"I don't think this is a good idea." Said Hunter. Daggat and him were alone in the forest.

"Relax, Hunter. We have a plan." Daggat was sitting on a small log, his spear resting on his shoulders. "You don't have to do anything. Just hang around."

They could feel their approach before they saw them. A sense of being watched. Hunter shuffled unconsciously and Daggat felt a grin creeping on his face. He fingered the bottles on his belt, loosening the straps. He had two types, three of each. He differentiated them with a glass bottle and a clay bottle.

One at a time, large orcs stepped into view. They were grizzled, scarred creatures with green or gray skin and short tusks. Each was overly muscular and completely hairless. Where most creatures had red or pink flesh, such as the tongue, the inside of the mouth, around the eyes, and so on, theirs was black. That, combined with their pronounced brows, gave them their distinct orcish appearance. They carried crude weapons and wore simple leather armor, occasionally reinforced with rough metal plates.

One orc stood a head taller than the others. Four in total. That meant two were staying behind. He stepped forward and eyed Daggat and Hunter. He didn't attack immediately. That was why Hunter was here and not left behind.

"A skinny ogre and a goblin. Thought the boss killed all the ogres." The orc was speaking directly to Hunter, not Daggat. That made sense, Daggat was smaller.

"You're in my territory. Why?" Daggat said. He had hypnotic gaze active, just in case.

The orcs laughed. It was a deep, guttural laugh.

"Your territory? Nah, this is Rika's wood. At least, she's the one that pays us." It pointed a crude sword at him. It was nothing more than a piece of metal ground to an edge. "You hear that, orcs? This goblin thinks he's in charge here." The orcs laughed again.

"Ah, so you work for the bitch chief. How much is she paying you?" Daggat said. The lead orc huffed air from his nostrils.

"You look headtaker. But you don't act headtaker. What's your affiliation?"

"We are our own entity. You didn't answer my question."

"You think you get to ask the questions? We've got the numbers on you."

Daggat shrugged. "Big deal. Just means more experience."

Hunter eyed Daggat nervously. "Um, Dag?" He said. The orcs adjusted their weapons in their grip.

"I've got this, Hunter," Daggat said, holding up a hand. "Listen, I might be able to offer you a better deal, is all."

"Ha! We betray Rika and we'll be dead. Ain't no amount of coin that can fix that."

"Fair. But, I bet you weren't sent here to kill a lone goblin and ogre. What do you want?" Daggat replied.

"Two things. One," the orc held up a finger with a black fingernail, "Scouting. Two," He held up another, "We're hungry. What do you think, orcs, fancy some goblin or ogre?"

"Ain't much meat on the big one." Said one orc.

"And goblins have a bitter aftertaste." Said another.

"Well. That's disappointing." Said Daggat.

He entered his status void the same moment he leaped from the log.

"Now!" Daggat thought. The assistant floated up.

"Ladies and… Klaw. Let loose and bring death upon these interlopes!" The assistant called out, signaling the others to attack.

Daggat swung his spear in a wide arc. Not to attack, but to establish distance with the orc. The group of the monsters roared as Hunter's aura was broken.

Their leader sliced at Daggat with his sword like it was an ax. He leaped away from it, landing on the log, and stabbed with his spear. It was a clumsy thrust. Daggat leaned too far forward. Amateur work, but amateur on purpose. The orc easily stepped to the side already moving for another attack. Daggat locked his spear in place, then pulled himself along it. He kicked the orc in the jaw with both feet.

At the same moment, Zuss and Anath dropped from above. Zuss landed on her target, wrapping around it like a tree and dragging her dagger across its neck. It would have been a killing blow, but the orc shifted, causing Zuss to only graze it. Still, the orc screamed in pain as her enchanted dagger cut into its collarbone.

Anath's drop attack was accurate, but the orcs were not completely caught unaware. An arrow flew from the trees, clipping her. That knocked her off course, but she still sliced it down the arm. Red blood so dark it was black dripped from its wound.

"BURN MORTALS!" Screamed a shrill voice. Elyndris flew in. Faint geometric shapes appeared in front of her face. The orc in her path jumped to the side. He had seen war magic before, or at least knew what to look for. A beam of fire blasted from Elyndris, clipping the orc. Where it hit, red blisters formed and clothing caught fire. Not enough to kill.

"You can flee, but I'd rather you stayed. We need the experience." Daggat said after he landed. The orc roared and dashed forward with a quick step. He was met with a panicked spear strike. Daggat didn't expect him to step forward that fast. The orc knocked the spear to the side and slashed at Daggat in one smooth motion.

Daggat's height saved him as he barely ducked the attack. That allowed him to grab one of the glass bottles he had ready.

"Hey, hold back a bit! I'm still new at this." Daggat told the orc.

"Stop jabbering and fight!" said the orc. Something caught his eye and he smiled.

Hunter moved. He had been awkwardly moving back and forth, torn between helping and not actively hurting anyone. Daggat told him not to fight, mostly to ease his conscious. He slammed his torch into something small and dark. The torch flared with light as whatever he hit tumbled away.

"Sorry!" Hunter told it. It was the last orc. Its skin was camouflaged and it was wearing dark, layered cloth. An assassin. It had tried to backstab Daggat, but Hunter got to it first.

"Thanks, buddy," Daggat said as he jabbed at his opponent, keeping his distance. "But, you're in it now. Fight or die, that rogue won't let you get away with that."

Hunter frowned, then his eyes sharpened with determination. Daggat secretly hoped for this outcome. It was all well and good to not want to hurt people. But one needed to be realistic about these things.

The orc pushed Daggat back further. Every attack from it sent a shock wave down his spear. It was an enchanted spear and was able to take the beating. Daggat's arms, however, were not. The orc was strong. At least a twenty strength if he had to judge. He needed to end this.

"You're strong. I'll give you that. But once I take my ultimate form, I'll crush you like a bug!" Daggat cackled as he lifted the vial to his mouth, making sure to keep eye contact with the orc. His hypnotic gaze was still active. "Behold! Alchemy!"

The orc slashed high and kicked low. Daggat took the kick full on the ribs, sending him tumbling back. He dropped the vial.

"Fuck!" Daggat screamed. He crawled towards it. The orc laughed as he picked up the vial. "Uh… it's poison? Better not drink it." Daggat said with an unsure voice.

"I've always wanted to get a hold of a transformation." The orc laughed. He drank the potion. Daggat relaxed. The idiot fell for it.

Immediately, the orc choked.

"What?" He said, confused. Small mushrooms began to sprout on his body. Where they grew, his flesh was visibly being drained away. It was as if the orc was rotting as he stood.

"Didn't you hear me? It was poison. Dumb ass. Even Klaw wouldn't have fallen for that."

"Hey! I heard that." Said Klaw as he ran past. One clawed hand was soaked black with orc blood. He was on his way to give Hunter back up.

The orc leader stumbled back, holding his throat. A tangle of mushroom stalks seemed to slither out of his mouth. If Daggat wasn't feeling the delicious tang of victory, he may have been sick from the sight.

Daggat took a few steps forward and used the log to jump in the air. He then thrust his spear up, locked it in space, and used it like a pole to swing higher. He had been practicing this move. Several feet above the orc, Daggat descended towards it spear first. It was struggling with the poison. All of its strength was sapped away. It couldn't even lift the sword to block.

The spear crashed through its ribcage and exploded out the other side. Daggat landed on the orc and kicked it down the length of the spear. He rolled off and almost stuck the landing. He had to steady himself.

Behind him, the orc gurgled its last breaths. It was bent back, chest pointing up with the spear clean through. Daggat nodded at his handiwork. THAT was art.

A scream caught his attention. Anath. She went berserk and was striking madly at the orc. She had a cut on her arm, but the orc was slowly being pushed back.

Zuss had killed her orc, somehow, and was moving to flank Anath's. They had that taken care of.

Three lines of charred ground marked Elyndris's three spells she had stored. The orc she was fighting had several burns and was still on fire. He had a club and was swinging it at the flying worm who was circling his head and cackling.

"Elyndris! Back off a sec." Daggat called as he readied one of his clay bottles. She did so. The orc was watching her, preparing for her to return. So, when the bottle shattered against him, he was surprised.

Then the alcohol ignited. It flashed with a blue flame, almost invisible. The orc began to panic and pat himself off.

When it dropped to the ground to roll in the dirt, the alchemy kicked in. Roots scratched from under the orcs skin. They broke through. A hundred string-sized roots crawled out from the orc itself and wrapped around it like a cocoon. Soon, its arms and legs were bound.

Daggat took a close look. They would be easy to break, and the fire was being extinguished by them. Any aware opponent would only be immobilized for a moment. This orc was no exception. It began to snap the roots, screaming in rage.

Then a pink worm speared into its neck. Black blood sprayed like a geyser as she dug into its flesh. Daggat shivered. The worm was on his side, right?

Daggat smiled at his crew as he surveyed the fight. Zuss and Anath killed their last orc easily. Where were-

"DAGGAT!" Hunter yelled. Daggat cursed and sprinted toward Hunter.

A dead orc lay on the ground. Several chunks of flesh were ripped from it, still oozing blood. Klaw was lying next to it, his face twisted in pain. He was holding a wound on his arm.

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"What's wrong?" Daggat asked. Zuss and Anath came up behind him.

"He got cut by the orc. It's poison, I think."

"You're the fucking doctor! Fix it." Daggat told him.

"It shouldn't be this fast! The poison was almost instant. He needs Purge Poison."

Daggat's mind raced. Instant poison? Even directly drinking his alchemical poison wasn't instant. At least, it shouldn't be. The orc was affected faster than he expected. Why? He had seen something like this before. The Lady's disease also acted quickly. What was the common factor? Realization dawned on him.

"Hunter, drop the torch." He told him.

"But-" he began.

"DROP THE FUCKING TORCH," Daggat yelled at him. He did, the light winking out.

Klaw took in a shuttering breath.

"Damn it! He needs purge poison. Experience! Now!" Daggat dove for the dead orc and bit a chunk of flesh from it. They should level soon. Hopefully.

[You have devoured - orc, level 10. Experience Gained.]

Not enough. Zuss had run to another corpse and bit it.

"Fuck… that…" Klaw said between clenched teeth. His wound began to gush blood. Daggat stepped back.

"That might work! Stop before you lose too much." Hunter said. After a moment, the bleeding stopped. It was like Klaw had just turned off a faucet.

"What just happened?" Anath asked.

"The torch. It speeds up healing. Seems like there is a side effect. Klaw was affected by, what, six times speed?"

"Oh," Hunter said. He looked sick. "Sorry."

"Not your fault." Said Klaw. He sat up. "I think I got it all. I cut off blood in my legs as soon as I figured out what was happening."

Daggat surveyed the battlefield. Five dead orcs. Probably six. Klaw must have killed the archer. No dead party members.

"Alright. Wounds, call 'em out." Daggat said.

"Blood loss," Klaw said. His standard post-fight state lately.

"I got hit by an arrow, but it's already healing," Anath said. She had an ugly gash on her arm.

"I'm fine." Said Zuss.

"Me too." Said Hunter.

"I used all of my spells, but am otherwise unhurt," Elyndris said.

"Great!" Daggat beamed at them. "Good job everyone. Now, we get to feast." Daggat looked at the uneaten orcs and licked his lips. The orc he tasted had gamy meat with a strong iron flavor. Not bad.

"Wait! What are you doing?" Hunter asked as the goblinoids moved to their meals.

"Eww, gross," Anath said.

"What? You kill, you eat." Klaw said. "What's the problem?"

"The problem is," Hunter continued, "We have a full kitchen back home and you want to eat them RAW? Do you guys not like my cooking?"

Anath looked at Hunter like he just sprouted a second head.

"What?" He asked.

"You're OKAY with eating them?" Anath said.

"Well, not raw. Why?" Hunter said. His brows furrowed in confusion.

"They're… people!" Anath cried.

"Meat is meat. Whether it talks doesn't change how it chews." Said Zuss. Anath gave her a look of betrayal.

"Ah, I see." Said Elyndris. "Anath isn't used to the monster life." She turned to Anath. "The aversion to eating talking races, that's a human and elf trait. You better get used to the change."

"But… he's an ogre! Aren't ogres mortals too?" Anath said. She fell to her knees defeated. The goblinoids were gathering the corpses.

"Anath, my people don't waste food. I am an OGRE. We are kind of known for eating people. Not just the feral ones." Hunter said. "Some traditional ogre funerals even eat our dead. I've eaten orc before. And human."

"WHAT?!" Anath screamed. Her mandibles wriggled. Hunter flinched.

"We didn't HUNT them. But, if we are attacked, we'll use them to feed the family. If it makes you feel better, it was a group of bandits that attacked one of my brothers."

Anath's head wobbled. She looked like her world was turned upside down.

"Hey, don't worry about it," Daggat said, slapping her on the shoulder. Anath winced. "Oh, sorry. Bad shoulder. Look, you don't have to partake. But, you need to understand we aren't human. I for one am looking forward to some orc steak."

"Stew. Orc steak is too tough. I've got to cook it slowly. Overnight."

"See, not even a problem until tomorrow," Daggat said. Anath looked at him in a daze.

"Is that what it means to be a monster? Eat people… and like it?" She asked.

"Nah. That's just a perk. Animals eat people too. Being a monster, now, that's all about freedom." He gave her a friendly smile. "Freedom to eat what you want, sleep where you want, take what you want, and become your perfect self. I think you'll like it, once you give it a chance."

"Anath, YOU'VE eaten a monster. The cat." Elyndris added.

Anath sighed, then stood up. "That's not… ugh. I won't be eating orc. But… I'll help carry it back, I guess." She looked at her feet in embarrassment.

Daggat gave her a thumbs up. Together, they gathered the fallen. They couldn't drag them back as they were. Too heavy. So, they would take as much meat as possible.

Daggat risked a nibble from the orc he killed. He made sure not to eat any of the mushrooms. It was eleventh level, but they still did not level up.

Hunter did his best to gut the orcs properly before Anath, unexpectedly, stepped in. She wasn't squeamish, and she had some experience in it. Maybe she could warm up to being a monster.

Daggat looked forward to the next day's revelry.

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; Scavenger; Small Size]

Monster Level: 8

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(0/4): Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist] System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 2 [Perk: Semi-sentience] Mind Codex: 1 [Synergy: Mental notes + Copy Tome] Party Leader: 1 [Source: Usurper]

Notable Natural Skills: Literacy: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/8): 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, Mesmerizing Gaze] Temperature Resistant Skin [Synergy: Fire Resistant Skin + Cold Resistant Skin] Scavenger [Source: goblin] Death Sight [Source: Touch of Death] Increased Pain Tolerance Hypervocal chords

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 charm Extreme Temperature Resistant Scales [Synergy: Fireproof scales + Temperature resistant Skin] Fire breath

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Dark vision [Night Vision Enhanced] Deepen Shadow

Other: Variant: +10 Intelligence Skill potions used: 1/5

Notable Gear: Strange pure-white sword shard Spear of Bracing 3 Mihr Contracts

Klaw

True Name: Klaw Soul: Mortal/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: 8 [+2 Str, +2 Con, +2 Wil; Smite, Righteous Aura] Paladin Level: 1

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 21 (22, +1 belt) Dexterity: 10 Constitution: 13 (14, +1 belt) Intelligence: 8 Will: 11 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Devotion [Layered feats] Ability: Mighty Strength Act: Arsonist

Skills(0/2): System Aptitude: 1 Burst of Strength: 1 Attribute Boost: Strength (+2) Flame Affinity: 1 [Source: Arsonist] Smite: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Savagery: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/8): 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 Cardiovascular Control

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 constitution Fire-proof Scales Claws [Mutation added: Burning]

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity +2 constitution Dark Vision

Notable Gear: Mountain Heart Armor Belt of Last Stand

Elyndris

True Name: Elyndris Soul: Monster Genseed: Larva [ 1 Str, 1 Dex, 1 Con, 1 Int, 1 Wil, 1 Cha; miniscule Size]

Monster Level:

8

Attributes (0/12):

Strength:

10

Dexterity:

8

Constitution:

8

Intelligence:

15

Will:

7

Charm:

7

Feats:

Encounter: True Angel

Knowledge: System Knowledge

Act: Devotion

[layered feats]

Act: Blasphemy

Ability: Mighty Intellect

Act: Vile Concoction

Act:

Fledgling Mage

Skills (0/3):

Burst of Strength: 1

Pounce: 1

Construct Capacity: 1

Spellcraft: 1

Biotraits (0/8):

Base size: Miniscule

Jaws

Thaumic Sense

[Synergy: Tremor Sense + Magic Sense; Mutations:

Refined Sense

]

Complex organs

Limbs [Mutation:

Lesser Wings

]

Disease Resistance

[Source: Vile Concoction]

Force Distributing Flesh

Transformations:

Night Stalker form:

+2 strength

+2 dexterity

+2 constitution

Jaws [Mutation: Powerful Jaws]

Known Magical Components:

Engines

: Force, Energy, Beam

Drives

: Focus

Notable Gear:

5 Refresh Pills

Hero Scroll

Other:

Curse: Ungenesis

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: 8

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 (0/8): 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; Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet; Mutations: Mighty Grip] Cold Resistant Skin Enhanced Visual Acuity

Transformations: Drakeheart Form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Smoke Aura Lesser Wings

Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Enhanced Scent Deepen Shadow+, Widen Shadows

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler Mana Crystal Set Tiara

Pet: Name: Birdy Genseed: Cat

Attributes: Strength: 2 Dexterity: 4 Constitution: 2 Intelligence: 2 Will: 2 Charm: 3

Biotraits: Lesser Wings

Hunter

True Name: Hunter Soul: Mortal/Monster Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Large Size]

Hearth Tender Level: 8 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire] Monster Level: 1 [Source: Ichor of the Beast]

Attributes (0/6): Strength: 14 Dexterity: 7 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 9 Will: 15 Charm: 8

Feats: Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats] Act: Slayer Ability: Unshakable Will

Skills (0/9): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Invoke Torch: 2 [Perks: Mighty Torch] Hearth Fire: 2 [Perks: Healing Warmth] Sacred Flame: 2 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth] Encompassing Warmth: 1 Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame] Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer] Seek: 1 Fearless: 1 Peaceful Presence: 1 Condense Aura: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Healing: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/1): Base Size: Large Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction]

Other: Curse: Ogre Curse Boot of Rashail

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: 5 Berserker Level: 5 [+3 Str, Dex Con, -1 Int, Wil, Cha; Berserker's rage, Great Vitality]

Attributes [0/7]: Strength: 12 Dexterity: 11 Constitution: 13 Intelligence: 10 Will: 8 Charm: 7

Feats: Encounter: True Angel Knowledge: System Knowledge Act: Vile Concoction Act: Devotion [layered feats]

Skills(0/8): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 1 Skill Boosts: Survival (1) Savage Legs: 1 Berserker's Spirit: 1 [Synergy: Warrior's Spirit (Burst of Strength + Burst of Alacrity + Burst of Vitality) + Berserker's Rage] Purge Poison: 1 Great Vitality: 1 Blood Rhythm: 1

Notable Natural Skills: Survival: Apprentice Savagery: Apprentice

Biotraits [1/5]: Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Vile Concoction] Extra Limb (Arachnid), x4 [Source: Variant] Venomous Mandibles [Source: Variant] Multi-eye [Mutations: Magnified, Night Vision; Source: Variant] Hardened Chitin

Transformations: Night Stalker form: +2 strength +2 dexterity Claws Dark Vision

Notable Gear: Blade of the Dessert Flower 5 Tokens

Other: Variant: Arachnid Traits

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