"Thrymja, would you like a tour of the manor?" Daggat asked. Thrymja seemed like the actual guy in charge. Proper decision maker. The other guy was more like their general or something, and he didn't seem the brightest.

"Very well, this place does intrigue me."

Daggat led him inside and upwards, towards the balcony, "This place was built for an evil human. He died a few days ago, actually."

"Is it that recent? I thought this was an old structure."

"Oh, it was. He just turned himself into a tree. Here we are! This is our questing altar."

"Interesting. I know of quests, but our people haven't had the opportunity to explore them."

Daggat gave him a subtle grin. "Then perhaps I can teach you. We can learn from each other. Your people and mine."

Thrymja chuckled, "We know of goblin ways."

Daggat had to restrain himself from growling, "My people are not the goblins. It is this bunch of lovable monsters. Goblin Teeth."

"Very well, we can trade culture. Tell me about this altar."

"This altar offers quests. It just so happens that there is one available." Daggat summoned a coin, "You offer it a coin, and the altar comes alive."

He did so. The altar did, indeed, come alive. The same creature he had seen before, half-buried in the tree trunk. Three eyes and short horns with a deep void inside her mouth. Thrymja took a cautious step back.

"Hey, quest lady. You got a quest for us?" Daggat said.

"Indeed, Daggat. A monster has slain an agent of the divine. Slay this beast, the bugbear, Klaw. For this, you will be rewarded with a gift."

"Did you say…" Daggat couldn't hold back his laughter. He bellowed from the belly. A loud and full laugh. He laughed harder than he had in years, perhaps ever.

"What? Am I missing a joke?" Thrymja asked, he was smiling as well.

"Klaw is-" He gasped to stop from laughing, "My brother!" Daggat burst into laughter again. "KLAW! KLAW GET UP HERE!" He bellowed.

"Oh." The altar said, realizing.

A moment later, Klaw leaped to the edge and crawled up, "What?" Elyndris was still on his head.

"Altar… repeat the quest," Daggat said, snickering.

The altar cleared its throat, "A monster has slain an agent of the divine. Slay this beast, the bugbear, Klaw. For this, you will be rewarded with a gift."

"WHAT!?" Klaw yelled, sending Daggat into another fit of giggles.

From above, Zuss dropped to the ground, also laughing with surprisingly high-pitched squawks.

"Utter orc shit!" Klaw said.

"Orc shit?" Thrymja asked.

"Altar! Why the fuck is there a quest for me?" He demanded.

"It seems the inquisitor you killed had a skill called Divine Retribution."

"How long does it last?" He asked.

"A year and a day, or till the fulfillment of the quest." She said.

"We are going to be hunted by adventurers?" Zuss asked.

"Just Klaw." Daggat snickered, "But hey! Free experience."

"I guess," Klaw said.

Daggat summoned a bag of ears, those he could gather from Triboar's battle, "While we are here, let's turn in some ears." He tossed it to the altar, "You know what to do. Thrym, when you turn in a quest, you get rewards like…" Two silver boxes appeared on the ground, "These. Only two!"

"The giant was powerful, but not a member of the command structure." She said.

"Ah. These are the gifts I have heard of. What sort of rewards do they provide?"

"Let's find out," Daggat said, opening the first. A silver shield appeared in a flash of light. It was fashioned with faint indentations of clouds on its face. The shield felt weightless.

Klaw tsked, "We don't hide behind shields. Pity."

Anath crawled up to the balcony, "Hey, are you opening gifts without me?"

"Ah, sorry." Daggat said, "Just showing Thrymja how the quests work. Here, you open it." He tossed her the box.

Her eyes lit up, "Thanks!" Then she pulled the string.

The box transformed into… another box. This one was red and made of metal. She opened this box.

"It's full of… stuff?" She reached in and pulled out a hammer, then a saw, then she reached deeper into the box than what should be possible, "A spindle!" Anath retrieved a wooden cylindrical object from the mysterious box.

"Tools," Daggat realised, "It's a magic toolbox. Handy, we can keep it in the workshop." Daggat faced Thrymja, "You like gardens?"

Thrymja shrugged.

Daggat guided the orc through the manor.

"You and your brother," Thrymja said, "have taken different evolutionary paths. Interesting."

"Yeah, bug bear suits him. Come to think of it, I noticed your kind are fairly homogeneous. All orcs. But, you are over level fifteen, surely you or others would have evolved."

"Well spotted. We orcs can evolve into other creatures. We are related to giants, like mountain folk, but to a lesser extent. However, we also have access to advanced orc forms. I am an Orcsha, Koarok is A Worc. Both forms are identical to orcs, so neither of us changed shape."

"So what did Orcsha get you? As opposed to orc. Your lightning core?"

Thrymja chuckled, "You notice much, Daggat. I will tell you of my evolution and my story if you tell me yours."

"Fair. I accept."

"As I said before, orcs can spend biotraits on weapon skills. Orcsha allows this to expand to spell-casting skills. Along with boosted mental attributes. Worc's gain strategic skills."

"Wow, lucky. As a goblin, I can just eat garbage. Gancanagh gives me a, let's just say, substantial bonus to charm."

"I noticed. As for my core… that is a story of my youth. As a child, I was stolen away by a lesser roc. A thunderbird which dwelt on the mountain." He tapped the side of his skull, " Its talons took my eyes. I survived within the roc's nest for three days and three nights, weathering the storm and fending off the chicks. Finally, Rashail blessed me with a core of lightning."

"Rashail, Hunter has a boot of Rashail. Who is it?"

"The angel of storms. He is who I pray to. After surviving the nest, I returned to my tribe stronger. I aged, grew stronger still, and eventually challenged a spirit beast in the very same nest where I lost my eyes. There, I gained these new ones."

"Fascinating. So, you are a spell caster, then? I take it you specialise in thunder, lightning, and the like?"

"I can call the rain, too." He said with a smile.

Daggat told him an abridged version of his story so far. He downplayed some of the more risky decisions he made and embellished his heroics.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Soon, they arrived at the empty greenhouse and garden.

"I have shown you the quests, what does your tribe have in offer?" Daggat asked after a quick tour. The "tour" was only an excuse to speak alone. Both parties knew this.

"Hmm," he rubbed his chin, "Have you prayed to the five?"

"Yeah, got our prayers."

"What about the Eternal Trial?"

"That's new. What's it?"

"It is a coming-of-age ritual for our people. Not all succeed. From sun rise to sun set, one must fight without break."

"Ooh, sounds rough. I did something similar for my core."

Thrymja idly retrieved a pipe from his pouch and filled it with tobacco. He held his fingers over the leaf, and sparks crackled between them.

"Allow me," Daggat said, lighting his thumb and offering it.

Thrymja gave him a short nod, then lit his pipe.

"The reward," He said with a mouth of smoke, "is a substantial bonus to constitution."

"I've got people that would be interested in that, for sure." Daggat got a whiff of the smoke, "Hey, that smells good."

"Do you smoke?" He said, offering the pipe.

Daggat took it, "Sometimes when I'm mad." He sucked from the pipe, inhaling burning smoke. He found the flavor pleasant and the warmth soothing.

He exhaled smoothly. The smoke took a strange, fractal shape.

Thrymja grunted, "You inhaled too deeply, but handled it well. Any other boons you're people have discovered?"

"Let's see…" Daggat said, scrolling through his feats, "Fire core… self surgeon, flesh grafting… Oh, you guys have Vile Concoction?" He handed over the pipe.

"No… I am afraid not. What is it?"

Daggat cackled, "Oh, it's a good one. Grants disease resistance, like fifteen con does. You must create a drink of vile ingredients. Vomit, rotten food, ancient cheese, piss, stuff like that. Then drink it willingly."

Thrymja shivered, "Young orcs do suffer from disease… this isn't a trick?"

"It would be a funny one if it were," Daggat said.

Thrymja nodded, "Thank you. In return… do you know of Underdog?"

"Yep. You do that often?"

"No, it's… quite dangerous. But our tribe rewards personal challenge. What about No Limits?"

"Ah! We don't know this one."

"Good. It is a feat of strength. Push yourself by using every last ounce of your strength, then more. The reward, like Eternal Trial, is a bonus to strength." Thrymja handed the pipe back.

"Yup, we'll use that. How about muscle helix?"

Thrymja nodded, "We know all of the attribute boosting biotraits."

Will? That's what we are missing."

"Well, now. I believe it is your turn for information, not mine."

"Fair. How about… unlocking psionic options?"

"Oh, that is new to us. We know they exist, but do not know how to access them. Though the majority of the tribe are physically focused."

Daggat explained combining hypnotic gaze with enhanced vocal chords. In return, Thrymja explained how to obtain the will boosting biotrait, Unwavering Instinct. It required a wisdom of fifteen and an apprentice-level natural skill of a myriad of choices. The easiest to achieve is meditation or any skill relating to survival.

"What is the first evolution of an orc?" Daggat asked after a while. They had moved on, and Daggat was showing off the bath.

"They are called Thrall's. Stupid creatures formed of mud and bone."

"Do you know what their special biotraits are?"

He frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Ah, this one's a doozy. Did you know that if you level a tier one monster to level ten, without evolving them, they get a special biotrait? It's quite powerful. Gremlins can destroy things with magic, for example."

"Interesting. It will be difficult to convince a Thrall to wait, though."

"Say, what else can they evolve to? Just for my curiosity."

"Mostly orcs, but they are also the first form of Skeletids. Once a thrall evolved into a sea creature, the fool drowned on dry land."

"I knew of a goblin that made his blood explosive."

The two laughed for some time.

"We have plans, you know. For after killing Rika." Daggat said.

"Oh?"

"This manor… the town around it. We want to bring it back. Make it a place for monsters that thrives."

"A monster city? What a stupid idea."

"Yeah, well. So is attacking Rika. But I am still going to do that."

Thrymja looked at him in the eye, an impressive feat for the partially blind, "Why?"

"Why do I want to kill Rika?" Daggat asked. Thrymja nodded, so he continued, "Spite, mostly. My brother was killed. I killed the guy who made that happen. Then I killed his boss. She's next on the ladder."

"Just spite?"

"Do I need another reason? Can't you hate someone enough to unite monsters of different kinds to form an army to slay them? Or maybe I just said I would one day, and I try not to go back on my word. Unless I'm lying, of course."

"I suppose. But war is a nasty business."

"Yeah, well. We're monsters. Nasty is in our blood."

"So it is. That is why we orcs breathe war." Thrymja stared off in the distance, "Alright, I have decided."

"Yeah?"

"We will fight this war. You can help. The head takers have ruined this land. Brutal as we orcs may be, we still respect the bounties of the forest."

Daggat offered a hand, "Then let's commit murder together."

"It's not murder when you have an army." He looked at his hand, "What's this?"

"It's a human thing. How do orcs formalize an agreement?"

He chuckled, "You are a charming creature, aren't you? Like this," then he headbutted Daggat. Hard.

Daggat

True Name: Daggat Soul: Monster

Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: goblin [ +2 Str, +2 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Scavenger; Small Size] Genbranch: gancanagh [ +4 Cha, +2 Int, +2 Dex; Beguiling Presence, Unnatural Beauty; Medium Size]

Mark of the Harvest: +4 Cha, +2 Int; Caudal Spike [Reaping]

Base size: Medium[Largest Size: Gancanagh]

Monster Level: 17

Attributes (0/10)(base growth, +5; Devotion, +1; growth potions, +4): Strength: 11 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +2, Devotion +1) Dexterity: 13 (Base 9, Class/Genesis +4) Constitution: 11 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +2, Growth +1) Intelligence: 32 (Base 7, Class/Genesis +3, Growth +2, Variant +10, mark +2, Efficient Neurology +8) Will: 10 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +1, Growth +1) Charm: 28 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +4, Growth +8, mark +4, Unnatural Beauty +4)

Feats: True Angel - Encounter a true angel. Reward: Skill choice unlocks. Mighty Intellect - Raise Intelligence base to 15. Reward: +1 Skill point. Fledgling Alchemist - Successfully brew an alchemical potion. Reward: Alchemy skill. System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [Layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Usurper - Slay a previous or current party leader. Reward: One level in Party Leader. Touch of Death - Perform two of the following: die and return to life, survive an untethered's life - draining attack, or perform the rite of Mihr. Reward: Death sight. Reborn by Fire - Remain immersed in flame for a full day. Reward: Fire Core. Devilishly Charming - Raise charm base to 15. Reward: Party Leader skill. Aura Master - Obtain two different sources of an aura. Reward: Condense Aura Victor - Successfully led a large force against another. Reward: One Skill point. Note: This skill point may only be spent on tactics, logistics, or leadership divine skills. Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter. Self Surgeon - Perform a successful surgery on yourself. Reward: One skill point. Note: This skill point may only be spent on healing or surgery natural skills, or fleshwork-related skills. Flesh Grafter - Successfully graft the flesh of two creatures together. Reward: Fleshworker skill. You Mad Bastard - Gain the favor of Vaelion. Reward: Vaelion's favor. Vast Intelligence - Raise Intelligence base to 30. Reward: Fast Learner.

Skills(2/7)(Mortal Level, 0, Devotion, +2; Mighty Intellect, +1; Skill Potions +3; Victor +1; Self Surgery +1): Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist] System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 3 [Perk: Semi-sentience, Multiple] SP SPENT = 3 [Synergy]Mind Codex: 1 --Mental Notes: 1 SP SPENT = 1 --Copy Tome: 1 (Natural skill: Literacy) SP SPENT = 1 Party Leader: 2 [Source: Usurper, Devilishly Charming; Perk: Party Loot] Lunge: 1 (Natural skill: Spearmanship) SP SPENT = 1 Condense Aura: 1 [Source: Aura Master] Infinite Limiter Fleshworker [Source: Flesh Grafter] Fast Learner [Source: Vast Intelligence

Notable Natural Skills: Literacy: Apprentice Spearmanship: Apprentice Acrobatics: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/17) (Monster Level, +16; Devotion, +1):

Regenisis: Goblin; BP SPENT = 1 Gancanagh; BP SPENT = 1

Inherited Biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Scavenger [Source: goblin] Unnatural Beauty [Source: gancanagh]

Standard Biotraits: [Synergy]Temperature Resistant Flesh --Fire Resistant Flesh; BP SPENT = 1 --Cold Resistant Flesh; BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Beguiling Presence [Calming Presence] --Hypnotic Gaze [Mutations: Dominating Gaze, Mesmerizing Gaze] BP SPENT = 3 --Hypervocal Cords [Mutations: Beguiling Voice] BP SPENT = 2 [Synergy]Second Sight --Aura Sight [Mutations: Ambient Aura Sense] BP SPENT =2 --Death Sight [Mutations: Death Gaze; Source: Touch of Death] BP SPENT =1 Telekinesis [Mutations: Mind over Matter (Boon), Tactile Telekinesis] BP SPENT =2 Hex Aura BP SPENT =1 Efficient Neurology (Mutations: Inherited Intelligence) BP SPENT =2 Regeneration

Core Biotraits: Core: Chaos Flame [Source: Reborn by Fire/ Corrected]

Other: Variant: +10 Intelligence; Enhanced vocabulary Skill potions used: 3/5 Growth potions used: 2/5

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