Fable - Ask How big can the spider be?

[Innis]

Rootgrot Burrow, beneath the Astenvale Monastery.

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Thick tendrils of root and branch coiled upwards in an organic and intricate weave, forming ceiling, walls, and support columns all in one go. The further one got towards the outer edge of the Burrow, the more open and forest-y things felt, and the further one walked in to the center of the tangle, the more cave-like. Innis was crouched in the dirt somewhere in between, the flicker of candlelight replacing the bright glint of the sun outside. She was not alone as she dug up rooty tubers and pulled weeds out of the beds of shade-loving herbs. Master Brambleshell had set Innis and a handful of other squires on a lesson of wild hortimancy, though it was starting to feel like a chore more than anything else. Especially since the esteemed Master herself was missing from the scene.

A scream echoed out, and after it, an equally startled series of chattering clicks. "There's a g-giant spider!" a shrill voice called out from deeper within the Burrow.

Innis sighed, pushing herself up out of the dirt. It sounded like one of the younger prospects had discovered ol' Webster. The kid ought to feel privileged, since the festering arachnid was a shy creature, and didn't like to approach strangers. Even so, she supposed she ought to go and do something about that.

 

[Lorinna Astarel]

Lori had decided approximately five minutes after arrival that she did not like the Burrows. This was worse than when they were forced to drag themselves through thick, clawing mud in full armor.

There was a mustiness in the air and everything on the ground was damp, sticky, covered in webs, covered in insects or all of those things.

"Giant spider?" Lori said, turning sharply. She looked for the way out, already thinking of going to fetch the biggest spear in the armory.

 

[Helena]

Helena placed a gentle-yet-firm hand on Lori's shoulder, a soft smile crooked her lips as she looked into the darkness of the Burrows. "Webster is a gentle creature," her hand slipped off as she strode forward, sure footed and quiet without her armor, only her sword and dagger sheathed at her hip. "And its best to get comfortable around him, before Master Brambleshell assigns you to cap collecting,"

In the gloom and dim ahead, Helena could see a squire, on the ground as if they had fallen on their rear and scrambled backward like a crab a few scuttles away after they had seen the giant spore-cap spider, who loomed large before them, eight eyes shining like large black jewels which reflected what little light poured into that space.

Easily, the captain approached old Webster, extended a hand and gently pat its mossed over carapace. The large arachnid chittered its bright fangs, and seemed to welcome to touch.

"Don't go doing this with any old spore cap, mind you," she warned. "They have bristles that hide just beneath the moss and fungus," she nodded to the ancient guardian of the Burrows. "Startle them, and they'll go shooting them out in a cloud of hurt." She wouldn't tell them that the very thing had happened to her and Syr Osuin so many moons ago. She turned about, and faced the squire who had fallen.

"Come now, Winry," the Captain spoke to the young man. "All that talent you have with shield and mace will do you little good if you can't stand in the dark," she offered the boy a hand.

Nervously he nodded and took it up and got back up to his feet.

 

[Meepo]

The Burrow.. aka Kobold sized hiding places galore. Meepo loved to play there as a hatchling and always loved being around Master Brambleshell and the long line of Websters. Reek Leek and the next generation of hatchlings had all loved it too. So the venerable Kobold was a common site in the lair of Master Webster.

The squires there had for the most part panicked at seeing the giant spider, but not he. And when he saw the chance to add to Winry's ailing heart, he took the chance.

Quiet as the night and clad in black leathers, the Kobold raced through the hidden passages and leapt out at the squire with a howl from beneath a small outcropping. Terror etched the young boys face, followed by a pitched scream, and a very quick and sudden faint. Winry wouldn't land hard, as good old Webster teetered forward to catch the squire with his head and a gentle placement onto the cavern floor.

Meepo laughed, Webster laughed, a young Kobold squire laughed. Fun was had, lessons were learned. Thankfully, Winry blacked out for several seconds or perhaps the young man would have died knowing Webster had caught him. Meepo offered Helena a big toothy grin and the flick of his tail, she would remember him doing that to her class of squires when it was their turn to meet Webster. The Kobold seemed to seep off the joy of the youth and was never one to shy from fun.

"Webster!" He would howl when all was over, before hugging the giant spider. He was mindful of the bristles and had a long history with the noblest syr in the Order. The large spore-spider then lowered and he hopped up and onto its carapace, just before the main body but applying little weight to the head. He then just lounged and waited for Helena's lesson to the Squires.

Helena Lorinna Astarel