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"Pẹlu tunänïn," Garr breathed. Stop running. The Sev'ryn had been chasing the man all trial, trying to wear him down with little luck. Garr could not believe how durable the human was, especially as with the wounds he'd sustained. The little droplets of blood were easy enough to follow, though, and Garr stalked the man easily enough. One didn't need to be an expert tracker when the quarry was leaving enough of a trail.
Garr couldn't blame him. The previous two trials were horrendous for the man, who some called Davuu. Davuu was suspected to be a devout follower of Moseke, and the Talukynahi had put out a price for his head. And in the true Serga fashion, the head Plague Bearer had demanded that he be treated as a victim of Lisirra should be: by experimenting. Davuu had held his composure very well, but Garr had a trick up his sleeve.
Of course, he had not anticipated Davuu escaping the chamber. Garr left to gather the rotspiders, and Davuu chewed through the vine rope that had secured him to the stone dais. Ignoring wounds on his thighs and chest, Davuu had managed to slip from Lisirra's Temple and into the brush of Rhakros. Even more impressively, though, he managed to escape the city. There were Lisirra worshipers at every turn, and Davuu had the audacity to rush through the city to escape. Garr almost had respect for the man. Instead, the Sevir was just getting hungry.
The jungle was eerie in the dark, and the suns were setting quickly in the warm Ashan air. Garr grinned a sharp-toothed grin when he heard the chorus of the insects, a veritable pantheon of poisonous creatures just waiting to transfer their pain to the recipient. As he stalked past a tree, Garr knelt to examine a small trio of blood droplets. He dropped to his hands and knees and licked the plant, tasting the metallic life-force. Something stirred in his stomach, and a long growl escaped from its depths. He growled audibly, growing in frustration.
Crawling on the trunk of a tree nearby, Garr noticed a rotspider making its way around the bark. He rushed to it, lifting it in his hands gently. The spider, unless prompted, would not bite him, but would make quite the surprise for the wounded Davuu. The Rhakrosian Rotspider was one of the more docile creatures of the Uzkernian Jungle, but its venom could cause immediate decay in an open wound. It was a preferred tool of the Serga Manravu, especially on torture victims. The thought of the small, gray spider made Garr smile in pleasure.
And so the hunt was on, with Garr cupping the arachnid in his palms, ensuring that no light would come in. A quick search found the blood trail again, and Garr was off. The leather of his gloves was thick enough that he did not fear the spider’s bite, but he would hate to crush the little weapon before he had a chance to allow it to bite Davuu. He could tell the man was slowing, because the blood spatter was closer together on the plush flora of the jungle. Soon enough, he could see Davuu, staggering with impressive determination towards Enan’uh Falls. He was hoping to lose Garr in the water, and the Sevir wasn’t going to allow that to happen.
Circling around to his left, Gar’rek gave himself enough space to nearly completely cut Davuu off. Setting off at a sprint, the Sevir burst through the brush in front of the man, causing him to yell out in surprise. A string of Xanevic curses followed, most of which Garr barely understood. But he understood the tone behind them, and it made him grin with sadistic satisfaction. Peeking into his palms, he knew the time had come. The startled human tripped over himself and planted face-down in the vegetation, allowing Gar’rek to plant a soft-soled foot onto his back. Davuu sputtered something in Xanevic, but Garr ignored him.
” Sämu ke’ua ẹgbẹ, ifaworanhan.”Shut your mouth, meat. He was sure Davuu understood him, at least a little. He knew when Gar’rek told him to be quiet, typically during the torture. Immediately, Davuu went silent, and Garr growled above him. He lifted his boot and turned Davuu over. Slowly, he knelt at the man’s side, drawing his gaze to his hands. He showed Davuu the spider, and his eyes went wide. He obviously knew the little, fuzzy gray spider and what it could do.
” Ïdäkẹjï ies kelku tä didara.”This is going to hurt. With that, he prompted the little spider off his glove, on Davuu’s thigh. Immediately, it was drawn to a shallow cut, raised and warm from the athame in the temple. With a smack of Davuu’s thigh, Garr forced the spider to bite the wound. With a grin, Garr watched the little arachnid scurry away, presumably towards more wounds on his body. In ten trills, the pain set in and Davuu screamed.
Lifting him by his hair, Garr watched as the man’s eyes rolled back in pain. The smell of rapidly decaying flesh filled his nostrils, bringing a sense of calm to Gar’rek’s roiling mind. He smacked his face a few times to rouse him, bringing him back to consciousness. He traced the man’s jaw with the sharp knife-like fingertip of his glove, drawing a fresh line of crimson. The rotspider was nowhere to be seen, but Garr didn’t need it to have fun. Instead, he pulled Davuu to a tree, struggling with the man’s weight. Propping him up against the trunk, Garr dug his finger an inch deeper into the flesh above his nipple, dragging down in a jagged line. The fleshy patch of skin ripped from Davuu’s chest, drawing a new scream from him. A smile cut his face, and Davuu saw in it his demise. The suns continued to set, and Garr was just getting started. There were some interesting breaks ahead.
As Davuu passed into unconsciousness, Garr stood and stretched. In the setting suns, the warmth was subsiding, and quickly, making the temperature more bearable. It was still disgustingly hot and humid, but the drop in temperature was noticeable. The slight sheen of sweat coating his skin suddenly chilled him, and he shivered. Davuu wasn't going anywhere, so Garr set about the length of the falls' shoreline to find herbs to pack his festering wounds with, to keep Davuu alive longer.
As he set off, he tossed Davuu's severed nipple into his mouth, chewing the skin like he would a piece of jerky. The flesh was surprisingly supple, and chewy, so it gave him something to chew on while he worked. He liked that. As he chewed, he savored the metallic taste of Davuu's blood, reveling in the warmth as he lapped it off the nipple. The loamy soil around the lake made it easy work, so it didn't take long.
As he returned to Davuu, the man was still unconscious. Grinning, Garr separated the wounds he was giving, packing them full of the foliage pulled from the falls. There were rumors that the falls held special qualities, and Garr believed in that. Especially knowing that his Plague Lady was receiving praise by his actions, Garr assumed the plants would do as he wished them. Lisirra enjoyed watching someone be tortured, especially in the way that Gar'rek was doing so, and would likely prolong the suffering as long as she could. The smell as he separated the wounds was horrendous, as if the fetid flesh had been rotting for a cycle or more in the jungle temperatures. His stomach growled, hungry for more flesh.
He had long since swallowed the nipple, but he craved more. He knew he had to keep his temptations in check, for now. He needed Davuu to admit his blasphemy, and only then could he feast as he truly wished. But it didn't bother Garr. Immediate satisfaction was significant, but there was a orgasmic quality behind finally being able to suck out the eyeballs of his enemies after their screams die out among the trees. But the unconscious man, beating artery exposed in his neck as his head lolled, tempted Gar'rek more than he should have. With a primal growl, he slapped the man across the face. He did not stir.
So Garr grabbed cat's claw glove he'd used, cast aside and now with insects gathering on the blood-soaked blade. He gently carried the knife to a large plant growing from the ground, and shooed the insects onto the leaves. He would not allow this blasphemer's blood to taint the insects of the Uzkernian Jungle. He could not staunch all the blood flow, but he would do his best to preserve the integrity of the jungle. Another slap, and nothing. Garr grinned. He'd hoped that it would prove difficult to wake Davuu. He placed the tip of the knife on Davuu's index finger, shoving hard and tearing through the man's finger, bone and nail included. The jolt of pain woke Davuu, whose eyes snapped open. He went to scream, but Garr slapped a hand over his mouth. He leaned close, keeping the man's mouth covered.
"Ọsïsẹ ies takip yänäyï."That isn't smart. His voice paralyzed Davuu, whose rigidity was evident from the shaking in his limbs. Garr removed his hand, and Davuu did not scream. He had begun to cry, through, and his sobs could be heard escaping his throat weakly. Garr's stomach turned, embarrassed by the blasphemer's weakness. He wanted to end it, wanted to stab the man through his throat and crunch his fingernails. But there was a greater purpose. He needed to be sure.
"Ae'dei ke’u're av ọfiisi." He hated blasphemers, and he was going to ensure that Davuu knew it. Admit you're a liar.[/b] The words sounded more peaceful in Xanthean than the intent behind them would imply, and Garr wasn't sure if Davuu even understood him. But Davuu's sobs stuck in his throat, giving Garr cause to believe that he could understand him. Or enough to get the meaning, anyway. He yanked the knife from Davuu's finger and dragged it across his jaw line. Blood from the blade smeared across his cheek, and Garr dipped and licked it off. The whimpering resumed.
"Idakẹjẹ ke’u säju eo, ïrïn murädï."If you can understand me, say so. Slowly, Davuu nodded. And the wolf-like grin spread across Garr's face like a wildfire. He leaned in and grasped Davuu's nose between his teeth, crunching through cartilage and yanking. Warm blood spatter exploded into Garr's mouth, running down his chin onto Davuu's chest. Davuu's scream was still muffled, especially as he choked on his own blood. He twisted beneath Garr and hacked, spewing more blood onto the grass. Garr chewed the nose slowly, swallowing it with delight.
"Ae'dei ke’ua snomo." He told Davuu to admit his mistake. Admit his blasphemy. Admit his partaking in Aiséirism. But Davuu shook his head, sputtering words in Xanevic. A slap across his face shut him up again. "Ae'dei ke'ua snomo." He repeated, and Davuu began to cry, truly cry. It made Garr sick, and almost ruined his appetite. Almost.
Still bleeding profusely, Davuu began to nod. First, jubilation erupted in Gar'rek's chest, but he needed to be sure, to hear Davuu admit it. He couldn't return to the Temple with a false blasphemer's corpse. Lisirra would likely strike him dead on the spot. He ran a clawed finger over the ripped flesh of Davuu's chest, digging the point in just enough to cause discomfort. Davuu's frantic breathing caused his chest to heave, digging the claw in ever so slightly. Garr's eyes shone with glee.
"Ae'dei èrè. Mwẹnẹndọ, ifaworanhan!"Admit it. Speak, meat! And he did. Davuu opened his mouth, and a confession spilled out. He claimed to be an Aiséiri, a Moseke-lover. He copped to undermining the city of Lisirra, and admitted to his share of ruining the Plague Lady's plots. Garr observed him as he did, weeping in his cowardice. As soon as he finished, sputtering and weeping, Garr stood. He dragged the blasphemer by his hair, pulling him to the edge of the falls. Davuu tried to muster the might to roll himself into the water, to ease his suffering, but he could not. Instead, he lied helplessly as Garr set about finding the correct mud-mound.
There was an insect in the Uzkernian jungle that nested in foot-tall mounds on the edge of the lake. The insect inside, six inches in length, rested in the makeshift chrysalis during the day breaks, but emerged as the suns set. Waking it from its slumber early would agitate it, and Garr anticipated using that to his advantage. He cracked the dried mud, and the wings of the Aidọgba sani beat the air audibly. Garr grabbed it with gloved hands, careful not to harm the insect's wings. He carried it to Davuu's prone body, and he could see the man trying to continue to muster the strength to run. He couldn't, and Garr set the rather large insect on his chest. Immediately, the Aidọgba sani speared Davuu's chest with its proboscis, lapping at the blood inside it. In multiple spots, the Aidọgba sani stuck Davuu and sucked his blood, gorging itself on the blood. The local anesthetic in its saliva numbed the spots just enough for Davuu to remain conscious, and so the insect drank.
Davuu's death was a painful one, though. The Aidọgba sani speared his throat, sucking out the blood there. When it retracted its proboscis, he began to bleed into his throat, and down into his lungs. He sputtered and choked, unable to fix the wound. Garr watched him drown in his own blood, a smile on his face. As soon as it was full, the Aidọgba sani drifted lazily off, low to the ground due to its increased weight. Garr checked the body, ensuring he was dead. Now all he had to do was wait... No sense wasting the whole body, though.
He began to cut through the skin and muscle of the blasphemer's shoulder, cutting away enough of the sinewy flesh to yank the arm free, with some difficulty. Starting with the fingers, Garr began his grisly work. He bit off the thumb first, enjoying the sick crunch that came with shattering the bones beneath his teeth. Sitting back against a tree, he waited.
A few trials passed, and Garr returned to the site of Davuu's "burial" place. The body sat in the open, torn apart by the predators. Rotting flesh hung in slashed ribbons, dangling from bones covered in claw and tooth marks. He lifted the remains, simultaneously finding them disgusting and appetizing. His mouth watered, but there was something more involved. It would be tedious to carry the whole corpse back, he realized, and dropped it on the ground. He tore the other arm off, and a leg for good measure, and began his short trek back to the Temple. He knew the Plaguebearer would chastise him for not waiting longer, but he was anxious to complete his task. The flesh was rotten, he could smell it, and it would have to do.
Passing through the door of the Temple caused trepidation to stir in the bowels of his stomach. The time had come, and he was ready to complete it. Quietly, he took the rotting limbs to the stone dais, still covered in the dried blood of Davuu. He placed the limbs on the stone surface, leaning in to sniff them one more time. His hunger grew, so he needed to complete the task. Finally, it was time.
"Olorijori nẹv mulki akiyesi gbà ke’u, miu eja."May his dead flesh please you, my lady."Olorijori èrè eampin ke’ua plague tsayaz."May it carry your plague far.
With that, he rose and turned, leaving behind the flesh and the thought of Davuu's identity. He was part of the diseased earth now, part of the insect's diet. His decaying flesh would sit in the Temple until the bone crumbled. Gar'rek took heart in that. Now, he could truly eat... He needed a victim.
Tracking: Using blood droplets and splatter patterns to track prey
Endurance: Running for multiple breaks to exhuast prey
Intimidation: Using foreign language and brute force to terrify a mark
Intimidation: Using severe pain and torture to intimidate a mark into silence
Intimidation: Using insects and other props to intimidate a mark
Davuu: Practicioner of Aiséirism
Rhakrosian Rotspider: Arachnid of Uzkernian Jungle
Rhakrosian Rotspider: Venom causes immediate decay of a wound
Aidọgba sani: Winged bloodsucking insect of the Uzkernian Jungle
Davuu: Wanted by the Talukynahi
Loot: None Injuries: Exhaustion for 2 trials due to excessive exertion Fame: PC Witness to an act of cruelty (-2), General bad deed (-2), Kill an NPC (-5) = -9 Devotion: Torture an innocent (+3*2), Experiment on someone (+5), Spare insects (+2), Kill someone with Insects (+5), Engage in cruelty in Lisirra's name (+3), Poison someone (+5), Worship Lisirra (+2), Leave an offering of a decayed body at Lisirra's Temple (+5), Pray to Lisirra (+2), Leave someone to die that you could save (+5) = 40 devotion to Lisirra Magic: These points cannot be used for Arcana
Story: 5/5 Collaboration: 0/5 Structure: 5/5
A wonderful tribute to the plaguedaughter and a great look into the varying ways one can use the environment and various props to torture someone - no scary saws or axes needed. I really liked this (what does that say about me though? )