Goblin Teeth: A Monster Party LitRPG

Daggat scowled at the arena. It was HUGE. A plain surrounded by trees. At the center rested the spirit beast. It looked like a boulder.

Klaw had just purchased the last upgrade for his helix muscles, Triple Helix. It did not give him any more strength, but it did help with strength reduction. Zuss was with them, idly tossing a dagger.

"It's bigger than my arena," Zuss said.

"I have a bad feeling about it. But… best to ask the beast directly."

The trio walked to the center of the arena.

"Hey, Spirit Beast," Daggat called.

It shifted, standing from its sitting position. Its limbs ground against each other like millstones. The thing was the size of Triboar and entirely made out of stone.

How was a level 15 expected to fight this?!

"Do you wish trial by combat?" It boomed. Its voice seemed to come from the distance, like an echo with no source.

"Oh, me? Nah. But, couple of questions if you don't mind. What do you offer?"

"Mark of the Colossus."

"What stats does that buff?"

"Strength and Constitution. As well as a-"

"Yeah, yeah. An imbued biotrait." Daggat waved him off. The Spirit Beast tilted its head in confusion.

"What's wrong?" Asked Klaw, "Too tough for you?"

"Bah, no. It's just… not my style." Daggat opened his chat to Elyndris.

Daggy two-arms: <Hey, we found a Spirit Beast that offers the Mark of the Colossus. Strength and constitution boost. You want it?>

It took a moment for the reply to come through, but eventually it arrived.

Mage of Mass Destruction: <That sounds tempting… but I really need an intelligence boost. I've got my people on it, though.>

Her people? Whatever that meant, no one was going to snag this beast.

So, the trio went back to the village.

Hunter and Anath greeted them as they entered the village. By now, the village folk have gotten used to them. Daggat noted that Ketil had built a wagon and had placed the altar upon it. He was getting ready to leave.

"Friends! Welcome back," Hunter smiled at them. He had a circular iron disc in his hands. Half of it had been scraped down to iron, and the other half was rusted and crusted over with mud.

"Zuss! Your scarf?" Anath asked.

"Got torn up. I wear a shadow mask, now."

"Oh," Anath said, a tad disappointed, "it looks cool."

Zuss, reading something that Daggat didn't realize, said, "I kind of miss the scarf."

Anath's eight eyes lit up, "Great… er, I mean. That's too bad."

"Well, our plans, as usual, have changed!" Daggat announced, "No longer are we bound to such mortal concepts as 'walking'."

"Do we still want to attack the goblins?" Anath asked.

"Oh, of course. But now we can do that whenever we feel like. So, the plan is this. We get Elyndris and me some marks, Zuss and I will evolve-"

"Which I can do at ANY time," Zuss muttered.

Daggat ignored her, "Then we'll head back to the mansion for some rest, spend some money, then hop on over to town to get some mortal souls. By then, we should be strong enough to face Rika, even if we don't go the infiltration route!"

Anath and Hunter had each leveled twice. Bringing their total levels to twenty. Anath was keen on improving her spinnerets, so she purchased Sticky Webs. Not for the actual stickiness of the web, but so she could reach the apex soon. She also decided to hold onto her skill point, so when she unlocked weaving skills, she could at least see the options.

Hunter had two skill points and was nearing level fifteen Hearthtender. For the moment, he was happy with his healing capabilities, and he decided to maximise Hearth Fire before they discovered what happened at level fifteen. So he purchased Purify Flame, which could burn curses away from items placed in the hearth, and Cozy Camp. The latter provides a greater benefit to the calming aura of the hearth. Improved sleep and dulled pain were some of the best benefits, but Daggat could swear the food tasted just a bit better as well.

The next day, Daggat was eager for more adventure. They planned to use the trees to travel through the forest quickly and find Spirit Beasts that suited both Daggat and Elyndris.

The problem was that the tree didn't like too many people going through at once, so it was decided they would continue with splitting the party in half. Elyndris was a problem, however. She wanted to get that spell feat, but at the rate she was going, it would still take her another day and a half.

She was just as eager as Daggat to earn her mark. Ultimately, the benefit of the feat was not something Elyndris really cared about, and it was something she could do after they destroyed the goblins.

It was decided that Daggat, Klaw, and Elyndris would go. Anath wanted to work on a project she refused to tell anyone about, and Hunter still wished to learn from Keaton and help the people at the village. Zuss, who wanted to continue exploring the forest, resigned to working on her tactile juggling skill.

And thus, on a wet, rainy morning in mid-spring, they began their hunt.

"Where to?" Hrodebert asked as they shuffled into the tree.

"Well," Daggat said, "We're going to need your help with that. You know any places that are… circular?"

"Circular?"

"Round… arena-like. I've noticed a pattern, is all. Also, anything… special about them. Like, different from the surrounding area. You know this forest better than we do."

He thought for a moment, then smiled, "Okay, I know a few."

Then they were off.

The first place was a short hike from the tree Hrodebert left them in. As they came closer to their destination, the trees seemed to close in around them.

The woods became darker and thicker. Overhead, thick spiderwebs coated the trees.

Then they found it. A dome of dark web. Creatures scuttled across it. Spider-like monsters. Shadow essence seeped out of the giant cocoon-like arena.

Daggat hesitated at the edge.

"Well, go on then." Klaw chuckled.

"Uh, yeah. Um… why don't you take this one?"

"Can't see 'em."

"Right… right." Daggat took a steadying breath, "Here goes…"

There was a tunnel leading directly into it. He carefully inched his way down the tube of dark webbing, which stuck to his feet as he moved through.

It was pitch dark inside. The tunnel should emit some light, but the shadow essence seemed to devour light. Luckily, that did not hamper his death vision.

At the center was a sixteen-legged spider. Utterly loathsome in appearance, with no symmetry to it at all.

"Do you choose trial by combat?" It asked.

"Uh… no, thank you. What, may I ask, is your mark? And the stats." Daggat spotted several shadow totems, and the assistant went to gather them.

"I grant the mark of the web, which grants dexterity and wisdom. To nimbly climb and to have the patience to wait."

"Ah, good, good. I'll pass the word along. Have a… nice day."

Daggat only tripped once in his hurry to escape.

That one was an easy no. They had a webby person in the party, and it wasn't good to double dip.

Hrodbert took them to the north side of the forest, where he remembered a similar location.

This one was easier to find. Stones began to appear in the forest, which had slowly been replaced with sharp crystals. The temperature dropped suddenly as they moved into the arena.

A flat, ice-covered field surrounded by sharp icicles. A large Spirit Beast, which looked much like Hrodebert did before his transformation, rested at the center.

"HEY!" Daggat yelled. The ice looked slick. "WHAT MARK YA GOT?"

The spirit beast looked around, then pointed at itself, "Me?" it called back.

"YEAH. WHAT MARK AND WHAT STATS?"

"MARK OF THE FROST. CONSTITUTION AND INTELLIGENCE."

Daggat beamed, "Ah, how about that? Con and int? That's good for you, right?"

Elyndris considered, "I don't know… frost doesn't really have that WOW factor, you know? I want to blow things up, not chill them."

Klaw growled, "You are so picky. You know, not every monster gets the luxury to pick."

"Which is why we should capitalize on that." Daggat said, "We'll circle back if we can't find anything else."

Klaw sheathed and unsheathed his claws irritably, "Fine, whatever. We need to hurry this up."

Once they were back in the tree, Daggat asked, "Do you know anywhere… really weird? Not natural, more… dreamlike, maybe? Something a bit headier. You get what I mean?"

"Maybe… the trees don't like being used this way so much. I think we can do it twice more."

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Then we have one more try today," Elyndris said, "Let's hope it doesn't disappoint."

This target was on the eastern side of the forest, near where the forest curved upwards into the walls that were the mountains. Between trips, Hrodebert went back into the trees. So it was still just the three of them as they hiked eastward. By now, the sun was a few hours from setting.

The first evidence of something strange was a small tree, which had its roots wrapped around a stone. This tree and the stone that anchored it were floating three feet above the air. A few yards from the tree, another stone hovered over the ground.

There was an essence in the air Daggat was not familiar with. It was unlike anything he had seen before. A color he couldn't place and a shape and texture his mind couldn't get a hold of. It became thicker as they went on, following the trail of otherworldly, floating stones, sticks, and vegetation.

Soon, they came across a crater in the side of the mountain. Within it were dozens of floating boulders of different shapes and sizes. Some drifted lazily, others stood still.

At the center of it was a mass of tentacles. The Spirit Beast.

"Hello!" Daggat called.

A single, large eye opened in the center of the mass. Its glare bored down onto Daggat like a physical weight. "Do you choose trial by combat?" Its voice was whispered from across the world. A billion tiny voices that manifested as a single, alien sound.

Daggat shivered, "Maybe, actually, I was wondering. What mark do you provide, and what are its stats?"

"I grant the Mark of the Other and a boon to both intelligence and wisdom."

"Perfect!" Both Daggat and Elyndris said at the same time.

Klaw laughed from his belly, then took a few steps away. "Of course…"

"I use intelligence for my main attack! Telekinesis." Daggat said.

"And I am a mage. I need all the intelligence I can get."

"We can find another intelligence one."

"Yes, for YOU. You have an intelligence boost already."

"We have to strengthen our strengths!"

"I agree. We must make the strongest party member, me, even stronger."

Daggat scowled at her, "We both want intelligence. Yes. What about wisdom? I lack a defense against mental attacks."

"We have Hunter for that. Besides, I also lack a mental defense. AND I use wisdom to form spells more efficiently."

Daggat had to admit that her reasoning made more sense. He also would have liked a charm and intelligence boost. But… "My arm," Daggat said.

"What about it?"

"I want my arm back!"

"If you cared about getting your arm back so badly, you would have fought the spider."

Daggat growled, "FINE. Go ahead. When you DIE, I'll just challenge it next."

"Good. I will! And when I KILL IT, then you can cry about your missing arm while you fight the next one."

Elyndris hopped into the arena.

Klaw, who had been listening to the argument with delight, stepped next to Daggat. "Should we help her?"

"AND DON'T THINK ABOUT HELPING!" She yelled back.

"Nah. It's a test. We wouldn't want help. Neither would she." Daggat said.

"Do you choose trial by combat?" It asked.

"YE- Uh… actually. No. One moment." Elyndris hoped back to the others.

Daggat's jaw dropped, "What? Thought you were going to kill it."

"I will! Just… give me a moment to get some spells ready."

Elyndris

True Name: Elyndris

Soul: Monster

Genseed: Larva [ 1 Str, 1 Dex, 1 Con, 1 Int, 1 Wil, 1 Cha; minuscule Size]
— Full Growth Bonus: +1 to all attributes, +6 growth points, +1 biotrait

Base size: Small [Largest Size: Larva; Mighty Strength; Great Bulk]

Monster Level: 15

Attributes 11 (0/12) (Base growth, +5; Larva, +6; Devotion, +1):
Strength: 17 (Genesis, +2; growth +6; Devotion +1, Dual-Physiology +3)
Dexterity: 7 (Genesis, +2; growth +5)
Constitution: 16 (Genesis, +2; growth +5, Dual-Physiology +3)
Intelligence: 7 (Genesis, +2; growth +5)
Will: 7 (Genesis, +2; growth, +5)
Charm: 7 (Genesis, +2; growth, +5)

Feats:
True Angel - Encounter a true angel. Reward: Skill choice unlocks.
System Knowledge - Discover the system. Reward: System Aptitude skill.
Vile Concoction - Willingly drink a diseased brew. Reward: Disease Resistance.
Devotion [layered feats] - Offer a prayer to Sahrzuel, Ithrenial, Mythraziel, Vaelion, and Zenthaviel. Reward: Experience gain, +2 skill points, +1 random ability, +1 growth point, +1 biotrait.
Blasphemy - Blaspheme the angels. Reward: A curse upon you.
Mighty Intellect - Raise Intelligence base to 15. Reward: +1 Skill point.
Mighty Strength - Raise Strength base to 15. Reward: Size increase
Fledgling Mage - Successfully cast a spell. Reward: Spellcraft skill.
Mighty Constitution - Raise Constitution base to 15. Reward: Disease Resistance biotrait.
Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter.

Skills (0/3) (Mortal Levels, +0; Devotion, +2; Mighty Intellect, +1):
Burst of Strength: 1 (Ability Skill: Strength 5)
Pounce: 1
Construct Capacity: 1
Spellcraft: 1 [Source: Fledgling Mage]
Infinite Limiter

Biotraits (0/16)(Monster Level +14; Devotion +1; Larva +1):
Disease Resistance [Source: Vile Concoction, Mighty Constitution; Mutations: Rot Resistance]
Metamorphosis [Mutations: Swift Change, Extra Form, Rebirth; Apex Reached]
Enhanced Touch [Mutations: Tremor Sense (Boon)]
[Structural] Complex organs
[Structural] Limbs (Legs)
[Structural] Limbs (Tentacles)
[Synergy] Dual-Physiology
— Redundant Organs
— Muscle Helix
Great Bulk
[Structural] Jaws
[Synergy] Energy Distributing Flesh [Mutations: Energy Transference]
— Force Distributing Flesh
— Heat Resistant Skin
Predator Bark

Other:
Biotrait Potions Used: 1/5

Curse: Ungenesis

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 Flesh
--Fire Resistant Flesh; BP SPENT = 1
--Cold Resistant Flesh; 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: 14
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 (0/15)(Monster Level +12; 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, Tension Coils, Triple Helix) BP SPENT = 4

Core Biotraits:
Beast Core [Source: Life Eater]

Notable Gear:
Belt of Last Stand

Other:
Biotrait potions used: 2/5