The crew stood ready outside the manor. It was a brisk spring morning. Frost twinkled off of the budding plant life. Daggat took a large breath of air. The frost at his feet began to bead as it melted from his heat.

"This is it! We are now officially on our first adventure as an adventuring party. One of many! Over the next few weeks, we will hone our teamwork skills, fight for survival, and reap any and all experience we run across!" Daggat turned to face his crew. They were all bleary-eyed and still tired. Zuss looked as though she was asleep. "This is a new era for the Elderveil! Our era."

"Oh, and no slacking! I've figured out a plan for us before bed." Klaw said. Several pairs of lazy eyes swiveled to him in surprise. "We're gonna spar. Get to know each other's combat style and help each other grow." He gave Daggat a wide smile. Daggat winked at him.

"Great idea. Any other ideas?" Daggat asked.

"We need to decide what to do about monsters," Elyndris said.

"Kill them, roast them, and turn them into levels," Daggat replied.

"Well, yes. Maybe. There are some… complications." Elyndris continued. "Anath, do you want to explain?" Anath stepped forward.

"Um!" She started. Her voice cracked slightly. "So, I lived out there for a while, in for forest. I have an idea of how it works. With, you know, monsters."

"They eat each other, right?" Daggat said.

"Yes. Sort of. Monsters tend to obtain territory. Large swaths of land where they are the only monsters. Weaker, curious monsters that wander in get eaten, making the monster stronger. Sapient monsters, such as goblins, tend to work differently, of course." Anath began.

"Oh! I know this one. That happened to you, right Anath? Only, you won." Hunter added.

"Uh-huh. If a bigger monster kills a monster, then it gets stronger and can cover more territory. The thing is, if something doesn't claim the land, instead you have a BUNCH of smaller monsters there."

"So?" Zuss asked, finally waking up.

"It means," Elyndris answered for Anath, "That we need to decide if we kill a monster and let others take its territory, or if we let it live so we won't have to deal with more monsters in the future."

Daggat twirled his spear as he thought through the issue. Killing them would give sweet, sweet experience. But, then again, big monsters could get even bigger.

"Here is what we will do if we come across a beast. If it attacks, well, we deal with it. If it seems calm, we let it be. That way, when we get back, we can hunt it down for experience on our terms."

"Great. Now, let's get a move on. We shouldn't waste light." Klaw said. Daggat beamed. His little scheme was already working out.

With the manor at their backs, they set off for adventure. Alfred and Birdy stayed behind, to tend the manor and its vermin. Daggat was sure of the agreement he and Alfred had made and encoded on a binding Mihr contract. So long as the undead boy was intact, the manor would be safe.

The first few days were rough. Most, not even the goblinoids, were unused to the toll it took to traverse through raw wilderness. Only Anath seemed to thrive. She naturally settled into a style of walking that incorporated her spider legs. Zuss tired herself out by insisting she scouts ahead and climbing when unnecesary. Klaw lugged his armor around, slowing him despite his great strength. Hunter especially struggled. He carried more weight than anyone else, which he insisted on. Despite that, he had an almost gleeful outlook on the journey. The last time he hiked for any extended time he was starving, had a dead foot, and was lost.

Daggat carried the gold, which weighed almost twenty pounds by itself. That, and his collection of potions, poisons, and bombs didn't do him any favors.

At night, Daggat found an unexpected comfort. There was a certain goblishness to sleeping in a tree nook or soft hole.

Klaw's insistence to keep training while they traveled only made things worse. Starting the second day, Daggat, Hunter, Klaw, and Anath took turns sparring with sticks. Their bruises healed by the next day. Zuss practiced ambushing random party members, with Elyndris giving her the most trouble. Elyndris focused on her spells. Trying to improve her speed. It still took her quite a while to cast a single spell. Not suitable for combat, yet.

Heavy fog obscured the night, while vibrant greens and wildflowers accented the day. Streams and small rivers crossed their paths frequently, giving the crew plenty to drink. There were plenty of small game which Zuss chased after. Anath gathered roots, berries, and nuts on their way through the forest. As a result, they had slowed down. But, Daggat was not going to complain. It was nice to get out of the manor, and they had no real time limit. Aside from the growing threat of goblins.

They had yet to encounter any signs of goblin kind, wargs, or orcs. But, they still were wary.

On their fourth day, the crew was starting to feel ragged. Their make-shift camps were fine for the first legs of their journey, but Daggat longed for his bath house. A short time after mid-morning, they found a trail. Following it was much easier on them.

Zuss appeared from the shadows in front of the group an hour later.

"Found something." She said.

"A monster or lair?" Daggat asked. She shook her head.

"Something else. Come on."

She led them about a quarter mile uphill and past some tricky trails. Daggat had gotten into the habit of using his spear to climb with. It gave him a handhold to pull from anywhere he needed it.

They came to a patch of short cliffs, or tall stairs, in a clearing. Sticks were stuck in the ground around these, forming stepped fields. In them grew onions, leafy greens, and herbs in rough lines.

"It's a garden," Hunter said after he caught his breath. Climbing was rough for him. "Is there a village nearby?"

"Never mind the village. We are eating onions tonight!" Daggat said.

"We can't just take someone's onions!" Anath said.

"Why not? They are not using them." Zuss said.

"Because it's-" Anath began before getting cut off by a grunt of pain.

"The FUCK?!" Klaw roared. He ripped something out of his hip. A short, squat arrow. Its tip was dripping Klaw's blood. He growled.

Anath's eyes went wide, then sharpened in fury. She screamed and then seemed to fly in the direction Klaw was shot from. Elyndris flew off after her.

Daggat scanned that direction but saw nothing. Anath must have spotted the attacker with her zooming feature.

Daggat ran after them. Zuss was already gone, and Klaw tried to limp after them. Was it a villager? An orc? Goblins didn't use arrows like that.

"Wait! We need a plan!" He yelled after them. But, his pleas went unheard.

Something tightened around Daggat's leg and tripped him. He hit the ground hard but kept a hold of his spear. Then, the snare lifted into the air.

He realized what was happening immediately. Some sort of snare trap. He swiped at the rope tugging at his foot with the spear, slicing it. He righted himself in mid-air, then used his spear as a pole to swing himself to the ground. He rolled when he landed but ended up dropping the spear. He had gotten better at using it for acrobatic stunts, but he still had a ways to go.

Wasting no time, he dashed after Anath.

He found her in a hole a few seconds later. It was like a square well, constructed out of smooth bricks. Daggat almost fell in it himself. Looking down, he saw Anath hanging in mid-air. All four spider legs were outstretched as far as they could go, digging into the stone by inches. She couldn't move them, there was no slack. Beneath her was a layer of razor-sharp spikes.

Who built this? And why with such fine material? A dirt hole would have worked just as well. Anath looked up at him with tearful eyes when she noticed his shadow.

"Help!" She begged.

"Ugh, one moment. ZUSS!" He boomed. She could make a rope out of her shadow, or something. He heard a crash and a grunt of pain from behind him. He'll have to check that out after he dealt with the Anath situation.

She appeared a moment later. She was panting.

"Okay, so, it was some human. He ran to a village, yelling about an attack. Bells are ringing and pitchforks are being gathered. There's a lot of them." She looked down the hole. "Oh, what are you doing down there?"

"Get me out!" Anath cried.

"Not a human." Said Elyndris as she flew in to catch up. "It's a dwarf. The villagers are human, though. Don't worry, I managed to set one of their houses on fire. Soon, they will all burn for the sin of attacking us!"

Zuss lowered a shadow chain to Anath. That gave her enough wiggle room to climb out on her own.

"Elyndris, don't burn down random people's homes," Daggat growled.

"Why not?"

"Who do you think is going to offer us tribute in the future? The trees?" Daggat said.

"Oh, right. You are very wise, for a goblin." She said.

"Are you guys okay?" Hunter asked. He had a trickle of blood running down his head. Klaw limped behind him, cursing.

"Are we okay? ARE YOU OKAY?!" Anath cried.

"It's fine. Some log swung down and just knocked me in the head a bit." Hunter said.

The grinding of stone caught their attention. The hole was closing. Stone bricks slid together, then slammed shut like a lid. Then, the remaining line of stone faded away.

"Anyone know what that was?" Daggat asked.

"It was magical, that's all I know," Elyndris said. "If we are not attacking, let's maneuver out of crossbow range." Daggat nodded his agreement.

Moments later, they were back in the garden. This time, wary for any attacker. Hunter was tending Klaw's wound with his torch out.

"How bad is it?" Daggat asked.

"Just a flesh wound. No poison. Bounced off his hip bone," he said. "It will heal fine. Maybe a scar that no one can see."

"Anyone get the fucker that shot me?" Klaw asked.

"No, not yet. I want to know why he shot us first." Daggat said.

"You serious? Look at us. Goblinoids, a wild girl, and an ogre. All rough from three days of straight hiking. We probably look just like the head takers." Zuss said. "We even have a parasite."

"Hey!" Elyndris said. "This parasite can explode your head with a thought."

"I meant Daggat," Zuss said. Daggat ignored the jab.

"You said they were gathering? How many? Did it look like they were attacking?" Daggat asked.

"They had defenses set up around their village. I think they were preparing to defend. But, I can't be sure. You know how humans are." Zuss said.

"Alright. Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to shout at them that we come in peace-" Daggat started.

"Peace? They SHOT me!"

"You can handle a bolt or two. Don't be a gremlin." Daggat told him. "I can convince them we aren't hostile."

"Can't we just go around?" Anath asked.

"These are our neighbors. They deserve to know jobs are opening up nearby." Daggat said.

"Oh, are you wanting to spread our wealth to the people? I can help, ogres aren't hated like goblins. No offense."

"Well, less spread our wealth, more… use them for cheap labor. But yes," Daggat said.

"And if things go bad? What then?" Zuss asked.

"Same plan with the orcs. You all stay back. Zuss, you hide a bit closer. Anath and Elyndris take the above. Elyndris, you used your spell. So, your job is to direct us from above if it becomes a fight. Got it?"

"How about I just single out their leader and chew out his eyes." She said, coldly.

"No! Tribute! Remember the tribute."

"Fine." Elyndris sighed. "It's just… I can finally bring ruin to civilization and now I'm not even allowed to burn to death one measly mortal. It's frustrating."

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]

Monster Level: 9

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 11 Dexterity: 11 Constitution: 11 Intelligence: 20 Will: 10 Charm: 12

Feats: Encounter: True Angel Ability: Mighty Intellect Act: Fledgling Alchemist Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Act: Usurper Act: Touch of Death

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Act: Reborn by Fire

Skills(0/4): Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist] System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 2 [Perk: Semi-sentience] Mind Codex: 1 [Synergy: Mental notes + Copy Tome] Party Leader: 1 [Source: Usurper]

Notable Natural Skills: Literacy: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/9): Base size: Small [Source: Goblin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Temperature Resistant Skin [Synergy: Fire Resistant Skin + Cold Resistant Skin] Scavenger [Source: goblin] Death Sight [Source: Touch of Death] Increased Pain Tolerance Fire Core Beguiling Presence [Synergy: Hypnotic Gaze (Dominating Gaze, Mesmerizing Gaze) + Hypervocal Cords (Beguiling Voice) ]

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 charm Extreme Temperature Resistant Scales [Synergy: Fireproof scales + Temperature resistant Skin] Fire breath

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Dark vision [Night Vision Enhanced] Deepen Shadow

Regenerator form: Advanced Regeneration

Other: Variant: +10 Intelligence Skill potions used: 1/5

Notable Gear: Strange pure-white sword shard Spear of Bracing 2 Mihr Contracts

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: 1 [+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(0/2): System Aptitude: 1 Burst of Strength: 1 Attribute Boost: Strength (+2) Flame Affinity: 1 [Source: Arsonist] Smite: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Savagery: 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 [Mutations: Forged, Retractable] Dense Muscle Fibers Rough Fur [Mutations: Insulating Fur; Source: Bugbear] Dense Bone 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:

9

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 (1/9):

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

Hunter

True Name: Hunter Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Large Size]

Hearth Tender Level: 8 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire] Monster Level: 1 [Source: Ichor of the Beast]

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 14 Dexterity: 7 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 9 Will: 15 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats] Act: Slayer Ability: Unshakable Will Act: Gluttonous Feast

Skills (0/9): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Invoke Torch: 2 [Perks: Mighty Torch] Hearth Fire: 2 [Perks: Healing Warmth] Sacred Flame: 2 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth] Encompassing Warmth: 1 Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame] Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer] Seek: 1 Fearless: 1 Peaceful Presence: 1 Condense Aura: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Healing: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/1): Base Size: Large Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Hunger Core

Other: Curse: Ogre Curse Boot of Rashail

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: 5 [+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(0/8): 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

Notable Natural Skills: Survival: Apprentice Savagery: Apprentice

Biotraits [1/5]: 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

Transformations: Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Claws Dark Vision

Notable Gear: Blade of the Dessert Flower

Other: Variant: Arachnid Traits

Zuss

True Name: Zuss Soul: Monster Genseed: gremlin [ 3 Str, 4 Dex, 3 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Regenerating Teeth, Rot Resistance; Tiny Size] Genbloom: hobgoblin [ +1 Str, +3 Dex, +2 Con, +1 Int, +1 Wil; Nimble Fingers; Small Size]

Monster Level: 9

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 10 Dexterity: 16 Constitution: 8 Intelligence: 8 Will: 10 Charm: 9

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Alacrity Act: Shadow Born

Skills(0/2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Deep Shadows: 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Apprentice Climb: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/9): Base size: Small [Source: Hobgoblin] Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision; Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Improved Body Control [Synergy: Improved Balance + Improved Nerve Conduction + Improved flexibility; Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet; Mutations: Mighty Grip] Cold Resistant Skin Enhanced Visual Acuity Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] Shadow Smith

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Smoke Aura Lesser Wings

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Enhanced Scent Deepen Shadow+, Widen Shadows

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler Mana Crystal Set Tiara

Pet: Name: Birdy Genseed: Cat

Attributes: Strength: 2 Dexterity: 4 Constitution: 2 Intelligence: 2 Will: 2 Charm: 3

Biotraits: Lesser Wings

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.