Leo: Mercenary of Silk & Web (Cropped) - By tlzn01 (+Story)
(Originally done on the 13/05/2023)
I have two things to say in this post! Firstly, this fantastic art piece was done as a part of an awesome massive group thing organised by my friend Terenus, where basically a load of folks including myself got the chance to get artwork of themselves as a fantasy-esque character relating to a poker card of their choice! They then commed the artist tlzn01 for it and it resulted in these incredible looking card art like this one!
Afterwards, we all got actual physical copies of our cards, along with whole decks and even extra goodies that were absolutely worth it! I can't thank tlzn and Terenus enough for this! ^^w^^
Tlzn01 did an amazing job with this and the amount of detail they put into it along with all the other card art pieces astounds me every time I see them! Basically is an alternate universe of Leo if I made him maniacal and evil and stuff. ::P
Definitely give them a check out on their Twitter account if you can through here: https://twitter.com/tlzn01
I should also explain though that out of a request from the actual artist, the art piece itself is cropped and if you want to see the uncropped piece, so please go to this link right here to see the artist's original post of it and support them there! https://twitter.com/tlzn01/status/1.....67900343373824
Now the other thing I was going to say before posting this...This piece took me a while before I uploaded cause uhhh...When I was doing my usual silly header description I do with most pieces, it uh...Kind of got out of hand, and as a result, I ended up writing my first full short story in like...8 or 9 so years... ..w..;;;
To explain it kind of just started small, then it grew, and then I was just kind of going on until it became something more bigger. So the whole thing changed into something else and well, I took it as a chance to do my first ever public story, and my first story I've written in general in some time! It is something I do feel I could've done better with, but I legit am proud to have still done it, and this art piece felt like an appropriate one to do it with!
It took some time to complete due to the fact I was proofreading for a while, and various issues came up in the last few weeks, including a back pain that still has been somewhat persisting to bugga me as of late. xX_Xx;;;
It's not a perfect story, I feel I made Leo a tad "Gary-Stu" in his presentation, but I wanted to start from somewhere for my first public story, so why not take some temptation to make Leo a little bit OP. ::P
But in all seriousness, I do wanna make more stories, and hopefully make them more compelling and interesting for all of your enjoyment!
If you wanna read the story in a standalone text file/description box, just go to this link right here: (TO BE UPLOADED)
Feel free to share your thoughts, critique, advice, etc. All will be appreciated in the end. ::3
I have two things to say in this post! Firstly, this fantastic art piece was done as a part of an awesome massive group thing organised by my friend Terenus, where basically a load of folks including myself got the chance to get artwork of themselves as a fantasy-esque character relating to a poker card of their choice! They then commed the artist tlzn01 for it and it resulted in these incredible looking card art like this one!
Afterwards, we all got actual physical copies of our cards, along with whole decks and even extra goodies that were absolutely worth it! I can't thank tlzn and Terenus enough for this! ^^w^^
Tlzn01 did an amazing job with this and the amount of detail they put into it along with all the other card art pieces astounds me every time I see them! Basically is an alternate universe of Leo if I made him maniacal and evil and stuff. ::P
Definitely give them a check out on their Twitter account if you can through here: https://twitter.com/tlzn01
I should also explain though that out of a request from the actual artist, the art piece itself is cropped and if you want to see the uncropped piece, so please go to this link right here to see the artist's original post of it and support them there! https://twitter.com/tlzn01/status/1.....67900343373824
Now the other thing I was going to say before posting this...This piece took me a while before I uploaded cause uhhh...When I was doing my usual silly header description I do with most pieces, it uh...Kind of got out of hand, and as a result, I ended up writing my first full short story in like...8 or 9 so years... ..w..;;;
To explain it kind of just started small, then it grew, and then I was just kind of going on until it became something more bigger. So the whole thing changed into something else and well, I took it as a chance to do my first ever public story, and my first story I've written in general in some time! It is something I do feel I could've done better with, but I legit am proud to have still done it, and this art piece felt like an appropriate one to do it with!
It took some time to complete due to the fact I was proofreading for a while, and various issues came up in the last few weeks, including a back pain that still has been somewhat persisting to bugga me as of late. xX_Xx;;;
It's not a perfect story, I feel I made Leo a tad "Gary-Stu" in his presentation, but I wanted to start from somewhere for my first public story, so why not take some temptation to make Leo a little bit OP. ::P
But in all seriousness, I do wanna make more stories, and hopefully make them more compelling and interesting for all of your enjoyment!
If you wanna read the story in a standalone text file/description box, just go to this link right here: (TO BE UPLOADED)
Feel free to share your thoughts, critique, advice, etc. All will be appreciated in the end. ::3
A cover of darkness was blanketed over the large, forested segment of the kingdom. A dull moonlight shine remained the sole light source over the land, illuminating a lonely, tree covered dirt path cutting through the forest. Occasional breakaway paths snaked off from it, leading into unknown edges of the forest.
The grounds were littered with hundreds of different markings, showing all the travellers who’d commit their day-to-day travels over it. At night, however, the road was dark and empty, save for tonight. A small band of warriors, using the dim moonlight to see through the dark, were dashing across the grounds with reckless abandon. Sweat dripped from their brows and their breath ran heavy, they never stopped to try and catch any of it all back, despite them running since the full moon had rested high in the sky well over an hour ago. Even with them all rushing along the path without an apparent care, they remained cautious as their heads swivelled, scanning the tree lines for movement. Eyes casted with a nervous glint, in search for anyone or anything on the prowl.
The warriors fully knew that many eyes would be seeking them, with bounties high and hanging over each of their heads, a consequence of crossing lines that they all knew that they shouldn't have ever crossed in the first place. The cover of darkness at this point was their only companion as they continued their escape through the forest, hoping they’ll remain unseen. Beyond the rapid noises of the claps of their boots slamming into the dirt and clinking of armour segments, the sounds of loud winds brushing against the forest leaves played in the background. To them, it sounded like the endless movements of potential unseen threats hiding amongst the bushes. No sound was safe.
As time went on and as they reached deeper into the forest, a sense of hope was beginning to set in for the party. The path they were taking ran straight through the forest and was meant to lead right to the border, as clear as day on any map. Yet, to their surprise, they had yet to run into any kind of confrontation. There was not a single Knight patrol or sleuthing mercenary to be seen, the entire route was uncomfortably quiet. In spite of this, hope continued to blossom within them. However, it was not long until it was all quickly dashed.
After some time being in the deepest and thickest parts of the Forest, the party noticed some questionable, but very small details that they had never seen before. Strange lines of glinting light that flickered off the dirt track. It was strange at first, but the party had no time for stopping and investigating small random details they came across. As they continued down the path, the peculiar flickering lines increased with frequency over time. It was a sight that not a single member of the party had seen before, especially within any forest they had waltzed through in the past, and yet still, none of the members took issue.
"Could be some weird minerals or something?", some thought, the strange phenomenon reminded them of some of the caves they’ve had to traverse through on previous adventures.
The glittering and flickering only continued to grow in frequency as they moved down path, increasing the party’s concerns. Much of the flickering strands that they were running past began to even now appear over the bushes that crowded the sides of the path, though now not just in lines, but becoming whole coats of layers of finely bright and colourful sheens. Soon enough, even the trees joined in with the dazzling but suspicious displays of the layers of sheen and colours.
It wasn’t long until they all realised that every bit of nature was now covered in this weird sheening layer. It was practically surrounding them and impossible to not notice, no matter how fast they ran. The party’s concerns had only grown too much to a point that they couldn’t ignore the strange surrounding sights they encountered.
Slowly, the party began to convert their run to a cautious walk, hands and claws now cautiously reached towards their sheathed weapons and tools. When they finally reached a vigilant pace, the party were able to get their chance to have a thorough look at the strange surrounding layers that were reflecting within their vision. Even with the moonlight glinting off the layers, focusing on them was still proving difficult as the darkness was still preventing clarity. As they gaped at their surroundings, their sight became clearer. At first, it seemed like the layers were a mess of interlocking threads, the reflective nature giving it all a mystical look.
One of the party members, more curious than the others, decided to take a pause in their walk altogether as they leaned down and grabbed at one of the mess of threads on the ground. As soon as they touched the thread, they felt the weirdest sensation against their fingers and claws. The thread clung to them with a weird, sticky feel as they brushed and twisted their claws through it. After a few seconds, trying to understand what they were dealing with, realisation set in them like a dagger sliding into skin.
"This isn't thread, it's silk...I think it’s silk?!", the party member called to the rest of the crew in a panic.
The rest of the party immediately turned to their alerting member, quickly tightening their grips on their weapons. Without a moment to further process the information or set a new plan, a new sound arose from the forest. The sound of an eerie, yet playfully mocking chuckle echoed from down the path, increasing in volume as the source drew closer to them.
"Heh heh heh, well...It seems as though a poor bunch of flies have stuck’en themselves within the oh so obvious trap I laid before, even though my appetite is currently lacking…".
The party turned to face where the voice was heard, but as they did, they struggled and stiffened as they looked towards the mysterious figure. It felt as if their bodies were just put into a trance-like state while their minds raced, sweat rolled down their heads and fur jolted up like goosebumps. Was it fear that caught them? Was it a spell being played? It was something soon they were given the answer for as one of the party members was just barely able to look down at themselves and see the same shimmering silk now cocooning them. It was near impossible to see, but with the glinting of the moonlight now revealing it from an invisible state, they could only see its shimmering and menacing display.
Unlike the loose webby layers covering their surroundings, multiple singular threads wrapped around their limbs and torsoes. The threads behaved incredibly different from the smooth and string-like silk around them, with the stuff ensnaring them being more viciously wrapped around them and more akin to wire. Each snare was supported by multiple stringing threads connected from them to the ground and surrounding trees. The webs were hooked in place, and with it, the whole party. It pushed against their fur, enough to hold them in place yet not enough to pierce through them to damage the skin and fur, allowing for only the most subtle movements.
The rest of the party followed suit as eventually they began to see the webby trap that held them where they were and causing the struggle, their eyes shrinking as further realisation set in. Their minds raced with endless desperate thoughts and questions, wondering who in this land could create strands of web of such strength? How could they possibly escape?
As the internal questions rushed within the group, the mysterious figure responsible only continued with its teasing quips,
“Heh, no matter, at least I know there are others who are about that desire a fine meal...Especially ones with bounties on your heads higher than the average scum!”.
They looked back towards the origin of the voice, finally getting a glimpse of a slender silhouette. It stalked their way towards them, step-by-step, alone and yet dominating the path.
A thin streak of moonlight was barely able to breach through the treetops, partially revealing whatever was underneath the shade and along with the figure’s identity. As they walked through the light, the only details the light provided did not help quell any of the party’s fears as it panned gradually along the figure’s body, teasing the group of who they were.
Immediately when the light reached the figure, it revealed to the crew a shimmering set of reflective, deep brown, menacing claws, all glossed with a bitter sheen as they clasped each other in an interlocking fashion. As they advanced, their claws disappeared back into the dark and revealed their arms in follow up. The moonlight streak revealed them to be covered in clean, white sleeves that stretched towards its torso. As they continued forwards, the sleeves joined up with brown cloth rags that covered the torso. What stood out the most for the party were the arms. The figure seemed to not be just containing a set branching from the shoulders, but two more sets beneath them. Each set sticking out from the sides of the torso, just as capable and flexible as any “normal” set. It appeared as if one of the extra pairs was at chest height and the other just above the waist. Continuing their slow approach, their many-limbed torso soon faded back into the shadows and was replaced with their head. The moonlight reflection showing the teeth of a grinning hunter scintillating in the night. Yet it was not even the most terrifying aspect of the figure as it revealed there was not one, but two pairs of eyes. The smallest pair had the colour of a poisonous green, and the larger pair were of a deep-sea blue. All four eyes clearly staring right back at the struggling group with glee.
As the shade returned over them fully, the mysterious figure halted their advance and remained at a distance from the trapped crew. Remaining silent with nothing more than a noticeable grin and a piercing gaze, it felt as if that it was stabbing them right in their hearts. The silence drew on for what felt like an eternity, feeling as if the figure was toying with the crew. The whistles of wind continued to play in the background as the only sound until eventually, the figure finally continued to speak,
“I’m quite impressed by the number of powerful people you all managed to do wrong by today, and somehow achieve an escape from them without any of you being caught. Heh, even then, despite how far you all have gotten, I can assure to you all with the news that you have all still made them very mad, and a lot of them are very, terribly upset. They told me clear as day how much they really did not want to see any yous get away with it that easily.”, the figure explained away before one of the party members butted in, interrupting the figure with a desperate plea,
”Look! We did the scheme we needed to do, took what we wanted, and ran! They’ll survive without the things we took from them. Just let us leave and we’ll be out of their way along with you as soon as you free us, you won’t have to ever see us again. We’ll even pay double whatever they gave you if you let us go…How about that?” .
Despite the desperate pleads and offers, the figure simply responded with a long calm laughter before proceeding with an unfortunate answer to the party member’s offer,
“Heh heh…Sorry mate, whatever yous offer back to me will never be anywhere near what they’re giving, they knew your group would’ve gotten quite far as soon as yous fled from the scenes of your crimes, too far for any of their own men to reach sadly…So they went to the one person who they knew would be able to end your escape, the one with a web of connections to find anyone in the kingdom on request and go right after them, including a pesky band of warriors on the run from their consequences…”.
With pause in speech, the figure finally took their chance to waltz out from the shade and reveal themselves full within the light and in full details,
“…Me, of course!”.
With the figure revealed, the group finally understood how the over-the-top silky trap was easily set up with ease by the mocking figure. The standout features from the eyes to the extra pairs of arms hanging from the torso, all made sense now. The figure in the end was a walking, breathing anthropomorphic spider, an uncommon persona for the crew to see in the kingdom, but not something that any of them were unfamiliar with. A large orange and cyan-blue spider abdomen was even sitting on his behind, bouncing from side to side as it hung from behind.
The revealed figured continued his speech as the crew remained in the trap. They wriggled occasionally in hope that it would loosen, but it only was doing the opposite as the threads tightened as they shifted,
”Heh, admittedly, I do have my own reasons for wanting to take this job personally anyway. Not just for the money of course, greed is not exactly amongst my toughest of threads, unlike you lot.”.
Another party member, with a terrified anger and a growing irritation by the spider’s continuing address, took their turn to respond with their own interruption,
”Shut it with this mocking talk! Who in the hells woods are you? If you ain’t going to take the offer, free us then. Then we can have an actual fair fight, you bloody coward!”.
The spider simply sneered, giving a long laughter. It seemed the challenge was nothing more than a joke to him as he placed an upper and middle claw on his chest as he laughed, his face growing smug before continuing,
“You’re right, I think it is only fair that I give my name to the bounties who had their nighttime run stopped so easily. My name is Leonardo Spinnington, but you all can call me by my more professional, yet simple title, Leo, the Mercenary of Silk and Web.”.
He takes a moment to bow towards them. It'd normally be a sign of respect, but here it was clearly far from anything close to that of being of the sort. He pulls himself back up as he continues to speak,
”Unfortunately, that is all the fairness I think your band will deservedly get. Yous already wasted all the fairness that I could ever give after the actions you committed towards my clients at this point.”.
Panic was in full force as the party continued in struggling with some attempting to reach for their blade hilts, grunting as they used all their strength, but the web remained too strong to gain a proper grasp. Some eventually achieved a grip of their weapons, hope returning as they slowly pulled their weapons bit by bit, but it was all lost in mere moments. They felt the binding webs tighten further and slowing their movements, with the stickiness holding them together and soon enough they couldn’t move any bit further. Hope was practically none now as their weapons remained where they were. All they could do was rapidly shift their eyes between their own entrapped weapons and back at the grinning bounty hunter.
”Some good news at least for all of yous though. To even my surprise, my clients were only requested a capture order with your bounty, for each and every one of yous. So, consider all yourselves the luckiest bounty targets for the night since this hasn’t ended already, though I assume even all your opinions must differ from mine there, heh heh heh. However, that is not all!...”, his upper claws slowly released from their clasps, to the tips of them now pressing against each other in a maniacal fashion along with his middle claws joining in the fun and his grin growing,
”The other good bit of news, at least for me, is that I don’t have to fight a single person here for tonight…”, a glint flickered in between the Spider’s claws, a long wrapping string shows itself loosening itself as it floated through the air,
”…Cause yous have already lost!”.
Within a few seconds, Leo quickly flicked his claws apart a few inches from each other. The threads between all four of his claws tightened in an instant as they’re tugged away from each other as an audible “PLING” is heard. As if the party was caught in a mechanism, the limbs of all the party members pulled back in an instant by the many wiring webs. If there was still any possible chance for any of the party to pull their weapons now in defence from the bounty hunter was practically futile, as their arms flayed out into the air as if trapped like puppets on strings. Leo continued to move his claws as he pulled and shifted the thread, the Merc essentially playing with the now defenceless band.
Their arms remained restrained as they all stretched out in the air from the connecting trees and layers of web stuck on the ground. The party loudly grunted and screamed in panic as they were played around. The pain of the restraining threads increasing dramatically as the threads dug into their fur, yet somehow the force of the webs was still not enough to cause any cuts or bruises. At this point, there was nothing within the party’s knowledge that could help them overcome the circumstance.
The webs that were tightly wrapped around Leo’s claws became a pattern of eloquence, with him essentially holding the threads with all four hands in place like a cat’s cradle. Each bit of thread shimmering in the moonlight as they tightly sat there, weaving in and out between each of the gaps of his claws and even the threads itself. The party, now fully held in place, fearful for what will happen next,
”I truly do appreciate you all for giving me this chance to pull this rather large string trick that I have going on. At least your long run gave me all the time in the world to allow me to perform the newest trick in my book. Now though that you’re stuck where you are, let’s see what else I can weave for show!”.
And with a wiggle of his abdomen, a shift of his pedipalps, and a hefty laugh, Leo simply twisted the webs in his claws once more, preparing for his next move…
Category Artwork (Digital) / Doodle
Species Arachnid
Gender Male
Size 492 x 675px
He is a cutie, though would rather meet him in a more...cordial manner.
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