"...After reaching town, Taka makes good on his promise to sell his Harnin short sword, and returns the axe handle to the smith that he borrowed it from.
After that, he inquires as to the availability of better armor, and specifically, what types of leather are available, and their associated costs."
Taka will also take Coldtree up on his offer to spar, since he too, likes to stay in practice. With his newfound resolve to return to the ways of the empty hand, keeping in practice is now a top priority.
Even after clarifying some initial confusion as to the number of Deviard, the company seems a little unsure as to any specific preparation. Perhaps nothing special is even required. Little thought is given to the exchange of Taka's sword, though one of the Maldrog makes a few snide remarks in a usual attempt to be funny at someone else's expense.
After some brief discussion, Lunnaya talks Taka into giving him the sword. He practices with both Coldtree and Taka while wielding two practice swords to imitate his desired style of combat. He demonstrates a defensive posture with attempts at countering.
The company gets a fresh start early in the morning, as is the usual desire. The weather is a bit cool for the season, but the dampness is expected. As the crew is heading out of town, the medic catches their attention. She speaks to Coldtree. "You demonstrated some talent for herbs when you worked for me. I am running low. When you are out, if you come across some, perhaps you could bring some back. I could use some for both mental and physical ailments but most especially physical."
DWAC follows the road south out of town, then diverts to follow parallel to the mountains. By midday the farthest shaft, where the spider was killed, is reached and the crew pauses for some lunch.
After a bit of lunch, the company must leave the trail and transverse the rocky inclines. Following the curvature, it seems certain that the prospector would have come this way to observe a valley further south. The view of the plains is left behind as the party travels into the rough timber of the mountain edges.
Having just thought about the previous spider, it is not really a surprise to be assaulted by one, but the clever monsters are rather sneaky, and they get the jump on the party.
Each man has been startled by and bitten by a spider, mostly gray in coloration and having a leg spread about the size of a man's torso. Their fangs plunge into each man's neckline, above any protective clothing.
OOC:
Each character receives 3 DP and improves in Maldrog by 1%. Everyone needs to state intentions and provide rolls for resisting venom, reaction time, and desired actions.
Taka will grab his spider by the abdomen, and throw it down hard onto the ground; as he does so, he will siphon the spider's life force, in an effort to heal his bite wound.
All things happening so close to simultaneously so the any difference would be unnoticeable. Taka is able to rip the spider from him and throw it a stride distant but causes it no damage. Coldtree instinctively jerks the spider from him, and Tehn is able to shake his spider loose, but either causes it no damage.
As they are being removed, each spider attempts an additional bite, which only finds clothing.
When the spiders hit the ground, all landing on their feet, the one that came from Taka suddenly curls into a ball, for no apparent reason, never to move again. Some steam seems to emit from the one that was on Coldtree, provoking it to jump away and flee. The one that was on Tehn falls flat. Viscous liquid begins to ooze from the joints of its carapce.
OOC:
Combat has ended. Coldtree and Lunnaya need to provide a random roll to resist the venom, again. Each character receives 6 DP.
Since they already know how to purge toxins and poisons from their bodies from the altercation with the ants, Coldtree will manipulate waylines to purify the group. If needed, he will use a Zinc to increase his chances.
68, 70
OOC:
I thought we couldn't siphon life force to heal from non-human creatures
Taka will assist in the group's purification of toxins. He will also pick apart the spider carcasses, looking to see if he can salvage any fangs, venom glands, or other useful parts which might have proclivities.
Tehn makes some dour statements in his native language as he tends to his affliction.
Since each man is capable of purifying toxins from his own system, the assistance of Taka is not necessary. Coldtree and Lunnaya resist any further effects from the venom, but each is noticeably weakened and both is hurt. Holding the zinc, Coldtree notices that it has no proclivity for the purification process, for it remains in his hand rather than disintegrating.
While waiting, and wanting to keep his blood circulating in case there is any lingering venom, Coldtree will search for plants and herbs as requested by the town medic.
He says in Hebrian, "If that bitch thinks I'm just going to give her medicine without getting paid, then we will have an interesting conversation when I return."
Taka shakes his head, "You are too quick to judge and assume. The woman is Hebrian. There is honor in her. She won't take anything from you without giving you something in return. She might not give you anything right away, but if you do this thing for her, she will remember it. And when the time is right, she will give you something in return. That is the way of the people. Trading isn't about money; it's about trust. And it's about relationship. Friends will always take you farther in life than mere money will."
