Klaw felt like he had been punched in the shoulder. The worm's pounces had a kick to them. The small pink projectile flew at Bit like an arrow. In a panic, the goblin lifted his bone blade to his face. He flinched his eyes closed. By pure chance, the timing and placement of the dagger were perfect. Elyndris bounced off its flat edge and soared straight up into the air.
With a growl, Klaw went to strike the goblin while he was dumbly looking up into the sky.
[Warning. This action is dishonorable.]
"WHAT!? We're in a fight!" Klaw roared but stopped his attack. That brought the goblin's attention back to him. It sneered and then struck at him. Instinctively, Klaw smacked the bone shard away with the back of his hand, then lunged and sliced with one motion. This time, it was not dishonorable. His claws racked across its bone-like armor, splintering bone but leaving the goblin unharmed.
The goblin was slow, slower than Anath and Zuss, whom he regularly sparred against at least. If this was their chief, then these goblins were screwed. All around him, creatures moved. Goblins skulked towards him. From the woods, Klaw could hear Leofric cursing at him and yelling orders.
Leofric would deal with his frustration. Klaw fought on his own terms. He licked his lips in anticipation and began his duel with the bone goblin boss.
He ripped and tore at it, using the movements he had practiced. His claws dug underneath bone plates, and he ripped them off. Beneath them was fresh, glistening flesh. The goblin stumbled back, screaming and crying in pain. Its pitiful attempts at striking Klaw failed. Then, it slipped on a skull. Rather than tripping, the skull was kicked forward and rolled under Klaw's foot, tripping him instead.
With a curse, Klaw stumbled forward. The goblin managed to catch him by the wrist. It grinned in that wicked way only goblins could. With a twist, Klaw's wrist snapped.
He roared in more rage than pain. It was the same. Fucking. Wrist. Why was it always that wrist? More importantly, how did it snap his wrist so easily? Klaw had reinforced bones, and was clearly stronger. It didn't make any sense. It had to be some magic orcshit.
Like that, the advantage became the goblin's. It laughed in maniacal glee as it stabbed at Klaw again and again with its crude weapon. The strikes stung, but it wasn't enough to pierce his fur. Finally, he recollected himself and Klaw retook the offensive.
He activated Burst of Strength, then wildly slapped the bone dagger from the goblin's grasp.
"It's time for you to bleed," Klaw growled.
The goblin's throat was exposed. He went for it, jabbing with bladed fingers. But, something caught his eye at the last millisecond, and he pulled back. An arrow boomed between them. Air kicking up like a storm. Leofric! The bastard had either missed him or the goblin. Either way, the human better back off.
The arrow forced a distance between them that allowed the goblin to scramble away and down into a barrow. He was about to chase it, then something stopped him. The hole was dark. Too dark. It had a vile sense coming from within. Instead, he checked on the rest of the battlefield.
One goblin nearby was thrashing on the ground in pain. Blood spurt from its neck from where a ravenous Elyndris was chewing her way in. Goblins from the other side of the fields had rushed and clashed with Leofrics men, and were now in the process of retreating down a barrow hole as well. Two humans lay dead, but so were three goblins. One looked as though it had been beaten to death with boulders. Near it stood Lisa, breathing heavily. Her fists were covered in goblin blood. Likewise, Anath had also slain a goblin, though she had a gash on an arm. Several of the fleeing goblins had shattered bone plates where arrows had failed to pierce their armor.
The first clash was quick, but it was over.
Klaw managed the blood flow to his snapped wrist, making sure to keep his hand supplied with blood.
"What were you thinking?" Leofric yelled at him as he walked up.
"What? They found me out. So, I attacked."
"You could have retreated. Or warned us first. I lost two men!"
"Oh boo hoo. If they couldn't handle a few goblins, you're better off. Now, a bugbear I would understand."
Leofric's face went red with fury. He drew a sword from his hip. About time. Klaw began to square up to him when Oswine rode up.
"Leofric. They are retreating into the barrows. Let's finish the goblins, then we can squabble." Oswine summoned three scrolls from thin air. "I'll try to draw them out."
With a few deft slashes with a paintbrush, Oswine marked the scrolls with a symbol. Then, tore the sheets. Three wargs bled into the world.
"Down the hole, slay whatever you find."
The wargs barked, then dashed off. Like trained hunting hounds, they ran into the dark. A moment later, barking, snarling, and goblin shouts were cut off by three quick death yelps.
"That's not good," Klaw said. He approached Anath. "What happened to you?"
Anath had mud covering her face. "I… slipped. But I killed it."
Elyndris, now stained red with blood, landed on Klaw's shoulder. "You are not the only one. Half of the humans stumbled, tripped, got caught up in each other's way, or were simply unlucky. Something is going on."
"They have some sort of passive effects. One of them snapped my wrist like a twig. It wasn't even strong."
"The one I fought had a hold of one of the spi- of my spider legs. It acted like it won, then was surprised when he couldn't break it. That's how I won." Anath said.
Something strange was going on with the goblins. Did they have some sort of Core? Klaw was close to his, he could feel it. He stopped counting the hearts he had consumed. There was something primal about eating a fresh heart. A satisfaction that could easily become addicting.
"We won't be able to wait them out," Leofric said. "Someone will have to go in."
"Oh, I'll do it. I'm not scared of the dark." Lisa said.
"You'd be blind," Klaw said.
"They went down two holes," Anath said. "We'd have to do them at the same time, so we don't get sandwiched."
Leofric nodded. "Fine. Alright. Oswine, summon what you can ahead of us, and then we'll move in. Keep it tight. You three, go with the monsters into the other hole."
"Fuck that, we don't need human's help." Klaw spat. Anath glowered at him.
"You know what? Fine. You three go in alone. You'll buy us enough time to retreat before getting boxed in, at least. Dealing with you lot has been a mistake."
"Wow, alright. We will. Fuck you, too." Klaw turned back to Anath. "We can handle it. You've got that scroll?"
She nodded, then withdrew a golden scroll. The hero scroll.
"How do I…" Anath said, and then her eye widened in understanding. She did something with the system interface, and the scroll disappeared in a flash of light.
A beam of dense energy crashed into the ground next to her like a bolt from the heavens. The thunderous boom was replaced with a raucous laughter.
A dwarf stood where the bolt landed. She had braided, red hair and an equally braided, short beard. In one hand she held a mug of some frothing ale. She wore dented armor stained with a rainbow of different bloods, a small anvil on her back, and a selection of hammers at her waist.
She stopped, took in her surroundings with a surprised expression, and then smiled.
"You've got half an hour of me, lass." She said, pointing at Anath. "We killing something or do you want something banged together with my hammer? Maybe a lesson or two."
Then she noticed Klaw. "Ah. Monster hunting it is."
The dwarf threw her ale aside and drew a hammer, then rushed at the bugbear. Klaw snarled and readied himself to defend.
"Stop!" Anath cried. The dwarf did. "He's an ally. So is the worm. And the humans."
"Oh, sorry about that. You caught me in the middle of a feast, still light-headed. You've all been through it, haven't ya?" She gestured to Klaw's wrist, which was now swollen. "Fill me in. Quickly."
"Goblins retreated down that hole. You're going in first because you're expendable. Got that?" Klaw said.
"Right, right, I know the deal. I died once before, and can't do it again. Just zaps me back. But, I listen to the girl."
"Um, please do what he says," Anath said.
"Well, alright then. Capabilities?"
"Bone armor and primitive weapons. They can snap bone like dried wood, and… they are lucky." Klaw listed.
"Not lucky. They're goblins. Anyone who faces a goblin becomes UNlucky. You should know that. So, bone magic. This a corpse field? Must have gained a bone core over time. Fun. Too bad about the wrist. If you were made of metal, I could fix ya."
"My bones are metal," Klaw grumbled.
"Seriously? Vitaferrum?"
"Yeah, but I am used to it. I can still fight."
The dwarf faced Anath. "Girl, if you want, I can fix this dense-skulled friend of yours. Even make him better."
"Wait, better how?" Klaw asked. She ignored him.
"We only have half an hour, will it take long."
"Oh, no." She said as she dropped the small anvil from her back. "Not with my skills."
"Klaw?" Anath asked.
"Do it!" Elyndris hissed.
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"Fine. Wrist can't get any more fucked up."
"Great!" The dwarf said. "Name's Chloe, by the way. Battlesmith and Beastslayer. My level was dropped by quite a bit, but I kept my Battlesmith class."
"What do you mean, your level was dropped?" Elyndris asked.
Klaw hissed in pain as Chloe grabbed and yanked his broken wrist over the anvil.
"Oh, when summoned, I come in three levels lower than the summoner. Unless they have a summoner class, of course. Don't worry, I can still kick plenty of ass. This is going to hurt, by the way."
"Wait, let me-" Klaw began. Chloe descended a five-pound hammer towards his wrist. As it fell, he could feel his bones grow hot, blistering hot. So hot they might have been glowing. The hammer blow radiated pain through his arm, which seemed to echo back and forth across his body. The bones of his wrists snapped back in place and fused.
"FUCK!" Klaw screamed after he was done yelling in pain.
The humans watched the show with interest. Leofric had a big grin on his face. Klaw was going to rip off that man's head one day.
"Right, now the next bit." Chloe brought down her hammer square on his forehead. He felt a sensation like every joint in his body popping at the same time. Pain reverberated through his body like a gong.
He teared up from the pain. It wasn't quite like anything he had experienced before. Like an animal, he lashed out.
[Warning. This action is dishonorable.]
"FUCK!" He screamed again. "I hate this fucking class!" It took all of his willpower to hold back his strike.
"Check your stats, bugybear," Chloe said with a grin.
He did. Next to his dense bones and claws, [Reinforced] was written.
"What does that mean?" Klaw asked, panting, "Reinforced."
"It means your biometal is now tougher. You're welcome. Usually, smiths charge a hefty price for that." Chloe waggled her hammer at Anath. "Your tuuuurn."
"I'm fine, actually," Anath said nervously.
"Like hell she is. If I had to go through that, so do you."
"What is a bit of pain now compared to even greater strength!" Elyndris hissed.
"If you don't I will make you go down the hole first," Klaw growled.
"…fine," Anath said.
Chloe grinned at her, then tapped a spider leg with her hammer. Anath made a squeaking sound as her exoskeleton and spider legs brightened. Changing from almost black to a smoother, more reflective gray.
That wasn't fair. It didn't hurt her nearly as much. Klaw unsheathed his claws. They, too, had become reinforced.
"How often can we do that?" Klaw asked.
"Three times. Four, maybe. Doubt it. But, you'd have to find a high-level smith to get three. At least a guildy. I can only reinforce once, because of the level drop."
"A… guildy?" Anath asked.
"Ack, we don't have time. Quickly, to the barrows. I wish to lay waste to these foolish goblins." Elyndris said.
"Alright. So, I'm leading the way in?" Chloe asked.
Klaw nodded. She laughed, drew two hammers from her belt, and charged for the hole.
Klaw
True Name: Klaw Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: Bugbear [ +3 Str, +1 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Rough Fur; Small Size]
Monster Level: 8 Paladin Level: 3 [+2 Str, +2 Con, +2 Wil; Smite, Righteous Aura]
Attributes (0/6): Strength: 21 (22, +1 belt) Dexterity: 10 Constitution: 13 (14, +1 belt) Intelligence: 8 Will: 11 Charm: 8
Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Strength Act: Arsonist
Skills(0/4): System Aptitude: 1 Burst of Strength: 1 Attribute Boost: Strength (+2) Flame Affinity: 1 [Source: Arsonist] Smite: 1 Wind Slash: 1 Savage Attacks: 1
Notable Natural Skills: Savagery: Apprentice Swordsmanship: Apprentice Strength Training: Apprentice
Biotraits (0/8): Base size: Standard [Source: Gremlin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Claws {Reinforced} [Mutations: Forged, Retractable] Dense Muscle Fibers Rough Fur [Mutations: Insulating Fur; Source: Bugbear] Dense Bone {Reinforced} Cardiovascular Control
Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 constitution Fire-proof Scales Claws [Mutation added: Burning]
Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity +2 constitution Dark Vision
Notable Gear: Mountain Heart Armor Belt of Last Stand
Elyndris
True Name: Elyndris Soul: Monster Genseed: Larva [ 1 Str, 1 Dex, 1 Con, 1 Int, 1 Wil, 1 Cha; miniscule Size]
Monster Level:
11
Attributes (0/12):
Strength:
10
Dexterity:
8
Constitution:
8
Intelligence:
15
Will:
7
Charm:
7
Feats:
Encounter: True Angel
Knowledge: System Knowledge
Act: Devotion
[layered feats]
Act: Blasphemy
Ability: Mighty Intellect
Act: Vile Concoction
Act: Fledgling Mage
Skills (0/3):
Burst of Strength: 1
Pounce: 1
Construct Capacity: 1
Spellcraft: 1
Biotraits (3/11):
Base size: Miniscule
Jaws
Thaumic Sense
[Synergy: Tremor Sense + Magic Sense; Mutations:
Refined Sense
]
Complex organs
Limbs [Mutation:
Lesser Wings
]
Disease Resistance
[Source: Vile Concoction]
Force Distributing Flesh
Transformations:
Night Stalker form:
+2 strength
+2 dexterity
+2 constitution
Jaws [Mutation: Powerful Jaws]
Known Magical Components:
Engines
: Force, Energy, Beam
Drives
: Focus
Notable Gear:
5 Refresh Pills
Hero Scroll
Other:
Curse: Ungenesis
Anath
True Name: Anathema Soul: Monster/Mortal Genseed: Human [ 3 Str, 3 Dex, 3 Con, 3 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Standard Size]
Monster Level: 5 Berserker Level: 6 [+3 Str, Dex Con, -1 Int, Wil, Cha; Berserker's rage, Great Vitality]
Attributes [0/7]: Strength: 12 Dexterity: 11 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 10 Will: 8 Charm: 7
Feats: Encounter: True Angel Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats]
Skills(0/9): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 1 Skill Boosts: Survival (1) Savage Legs: 1 Berserker's Spirit: 1 [Synergy: Warrior's Spirit (Burst of Strength + Burst of Alacrity + Burst of Vitality) + Berserker's Rage] Purge Poison: 1 Great Vitality: 1 Blood Rhythm: 1 Enhanced Harvest: 1
Notable Natural Skills: Survival: Apprentice Savagery: Apprentice
Biotraits [0/5]: Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Extra Limb (Arachnid), x4 [Source: Variant] Venomous Mandibles [Source: Variant] Multi-eye [Mutations: Magnified, Night Vision; Source: Variant] Hardened Chitin {Reinforced} Exoskeleton
Transformations: Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Claws Dark Vision
Notable Gear: Blade of the Dessert Flower
Other: Variant: Arachnid Traits
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