Daggat crouched in front of his enemy. Time to review. He was fighting an undead boy genius with magical powers. He had Zuss and, in theory, Birdy. If the cat would help them was anyone's guess.
Furniture flew around the room in a lazy circle. Al, the boy wonder, floated in the center of the room. He could also throw Daggat about with his mind. Luckily, it seemed he could only strangle him or Zuss, not both. Why was he limited in that way, but could move all the furniture around? At least it seemed if he lost focus, he lost control. He knew the limitations and weaknesses. Good.
Now to figure out how to do something with that.
Daggat rolled away from an oncoming side table. It swooped by, brushing against his one good ear.
Zuss was on her feet and running. She jumped off a chair, then vaulted off a floating vase. She was pouncing, dagger in hand. Alfred swerved to the side and she missed. Some invisible force caught her by the leg and threw her into the air.
She landed on a bookshelf as though she had meant to do that. Show off.
Daggat needed to keep him distracted so Zuss could do her thing. Luckily, being distracting was Daggat’s greatest strength. He activated hypnotic gaze.
“So, your master told you to kill me, yeah? You just going to follow orders blindly?” Daggat asked. Alfred’s eyes locked on his own. Caught by his gaze, but not swayed.
“Technically, he asked me to distract you. Regardless, you will die. When you do, I can sleep again.” A board flew at Daggat, which he easily dodged. But it was a feint. A line of game pieces followed after.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
They smacked into his forehead with surprising force, one after another. If he didn’t have high pain tolerance, he might have been knocked down at least. Instead, he kept eye contact with Alfred. Blood beaded on his forehead.
“Sleep… is that what you want? To be a slave at day and a corpse at night? That is no proper unlife.”
Daggat was moving, dodging thrown projectiles. He felt something close around his chest and begin to lift him. Just then, Zuss bounded down the bookshelf and threw three books at him. Daggat was dropped and Alfred gingerly caught the books. At least he respected knowledge.
Then Daggat noticed the dagger. It was hidden among the books. Alfred had still caught it. Zuss was still moving, running on all fours like a monkey. The dagger flew at her like an arrow.
Without breaking stride, Zuss snatched it from the air, twirled, and threw the knife back at him. It thunked into his chest.
“Nice hit, Zuss,” Daggat said. She gave him a thumbs-up and then disappeared behind a shelf. “There is a better way, you know.” He told Alfred. The boy snapped his eyes at him.
“What do you know about undeath?” He hissed.
“More than you’d think.” Daggat was watching for signs of the boy's spirit. He caught glimpses, as though two Alfreds shared the same space. One a corrupted tree thing, the other a twisted and torn remnant of a boy. The spirit moved a hand and a vase followed the movement. Daggat grinned. He found another weakness.
The vase shattered over a table that Daggat ducked under.
“Then tell me. What is this ‘better’ way?” Alfred called.
“Well, for one, you stop suckling at the demon's roots. Make your own decisions.”
“There is no decision to make, goblin. I am a corpse under his control. Simple as simple can be.” Alfred dodged another flying Zuss. She was popping in and out of the shadows, trying to get another hit in. Her dagger was still lodged in his chest.
Daggat hid behind a couch.
“Oh, come oooonnnnn. We both know that’s orc shit. There is always a way to be an annoying bastard. He told you to distract us. Job done. Call it there.” Daggat called out from the safety of the comfortable-looking couch. The couch lifted in the air, revealing him.
“True. But, you will just be killed later anyway. I am simply expediting the process.”
“You haven’t gone for the throat in a while,” Zuss added from a shadow.
“Hey, yeah! You could be doing a better job at killing us. Is that really what you want?” Daggat asked. An invisible hand closed around his throat. Well, he asked for that.
Alfred lifted him to eye level.
“Maybe I want to savor what little conversation I can get. Maybe I just want you to suffer.”
Daggat doubted that. Alfred didn’t seem like the torturing kind of kid. Come to think of it, none of the undead had put up a real fight. Sure, they were tough, but their heart wasn’t in it.
Zuss suddenly latched onto his back and stabbed him repeatedly in the chest. It made a rhythmic thumping noise.
Daggat fell to the ground, landing on his feet.
“Seems to me, none of you really want to kill us. You’d rather die yourselves. The final sleep.”
“The demon brings us back. Every time. There is no escape.”
Zuss was ripped off of his back and hovered in the air. She struggled but was held fast by an invisible force. Alfred tilted his head as if curiosity and Zuss’s wrist snapped.
She screamed and dropped the dagger. It stopped in mid-air, then hovered in front of her throat. Daggat seethed.
“HEY! Look here, you bastard. I’m your opponent.” Daggat realized he had lost his hypnotic gaze at some point in the fight. He activated it again. Alfred looked at him, Zuss still floating in the air.
“What are you trying to convince me of? There is nothing any of us can do. Your deaths are inevitable.”
“Eventually, yeah. But not today. You can help us kill the demon. If he is unstoppable, why does he need you?” Maybe he didn’t need to kill the kid right away. He was getting somewhere. Touching on something important, he could feel it.
“Do you like games, Daggat?” Alfred asked. Hadn’t Alfred already asked him this? Well, he wasn’t flinging him around anymore.
“Sure. Why not.”
“Then let’s play one. A real game.” Alfred moved back to his chair.
“What are the rules?” Daggat asked, still cowering behind another piece of furniture.
“If you can figure out a way to break the demon's hold and convince me to do it, you win. But, you only get ten attempts and questions.” Alfred acted as though the fight hadn’t occurred.
“If I lose?” Daggat asked. Two daggers moved to circle Zuss’s head.
“Then she dies while you watch. Then you die.”
Daggat had thrown Zuss to the wolves, literately, once before. He wasn’t going to do that again.
“No. I won’t-” He began.
“Oh just shut up, Dag, and do it.” Zuss cut him off. Well, okay then.
“Fine. Then let’s play.” Daggat pondered for a moment. He didn’t have enough information. “How is it controlling you, exactly?”
“The demon has dominion over dead wood. I am dead and I am made of wood. It has authority. Nine.”
“Authority gives it magical control of you? That’s a bitch.”
“Yes, demons deal in dominion and authority. It is technically the rightful owner of the manor. Eight.”
“That’s it? Easy. Swear loyalty to me! Then it won’t have authority over you.”
“No. Seven.”
“What? WHY NOT?”
“It won’t work. Not without some guarantee or technical agreement. I can’t be bothered to write one, and the demon won’t let me. Six.”
“That didn’t count! You’re cheating.”
“It did. And this is my game. I am allowed to cheat. Five.”
Daggat glared at him. It was clear Alfred was working around the demon's will, or authority or whatever. If he didn’t want to be free, this whole conversation would be pointless.
“If I can officially hold greater authority over you, will the demon lose control?”
“Technically. But, I cannot see how that would happen. He has familial authority, I haunt his rightful home, and he commands dead wood. Four.”
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“Deadwood. You are not dead. He isn’t the demon of undead wood.” Daggat had his eyes locked onto him like a predator. The corner of Alfred’s mouth twitched into a smile. It was the first sign of emotion on the kid's face since the fight.
“Perhaps. Perception and self-image are more powerful than most people assume. You know this, as an alchemist. Three.”
“I have claimed this house. Defeated its guardians. This is my home by the right of the conquerer.”
“Only when you defeat me. Two.”
[Party member has defeated - Death Root, level 2. Experience Gained. You have gained one monster level.]
Daggat blinked in surprise. Who had done that? Didn’t Daggat JUST spend all of their experience? Well, no matter. It was perfect timing. He purchased mesmerizing gaze. This time, when he activated hypnotic gaze, he could feel less strain on his eyes.
Alfred leaned forward subtly. Daggat grinned like a cat. He had him.
“When I make my last move, you will concede. All the pieces will fall into place and you will no longer be under its authority. I just want you to know that.”
Alfred chuckled dryly. “If this last try succeeds, we shall see. One. Last chance.” The daggers spun faster and faster. Zuss had stopped struggling and looked like a cat held by its neck.
It was all or nothing. He entered his status void and sent the request. Daggat looked Alfred in the eye with his mesmerizing gaze. It was no stronger than dominating gaze. But, without knowing it was influencing him, Alfred could not brace his will. Plus, Daggat was at a higher level now. With every ounce of authority, trickery, and confidence he had, Daggat commanded,
“JOIN. MY. PARTY.”
For a long moment, nothing happened. Alfred twitched. Realization dawned on him. Then,
[Alfred Varnsach has joined party: The Crew.]
Zuss dropped to the ground, as did her daggers. Alfred was chuckling. Then he laughed.
The Prodigy laughed with his entire body. A cackling, frightening laugh. The room span. Furniture and books flew as though performing a dance directed by a hurricane.
“Well done, Daggat! Now, you, barely, have more right to me than the demon.” The furniture drifted to the ground, spinning back to where they should go. It was as if the room never changed. “For now, at least, I am free from its will. What now? What’s your plan?”
“Help me kill the demon, then we can work something out.” Daggat walked over to Zuss. “You alright?”
“Cut that a bit close…” She muttered.
“Nah, I had him by question five. Theatrics never hurt anyone.” He smiled at her. She scowled back.
Birdy ran up, sensing the danger was over, and rubbed her face against Zuss’s.
“So,” Daggat called to Alfred. “How do we kill it?”
“I don’t know for sure. But, the books in this library speak of demons. They can be defeated by working with their nature. Destroy the demon as you would a dead wood tree.”
“That’s not helpful. Chop it down? Burn it? It took fire just fine.”
“Perhaps you didn’t strike the demon. The body it uses to do its work… that is merely a puppet.”
“So where’s the real thing?”
“I believe it is in its lair. Beyond the alchemical laboratory. A tree.”
Daggat’s ear twitched. “Did you say… alchemical? Does it have any ingredients or treasures?”
“Indeed. Great sources of alchemy, stored in preservation liquid designed to keep the organs fresh. They are yours, if you slay the demon.”
Daggat whooped and did a little flip. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go get it. Any idea where it is?”
“Here, I’ll show you.”
He floated over to the miniature manor. Game pieces followed him.
“How do you do that? Magic?” Daggat asked. Alfred smiled.
“I actually used my last spell to threaten the girl. No, I haunt this manor. Everything within moves with my will. That power only works here, however. Now look.”
The pieces moved to the miniature. They moved as a group. Mage, Knight, and Castle. Elsewhere, a Dragon piece moved.
“These are your friends.” Alfred pointed at the group of pieces. “This is the demon.” He pointed at the Dragon. “I cast this tracking spell on them earlier.”
“Hello, Vic,” Daggat murmured.
“That is not Victor.”
“No? Thought I guessed that one right.”
“Victor was my brother. That thing is using his body. Victor is gone.” Alfred explained coldly. Daggat thought it didn’t really matter. Either way, he was going to kill it.
“Say, these walls… they don’t move the secret walls, do they?” Daggat asked. Alfred nodded.
“Very astute.”
“Alright. Zuss! Here’s the plan.” She was already next to him. “You get down there. Tell them about the tree. Make sure you, Klaw, or Elyndris is the one to cut it down.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I am going to direct the labyrinth. I’ll keep the demon off you. Alfred, sorry, but I can’t risk the demon taking you again. Help me with this.”
“Daggat, when this is done, there is something you need to do,” Alfred said.
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“You need to learn to play Kingless.”
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; Scavanger; 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(0/3):
Alchemy: 1 [Source: Fledgling Alchemist]
System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge]
System Assistant: 1
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
Notable Gear:
Strange pure-white sword
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 (2/8):
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]
Nimble Hands and Feet [Synergy: Nimble hands + Prehensile Feet]
Cold Resistant Skin
Transformations:
Drakeheart Form:
+2 strength
+2 dexterity
Smoke Aura
Lesser Wings
Night Stalker form:
+2 strength
+2 dexterity
Enhanced Scent
Deepen Shadow+, Widen Shadows
Pet:
Name: Birdy
Genseed: Cat
Attributes:
Strength: 2
Dexterity: 4
Constitution: 2
Intelligence: 2
Will: 2
Charm: 3
Biotraits:
Lesser Wings
Alfred
True Name: Alfred Varnsach [Family name, Skill Alchemy]
Soul: Mortal Untethered
Genseed: Human [3 Str, 3 Dex, 3 Con, 3 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; +2 skill points Standard Size]
[Class] Level: 3
Awakened Corpse Wood Level: 5 [+2 Int; Unliving [Unnatural flesh (wood)]; -Remove: Mindless Dead]
Attributes (0/6):
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 8
Constitution: 8
Intelligence: 16
Will: 10
Charm: 8
Feats:
Knowledge: System Knowledge.
Knowledge: Fledgling Mage.
Act: Vile Concoction.
Ability: Mighty Intellect.
Act: Devotion. [Layered Feats]
Skills (0/7):
System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge]
Alchemy: 1 [Source: Varnsach family name]
Attribute Boost: Intelligence (+2)
Spell Craft: 2 [Source: Fledgling Mage; Perk: Refined Control]
Construct Capacity: 3 [Perk: Expanded slots x2] (9 slots)
Copy Construct: 1
Pause Construct: 1
Curses (0/5):
Haunt: Titanfall Manor [Poltergeist, Mana Corruption]; YOU MUST REMAIN
Unliving [Unnatural flesh (wood), Unrooted]; YOU CANNOT LIVE
Graveless; YOU MAY NOT REST
Notable Natural Skills:
Research: Apprentice
Biotraits (1/1):
Disease Resistance [Source: Vile Concoction]
Known Magical Components:
Engines: Force, Control, Sense, Connect, Energy
Drives: Efficiency, Focus
