Disclaimer: I own nothing…
Me: *grinning* Hello my wonderful mob! Our boys are almost to the artifacts but first they'll have to deal with some… unfriendly pets!
Merlin: *shouting at the sky* Why? Does this amuse you in some way? Does it?
Me: But I do have one question… WHERE IS YOUR MASTER GENERAL? *worried* I haven't heard any threatening remarks from ariacle or been in any pitchfork throwing match! Not even the occasional cookie bribe! I'm worried!
Arthur: *rolls eyes* First you made the mistake of creating a new mob for yourself and now you're worried about not hearing from its commander? You truly would be terrible running a kingdom!
Me: *glares* This could be a very painful story for you…
Arthur: *wide eyed* Merlin: *slaps his head*
Me: In any case! Here is a link to a picture to how I want the manticore to look like.
h t t p : / / n e o 3 5 5 5 . t r i p o d . c o m / s i t e b u i l d e r c o n t e n t / s i t e b u i l d e r p i c t u r e s / m a n t i c o r e . j p g
Sure, the tail is that of a scorpion but just picture a dragon's tail with spikes ok?
Enjoy!
As the daylight shone once again through the trees the group of knights and their warlock continued their journey through the cursed woods. While they continued their path, Arthur noticed Sir Leon pay more attention to their surroundings than the rest as well as throwing pointed looks to Merlin. Feeling something was amiss, Arthur turned his attention to his friend.
Merlin's back tensed up suddenly as he felt the shift in the air. His magic sensed an evil presence huddled together up ahead. Seeing him raise one hand, the others stopped. Merlin stepped of his horse and tided it up to a tree as the others follow suit. As Merlin gently moved a bush out of their way, the others saw what lay ahead of them. In front of them was an entrance to an impressive looking cave. The cave was surrounded by jagged rocks and shards of old bones, remnants of those who tried before them to retrieve the ancient relic. Amongst them, tree creatures lurked menacingly as the circled the entrance. The creatures had the body of a lion, its main red as blood. Their faces morphed from the animal's fur into something akin to a humans face but their teeth were sharp and long as they could see several rows inside their mouths. As they growl something akin to a trumpet and a hiss the group watched their dragon-like tails swish through the air as the spikes at the end broke parts of the ground as they struck. Setting the bush back in place, the group stepped a few paces away from the creatures as the hurdled together.
"What are they?" Sir Kay asked as the group turned their heads at Merlin when he began speaking.
"If I remember correctly, they're called Manticores." Merlin started explaining. Seeing the looks of disbelieve mainly on Arthur he glared dejectedly "What? Gaius made certain to know most of the creatures that lurked in this area."
"Thankfully, they're not impervious to mortal weapons like the gryphon but our main problem is going to be their tails." He continued addressing the group. "Each one of their spikes contains venom that paralyzes its victims and they can shoot them at their prey from great distances." As the group fell silent absorbing the information they turned to the prince as he began speaking.
"We'll need a diversion drive their spikes while we take them out from behind…" The knights nodded in acceptance as the figured that to be the logical solution. The group advanced once again towards the creatures as they heard their warlock talk.
"What are we going to do for the diversion?" Asked Merlin, knowing the prince wished him to provide said distraction. The prince merely looked at him and shrugged.
"Oh, don't worry." As he said this, Arthur gave him an innocent smirk. Seeing his knights already in position, he readied his sword. "I have a plan."
Merlin's eyes widened as he felt Arthur push him towards the clearing. As he stumbled and straighten up, he was about to curse the young prince until he heard the sickening sound of the manticore's growls. Turning very slowly, Merlin faced the terrible creatures as they started to advance towards him. 'Well, I got their attention alright…' He thought grudgingly as he cursed his friend once his arms, Merlin tried to sooth the beasts.
"Don't mind me! I'm just… passing through…" Merlin said sheepishly as the tree beast raised their tails. With a startled yelp, he barely managed to raise a shield as the beast started shooting their spikes at him. As they struck the shimmering barrier, some of the bounce at random directions while others spilled their venom on the shield.
"Arthur!" He shouts in the air. "Any time now!" The knights look at their leader, waiting for his signal. A couple of seconds pass before Arthur sees the manticore's were completely distracted. Raising his sword, he turned and shouted.
"Go!" The knights took no time as they advance behind the mighty beasts. Some of them took the opportunity to cut of their tails, giving the warlock a chance to regroup. The other plunged their swords into their sides as the manticore's tried to shake them loose. One to the spikes went flying towards a knight, gracing his arm and he immediately went down. The other watched this and turned to the beasts enraged. Their swords cut and slashed through their flesh as greenish black blood poured in the air. All but one remained standing and as it was about to pounce, Merlin threw it to the side of the mountain, some of its blood splashing in his hair. The beasts defeated and everyone relatively safe, Arthur sheathed his sword and gave the warlock a smug smile.
"See!" He exclaimed cheerfully "Nothing to it!" Merlin could only glare at him as the slime dripped from his head. Walking pass him, Merlin made his way towards the fallen knight. The others made way as the warlock knelt in front of their fellow knight. Placing a hand on top of the cut, Merlin's eyes turn golden as he felt the venom inside of him. Making a few mental notes, Merlin took out a few of the herbs from his bag and placed them on top of the cut.
"You'll be ok sire." He said as he tightly bandaged his arm. "The spike only graced you so the dosage of the venom was relatively small. You'll be able to walk in a couple of minutes." Managing to give Merlin a small nod in thanks, the knight tried to relax and wait for his body to react. Arthur gave the young knight a small pat on his shoulder as he turned to address the rest.
"Alright Sir Gareth and Sir Bedivere, stay out here with Sir Tristram. The rest of us will go in and get the staff." The group nodded in acceptance as the rest started heading into the cave. A couple of minutes passed before they heard the particular sarcasm of their warlock.
"Oh sure… don't mind me." Merlin grumbled as he threw a glare at the young prince once more. "I'll just wipe the manticore goop out of my eyes while I try to keep my heart from bursting." His sarcasm and cynicism were ignored however as the group saw the younger man desperately trying to get the blood off his face. But the more he tried, the more the black goop seemed to stick to his hair and made it stick out in hundreds of different places. They heard their prince giving him an indignant laugh as the eyed the warlock with amusement.
"Don't be such a girl Merlin! It wasn't that bad!" If looks could kill, they were sure their prince would've been struck by lightning. Merlin's glare had intensified to a scowl and Sir Kay swore he heard him growl at some point. Merlin pointed a finger at him menacingly as the walked further into the cave.
"You try being assaulted by flying spikes of doom and see how you fair!"
Me: *sighs* Ok. I know that manticores aren't reeeealy from Arthurian legends but, come on! I didn't want to put a Serket or a Wyvern! We've already seen them!
Merlin: *glares* How are you planning on getting this goop off of me!
Me: *blinks* You're a warlock. You figure it out.
*To the mob* Oh and I want your opinion! *pats Merlin in his head* What would you prefer as trauma for our *takes hand away in mild disgust* sticky warlock?
Puncture lung
Or
Blood loss by multiple cuts
:D!
Merlin: *shouting off screen* It's getting thicker!
Me: *rolls eyes* Until next time!