ADVANCED DARKNESS

We do.

always nice to be able to feel the warmth in the air…

gbneder

Look, Hiro... I appreciate your help -- I really do -- but there was nothing forcing you to get out of bed this late in the morning!

... You're... welcome... There's... no need... to worry... about me...

Are you sure? You genuinely look like you're about to pass out!

I said... it's fine...!

Alright, as long as y- ooOH-! That-... that's a big drop...!

The two stood over the edge of a branched tunnel, with a path going a long way down.

Oh... yes... that would be... a long fall... We'd best... descend carefully...

Descend carefully they did. Hiro stayed up top while Axel descended, tying the loose end of one of Hiro's silk spools around his pin. Hiro then used that silk to lower Axel.

With their half-mite traits, Hiro descended with Axel.

Now hold on -- couldn't you-

Before you ask... no... my body is... light enough... for my Mite legs... to carry me... The weight... of your body... would be too much...

Ah, right, I forgot. Those legs are less sturdy than toothpicks.

Excuse me?!

Hiro flung his Mite legs and kicked Axel in the shin.

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

OW-!

How's that for toothpick legs, Axel the "My Knees Are So Very Sensitive" Craftsbug Extraordinaire?!

Okay, okay! I'm sorry!

Thank you...

Both came to the ground.

The two came to another tunnel... but Hiro was looking at something else.

And who might that be...?

Ah. The Gargants. Look away, or they'll start hunting us down.

Alas, it was too late. The Gargant had already noticed, unbeknownst to the two.

@gloom-gargant if you're not busy :3

The two made their way down the next tunnel. They then made it to a passageway with an ocean of void below.

My, oh my... I have never seen void in it's purest form before...

Amazing, is it not? That so many shapes can be made from this one hivemind-like organism.

Thoom. Thoom. Thoom.

Oh... do I hear one now?

...

OOC: Surprise! New side character!

So, get this: Hiro is a half-Mite Dregcatcher (technically you could call him Child of Moor and Mite lmao) originally from Greymoor -- specifically under the watchful eye of Yarnaby! After they began showing signs of true emotion, Yarn got sad and decided to let them free -- like a wholesome version of Frankenstein. Now, living as a real bug, they reside in Seanest's deepest rooms. They're basically nocturnal (even though nobody in Pharloom has a sense of day or night...) and only wake during the quietest hours in Seanest.

(Foreign things to the abyss… The grown gloom broke from its endless pacing to leer at them from empty holes.)

(It did not move, it did not pulse, only seemed to cease up entirely. The only movement was it turning its neck and face to look at the bugs. It moved like a marionette.)

(… When the bugs had passed the shaded thorns and glooms, descending to the endless pools below… It lifted one leg, then two, and began pursuit.)

I do... and I can see it as well.

Oh?

Oh.

Oh dear Silk.

Oh dear Silk indeed. You and I best get ready for a fight.

Come at me, Gargant!

Axel and Hiro ready up for battle.

Battle Type: To The Death

A combatant loses and dies when their health reaches zero, but they may flee whenever they want.

Passives

Axel's ????? -- Axel is wearing the ?????, meaning ?????.

Hiro's ????? -- Hiro's ????? counter is at 0 / ?.

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 3

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Thread Shield (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 11

(Any expression. any thoughts or even how it’s able to sense their presence… none of it is readable.)

(… Then it howls, and surges forward.)

(Shell scrapes against ancient stone architecture as it forces itself through in a desperate effort, its neck waving madly to try and swat the pair.)

(A cacophony of sounds now, like screaming wind. Any pockets of the void ocean nearby thrash to life as if to cheer the beast on.)

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

Hiro blocks the attack!

...

Axel is flung onto the wall -- his shell cracks. The attack continues until Hiro's tight-woven silk stops the beast in it's tracks, but not before both skid to the edge, with Hiro hanging over the lake of void. He seems unfazed.

I have you now... Beast.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Dregcatcher's Assault (attack)! Deals double damage if used after Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 8

...

Axel recovers from the blow

... ngh... must... live...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Focus! Guaranteed 1 mask heal while wearing ?????! Flipping coins...

Heads: 3

also I'm prolly gonna nerf focus to the ground because bro just healed four masks in one turn 🫩

Outcome

GloomGargant takes 2 masks of damage!

Axel heals back to his full health!

...

Axel sees an opportunity. He tells Hiro that now is their chance to end the Gargant.

Hiro accepts.

Axel's Turn / Hiro's Turn

SYNCHRONY STRIKE!

Axel and Hiro use Cut To Ribbons! A total of 10 or higher is required to use the attack! Rolling ??? and ???...

Axel's Result: 5

Hiro's Result: 6

Result: 11

...

Axel and Hiro send out volleys of silk. The silk ties around GloomGargant, and tightens in a flash of speed, about to tear cleanly through the Gargant's flesh unless it can block the attack.

Vile beast...!

... you shall DIE!

(A terrible, pained groan escapes its face as the silk tightens and begins to dig into the softer parts of its shell with remarkable speed. It shifts its weight against its binds, and with a sudden and mighty heave…)

(Gargant Gloom’s abyssal shell absorbed light… Used Hard Armor (guard)! Rolled 12!!)

(The silk makes a loud, tensioned SNAP as the Gargant throws itself to the ground, void seeping from its ‘eyes’ and where the silk had began tearing into it.)

(It stands back up and shakes its head rapidly. certain segments on its body begin to rattle before throwing themselves open and revealing a simply alarming amount of spongy holes beneath. They appear to breathe and gape, yet seemingly lead into nothing but blackness.)

(Sheens of fresh shell begin movement inside, before airborne Glooms wriggle and writhe their way out from the holes to swim in air. It doesn’t smell like anything but it elicits a certain level of revulsion. The Glooms appear to orbit the Gargant.)

...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Pin Strike (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 13

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Scrape (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Outcome

GloomGargant takes a total of 2 masks of damage!

Axel's Turn

Axel uses Pin Guard (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Hiro's Turn

Hiro uses Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

(In a single movement, it makes some terrible noise akin to a gasp and puffs its body up. The Glooms take this as the signal to descend upon the mortal bugs.)

(Then, all at once, a torrent of void leaves its face.)

Outcome

Axel takes three masks of damage and receives the Voided status!

Axel [ o o ø ø ø ]

Hiro takes three masks of damage and receives the Voided status!

Hiro [ o o o ø ø ø ]

...

Hiro and Axel are sent to the edge of the void lake. Both were pelted in void, too.

Axel lost his footing, and his left leg got submerged in the void.

Tendrils lashed out, grabbing him.

...

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

AGH! H-HIRO, H-HELP ME!

AXEL! HOLD ON!

They wrap Axel in silk, as well as grabbing him with their sharp claws.

Axel is pulled out, but the void leaves an imprint on him.

Oww... headache...

Okay, you're out of there. Hold on.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used PlasmiumPhial on Axel!

Hiro used Ail Claw! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

Voided Debuff! Rolling 1d4 - 1...

Result: 1

Alright... you, Gargant... I shall... attack...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

Voided Debuff! Rolling 1d4 - 1...

Result: 0

(Once again it surges forward towards the injured Axel specifically, neck swinging back and forth in wide and heavy arcs.)

The charge breaks through the Tidal Cutter.

Axel is flung into the sea of Void below.

...

Outcome

Axel takes two masks of damage.

Axel [ ø ø ø ø ø ]

Hiro remains unharmed.

Hiro [ o o o ø ø ø ]

AXEL!!!

...

... ngh...

... raaaAAAGH!!!

YOU MONSTER!!!

YOU WILL DIE AT MY CLAW!!!

Hiro's Turn

Hiro becomes enraged.

Hiro used Staff Swipe. Attacks thrice while enraged, but cannot attack the next turn. Rolling 3 × ???...

Result: 8, 2, 6

Waiting for Axel...

Waiting for Axel...

Waiting for Axel...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Waiting failed. Skipping turn...

Waiting for GargantGloom...

OOC 2: yeah Hiro's pissed now (and so will be a certain someone else who so happens to be rapidly approaching your location)

(It turns too slowly to properly react, and its plated back bears the brunt of the enraged assault.)

Outcome

GargantGloom takes 1 mask of damage!

GargantGloom [ o ø ø ø ø ø ] (OOC 2: I'm kinda goin off of a limb here ok?)

...

You hear a strong rattling.

Shuffling rocks? Another trundling Gargant? Something else entirely?

Whatever it is, it's getting closer.

...

Hiro's Turn

Hiro cannot attack after being enraged.

Hiro used SilkSpool.

Hiro used Thread Shield. Rolling ???...

Result: 8

(It looks through the defense-stanced Hiro, then appears to clock the rumbling around it. Closer the sound comes this way, the sound reverberating through the abyss...)

(…)

(It collapses for a moment as if only now remembering its wounds. On unsteady legs, it stands back up, and turns to face Hiro, neck raised…)

(It continues turning… and merely scuttles back through the hall from whence it had came.)

(It limps slightly, but not as much as its injuries suggested it should have. Almost as if nothing had happened here at all.)

(Perhaps indeed if not for the vacancy where one bug had been… But even so, it already felt challenging to recall precisely who, if only by a slight margin.)

(…)

(In a moment, the silent creature has stomped back through the debris-laden hall to the outsets of the Abyss. It is gone.)

(Gargant Gloom trundled away and escaped.)

(…)

Look, Hiro... I appreciate your help -- I really do -- but there was nothing forcing you to get out of bed this late in the morning!

... You're... welcome... There's... no need... to worry... about me...

Are you sure? You genuinely look like you're about to pass out!

I said... it's fine...!

Alright, as long as y- ooOH-! That-... that's a big drop...!

The two stood over the edge of a branched tunnel, with a path going a long way down.

Oh... yes... that would be... a long fall... We'd best... descend carefully...

Descend carefully they did. Hiro stayed up top while Axel descended, tying the loose end of one of Hiro's silk spools around his pin. Hiro then used that silk to lower Axel.

With their half-mite traits, Hiro descended with Axel.

Now hold on -- couldn't you-

Before you ask... no... my body is... light enough... for my Mite legs... to carry me... The weight... of your body... would be too much...

Ah, right, I forgot. Those legs are less sturdy than toothpicks.

Excuse me?!

Hiro flung his Mite legs and kicked Axel in the shin.

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

OW-!

How's that for toothpick legs, Axel the "My Knees Are So Very Sensitive" Craftsbug Extraordinaire?!

Okay, okay! I'm sorry!

Thank you...

Both came to the ground.

The two came to another tunnel... but Hiro was looking at something else.

And who might that be...?

Ah. The Gargants. Look away, or they'll start hunting us down.

Alas, it was too late. The Gargant had already noticed, unbeknownst to the two.

@gloom-gargant if you're not busy :3

The two made their way down the next tunnel. They then made it to a passageway with an ocean of void below.

My, oh my... I have never seen void in it's purest form before...

Amazing, is it not? That so many shapes can be made from this one hivemind-like organism.

Thoom. Thoom. Thoom.

Oh... do I hear one now?

...

OOC: Surprise! New side character!

So, get this: Hiro is a half-Mite Dregcatcher (technically you could call him Child of Moor and Mite lmao) originally from Greymoor -- specifically under the watchful eye of Yarnaby! After they began showing signs of true emotion, Yarn got sad and decided to let them free -- like a wholesome version of Frankenstein. Now, living as a real bug, they reside in Seanest's deepest rooms. They're basically nocturnal (even though nobody in Pharloom has a sense of day or night...) and only wake during the quietest hours in Seanest.

(Foreign things to the abyss… The grown gloom broke from its endless pacing to leer at them from empty holes.)

(It did not move, it did not pulse, only seemed to cease up entirely. The only movement was it turning its neck and face to look at the bugs. It moved like a marionette.)

(… When the bugs had passed the shaded thorns and glooms, descending to the endless pools below… It lifted one leg, then two, and began pursuit.)

I do... and I can see it as well.

Oh?

Oh.

Oh dear Silk.

Oh dear Silk indeed. You and I best get ready for a fight.

Come at me, Gargant!

Axel and Hiro ready up for battle.

Battle Type: To The Death

A combatant loses and dies when their health reaches zero, but they may flee whenever they want.

Passives

Axel's ????? -- Axel is wearing the ?????, meaning ?????.

Hiro's ????? -- Hiro's ????? counter is at 0 / ?.

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 3

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Thread Shield (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 11

(Any expression. any thoughts or even how it’s able to sense their presence… none of it is readable.)

(… Then it howls, and surges forward.)

(Shell scrapes against ancient stone architecture as it forces itself through in a desperate effort, its neck waving madly to try and swat the pair.)

(A cacophony of sounds now, like screaming wind. Any pockets of the void ocean nearby thrash to life as if to cheer the beast on.)

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

Hiro blocks the attack!

...

Axel is flung onto the wall -- his shell cracks. The attack continues until Hiro's tight-woven silk stops the beast in it's tracks, but not before both skid to the edge, with Hiro hanging over the lake of void. He seems unfazed.

I have you now... Beast.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Dregcatcher's Assault (attack)! Deals double damage if used after Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 8

...

Axel recovers from the blow

... ngh... must... live...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Focus! Guaranteed 1 mask heal while wearing ?????! Flipping coins...

Heads: 3

also I'm prolly gonna nerf focus to the ground because bro just healed four masks in one turn 🫩

Outcome

GloomGargant takes 2 masks of damage!

Axel heals back to his full health!

...

Axel sees an opportunity. He tells Hiro that now is their chance to end the Gargant.

Hiro accepts.

Axel's Turn / Hiro's Turn

SYNCHRONY STRIKE!

Axel and Hiro use Cut To Ribbons! A total of 10 or higher is required to use the attack! Rolling ??? and ???...

Axel's Result: 5

Hiro's Result: 6

Result: 11

...

Axel and Hiro send out volleys of silk. The silk ties around GloomGargant, and tightens in a flash of speed, about to tear cleanly through the Gargant's flesh unless it can block the attack.

Vile beast...!

... you shall DIE!

(A terrible, pained groan escapes its face as the silk tightens and begins to dig into the softer parts of its shell with remarkable speed. It shifts its weight against its binds, and with a sudden and mighty heave…)

(Gargant Gloom’s abyssal shell absorbed light… Used Hard Armor (guard)! Rolled 12!!)

(The silk makes a loud, tensioned SNAP as the Gargant throws itself to the ground, void seeping from its ‘eyes’ and where the silk had began tearing into it.)

(It stands back up and shakes its head rapidly. certain segments on its body begin to rattle before throwing themselves open and revealing a simply alarming amount of spongy holes beneath. They appear to breathe and gape, yet seemingly lead into nothing but blackness.)

(Sheens of fresh shell begin movement inside, before airborne Glooms wriggle and writhe their way out from the holes to swim in air. It doesn’t smell like anything but it elicits a certain level of revulsion. The Glooms appear to orbit the Gargant.)

...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Pin Strike (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 13

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Scrape (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Outcome

GloomGargant takes a total of 2 masks of damage!

Axel's Turn

Axel uses Pin Guard (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Hiro's Turn

Hiro uses Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

(In a single movement, it makes some terrible noise akin to a gasp and puffs its body up. The Glooms take this as the signal to descend upon the mortal bugs.)

(Then, all at once, a torrent of void leaves its face.)

Outcome

Axel takes three masks of damage and receives the Voided status!

Axel [ o o ø ø ø ]

Hiro takes three masks of damage and receives the Voided status!

Hiro [ o o o ø ø ø ]

...

Hiro and Axel are sent to the edge of the void lake. Both were pelted in void, too.

Axel lost his footing, and his left leg got submerged in the void.

Tendrils lashed out, grabbing him.

...

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

AGH! H-HIRO, H-HELP ME!

AXEL! HOLD ON!

They wrap Axel in silk, as well as grabbing him with their sharp claws.

Axel is pulled out, but the void leaves an imprint on him.

Oww... headache...

Okay, you're out of there. Hold on.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used PlasmiumPhial on Axel!

Hiro used Ail Claw! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

Voided Debuff! Rolling 1d4 - 1...

Result: 1

Alright... you, Gargant... I shall... attack...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

Voided Debuff! Rolling 1d4 - 1...

Result: 0

(Once again it surges forward towards the injured Axel specifically, neck swinging back and forth in wide and heavy arcs.)

The charge breaks through the Tidal Cutter.

Axel is flung into the sea of Void below.

...

Outcome

Axel takes two masks of damage.

Axel [ ø ø ø ø ø ]

Hiro remains unharmed.

Hiro [ o o o ø ø ø ]

AXEL!!!

...

... ngh...

... raaaAAAGH!!!

YOU MONSTER!!!

YOU WILL DIE AT MY CLAW!!!

Hiro's Turn

Hiro becomes enraged.

Hiro used Staff Swipe. Attacks thrice while enraged, but cannot attack the next turn. Rolling 3 × ???...

Result: 8, 2, 6

Waiting for Axel...

Waiting for Axel...

Waiting for Axel...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Waiting failed. Skipping turn...

Waiting for GargantGloom...

OOC 2: yeah Hiro's pissed now (and so will be a certain someone else who so happens to be rapidly approaching your location)

(It turns too slowly to properly react, and its plated back bears the brunt of the enraged assault.)

Look, Hiro... I appreciate your help -- I really do -- but there was nothing forcing you to get out of bed this late in the morning!

... You're... welcome... There's... no need... to worry... about me...

Are you sure? You genuinely look like you're about to pass out!

I said... it's fine...!

Alright, as long as y- ooOH-! That-... that's a big drop...!

The two stood over the edge of a branched tunnel, with a path going a long way down.

Oh... yes... that would be... a long fall... We'd best... descend carefully...

Descend carefully they did. Hiro stayed up top while Axel descended, tying the loose end of one of Hiro's silk spools around his pin. Hiro then used that silk to lower Axel.

With their half-mite traits, Hiro descended with Axel.

Now hold on -- couldn't you-

Before you ask... no... my body is... light enough... for my Mite legs... to carry me... The weight... of your body... would be too much...

Ah, right, I forgot. Those legs are less sturdy than toothpicks.

Excuse me?!

Hiro flung his Mite legs and kicked Axel in the shin.

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

OW-!

How's that for toothpick legs, Axel the "My Knees Are So Very Sensitive" Craftsbug Extraordinaire?!

Okay, okay! I'm sorry!

Thank you...

Both came to the ground.

The two came to another tunnel... but Hiro was looking at something else.

And who might that be...?

Ah. The Gargants. Look away, or they'll start hunting us down.

Alas, it was too late. The Gargant had already noticed, unbeknownst to the two.

@gloom-gargant if you're not busy :3

The two made their way down the next tunnel. They then made it to a passageway with an ocean of void below.

My, oh my... I have never seen void in it's purest form before...

Amazing, is it not? That so many shapes can be made from this one hivemind-like organism.

Thoom. Thoom. Thoom.

Oh... do I hear one now?

...

OOC: Surprise! New side character!

So, get this: Hiro is a half-Mite Dregcatcher (technically you could call him Child of Moor and Mite lmao) originally from Greymoor -- specifically under the watchful eye of Yarnaby! After they began showing signs of true emotion, Yarn got sad and decided to let them free -- like a wholesome version of Frankenstein. Now, living as a real bug, they reside in Seanest's deepest rooms. They're basically nocturnal (even though nobody in Pharloom has a sense of day or night...) and only wake during the quietest hours in Seanest.

(Foreign things to the abyss… The grown gloom broke from its endless pacing to leer at them from empty holes.)

(It did not move, it did not pulse, only seemed to cease up entirely. The only movement was it turning its neck and face to look at the bugs. It moved like a marionette.)

(… When the bugs had passed the shaded thorns and glooms, descending to the endless pools below… It lifted one leg, then two, and began pursuit.)

I do... and I can see it as well.

Oh?

Oh.

Oh dear Silk.

Oh dear Silk indeed. You and I best get ready for a fight.

Come at me, Gargant!

Axel and Hiro ready up for battle.

Battle Type: To The Death

A combatant loses and dies when their health reaches zero, but they may flee whenever they want.

Passives

Axel's ????? -- Axel is wearing the ?????, meaning ?????.

Hiro's ????? -- Hiro's ????? counter is at 0 / ?.

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 3

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Thread Shield (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 11

(Any expression. any thoughts or even how it’s able to sense their presence… none of it is readable.)

(… Then it howls, and surges forward.)

(Shell scrapes against ancient stone architecture as it forces itself through in a desperate effort, its neck waving madly to try and swat the pair.)

(A cacophony of sounds now, like screaming wind. Any pockets of the void ocean nearby thrash to life as if to cheer the beast on.)

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

Hiro blocks the attack!

...

Axel is flung onto the wall -- his shell cracks. The attack continues until Hiro's tight-woven silk stops the beast in it's tracks, but not before both skid to the edge, with Hiro hanging over the lake of void. He seems unfazed.

I have you now... Beast.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Dregcatcher's Assault (attack)! Deals double damage if used after Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 8

...

Axel recovers from the blow

... ngh... must... live...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Focus! Guaranteed 1 mask heal while wearing ?????! Flipping coins...

Heads: 3

also I'm prolly gonna nerf focus to the ground because bro just healed four masks in one turn 🫩

Outcome

GloomGargant takes 2 masks of damage!

Axel heals back to his full health!

...

Axel sees an opportunity. He tells Hiro that now is their chance to end the Gargant.

Hiro accepts.

Axel's Turn / Hiro's Turn

SYNCHRONY STRIKE!

Axel and Hiro use Cut To Ribbons! A total of 10 or higher is required to use the attack! Rolling ??? and ???...

Axel's Result: 5

Hiro's Result: 6

Result: 11

...

Axel and Hiro send out volleys of silk. The silk ties around GloomGargant, and tightens in a flash of speed, about to tear cleanly through the Gargant's flesh unless it can block the attack.

Vile beast...!

... you shall DIE!

(A terrible, pained groan escapes its face as the silk tightens and begins to dig into the softer parts of its shell with remarkable speed. It shifts its weight against its binds, and with a sudden and mighty heave…)

(Gargant Gloom’s abyssal shell absorbed light… Used Hard Armor (guard)! Rolled 12!!)

(The silk makes a loud, tensioned SNAP as the Gargant throws itself to the ground, void seeping from its ‘eyes’ and where the silk had began tearing into it.)

(It stands back up and shakes its head rapidly. certain segments on its body begin to rattle before throwing themselves open and revealing a simply alarming amount of spongy holes beneath. They appear to breathe and gape, yet seemingly lead into nothing but blackness.)

(Sheens of fresh shell begin movement inside, before airborne Glooms wriggle and writhe their way out from the holes to swim in air. It doesn’t smell like anything but it elicits a certain level of revulsion. The Glooms appear to orbit the Gargant.)

...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Pin Strike (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 13

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Scrape (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Outcome

GloomGargant takes a total of 2 masks of damage!

Axel's Turn

Axel uses Pin Guard (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Hiro's Turn

Hiro uses Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

(In a single movement, it makes some terrible noise akin to a gasp and puffs its body up. The Glooms take this as the signal to descend upon the mortal bugs.)

(Then, all at once, a torrent of void leaves its face.)

Outcome

Axel takes three masks of damage and receives the Voided status!

Axel [ o o ø ø ø ]

Hiro takes three masks of damage and receives the Voided status!

Hiro [ o o o ø ø ø ]

...

Hiro and Axel are sent to the edge of the void lake. Both were pelted in void, too.

Axel lost his footing, and his left leg got submerged in the void.

Tendrils lashed out, grabbing him.

...

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

AGH! H-HIRO, H-HELP ME!

AXEL! HOLD ON!

They wrap Axel in silk, as well as grabbing him with their sharp claws.

Axel is pulled out, but the void leaves an imprint on him.

Oww... headache...

Okay, you're out of there. Hold on.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used PlasmiumPhial on Axel!

Hiro used Ail Claw! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

Voided Debuff! Rolling 1d4 - 1...

Result: 1

Alright... you, Gargant... I shall... attack...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

Voided Debuff! Rolling 1d4 - 1...

Result: 0

(Once again it surges forward towards the injured Axel specifically, neck swinging back and forth in wide and heavy arcs.)

Look, Hiro... I appreciate your help -- I really do -- but there was nothing forcing you to get out of bed this late in the morning!

... You're... welcome... There's... no need... to worry... about me...

Are you sure? You genuinely look like you're about to pass out!

I said... it's fine...!

Alright, as long as y- ooOH-! That-... that's a big drop...!

The two stood over the edge of a branched tunnel, with a path going a long way down.

Oh... yes... that would be... a long fall... We'd best... descend carefully...

Descend carefully they did. Hiro stayed up top while Axel descended, tying the loose end of one of Hiro's silk spools around his pin. Hiro then used that silk to lower Axel.

With their half-mite traits, Hiro descended with Axel.

Now hold on -- couldn't you-

Before you ask... no... my body is... light enough... for my Mite legs... to carry me... The weight... of your body... would be too much...

Ah, right, I forgot. Those legs are less sturdy than toothpicks.

Excuse me?!

Hiro flung his Mite legs and kicked Axel in the shin.

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

OW-!

How's that for toothpick legs, Axel the "My Knees Are So Very Sensitive" Craftsbug Extraordinaire?!

Okay, okay! I'm sorry!

Thank you...

Both came to the ground.

The two came to another tunnel... but Hiro was looking at something else.

And who might that be...?

Ah. The Gargants. Look away, or they'll start hunting us down.

Alas, it was too late. The Gargant had already noticed, unbeknownst to the two.

@gloom-gargant if you're not busy :3

The two made their way down the next tunnel. They then made it to a passageway with an ocean of void below.

My, oh my... I have never seen void in it's purest form before...

Amazing, is it not? That so many shapes can be made from this one hivemind-like organism.

Thoom. Thoom. Thoom.

Oh... do I hear one now?

...

OOC: Surprise! New side character!

So, get this: Hiro is a half-Mite Dregcatcher (technically you could call him Child of Moor and Mite lmao) originally from Greymoor -- specifically under the watchful eye of Yarnaby! After they began showing signs of true emotion, Yarn got sad and decided to let them free -- like a wholesome version of Frankenstein. Now, living as a real bug, they reside in Seanest's deepest rooms. They're basically nocturnal (even though nobody in Pharloom has a sense of day or night...) and only wake during the quietest hours in Seanest.

(Foreign things to the abyss… The grown gloom broke from its endless pacing to leer at them from empty holes.)

(It did not move, it did not pulse, only seemed to cease up entirely. The only movement was it turning its neck and face to look at the bugs. It moved like a marionette.)

(… When the bugs had passed the shaded thorns and glooms, descending to the endless pools below… It lifted one leg, then two, and began pursuit.)

I do... and I can see it as well.

Oh?

Oh.

Oh dear Silk.

Oh dear Silk indeed. You and I best get ready for a fight.

Come at me, Gargant!

Axel and Hiro ready up for battle.

Battle Type: To The Death

A combatant loses and dies when their health reaches zero, but they may flee whenever they want.

Passives

Axel's ????? -- Axel is wearing the ?????, meaning ?????.

Hiro's ????? -- Hiro's ????? counter is at 0 / ?.

Axel's Turn

Axel used Tidal Cutter (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 3

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Thread Shield (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 11

(Any expression. any thoughts or even how it’s able to sense their presence… none of it is readable.)

(… Then it howls, and surges forward.)

(Shell scrapes against ancient stone architecture as it forces itself through in a desperate effort, its neck waving madly to try and swat the pair.)

(A cacophony of sounds now, like screaming wind. Any pockets of the void ocean nearby thrash to life as if to cheer the beast on.)

Axel takes 1 mask of damage!

Hiro blocks the attack!

...

Axel is flung onto the wall -- his shell cracks. The attack continues until Hiro's tight-woven silk stops the beast in it's tracks, but not before both skid to the edge, with Hiro hanging over the lake of void. He seems unfazed.

I have you now... Beast.

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Dregcatcher's Assault (attack)! Deals double damage if used after Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 8

...

Axel recovers from the blow

... ngh... must... live...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Focus! Guaranteed 1 mask heal while wearing ?????! Flipping coins...

Heads: 3

also I'm prolly gonna nerf focus to the ground because bro just healed four masks in one turn 🫩

Outcome

GloomGargant takes 2 masks of damage!

Axel heals back to his full health!

...

Axel sees an opportunity. He tells Hiro that now is their chance to end the Gargant.

Hiro accepts.

Axel's Turn / Hiro's Turn

SYNCHRONY STRIKE!

Axel and Hiro use Cut To Ribbons! A total of 10 or higher is required to use the attack! Rolling ??? and ???...

Axel's Result: 5

Hiro's Result: 6

Result: 11

...

Axel and Hiro send out volleys of silk. The silk ties around GloomGargant, and tightens in a flash of speed, about to tear cleanly through the Gargant's flesh unless it can block the attack.

Vile beast...!

... you shall DIE!

(A terrible, pained groan escapes its face as the silk tightens and begins to dig into the softer parts of its shell with remarkable speed. It shifts its weight against its binds, and with a sudden and mighty heave…)

(Gargant Gloom’s abyssal shell absorbed light… Used Hard Armor (guard)! Rolled 12!!)

(The silk makes a loud, tensioned SNAP as the Gargant throws itself to the ground, void seeping from its ‘eyes’ and where the silk had began tearing into it.)

(It stands back up and shakes its head rapidly. certain segments on its body begin to rattle before throwing themselves open and revealing a simply alarming amount of spongy holes beneath. They appear to breathe and gape, yet seemingly lead into nothing but blackness.)

(Sheens of fresh shell begin movement inside, before airborne Glooms wriggle and writhe their way out from the holes to swim in air. It doesn’t smell like anything but it elicits a certain level of revulsion. The Glooms appear to orbit the Gargant.)

...

Axel's Turn

Axel used Pin Strike (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 13

Hiro's Turn

Hiro used Scrape (attack)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Outcome

GloomGargant takes a total of 2 masks of damage!

Axel's Turn

Axel uses Pin Guard (guard)! Rolling ???...

Result: 7

Hiro's Turn

Hiro uses Thread Shield! Rolling ???...

Result: 6

(In a single movement, it makes some terrible noise akin to a gasp and puffs its body up. The Glooms take this as the signal to descend upon the mortal bugs.)

(Then, all at once, a torrent of void leaves its face.)