Everything was ready. Daggat was healed as much as he was willing to be. Everyone else was fully healed and ready to go. Zuss had explained her encounter with the other goblins, but that was something they could deal with later. He was itching to get his arm back, and the best way to do that was to enlist the Ancients' help in finding the right Spirit Beast.

"Why can't we go?" Anath asked. She sulked nearby, watching Daggat, Klaw, and Zuss prepare for their departure.

Daggat threw a bed-roll into the inventory, "Cause the trees don't like more than a few people at a time. I think three is pushing it. Don't worry, we'll be back soon. We're just going to track down this demon slayer, then come back for Elyndris."

A distant crack of crystals being summoned interrupted them. Elyndris was grinding for the feat.

Zuss grinned at her, "And we will be unrecognizable."

Hunter and Ketil watched them leave, waving them goodbye, while Klaw was tearing apart a tree somewhere.

The three found Hrodebert waiting for them.

"So, you are to take us elsewhere, yes?" Elyndris said.

"For the moment." Hrodebert intoned. He was just as tree-like as he had been. "The Ancient has demanded I help your hunt."

"Demand? How much sway does the ancient have over you?" Daggat asked.

"Much. If I were to turn away from them, they would consume me. I am now within their dominion."

"Eesh, sorry buddy. I didn't realize the cost."

He waved a hand, and the nearby tree opened, "It's fine. I was only wasting away. At least they will allow me to care for the larva, still. I cannot ask for a better life."

The tree-like creature gestured for the party to proceed. Zuss hoped through the hole first, followed by Klaw and Daggat.

They found themselves in a wide room, with small hallways leading away. They were too small to traverse, more like they were inside an inverted root-ball of a massive tree. The floor was the same soft moss as always.

Klaw and Zuss marveled at the tree, but this was familiar to Daggat.

Hrodebert followed after them, "Where to next?"

"Well, that depends. I need you to tell us exactly what happened."

Klaw crossed his arms, done with marveling at the tree's innards, "Where did the attack happen?"

"Let me remember," He sat cross-legged, "After I left Harrowpine, I checked on my gardens. Thought I could help with food. While I was gathering my radishes… they struck."

Zuss joined the conversation, "How did they attack?"

He shrugged, "It was only one. They came out of nowhere and stabbed me." He pointed at his chest, where his wound used to be.

"What did they look like?" Daggat asked.

"Human, I think. Humanoid, at least. Had a hood. Wore the symbol of the demon hunters. He was fast, but I made it to the tree."

Daggat nodded, "Can you take us to the garden? Maybe we can find something."

Klaw held up a hand, "Wait, how did they find you?"

"Demon hunters do that. Some skill, I think. He was nearby enough to see."

Daggat nodded, "Either way, let's check out the garden."

Bobby opened another door through the tree. It led to another indistinguishable part of the forest.

"Where's the garden?" Daggat asked.

Hrodebert gestured around, "Here! This is it."

Klaw raised a skeptical eyebrow, "You know what a garden is, right?" The three of them were familiar with gardening; it was one of the chores they did with Calion. Each had gardening at an apprentice level.

"Yes! See, here and here, and over there." Hrodebert pointed at various patches of wild vegetables. A wild garden. That made sense for someone like him.

Zuss was looking at something in the dirt, "Here. Blood. Lots of it."

It was true. Soaked into the earth, it was hard to see. But specs of it soaked into sticks and grasses nearby.

Klaw unsheathed his claws, "Think they'll show up here?"

Daggat shook his head, "Nah. I bet they moved on to somewhere else. If they can sense his presence here, they would have to move back. Or maybe they are camping nearby. Who knows? Just keep an eye out."

Zuss crumbled some dirt between her fingers, "I think I can follow the trail, for a while at least. They dripped blood behind them. No heat, but it's a direction."

Daggat looked up at Hrodebert, "You should get back into the trees. I wanna know more before we get attacked right away."

He just nodded, then wandered towards the nearest tree. Klaw moved to stand next to Daggat.

"So," he said, "What's the real reason the others were left behind? I didn't hear any complaining trees."

Daggat shrugged, "I was telling the truth. But… Elyndris wanted to grind. And I have a feeling we're going to have to do something Anath and Hunter wouldn't like. We're not defending ourselves here."

Klaw grinned, "It feels good to be hunting, instead of just reacting."

Daggat nodded. It was nice. He no longer felt like he was in danger from the world around him. Now, he WAS the danger.

The trio followed the trail for a short time before losing it past a tree. So, they simply continued in that direction, seeing what there is to be seen.

It did not take them long to find a road. A dirt path cut through the forest.

Daggat looked up and down the path, "Which way… which way?" East or west? There was no difference.

"There is something that way, a building." Zuss pointed. Her vision surpassed the others.

At that moment, there was a great screech from the north. It reminded Daggat of the skinless boar he had fought.

Klaw started summoning a bit of armor, "Sounds big."

"Think it's related?" Zuss asked.

Daggat summoned his spear, "Only one way to find out. Let's take a look. If it's nothing, we'll check out that building."

As one, they continued straight, following the great noise. As they approached, the sound of combat was apparent. It didn't last long, as something crashed, and the combat ended.

Zuss went ahead, scouting. Faintly, Daggat could hear something. Crying?

Shadow: <It's a REALLY big monster. There was a battle here. A lot of goblin bodies.>

Klaw grinned, "Sounds like experience."

Daggat scowled, "Well, for you, maybe. Let's see if it knows anything first."

Daggy Two-arm: <We're on our way. I'll see what it knows, then we reap that sweet XP.>

Destruction was evident before they saw the beast. Whatever it was, it was sobbing. Two other creatures were with it, growling and muttering. Zuss had only said one. Bits of a broken tree scattered from where a goblin had been thrown at it. Blood dripped from the splatter mark.

That would be scavenged later for experience, but for now, they carefully rounded a large tree.

Ahead was a clearing. Corpses of dozens, maybe a hundred, goblinoids were scattered around it. Smaller trees had been uprooted, boulders had been flung, and makeshift weapons lay in piles.

The creature at the center was the second-largest monster Daggat had ever seen, if you counted the Ancient. Even while sitting, it dwarfed Hunter. Standing, it must have been close to twenty-five feet tall. A giant.

This particular giant had three heads, which accounted for the strange noises it made. Each appeared to be some variation of swine. One was a hariless pig, which sobbed while the giant plucked spears from its arm like splinters. The second was a hairy, snarling boar. The final head muttered and sputtered nonsense. It was a pig's head, skinned and bloody. Raw meat is open to the air.

Zuss was somewhere above.

"That's… big," Klaw muttered.

"Yeah, no shit. It's a giant. A true giant. Tier three monster, focused on size and power. No fancy tricks, most of the time. Heads are weird, though." Daggat didn't need the assistant to tell him that. He was already familiar with that monster from the bestiary. They prefer colder climates, so it was odd to find it here. It must have been with one of Rika's armies.

Klaw slapped Daggat on the back, which caused his wound to flare up, "Well. Go talk to it."

Daggat gulped nervously, then made sure all of his abilities were active.

The giant continued to sob as Daggat approached. In his experience, most larger creatures tended to be gentle and emotional. So, he went with the same technique he used against Hrodebert and Hunter.

"Hey, big guy, what's got you so down?" Daggat's voice oozed honey; hopefully, the beguiling aura would be enough.

The pig head sniffed, "The goblins tricked us! Trapped us!"

The boar head snarled, "I TOLD us to not follow!"

The… Daggat decided to call it the pork head, just squealed.

Trapped? Daggat looked around. The clearing they were in did have some unusually close trees in a sort of circle. It did appear that a creature of its size wouldn't be able to move through the gaps. Where a gap would have been large enough, a tree had fallen. Presumably damaged in the fight. Effectively trapping the giant in this forest. Daggat felt a pang of sympathy for the monster. Moving around this forest on that side would have been incredibly annoying.

"Why would they do that?" Daggat asked.

Pig wailed, "They hate us! They wanted to kill us!"

Boar screamed, "Betrayal! They trapped us and tried to kill us for experience. We helped them!"

Pork squealed, "BETRAYERS!"

Finally, the giant looked down.

All three, in unison, screamed, "GOBLIN!"

Hunter wasn't here. They had become complacent and acted as though his aura of peace was still with them. There was nothing to stop the giant from its rampage.

In one motion, the giant scooped up a nearby boulder and threw it. Daggat was tense, ready to dodge already. Still, he was forced to use a lunge to move out of the way fast enough.

The rock smashed into the earth, unearthing a large crater. Then it skipped and bounced off another stone, which split the boulder in two. One half soared out of view. The other hit one of the ancient trees and cut a huge gouge out of it, then the stone bounced again and finally shattered into dozens of pieces against another tree. This one, too, had bark ripped away from it as though struck by an explosion.

Daggat stared at the destruction wide-eyed. Then he started to run, "Nope! No, no, no. Not risking this fight."

Klaw nodded gravely, then fell into step.

Behind them, the giant roared and charged forward. But the two of them had already rushed out of reach.

The giant's rage echoed behind them. By the time they stopped to catch their breath, Zuss had caught up to them.

"What happened? We could take it."

Daggat shook his head, "Not likely. Did you see the strength of that throw?"

Zuss scoffed, "Whatever, Klaw would have saved you."

"Nah, I have to agree with Dag. If I get hit by that, I'm done. I'm not fast enough to dodge. Dag isn't lucky enough to last too long. And you won't be able to do much to it."

"I can go for the throat."

Dag laughed, "Which one? By the time you wound one head, the others would eat you."

"What even is he doing here?" Klaw asked, "Not exactly a friendly area."

Dag looked back towards the giant, "Best guess, he was a merc for Rika. The goblins tried to kill it for experience. They lured it into a place where it couldn't escape, then ambushed it. Based on the corpses, it didn't go too well. It's stuck for now. Maybe we can try again if we come up with some ideas. For now, let's check out that building."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Back on the road, the trio traveled just to the side of it. Ready to hide in the case of a large force of… well, anything really. Eventually, the signs of the structure were apparent to Daggat and Klaw.

Light peered through the tall windows of an impressively large building. It reminded Daggat of his own manor. Dwarven-built, as his was, but smaller. A sturdy wall surrounded it.

The road led directly to a closed gate. Outside this gate were a dozen goblinoid heads, all stuck to spears. Written above the gate, carved into a wooden plank, read "Hollow Log Inn"

"It's an inn!" Daggat declared, "I've read about these. Places for adventurers to rest."

They were standing a fair bit away. It seemed to be two buildings, a large inn and a smaller stable.

Klaw scratched his wrist, "Wait, does that mean there are adventurers in there?"

On queue, a bell began to ring. Zuss hid a moment later. There was a commotion within, yelling and shouting. Had they spotted the surviving goblins from the giant fight? Or was someone attacking on the other side?

The gate opened and four figures strode out. One, a dwarf, lifted a hammer and shouted, "We are not afraid, goblins! Prepare yourselves for the endless war!"

The adventurers charged.

Ah, Daggat thought. HE was the goblin they had spotted. He and Klaw, who was currently in full armor. They looked ready for war. The humans must have assumed they were the advance of a larger force.

Daggat began to grin. He had an idea.

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]

Base size: Small [Largest Size: Goblin]

Monster Level: 15

Attributes (0/10)(base growth, +5; Devotion, +1; growth potions, +4): Strength: 11 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +2; Devotion +1) Dexterity: 11 (Base 9; Class/Genesis +2;) Constitution: 11 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +2; Growth +1) Intelligence: 20 (Base 7; Class/Genesis +1; Growth +2; Variant +10) Will: 10 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +1; Growth +1) Charm: 16 (Base 8, Growth +8)

Feats: True Angel - Encounter a true angel. Reward: Skill choice unlocks. Mighty Intellect - Raise Intelligence base to 15. Reward: +1 Skill point. Fledgling Alchemist - Successfully brew an alchemical potion. Reward: Alchemy skill. System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [Layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Usurper - Slay a previous or current party leader. Reward: One level in Party Leader. Touch of Death - Perform two of the following: die and return to life, survive an untethered's life - draining attack, or perform the rite of Mihr. Reward: Death sight. Reborn by Fire - Remain immersed in flame for a full day. Reward: Fire Core. Devilishly Charming - Raise charm base to 15. Reward: Party Leader skill. Aura Master - Obtain two different sources of an aura. Reward: Condense Aura Victor - Successfully led a large force against another. Reward: One Skill point. Note: This skill point may only be spent on tactics, logistics, or leadership divine skills. Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter.

Skills(1/6)(Mortal Level, 0, Devotion, +2; Mighty Intellect, +1; Skill Potions +2; Victor +1): Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist] System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] System Assistant: 2 [Perk: Semi-sentience] SP SPENT = 2 [Synergy]Mind Codex: 1 --Mental Notes: 1 SP SPENT = 1 --Copy Tome: 1 (Natural skill: Literacy) SP SPENT = 1 Party Leader: 2 [Source: Usurper, Devilishly Charming; Perk: Party Loot] Lunge: 1 (Natural skill: Spearmanship) SP SPENT = 1 Condense Aura: 1 [Source: Aura Master] Infinite Limiter

Notable Natural Skills: Literacy: Apprentice Spearmanship: Apprentice Acrobatics: Apprentice

Biotraits (1/15) (Monster Level, +14; Devotion, +1):

Regenisis: Goblin; BP SPENT = 1

Inherited Biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Scavenger [Source: goblin]

Standard Biotraits: [Synergy]Temperature Resistant Skin --Fire Resistant Skin; BP SPENT = 1 --Cold Resistant Skin; BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Beguiling Presence --Hypnotic Gaze [Mutations: Dominating Gaze, Mesmerizing Gaze] BP SPENT = 3 --Hypervocal Cords [Mutations: Beguiling Voice] BP SPENT = 2 [Synergy]Second Sight --Aura Sight [Mutations: Ambient Aura Sense] BP SPENT =2 --Death Sight [Mutations: Death Gaze; Source: Touch of Death] BP SPENT =1 Telekinesis [Mutations: Mind over Matter (Boon), Tactile Telekinesis] BP SPENT =2 Hex Aura BP SPENT =1

Core Biotraits: Core: Fire [Source: Reborn by Fire]

Other: Variant: +10 Intelligence; Enhanced vocabulary Skill potions used: 2/5 Growth potions used: 2/5

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]

Base size: Standard [Largest Size: Bugbear; Mighty Strength]

Monster Level: 12 Paladin Level: 6 [+2 Str, +2 Con, +2 Wil; Smite, Righteous Aura]

Attributes (0/6)(base growth, +5; Devotion, +1): Strength: 27 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +5; Growth +6, Ability Boost +2; Belt of Last Stand +1, Muscle Helix +5) Dexterity: 10 (Base 9, Class/Genesis +1) Constitution: 14 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +4; Devotion +1; Belt of Last Stand +1) Intelligence: 8 (Base 7, Class/Genesis +1) Will: 11 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +3) Charm: 8 (Base 8, Class/Genesis +0)

Feats: System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [Layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Mighty Strength - Raise Strength base to 15. Reward: Size increase Arsonist - Slay over twenty enemies with one flame. Reward: Flame Affinity skill. Life Eater - Ritualistically eat fifty hearts. Reward: Beast Core Aura Master - Obtain two different sources of an aura. Reward: Condense Aura Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter.

Skills(0/7)(Class, +5; Devotion, +2): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Burst of Strength: 1 (Ability Skill: Strength 5) SP SPENT = 1 Flame Affinity: 1 [Source: Arsonist] Smite: 1 [Source: Paladin] Wind Slash: 2 (Natural Skill: Swordsmanship; Perks: Razor Slash) SP SPENT = 2 Savage Attacks: 1 (Natural Skill: Savagery) SP SPENT = 1 Aura of Protection: 2 [Perk: Righteous Retaliation, ] SP SPENT = 2 Righteous Aura: 1 [Source: Paladin] Condense Aura: 1 [Source: Aura Master] Infinite Limiter

Notable Natural Skills: Savagery: Apprentice Swordsmanship: Apprentice Bodybuilding: Apprentice

Ability Boosts: Strength (+2; Natural Skill: Bodybuilding) SP SPENT = 1

Biotraits (3/14)(Monster Level +11; Devotion +1; Potion +2):

Regenisis: Bugbear; BP SPENT = 1

Inherited Biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Source: Gremlin] Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Rough Fur [Mutations: Insulating Fur; Source: Bugbear]

Standard Biotraits: Claws [Mutations: Forged, Retractable, Great; Apex Reached] BP SPENT = 5 [Modifier; Synergy] Dense Body [Mutations: Reflective Leverage (Boon)] --[Modifier] Dense Muscle Fibers BP SPENT = 1 --[Modifier] Dense Bone BP SPENT = 1 --[Modifier] Dense Organs BP SPENT = 1 Cardiovascular Control BP SPENT = 1 Redundant Organs BP SPENT = 1 Muscle Helix (Mutations: Inherited Strength) BP SPENT = 2

Core Biotraits: Beast Core [Source: Life Eater]

Notable Gear: Belt of Last Stand

Other: Biotrait potions used: 2/5

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]

Base Size: Small [Largest Size: Hobgoblin]

Monster Level: 15

Attributes (0/6) (base growth, +5; Devotion, +1): Strength: 10 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +1; Growth +1) Dexterity: 16 (Base 9; Class/Genesis +3; Growth +4) Constitution: 10 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +2;) Intelligence: 8 (Base 7; Class/Genesis, +1) Will: 10 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +1; Growth +1) Charm: 9 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +0; Devotion, +1)

Feats: System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill. Devotion [layered feats] - Offer a prayers to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait. Mighty Alacrity - Raise Dexterity base to 15. Reward: Improved Balance Biotrait. Shadow Born - Remain in complete darkness for a full week. Reward: Shadow Core. Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter.

Skills(0/3) (Mortal Level +0; Devotion +2, skill potion +1): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Deep Shadows: 1 (Natural Skill: Stealth) SP SPENT = 1 Path Finding [Type: Climbing]: 1 (Natural Skill: Climb) SP SPENT = 1 Critical Hit Infinite Limiter

Notable Natural Skills: Stealth: Journeyman Climb: Apprentice Rope-weapon: Apprentice Daggers: Apprentice Flow Arts: Apprentice Toss Juggling: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/15) (Monster Level, +14; Devotion, +1):

Inherited biotraits: Regenerating Teeth [Source: Gremlin] Enhanced Night Vision [Mutations: Dark Vision, Magnified Vision, Heat Vision; Apex reached; Source: Gremlin] BP SPENT = 4 Disease Resistance [Mutations: Rot Resistance; Source: Gremlin] Nimble Hands (below)

Standard Biotraits: [Synergy]Improved Body Control [Mutations: Autonomous Reflex] BP SPENT = 1 --Improved Balance [Source: Mighty Alacrity] --Improved Nerve Conduction BP SPENT = 1 --Improved flexibility BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy]Nimble Hands and Feet [Mutations: Mighty Grip] BP SPENT = 1 --Nimble hands [Source: Hobgoblin] --Prehensile Feet BP SPENT = 1 Cold Resistant Skin BP SPENT = 1 Enhanced Visual Acuity BP SPENT = 1

Core Biotraits: Shadow Core [Source: Shadow Born] Shadow Smith [Mutations: Partial Shade, Swift Shade] BP SPENT = 3 Shadow Step [Mutations: Shadow Surf] BP SPENT = 1

Other: Skill potions used: 1/5

Notable Gear: Blade of a Thousand Screams Knife of the Traveler

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