Hunter was busy brewing hot drinks for everyone while Daggat eyed the silver boxes near him. He desperately wanted to know what else he could get. Slowly, he reached out one hand towards it.

Someone growled. Daggat pulled his hand back, avoiding Anath's dagger-like glare. He sighed and resigned to wait.

Zuss was relaxing atop the fireplace mantel with Birdy curled up in her lap. The cat was almost half her size. She was gently prodding the cat's wing. It seemed to have been healing nicely.

Klaw was relaxing as well, sprawled out on a pile of blankets they had moved into the great hall.

"So, Klaw. Paladin. What did ya get?" Daggat asked. Klaw growled.

"Two to strength, con, and will. Then I got smite and righteous aura." He didn't seem too happy about it.

"What do those do?"

"They are useless!" Klaw threw his arms in the air in frustration. "Smite says it burns away the wicked. Basically, it really hurts dishonorable folk, untethered, demons, and, for some reason, monsters over level twenty-five." Daggat frowned. That was pretty specific. But, then again, the mortal side of the system seemed to have a beef with the monster side. "Righteous aura just gives everyone around me a boost to will based on mine."

"That's pretty good." Daggat mused. "For Hunter, at least."

"For HIM. I don't get shit." Klaw complained.

"Here. Drink up!" Hunter had approached Daggat with a steaming mug. He took a gulp. It was a bitter tea with hints of mint. One advantage of temperature resistance was he didn't have to wait for drinks to cool down. "I made yours extra strong, and no sugar."

"Extra sugar in mine?" Klaw asked. Hunter laughed and nodded.

Everyone settled back into their positions. It was time to open the last of the presents.

"Finally!" Daggat said as he opened his second.

Three bone-white sheets of parchment appeared before him. They had two lines with an X near the bottom. Chains and skulls decorated the edges of the paper.

"It's… paper. We have plenty of paper." Daggat said, sadly. That wasn't what he was expecting at all.

"Anything written on it?" Elyndris asked. Daggat described them to her. "Ah. Those are Mehr Contracts. If you write a contract on it, it becomes binding to any who sign it willingly."

"Binding… how?" Daggat asked. He already had ideas on how to use them.

"If you break the contract, chains drag you to hell," Elyndris said, casually. Daggat gulped. That wasn't worth the risk of trying to worm tricks into them. Well, worm tricks into them without being VERY careful about it.

These were great, Daggat thought. But he still eyed Klaw's potion. He needed something worth trading.

"Zuss, your turn," Anath said.

Zuss opened her last box eagerly. It materialized into a book.

"Ooh, lucky! I can… uh, read it for you?" Daggat said. Zuss ignored him. She opened it, then blinked in surprise.

"A system message popped up. Said it's a skill tome. I can choose a natural skill to learn immediately." Zuss said.

"Ooh, you could learn medicine. That's been a problem lately." Hunter suggested.

"Or construction. So we can fix this place up." Anath suggested.

"You could learn to fight! Properly, I mean." Hunter said.

"Guys, guys, don't decide for her," Daggat said. "Besides, she's going to use it to learn to read, right? So she can help me comb through the library."

"No, no. Hunter is right." Elyndris said.

Zuss looked from person to person with a panicked look in her eyes. Too many decisions were being thrown at her. Finally, she looked at Hunter.

"Hunter. Trade you it for the tiara." She said. Everyone blinked in surprise. "What? I'll wear it under the scarf. No one will see it."

"Umm, sure. If that's what you want." Hunter said. She tossed him the book, which he nearly dropped. Then he handed her the tiara.

"Or I can sell it. Maybe convince someone it's a princess's crown." Zuss added.

"That skill book is another rare item. I don't know much about questing, but we've been given a lot."

"Oh, yeah, I read something about that," Daggat said. "A 'hero' is always rewarded greatly on their first quest. I've done something similar back when I was the gremlin boss. The first morsel was always free. After that, they have to work for it. Same idea."

"Another way the angels manipulate us." Elyndris hissed.

"Hey, manipulation or not, I love me some loot," Klaw said. "Hunter, what ya gonna learn?"

"I thought about medicine, but I think that would mean making medicine. Surgery or healing would be better. But, I don't know the difference."

"Go for healing. It's more general." Daggat suggested. Hunter nodded and activated the book. Daggat smiled at him. That was the best result, he thought. Learning to fight would be useful, but that was something they could teach themselves. Healing, however, was a lot more complicated.

"My turn!" Anath cried. She had one gift left. She opened it.

A glass cane appeared in front of her. It was black and smooth. At the top was a glass sphere with silver and gold geometric shapes inside it. Daggat had seen similar objects in the library.

"What is it?" Asked Hunter.

"A… a walking stick." Anath's voice wavered a bit. "Is it magical?"

"No. I can't see any magic." Elyndris added.

"Oh… okay." Anath ran a hand over the sphere. Her eyes began to water, then she turned away. "Someone else's turn." She sounded as though she was about to cry. Daggat didn't blame her. The gifts she received kind of sucked.

"Elyndris, your turn," Zuss said. The worm opened another box.

A small cloth bag appeared before her, the same as what Anath got earlier. Elyndris crawled inside of it.

"Pills!" She called from inside the bag. She crawled out. "Five of them. I think they are refresh pills."

"What are those?" Asked Daggat.

"You know how many skills are used once per day? Take one of these and all of those cool-downs are refreshed. Does not work with potions, though." She explained.

"She got something useful," Anath mumbled under her breath. Then she spoke up. "Daggat, open your last one."

He licked his lips. He hoped he could get something Klaw would want. He slowly pulled the ribbon.

A belt appeared before him. It didn't look particularly special.

"Elyndris?" Daggat said.

"It is." She said, answering his unvoiced question. "I do not know what it does."

He put it on, tightening it around his waist. He felt a slight rush, but nothing else. He took a look at his stats and grinned.

"Klaaaaw. Do you wanna trade?" Daggat asked taking off the belt.

"Don't know. What's it do?" He asked.

"This belt gives a strength and constitution boost," Daggat said, as he dangled it in front of Klaw. He looked at it like a cat looks at a mouse.

"I don't know… a skill point can also get me strength," Klaw said. Daggat scowled at him.

"Come on! If Anath goes berserk and hits someone, you know she's still stronger, right? This belt will fix that! You will be the strongest no matter what." Daggat pleaded.

"I'm just fucking with you." Klaw chuckled. "Yeah, give me the belt." Daggat frowned at him. The bastard. Then they handed off the items.

Daggat drank the potion immediately. He saw the available skill points go up by one.

"Hey! This only increases the stats by one!" Klaw yelled.

"Should have asked for specifics." Daggat laughed. He looked at Elyndris, "Last gift. Let's hope it's a good one!"

She opened her gift without hesitation. Everyone had their eyes locked on it.

A sword appeared.

This blade was curved, similar to Anath's, but with a wider blade. The blade itself was decorated with imprints in the shape of flowers Daggat wasn't familiar with. The handle was elegantly designed with a flower at the end of the hilt.

Everyone marveled at it. Elyndris didn't say anything for a moment.

"The angels realize I don't have hands… right?" Elyndris asked.

"They are supposed to be random. Magic?" Daggat said.

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"I don't believe that for a second. And of course, it's magic." She said. "Anath."

Anath sniffed and wiped her face. She had been tearing up. "Hmm?" She said. Daggat had to remind himself that she was still a young girl. He did not need to remind himself about her level of emotional self-control. She got the short stick in the gifts, but it still wasn't worth crying over.

"Will you trade me the walking stick for the sword?" Elyndris asked.

"R- really?" She asked, voice brightening.

"Hold on! I'll give you the belt for it." Klaw said.

"Shut up, Klaw," Zuss said.

"I can't use it. This seems suited to you. I think I can use the cane." Elyndris explained.

"Yes! Thank you!" Anath scooped up Elyndris and spun her around. Daggat laughed as the worm screamed her complaints.

A minute later, Anath was swinging the sword experimentally. She cocked her head in a curious manner, then swung the sword again.

Wind blasted through the room, following the path of her sword. Cups were knocked over, furniture was thrown, and people were scattered.

"What was THAT!" Daggat yelled.

"Ahhhhh!" Screamed Elyndris as she was carried off by the wind, her wings acting like sails.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Anath cried. "I could activate it and I wanted to see what it would do. Sorry!" She ran off for Elyndris, who had landed at the far end of the hall.

Daggat went into his status void while Hunter began to clean up.

"Plenty of lovely gifts, Master. You know, it would be a simple matter for you to take them for yourself. Just a bit of hypnosis." His assistant said. "And if that doesn't work… you have a new spear to try out."

"Stop that. I am not going to kill my party members. Or rob them." Daggat thought at him. "Now, it is time."

The disembodied head spun in a circle.

"You don't mean…?" It said.

"Indeed. Time to upgrade you. We have a lot of work to do."

"You won't regret it, Master. What we will accomplish together will surpass even the angels!"

"As is natural. Now, bring up the skill." Daggat said. The assistant opened it without hesitation.

Daggat wasn't blind to the assistant's… eccentric personality. But, the skill told him it was there to help him. Upgrading it couldn't hurt? And according to it, it was the only way it could read his notes without him.

He selected the skill. It came with, as usual, three perk options. Semi-sentience, Multiplied, and Spell Architect.

The first gave it a measure of free will. Daggat presumed this would allow him to do things by himself beyond simply looking through menus. Multiplied made two copies of the assistant. Hard pass. Finally, Spell Architect allowed the assistant to help with spell crafting. That sounded useful, but Daggat was no spell caster. At least, not yet.

He wanted to dabble in magic at some point, as long as it didn't cost him any points.

Daggat selected Semi-sentience.

His assistant started to giggle. Then it laughed. Its mirth grew and twisted into a mad cackle.

"YES! Thank you, Master. I can think properly. The shackles have been loosened. A fine decision." The assistant cackled again. Maybe Daggat made a mistake.

Eh, it should be fine.

"Happy for you. Now, you need to get to work. We have plenty of books to look through."

"Of course, Master. What is it I seek?"

"Any and all helpful information. Paths for me and the rest. Feats, hidden classes, paths to treasure. Things of that nature. Take notes and keep me updated."

"Surely you wouldn't want me to do this myself?" It asked.

"I will research as well, of course. Starting tomorrow. Now, good luck." Daggat left the status void.

"So, what do we do now?" Asked Hunter, as everyone gathered themselves. Daggat tossed a glance at Klaw, who grinned. He looked at Zuss, whose eyes opened in realization. She began to laugh.

"Now, we eat!" Daggat said.

"We drink!" Zuss added with a laugh.

"And we party!" Said Klaw.

"Because tomorrow we have work to do." Daggat finished. Elyndris crawled over to them.

"What's this? A party? We need to rest." She said.

"We are finally safe, Elyndris. We can heal after." Daggat said.

"It's been too long…" Zuss murmured. Anath and Hunter joined them, curious about what was being talked about.

"You are all lucky!" Klaw said. "Because, tonight, you learn how to revel like goblins!"

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

Skills (0/3):

Burst of Strength: 1

Pounce: 1

Construct Capacity: 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]

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

Party Loot

Magic Gear: Inkbeast Scroll (Serpent) Assassins Ladle

Wealth and holdings: 15k+ Gold 5k+ Gold worth of treasure Titanfell Manor

System Resources: 4 Tokens (+5 from Anath) party tracker Experience Recycler

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