I waited for the monstrous priestess to lunge before dodging to the right and keeping low in order to not get shredded by her claws. Pivoting I struck her in the side and as my club dug in her scales seemed to act as strong natural armor. Luckily the blunt force of my club bypassed her armor. Although the giant monstrous Scalefolk didn't seem to care as she twisted and brought her claws down with a vengeance. Not having the time to dodge I raised my shield to block. However instead of hitting blindly it gripped Its claws to the side and yanked it the side. The sudden force broke my force though thankfully the strap on my forearm held and I kept my shield. With my guard broken she bit down he fangs digging into the gaps in the pauldron and punched through the chainmail and padding underneath.
...
[Alert!]
You have gained the affliction [Envenomed] that has been boosted by an unknown ability to an effective rank of 2?.
[Envenomed]
Effective Rank: Rank 2?
Regeneration Debuff: -15%
Stamina Debuff: [N/A]
Necrotic Damage: -10 HP per Minute
Strength & Agility Debuff: -10%
...
[Bloodline Trait Activated]
Your Bloodline Trait [Gorgon's Blood] has activated as the effective rank of the venom outclasses this trait the venom's effects have been reduced by 50%.
...
I felt my body grow sluggish and veins felt like they were on fire. Then my trait kicked in and the pain and weakness faded somewhat but they were still present just diluted. The monstrous Scalefolk kept on pumping venom into my body and I felt a flare of anger blossom and I struck out slamming my club deep into their side and kept on bashing while using my other hand to punch and claw at its eye. Eventually my hand which was waving blindly and sluggish I managed to grasp at its left eye and ripped at it. The Scalefolk reared back releasing my shoulder. Making the point to not look at my no doubt messed up left shoulder. I pressed the attack swinging as I attacked the mid drift.
The Scalefolk snapped lurching forward trying to catch me off guard with a burst of speed. Shifting my body quickly I evaded and counter attacked striking the lower back of the serpentine creature. I club snuck and a I felt a crack as I managed to damage the monster through its thick scales. Quickly pulling back as my opponent went to press the attack. I ducked behind a building corner just in time as the Scalefolk shot out like bullet train at me slamming into the building on the other side of me. Falling on my one eyed opponent being careful evade their flailing claws. Smashing my club into their collarbone it resisted but after two more strikes the bone gave way and caved in. In blur their right claw slammed into me with incredible force and carried me off my feet. I hit the floor and skidded until eventually my momentum was arrested and I looked at my writhing opponent who wasn't out for the count apparently.
Cursing under my breath I activated the boost from my [Fungal Exoskeleton] skill and helping combat the effects of the venom. Standing up I waited cautious of what was happening to my opponent. From what I could see the Scalefolk seemed to losing more humanoid traits inexchange they grew more bestial. It was a pretty good tradeoff ability and was no doubt connected to the ability empowering it's venom.
My hope that it would lose more of it intelligence but it wasn't guaranteed. I watched as the claws of the Scalefolk receeded becoming one with its body the head and the torso grew and eventually the Scalefolk turned completely snake, growing roughly five feet. Thankfully it hadn't healed its eye but it was no longer effected by a missing collarbone since it didn't have one. Whipping around it struck scaringly quick, dipping low at the last moment I struck the jaw of the Serpentine Scalefolk sending it reeling. I had to raise my shield as its tail lashes out faster then I could move. The force felt like wrestling with a grizzly bear. It tried to lunge at me again and I retreated slightly before uppercutting the snake and striking it again with my club. Attacking with reckless abandon I hit two more times before it finally retreated blood pouring from its broken jaw.
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I sensed something the, puppets had finished their assault and I quickly ordered the spearman ahead hoping to use their spears to kill it or at least corral it. As it went in for another lunge I dodged and took of running making sure not to go to fast but also being just out of reach. Sliding around a corner I waited until the Snake slid into the large alley way/street. Behind it the puppets fell in closing it. On the other side was the Disciple of Kaihao and It struck the other side while I kept its head busy. Eventually the large monsterfied Scalefolk fell dramatically as it skull caved in due to blunt force trauma.
...
[Tutorial Quest Update]
[Priestesses]: 3/4
[Quetzal]: 0/1
...
[Affliction Cured]
The affliction [Envenomed] has been cured due to its effective rank dropping below your resistance rank.
...
The burning in my veins subsided and I let out a breath of relief. The Scalefolk certainly had a dangerous skill set, its transformation ability in tune with it's venom enhancing ability made it annoying to deal with. The Scalefolk Priestess reverted back to what I assumed was her normal state of a slightly squat Scalefolk. I ended electing to take a nap as I felt dead tired after taking three cities, I ended up passing out in an empty house having brought my silk blanket and pillow with me. I really hoped that the next Priestess wasn't more powerful then the one I just fought but my luck in that area was extremely inconsistent.
I woke up an unknown amount of hours later and my dreams were a mix of images and idea more then a cohesive dream. I saw an image of a bipedal crow with unnaturally long legs and arms that was draped in bone effigy's that was pure nightmare fuel. I also saw a trident that shimmered of barely contained chaos.
Shaking off the early morning funk I found the area where the Geckonese were organizing having taking the Scalefolk barracks as a sort of administration building. I have Meeting with the provisional leader as I decided to stay long enough to get some of the reinforcements Anastasia had made before moving out. As soon as I asked the guard who was managing the line of Geckoni that were waiting for an audience.
"Hey, I need a meeting with the leader" I said simply and the guard trembled before he ducked his head into the building. A few seconds later he ushered me into the building where a very tired Geckonese was waiting along with two others.
"Hello, I am the Provisional Leader of the Geckonese since you liberated us, my name is Gonior, how may I help you Liberator?" Gonior asked me.
"Hello Gonior I am Kien, I am hear to fill you in on what's happened recently and how we should move forward" I explained and Gonior looked over to his subordinates before looking at me again.
"The Geckonese are the latest to be freed, I started with Turtenani and the Newtkin and once reinforcements arrive I will march on the fourth city, when I do so I will a garrasion here to protect you" I explained to the Provisional Leader.
"I had heard mutterings overheard by intoxicated Scalefolk and your spider confirmed it, my question if I may be so bold, what do you gain from all this?" The Gonior asked wary.
"Besides it being the moral thing to do, I am the mortal emissary of the Daemon of Protection and The Depths, the Scalefolk are attempting to do a ritual that has caught his attention and well he has not taken favor of the Scalefolk's actions" I explained and I decided to go with being a messenger of sorts rather then going with the whole Divine being thing cause that was still an uncomfortable thing to say.
"Hmm, well if the Divine you serve truly wants to free us from the Scalefolk's tyranny permanently than he has gratitude" Gonior stated. The rest of the meeting was primarily organizing shipments between the other cities and didn't take to long. However as I was about to leave one of his subordinates rose to feet a fervor in his eyes.
"One of the freed Geckonese you brought with you said that you might be able to heal the Wall of Roots, can you!?" The Geckonese asked.
"Unfortunately not now, as my powers are sealed until my mission is finished after that though I should be able to heal, and if I can't heal it fully I can at least guide it to recovery" I explained before departing.
