Equipped [Purple Hat]
Hello Old me, we certainly were busy, a bunch of food and... how damaged is the [Purple Sarong], it certainly looks damaged, I will have to review these memories carefully.
Body [Armour] [Purple Sarong] Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Indigo Spider Silk Spider Full length Sarong] Bonus +5 Toughness vs Physical damage, [Flammable] (Enchantment Capacity 0/1) This stylish Sarong is crafted from Indigo silk Common House Spider Spider, and crafted with the skill of an amateur Weaver.
-It is unenchanted, but thick and durable, it can take a few hits, but is quite [Flammable] and will combust if exposed to fire.
-It is unmarked
-Sarong are in Style
-This Sarong in in bad condition 2/5
-This Sarong has be hit by several strong stinger attacks, they did not penetrate.
-This Sarong is cheap
Alright, we will have to fix that, it kept us alive though, I wonder what did that, I will have to check that, but let's just drag this food all the way in and get to eating some of it while I think, I am super hungry from all of Old me's effort. Well then, let's go from the start.
Old me takes a moment to adjust to the new intelligence. Compared to last time it's only a few moments before Old me catches up and heads towards the [Clockwork Beetle]. It is nice to see that with the extra intelligence Old me remade my list so I could remember. The four is definitely helping here.
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Alright it seems that it really is... well not ended, but inanimate. My old self poke and explores the [Clockwork Beetle], trying to move it. This doen't work, it's physically four or five times my size, and it's not encased in mere Chitin. Biting it fails as well, now I am looking at it closer I can see that it's not anything close to something I've seen before. The attempted impacts are making different sounds, just like the bite. Nothing is damaging it.
Hm, it seems that even with 4 Intelligence my past self is smart enough to manipulate the boxes. I raided up a leg and rested it on the [Clockwork Beetle] for a moment, and brought up the box.
Construct [Mass-Produced] [Clockwork] [Insect]: Nikkolla [Clockwork Beetle] 10 Craft: Amateur [Tiny] [Clockwork Brass Beetle Construct] Size:0.008 Str:10 Agi:5 Tou:20/22 Stm: 0/5 Ego:2 Int:6 Cun:6 San:10 Foc: 4/10 This clockwork beetle is crafted from brass forged by dwarves, and crafted with the skill of an average Clocksmith.
-It is enchanted with intelligence by a skilled Enchanter with intelligence
-It is dented from a collision, but otherwise undamaged
-This [Clockwork Beetle] is cheap
Oh, that is... significantly stronger than me, and it is almost unhurt, but it's Stamina is zero. It is just resting? I also don't see Social stats, so I my conclusions about [Constructs] is right, I am guessing that means it doesn't have them.
It's so tough, and it's made with... Brass. [General Knowledge] isn't telling me much about it, but tapping the brass did trigger a sense that it was made of metal. I guess Brass is a metal. In any case, I don't currently have the correct craft, so I doubt I could get it to move again. Peeking at it I see deliberate cracks, and strange round objects that I seem to recall were spinning before when the [Clockwork Beetle] moved. Those memories are fuzzy now, I was just too dumb to recall every detail, but the vague sense is here. Maybe I will poke it a bit when I get some more intelligence.
Seem to be the Conclusion Old me reached as well, already heading out.
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Well... I am quite bored, Old me crept into the same broken tree that I killed the [Unended Grass Spider] in. It's gone, and clearly eaten by something, with clear bitemarks, large enough that I shiver at the thought. But then Old me just sat down in the shade and started watching the Willow... it is so very very dull. I don't understand how Old me hasn't... done something. Am I not bored?
Oh, is it because I am dumber?
Well, I can't wait any longer, I can study some boxes in the meantime, how ab...
Never-mind, maybe later, something is happening... It's here, I can feel the shudder of my Old-me as it notices the looming [Un-ending]. I feel my own shiver a little as well as it arrives, seemingly backwards. It's dragging another large creature... one of the creatures that was swatting me, and wearing the [Purple Hat] before me. But smaller, maybe half the size. This one is missing two of it's legs, and certainly seems ended.
The scary thing has four legs, long body, and a long tail. It has fur, and several patches are different. A long muzzle, filled with teeth longer than I and two pointed ears. At least that's what it would have, if it was in better condition. Half the fur is missing, along with the hide attached to it, a few scraps hanging around it. Several teeth are missing, as well as most of an ear, and several of the inside bits are sticking out. It's in better shape than the ended creature it drags, but not my much. I could stand on my head more times than I could count just trying to reach it's shoulder.
It's not eating the creature, just dragging it into the cave beneath the Willow. It's only now my focus shifts from it that I notice the [Tiny] horde of bugs around it. A swarming multitude, maybe enough to stack until it could touch the creature. They are all [Un-ended] it only had the [Grass Spider] before, where did these come from. I watch, and see that they are slowly scattering, though they had started in a horde, following the scary creature. They aren't moving fast, random directions... but I see some that fly, some that swim. I don't want to be here, and I note that Old-me is already turning and quietly stalking away.
I am concerned, this is not that far from my [Purple Hat] close enough that this is a threat. But they are dumb, I will have to focus on setting some very very good traps.
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We reached the pond that is... well kinda between the Willow and my home. Again Old-me crawls to the side and starts watching. I did ask for this, but is mildly irritating to have to wait. I will try the boxes later, for now I try to rest, observe my Old-me's surroundings.
It's a large, shallow body of water, I could stand fairly deep in it... and I might, it is far cleaner than the other water I have seen. It's not far from the crack with the [Purple Hat]. It does get deeper eventually, but not for a long while, and when it does it is already deep into a small cave. I can't see the back of it. The water is perfectly still, a small ripple occasionally disturbs it, from a fallen leaf or a animal brushing the water, but it is a bit strange.
Nothing happens.
Nothing happens.
Nothing happens... until it does.
It's because I am so bored that I notice it so swiftly. It's so subtle, a tiny ripple near the center of the pool. Oh it's small, I don't think Old-me even saw it. A [Grub] would have made less of a ripple. It was because a small bird was starting to fly low, just beginning it's descent, and coming in to drink. I watch as it brushes the water and...
Beautiful dark scales erupt from the water, and in a moment it's over, a the bird grabbed by the maw of a great serpent. It's uncanny to feel Old-me react after I already have, shaking from the sudden disturbance. Together we watch the... I guess 'Slitherer' as it falls back towards the water. The bird has already met it's end, the shock so sudden that I am trembling. It feels like it takes ages to fall, the distance the serpent came out of the water seems immense to me.
Slitherer is so massive compared to me, yet it's probably only half the size of the scary [Un-ended] it lands in a big plume of water. It's maw opens once more as it swallows the bird whole. In that instant any creature near the water flees. I would not be worth considering food, so I just watch the slither as it slithers through the water and into the depths of the cave.
I feel Old me shake from my stupor, and start departing, shaking at the sudden end of the bird. It was terrible, yet beautiful. It was sleek, with immaculate scales, a maw of truely impressive teeth, and enough speed and power that I am in awe. A true predator in it's natural habitat, not like the un-natural [Un-ended] that lurks by the willow.
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Our next destination is quite some distance. We can't follow the cliff one way thanks to the willow and what lurks beneath, but following the cliff away from it is still an option. Crossing the wet ground and long grass isn't hard, and I pass some more common insects and small animals. Old-me pauses to feed, enough time is passing that stamina must have begun depleting. Sometimes I feel myself shake, especially when watching predators catch prey. The slitherer certainly frightened both old and new me.
The next moment of interest doesn't come for some time. The Willow has shrunk behind us, and we are approaching the cliff again, on the other side of us the deep water of the marsh and several other trees laying just beyond.
I feel a thump before I see them. Leaping over the water are a pair of large furry creatures. Old-me ducks into the long grass before they land on this side. It's terrifying that those strong legs can push them over such a large expanse of water... Though it must not be much to them as large as they are. Still, while they lack the [Tiny] Trait, they are not large, maybe twice as wide as the serpent, but significantly shorter. I am starting to desire size, so much would be easier if I was a bit larger, though to be fair, the Slither and others would see me as food.
These... hoppers, do not look as healthy, but at least they are not [Un-ended] They are missing patches of fur and are oh so thin. Two of them soar through the air, and land just a few steps from me, the impact enough to make Old-me jolt into the air. Neither notice, the feet so large they could crush me and fail to notice. Neither of us is a danger to the other, so we watch as they launch again, jolting me again as they bound towards the cliff. I notice a cave, the largest yet, that the two enter. They then stop and sit.
Old-me watches for a while, they nibble on the long grass at the edge of the cave. They must consume plants. They look frail... they could end me in moments, but the both the Slitherer and the Scary could end them in half the time. I am curious to why they are here, but Old-me is not, and continues it's long walk.
I watch the two as we go, the larger seems to rest while the smaller brings more long grass to it. If they stay here they should be safe from the creatures below the Willow, but I fear they might cross the Scary soon enough... I would not like one of these to be [Un-ended] and chasing me.
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It is much later as Old-me approaches the edge of the cliff. It turns and moves out of view, but it looks like it comes back much later... dry land is in the distance, the far far distance shows the winding cliff coming around the trees. This route is certainly safer than trying to squeeze between the Willow and the Scary. However it is quiet, we haven't see a creature since the Hoppers, and I know that this memory was not quiet.
Ah, here it is, a buzz fills the air, a slow droning. I am surprised when a distant part of the cliff wall opens, revealing a cleverly disguised cave. Even from here I can see that the cave splits off into many directions. I am more concerned by the sound. While we hear a buzz, the edge of hearing is filled with a low droning. Out of the cave come three bugs, slightly larger than me. They buzz as they depart, the cave concealed once more as they fly out.
They are covered with stripes, and each has a large stinger protruding from where my spinnerets would be. Six legs I think, but also two large wings. They have mandibles, but nothing capable of doing real damage. They don't see me at first, and Old-me disregards them after a moment, continuing the trip. I know they will find us, but I watch as they do a slow patrol over this part of the marsh. They don't find much, likely having scared off most bugs. They are not subtle creatures. Old-me has discounted them as a threat as I continue walking through their lands. I wish it had been more hoppers, those would not see us as food, these however are the right size.
Here we go, they are arcing away from this region, until one twists from the others. It saw me, and pauses. the other three turn around and join with it. I know Old-me survived this, but I feel both her and me shudder as the three start dive towards me. No way to run, and three of them are far beyond what I should be able to manage.
The first of the Stingers goes into a hover above me, stabbing down with it's Stinger. It misses, and Old-me leaps a little away. I feel the indignant rage that they would gang up on something so below them. I would be a good meal for one, but four? I barely be a days food. It surges towards me, and stings again, not hesitating before coming in for three more. I feel the impact thrice, the thick Sarong turning an impalement into a blunt hit. It hurt, but no more than when I kicked the [Grass Spider].
It stops for a second, as if expecting that Old-me is finished, and seems taken aback when we scramble to the side and ram one leg into it. It shudders in the air, giving up a moment to start running. We can't outrun them, but staying this close to the nest is foolish, and we can survive long enough to get some distance. The four buzz over me, occasionally diving and knocking me to one side from the impact. I feel Old-me turn, and look around, we are almost back to the hoppers, I ran faster than I though possible. The stingers nest is now firmly out of sight. They still are here, diving at me. But I feel Old-me relax a bit, we are protected, I am sure they could find a weakness with some effort, but in the end, they are just dumb six legged.
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They first one dives again, and this time I watch as Old-me takes the blow like a champ, and uses the opportunity to bite into the thorax of the stinger. Nom! I feel the poison squirt from my fangs, and I want to celebrate... it's trying to fly away but I am hanging from it, holding on tightly... it's ally comes in a moment later and thrusts it's long sharp stinger. I let go, the Sarong does not cover everything, so Old-me does have to be careful not to let them in.
The first is flying badly, and a little back from the others. I got a good load into it, so I am not concerned, it will be ended soon enough, but still can aid the others. I notice that they too have venom, a little drip lays atop my Sarong. I have to be really careful, one of those and I likely end. The next dumb six-legged flies in to take it's allies place. It dives and stings, I am ready for this one, and Old-me lunges again, it falls into the same trap, the motion of it's body all but identical to the first. It makes it comically easy to bite, and this time Old-me holds on just long enough to dump my poison. The other stinger wastes no time, but neither do I, dropping back down as the injured flier joins it's increasingly erratic ally.
Last two, one is larger than the others, they attack at nearly the same time and it throws Old-me off, dodging backwards they slips in an alternating series of stings. Their co-ordination is impressive, one comes in just as the other backs off. I begin to get a little worried, they are too good. I take several consecutive hits, and it hurts enough to stagger Old-me. Then the two poisoned come around behind me and dive to strike. Despite knowing we survive I am on the edge, this is bad... but the poison coursing through them seems to be having an effect, they are far slower than before, and despite starting the attack in near perfect co-ordination they become a mess in moments.
There, one of them collides into the large one, and distracts it, the other misses it's attack, so when the unhurt one comes in Old-me dive and try to sink my fangs into it... but it jerks to one side, as if it had seen my ruse. Shoot, they are dumb, but clearly capable of learning at least a little. I take the moment to skitter under the reeling insect to just behind it. They turn and flitter to follow, but I am back already. No time for a bite this time but I thrust forwards violently with my leg. I hear it's stinger make a crack as it breaks off. That is three, I can do this, just the big one left.
Old-me turns to regard the last, it is a little more cautious this time, coming in for a sting only once the two sickened bugs have already attacked. I ignore the two of them, the weakened stings barely impacts on my Sarong, and try to bite. It seems this one is much more prepared to fight me, hovering backwards in a impressive display of flight. I doubt it will fall for the same tricks again. I worry, but it seems Old-me is ahead of things. I feel my spinnerets working as Old-me dodges the big ones next sting and takes the two weakened blows. From the force that the big stinger used I am a little concerned that my Sarong might not be enough against it.
Yet Old-me isn't daunted, it seems that the energy of the frantic fight is keeping me focused. I watch as I pass the end of the thread along my body to my pedipalps. They are less useful for attacks normally, but now they have a use, the two drawing out a decent ball of web. The big stinger sees this of course, but it is dumb and does not know much of spiders. It takes a moment to gather up enough for what Old-me is planning. I take a few more from the two weakened stingers, and nearly have to leap out of the way of the big ones next... the injured one even tries a reckless slam, yet it misses quite significantly. Good, it's ready.
The next time the big one comes in I try the same fake out, dodging and trying to bite. Yet this time I do not bite, Old-me instead reaches out with both pedipalps and tosses the ball of web to the thorax of the stinger. I find it amusing as the stinger is coated in the adhesive web, and it starts to retreat. It can't this time as Old-me starts pulling in the web swiftly... it drags us along, the other stingers loosing track over us, though one get's a lucky blow to my Sarong. Old-me ignores them, busy gathering web for the next move. A quick toss and we launch a strand of web out and into the beating wing. As strong as these are, the web sticks instantly and stops the wing. To the surprise of the stinger it can no-longer fly, and crashes to the ground in a moment.
Old-me launches at the big stinger, working on it like it was already caught in a real web. It resists, but it is confused, and disoriented from the impact. My pedipalps draw more from my spinneret as they wrap and wrap and wrap up the stinger, rotating it as sticky strands follow the strange lines across it's fur... the two venom weakened come to it's aid a moment later, but I barely notice the impacts. A moment later it becomes obvious why as the first one crashes a moment later, the venom finally ending it... the last holds out for two more feeble attacks before joining the others.
It's quite impressive, and Old-me finishes cocooning the large one. The injured one doesn't slam me this time, just hovering a distance away, unable to stop me... it stays as I move and wrap up it's two other allies. Old-me is just starting to try to figure out how to catch it when it turns and flies off towards it's nest. I'm a little taken aback at first, that is more intelligence than I expected. I was thinking it would charge me in a moment. [Mindless] should make it follow it's instincts... did I become a scary predator after catching three of it's allies?
I can't wait here any longer in that case. It may still be capable of returning with allies. I grab the three, and the extra stinger and start dragging them behind me as I head back towards my [Purple Hat]. Fortunately all three are quite light despite how large they are. I am concerned that they learned, even the little they did. With the sheer numbers living in the caves, can I manage to get past? No, I think if more had come... they might be as scary as the Scary [Un-ended].
That brings up a further concern... I have two escape routes away from here, but both have a dangerous threat behind them. I would be ended if I went either way. I can't swim across the water, and the trees are on the other side... except for the willow of course. I could climb the cliff, but I could never bring the [Purple Hat] with me, and I will never leave that behind. I am trapped. Before it was possible to increase my size a bit, and drag the Hat away, but now I know... well I have to be careful. Old-me noticed the scary creature had a large number of [Un-ended] bugs, who were starting to spread out from the Willow. I am unsure how long I can remain undiscovered, but I cannot flee. I shake a little worried. It is a question for later, but the pressure on me has grown. I will not be safe forever.
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Interesting. Old-me was complaining for a while, and I had started to come up with plans on how to help it. The three stingers were quite heavy, enough that Old-me had stopped twice each time consuming the heads of the two smaller ones. I had some ideas that I had planned later, but after this complaint, Old-me started work on something. We are just a little past the Hoppers, so it is quite some distance still.
I did not expect that Old-me could use [Craft Textile 5] However I am watching the 4 intelligent version of myself do just that... also using [Nimble Manipulators] as it weaves a bunch or tough and hard fibers together. It is not a bad piece either, I can see improvements,but not as many as I'd expect. Old-me finds a few small twigs, lashing them together with web, and making a mounting point for the web. I think it could carry around seven or eight insects. The [Clockwork Beetle] is beyond it, but it should be capable of just about anything else with a little work.
Watching myself load the bodies, and move back to the front I am amused, the creation definitely works, and Old-me starts moving significantly better. It is better if we stick to grass, but not impossible on the soft ground of the marsh. The occasional puddle is more of a problem, but I note that the wood seems to float, and a little more could make it work. I doubt we could get enough wood to cross the wetter portions of the marsh unfortunately. Not with [Purple Hat] anyways.
Good progress is made, and we soon find ourselves coming back into sight of my cave.
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Once we get to the webs Old-me pauses and starts going around to each, gathering up [Grubs] and some other bugs that have been caught by the traps. Quite frankly it's decent squirming mountain once it's been piled on Old-me's sled. Some are new to my memories, but most are things I've eaten before. The weight significantly slows me down, and it's just starting to get dark as Old me arrives back home. Old-me drags the pile close to the smallest entrance so I can reach it without leaving and getting dumb again, then circles around and comes in unsealed main entrance. I find it charming that Old-me greets New-me.
Alright, time to check the progress, it was a really busy day, I think that should level me up. The description said each level should be at the same rate.
x1 [Quest] started [Q: The Horde], [Q: The Glittering Princess], [Q: Hoppity Ever After], [Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong], [Q: Spider Eater Hive], [Q: Homesteading] x22 [Grub], x9 [Cricket], x5 [Mnoko Black Violin], x8 [Water Skimmer], x1 [Spidereater Wasp Lieutenant] Captured, x2 [Spidereater Wasp] Ended [Q: Clockwork Curiosity] Objective complete, [Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong] Complete
Wait... I didn't progress? I captured way more than last time, and I ended just as many creatures as last time. Why?... I explored a bunch, and found a bunch of new things, but I didn't progress.
Well that is annoying, I was sure progress was based off how much you won. Was I wrong?... also, what are these things I captured. The [Spidereater Wasp] must have been the stingers we fought, but why is the bigger one called a Lieutenant. I though [Mindless] didn't progress normally... and what are the [Mnoko Black Violin?] I guess I'd better bring in the food so I can figure out what is going on.
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Sooo much food. It took ages to slowly bring then in, give them a little top up of venom so they wouldn't wake, and hang them on my webs. I am not strong, and it emptied my stamina just to carry them in. Finally I turned to the few special bugs I had cocooned to one side.
With a little exploration it turns out that [Mnoko Black Violin] are these black [Crickets]. They appear larger and stronger than the normal [Crickets]. I unwrapped one just to have a look and it let out this wailing sound that made me want to run. I had to end it to stop it... it tastes a bit better than the [Cricket]
Mnoko Black Violin [5] Defeated [Insect] [Monster] [Cursed] [Region: Monoko Deepmarsh]
Clearly I was wrong about bugs, [Insects] I guess, from not being able to level up. This thing is a higher level than me. It wasn't that much stronger though. I am unsure what this [Monster] means, The others make enough sense. I think it's a regional variant of the Cricket. I am guessing the big [Spiderwasp Lieutenant] also has a few levels. I try touching it like Old-me did to the [Construct], but unlike the [Clockwork Beetle] I don't seem to get a box. I guess I have to End them. Fortunately I have plenty of food now. Goodbye you nasty thing, you can be my main meal, and if gaining levels is based on
Spidereater Wasp Lieutenant [7] Defeated [Insect] [Monster] [Lieutenant] [Hivemind]
Ok, yes this one has [Monster] as well, but not [Cursed]. Wait a moment the [Un-ended] were cursed with [Un-ended] but the [Mnoko Black Violin] is not... alright, so it doesn't 'have' to be the same curse. The Wasp on the other hand, has [Lieutenant] which is in it's name, and [Hivemind] which... well I have seen Mind used as a term several times in the boxes, and always addressing things like my Ego and other mental scores. So it isn't fully [Mindless] just like me. Neither of these [Insects] have [Mindless] but they were listed in the traits description as having it so I guess it's less important.
I didn't level upon ending it. It's seven levels higher than me... or six if you count like that. It's not ten levels higher than me? Or is [Slayer] a one time thing, with a one time bonus. I guess it wasn't as tough as the [Horned Beetle] but I still should have leveled.
...how do I gain Progress
Progress
The experience required to gain a level, this is gained in one manner. Gaining life experiences. To do so a creature must complete three major quests.
-A major quest is something difficult to do at your current progression. You can view available quests in the quest menu.
-Creatures with less than 5 Intelligence are automatically given quests
-A major combat encounter, with a significant risk ending, is automatically a quest.
-Some hidden quests will be added and completed automatically, revealed only after success Level 1: 3/3 [Q: Watching Willow], [Q: Stock Food], [Q: Escape!] Level 2: 1/3 [Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong],
Ah, ok, I... wasn't looking at [Quests] I guess they are important. I'll have to have a serious look at them I probably could have progressed if I had looked at this before departing. I take my most recent quest is dealing with those [Wasps]?
[Q: Four Stingers and a Sarong] [Survive] [Combat] [Ambush] Three [Spidereater Wasps] and one [Spidereater Wasp Lieutenant] have spotted you, and are ambushing you.
Completion:
-Escape
-Fight them off
Ok, it's simple, and I wasn't in that much danger. I guess to progress fighting I would need more quests like this, but presumably the other quests will let me level up without fighting. I think I prefer that, almost being ended is not a good experience to repeat.
I'll look through them once I'm well rested, but for now, it I need to regain both Stamina and Focus.