As I stood there, facing this behemoth, I could feel Jeldorain's presence within me, his demonic essence stirring with eagerness for the battle. I took a deep breath, steadying myself for the confrontation.
Why so nervous, oh great champion? This will be a spectacle for the ages, a battle that will be etched in the annals of Khazud-Tharik's history forever.
I nodded, though I wasn’t so sure any of it was true. It seemed likely that these things out here were going to kick the crap out of us. Up in the stands the dwarves were all standing now, doing some sort of ritualistic dance-chant that involved them stomping their heavy boots three times then clapping. The sound echoed eerily, standing in for the din and cheer that any other normal crowd might have provided.
The rock-flesh beast roared and snarled, loping around the left side of my cover, while the other beasts eyed each other hungrily.
Do you know what we’re facing? I asked Jeldorain. He directed my eyes, explaining them quickly as we scanned them.
That rock-flesh beast, it’s a Garrup, the sort of monster that you don’t find in the wild but you can find them slinking out from other dimensions in places full of old magic. Probably it got caught as a pup — they’re tamable. It’s strong with a lot of hitpoints, basically a walking fortress. It’s immune to physical damage unless it comes from specials, but the same living stone that protects its skin from regular attacks also makes it very weak against cold and water-based attacks.
“Interesting,” I murmured aloud, watching as the rest of the beasts began to turn on each other. It looked like I’d be mono on mono with the Garrup while the rest ripped into each other. That made me feel a lot better about the upcoming fight.
They’re stupid and slow, but unless you can think of some tricks, you’ll have to magic him, Jeldorain advised. Sweeping a ghostlike hand through our shared mind space, stats on the rest flowed into my side bar. Shoulda done that in the first place, Jeldorain cracked, giving me a wink.
Shadow Warrior
Strength: 14 (Deceptively strong, capable of overpowering an unprepared foe)
Endurance: 10 (Moderately resilient, relies on stealth rather than toughness)
Agility: 20 (Incredibly fast, moves like a wisp of smoke)
Wits: 12 (Cunning and deceptive, masters of ambush)
Intelligence: 15 (Intelligent enough to set traps and lay in wait)
Description: A humanoid creature of the dark, its form is barely discernible, like a shifting shadow. Its eyes gleam with malevolence, and its movements are eerily silent.
Flame-Tongued Serpent
Strength: 16 (Strong enough to constrict and overpower large prey)
Endurance: 14 (Resilient, especially against heat and fire)
Agility: 18 (Quick and sinuous, strikes like lightning)
Wits: 10 (Instinct-driven, but not without a cunning plan)
Intelligence: 11 (Shows a surprising level of problem-solving)
Description: A serpentine monster with scales that glisten like molten lava. Its hiss is a prelude to a fiery death, and its gaze is as mesmerizing as the flames it wields.
Frostwing Harpy
Strength: 12 (Agile and strong enough to carry off small creatures)
Endurance: 8 (Vulnerable when caught, relies on flight)
Agility: 22 (Fast and nimble in the air)
Wits: 9 (More instinctual than intelligent)
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Intelligence: 7 (Limited by animalistic instincts)
Description: A bird-like creature with icy-blue feathers and a piercing shriek. It soars through the cold skies, its talons ready to snatch unsuspecting prey.
Ghastly Wraith
Strength: 10 (Can phase through objects, using its ethereal form to its advantage)
Endurance: 15 (Difficult to harm with conventional weapons due to its spectral nature)
Agility: 17 (Moves fluidly, almost gliding across surfaces)
Wits: 14 (Clever and manipulative, often employing psychological warfare)
Intelligence: 16 (Understands complex tactics and employs them effectively)
Description: A haunting figure draped in tattered robes, its face obscured by darkness. Its presence is accompanied by a chilling cold, and its touch is the very essence of dread.
Ironhide Boar
Strength: 18 (Powerful enough to uproot trees and shatter rocks with its charge)
Endurance: 20 (Its iron-like hide makes it resistant to physical attacks)
Agility: 8 (Not particularly fast, but its charge is devastating)
Wits: 6 (Largely driven by primal instincts)
Intelligence: 4 (Simple-minded aggression)
Description: A massive boar with a hide that resembles overlapping plates of iron. Its tusks are like curved swords, and its eyes burn with a primal fury.
Crystal Golem
Strength: 25 (Incredibly strong, capable of crushing stone with its grip)
Endurance: 27 (Its crystalline body is nearly impervious to conventional weapons)
Agility: 5 (Slow and lumbering, relies on its durability in battle)
Wits: 8 (Limited intelligence, follows simple commands)
Intelligence: 7 (Not capable of complex thought, acts on basic instructions)
Description: A towering figure made of shimmering crystals, each movement creates a symphony of light. Its form is both beautiful and terrifying, an amalgamation of nature's artistry and raw power.
Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex)
Strength: 30 (Its jaw strength alone can crush bones and metal alike)
Endurance: 28 (Extremely tough, capable of withstanding heavy blows)
Agility: 12 (Surprisingly quick for its size, with powerful strides)
Wits: 7 (Driven by predatory instincts rather than intelligence)
Intelligence: 6 (Basic problem-solving skills, primarily driven by hunger and territorial aggression)
Description: A colossal predator, the T-Rex is the epitome of prehistoric terror. Its massive body is topped with a gigantic head filled with razor-sharp teeth, capable of devouring creatures whole. Its thunderous steps shake the earth, and its presence sends a primal fear through the hearts of even the bravest warriors. Despite its size, it moves with startling speed, making it a formidable and terrifying opponent in any battle.
I frowned. And not just because I was slated to fight a Tyrannosaurus Rex. That’s so much technical data. You’ll have to give me that stuff later, at night, so I can study up on it. But for now just help coach me through the combat. Thanks, though, Jeldorain.
His ghostly form colored, and the infernal stuttered. Uh, yeah, sure. Welcome, he managed, shying back.
The Garrup slunk fully around my defensive mound, baring stalactite teeth in my direction. I clanged my icearigama against my aegis, baring my own icy fangs at the monster. It was surprisingly brave in the face of my frost motes, and I wondered what surprises it might be hiding.
Hey Jeldorain, what special does this thing have? I asked just a second too late.
Before Jeldorain could respond, the Garrup's massive foot stamped down, sending a shockwave through the ground. The arena floor rippled like a disturbed pond, and I stumbled, struggling to maintain my footing. I smashed my face into the ground, losing thirty hit points and gaining a debuff.
Bloody Nose
Effect: Reduced Concentration
Duration: 10 minutes (or until treated)
Additional Impact: 10% decrease in accuracy, slower spell casting time, slight increase in spell mana costs.
“Fantastic,” I muttered, my voice strange and muffled.
The tremors disoriented me, blurring my vision as cracks spread across the arena. I barely registered the Garrup lunging forward, its colossal maw agape. Instinctively, I raised my Aegis, the shield's runes glowing with protective energy.
The Garrup's jaws clamped down, the force of the bite a cataclysmic collision against my shield. The Aegis held, its enchantment absorbing the brunt of the impact, but the sheer power behind the attack sent me skidding backwards. Pain lanced through my arm, the shockwave of the bite resonating through the shield.
I gritted my teeth, pushing against the force, my icearigama raised for a counterstrike. The Garrup's breath, smelling of ancient earth and petrified bone, washed over me as we stood locked in struggle.
And as we pushed against each other, a thought struck me. Jeldorain, does this world have opposing effects? Like if I cast healing on a zombie, does that hurt it?
The demon nodded, his face suddenly scrunched in thought. Frostweave Healing? he asked. I nodded, firing off the spell for 12 mana, the casting taking an extra five seconds before it snaked forth, a dizzying spray of frost and snow that engulfed the creature before me. Its eyes widened and it released my aegis, but the move was too late and quickly it was trapped within an icy tomb.
“Twenty to forty damage over the next ten seconds should do it in,” I said, smiling as I turned away to face the rest of the assembled monsters. A snap and crackle alarmed me to the fact that I had spoken too soon, though, and I turned to face the hobbled and shrunked form of a dying Garrup.
One that was determined to make its last stand.
It loped clumsily forward, pieces of it falling off like dandruff from my brother’s scalp, littering the ground as it desperately tried to seize me in its now feeble jaws.
I walloped it hard across the side of the head, watching it explode into flesh, sand, and rock, for the first time hearing cheers from the stands. Some ancient tradition had been observed, I guess, looking to the stands and seeing the dwarves finally screaming and waving their stubby but brawny arms. I hefted my icearigama into the sky, then stepped atop the mound to observe the rest of my opponents.