When Elyndris slithered out of the crate she had been cocooned within, she found a line of potions waiting for her. Five skill potions and three growth potions. Among the wealth of divine potions was a spell cube and a handwritten note.

Elyndris could not read the note. The lettering shifted in her senses, taking the shape they were meant to be. However, whoever wrote it had such poor handwriting that it was impossible to decipher its meaning. She knew exactly who had left these.

Rather than using the message system, she decided to try her new telepathic abilities. Her consciousness expanded. With the biotrait connected to the void, her consciousness seemed endless. Beyond the forest, the planet, and even further. If it weren't for the instinct instilled in her by the biotrait, she would have been lost. Elyndris focused on her concept of Daggat. The mental image she had of him.

"Goblin, what are these potions?" She thought. There was now a telepathic connection between the two. She could not sense Daggat's mind beyond the fact that it was there, but he could respond.

"The hell is this?" He thought back.

Another voice spoke, "Did we miscount? There are only three of us."

And another, identical but softer, "We've been compromised."

"Relax. It is I, Elyndris. I have telepathy now, among other abilities. Why do you have multiple minds?"

"Oh, Elyndris. Very interesting." He was as quick to adapt as she would expect. And he ignored her question, "The potions are an investment. Did you read the note?"

"That was a note? I thought you had drawn a map."

He growled mentally. Elyndris didn't know you could do that. "Consider them an investment. We've got a powerful enemy, and I want you to be as strong as possible. You need skills for that. Besides, growth points are basically worth triple for you. How went the metamorphosis?"

"Spectacular. I will show you my new form soon. Are we back at the manor?"

"Yup. Got an army of orcs on our doorstep."

"Good. I will destroy them with ease."

"Hey, now, I want to chat with them first. If they attack, then yeah, let's have fun. I'll let everyone else know, meet up in the hall in an hour or so."

Elyndris cut off the connection. That was a useful ability. It made her wonder how her Void Call actually worked. She could feel that it would take an immense amount of mental effort to perform. She could do it… But who would she call? What would be listening?

That was a line of thought for the future, once she learned more about the mysterious "beyond the stars" concept.

For now, she had a feast before her.

Turns out, no limbs was a poor choice this time. But, after some considerable time and a feat of leverage, Elyndris managed to break the bottles and drink the potions with her mouth.

Five skill points! Six growth points! What could be a better meal after waking?

Her choices were easy to make, luckily. Two to intelligence, will, and charm each. Bringing them to seventeen.

All of her forms used magic, so it would do to invest in mental stats, even though skills do not reset with her forms. She would just take care to keep them equal.

One skill point went to Balanced Mind, which brought her mental stats all to a clean twenty. Its upgrades were tempting. Higher Bonus increased the bonus to plus five per attribute. Forgiven Variance ignored one point of difference, meaning if one stat was a point lower or higher than the others, it would be treated as if it were the same. One Mind would reduce all three stats equally instead of one if one were to be reduced by a skill or effect.

These were nice, but twenty mental stats were plenty to work with at the moment. So, the other four skill points would be spent elsewhere.

Specifically, magic. Now that she had some points to spend, it was time to up her capacity. Construct Capacity, to be even more specific. The skill only had one upgrade. Expanded Slots. Each point gave her three more spell slots. It was tempting to spend all of her skill points to master this skill. But first, she wanted to look at the others.

Spell Craft had Refined Control, Clear Understanding, and Unburdened Mind. Each increased the effectiveness of Intelligence, Charm, or Will when crafting spells. This was good. But she also had a lot of mental power already. Perhaps when she was a more skilled mage, she could create spells that required more delicate work.

Then there were new spell skills she could purchase. Copy Construct and Pause Construct had been available to her. But with twenty intelligence, she also had Essential Spellcraft, Basic Innate Spell, and Spell Projection.

Essential Spellcraft would give her a visualizer for what essences make up the mana going into a spell. Useless for her, she can intuit this information. Basic Innate Spell was very similar to Hunter's Spellbrand. It would give her her choice of five spell engines to learn innately. The basic toolkit of a mage? Whatever they were, it would be a wasted point. She could learn these the natural way. Finally, Spell Projection allowed her to create an illusory image of the spells she was forming. To teach others, presumably.

Though she had another idea. She could gain the three skills that boost her mental skills and hope they synergize. That would leave her with a point left over.

Elyndris started with Burst of Knowledge, which increased her intelligence by five points for one minute, once per day. She could spend a point to increase the number of times per day, the amount increased, or the duration of the effect. But one of the reasons to combine all of these skills was to get these upgrades for cheaper.

Burst of Charisma and Burst of Discipline were next. Each did the same, but with charm and will.

[Skill Synergy requirements detected. Burst of Knowledge, Charisma, and Discipline. Combine into Wizard's Spirit? Yes or No?]

Yes!

Now for her last skill point. The purpose of increasing her mental stats was to improve her spell crafting time and potency. In her other form, she had under ten mental stats. Now she could reach heights of twenty-five.

Every five points in an attribute roughly doubled that attribute's qualities. Meaning a jump from ten to fifteen strength meant the person could lift double what they could have before. From fifteen to twenty was double that, or four times the original weight.

It took her almost half an hour to form a spell before. With twenty-five in her mental stats, would that be reduced down to a minute or so? If that was the case, she could pop Wizard's Spirit and craft a spell quickly.

Fights rarely lasted more than a few moments. But extended battles could last hours.

So, she decided to increase the amount of time it lasted. From one minute to five. Five spells back to back on top of the three she would be able to store was a good compromise for not increasing the capacity. On a battlefield, that would decide victory or defeat.

Now, time to test her new mind. Elyndris didn't use Wizard's Spirit, since the orcs could attack at any moment.

A simple crystal field.

Working the spell was so much easier now, it almost made her laugh. Before, she was trying to work cold iron with her hands; the mental construct was now like clay. Hardly any work. In just under three minutes, she constructed the spell.

The crystals grew in her own image. Tiny statues of herself now covered the floor of the Great Hall she was in.

The spell must have caused a sound, because Hunter dipped his head through the door to the kitchen.

"Elyndris?" He asked.

"Watch your step." She thought to him.

He flinched, then hit his head on the door frame. "Ow, is that you?"

"Indeed. I am the golden blade before you. My mind has been greatly expanded, Oni. I can project my will to the very stars and beyond. Speaking to you is but a trifle."

Elyndris reduced her own gravity to as low as she could make it and pounced towards Hunter. She drifted, twisting her body and using her wide, flat edges like fins to adjust her movement. Eventually, she would have real wings to help her fly. But for now, that wasn't a priority.

"It is good you are here. I need to test a new ability." She thought.

"Okay, how can I help?"

"All you must do… is not resist." Elyndris thought as she landed on his arm. She melded with his flesh. Sinking in and swimming along his skin. Hunter gasped and stumbled back into the kitchen, but he did not resist.

The sensation was less odd than she expected. It felt natural and warm. As though she meant to be a part of his biology. Soon, she slithered up his arm and settled around his head, as best she could. His head was quite large. There, she rested like a golden crown of which this form was named.

Her status void changed; it seemed Hunters and her voids had merged. Both sharing the same space.

"Interesting, we share a void now." She thought.

"Is this permanent?" Hunter asked with a shaking voice.

"No, I am sure you could push me out with your will. Though mine is quite potent as well." She chuckled. "So, what were you doing? I would like to help. See how this power improves our ability to work together."

"I was cooking. The giant meat they gathered was very, very fatty. So I rendered it down. I am making a gravy out of some of it."

The pot of brown gravy was bubbling gently. It had bits of vegetables and brown spots. That was when Elyndris realized she could see. Actually see! Through Hunter's eyes.

"No! Damn it all!" She hissed in his mind.

"What?"

"It's… nothing. I've been avoiding sight. This doesn't count! Just so you know."

"Oh…kay?" He said, confused, "We need to taste the gravy."

He did so, dipping a finger in the gravy and tasting it. Elyndris could taste the food as well. Smell the aroma. It had a deep, slightly meaty flavor that, while tasty, wasn't quite… there.

"Try adding salt," Elyndris thought.

He nodded, "Yeah. Hold on, where did I put it?" He rummaged around the table, looking.

"Here, in the inventory." Elyndris thought, then summoned the bag of salt. It appeared in Hunter's hand. Handy.

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He sprinkled a generous portion in, then used his finger to stir it in. He could feel the warmth from the gravy, but his thick skin was enough to protect him from the temperature.

Elyndris noted a strange feeling she had never felt before. A faint hunger or thirst, like she was being drained. Must have been something Hunter was feeling, but he didn't seem to notice.

[Feat achieved: Alchookery. Cause: Successfully create enchanted food. Reward: One level in Alchemy.]

The system message shocked them both, but it seemed Hunter was the one who earned it.

"Magic food? How?" He asked.

"Wait. Ah… my mistake. That was Demon Dust. Not salt." Elyndris thought.

"Dag would be happy to know a way to upgrade his alchemy skill," Hunter mused. Then he tasted the gravy. It was wonderful. A deep, complex flavor that made you long for more. "Oh, this is good!"

Elyndris took a good look at the gravy with her magic senses. She couldn't see the essence the way Daggat could. Rather, she saw what the essence did to things at a conceptual level. This gravy appeared to be far more enticing and delicious than any gravy made from a dead giant ought to be.

"I think," Elyndris pondered, "You had injected your hunger essence into the gravy by mistake."

"Interesting. Is there any other essence I can cook with? And is it safe to eat?"

"Sure it is, or you'd be dead now. Daggat has some stuff in the inventory that is full of essence." She pondered through the collection of totems, "Oh, how about this green flower? Forest essence, or plant. Both, likely. Mix it into a salad?"

They did just that, making a salad of the ingredients at hand. Raw onions, some young greens, and some wild lettuce. Hunter dropped the flower and sprinkled Demon Dust on it. Then he used his hand to mix it well.

Once again, hunger essence drained from Hunter. Just a bit. After a moment, the plants bloomed to life. Becoming fresher, brighter, and crisper. The onions grew roots, and the young greens grew into leafy greens.

"This is an amazing discovery for the party," Elyndris said, "But I am worried about hunger essence, wouldn't it just make you hungrier?"

Hunter shook his head, "No. Hunger essence isn't about being hungry; it's about eating. Being nice and full. I think the meal will be quite filling! Even for a bunch of orcs."

Suddenly, a message.

Daggat the Beautiful: <Hey, friends. Elyndris is awake, and I have some stuff to give. Let us all gather around the table and discuss what we are to do with these orcs.>

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: 17

Attributes 18 (0/12) (Base growth, +5; Larva, +6, Devotion +1, Potions +6): Strength: 8 (Genesis +2, growth +5 Devotion +1) Dexterity: 7 (Genesis +2, growth +5) Constitution: 7 (Genesis +2, growth +5) Intelligence: 20 (Genesis, +2, growth +7, Mark +8) (Bonus: Balanced Mind +3) Will: 20 (Genesis +2, growth +11, Mark +4) (Bonus: Balanced Mind +3) Charm: 20 (Genesis +2, growth +15)(Bonus: Balanced Mind +3)

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. Devilishly Charming - Raise charm base to 15. Reward: Party Leader skill. Unshakable Will - Raise Will base to 15. Reward: Fearless skill

Skills (0/8) (Mortal Levels +0, Devotion, +2, Mighty Intellect +1, Potions +5): Burst of Strength: 1 (Ability Skill: Strength 5) Pounce: 1 Construct Capacity: 1 Spellcraft: 1 [Source: Fledgling Mage] Infinite Limiter: 1 Party Leader: 1 [Source: Devilishly Charming] Fearless: 1 [Source: Unshakable Will] Balanced Mind: 1 [Synergy] Wizards Spirit: 1 (Perks: Extended Duration) BP SPENT = 1 -- Burst of Knoweldge BP SPENT = 1 -- Burst of Charisma BP SPENT = 1 -- Burst of Discipline BP SPENT = 1

Biotraits (0/19)(Monster Level +16; Devotion +1; Larva +1, Potion +1): Disease Resistance [Source: Vile Concoction, Mighty Constitution; Mutations: Rot Resistance] Metamorphosis [Mutations: Swift Change, Extra Form, Rebirth; Apex Reached; Graft: Voidtouched] BP SPENT = 6 Gravity Stone [Graft: Voidtouched] (Mutations: Adjustable Gravity) BP SPENT = 0 [Synergy]Thaumic Sense [Mutations: Extended Area] BP SPENT = 1 --Enhanced Touch [Mutations: Tremor Sense] BP SPENT = 2 --Magic Sense [Mutations: Refined Sense] BP SPENT = 2 [Synergy] Void Whisper BP SPENT = 0 --Voidcall [Mutations: Void Message]BP SPENT = 2 --Telepathy BP SPENT = 1 [Synergy] Quickferrite Form BP SPENT = 0 — Amorphous Form BP SPENT = 1 — [Reinforced]Exoskeleton [Mutations: Full Exoskeleton] BP SPENT = 2 Reinforced Chitin BP SPENT = 1 Biomeld [Mutations: Corpse Meld (Boon of Sahrzuel) ] BP SPENT = 1

Other: Biotrait Potions Used: 1/5 Boon of Sahrzuel

Curse: Ungenesis

Hunter

True Name: Hunter Soul: Mortal/Monster

Genseed: Ogre [ 8 Str, 2 Dex, 6 Con, 2 Int, 3 Wil, 3 Cha; Ogre's curse; Standard Size] —Full Growth Bonus: Size Increase, Ogres Curse Genbranch: Oni [+2 Str, Con, Wil; Spellbrand; Gorger; Large size]

Base Size: Huge [Largest Size: Oni, Mighty Strength]

Hearth Tender Level: 14 [+1 Str, +1 Con, +4 Wil; Invoke Torch, Hearth Fire] Monster Level: 6 [Source: Ichor of the Beast]

Attributes (0/6) (Growth, +5; Devotion, +1): Strength: 16 (Base 13; Class/Genesis +3) Dexterity: 7 (Base 7; Class/Genesis +0) Constitution: 15 (Base 11; Genesis +3; Devotion, +1) Intelligence: 9 (Base 7; Class/Genesis +0, Growth +2) Will: 17 (Base 8; Class/Genesis +6; Growth +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. Vile Concoction - Willing drink a diseased brew. Reward: Disease Resistance. Slayer - Slay an unnatural creature with a sacred attack. Reward: Bounty Hunter Unshakable Will - Raise Will base to 15. Reward: Fearless skill Gluttonous Feast - Devour ten appropriate large meals in one day. Reward: Hunger Core Mighty Constitution - Raise Constitution base to 15. Reward: Disease Resistance biotrait Mighty Strength [Pending] - Raise Strength base to 15. Reward: Size increase Aura Master - Obtain two different sources of an aura. Reward: Condense Aura Fledgling Mage - Successfully cast a spell. Reward: Spellcraft skill. Recursion - Be affected by a recursive effect. Reward: Infinite Limiter. Alchookery - Successfully create enchanted food. Reward: One level in Alchemy.

Skills (0/16) (Class Level +11, Devotion +2, Potion +1 ): System Aptitude: 1 [Source: System Knowledge] Invoke Torch: 2 [Source: Hearth Tender; Perks: Mighty Torch] SP SPENT = 1 Hearth Fire: 2 [Source: Hearth Tender; Perks: Healing Warmth, Cozy Camp, Purify Curse] SP SPENT = 3 Sacred Flame: 5 [Perks: Debilitating Warmth, Shared Will, Unwanted Guests, Skill Mastered] SP SPENT = 5 Encompassing Warmth: 1 SP SPENT = 1 Brilliant Bash: 2 [Perks: Hearth Flame] SP SPENT = 2 Bounty Hunter: 1 [Source: Slayer] Seek: 1 (Ability Skill: Will 10) SP SPENT = 1 Fearless: 1 [Source: Unshakeable Will] Peaceful Presence: 1 SP SPENT = 1 Condense Aura: 1 [Source: Aura Master] Enhanced Recovery [Natural Skill: Healing] (Perks: Split Focus) SP SPENT = 2 Alchemy: 1 [Source: Alchookery]

Notable Natural Skills: Healing: Apprentice Cooking: Apprentice

Biotraits (0/6) (Monster Level +5; Devotion, +1):

Inherited Biotraits: Gorger [Source: Oni; Mutations: Soul Food ] BP SPENT = 1 Spellbrand (Dance of Wind and Flame) [Source: Oni]

Standard Biotraits: Disease Resistance [Source: Vile Concoction; Mutations: Rot Resistance, Plague Resistance] BP SPENT = 1

Core Biotraits: Core: Hunger [Source: Gluttonous Feast] Devour Essence [Mutations: Selective Hunger (Boon), Deep Draw, Quick Digestion; Apex Reached] BP SPENT = 4

Other: Curse: Ogre Curse Boot of Rashail, level 2

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