The Spider is a simple man, a gentleman and scholar who just has one goal in life. You see, he likes knowing things. Who doesn't? You certainly must, clever client. Why not let him make things easier on you by collecting that information himself? Those secrets, member counts, locations, and details about others that most frustratingly elude you so?
The Spider has his Flies, you see. Bugs that stretch his proverbial senses across Kells in a mutually beneficial (and ironically metaphorical) relationship. There might even be one right under your nose.
Don't worry. The Spider is not The Bear or The Mountain Lion for a reason: he's neither particularly big nor strong. He'd much rather avoid getting dirty and certainly wants to avoid angering possible or current clients - they tend to get rough otherwise and upset his handsome countenance or scare off his employees. No, The Spider has no intention of causing wars, destroying lives, or anything of the sort. Directly, anyway.
What his clients do with the information given, however, is quite out of his paws.
The Spider is merely here to make sure the information flows through him and his not-so-little web of contacts. And you, enterprising creature that you are, have realized the great opportunity such organization represents.
Welcome to the Web.
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:59 pm
WHO IS THE SPIDER?
Varying degrees of information are known about the one called The Spider. Older Elves of the Murkwood Court would recognize him as the halfblood son of a former chronicler (whose parentage had always been questioned, given his pelt and behavior). Growing up, he was known to be quick witted, manipulative, and courteous in whatever amounts suited him. He adopted "The Spider" relatively early on and learned how to speak, listen, and hide your true intent from the best--and then, dare he say, surpassed them. To the Court, he was (and still is) a Drow: Elven in appearance, but a dark reflection they did not wish to look upon. A spiteful Spider embraced it, becoming a nexus of rumormongering, information gathering, and politicking adviser among a people that thrived and withered with a select word, and used his otherness to his advantage to cultivate a reputation of a seedy gentleman.
The Spider fled his home shortly before the Trolls invaded. Only speculation exists as to whether he was aware of the impending attack or not, and whether he willingly chose to keep it to himself if he did.
As he traveled, he began to gather contacts in various regions, wolves and familiars alike that were willing to establish a working relationship and become better informed about their wide world. The Spider quickly learned once outside of the Court that he was going to need a lot of help if he wanted to stay apprised of everything in Kells. Those that didn't know him when he was young only are aware of the image he projects: a collected, suave, and dry-witted information broker who, despite screaming villain to some, does his best to take care of his employees and is wrathful in insidious ways if angered.
Why, you might ask, is he so obsessed with knowing things, though? That's a mystery for another time.
WHO ARE THE FLIES?
Don't let the name insult you: flies are a necessary part of the ecosystem, you know. They find secret nooks and crannies and corpses everywhere in the world, and they feed others. So too will you feed The Spider by being in those places where he can't.
The Spider of course understands that this is a business relationship, and thus a transaction. Perhaps you would like information yourself. Or perhaps materials are more your style of reward. Whatever your heart desires, he's sure you can make a deal that satisfies both parties. In turn, you must understand that your position is secret unless your contract states otherwise. Not even other Flies will know of each other's existence; The Spider prefers to keep his agents unknown from one another for "safety reasons." He will also do his best to see that their safety is seen to.
The Spider is a wolf of his word, eerie as he may seem and twisted as those words may come out. He expects good faith when entering into a partnership and will promise it himself, but he will rules-lawyer and nitpick and loophole if he senses someone's commitment is wavering. Reneging on someone with the contacts that he has is a (sometimes fatal) mistake.
HOW DO I JOIN THE WEB?
o1. Accept the terms below.
Contracts may be temporary or as part of a continuum. You will maintain complete secrecy with everyone not named in your contract during your time as a Fly. You will maintain complete secrecy even after you have been released from service, should it occur. You will provide accurate, current information to the best of your knowledge. The Spider agrees to complete secrecy and accurate information unless contract violations occur. Your compensation, already discussed at the beginning of a relationship, will be determined by the usefulness of your contributions. The Spider will deny involvement with you if caught: you will be on your own. However, The Spider will also be available to request aid from should you run into trouble. The degree he is capable of will vary. Your contract may be ended at any point by The Spider for any reason.
o2. Check the availability of pack involvement. Not everyone is open to having spies be a part of their business, from the inside or outside! Please check the list below and/or contact your pack leader and me if you're interested in being a part of this ongoing plotline.
o3. Fill out this form and post it here.
[size=14][color=red][b][character name] walks into the parlor...[/b][/color][/size] [size=11][b]Pseudonym:[/b] All Flies take up a number from The Spider upon first agreeing to work together. Choose one from 11 onward and try not to pick one already chosen here. [b]Image:[/b] Link their cert and uncert. [b]Pack:[/b] If none, delete. [b]Working Area:[/b] If in a pack, delete. For non-pack Flies, explain what part of Kells is their general living area that they can observe (Kells Run, The Forest, etc.), or if they travel about. (And if so their usual routes). Any other details about what they might be able to witness are good here too. (ie. Do they focus on a pack that happens to be in their territory? A certain character?) [b]New or Old Relationship?:[/b] Old ones are just those that The Spider trusts more ICly, which means he might treat them to better jobs or compensation if their positions allow. (And he expects the same in kind from his dear friend.) New means, well, they're more recent and still sort of feeling each other out. Less pressure of committing to being a full-time Fly just yet. [b]Personality:[/b] Short or long as you please so long as it's enough to get a feel for who they are. [b]History:[/b] Optional. The Spider does like to ask questions about his Flies' lives. Put down what he was told if they engaged or what he might learn through other means. This is also where you can provide a glimpse of what they've undertaken for The Spider if you have an old relationship.
[b]What do they offer The Spider?:[/b] What sort of information would they give? Scout reports on other packs in their area? Ongoings of their pack? (Keeping in mind what is or isn't allowed as listed below.) Do they have an established connection to someone/something interesting, etc.? A familiar? Odd sightings if they travel? Manual labor? Rumors? Stories? The Spider does enjoy his stories, but don't expect that to be the bulk of your contributions. He'll also take treasure if you really have nothing else, if only so he can barter it off to others.
[b]What do they want in return?:[/b] Shinies? Information? (and if so, what kinds?) Sex? The Spider, a young and virile and handsome specimen, doesn't let gender or age stop him, you know~[/size]
medigel
Anxious Spirit
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medigel
Anxious Spirit
Offline
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 8:53 pm
THE SPIDER'S CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS(AS OF 12/01/19)
The Coven, Vilebloods, Swamp Lurkers
STATUS: Closed. THE SPIDER SAYS: "Best not to cross them if you like living. There are more amenable targets to treat with." OOC: The owners have requested at this time to not be involved with The Web!
The Swiftfell
STATUS: Closed to Flies/Open to drama! (Contact InGoodFaith) THE SPIDER SAYS: "These birds without wings do not seem mired in interesting history...Perhaps you may prove me wrong by finding a seed, but they are not a priority at this time. Their meager numbers make infiltration too difficult for such little payoff." OOC: As of this initial entry, Faith has stated any canoodlers will be found and exiled before any real information gets out. Feel free to use it for drama/getting caught, however!
The Crows, The Iron Hides
STATUS: Closed to Flies/Open to drama, Tentatively open! (Contact Nymphiea or Saint Vis, respectively) THE SPIDER SAYS: "Spying among spies and mercenaries...A difficult job for even the most skillful without taking into account this tri-pack alliance I've been told about. I would be especially careful of staying too long in their territories - though perhaps birds will find it easier to spy from on high?" OOC: Nymph and Vis are open to having Flies be involved with plots in their packs, but only if they end up being caught should information even be found. The Crows in particular are very secretive, having a rank not even many pack members know about as an example. Expect to be taken prisoner if you attempt to breach their borders with shifty intentions. The Iron Hides might be a bit easier depending on what Vis allows.
The Sand Raiders
STATUS: Open! (Contact Kyrieko) THE SPIDER SAYS: "Ah, I find Night Fell and his little sand vipers adorable~ If only they would let me see what grand treasure they've acquired! I could use more jewelry, truthfully; letting them sit in the sand to melt is such a waste." OOC: Night Fell and The Spider have an arrangement where the Raiders' Whispers meet with the broker at predetermined locations away from the pack's heart to exchange information. The Spider generally drip feeds information about small packs for them to raid and pillage and most often asks for treasure in return if they have no information. Night Fell is currently unaware of how The Spider views their allies (Crows/Iron Hides), and The Spider would prefer to keep it that way.
The Moongate
STATUS: Open! (Contact Moriko Omori) THE SPIDER SAYS: "Black Forest is a kindred spirit; you can't imagine how hard that is to find these days. Now if only he would take me back to his den...Ah, well~ He is a good one to work with, and I expect my Flies to treat him and his with respect." OOC: Black Forest, the alpha, will be aware of any contracts made between him and The Spider, and eager to make more. He will be looking to increase his influence outside of the packlands and to learn about other packs' strengths, locations, and weaknesses. He will also have a particular interest in The Murkwood Court, though Flies will not be given reasons as to why. The Spider speaks of him fondly despite the obvious danger he presents, and their business partnership might be his oldest with any alpha. There may be additional info here after the meta.
The Murkwood Court
STATUS: Open! (Contact Shia bean) THE SPIDER SAYS: "The Elves, a secluded and insulated and terribly paranoid people, are such delightful sources of misinformation, fact, and entertainment. Tread carefully, my sweets, that you may know the differences." OOC: Being from the Court originally, The Spider has an infamous reputation even after being away for a while. Flies will find their visits tricky as the pack is hard to enter even with genuine intentions, and outsiders are looked at sidelong regardless of their behavior. Those already in the pack, however, may find themselves uniquely positioned to take advantage of the Elves' love of rumors, though they'll need a keen nose to sniff out the grains of truth in them. Plots range from true infiltration to being found out. Using The Spider's name may help you if you talk to the right info-hungry people.
Dawnstar
STATUS: Open! (Contact KasaiLoki) THE SPIDER SAYS: "Moonlovers that are surprisingly naive when it comes to their surroundings. Not a hot spot currently, but beginners and the bored might take a look and begin cultivating our relationship with them regardless. What sort of selfish creatures would we be if we simply left them in their ignorance, after all?" OOC: Kasai would like to establish a relationship with The Spider. It would be known only to Two Tone, The Spider, and whatever Flies may be involved. The pack is currently not aware of the berserkers or other species being introduced to Kells, which ought to change before the storm comes...
Hornfels Hollow
STATUS: Open! (Contact FitzRoyal) THE SPIDER SAYS: "What an interesting division of command here - the beta, not the alpha? One wonders how Frost Shatter might take it. A decently sized pack, might as well sniff about to see if they have friends." OOC: Fitz wants to open a partnership with The Spider through two contact points: Scree Slurry and Polar Sun, the beta. The alpha will not be aware of their arrangement, as Polar Sun believes he should focus on the pack's well being with Scree and herself acting as informants should something come up. Scree Slurry is open to meetings with both The Spider and his Flies, while Polar Sun would only be aware of the existence of both without direct interaction. Scree is only interested in large scale threats and events happening around Bluestone; anything distant isn't worthwhile. Flies would be able to glean the gist of the pack somewhat easily - their relationship with Dawnstar might be interesting to note.
She's making a trip through the veil to experience their world and gather information. Her home location is the Crystal Caves. She has traveled through most of the forest, the Red Woods, she's been to the Circle of Thorns a couple of times, she's been to the Run, and up into the Bluestone Mountains, and of course, she has a familiarity with the Waylands that runs blood deep. There really isn't any place she won't go. Terrain makes no difference to her.
The path for a trip she may take upon returning from the Veil is as follows: Stone Henge, The Redwood, across the water to the Forest Ruins, down to the Castle, across to the Broken Bridge, down into the Waylands, Home to the Crystal Caverns, across the open expanse into The Forest, down to the Thicket, to the Coast of the Run, across the water into the The Run itself, across the plains into the Swamplands, Up into the Bluestone, out to the Tundra, then a slow return to the Waylands before going back home to the Cavern.
New or Old Relationship?: New.
Personality:
There's a sort of charismatic dignity to her, and while she is a berserker, she's fine featured and small, giving her a graceful aesthetic appeal. Her intentions are quite felicific and while such endeavors are seen as idealistic by many, some find her intentions gallant.
Magnanimous is probably the best way to characterize her temperament in the face of conflict and confrontation. Those that might consider her an enemy or lesser can expect tolerance, patience and mercy from her.
Despite this - she is certainly venturesome, risk is rarely a detractor in her enigmatic decision making. Despite being known among the packs for being selfless and honorable, privately she shows an ambivalently amoral attitude towards the hedonistic side of life.
One thing that runs deeper than her drive for peace, her love for her brothers whom she is very protective over, and her predilection for a solitary life without the weight of commitment, is Loyalty. If she creates a bond to someone, one can expect without hesitation, without question, unfaltering loyalty - unless you should find a way to cross one of her very few, very rare, lines in the sand.
History:
Little Wolf, all alone. Little Wolf, far from Home. One of three pups she be. A troubled sad history.
Father of Fire, Mother of Wind, the flames consumed the breeze that sinned. Mother's fear, child's breath, Father's ire, Mother's Death.
From three to two, then two to one, the night was over, the deed was done. The risen sun brought rain and cold, Evereve, just four moons old.
Early days were long and dark, yes, her fate was looking Stark. A White Wolf found and drew her near, he fed her and he calmed her fear.
The White Wolf left her, stronger now, Do Only Good, he made her vow. Then he was gone, and she alone, bravely entered the great unknown.
What do they offer The Spider?:
While Eve has no shortage of stories, and has familial connections in at least 2 packs, she's definitely willing to do hard work if someone needs manual labor.
Of course, she's also not above lifting her tail if it gets her the trust or the "In" she's looking for when it comes to ingratiating herself to a new pack. That being the case, while her overall goal is noble - to keep peace and make the world safer, her morals and what she's willing to do to accomplish that are... flexible.
She's willing to sacrifice a great many things for the greater good.
"She keeps track of prey population, change in weather, new migration patterns; unusual acts of violence between rogues, odd movements outside of the chosen territories of Berserker families and the Bear Tribes. She's a boon to know." - Phoenix Ash of the Swiftfell Pack
"I pay attention to weather patterns, prey population and shifts in the environment, and as I travel and learn about the goings ons of the packs, I learn of curses, illnesses, missing wolves, hostile rogues... Even if you have your own alliances, it doesn't hurt to have someone with information that can move freely." - Evereve | Free Agent | Aspiring Ambassador
What do they want in return?:
Not the sort to have any interest in material things, nor a frequent need for information outside of what she's gathering, Eve may be enticed with the idea of more... carnal rewards. Being a Berserker, and spending most of her time travelling and alone, she does tend to get an itch to scratch after a long journey.
Sometimes it might be sex, sometimes it might be a good old fashioned a**-kicking. That's right - she might just ask him to give her a good thrashing.
She has buried deep certain tendencies that lean towards the feral, and the violent, maybe even a little... barbaric and she spends so much time projecting calm and peace, that she needs an outlet for the darker inhibitions. If the Spider can provide an outlet for that and give her a little more sanity, then he's got her loyalty tenfold.
