It does not, in fact, help me spot danger.
The Perception skill requires I know what I'm looking for, to a moderate degree.
If I just want to spot a random leaf, it's useless. If I observe a specific leaf on a tree and move away, that leaf somewhat "stands out" amongst the others. So if I were in a town looking for a person in a crowd, I'd have to know what they look like already, and it probably wouldn't help if they were in a disguise. So looking for something unknown? It's pretty useless.
'Though it might do more at higher levels.
'I can only imagine there are books in this world that list all the abilities and what they do. Not that I can get to them. Or even read them.'
Despite this discovery I have managed to encounter a few new creatures: squirrels, a fox, and a dead lizard.
The squirrels are buff, and I mean BUFF. Like "weightlifter on steroids" buff. They were curious about me, but smart enough to keep their distance. I was mostly ignoring them too– until they started throwing literal explosives at me. I didn't think it was a Skill either: they were chucking some kind of acorn that exploded on impact. They couldn't get past my defenses until they threw something the size of an apple that blew up hard enough to leave a crater and did three points of damage over my defenses.
I decided that was enough, ran behind a nearby medium sized tree, shifted to Iron Spider form, and stealthed as I started climbing up the tree.
I regret not catching a few more spiders now: it'd be handy to have the Wallwalker skill outside spider form without having to build a new version of each creature to add it in. As an example, being able to fire a needle as an Urchin at these rodents.
I make better time climbing now that my Dexterity score doubled, and with a couple of sneak attacks the first squirrel didn't know what hit it:
Your attacks against a [Common Squirrel] was a success!
[Common Squirrel #1]'s health has decreased by [Six] points! [04/10]
( 2 piercing +2 Mana Flesh +2 Advantageous Attack)
Notice: [Common Squirrel #1] has been poisoned for [One] point of damage per minute for three minutes! [03/10]
-
[Common Squirrel #1]'s health has decreased by [Three] points, reducing its health to zero! [00/10]
( 2 piercing +1 Mana Flesh)
Congratulations-You have defeated an opponent!
You have gained [Zero] Victory Points!
As the first squirrel fell to the ground the other two became frantic, but my arrows are so small it's difficult for them to see coming, which gave me more time to fire them off.
Your attack against [Common Squirrel #2] failed!
Your second attack against [Common Squirrel #2] was a success!
[Common Squirrel #2]'s health has decreased by [Four] points! [06/10]
( 2 piercing +2 Mana Flesh)
Notice: [Common Squirrel #2] has been poisoned for [One] point of damage per minute for three minutes! [05/10]
–
Common Squirrel #2]'s health has decreased by [Four] points! [01/10]
( 2 piercing +2 Mana Flesh)
Notice: [Common Squirrel #2] has been poisoned for [One] point of damage, reducing its health to zero! [00/10]
Congratulations-You have defeated an opponent!
You have gained [Zero] Victory Points!
At this point one spotted me and I learned very quickly their muscles aren't just for show: the thing cleared the distance- I assumed using Dash- and RIPPED a leg clean off before I could respond.
Warning: You have been attacked by a [Common Squirrel]!
[Common Squirrel #3]'s attack was a Critical Success!
Force damage has decreased your health by [Four] points! [16/20]
(6 Force, reduced by 2 Mana Flesh)
Note: You are affected by the condition [Severed Limb].
Bug leg joints are a weak spot and I assume that played into the damage it delt, but it didn't stop me from retaliation:
Note: Skill "Dash" is now in effect!
Your Bite attack against [Common Squirrel #3] was a success!
[Common Squirrel #3]'s health has decreased by [Five] points! [07/12]
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
( 2 piercing, +2 Mana Flesh, +1 BloodSucker)
Notice: [Common Squirrel #3] has been poisoned for [One] point of damage per minute for three minutes! [06/12]
Your Bite attack was a success!
Common Squirrel #3]'s health has decreased by [Three] points! [03/12]
( 2 piercing, +1 BloodSucker)
Notice: [Common Squirrel #3] has been poisoned for [One] point of damage per minute for three minutes! [02/12]
Note: Skill "Dash" effect has ended.
-
[Common Squirrel #3]'s attack was a Critical Success!
Force damage has decreased your health by [Four] points! [12/20]
(6 Force, reduced by 2 Mana Flesh)
Note: You are affected by the condition [Severed Limb].
Your Bite attack was a success!
Common Squirrel #3]'s health has decreased by [Two] points, reducing its health to zero! [00/12]
(Two piercing)
Congratulations-You have defeated an opponent!
You have gained [Zero] Victory Points!
I climbed on top of this one and postured threateningly at the last Squirrel who seemed to decide I wasn't worth fighting and ran off.
I lowered this one to the ground on a thread, then climbed down, collected the bodies, and dragged them to a safer spot to shift forms and eat.
That's when I found out they don't have any special skills, meaning they must have stacked all their points into Strength and Dexterity. If they were smart enough to attack together I wouldn't have had a leg left to stand on and I count myself lucky the last one ran away.
Later as I was walking I got jumped by a black furred fox. In hindsight I should have noticed the oddly dark shadow considering how ambient the light is and how few deep shadows are around. The fox literally jumped out of a shadow and attacked me, but it's bite didn't get through my defense. It backed up when I flashed a few Firelight attacks at it and ran when I hit it with a leveled attack. I'm wondering if shadow magic is weak to fire, if the light itself negatively affects its magic, or if the fox is more susceptible to fire magic because of its shadow affinity. I wish I caught it though: I'd love to get that spell, assuming I could figure out a way to cast it.
Shortly after that I came across a cave in the wall with blood and pits in front of it and a big lizard halfway in the hole. I came to the conclusion it was bombarded by the squirrels and didn't have a way to fight back. After hitting its tail with a Firelight attack to confirm it's dead I decided to be a little opportunistic; I forced aspects of my core body into my hand to make an Aztec War Club and chopped it into bite size pieces to consume it.
It'll have evident damage but I decided to absorb it for its form anyways; It may have some handy ability, but it equally could be a normal predator and have nothing special.
I decided the hole may be a good place to take a break and went in to check it out. That's when I made possibly the BEST discovery since waking up: Deep in the back, hidden around a bend, and larger than life: An ACTUAL TREASURE CHEST! For the first time since coming here I found the most essential "fantasy" item, something that truly filled me with excitement!
So I shot it with tiny poisoned arrows.
You can't be too careful.
After the third arrow I figured it was safe and after another form swap with excited ratty fingers I opened the lid– aaaand got a poisoned dart to the neck. Note to self: check for traps next time. Only four points and some pain, thankfully not too serious. Still, don't want to make a habit out of it.
Sitting inside the two foot long chest was six Maze Faced gold coins, two Maze Faced silver coins, and a steel buckler! Honestly, considering the only non-coin metal I've seen has been Iron I was beginning to wonder if this world has learned proper metalworking.
'Admittedly, I don't know why someone would stash this here. It's not enough gold to bother hiding and I doubt the shield is worth that much.'
Shifting back to Mimic form it all went in my Gluttonous Gut- the coins for storage, but the buckler and chest I immediately absorbed, gaining 30 pounds in the process.
"And now" I garble out loud in anticipation as my form shifts, sharp wood edges and iron bands taking shape "the most essential thing for Mimic!" I cannot help but to smile as my new shape takes form, once again letting "the system" design it so I can get the full impact of the change.
The form only has one eye, fit into an iron band of the lid, and unless it's open I'm completely blind.
As expected the "lid" opens on my jaw hinge but like an alligator all the muscles are built for closing the mouth, so it would actually be easy to keep it shut.
My teeth are on a partially rotating set of bones so they can stick out once my mouth is open.
My primary form of Attack is my tongue: it's kept tense so the moment the "lid" opens an attempt to pierce the target is made. Secondary form of attack is my set of acid glands that work similar to a spitting cobra.
'All in all, it's a pretty good design.' I think, my eyelid cracked open just enough to see. 'But I'm pretty much blind unless I want to give myself away.'
It only takes a moment of sitting still and being completely sightless for me to decide to make a few changes. 'Nothing wrong with a few improvements though.' I decide and return to my core form.
My first idea is to replace several rivets with bug eyes so I can see without giving myself away.
I consider adding in Stonebark to the surface, but like it's name only the bark is enhanced, the internal wood doesn't provide a damage reduction. I consider making an iron shell, but I wouldn't exactly look like a normal chest at that point, and as far as I know this is the standard design.
After a few minutes of debate I decide on a different layered approach and make a thin veneer of wood on top of a layer of steel and iron, with a layer of stonebark underneath it. Technically it's like different layers of skin, and this just means while one or two points would normally bypass the damage reduction, Mana Flesh should help in place of it.
Next I adjust the acid glands, adding a path to the "keyhole": this will allow me to fire some off in response to an unlock attempt without showing them I'm a Mimic. Then, once they're distracted by the acid, it should give a perfect moment to sneak attack!
But the biggest drawback to the design is the lack of mobility: it relies solely on piercing the target or them getting closer, leaving only long range attacks as an option. To solve this I add in Iron Pill Bug legs and make sure they have room to fold up under the body while not in use.
And finally, a secondary close range method of fighting! I had considered this on the side walls, but that would leave obviously unprotected areas open to attack. Moving them to use the "back" section I set up a couple of Stonebark roots that can extend to the front of my body. Having half the back "skin" attached to the end of each of the vines will allow them to be used as shields, both as protection and something to bash a target with! While it may provide a weak point, I can just be sure to put my back to a wall to keep it protected.
After a moment of consideration I mentally nod in satisfaction, finalizing the form and initiating the change. After playing with it for a few minutes I settle down, close my main eye, and drift into a peaceful sleep.
12: Treasure Chest [?]
* Unique Reinforced Form.
* Size: 24"W x 18"H x 18"D
* Damage Resistance +4
* Damage: Bite [+Str piercing], Tongue [+Str piercing], Bash [+Str Force], Ranged Acid [+3 Acid]
* – Description: A chest.
* – Detailed Description: A treasure chest.