Goblin Teeth: A Monster Party LitRPG

Elyndris could see the Spirit Beast. As someone who had never had eyes, it was a curiosity that she still had the sense of vision. But only when it applied to the system. Spirit Beasts, it seems, fell into this category.

The earth felt strange. Hard to place exactly why, but it left her with an uncanny feeling.

Floating above the earth was an abomination. There were no other words for it that Elyndris knew. A mass of tentacles and a single, gazing eye. At the end of each tentacle was a different growth. Claws, pincers, blades, bone growths, and other indescribable masses.

"Is there anything on the battlefield I cannot sense?" Elyndris asked. It was best to cover all of the possibilities.

"Yeah," Klaw said, "Floating stones. Bought your size."

Elyndris nodded, "Alright. Give me an hour."

She had three slots where she could store spells to be cast at any time. These were going to be her primary method of fighting this creature.

Considering the monster, targeting the center mass was best. Elyndris had no idea how fast the Spirit Beast was, or how difficult it was to wound. Bladed or piercing attacks would be key; she didn't think force would do much to it. Heat was still up in the air, but she suspected it would do the job.

It took her several minutes to form a plan. Then, she began to craft her spells.

The first, Crystal feeding into Beam and then Field.

Second, Crystal fed into two Beams.

Finally, a classic of a focused energy beam.

Once done, Elyndris chuckled. This fight won't last long.

"Tell me, Goblin, you mentioned that killing them, regardless of accepting the trial, grants the mark?"

"That's what the assistant says. Why?"

"Because I am not bound by honor."

She began forming a fourth spell. Right before it was done, she hopped into the arena.

The single eye focused on her, "Do you choose trial by combat?"

"Yes, I-" Elyndris unleashed the spell. A beam of force and energy.

The attack nearly hit center mass, but the creature was quick. It pulled itself along the floating stones with its mass of tentacles. The beam did scorch through several of them, causing them to lose hold of their stones and fold in on themselves.

Its screech was maddening. The earth bubbled and twisted in her senses. She should have been knocked off her two legs, but reality and her senses did not match. Fortunately, she was able to ignore the strange effect. Any creature that relied on its senses to fight would be in trouble. Luckily, the effect did not transfer into the system realm.

Elyndris waited a moment before casting her next spell. As the creature sped towards her, she noted the voids that represented stones it was holding onto. She aimed at a spot where one tentacle reached.

A bar of sharp, thorn-covered crystals speared towards her enemy, which was forced to halt its momentum to avoid it. But, spearing the creature wasn't her plan; it was just a possibility. When it struck the stone floating in space, sharp crystal blades bloomed from it and the surrounding stones. They dug into the tentacles, gripping and holding them in place.

For the moment, it was held fast. So she did not hesitate to cast her next spell. She aimed down.

A smooth, solid bar pushed her upwards. When the spell stopped, she kept her momentum and flew through the air.

Elyndris still knew how to use wings. Though they were awful for the task, her tentacles were sufficient in helping her position her body as she fell. She aimed directly for the monster.

Still partially stuck by the crystals, it was unable to dodge. Instead, it opened itself to her. Turning its body and presenting her a maw that held more teeth than what the space suggested. Its free tentacles bloomed towards her like a sunflower, ready to catch her and tear her to pieces.

Timing was everything, and here that rule was especially important. She began to form a spell in mid-fall. One she had perfected to a near-reflex cast.

The tentacles closed over just as she entered the deadly embrace of the Spirit beast.

Then, she exploded. Tentacles pulsed outward and teeth shattered. The creature was torn from the crystal trap and rolled to the ground. One of its claws managed to scrape down Elyndris's side, drawing blood.

As she expected, it wasn't dead. Only stunned. So she used her last spell. A focused beam of energy is forced directly into its center of mass.

The creature screamed, wriggled, and flailed as the heat bore into it. The smell reminded her of grilled fish.

[You have completed a spirit beast trial and earned the Mark of the Other. Intelligence increased by 4, will increased by 2. New trait: Gravity Stone [Voidtouched].]

[Feat Achieved: Underdog. Cause: Earn your mark as a tier one monster. Reward: Mark's statistics doubled, Mark's biotrait mutated.]

"HA! Only a scratch. I knew this challenge would be easy." Elyndris crawled from the mass of dead Spirit Beast. Then she found herself floating. Gently, as though she was in water or weighed no more than a feather. The gravity stone?

The gravity stone was an organ that increased the user's weight. The voidtouched property seemed to reverse it, reducing gravity's effect on her, rather than increasing it.

It could upgrade to Gravity Field, which converted the effect into an aura. Enhanced Gravity, which increased the effect, and Adjustable Gravity, which allowed her to increase or decrease the effect.

She opted to gain Adjustable Gravity, so she would have more control over the effect.

With it activated, she could walk properly. Elyndris grinned as she approached her companions.

"Easy." She muttered.

"That was AMAZING!" Klaw said, "You barely gave it a chance to breathe!"

"If you know your enemy is a single foe, then you can afford to go all out. If there were two, I would have had a different tactic."

Daggat scowled, "Good job. What did you get?"

"EIGHT intelligence, FOUR wisdom, and an enhanced gravity stone biotrait." As she spoke, she reduced her gravity and gently jumped over the two of them, spinning with the aid of her tentacles.

"EIGHT! That's amazing! I can't wait for mine."

Elyndris grinned, "Too bad it's a feat for defeating the Spirit Beast as a tier one creature."

Daggat frowned again, then smiled, "Well, that's still amazing. Helps balance things out a bit."

"I guess." Elyndris said, "Now, let's get back. I want to get started on my next form."

"FINALLY," Klaw said.

He was the first to the tree.

Moving was easier with the new organ, but she would need a lot of practice to really use it naturally. With a pair of wings, she would be able to soar more easily than before. Easier than the old Elyndris, she bet.

Hrodebert dropped the three of them off at the same tree they used to leave.

Daggat yawned, "Tomorrow, we find mine."

Elyndris started jogging. She could jog now! She was eager to find a box and begin metamorphosis. But something caught her tremorsense. A small goblin at the edge of the forest, watching the village.

"Actually," Elyndris said, "Maybe not. Come on, I want you to meet a fan."

Daggat and Klaw gave each other confused looks, then followed her.

Glibby was oblivious to their approach. She was too focused on watching for something. Likely Elyndris herself.

"Didn't you have a mission?" Elyndris growled.

Glibby screeched and jumped in shock. She turned to see them, "Oh! We- Uh… Da- d- d- Daggat?"

He grinned at her like a predator, "Hello."

"Uh, um- umm… Glibby, uh…" She stammered.

Elyndris slapped her with a tentacle, "Focus, girl. Did you succeed?"

Glibby shook her head, "YES! Yes, we found one."

Klaw leaned in and looked her in the eye, "What did you find?" He growled.

Glibby's eyes went wide, and her ears fell flat. "A… Spirit Beast?"

"Really?" Daggat asked, now interested, "Did you ask it its stats?"

"Uh… no. Was Glibby supposed to?"

"Yes," Elyndris said, "How far is it?"

"Three hours that way," she pointed.

"How did you find it so quickly?" Elyndris asked.

Glibby shrugged, "It's just called Glibby."

"So, these were your people you mentioned?" Daggat asked. "I've got a bit more adventure left in me today. Why don't you take us there, Glibs?"

Glibby snapped to attention, "Right away! Yes, this way, Boss." She scampered off in the direction she pointed.

"Boss?" Daggat asked with a wide grin.

Elyndris was wretched, and Klaw chuckled. Great. This was going to fuel his ego for weeks.

She considered parting from them and focusing on her next form, but she was a tad curious. Besides, Daggat witnessed her battle; it was only right that she did the same.

As they traveled, goblins seemed to gravitate towards the group. A few at first, then more running to catch up. Daggat appraised them all with careful glances, but didn't speak to any of them. She could tell what he was doing. Keeping the goblins off balance, not acknowledging or dismissing them. She could practically feel their frantic heartbeats through the earth.

Six goblins had joined the group by the time they reached their destination.

A field of pumpkins.

Klaw sneered at the field, "It's farmland. Not a Spirit Beast. Idiot goblins…"

"No, no," Daggat held up a hand. "They did find one indeed."

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It was true. In the middle of the field, standing straight with hands to either side, was a skeletal figure.

Daggat moved closer, "Spirit Beast. Greetings."

"Do you choose trial by combat?" Its voice was croaked out and carried by the wind. It sent a shiver through Elyndris.

"Not yet, first a question or two. What mark do you offer and what boons come with it?"

"I offer the Mark of the Harvest. Boon to Charm and Intelligence, and an infused biotrait."

Daggat deflated some, "Harvest? Like… gardening?"

"It is a mark of reaping. Of taking that which you have sown. Be that crops or vengeance, it does not matter."

Daggat's face threatened to split apart from his smile, "Excellent! Why these stats?"

"Charm, to guide and nurture. Intelligence, to know when to harvest."

"Good, good. One moment, please." Daggat walked back to the group.

He walked right up to Glibby, who was about four inches shorter. Still, he seemed to tower above her.

"You found this?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Well done, Glibs."

She looked down and smiled, "Thank… you. Glibby is good at doing some things!"

"You've got my attention. What do you want? What made you risk your life trying to contact us?"

"We need a strong boss, and you are the strongest there is!"

Klaw snorted, "What? Dag? Psh. His strength is like… ten."

Daggat glared at him, "Eleven!"

"Same thing."

Daggat took a breath, "So, you all wanna work for me, is that it?"

The goblins all nodded.

"And what would you get out of it?"

Glibby answered without hesitation. "Protection, food, opportunity to grow, guidance, numbers, and a place to sleep."

"I see, I see…" Daggat's voice suddenly turned menacing, "And why wouldn't we just kill you?"

Glibby took a step back, "Umm… we can cook!"

"I have a cook."

"And clean."

"I'm a goblin."

"Uh… I know how to make good hot drinks?"

Daggat considered this, "You did attack my village."

"Yes! You thrashed Hogo pretty good. That's why we want you as boss."

Daggat nodded, "Fair enough. Do you know who I am?"

"Daggat."

"I mean, did you know me from before? Back before I killed my old boss."

Glibby nodded, "Yes! You gave Glibby a rat. It was a tasty rat."

"Ah… you were never a sharpe, were you?"

"Sharpes are stupid!" She declared.

Daggat chuckled, "Alright. Tell you what. Let me take care of this first. Meet me at my manor. If you make it there alive, then you're in. I will teach you all how to be strong, like us."

The goblins murmured and whispered amongst themselves, "Where?" Glibby asked.

Daggat pointed, "That way. Don't worry, I'll get there first."

"Okay! We will find this place. Our new camp?"

Daggat shook his head, "Much more than a camp."

"Okay, we will find it. Thank you! Glibby will show you we can be useful."

"Sure, sure. But, Glibs…"

"Uh huh?"

"Don't challenge any Spirit Beasts until I get a good look at your stats, alright?"

"Oh, Glibby is not a fighter. Glibby would die!"

"Speaking of which," Elyndris finally said, "are you going to challenge the beast, or what?"

Daggat rolled his eyes at her, "Yeah, yeah." He turned to walk back into the pumpkin field, "Let's get this over with."

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

Mark of the Other (enhanced): +8 Int, +4 Wil; Gravity Stone [Voidtouched]

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: 15 (Genesis, +2, growth +5, Mark +8)
Will: 11 (Genesis, +2; growth, +5, Mark +4)
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.
Underdog - Earn your mark as a tier one monster. Reward: Mark's statistics doubled, Mark's biotrait mutated.

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
Gravity Stone [Graft: Voidtouched] (Mutations: Adjustable Gravity)

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