he'd also heard anything. Of course that would have to wait until he returned with the house goblins and hell only knew how long that would take...

[cronoxushellhound]

(Crono Runos)
I walk in seeing the comotion from the under world as a hellhound knowing Chunko is near death and wandering if ther is any thing i can do to help
I walk to Chunko's side "is there any thing i can do I my be a hellhound but i do have conections

[Master Chunko Char]

*A week or so from when Chunko passed out.*

The rose rotted away in Chunko's hand. "You have learned to control the will of everything I have put forth to you. I have told you everything I can share with you, boy. You may leave when you wish." The god gestured gently to a tree and it caught on fire with a purple flame. When it died down, a portal was opened. Chunko walked toward the vortex.

"Only on one condition. All I ask is for you're undying love. I have shared my power with you, and it will only continue with sacrifice to me. I am generous, as you have seen. I only ask for sacrifice. Remember that when you wake. Remember that I am your god now. And that our reign shall bring power to everyone you see fit. Go, boy, and spread my word to others. Power shall flow through you." Dexius was fair and generous. Chunko saw no problem spreading his word in exchange for a share of his power. Chunko turned to the god and the field for the last time. "Our reign will bring kingdoms to their knees. I give you my life, Dexius," and with that, Chunko stepped through the portal into darkness.

"We shall speak soon, boy. You are in danger, and will face the cause very soon." Chunko felt like he was falling. The feeling made him scream. When he hit the bottom, he jumped from his sleep. His eyes opened wide and he was once again drenched in sweat. He looked to the side of him and saw the jug he used for water and hoped there was some still left. He took the jug and gulped the liquid. When he was done, he let out a satisfied deep breath and layed back down in the bed. He called for Valmir or Ambellina.

Chunko felt a burn come from his leg. The wound on his leg was smaller than before, but a purple flame caught life on it. The spark was small, but the flame grew to cover all his leg and sent alarms through his body. He felt the burning, worse than the poison had caused. But when the flame died out, the wound was gone. A gift from Dexius, he assumed. At the mention of his patron's name, he felt the power surge through him. He yelled for Ambellina now, for the pain caused from the power felt like his heart was going to explode. But the pain ended as soon as it started. He was breathing heavy, and felt a little dizzy. That subsided as well and he sat upright. He waited for someone to come to him so he could share his story, or at least some of it.

[Ravenna DeLoki]

 
Ravenna had just returned home from the tavern from listening to rumor and speculation on the latest events and was once again standing in her workroom.  "What could possibly be the cause of these supernatural happenings?" she thought.  "First Master Chunko's poisoning and illness and now his 'miraculous' sudden healing, the appearance of new arachnids, and random dissarray throughout town; things are getting odd in Crimson Moon, which is admittedly hard to do." 
 
She looked around her workroom and sighed.  Once again she collected her summoning supplies, noticing that she was running low on ogre blood from so many "requests" for the demon's presence lately and made a mental note to ask him if there was an adequate substitute.
 
She headed down the secret passage and wondered if her minion had any news this time.  The last time she had checked with him he'd come up empty handed as to the cause and could only report more unrest in the demonic realm.  Apparently several factions had formed which either supported or denounced some force but being a lower ranked creature Abduscius had as yet been unable to discover anything beyond wild rumor.
 
She quickly worked her way through the ritual and the demon appeared.  "Abduscius, have you any more news for me?"
"Yes I do Mistress.  I have discovered that an old god is stirring again and gaining in power and influence once again.  It is said below that there is even one of his devotees here in your fair Duchy."
Ravenna looked startled, "Here, in the Duchy?  Abduscius do you know whom?"
"No Mistress, only that it is one whom many people in town hold high regard for." 
She stopped to think but there were so many individuals both still living here and since moved away that the statement could apply to.  “Abduscius, do you think that it would be possible for you to learn a name or at least an occupation of the individual in question?  Also, I wonder if it would be too much trouble to learn more of Master Chunko’s miraculous healing from his ‘poisoning’?  It just seems far too convenient that soon as he wakes the poisonous wound on his leg was healed instantly.”
“Certainly Mistress.  Will there be anything else?” 
“Just one thing, is there any substitution I can make for the ogre blood in your bowl?  I seem to be running low lately.” 
The demon chuckled and grinned widely.  “Oh certainly Mistress, but I don’t think you’d be willing to open up one of your goblins for their entrails.” 
She smiled wryly back at the demon, “I suppose I would not.  Well then, I gather you would be on your way to run my errands.  I will summon you again soon for your information.  Thank you for your assistance.  Go now and do no harm until summoned again.”  The demon swiftly departed and Ravenna cleaned up after herself. 
 
As she made her way back up to her workroom she thought grimly to herself, “Of course it would be goblin entrails.  Damned demon has no taste.  I’ll just have to see about scrying out a lone ogre or a band of rogue goblins.” 

[Master Lord Bain Ironwolf ESQ.]

Apon hearing of chunko's injuries, knowing there are more than enough healers and protection in the city, Bain put his talents to greater use. First to identify the spider

[Master Lord Bain Ironwolf ESQ.]

Bain lays out a few symbols and pulls a. Large tomb from his bag with the onishi clan igsigna burned into it and places a black sword in the center of the symbols.

After many hours of chanting and gesters weaving nature and arcane powers into the obsidan sword his task is finaly done.

"Now to name it," he stops and conciders a few possibilites setteling on spiderbane.

"Every job has its perfect tool now so should I,"Bain says aloud.

[Master Lord Bain Ironwolf ESQ.]

Posting on my phone sucks ill finish tonight

[Valmir Silverwolf]

Valmir hears chunko's screams and runs in the manor, "Master Chunko are you ok i heard screams," Valmir scrambles around the house bow and arrow drawn ready to kill anything that gets in his way.....

[Master Chunko Char]

Chunko was at the window when Valmir walked in. He was staring at the Ducal Manor, watching the men move carts of clothing and weapons from the place. His arms were crossed and his stance slightly favored his right leg. He shifted his gaze for only a brief second to notice Valmir had came in.

"It seems father and I are moving out of the Manor. Who is the new Duke?" Chunko questioned.

[Valmir Silverwolf]

Valmir stops, Puzzled he looks at chunko, "Moving, But Why? You are both perfectly safe here, the spiders were just a minor set back master chunko, nothing like that will ever happen again.."

[Master Chunko Char]

Without moving a muscle, Chunko responds to Valmir's comment. "No, elf. Father has just been replaced in office by someone. This means he and his family move out into their original home to make room for the new Duke. So, I ask you again: Who is the new Duke?"

"Kill him. You don't trust elven creatures. His blood would be worthy of sacrifice to me. Run your blade along his throat and bathe in his blood. Power shall replace the guilt or the fear. Do it, my boy. Kill the elf," Chunko hears Dexuis whisper to him. Chunko shakes his head to clear the thought. Even though he would easily kill the elf without guilt, Valmir was a member of the Band. Chunko was not so foolish to anger his brothers and sisters over a pinch of power. Though, the power feels so lively. So immortal.

Chunko looked back at the elf, examining what it held. A bow? Chunko smiled and returned his gaze to the Manor, shaking his head. He dropped his arms to his sides, fitting his fingers around the hilts of his daggers. Chunko spotted a small child run through the street, laughing. He was followed by a little girl of the same size yelling the boy's name, perhaps. Chunko sighed and to his grip from the daggers and his arms were crossed against his chest again. I am still human, Dexius. I will not kill my friend, no matter how elven he is. This creature saved my life, I owe him, Chunko thought to himself, hoping Dexius could hear him.

Chunko shifted his head back towards Valmir, just enough to see him out the corner of his eye. "The new Duke?" Chunko repeated.

[Valmir Silverwolf]

Valmir walks to the side of Chunko looking out of the window as well, "Im sorry Master Chunko I'm afraid I do not know, I haven't been in town long enough to know anything, I was lucky to find you and the spiders that attacked you on my hunting trip. Im sorry I can't be of any help, but I don't even know whats happening within the ranks of the red hand. You see I have been training far from Crimson Moon, But i still keep a watchful eye on its gates, But that is as close to town as i have been an many moons besides of course recently." Valmir replaces his bow on his back and walks to the table and sits pulling a flask out and taking a large sip of the liquid inside.

[Master Chunko Char]

"I see. Well, I need a bit of fresh air. What do you say we walk the street, maybe find out for ourselves what you and I have missed?" Chunko offered. He needed to leave the room he had been in for weeks. He needed to clear his head. The training he had from Dexius was fresh in memory, and Chunko was ready to practice it in reality.

Remembering the potion needed for a part of the process of making the toxin, Chunko added, "I also need a few things from the market. Maybe from outside of town, as well. If you would be so kind as help me, seeing how I am just recovering." Chunko looked at Valmir, waiting for his answer.

[Valmir Silverwolf]

Valmir looks over to Chunko," Im here to serve master Chunko, I could use a walk through my old home anyways, maybe we will see some of our comrades traveling about as well." Valmir walks to the table where a cloth sack lays, he pulls out his cloak and throws it around his back hiding his bow and quiver of arrows the cloak is tattered and dirty, "I could use a new cloak as well", the elf laughs, "A good tailor would be nice as well. Shall we depart?" He walks to the door and opens it holding it waving his hand showing its open for chunko.