[Hunter has joined party: The Crew.]
Daggat and Hunter both peeked through the warehouse door. They couldn’t be sure there was a second monstrosity waiting for them. Roots fled from Hunter's torchlight as it illuminated the ground.
The large knot of roots was gone. In its place was a small crater in the snow. There was no sign that it had been dragged away, but the snow was too ruined to make out any tracks.
“Where do you think it went?” Hunter asked.
“I don’t know. It must have moved itself somehow. Like the roots and that monster. You don’t happen to know anything about these things, do you?”
“No.”
“Thought so. You never know until you ask.”
Hunter and Daggat stood in the center of the light. A ring of hungry roots wriggled and twisted at the edge of the light. It should have been terrifying. Daggat found himself smiling, almost sneering, at them. They were too scared to approach.
The manor was cold and dark. The golden light reflected off the yellow tree, adding a sense of reverence to the spot. That building was less than a century old, Daggat knew from the almanac, but it hadn’t been cared for. It looked and felt far more ancient than it should have.
“Let’s go inside. That was where Klaw took your pet worm. If he hasn’t eaten it yet.” Hunter giggled at the remark. “What?”
“Nothing. It’s just, Elyndris would be mad that you thought she was a pet. I don’t think she’d let herself get eaten so easily.”
They stepped into the manor. The walls seemed to shift as more of the roots avoided the light. The light was bright, but not as blinding as it had been before.
“Hey, is that torch going out?”
“It doesn’t go out, but it can dim. Brilliant bash weakens the torch. I think I’ve got three or so hits left.” That was good to know. Daggat kept that in mind as he inspected the manor.
Beyond the small foyer were two curved staircases that led to a second floor. A hall stretched in front of them, and paths to the left and right led to those wings of the building. What interested Daggat, however, was the tree that seemed to have speared the building from below.
They approached the base. Where the tree rose out of the floor, boards were cracked and pushed aside. The gaps between the tree and the floorboards were filled with roots.
“So I read a book recently, one I picked up somewhere.”
“Uh, Ok?”
“It talked about the local flora of the region. Plants. Particularly, the trees. You noticed how big they are, right?” Daggat was circling the tree; Hunter had to chase him to keep him in the light.
“Yes. Very tall.”
“They get that way because they get sunlight, nutrients, and water. Water is fascinating… it’s the mist. These trees drink in the mist to grow so tall.”
“That is interesting, but shouldn’t we start looking?”
“So, tell me, Hunter, how does a tree grow from the BASEMENT of a manor, where there is no sunlight, no mist, and very little nutrients?” Hunter looked the tree up and down. His eyes suddenly went wide.
“I don’t know. How is this tree here?”
“I think we should figure that out. Give me one moment; I want to check something.” Daggat took the remains of his sword, just a few inches of sharp metal, and sliced it deep into the tree.
Slowly, it began to leak red sap.
Daggat wiped some off with a finger and tasted. He made a sour face.
“This is blood. Not sap… how?” Daggat felt a thrill. A mysterious bleeding tree? That was a question worth solving. “We need to find the basement.”
“No. We need to find Anath and your friends. Oh, and Elyndris too.”
“Fine. But I'm not leaving until we figure this out.”
“So… which way?”
“I don’t know. Let's just wander around. See what there is to see.” Daggat wandered around the tree and down the main hall. Hunter shrugged, then followed. At the end of the hallway was a large set of double doors. These doors were made of a single piece of wood and fashioned with bronze handles.
Daggat stopped before them, then looked at Hunter. He sighed and pushed open the doors.
Before them was a great hall. Down the center of the large room was a long table. It was cut from a large tree, with a natural bark-like shape running down either side. Chairs littered the floor. Smaller tables dotted the edges of the room.
At the far end of the table was a large, ornate chair. Its cushions looked overstuffed and almost too comfortable. Daggat’s eyes watered. He found a new chair.
Beyond the chair, at the far end of the room, was a hearth. A great stone fire pit was shared by two different rooms. One could crawl through it. Naturally, it was cold. Hunter's eyes began to water as well.
Above the hearth was a massive stag-like set of antlers. But it was far larger than any normal stag.
“Get that hearth started. Let’s cozy up the place a bit, shall we?” Daggat sauntered over to the chair and jumped up to sit in it. A plume of dust erupted around him. He paid no mind and put his feet on the table.
Then he saw movement. Something was above them, in the rafters. He spotted it just in time to see it flow from the shadows out of a broken window. He couldn’t make out details, but he saw the floating, root-like tendrils that trailed behind it.
He almost fell out of the chair as he sputtered.
“What is it?” Hunter was there in a moment.
“I think I saw something up there… but it is gone. It knows we are here. At least.” He sighed. “Just something I’ll have Klaw kill later. Or you, whoever.” Hunter’s eyebrows drooped.
“Maybe we can just scare it off? Or just leave?”
“No. I claimed this place, as I told you. It’s mine now.” Daggat spotted something on top of the hearth. A box. He ran over to snatch it… and couldn’t reach it. “Hey, hand me that.” Hunter did. He was so obedient. A nice change of pace.
Opening the box, he found four sticks the width of his thumb. They were dry and smelled wonderful. Like sweet wood smoke and spices. He licked it. It tasted as good as it smelled. What were they? Some sort of snack or treat?
He bit a chunk out of one. Hunter blinked at him.
“Did you just eat the cigar?”
“Did you want one?” Daggat said as he chewed. It had a decent flavor to it with a strong bitter taste. Perfect for the goblin palate. He could already tell it was something to be savored, like some of the roots that the older goblins chewed.
“Um… No thanks.” Good, more for him later.
On the other side of the hearth was a kitchen. It was full of dusty kitchen utensils, all covered in cobwebs. The foodstuffs that were left had long since rotted away. In the kitchen was wood for the fire.
Using his torch, it was quick work for Hunter to light a fire.
At first, it was a nice, comforting flame. Like the one from before, but even more homely somehow. Then the smoke started to billow out.
“I think the ventilation is blocked," Hunter waved the smoke from his face.
“Hold on.” Daggat took off his pants.
“What are you doing?!” Hunter’s face was contorted with worry and confusion.
“Calm down, ogre. Move aside.” Daggat then crawled into the fire. It was hot, like standing in front of an oven. But it wasn’t painful.
He peered up the chimney. It didn’t go all the way up, he saw. Rather, a metal fan was set at the top of a small space where the smoke filled. Holes filled with dust and debris surrounded it.
He smacked the fan, and dust rained down. The fire flared, and Hunter cried out. But the fan started to spin. It was black with soot, having seen many years above the fire.
Then it began to spin faster, pushed on by some unseen force. The wind disrupted and tore more dust from the ventilation holes. Daggat had to retreat.
Coughing, he exited the fire and put on his pants. Hunter pinched a flame out at the top of his head.
"Are you fireproof?”
“It is one of my many talents.”
The smoke seemed to be drawn up the smoke space, then it snaked out of the ventilation holes. The two of them watched as tendrils of smoke rose to the roof and filled the room with a haze. Other ventilation holes seemed to draw the smoke outwards and upwards.
Daggat could tell some of the flow was blocked, but he envisioned the complete setup. Smoke was drawn through the holes by some unknown means. Dissipating through the ceiling.
He imagined this place fully repaired. A warm, cozy oasis in the forest. Wood smoke hovering above to dissuade pests and imbuing the manor with the smell of wood smoke. Whoever built this place spent a lot of time making sure it worked.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
And that was just the fire. What other secrets did this place hold? Daggat yawned. They needed to find the others. But the fire was warm. A quick nap wouldn’t hurt anyone, would it?
He groaned. Yes, a nap might do more harm than good. He turned to tell Hunter it was time to leave, but then stopped.
The ogre had one hand on a large cauldron. Tears gently streamed down his face.
“You okay, big guy?” The ogre sniffed and then looked embarrassed.
“Yes. I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Hey, if I have learned anything in the last week or so, it is that bottling that shit up does nothing good.” He remembered Klaw trying to leave and Calion’s breakdown.
“I’m so tired, Daggat. I’ve been on the move constantly. This place… reminds me of home.”
“I take it home isn’t an option for you? Since you're out here."
“No. It’s not.” Daggat was curious, but he also knew enough not to pry too hard.
“Once we clear up this place, then you can rest. But, if you want to stay, you are going to have to work.”
“Yeah, okay.” He wiped his face. “Maybe.”
There was a sound from the great hall. Like a door slamming open.
Daggat crouched and sneaked over to the short hallway that connected the two rooms.
A spider-like girl was holding Zuss, and she placed her on the table. Daggat hissed and grabbed the remnant of the blade.
“Anath!” Hunter practically roared, then bulldozed over Daggat.
The spider girl screamed and skittered backward and under the table. A moment later, she poked her head out from underneath.
“Hunter?”
“I’m so glad you’re okay! And uh… yeah, I got big.” So that was his friend. Whatever, he had something more important to worry about. He dashed to Zuss.
“Hey, Zuss, you okay?” she was panting.
“Behind… us. Dag? Look out…” her voice was forced; she seemed exhausted and felt cold. Daggat turned around to see the first of the wood-like zombies enter.
“What the fuck!?” It staggered as it came into the area of Hunter’s hearth. Overlayed over the wood was a faintly glowing spiritual body. It was slightly out of sync with the physical one. He didn’t have time to fight a monster!
Daggat picked up a chair and swung it at the intruder. It practically disintegrated. The spirit faded away, but he caught a glimpse of it before it left. It was like a man but melted. As though made of wax and left in the sun for a day. All features were worn smooth, yet grotesque.
[You have defeated - Corpse Wood, Level 2. Experience Gained.]
Two more shambled in. He didn’t even bother with the chairs. He simply tore them apart with his fists. Hunter’s sacred flame really did help. No more followed.
“Got 'em, was it just those?”
“Yeah… they are everywhere. The fuck is that?” She nodded at Hunter.
“Hunter. I’m trying to poach him, so be nice.” Hunter and Anath were talking, telling each other their stories.
“What’s going on?”
“Place is haunted.”
“Yeah, no shit. I mean… why?”
“I don’t know. What happened to you? You okay?”
“Just had a bit of life sucked out of me. Gonna need to catch my breath.”
“Yeah, the same happened to me. Have you seen Klaw around?”
Suddenly, there was a loud crash and clatter in the kitchen. Hunter, Anath, and Daggat ran to investigate. When did he start running toward danger rather than away from it? After you die once, a second time isn’t as scary. He hoped that was a good thing.
Klaw lay sprawled out on the table in the kitchen. Utensils, pots, and pans were scattered throughout the room. He groaned. Oh, good. There he is.
The ceiling had broken in. Daggat looked up just in time to see a creature looking back down at him.
It was like a man or orc but with gray bark for skin. Cracks in the bark seemed to radiate darkness. Its eyes were black but held an ancient, cruel intelligence. This was not a walking corpse wood. It was muscular and healthy. A terror to behold.
He felt his pulse quicken as fear gripped him. It was the same fear that scattered Klaw and Daggat outside. More than just being a fearful presence, there was a supernatural aura of despair that emanated from the being.
He locked eyes with the monster. Death looked back at him.
It sneered at the hearth, then drifted away. As it moved, Daggat could see that from the waist down it was nothing but roots. Like tentacles pulling it ahead, it drifted away.
“Hey! You alive?” came a voice from above. It was the worm, looking down from the hole. Klaw groaned again. “Oh, hello. You must be Daggat. We’ve got a problem.”
“I see that. Elyndris?” The worm nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.” She dropped from the ceiling.
“Elly!” Anath cried as she ran into the room. She picked up the worm.
“Oh, good. You live as well. Hey, goblin, is that bugbear yours?”
“More or less.”
“Can I have him? He's sturdy.”
“…No.” the worm scoffed. “Well, it looks like all six are accounted for. Let’s retire to the great hall, and we can plan our next move.”
"Ouch," Klaw finally managed to croak out as he stood up. He was wearing some sort of ill-fitting armor. It was cracked. That armor might have saved him.
“Kitty!” Anath cried. Birdy had joined them from somewhere. The cat hissed at her, and all four of her spider legs drooped in defeat.
“Sorry, all seven of us. Now, the fire is safe, and my chair is comfortable.”
He led the group back to the great hall. Zuss was standing, leaning against the table. She nodded at Klaw.
Daggat sat at the head of the table. He smiled. He had a new enemy. That thing… it was terrifying. It felt more dangerous than Rika. And its aura… he had never felt anything like it.
But he HAD read about it. The Divine Will spoke not only of the heroes but also of the enemies.
"Gentlemen. Ladies. We have a demon to kill. Anyone have any ideas?”
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; Scavanger; Small Size]
Monster Level: 7
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
Skills(0/3):
Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist]
System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge]
System Assistant: 1
Mind Codex: 1 [Synergy: Mental notes + Copy Tome]
Party Leader: 1 [Source: Usurper]
Notable Natural Skills:
Literacy: Apprentice
Biotraits (2/6):
Base size: Small [Source: Goblin]
Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin]
Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin]
Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin]
Hypnotic Gaze [Mutations: Dominating Gaze]
Temperature Resistant Skin [Synergy: Fire Resistant Skin + Cold Resistant Skin]
Scavenger [Source: goblin]
Death Sight [Source: Touch of Death]
Transformations:
Drakeheart Form:
+2 strength
+2 charm
Extreme Temperature Resistant Scales [Synergy: Fireproof scales + Temperature resistant Skin]
Fire breath
Other:
Variant: +10 Intelligence
Notable Gear:
Strange pure-white sword
Hunter
True Name: Hunter
Soul: Mortal
Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Large Size]
Hearth Tender Level: 6 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire]
Attributes (1/5):
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 6
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 8
Will: 13
Charm: 7
Feats:
Knowledge: System Knowledge
Act: Vile Concoction
Act: Devotion [layered feats]
Act: Slayer
Skills (1/7):
System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge]
Invoke Torch: 1
Hearth Fire: 1
Sacred Flame: 2 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth]
Encompassing Warmth: 1
Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame]
Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer]
Biotraits (0/1):
Base Size: Large
Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction]
Other:
Curse: Ogre Curse
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: 7
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
Skills(0/2):
System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge]
Deep Shadows: 1
Path Finding [Type: Climbing]
Notable Natural Skills:
Stealth: Apprentice
Climb: Apprentice
Biotraits (1/7):
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]
Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet]
Cold Resistant Skin
Transformations:
Drakeheart Form:
+2 strength
+2 dexterity
Smoke Aura
Lesser Wings
Pet:
Name: Birdy
Genseed: Cat
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 4
Constitution: 2
Intelligence: 2
Will: 2
Charm: 3
Biotraits:
Lesser Wings
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: 3
[Class] Level: 4
Attributes (0/6):
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 7
Constitution: 7
Intelligence: 9
Will: 8
Charm: 7
Feats:
Encounter: True Angel
Knowledge: System Knowledge
Act: Vile Concoction
Skills(3/4):
System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge]
System Assistant: 1
Skill Boosts: Survival (1)
Notable Natural Skills:
Survival: Apprentice
Biotraits [0/3]:
Disease Resistance [Source: Vile Concoction]
Extra Limb (Arachnid), x4 [Source: Variant]
Venomous Mandibles [Source: Variant]
Multi-eye [Mutations: Magnified, Night Vision; Source: Variant]
Hardened Chitin
Other:
Variant: Arachnid Traits
Klaw
True Name: Klaw
Soul: 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: 7
Attributes (0/6):
Strength: 19
Dexterity: 10
Constitution: 11
Intelligence: 8
Will: 9
Charm: 8
Feats:
Knowledge: System Knowledge
Act: Devotion [Layered feats]
Ability: Mighty Strength
Skills(0/2):
System Aptitude: 1
Burst of Strength: 1
Attribute Boost: Strength (+2)
Notable Natural Skills:
Savagery: Apprentice
Biotraits (0/7):
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
Transformations:
Drakeheart Form:
+2 strength
+2 constitution
Fire-proof Scales
Claws [Mutation added: Burning]
Notable Gear:
Mountain Heart Armor
Elyndris
True Name: Elyndris
Soul: Monster
Genseed: Larva [ 1 Str, 1 Dex, 1 Con, 1 Int, 1 Wil, 1 Cha; miniscule Size]
Monster Level: 5
Attributes (1/5):
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 6
Constitution: 6
Intelligence: 5
Will: 5
Charm: 5
Feats:
Encounter: True Angel
Knowledge: System Knowledge
Act: Devotion [layered feats]
Act: Blasphemy
Skills (0/2):
Burst of Strength
Pounce
Biotraits (1/4):
Base size: Miniscule
Jaws
Enhanced Touch [Mutation: Tremor Sense]
Complex organs
Other:
Curse: Ungenesis