The Festival of the Undrawn, a lingering echo of our primitive ancestry, hails from a time when the Founders first crossed the Whispering Wastes, the barren Sim Edin. Called the Contest of Saints in less-cultured circles, I am consumed by aversion for this uncultured relic, yet both the clergy and the masses cling fervently to this crass tradition, yes, and even some of those of higher station. To what end must they offer violence unto one another, with fist and foot, in supplication to the divine? Surely, the celestial beings would savor more-refined tributes, such as the elegance of art, the melody of song, or the exquisite rhythm of poetic verse.

  - From the diary of Lady Aeyah of House Sahaem.

  You have gained 1 Strength.

  Welcome as it was, I mentally pushed the notification aside. What were the others doing? Incompetent fools.

  Just as these thoughts started, I heard shouts behind me. They were saying something important-sounding, but I could not spare them any attention, as I was completely focused on besting the monster in front of me.

  A few more arrows flew by and embedded themselves in the horned-toad thing’s side. They served as nothing more than a distraction, but enough of one, and that allowed me to pull my enemy closer. Grabbing another length of tongue, I continued pulling, when yet another monstrous tongue from a different beast flew out from beneath a small bush and wrapped itself around my chest.

  As I struggled to keep my footing, I spared a moment to size up yet another adversary. This new one was a sickly green and ‘small’, like the first specimen I had encountered. Bzes, these things were annoying.

  Finally, from behind me, I could hear the sounds of my fellows coming to my assistance and my mind started to parse what they were saying.

  “There’s a whole KNOT of them! Don’t just stand there, help Gilgamesh!” I heard Likam shout.

  I felt a fsh of irritation as Jasper ran past me to try and finish off the crippled Sandgorger. At the same time, Tomorbat and Likam, rushing to me, had shouldered their bows and drawn short swords. For a brief moment I thought that they meant to do me in, before the pair started to hack at the tough rubbery thing still wrapped around my trunk.

  Under assault, and bleeding a viscous green, the amphibian withdrew its injured tongue. The monster then gave a loud, ominous croak, and charged at me. The other guards shouted to each other in warning, but I could pay them no attention as I was still contending with the horned one that was stubbornly struggling against me. Unfortunately, Jasper, too, was simirly preoccupied, his efforts bent towards killing the one I had blinded.

  The heady power of the Drain was filling me. A quick gnce at my Status showed that I was at full Health and barely losing any Stamina. Still, even drunk on my own magic, I could see that, with my sword arm entangled, it would be difficult to deal with the new and closing threat, the smaller Sandgorger.

  But I was not without recourse, as I used another Skill that turned my shield into a weapon. Aiming to check the charging creature, I used Shield Bash, swinging my shield just as the creature leapt at me.

  You have learned Shield Bash (lvl.2)

  You have learned Critical Hit Mastery (lvl.3)

  “Well-struck!” ughed Tomorbat

  I grinned like a feral beast, for my blow had connected with the side of its head and stunned the Sandgorger. Perhaps this was finally my Luck attribute coming into py? It truly felt wonderful when one’s Skills improved.

  Swift to react, my comrades fell upon the monster, hacking and sshing with wild abandon. Still entangled, I left the poor thing to the gentle attentions of Likam and Tomorbat as I focused once again on the animal whose tongue was wrapped stubbornly around me.

  I could feel the thing weakening, its very life energies being leeched by my dark spell. But feelings are not facts, and I needed confirmation.

  Sandgorger - (Trap Toad lvl.14)

  Health: 181/195

  Stamina: 21/38

  Mana: 1/2

  As big and threatening as the Sandgorger was, the Identify spell confirmed to me that the thing was definitely weakening. I did not want it escaping, nor did I want to approach it further, in case others like it were lying in wait. That meant there was only one thing for it. I pulled on its tongue and drew it closer to me with both hands in a strange tug-of-war.

  The ugly thing struggled, the trinity of its eyes completely focused on me, its cwed toes drawing ruts in the sand and grass as it slowly lost ground. When I judged I was within range of Dash, I pulled it towards me with all my might. Letting go of its tongue, I activated Dash, followed immediately by a downward Power Strike aimed at the space between its three eyes.

  At the st moment, the creature veritably leaped to the side. Caught mid-leap, the evasive maneuver threw off my aim and foiled my attack. Completely taken by surprise, I missed with my blow, simply smashing into some grass and sand.

  Crashing face-forward to the ground, I tried to scramble to my feet. As is the nature of man, I tried the same thing again, disregarding the exorbitant cost in Stamina. The monster would pay for dodging my first attempt.

  Rocketing towards the horned Sandgorger with a Dash and Power Strike combination, I decided upon a minor variation. This time, I aimed an upwards backhand ssh at it, and this time, fortune favored me. The blow, enhanced by my forward momentum and the Skill, connected with a satisfying crunch. Through the eye slits of my helm, I saw my straight-edged bde rise in a diagonal vertical cut that sshed through tough hide, muscle, and bone.

  You have learned Swords (lvl.2)

  You have learned Rush Strike (lvl.1)

  It seems that combat really is the best of instructors, I thought grimly as I continued the attack. Grievously wounded as it was, the creature was not yet done, as one of its front cws swiped at me in a vicious counterattack, which I barely raised my shield in time to meet.

  The Sandgorger struck again, drawing shallow rents in my shield with its cws. With its Stamina dropping precipitously, this time the attack was a lethargic thing, with none of the power and viciousness of its st few attacks. I had the creature now.

  You have sin two Sandgorgers 30 experience gained.

  I finished the creature off with a simple stab through its right eye, and almost simultaneously I was informed that the others in my group had felled another of the creatures.

  Cursing, I knew it had to be Jasper who had finished off his target, as the flow of stolen energy to me was abruptly cut off. That man was starting to get on my nerves. Bloody kill-stealer.

  With this thought in my mind, I rushed to the aid of Likam and Tomorbat.