In the depths of unforgiving darkness, there in a place known as the Underdark, a battle of life and death was reaching its climax. In a cavernous expanse, between the columns of grey granite, a monstrosity writhed forward – the CentipedeDevourer. Poised against it stood the party of five, the Hero's Hand.

Khan, the party's burly BeastWarrior, strained against the creature's monstrous grip. A viscous slime dripped from a mandible clamped onto his weapon, the BlackSteel Menace, dulling its once-gleaming surface. "I can't hold for long! [Empower]," he roared, activating his skill. Muscles bulged and strength surged empowering his body, momentarily allowing him to push back against the creature's immense power. A part of his concentration was dedicated to the corner of his vision – Stamina bar rapidly depleting.

"Get it at the sides, [PaladinLight]! Now!" Holly, the party leader and Hero, barked orders, her voice hoarse. Her once-gleaming white armour bore the grim testament of the battle – a splatter of viscera and grime that couldn't mask the overpowering stench of decay emanating from the creature. With a desperate leap, she activated, “[Triple], [CrushingBlow],” her mace a blur of silver as she weaved through the monster’s thrashing legs. Her mace, the Holy Redeemer, connected with a sickening crunch. A chitinous joint shattered, and then another, and then a third. A shower of blackened fragments filled the air, eliciting a shriek of pain from the monstrosity. A critical hit! The notification popped up, offering a fleeting boost of morale amidst the oppressive darkness.

Across the cavern, Edge, the party's Wizard, channelled his energy into a spell. His hands trembled, fear battling concentration as he unleashed his carefully prepared magic. "[Multicast], [CrumblingBones]!" he uttered, the high-pitched sound strained. A volley of sickly green energy bolts slammed into the CentipedeDevourer's carapace, the magical energy crackling ominously. The necrotic magic, fueled by Edge's desperation, licked at a series of monstrous appendages. Though not true bone, the CentipedeChitin cracked and smoked as the dark magic took hold. With a sickening crunch and a stench that almost overpowered the already putrid air, several of its legs erupted in a shower of blackened, crumbling pieces.

This wasn't the first set of legs the party had defeated, but seemingly the last. The CentipeDevoure’s chitinous body, riddled with cracks and faintly glowing with the remnants of Edge's dark magic, finally gave way. Unable to support its own monstrous weight any longer, it collapsed to the stone ground with a deafening thud. But even in its death throes, the creature writhed with a horrifying vitality. In a desperate attempt, it slammed its body against Khan, sending him flying through the air towards the unforgiving granite pillar. The BeastWarrior, caught off guard, crashed into it with a bone-jarring crunch. A critical hit received! The notification flashed, followed by a strangled gasp that escaped his lips.

Del, the Scout, her voice tinged with regret, scanned Khan's critically low Health. "A monster skill! An unfamiliar one at that," she voiced, the weight of the situation settling heavily on her.

Priscilla, her face etched with urgency, sprinted towards the fallen Khan. With a soft hum, she pressed her hand against his broken spine. ”[HealingHand],” a warm, yellow light bathed the injury in a healing glow as it set and mended the bones.

Meanwhile, ethereal chains, seemingly composed of a brilliant blue light, pinned the monstrous centipede to the ground, its angry thrashing stopped.

Holly, fueled by a surge of power gifted to her by the CleansingFlame Blessing, lunged through the air, her voice ringing with authority as she commanded, "[CleansingSmite]!!!" The Holy Redeemer slammed into the centipede's skull with overwhelming force, sparks of holy light erupting from the impact. Another sickening crack echoed through the cavern, followed by a gut-wrenching shower of monster bits and mushed grey matter. With a final, sickening crunch, Holly pulled her mace free, a wave of relief washing over her.

"Is everyone alright?" she scanned the cavern, her gaze flickering momentarily with concern, but laced now with a hint of lingering adrenaline.

Edge, his face pale and drawn, collapsed to his knees. The pages of the Tome of Secrets, once fluttering wildly, lay still, the book having slammed shut on its own. "I've overdrawn my Mana," he winced, a throbbing pain intensifying in his head. "But otherwise... I'll be alright."

Khan, now recovered thanks to Priscilla's swift action, eyed the monstrous carcass with a mixture of frustration and grim satisfaction. "A shame I didn't get to land the killing blow," he grumbled.

Priscilla, her brow furrowed in concentration, mimicked Holly's scan of the group. "Everyone seems fine," she announced. "Just Stamina and Mana drain, I detect no Cursed or Poisoned debuffs. But just in case, [Cleanse]." A golden rod slammed into the ground, bathing them all in a warm, golden light. Grime, dirt, and monster blood evaporated instantly, leaving the Hero's Party revitalized and (relatively) clean.

"Thanks," Holly offered a grateful nod to Priscilla. A more serious expression settled on her face. "That was a close one. A level twenty monster and Enraged…”

Del's eyes narrowed into keen glints, " I know, it’s strange! Monsters here are aggressive, but it's rare for them to have this debuff. Especially at the start of the battle while they still have plenty of health." Her gaze fixed on the fallen centipede. "But," she continued, raising a finger to highlight a crucial detail, "this debuff is what allowed me to detect it lurking in the shadows. As it is, centipedes are notorious for their ambush tactics, however, Enraged centipedes – not so much."

Priscilla shuddered, a shiver running down her spine. "Ambush? Like dropping from the ceiling?" she asked, a hint of fear lacing her voice.

Del offered a grim nod.

"Anyway," Edge waved dismissively, a touch of annoyance creeping into his voice, "there are still many miles to cover. I'd rather we move on before more unwelcome guests arrive. CarrionEaters, anyone heard of those?"

A flicker of concern crossed Holly's gaze as Khan's eyes shined with a warrior's eagerness at the prospect of facing new foes. The rest of the party, however, could only manage worried frowns at the thought of encountering another monstrous threat.

"Yeah, let's go," Holly said, her voice firm. "Del, lead the way."

"Right," Del muttered, a determined glint returning to her eyes. "[PathFinder]," she invoked, concentrating for a moment before pointing towards one of the many tunnel entrances. "This way."

…

X was dreaming of lush fields brimming with stalks of golden wheat. He ran through them, his tentacles bending the stalks in his motion. In this dream, he felt an overwhelming sense of happiness, an escape from the burdens of his waking life. There, almost within reach, was the RabbitMaid. Her presence was like a beacon of light, pure and untarnished, radiating a carefree joy that beckoned him forward.

He was chasing her, driven by an inexplicable yearning. Her every hop was light and filled with grace, and she would occasionally turn back to see if he had caught up, her laughter ringing through the air like the sweetest melody. Each glance she cast over her shoulder was filled with playful teasing, her eyes twinkling with mirth that seemed to promise endless joy. The rabbit was so close, yet always just out of reach.

As he ran, the sky above began to darken, shadows creeping across the field, casting an eerie, foreboding pall over the dream. The once bright and welcoming landscape grew sinister, the wheat transforming into twisted, gnarled tendrils that reached out, grasping at him. The RabbitMaid’s laughter took on a haunting echo, her figure fading into the encroaching darkness.

The dream morphed, the fields now a nightmarish maze. The tendrils were pulling at him, desperately trying to stop his pursuit. Now, he was surrounded by shadowy figures who whispered and moaned, their voices too hoarse to be understood. The air grew thick with a sense of dread, the sky above swirling with ominous clouds. X’s pursuit of the RabbitMaid became desperate, his tentacles flailing against the dark forces that sought to pull him down.

Then, out of the darkness, a voice resonated through the dream. A warning, a divine condemnation that sent shivers down X's tendrils: "Beware, dreamer, for you dabble in that which is forbidden. Everything you touch becomes twisted and corrupt. Cease your pursuit of power, or… or else…” it didn’t finish.

X woke up to be greeted by a slew of angry messages:

[Warning! You have committed an act against the Deities]

[Warning! You have constructed a forbidden structure]

[Warning! You’ve gained Taboo +500]

[Warning! Your Taboo is too high, You will receive a penalty]

[Divine Message: You have ventured into realms forbidden to mortals, tainting the sacred with your profane curiosity. Your touch corrupts all that is pure, spreading darkness and disorder. Us Deities, in our infinite wisdom and justice, have decreed your existence unwelcome – an anathema to the natural order. Begone, foul creature, return to the abyss that spawned you. May your form be forever banished from the sight of the righteous, never to feel the warmth of the sacred light again. In the shadows, you shall dwell, condemned to an eternity of isolation and despair, a pariah among all creation. Know that your presence is a blight upon the world, and in the eyes of the Divine, you are an Abomination that must be purged.]

[You have gained DivineCurse: UV-Sensitivity]

"Oh well..." X waved a dismissive tentacle. "A tiny price to pay for my powers, wouldn't you agree?" He added a condescending chuckle, his multiple eyes rolling back in exaggerated nonchalance. "But what is UV-Sensitivity anyway?" he tentacled mostly to himself.

The ever-present RabbitMaid, the same rabbit he was so desperately chasing in the dream, plucked her sleepy head from a tentacle-turned-pillow. "Clearly, a curse of sorts. A permanent debuff?" She offered, her voice tinged with worry.

X scoffed. "A debuff? Nonsense! I feel perfectly fine," he declared, puffing out his non-existent chest.

Gesturing the declaration, the tentacle brushed past the stray bream of light. As soon as sunlight struck his appendage, he felt a sharp pang of pain. Worse, the area of contact blistered and sizzled, boiling the eldritch blood inside.

“Master!” The RabbitMaid exclaimed in alarm, pressing a caring paw on the oozing wound. “[Care],” she healed the injury.

“I see. So that’s how it will be.” All was clear. “A powerful curse this is,” X finally admitted.

“That’s horrible!” The RabbitMaid protested, shaking her head from side to side.

“A minor incovinience. That’s all.” He tried to remain positive. “Just a minor adjustment to my schedule from day to night. Nighttime activities only, from now on!"

The RabbitMaid blinked, her expression changing. "Oh, that's right. No sun at night. And here I was worried we'd have you stuck in your home forever.”

X recoiled in mock bewilderment. "Stuck indoors? Perish the thought!" He attempted a dramatic pose, his multiple limbs flailing wildly. "No, no, there are important matters to attend to. My dearest," he turned to the RabbitMaid, his tentacle gesturing a command, "go and see if the Crafters can whip up a Parasol for me, would you be so kind?"

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The RabbitMaid's ears drooped slightly. "A Parasol?" she repeated, genuinely unsure.

X launched into a hurried explanation, his tentacles tripping over themselves. "Well, you see, it's a delightful little contraption for keeping the sun off one's, er, delicate skin. Like an umbrella, but for the sun, you understand?"

“Yes, Master!” She bobbed her head, jiggling her long rabbit ears in the motion. “We’ll fix your curse for you!”

The Crafters, ever eager to please, took the challenge head-on. Within a few short hours, they presented X with his ‘parasol’. They called it the Shelter of Eternal Night, which X found terribly fitting. As for the actual contraption... parasol it most definitely was not.

Imagine a nightmare canopy woven from the hide of a BlackWarg, the patches of fur still clinging in morbid tufts. Grotesque warg faces leered from the stitched patches, their expressions a permanent snarl. Dangling from the edges were razor-sharp fangs from a menagerie of monsters, occasionally clattering together with a bone-jarring sound. The frame itself was crafted from bleached monster bones, etched with what could only be described as a rabbit's best attempt at drawing runes.

The sheer size of the canopy demanded not one, but four handless for support. These handless, carved from gnarled ebony wood, were as twisted and grotesque as the rest of the parasol. It looked like they had been borrowed straight from the monstrous AppleTree.

Four overly enthusiastic rabbits, clearly proud of their creation, hoisted the monstrous item towards X. Their worried glances at the merciless sunlight outside urged X to take cover.

With a smile, X squirmed under the monstrosity. "This is perfect!" he declared, surprisingly pleased. "Now, onwards to my appointments! Escort me, my loyal subjects!" He gestured grandly, the monstrous parasol bobbing precariously above him.

The RabbitMaid hopped, joining under the parasol. She took her rightful place at his side, to remain ever-present.

X itched to visit the Chaos Obelisk after all that had happened. It loomed unchanged in the village square, its obsidian surface casting an unnatural shadow across the curious rabbits gathered around it. Their hushed whispers and awed glances spoke volumes about the monument's lingering effect.

The mystery of the obelisk remained partially unsolved, but for now, it was a peculiarity in the ever-growing list of the Rabbit Village's oddities. X pushed these thoughts aside, his primary destination offering a much-needed escape.

…

The walls were lined with cages humming with vibrant energy. Unlike before, the once rage-filled creatures now paced with relaxed contentment, their fiery cries replaced by soft growls and playful swats at the cage bars. Only one cage pulsated with unrestrained fury – the Warden of the Vines. Its massive form thrashed against the bars, thorny tendrils sparking against the metal. Despite its rage, the monster was effectively neutralised.

A triumphant wiggle rippled through X's immense body as he approached his prize. "ShaZaRa," he commanded, a single, thick tentacle gesturing towards the Enraged monster.

The yuan-ti, coiled on the floor, flinched at the sound. "M-master," she stammered, her serpentine body pressed flat against the ground. Ever since the obelisk incident, she had been actively avoiding his gaze. Was it fear, or something else? Even from his position, X could sense the subtle tremors of fear radiating from her.

"The Warden of Vines, Can you Tame it?" X flicked a tentacle impatiently.

The yuan-ti pressed her serpentine body to the floor. “Master, I apologise, sss, it’s level is much higher than mine,” she replied, not daring to even look at him.

How could she understand his commands if she wouldn't even look at him? A frustrated snap echoed through the room as X lashed a tentacle through the air. Shazara's eyes snapped upwards.

"Pay attention, Shazara," he cautioned, his movements slowing. "If it's beyond your capabilities, I understand. There will be no punishment."

She groveled further, her voice laced with dubious gratitude. "Thank you, Master, your forgiveness is most generous!" With a repulsive wriggle, she lunged forward, her forked tongue seeking a tentacle to kiss.

Disgusted, X recoiled. "You are a Minion!" he flicked a tentacle in irritation, pushing the yuan-ti away. "Maintain some decorum. This charade is tiresome."

Shazara straightened, though a lingering servility remained in her posture. This was an improvement, yet X couldn't shake the feeling that Shazara's behaviour was changing, becoming increasingly subservient.

"The obelisk… or the Minion tag…" he mused aloud, his tentacles twitching thoughtfully. Shazara, wary now, kept her gaze averted, offering no response.

"Regardless, if taming is not an option…" He paused, circling the captured VineWarg, his multiple eyes glinting with a dangerous curiosity. “I can either use AbsorbMonster or…” A red glow, pulsing from the monster's status tag drew his attention, "Evolve?" The inscription seemed to thrum with possibility. A wicked grin split across X's monstrous mouths. "Risky, but intriguing."

Shazara hissed, her forked tongue darting nervously. "Master… are you considering Evolving it? But I can’t even Tame it, and you, sss…" She didn’t finish, only alluded to X’s lower level.

"Yes, an experimental opportunity I can’t pass. A secondary evolution!” X's eldritch appendages flailed with excitement. "RaBBitGuaRD!" he bellowed towards the door, his voice echoing through the room.

Since the command, some time had passed. Tension hung heavy in the air, thick enough to almost chew on. The rabbits, despite the Weakened state of the VineWarg, stood frozen, their ears twitching nervously. Even with all its rage leashed and its limbs bound, the creature radiated a primal rage in its final moments. X himself wasn't much better. Beads of inchorous sweat, glistening like obsidian pearls, formed on his monstrous skin as he channeled his chaotic magic. He felt his core straining under the effort, an obsene demand for Mana and Chaos Points, a constant tremor running through his massive body.

Yet, X persevered. A sliver of premonition, a connection with an obelisk allowed him a glimpse into a future pulsating with posibilities. He knew he would succeed!

Finally, with a burst of blinding purple light, the EvolveMonster spell took hold. The VineWarg was engulfed in the chaotic energy, its roars cut short as its form contorted and warped. It pulsed and swelled like a monstrous balloon before solidifying into a malformed cocoon. The flesh of the cocoon was black and leathery, pulsing with an unnatural rhythm. Tendrils, thick and fleshy, writhed beneath the surface, hinting at the transformation taking place within.

[ChaosBlessed activated], the blessing had a penchant to activate in the most crucial of the moments.

The silence that followed was deafening. The rabbits, unable to tear their eyes away, watched as the cocoon writhed and pulsed. X, his multiple eyes narrowed in concentration, held a single, thick tentacle hovering just above the surface. He could feel the raw power emanating from within, a chaotic energy that mirrored his own.

Then, with a sickening rip, the cocoon tore open. A viscous ichor, the colour of darkest slime, oozed out, dripping onto the ground. A monstrous limb emerged first, glistening and smooth, unlike anything the rabbits had ever seen. It was followed by another, and another, until a grotesque, corrupted form unfolded from the pulsating mass.

It was no longer a VineWarg. This monstrosity was something else entirely, a twisted reflection of its former self birthed from chaos. Both X and the rabbits, united in a mixture of fear and morbid curiosity, hastily invoked [Inspect].

Title: The Warden Of Corruption

Class: [EldritchHorror] lvl.10

Magic Affinity: Void

Race: Eldrich

Variant: Xul'Goth

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HP:100

MP:150

STA:125

Skills

[TentacleLash], [EldritchDrain], [SpellDisrupt]

Perks

[ManaSight], [BroodMother], [ShadowVeil], [MonsterCore: Lesser]

Tags

[IncreasedRegeneration +2]

[Monster], [Branded]

The Xul'Goth, once a formidable VineWarg, now stood as an abomination of eldritch horror. Its body had shrunk by at least half, yet it pulsated with unsettling power. Where once its hide was adorned with vibrant leaves, it was now a writhing mass of tiny black tendrils, undulating in a ceaseless, disturbing frenzy. These tendrils grew and shrank in moments, creating an eerie spectacle of movement. Thorny roots and leafy vines had been replaced by wriggling, pulsating tendrils of dark flesh, twisting and contorting in unnatural ways.

Along its spine, jagged bony protrusions jutted out like the vertebrae of some horrific beast, casting grotesque shadows against the ground. The creature's once-powerful, wolf-like body was now grotesquely distorted, with patches of exposed flesh and muscle visible beneath the writhing mass of tendrils.

Its head was a true testament to its eldritch transformation. Where there once were intelligent eyes, now there was only a smooth, eyeless surface that seemed to absorb light itself. A gaping maw boasted two rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth, while its tongue had morphed into a worm-like appendage, ending with its own fanged maw. Instead of ears, only two small holes punctuated the sides of its smooth head. Adorning its long neck were coiling rings of glyphs, glowing with a mysterious purple hue, hinting at a powerful boon or curse.

This creature was no longer merely a monster; it was a nightmare given form, a chilling reminder of the horrors that lurked in the darkest corners of existence.

Taking in the unsettling visage, X unfurled a tentacle in a wriggling question mark. "It's not Enraged?!"

Indeed, the Xul'Goth wasn't. Once the horror had emerged, the cocoon withered into nothingness leaving the creature perched on its haunches. Its tendrils lay dormant at its sides, the picture of unsettling calm. It was as if the monster was waiting, yerning for something unknown.

A frustrated crackle of energy escaped X's core. "Another sacrifice perhaps? No…" he muttered with a dawning realisation. "It can't be…" His multiple eyes narrowed in excitement. "Perhaps, direction or purpose… It's strange, I feel a Connection with this creature. Kinship even…" He struggled with his own feelings, his monstrous form writhing in frustration at his inability to express himself in simple gestures.

"Master, sss," a serpentine voice hissed hesitantly. "It's level had decreased significantly. Should I attempt to Tame it for you?"

As if in response, Xul'Goth's tendrils twitched. The creature took its first steps, slow and deliberate, approaching Shazara and bowing its eyeless head in a gesture that could be interpreted as both submission and invitation. Shazara hesitated, her emerald eyes betraying a war of emotions – fear, intrigue, and perhaps a hint of morbid fascination. It was only a moment before a calculating glint took hold.

"Hear my call, beast untamed, sss, become my ally, forever tamed, [Tame]," she hissed, her voice laced with a newfound authority.

"Did it work?" X tentacled, barely able to contain his curiosity.

"Yes, Master. It registered as a tamed monster," Shazara nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "To my side," she commanded, pulling on the power of her Tamer class.

Xul'Goth raised its eyeless head, its focus seemingly shifting to Shazara. Its tentacles flicked in a defiant motion, a low growl rumbling from its horrifying maw. Yet, the creature moved with a sense of purpose, settling beside Master X, under the Shelter of Eternal Night. It undulated its tendrils with a strange, almost playful motion, mimicking X's own happy gestures.

"Even if tamed, it seems to have a will of its own," X motioned, finding twisted humour in Shazara's bewildered expression.

"Yes, sss, it seems I lack experience in commanding an EldritchHorror," Shazara hissed, a hint of chagrin in her voice. "Apologies, Master."

X rumbled a chuckle, a sound that carried through the clearing. "I half expected it to try and snatch a rabbit, or two," he commented, sending the rabbit observers scrambling to clutch their spears tighter. "And yet, the monster is surprisingly well-behaved. I think I'll keep it around."

A serious glint crossed his multi-faceted eyes. "But, since I lack the Tamer class, Shazara, you shall remain its trainer. Train it well. After a week, I expect a full summary of Xul'Goth's capabilities, its strengths, weaknesses, and its… temperament."

"Yes, Master," Shazara replied, her voice a mixture of resignation and grudging acceptance. "It's not the Warg I requested, but I accept this… upgrade." Her eyes never left the warg-turned-horror.

And just like so, a Tamed EldritchHorror had joined the Rabbit Village.