The Festival of the Undrawn, a lingering echo of our primitive ancestry, hails from a time when the Founders first crossed the Whispering Wastes, the barren Sim Edin. Called the Contest of Saints in less-cultured circles, I am consumed by aversion for this uncultured relic, yet both the clergy and the masses cling fervently to this crass tradition, yes, and even some of those of higher station. To what end must they offer violence unto one another, with fist and foot, in supplication to the divine? Surely, the celestial beings would savor more-refined tributes, such as the elegance of art, the melody of song, or the exquisite rhythm of poetic verse.

- From the diary of Lady Aelayah of House Salahaem.

You have gained 1 Strength.

Welcome as it was, I mentally pushed the notification aside. What were the others doing? Incompetent fools.

Just as these thoughts started, I heard shouts behind me. They were saying something important-sounding, but I could not spare them any attention, as I was completely focused on besting the monster in front of me.

A few more arrows flew by and embedded themselves in the horned-toad thing’s side. They served as nothing more than a distraction, but enough of one, and that allowed me to pull my enemy closer. Grabbing another length of tongue, I continued pulling, when yet another monstrous tongue from a different beast flew out from beneath a small bush and wrapped itself around my chest.

As I struggled to keep my footing, I spared a moment to size up yet another adversary. This new one was a sickly green and ‘small’, like the first specimen I had encountered. Blazes, these things were annoying.

Finally, from behind me, I could hear the sounds of my fellows coming to my assistance and my mind started to parse what they were saying.

“There’s a whole KNOT of them! Don’t just stand there, help Gilgamesh!” I heard Likam shout.

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I felt a flash of irritation as Jasper ran past me to try and finish off the crippled Sandgorger. At the same time, Tomorbat and Likam, rushing to me, had shouldered their bows and drawn short swords. For a brief moment I thought that they meant to do me in, before the pair started to hack at the tough rubbery thing still wrapped around my trunk.

Under assault, and bleeding a viscous green, the amphibian withdrew its injured tongue. The monster then gave a loud, ominous croak, and charged at me. The other guards shouted to each other in warning, but I could pay them no attention as I was still contending with the horned one that was stubbornly struggling against me. Unfortunately, Jasper, too, was similarly preoccupied, his efforts bent towards killing the one I had blinded.

The heady power of the Drain was filling me. A quick glance at my Status showed that I was at full Health and barely losing any Stamina. Still, even drunk on my own magic, I could see that, with my sword arm entangled, it would be difficult to deal with the new and closing threat, the smaller Sandgorger.

But I was not without recourse, as I used another Skill that turned my shield into a weapon. Aiming to check the charging creature, I used Shield Bash, swinging my shield just as the creature leapt at me.

You have learned Shield Bash (lvl.2)

You have learned Critical Hit Mastery (lvl.3)

“Well-struck!” laughed Tomorbat.

I grinned like a feral beast, for my blow had connected with the side of its head and stunned the Sandgorger. Perhaps this was finally my Luck attribute coming into play? It truly felt wonderful when one’s Skills improved.

Swift to react, my comrades fell upon the monster, hacking and slashing with wild abandon. Still entangled, I left the poor thing to the gentle attentions of Likam and Tomorbat as I focused once again on the animal whose tongue was wrapped stubbornly around me.

I could feel the thing weakening, its very life energies being leeched by my dark spell. But feelings are not facts, and I needed confirmation.

Sandgorger - (Trap Toad lvl.14)

Health: 181/195

Stamina: 21/38

Mana: 1/2