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Springer — Description
Rather odd in appearance and behavior, Springers appear to be one of Ver'Rahl's strangest creations. Their upper bodies are armored like insects, but this exoskeleton is desiccated and crumbling. Holes can actually be seen in their form, as bits of them crack and flake off. Many of them lack hands, or forearms, as they have either broken or fallen off. They lack eyes and their heads are so cracked and dried that they cannot open their mouths. Inside their chests hangs a crystal, which vary in shape and size. Unlike their top half, the lower half is very flexible and springy. Curling it beneath their bodies, they sit on this tail and stand in one spot. They do not move, they just merely sit there, occasionally bobbing on their springy tail at the slightest tremor.

At first glance, these creations seem absolutely useless. They lack arms for attacking and their bodies appear ready to crumble at a mere touch. Their power, however, does not come from physical attributes, rather it is in magic. The crystal embedded in their bodies create an area of effect, usually a circle of fifty yards or more. Within this area, a certain aura is emitted. What this field does depends solely on the type of crystal in their body. Some create a circle of healing that regrows the flesh of nearby undead. Others can give buffs to undead, like injecting a constant state of rage in them, or causing their bodies to create and secrete a numbing poison. Other crystals that the Springers carry can even focus on living beings, though their effects are not so helpful. Entering their circles can cause a constant irritation to the skin, distracting foes as they try to fight. Some can fog the mind and slow reaction speeds. There are even those that can slowly drain away energy, tiring foes quicker as they battle the undead hordes. Alone, Springers are easy to avoid and handle, but when surrounded by fellow undead they become a dangerous nuisance.

Passive effects are not their only trait. Due to their effects on the battlefield, one would make it priority to walk up to one and smash it to pieces. With their brittle forms, many would think dispatching them is as easy as that. In truth, it is not so simple. Springers seem to exude a slippery aura from their bodies. Physical attacks thrown at them cause them to simply roll off the attack or bounce away. Strong blows can send them flying, only for them to land yards away on their springy tails with not a scratch on them. With this, physically hitting them seems impossible, as arrows cause their bodies to slide away from impact, and swords send them bouncing away unharmed. And since they prefer not to move on their own, other undead can take swipes at them to crudely relocate them on the battlefield.

Getting around this strange effect of theirs is difficult, but it can be done. Bouncy as they are, there is a limit to what they can ricochet off from. Precise and powerful strikes can send them flying into unavoidable obstacles, like launching them face first into a brick wall. One can also force them into a tight space where their aura works against them. Any blow in confined spaces will cause them to ping-pong off the walls at such a speed that it will cancel out their slippery field and cause them to shatter. If one plans to use this strategy, they should be wary of the Springer's trajectory so that they do not get slammed by the erratic insect. While physical blows can succeed, magic is also a very good options. As long as one avoids using spells that cause physical impact, they can simply ignore their field and break them apart. A simple searing bolt of lightening can stab right through them and bring their powers to a halt. Smashing the crystal in their bodies will stop the aura and return the battlefield to normal.

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An update for these weirdos!