The icy cold wind was ruffling the white fur of the Spider King’s coat. It was an item gifted by the crafter spiders to keep their King warm during his quest to vanquish the Bad JuJu. The coat was called the Squirrel Tribute, it took no less than a hundred squirrel volunteers to achieve the superior quality and significant insulating properties. Best of all, it was both warm and fashionable; truly Spidery Magnificent.

“With this, the cold doesn’t feel so intimidating. Thank you, spider crafters.” He smiled finally being able to appreciate the beauty of the Oberon Mountaintop.

The sun basked the frozen landscape in generous sunlight making it shine and sparkle. Today it wasn’t windy either, there wasn’t even a single IceShard Plankton cloud in the sky. It almost looked serene, almost because even with all the sunlight the temperature was still below freezing.

“Let’s get this done. [Shadow Walk].” He turned into a shadow and with each step he took, he was carried a hundred.

Unwilling to smash into a solid stone he broke the spell right in time to emerge in front of the Dark Fortress.

“Wow!” A shout escaped his lips.

The fortress underwent a massive improvement: the towers were restored, the walls mended, the crumbling bricks swapped out with the sturdy Kobold Bricks, and even the gate was repaired. A massive banner hung above the gate, a banner of the Spider Kingdom.

“Oh! And they improved the great balistas.” He couldn’t help but notice the massive siege weapon atop one of the towers. “Or should I call it a harpoon launcher…”

The difference was subtle but it was there: ballista fired great arrows or bolts and the contraption right above had a massive metal harpoon mounted inside it. The projectile also came with a thick rope attached to it. It was obvious it was meant to hunt IceShard Birds.

One of the humans must have noticed the sudden appearance in front of the gate. There was some shouting and the heavy gate opened ever so slowly.

“Spider King, welcome to New Hope!” A somewhat familiar voice called out cheerily.

The human was heavily dressed in a bundle of furs, under the equally fuzzy hood there was a face he recognised. It was Gareth, one of the two first humans who came volunteered into the Spider Kingdom.

However, “New Hope?” The Spider King asked intrigued.

“Ah, that…” Gareth looked somewhat uncomfortable but only for a moment. “Dark Fortress sounded just too depressing, so we came together and gave it a different name. I hope you don’t mind.”

Originally it was the Kobolds who named it so, and since there is a different type of occupiers now… “No, of course I don’t. You live here so you can call it whatever you like.” He went through the gate and into the fortress courtyard.

Further down, there was a statue to honour a certain Drow. To the humans the statue didn’t mean much, but the Spider King was glad to see it there. And there in the middle of the courtyard was a massive corpse, it belonged to a rather delicious monster. Most of the meat was already taken leaving only the bones, but the bones were also precious. Currently, a bunch of furry-looking humans were sawing at the bones breaking them into more manageable pieces.

“I understand the IceShard Birds give you no problem?” He asked looking at the massive carcass.

“With the right equipment and correct technique, they're not that hard to kill.” Gareth said raising his chin higher. “I was the one to strike the killing blow.”

Indeed, the humans were doing well. Ever since they settled, they haven't missed even a single shipment of the meat. But of course, not everything was well.

“So… The Bad JuJu?” The Spider King asked.

Maybe he did it too loud, or maybe there was another reason, but all the humans nearby stopped working and turned towards the Spider King giving him concerned looks.

Gareth cringed at those words. “Shh… it’s a sensitive topic. We’ll talk more inside.”

He guided the Spider King out of the bright sunlight and down towards the Catacombs. The denizens of New Hope didn’t’ inhabit the local towers or the fortress proper, to hide from the merciless cold they went under the ground. As the Spider King went through the narrow and dimly lit corridor, he couldn't help but notice that the old bricks in the walls were also swapped out with something else. He reached to touch the rough bricks, it didn’t feel like stone at all, it was porous and most importantly it wasn’t cold.

“What is this?” He asked curiously.

“Fungal Bricks, we’ve got them from the Drow. Unlike the stone, it doesn’t allow the heat to escape back into the cold ground.”

In other words, it was an insulating material. “No wonder it feels hot in here.” The Spider King opened his coat.

“Yes, we keep ourselves warm by burning FireAgave Juice. After we insulated the walls, it doesn’t take that much to keep this place warm and cosy.”

The presence of the odd lantern hanging at the side of the wall also meant that they used it for lighting and probably cooking as well.

“Do you need more of the juice? If so…”

Gareth interrupted urgently waving it off. “No, the spiders gave us plenty. We don’t want to be further indebted to you. We have enough.” He reassured.

The Spider King was guided into a small room. It looked to be freshly dug, or at least newly made. There wasn’t much of decorum but the simple fungiwood furniture inside told that this was an office; and also that the humans here traded extensively with the Drow. From the table to the chairs, everything looked to be made by Drow, no not everything, the few stone pots lining the walls and the shelves were of Kobold design.

Gareth motioned the Spider King to sit on one of the chairs while closing the door right behind tightly shut.

“Right…” Gareth paused looking tense. “Some refreshments perhaps.” He produced a bottle and two crystalline glasses from the desk drawer, pouring the slightly greenish liquid into them.

The Spider King recognised the origin of the bottle right away, no doubt this was a product from the Scorpion Desert.

“Is this Grupp-Grupp?” He inquired.

“Yeah, it helps to stay warm.” Gareth offered the glass to the King while raising his.

Then in Rome… The Spider King downed the spirit, *Cough* – it was very strong. Gareth, however, downed it with no problem and even poured himself a second.

There was an interesting piece of trivia that the Spider King wondered if he should tell or not. Apparently, this scorpion spirit was fermented using a type of desert fruit and… generous amount of scorpionmen spit!

However, emboldened by the fiery liquid Gareth went straight to business. “So, Bad JuJu…” He began.

The Spider King nodded eagerly wishing to hear it. And he heard it all. Superstition or not, if the accounts were to be believed, something strange was happening here. Random rooms would lose all their heat suddenly dropping to temperatures below freezing. The light of the lanterns would get snuffed out even without any wind. There were voices coming from dark corners and howling wails at night. Some people would wake up unusually exhausted and beset by the sense of freezing cold to find that they also have been afflicted with Drain status, presumably someone assaulted them at night. There were even sightings of something vague and shrouded glowing in the dark corridors or phasing right through walls. There were many other unbelievable tales just like these, but were they that unbelievable? – After all, some time ago, this place housed some formidable undead.

“I know what this is.” The Spider King said without even a shred of doubt.

“Really? What is it?”

“A wraith. I and spiders had fought those here in the Catacombs.”

“A wraith?” Gareth asked in disbelief and confusion.

“A type of an undead. Ever heard of ghosts?”

He shook his head in a no.

“Huh, I guess those just aren’t a part of your mythology and culture.” The Spider King noted.

“But I sort of know what the undead are… Wicked souls who strayed away from the Holy Light and were possessed by darkness.” He shuddered at the thought. “So, they were here in this fortress…”

What? He didn’t know that? The Spider King was sure the humans knew that this fortress used to be infested by the undead, it even has Catacombs and all that. But maybe that piece of information was lost somewhere during the talks…

The Spider King continued. “Anyway, then we were looking for treasures, we made sure to cleanse the catacombs properly, but things like these happen. The wraiths are invulnerable to physical attacks, but then you know that it’s easy to deal with them. They’re rather weak and all it takes is a good jab with enchanted weaponry or an arrow.”

“Yes, we have those here.”

That they did, the humans were entrusted with a sizeable arsenal of enchanted weaponry; all to fight the IceShard Bird on the more equal terms.

“That’s probably why it didn’t attack anyone directly.” The Spider King stood up from his seat with resolve. “Let’s exorcise this poltergeist! Go-go, ghostbusters!” He always wanted to say that, and now he did.

Gareth gave a confused look “Exorcise? Poltergeist?”

“Go-go, ghostbusters!” The Spider King pumped a fist into the air.

“Go-go, ghostbusters…” Gareth parroted still somewhat confused.

…

The realities of ghostbusting were less exciting than one might expect. It was very much like playing a detective. In order to pinpoint its hunting ground the Spider King had to take witness statements again. It wasn’t just the location which was important, but also time. In the end, and somewhat predictably, the location was narrowed to the surrounding area of the place which used to be GraveLord’s workshop; now the abundant space was used as a cold storage facility for the meat. And the time was somewhere around midnight. Very Spooky!

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

The Spider King and his newly appointed ghostbuster apprentice Gareth were waiting just right there in an ambush. To ambush a wraith was no small feat, so to remain disguised he used a combination of Dark spells and equipment. As it was now, the two men were nothing more than a slightly darker spot in an otherwise unsuspicious corner. If they were careful, they could even move ever so slightly without breaking out of the Shadow Form. Well, if the wraith was able to see past their disguises that still remained to be seen.

Just before the two grew too bored and too impatient it happened!

The long corridor connecting the cold storage with the rest of the Catacombs grew frigidly cold in an instant, the light in the furthest Magical Lantern was snuffed out shrouding that part of the corridor in darkness. However, it was the darkness which betrayed the luminescent form of the apparition; there in the shroud of it, it glowed like a beacon.

“Ohhhh!” It howled in an unholy voice. “Ohhhh. So Cold.” It moaned. “Ohhhh! Oh!” It wailed.

The unsuspecting wraith floated further down the corridor, from one lantern to the other, snuffing the light in the process, and right towards the ambush. The wraith turned to make a corner in the corridor, and that was when the Spider King sprung from the shadowy spot.

“By the power of…” He trusted his spear dramatically but stopped abruptly.

As soon as he revealed himself the wraith levered itself to the ground to imitate a kneeling position.

“My King!” It greeted enthusiastically.

“Wait…” The wraith reminded him of someone.

Gareth was right behind the wannabe ghost slayer, hiding behind his royal frame and overtaken by Terror he trembled at the sight. “King!” Even his voice was shaky. However, despite the fear Gareth thrusted his enchanted speer towards the wraith to slay it.

“Wait!” The Spider King deflected the speer offhandedly. “[Inspect].”

Monster Race: Undead

Variant: Frost SoulShade

Magic Affinity: Ice

❄️

❄️👻❄️

❄️

HP:1

MP:250

STA:0

Active Perks

[Drain], [Freeze]

Passive Perks

[Incorporeal], [Undead], [Terror]

Resistances

[Physical Resistance: Invulnerable], [Light Weakness: Critical]

This was no mere wraith, this was SoulShade! But most importantly.

“Your status doesn’t say it but…” He peered right into the vacant eyes of the SoulShade. The legless and ghost-like form was slightly blurred but there was no doubt it carried the familiar resemblance. “Drow Architect?”

“Yes, My King! I am at your command!” The undead replied.

“But… you’re an undead now. How?”

The SoulShade realising the intent of the pointed spears lowered itself further down into a grovel.

“I can explain everything. I promise.”

“Ah…” The Spider King put his spear away. “Let’s talk.”

“But… But!” Gareth wanted to protest.

“Apprentice ghostbuster Gareth, relax. Yes, this is an undead, but it is intelligent. Moreover, this is someone I used to know. Someone who saved my life.”

“What? Really?!” Gareth exclaimed in wild disbelief still trembling behind the King; Terror debuff was rather nasty to deal with.

“Drow Architect, you may rise and tell us your story.”

“Yes, my King. But first, can we go somewhere warmer?” The SoulShade looked at the nearby lantern hungrily.

The King nodded letting the SoulShade to lead the way.

“It all started then…” The apparition began speaking while moving towards the light.

Naturally, the light was snuffed at its approach, so the SoulShade carried on to the next one while telling its tale, and then the next one.

It all started then… he died. There was no doubt about it, no illusions, and no delusions. The Drow Architect knew right away that he had died, but also that he wasn’t entirely dead; he was now undead! Right before the life of undeath, he remembered a terrible sensation which shook the very core of his soul. It was the feeling of coldness; it was so frigid it froze his very soul. It felt like it lasted forever, a torment which refused to end. But then, what seemed after an eternity, he had found himself standing in a cold room surrounded by frozen meat. Naturally, all he could feel was freezing cold so he sought for warmth. But as soon as he found it, he was denied it. That was when he realised that he was no longer a Drow.

“It’s so cold… Ohhhh! All I ever feel is icy coldness.”

That didn’t sound like a pleasant experience. “Does it ever get better?” The Spider King asked with worry.

“Yes. It’s better near the fire and near the lanterns…” It paused looking guilty. “And a lot better after I Drain someone.”

“I see… It seems you live a cursed existence. Shall I help you?” He asked implying.

“No, My King, I beg you. Even if I am cursed, I want to live!” The SoulShade lowered itself beggingly. “I still can be of use.”

“No, I didn’t mean to help you by killing you. I meant to help as in to make you better, even if temporarily. You can Drain me a little, I have a large HP and MP pool.” He offered, but that was done more as an experiment than an altruistic motive.

Gareth didn’t seem too pleased about the risky offer. “Spider King, are you sure about that?”

“Absolutely. Now go on.” He encouraged the SoulShade.

The apparition stretched its ghostly hands touching the Spider King. “[Drain].”

[Debuff active: Drain], the message informed.

It felt a bit cold, and his HP and MP took a hit. The Spider King looked at the decreasing numbers.

Surprisingly it was the SoulShade who spoke first, “It is enough…” He sounded surprised. “I don’t feel like an icicle anymore.”

“Ha! Good, so the experiment is a success.” He nodded happily to himself. “You are intelligent, not violent, and most importantly you can control your hunger. I reckon you can stay around.” He looked at Gareth. “It’s just that you guys might need to feed him occasionally. Voluntarily of course.”

“What?!” Gareth didn’t sound all too pleased.

“Come on Gareth, I’ll even pay the volunteers if there is a need for that. The Drow Architect here.” He pointed at the pale apparition. “Saved my life.” And he was a future subject for research, but he kept that line to himself. “He will behave from now on. Is that right Drow Architect?”

“But of course, my King. I remain your loyal subject.”

“I don’t know about that.” Gareth pressed further. “Can’t he be returned to his people?”

Good question, the Spider King looked at the SoulShade.

“It seems, I can’t leave this place. I tried… But there is this overwhelming fear that takes hold of me if I try to leave the Catacombs. It’s as if I would stop existing.”

He figured it would be something like that.

“Then, I guess he can stay. But no more scaring people!”

“Of course, human Gareth, you are the leader here, I will do as you say.”

Gareth looked at the SoulShade with surprise.

“I’ve said I can be useful, and I will.” The SoulShade hovered closer to Gareth. “I’m still an architect, and I know many useful things. Plus, now I have access to Ice magic.”

No doubt the SoulShade was trying to sell itself to Gareth.

“I guess, we can work a few things out.” Gareth said that but grasped for his head. “… but how do I explain this to my people?”

The Spider King had an idea. “Well, this is the Drow Architect we are talking about. There is a whole statue in his honour just outside.”

“There is?” The SoulShade asked in surprise.

“What, you didn’t see? We commissioned it right after your death. You have been declared a hero!”

“I haven’t been outside. It is so cold!” The SoulShade bowed deeply in thanks. “But I am honoured. If it need be, I’ll die for you again, my King!” It said with cold resolution.

As good as it was to have subordinates this loyal the Spider King needed to continue his previous point. “As I was saying he is a hero. Gareth, I’m sure you can turn this whole Bad JuJu thing around and declare the ghostly Drow Architect here as some sort of mascot. Tell the humans that he was reborn to be the protector of the New Hope, or something like that.”

“That…” Gareth paused thoughtfully. “That might work.”

That same day, despite the danger of angering the local bird population, a plethora of candles were lit up by the statue of the Drow Architect. The entirety of the New Hope was gathered for this occasion.

“People.” Gareth addressed. “As you know, I have asked you all to light a light by the statue. And thank you for that, this looks great. As you understand now, we do this to honour, but also, to call upon the Hero to protect this place from misfortune once again. To dispel the omen of Bad JuJu!” Gareth spoke with great passion. “I know that this ritual is unfamiliar for us humans, but the Spider King assured me it will work. So now, let’s put our hands together and call out for the Hero to come out again.”

“Hero Drow Architect, come and bless New Hope.” Gareth led the prayer with his hands pressed together.

One after the other the humans pressed their hands in imitation and chanted the chant.

“Hero Drow Architect, come and bless New Hope.” Everyone chanted Again and again.

With the lead of Gareth, the prayer grew louder and stronger. Then it was at its most fervent it finally happened. A pale figure emerged right out of the stone statue. It didn’t have any legs and was semi-transparent but the resemblance was uncanny.

“The Hero!” A woman shouted pointing her finger at the apparition and then at the statue.

The fervent prayer was broken, and everyone looked with both awe and disbelief.

The summoned apparition smiled at the people. “Oh, the candles, they feel so warm, thank you!” The ghost-like Hero floated down to the lights. “Kind people, please don’t mind me taking this offering. I, the Hero of New Hope, will use the lovely warmth you brought here.” He extinguished all flames at once. “I’ll use it to dispel the Bad Juju! From now on you have nothing to fear!” He declared radiating confidence.

Some were still looking frozen in disbelief at what they were seeing, but others cheered and clapped. Soon everyone was welcoming their hero with warm smiles and loud shouts.

Gareth used this moment to slip away from the sight. Even in the coldness of the night, he was all sweaty. That was because there were so many things which could have gone wrong. The worst of them was dealing with the Terror debuff, he had to butter the people into the right state of mind so that they wouldn’t even dare to think of SoulShade as scary. But in the end, it went well.

“So, it worked.” He wiped the sweat away.

Now all he had to do was to find a way for the people to take the Drain status effect; willingly of course. But if he could fake an entire ritual to summon the undead he could do that too.

“Man, it's hard to be a leader.”

The amount of mental gymnastics he had to pull for the sake of the people was exhausting. And for those who like to say ‘just be honest’, he would shoot them down straight away saying ‘It never works’. People don’t like ugly truths, given a chance they will always take the sweet lies; such was life.

He went back to the crown who was still cheering at their Hero.

“Hero!” He shouted to get the attention. “From now on we’ll offer you our warmth, so that you can protect us from the frigid cold and other calamities like Bad JuJu. Come, take what is mine and cleanse the Catacombs below.”

“As you wish, honourable and wise Gareth.” The Hero floated towards the human to touch him on the shoulder.

Gareth pushed the unpleasant sensations coming from the Drain, instead he put his best fake smile on.

“Thank you!” The Hero bowed deeply. “I shall dispel Bad Juju now.” It floated towards the Catacombs.

Gareth even if left slightly wobbling at his feet, he still had to continue. “The offering of light and candles might not be enough…”

And just like before he launched into yet another speech, another white lie. Such was the life of a leader.

From then on, the Catacombs were ‘cleansed’ from all the evil lurking down below. People were calmer and they were sleeping better. And it was nice to have their own supernatural protector, the Hero of the New Hope. To keep the Hero going the people would light candles by its statue at night. And when the Hero needed to power up on the ‘warmth’ directly it was only honourable to offer it to him. Quickly, the Hero became an integral part of the fortress. And with that, the New Hope continued to prosper.