While Touk might not have been the strongest goblin, but he knew when something was wrong. When a foreboding sensation gnawed at him, he should have heeded his instincts and fled. Yet, when his chief had ordered him and three others to trace the ominous source of power, he dared not disobey. The consequences of defiance would exceed his imagination.
Possessing unmatched physical strength among the goblins, the chief's rule was absolute. He had not ascended to the position of chief through merit but rather through sheer force. The prior chief was no different, merely growing frail. Touk, on the other hand, had always been frail but compensated with intelligence, luck, and cunning, enabling him to endure.
Though luck, it seemed, had finally abandoned him, as he was sure this place would be his grave
Guided by Lakar, their appointed expedition leader and the chief's third son, a tall and self-assured goblin, they were also accompanied by Arlek, a formidable and opportunistic member of the tribe renowned for his physical prowess, and Bolka, a healer among their people, who was always nice to Touk. Together, they descended staircase into what they thought was some old ruins, driven by their quest to uncover the enigmatic power that beckoned. Deep down, Touk secretly hoped the descent would continue indefinitely, but, alas, it came to an end, revealing a small square chamber with yet another doorway on the opposite side.
As they continued walking, around midway through the room, a luminous circle of radiant purple light materialized in the air, revolving with mysterious shapes appearing around it. It concluded its rotation, locking in place. Touk, flanking the three other goblins guarding the rear, stood at a safe distance when the calamity unfolded.
A blazing sphere shot forth from the circle, prompting him, Arlek, and Bolka to swiftly dive out of its path. Unfortunately, Lakar was too close for evasion. Instead of repelling him, the sphere wrapped around him like a scorching inferno, engulfing him in merciless flames. His anguished screams reverberated through the room. Touk, in horror, turned to the surviving goblins, who mirrored his shock.
For a prolonged moment, they stood paralyzed. When it became apparent that no further catastrophe loomed, Bolka, broke the silence. "Wha… what was that?" Fear seeped into her voice.
Arlek attempted to compose himself, but his efforts faltered as he struggled to maintain a facade of bravery. "It doesn't matter," he asserted, his voice quivering slightly. "We still need to secure the power for the chief. Lakar's death will not sit well with him. I'm taking charge now, so let's keep moving." His words brooked no dissent, yet the uncertainty in his tone betrayed his own fears.
Touk contemplated the idea of fleeing, yet the reality dawned on him that even if he managed to elude Arlek, where could he possibly seek refuge? He lacked the resilience to survive independently and hunt for sustenance. Venturing to the surface would only expose him to the threat of being slain by a passing adventurer, while returning to the tribe was equally unviable. If either of the remaining goblins made it back, they would undoubtedly ensure his death. Even in their absence, the chief would probably kill him for the act of desertion.
Thus, he chose to remain with the group, clinging to the hope that what transpired was an isolated incident. They continued their descent through the opposite end of the room, leaving Lakar's deceased body behind. The ensuing hallway was nothing short of grand, etched with carvings depicting epic battles, ancient wars, and historic sieges of a bygone era. The narrations unfolded like a story as they advanced, chronicling the legends of a snail - a colossal and mighty beast that vanquished armies and commanded the elements with unwavering mastery.
The two goblins at the forefront paid no heed to the wall's intricate narratives. Bolka, to her credit, appeared just as apprehensive and coerced into this mission as Touk. She cautiously moved ahead, her gaze fixed on the ground with each step, evidently intent on avoiding the fate that had befallen Lakar. Arlak, the thick-headed brute, would likely struggle to decipher the tale the wall illustrated even if his life depended on it, and it just might, as they seemed like a warning.
While Touk might not have been the strongest goblin, he knew when something was wrong. The intricate wall carvings appeared to be subtly compelling them to turn back, as if imparting a warning about the perils awaiting them ahead. He was well aware that his inquisitive nature and persistent contemplation had rendered him an outsider within his tribe. Perhaps it was precisely this aspect of his character that had led the chief to select him for this enigmatic and precarious mission.
They reached the end of the hallway, revealing an astounding room. A seemingly endless library sprawled before them, a continuous array of books and shelves adorning the walls. A single long purple rug, embellished with gold trim, extended down the middle of the room. Tables, chairs, and benches were meticulously spaced, all crafted from wood or cloth - an unusual sight in the depths of the cavern.
Glancing at his companions, Touk perceived the avarice in their eyes. His own covetousness, however, had an entirely different motivation: the books.
The idea of obtaining knowledge from the books intrigued him. These texts might hold wisdom akin to what surface-dwelling adventurers and miners possessed. Touk nearly had a hundred discarded books, all considered insignificant by the tribe. After learning to read the language, he had delved into the history of the world, the lore of the seven gods, the tales of kingdoms, and accounts of both mythical beasts and monsters, realizing he was categorized as a cave goblin, albeit one lacking the brawn described in the books. Among the collection, there was even a single volume dedicated to magic, a heretical source of power, although it merely warned against its use without delving into specifics. Perhaps the phenomenon he had witnessed earlier was magic?
Overwhelmed by impatience, Touk dashed towards a shelf, plucking a book and eagerly flipping it open
His enthusiasm deflated instantly.
The pages were blank. Confusion set in, and just then, a high-pitched whistle shattered the air, followed by a resonating thud. Touk pivoted to witness the surreal spectacle unfolding before him.
Bolka lay in the middle of the room, Touk couldn’t tell if she was dead or alive, on top of that there was a snail in the middle of the room. This snail wasn’t as big as the one in the carvings, but was bigger than any he’d seen in person, close to his abdomen in height. The thing had long lanky eye stalks, a brown body, and a gorgeous purple shell.
Its height wasn't the strangest thing about it though, that was the fact that it pulled the air together and formed a shard of purple light. Once it was fully formed it was launched, making the whistling sound he had heard.
Arlek, while not the absolute best, was among the most skilled fighters in their tribe. Although he lacked the strength to claim the title of chief, his combat prowess was evident. So, when Arlek swiftly raised his sword and shattered the bolt of purple light, Touk wasn't surprised. What did catch him off guard, however, was the bolt's disintegration into shrapnel, inflicting painful cuts. Arlek, still standing, rushed the snail and closed the distance before it could react.
Because, well, it was a snail.
Arlak swung, bringing his sword down upon its thick head. The world seemed to twist once more as a protective barrier of the same pulsating purple light materialized over the snail, intercepting Arlek's strike. With a resounding snap, the sword broke at its weakest point, sending the haft hurtling through the air and embedding itself in Arlek's leg. He collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony, while the snail appeared to droop slightly.
Seizing what he saw as an opportunity to defeat the snail and out of fear of being alone, Touk rushed to assist. However, his path took an unexpected turn when a small, pale leg extended from under a table. Tripping over this obstacle, Touk found himself face to face with an unusual adversary—a human boy no older than ten. The boy, wielding a sword, jumped out from beneath the table and raised it overhead, he swung it down in a clumsy and uneven strike. Rolling over to his back Touk attempted to block the blow with his dagger, but the sword's momentum was too much.
The sword pushed Touk's dagger aside and pierced deep into his chest, plunging deep into his chest, leaving him sprawled on his back, utterly stunned. The cold hand of death was now reaching out to claim him. In his final moments, a tumultuous rush of thoughts besieged his consciousness, casting shadows over his life's purpose, the relentless pursuit of power for someone who held no regard for him, and the ultimate futility of his quest.
Touk grasped the harsh reality that the coveted power he had relentlessly pursued was an unattainable mirage, especially with someone like Arlek around. Regret filled his final moments as he pondered the missed opportunity to escape while he still had the chance.
As his life flickered away, Touk's gaze swept across the room. Arlek, wounded and struggling to distance himself from the snail, while Bolka lay lifeless in the room's center, her fate seemingly sealed. A profound sense of remorse washed over him, especially for Bolka, with whom he had felt a unique connection, despite the knowledge that their paths could never converge.
Amidst the disarray, a distant purple radiance emerged, the very source of power that had entangled them all in this tragic conclusion. Redirecting his focus to the enigmatic boy who had sealed his fate, Touk locked eyes with him. The boy's irises mirrored the deep purple of their surreal surroundings. To Touk's astonishment, the boy spoke in his native tongue, offering a glimmer of reassurance, "Fear not, your journey is far from over. The power you seek has found you and welcomes you with open arms. Do you wish to serve?" With a feeble nod, Touk succumbed to the encroaching embrace of death. In the engulfing darkness that followed, a distant light beckoned. Was it the same light that had promised him power in exchange for servitude? It called out to him, offering a path to empowerment, a chance to prove that even the seemingly feeble could ascend, demonstrating the inseparable bond between intelligence and strength. Filled with unwavering resolve, Touk embraced the light, allowing it to envelop him completely.
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The situation played out more favorably than I had initially anticipated. I witnessed them descending into my domain and feared the worst. However, luck was on my side that day. As they reached the bottom, I closely observed them, hoping for that elusive blue box. Fortunately, my prayers were answered.
[Cave Goblin]
More imposing than their counterparts, these cave goblins stand around three feet tall. They possess stocky, muscular frames, with mottled, rough skin. Their eyes are sharper, with an intense gaze that hints at their superior physical strength. These cave goblins appear imposing to those who encounter them in the underground caves.
Deception emanated from the box. Only two of the goblins fit the described characteristics. Although not physically diminutive, the two at the back seemed less imposing. One of them stood out, the sole female among the group. Her designation was that of a healer, yet her skills seemed to derive from an extensive knowledge of herbs and natural remedies rather than from the realms of arcane.
As for the goblin at the rear, I sensed a distinctive intellect emanating from him. Unlike his fellow comrades who unhesitatingly advanced, his gaze swept across my dungeon, absorbing the intricacies of its design. Meanwhile, a seemingly confident goblin took the lead, but his overconfidence was short-lived as my trap sprang into action.
[Fireball Trap]
The magical fireball trap is designed to release a powerful sphere of fire that engulfs and consumes the target upon detection. The trap is often used to safeguard key areas within dungeons or structures by inflicting fiery damage on any who trigger it. Single target.
The trap didn't lie fireball engulfed the goblin, sending him to the ground in frantic, agonized contortions. His companions instinctively scattered, their faces twisted with a mix of horror and confusion, their speech consisting of peculiar grunts and barks. It was a tragic sight as they mourned their fallen comrade. These creatures are more empathetic than the description made it seem
However, the goblins regrouped and resumed their journey toward my next room, though the one in the back looked as if he would bolt at any second. It seemed he came to his senses though and went with the group. As they traversed the hallway, the newly appointed leader and the herbalist strode past the intricate carvings I had painstakingly created, barely sparing them a glance. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment, but my spirits were lifted as I noticed one goblin at the rear who stood captivated by the detailed engravings. His eyes followed the narrative etched into the wall, and this discovery filled me with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
This same accomplishment grew when they made it to my library, and they all were amazed.
However, this sense of accomplishment gave way to a new, less pleasant emotion as their faces began to color with a new expressions: greed. The two front goblins practically oozed avarice, their desires transparent in their eyes and actions. Surprisingly, it was once again the goblin at the rear who diverged from the expected pattern. Instead of harboring a lust for material gain, his gaze rested upon the books with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Without hesitation, the goblin raced past his companions and sprinted toward a bookshelf. Perhaps fearing that he might snatch their coveted loot, the other two goblins chased after him. As he ran past the table Varian was hiding under, I feared he might attempt an ambush, but the cunning deity remained patient and watched the goblin make a beeline for a book. A smile crept across Varian's face as he observed the goblin not merely using the book for its physical value but actually reading its contents.
When the other goblins realized that the one at the back was interested only in the books, they snorted and turned their attention to other potential treasures. However, the healer among them, quite belatedly, noticed my snail. Unfortunately for her, it was far too late to react as the snail had already conjured a charged mana bolt. The bolt struck her squarely in the chest, and she dropped to the ground immediately, without even a twitch.
The other two goblins, one of them still holding a book, stared at the scene in shock, completely bewildered by what had just happened. His gaze flicked back and forth from the snail to the lifeless body on the floor.
My snail, however, was not done. It readied another Arcane Bolt, and the remaining goblin, who had managed to regain his composure, instinctively slashed at the incoming bolt, shattering it into a spray of shards that rained down upon him. Undeterred, he closed the distance rapidly, displaying his physical strength as he swung his weapon at my snail. But my clever little companion had a trick hidden within its shell.
It activated its mana shield at the last moment, causing the goblin's weapon to snap, with a fragment piercing his leg. He tried to crawl away, but my snail was relentless, following him closely. With a burst of determination, my snail channeled a spell it had been practicing but had not fully gripped until now. With precision, it unleashed the spell, surprising both me and the goblin.
Your mob [Sorcerer Snail] #001 has learned a new spell. [Mana Leech]: This spell allows the snail to sacrifice a small portion of its own health to absorb the target's mana, converting it into a direct mana replenishment.
The snail's skin shriveled and split, but its eye stalks sharpened with renewed awareness, and its body visibly swelled, radiating with a newfound strength. In stark contrast, the goblin's flesh had withered, leaving him skeletal and motionless on the floor, his eyes vacant and lifeless.
It was at that moment that I heard the distinct goblin language, its cacophony of barks and grunts. However, as I turned to locate the source, I was stunned to find Varian engaged in conversation. He stood beside the fallen body of the last goblin, his sword still embedded in its chest. As the goblin nodded at Varian, his life slipped away, and the familiar message arrived, informing me that my dungeon was finally free of invaders, along with a couple of others.
There are no more invader's inside your dungeon, all building and monster spawning has been reactivated.
Four [Cave Goblin]'s have died in your dungeon.
16 mana points have been awarded.
Congratulations you have unlocked new mob types.
You may chose two of the following the inhabit your dungeon.
[Goblin Sparkshapers]: Goblin Sparkshapers are adept at manipulating sparks and wielding other electrical abilities, like generating lightning-like bolts, and creating electric barriers, making them a force to be reckoned with. But like any conductor of electricity, they remain susceptible to electrical feedback, and mishandling their powers can result in unintended shocks or even harm to themselves.
[Goblin Mystic Trainee]: Mystic Trainees focus on harnessing mana to engage in communication and form pacts with elemental entities. They often have difficulties in connecting with the elementals, which can ultimately lead to the elementals taking the initiative to set the rules for the pacts. Depending on the elemental this can result in one-sided pacts, or in rare cases the creation of a complete pact.
[Goblin Alchemist Apprentice]: Alchemy apprentices have mastered the art of creating stable and predictable mixtures, particularly explosive ones. However, these mixtures can sometimes be sensitive to external factors like temperature, causing unpredictable reactions.
[Goblin Healer Novice]: Goblin Healer novices are a unique subset of goblins who blend their innate magical abilities with a profound understanding of herbal remedies. They serve as the primary source of healing and well-being for their fellow goblins. Armed with knowledge of potent herbs, poultices, and magical incantations, they ensure the physical health of their kin.
[Goblin Illusionist Apprentice]: These Goblin Illusionist Apprentices have further honed their abilities in creating moderately convincing illusions. However, their illusions can sometimes be disrupted by sharp and sudden noises, revealing the deception to keen-eared adversaries.
[Goblin Pyromancer]: Pyromancer have elevated their control over fire and heat, generating large flames with more devastating potency. However, their relentless focus on pyromancy has left them vulnerable to the cold and wet, but resistance to their fire.
A mob has embraced your power.
You may pick one of the following special mob types to inhabit your dungeon.
[Goblin Timebender Initiate]: Timebender initiates have become more adept at manipulating temporal fluctuations. Their adjustments to time have a more substantial impact on the environment and events, allowing them to manipulate the flow of time with finesse. However, excessive use of their time-warping abilities can result in personal time-related disturbances, and dizziness, making it challenging to predict the effects.
[Goblin Seer]: Goblin Seers, a rare and mystical breed among their kind, possess an extraordinary attunement to the world's mana. Their uncanny ability allows them to glimpse into the immediate future, providing a momentary foresight into their enemies' actions. This unique gift not only grants them a formidable edge in combat but also enables strategic mastery. Rather than relying on sheer physical strength, Seers engage their foes with cunning and agility, using their enhanced awareness to elegantly evade oncoming attacks and strike with precision at precisely the right moments.
[Goblin Runeblades]: Goblin Runeblades are a distinctive breed among goblin-kind, having established a strong connection with the enigmatic power of ancient runes. These formidable warriors have delved deep into the study of runic lore and its application in the martial realm. By etching mystical symbols on their weapons, armor, and even their skin, Runeblades infuse these glyphs with potent and elemental magic. This infusion not only enhances the effectiveness of their weapons but also grants them the power to cast spells with rune-empowered strikes.
I better talk to Varian about this.