Let's go find ourselves some spiders

After spending the rest of the morning with Dana in a very pleasant fashion, and experiencing more orgasms than you ever thought possible, you set off into the woods laden down with your many samples. You don't head directly towards the spiders' hollow. You're worried that Drux might forbid the spiders from participating in your experiments, if he finds out what you intend. Instead, your plan is to wander the woods near the spiders' home, hoping to run into one of them and ask for Blix. You're pretty sure he'll come running, once he knows you want him for something. Hopefully, Drux won't feel it necessary to tag along.

As you proceed, you try to come up with a cover story, just in case you do run into Drux. You decide the simplest story is the best: you coming to see if the spiders want to team up again. It makes sense from your end, as you could always use more XP. Hopefully though, the spiders will still be preoccupied with the heroes you helped capture three days ago, and feel it unnecessary to hunt down some more.

You are still in the open woods, when you hear a voice call down from one the trees, "Greetings, Tree Fiend. May I be of service?" You look up and see a spider crouching in the branches above you. Good afternoon, spider. I was wondering if I could please speak with Blix? The spider stares at you for a moment, then bobs its body. "I will tell him." With that, spider turns and begins to scurry off through the treetops. You watch it go. Strange that it was out so far from home. You would have thought the spiders wouldn't be going too far from lair, now that they have eggs to watch. Unless, he was posted out here as a sentry, or was on some sort of patrol. That might make sense. It would be highly inconvenient for the spiders if some blundering hero to come along and destroyed the eggs just before they hatched.

After a while, you see another dark shape hurrying towards you. As it nears, it leaps down and comes to a stop before you, bobbing its body. "Greetings, Great One. You asked for me?" Oh good, it's Blix. You can tell by the way he sounds like an eager puppy. Greetings, Blix. I did. I wish to know if you'd be willing to help run a few experiments? Blix doesn't even hesitate. "What do you need of me Great One?" I have acquired a new ability that lets me transform other objects. I would like to test it on you. I believe it might make you stronger, possibly give you new abilities of your own. Blix goes still for a moment "You wish to grant me your blessing Great One?" he sounds awed, "I would be honored." Well, this was going pretty well. You decide to push your luck. Tell me Blix, are there others who would be willing to participate as well? you ask. "Oh yes, Great One, there are many who would grateful to receive this honor," Blix replies. Would you please gather them here? I could use as much help as I can get. "Of course, Great One, I shall bring them at once." Blix bobs his body again and hurries off into the trees.

You're not sure exactly what having more test subjects will do for you. There's a vague idea in your mind about determining if the mutations vary between individuals or just different objects. However, your primary motivation is to see how representative Blix is of the spiders as a whole. If there are a significant number who think along similar lines to Blix, you may be able to use that as leverage against Drux's in the future.

You await Blix's return with a patience born of a lifetime filled with an endless cycle of boredom and ****. Over time, the shadows start to lengthen. What's taking Blix so long? There can't be that many spider willing to join him, can there? Your patience is rewarded as you see a dark tide of chitinous bodies coming towards you. When it reaches you, it spreads around you until you are completely surround by spiders, staring at you silently. They're everywhere: hanging from tree limbs, clinging to the sides of trunks and covering the ground in every direction. Apparently, there are that many spiders willing to join Blix. Despite all the "work" you and Dana did, you may not have enough samples for all of them. You're not sure you'll be able to get away with splitting up dosages. As you look around, it's very apparent that you will not be able to treat this as casual experimentation. This is a serious matter for those who have come. You will have to employ a little ceremony.

You draw yourself to your full height and extend an arm holding a container full of Sacred Seed. Blix, approach, you say, your voice grave and serious. He does silently. You open your container and begin to pour the thick, gooey liquid over him. As soon as it touches him, vines and bark appear, spreading out across his body, leaving only a few gaps of dark chitin. However, you don't have time for a full examination as the other spiders are waiting. One by one, they come before you, and you pour your Sacred Seed over them, watching as they are transformed. Eventually though, you run out of containers. When you do, you turn to the spider still waiting, to beg their forgiveness I apologize for not bringing enough of my blessing. I did not anticipate such an enthusiastic response to my proposal. I promise that I will begin procuring some more as soon as possible, and will bestow my blessing upon those who have not yet received it, when I do, you say, solemnly. The waiting spiders don't seem to like it very much but, they accept. "Very well, Great One," Blix says, "We shall return to our home and wait for you." Uh, you're not sure the spiders going home is such a good idea. You don't want Drux finding out what you've been up to, especially given the number of spiders who've come. It may not be a wise idea to return just yet, at least not until you have all received my blessing, you say, trying not to let your trepidation show. "Why, Great One?" Blix queries, "There is no cause to be concerned." Another spider speaks up, "The Great One is right. Drux will not be pleased by what has been done here today." The spider all give a hiss at this and a few shift uneasily. "But what about the eggs?" another calls out. I would be happy to help you all catch more heroes, if you should need them, you say. Anything to get them to agree. Besides, the XP would not be unappreciated. "But where will we go?" cries another. You can look for a new home. In the meantime, you may shelter near my Lair, you respond to the group at large. Hoh boy, it almost hurts to say those words but, if it gets them to agree, it'll be worth it. The spiders hiss and mutter among themselves. Finally, a verdict is reached. Blix turns to you, "Very well, Great One, we shall accept your offer of hospitality." Great, you say, Shall we go? "Lead, Great One. We shall follow," says Blix.

You turn and start heading off in the direction of your lair, followed by a wave of green and brown, with a few patches of black. As spiders begin to swarm ahead of you, one of the modified ones comes up beside you and matches your speed. You're pretty sure it's the one that spoke out against Drux earlier. "I greet you again Great One," it says. Again? you ask, puzzled. "I was the one who summoned Blix earlier today, My Lord," it replies. Ah, you nod your head, What's your name? "Hrax, My Lord." You nod again. You take the opportunity to examine you handiwork. The majority of the spider is covered in a layer of rough, thick bark. Vines wrap around him filling in any leftover gaps. There a few patches of chitin left though, especially around his eyes, mandibles and spinneret. You wonder if you can see his stats. You try to access them. Success!

Armored Forest Spider

Lvl: 7
Melee Attack: 28
Ranged Attack: 0
Weakness: Fire
Special Abilities:
Bind - holds target in place and debuffs attack and mobility, makes inventory inaccessible.

Abilities Gained!
Symbiosis - gains 2 HP/sec while in direct sunlight.
Camouflage - 20% chance to avoid detection in all areas. 75% chance to avoid detection in forest or woodland area (Passive).
Creature of Earth - can engender new life in fertile soil.

Hmm, you wonder what that last ability means. You shake your head. A mystery for another time. You've reach your Lair. Hrax turns and bobs at you. "I will leave you here. Farewell, Great One." You watch him go and turn back towards your Lair. Well, time to get to work.