After making john, havior assistants and having them them mostly running the village, we also found out that people that i assign with assitant and above can communicate with me as if their in my party, were in wishioning, the state, its was nebraska and iowa, but they were combined for some reason, We started heading North, most of the places around us were ruined by the merge, like the buildings are still here, just taken over by plants, we found some food in a convienanve store and it was still good, so its like the fast foward plant growth after merge, we hadnt seen any mawlers for a while, we were wondering if the gods took then away
*buzzing*
Where is it *looking everywhere*
(Marcus) im not sure
*the buzzing stopped*
Is it a fake?
I looked towards the girls, we wanted to leave them back at camp but they were adamant on coming so we caved, but they stayed behind Marcus at all times
*buz- then a mawler jumped towards my face, its 4 long fingers close to my face, I swung my metal baton as hard as I could muster before it got to me and smashed it into the freezers
Why did it stop its buzzing sound? That's never happened
(Jane) Maybe their mutating again
Maybe
We're trying to search for the brute that killed Emily's father, we're heading towards the gym, but im not sure if it'll still be there, it shouldn't be far at all, maybe a few streets down from the camp
Maybe we should leave for to-
Zoe and Emily fell over
(Marcus) Hey, are you okay guys?!
They don't look injured anywhere, maybe a mental attack
I started looking around frantically, looking for anything couldve attacked us, then jane fell over, i felt my force being pulled away from me, i didnt know where, but it was definently happening, none of them are dead, so it took their force from them, maybe that knocks us out, but itll probably attack after, then i saw a black stick looking creature, its legs were very thin, it had entena
I pulled the M4 out of my inventory, I took aim and shot it, I didn't know if it was the problem, but it was the only thing, it fell off the wall it was on and I felt my force fill all the way back up, jane, Zoe, and Emily woke up
(Emily) What happened?! *holding her head*
You didn't hurt your head did you *pulling her close to look at her head*
(Emily) No! *pushing away, her face turning red* in fine!
Okay, Emily *smiling* it was this thing, it was taking our force and I guess it knocks you out.
(Zoe) Dad! It looks like a stickbug!
You're right it does, It's huge though, at least 2 me's tall, im pretty sure only attacks unphysically, I wonder if that's why we haven't seen many mawlers, the animals and bugs mutated so much that they're stronger, what should its new name be, what do you think Zoe
Zoe picked up her hand and started pinching her chin then said
(Zoe) Sticksy!
Alright, Zoe, that's the last time she names a monster
We started walking towards the gym again, we were about a street away now, but when we were getting close, I started seeing a blue maybe purple gas start coming from the buildings
Back up guys! This could be other humans!
We slowly backed up, the gas was heavy, heavy enough to just sit and not disperse, then beetle-like huge bugs started running through the smoke towards us
*Clamp*
It clamped its jaw while running towards us, marcus swung his hammer yelling
(Marcus) Groundbreaker!
*pfft* that's so cringe
He hit the ground then cracks started to form from the point of impact and messed up the terrain for them, they fell over trying to get a grip on the ground
(Marcus) Don't laugh at me! I thought it would be better so you know what im using
I know *laughing out loud* but it's so cringe
Marcus clenched his sledgehammer harder in angier swinging his sledge hammer a into one of the bugs that got close, air seem to explode from the spot and a shotgun sounding shot came from where he hit the behemoth, then it fell over, with a cracks all through its armored outside, i aimed the m4 and shot killing the other 2 with 2 shots to the head
Doesn't using those abilities have effects on you?
(Marcus) Yeah, but I don't feel it much cause of my constitution and other stats
(Jane) Those are stinkbugs I think, i remember seeing one in the house once
I also remember someone screaming and begging me to help her *chuckles*
(Jane) I didn't need your help *face getting red, looking at Marcus*
What should I call this one
(Emily) StinkJaw!!!
You know that's a really good one, we'll keep it
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Monster Codex Entry
Monster Name: Sticksy (Named by Zoe Reed)
Type: Mutated Insectoid
Threat Level: 2
Description:
Sticksy resembles an oversized black stick bug — spindly legs, branching antennae, and a segmented body that mimics cracked wood. It clings to walls or trees and exudes a faint black mist when hunting. Rather than attacking physically, it drains the Natural Force of any nearby being, sapping their energy until they collapse. Victims remain alive but unconscious, leaving Sticksy to feed safely on their force essence.
Strengths:
Can drain the Natural Force of nearby life forms, bypassing physical defenses entirely.
Excellent camouflage; easily mistaken for wood, shadows, or vines.
Quick wall climber and capable of clinging upside down silently.
Force absorption can affect multiple targets at once if they are in proximity.
Weaknesses:
Physical frailty — even small-arms fire or melee blows can kill it.
Severing its concentration (by damaging or startling it) instantly releases absorbed Force back to the victims.
Vulnerable to sudden noise, light, or high-force pulses that disrupt its feeding cycle.
Must stay still while feeding; cannot defend itself during absorption.
Behavior:
Sticksy hunts through patience. It attaches itself to ceilings or tree branches, waiting for life signatures to enter range. Once close, it releases a nearly invisible web of draining tendrils that siphon Force. It rarely kills, its meals are more about energy than flesh, but prolonged exposure leaves victims weak for days.
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Bonus!!
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Monster Codex Entry
Monster Name: Stinkjaw (Named by Emily Grace)
Type: Mutated Insectoid
Threat Level: 3
Description:
Stinkjaw is a grotesque mutation of a common stinkbug, now the size of a car tire. Its body is plated with hardened chitin that radiates a faint purple-blue mist — a corrosive vapor that disorients, burns lungs, and masks movement. The creature's massive mandibles can crush bone and metal alike, and every bite releases another cloud of its gas. The mist clings low to the ground, giving Stinkjaw perfect cover to ambush its prey.
Strengths:
Emits a dense hallucinogenic and corrosive gas that lingers for hours.
Thick chitin armor protects it from most small-arms fire.
It can burrow under debris or hide within its own fog.
Gas disrupts low-tier Force perception and weakens Natural Force users.
Weaknesses:
Armor fractures under high-impact blows (Marcus's hammer proved effective).
Vulnerable to high heat, as the gas ignites easily.
Suffers disorientation from its own gas if airflow changes suddenly.
Poor agility — its size makes quick turns impossible.
Behavior:
Stinkjaw hunts in packs, using coordinated rushes to overwhelm prey. Once one charges, the rest follow through the gas. They rely heavily on ambush tactics, striking fast then retreating into their own fog to feed. When threatened, they release their gas in a panic burst before fleeing.
Survivor Notes (Emily):
"Marcus said it was just a bug, but it smells like it hates soap. I called it Stinkjaw 'cause it bites and stinks."
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