Episode 10: in the Pryplaeus of the Shoggoth

"I'm not going up there," said Velus. "And neither should you! I've got a bad feeling about this, yessireebob, a real bad feeling. Man-o-man, why you going up? Can't you smell the evil off this thing? I can feel it in my hands, er, paws even."

Of course all Fred heard was a lot of barking and growling.

Fred was not going to wait for any bespelled boy and so he continued his journey upwards. It seemed as if each step on the case increased the dull pain in his head, as if each lift of the knees made more intense the fog at the sides of his eyes, but the sound of others, of angry and hateful others down below, kept him on his upward course.

Of course Velus didn't hear any of that, because it was only in Fred's head. All he knew was that this staricase was so loaded with evil that he wouldn't even piss on it. But as he did need to piss he ran to the nearest boulder and did his duty. That's when he did hear a sound, a strange one at that. It sounded like a slooshing, slooping noise, a very wet sound indeed. Since the Knight went where he would not, he decided to investigate. ~~maybe I'll find something to get rid of this curse~~

As he turned the corner of one tunnel he realized that though what he was looking at probably did have the power to uncurse him, it probably would eat him immediately after doing such a deed. He saw a huge creature with a great bulbous torso covered in moist juices and sweat-like substances. Several limbs emerged from the abdomen and it appeared as if it had recently been wearing clothing, but now that clothe was nothing more than ripped swathes, and from underneath -cradled in layers of fat- were multiple eyes! Velus yelped. Then he realized that that was a big mistake. The multi-limbed monstrosity stood on mighty legs and turned towards Velus, gastric juices bubbling from crevasses that Velus was sure no natural creature should have, and to put the icing on this unholy cake, the entire hideous creature was a bright shade of pink.

"Hello," it said, although Velus was sure its lips -were those its lips? - didn't move.

Velus was too stunned and terrified to speak.

"You must have gotten loose from the pens, little one," continued the monster. "You haven't happened to have seen a man in metal armor have you?"

~~Fred?~~ thought Velus.

"YES! Fred is its name!" said the creature.

~~crap! This thing can read minds!~~

"All beings worth their own spit can, my little pet," said the monster in condescending tones. "But enough pratter... I'm in the mood for some hot dog!"

1. Velus, the Thing, and a date with a fire-pit?!?
2. This Shoggoth - in reality the "woman" who Fred thinks he has killed - reaches out with its unfurling digits to grab poor Velus!
3. Before the Thing can get Velus an acolyte rushes in. "Oh Grand Shog Tripartate, the man is going to where you desire!"
4. Suddenly a *pop* was heard and a bright green flash filled the room, followed by a smoldering eye hitting the floor. Velus felt like he was going to vomit.

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