Not Just a spell, but rather a set of instructions on how to survive an encounter with and even control a Kumo– a type of giant spider-demon
A voice
Food, rather fresh bird meat
Casting Directions for ‘Assessing the Kumo’
The Kumo is a spider-demon found in Asia and especially Japan. These instructions cover the basics of what to do in a Kumo encounter, be it controlling one or getting away from one alive.
TO SURVIVE A KUMO ENCOUNTER:
1: Do NOT try to escape. A Kumo is about the size of a large dog and will easily run you down.
2: Lower yourself to its level. I know this sounds crazy, but a Kumo will generally regard anything taller than it as a threat and pounce. Squat down so you appear to be just slightly taller than it.
3: Hum lightly and tunelessly– make certain that you keep one steady note and pitch. The Kumo detects vibrations with the hairs on its legs and thus zones in on its prey. Humming both calms the creature and confuses its homing abilities.
4: As you do that, shuffle backward slightly using your own feet. Do not stop humming and try to not make your movement obvious.
5: Once you’re out of pounce range (about 25 feet away), stand up slowly and back away from the Kumo, still humming and making eye contact.
6: Once it is out of sight, don’t hesitate to turn around and walk. But DO NOT run. Even if it can’t see you, it will still feel the vibrations of your running feet through the ground. And remember– NOTHING incites a predator to attack like running prey.
COMMANDING A KUMO
1: Slowly approach the Kumo holding at your side an offering of food. The Kumo prefers bird meat.
2: Throw the offering to the ground about five feet in front of the creature and wait while it eats. It’s a fantastic idea to activate a warding spell at this stage to keep you safe.
3: What you do at this point will direct the Kumo’s behavior if it’s satisfied with your gift. If it isn’t satisfied, see “To Survive a Kumo Encounter” above.
TO TELL A KUMO TO ATTACK:
1: Make a run of metronome-like clicking noises while making eye contact with the goal you need to be attacked. Do NOT make eye contact with the Kumo while doing this unless you wish to be attacked yourself.
TO CALL OFF A KUMO ATTACK:
1: Hum in a high pitch whilst drumming rapidly on the floor with your foot. The Kumo should drop its attack and come to you, unless it is at this point in a feeding frenzy.
TO CALL A KUMO TO YOU:
1: Hum at a low pitch when drumming on the ground with your foot at a steady pace. Back up while you do that. The Kumo should accompany you.
TO BANISH A KUMO:
1: While taking a look at the ground, let out a slow hiss and back away from the Kumo. It should back away also. Once it is about 30 feet from you, stop backing up but still walk in position until it has backed out of sight. Wait for a few minutes, and the Kumo should be gone from the region.
NOTE: A Kumo cannot be expected to obey your directions immediately after one feeding. It can take multiple feedings, different types or amounts of food, etc.. Just provide the creature time to adjust to you. Kumos are really very intelligent and can be trained as protectors if you spend enough time working with them. Still, bear in mind that these are primarily demonic beasts and not to be trifled with.
