Chapter 26: Hold Person
The Draconic Bloodline brings Anse two Draconic Spells, 「Dragon Breath」 and 「Polymorph」.
Both are relatively powerful Second Ring Spells, each casting consumes 3 Mana.
「Dragon Breath」 is a spell that simulates Dragon Breath; after all, the body structures of humans and dragons are completely different.
It allows oneself or teammates to exhale a 15-foot （≥4.5 meters） cone-range Breath, with the damage type chosen from strong acid, cold, flame, lightning, or poison. All creatures in the area make a Dexterity Saving Throw; on failure, they take 3d6 （3-18） damage, and on success, only half damage.
“Dexterity Saving Throw” can be understood as the enemy reacting swiftly, dodging fast enough to avoid the center of the Breath, so the injury is not severe.
「Polymorph」 can change the body’s appearance, mainly with three abilities: 「Change Appearance」 「Aquatic Adaptation」 「Natural Weapons」.
「Change Appearance」 is literal, but the basic body outline does not change, for example, cannot become quadrupedal or large size creatures.
「Aquatic Adaptation」 is growing gills and webbing, while mastering underwater breathing and swimming.
「Natural Weapons」 is quite interesting; it can grow claws, fangs, horns, or hooves. When making unarmed strikes or attacking with these organs, it deals 1d6 （1-6） damage, and the damage scales with the Casting Attribute rather than Strength.
In other words, one can grow claws to engage in melee with others, empowered by Charisma, changing the predicament of being inept in close combat.
‘In non-essential situations, it’s still better to resolve battles at range.’ Anse pursed his lips; he severely lacked confidence in his melee abilities.
Choosing the new spell was quite difficult.
There are many good Second Ring spells, like Misty Step, Invisibility, Hold Person, Enlarge/Reduce, Scorching Ray, Earthbind, See Invisibility…
Unfortunately, Sorcerers can only learn one spell per level, fewer than Wizards, destined to follow a specialization route.
He has Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon bloodlines; after learning 「Elemental Affinity」 at level 6, he gains flame and cold affinity, becoming more proficient in these types of spells with higher damage, so spell choices are best aligned with his own bloodline.
However, survival and control spells are equally important.
After agonizing for a long time, he gave up the long-coveted Misty Step and chose the powerful control spell: Hold Person!
He now has the team as backup; single-target short-range teleportation has little meaning.
Hold Person, also known as Humanoid Hold, is a Second Ring Enchantment spell with a base range of 60 feet （≥18 meters）, over 48 meters with Attribute and Feat bonuses, effective against all Humanoid creatures.
It can paralyze the target for one minute, requiring the caster to maintain Concentration. The target must make multiple Wisdom Saving Throws to break free of the spell effect.
Concentration is a special Spellcasting state; certain spells require sustained guidance and attention. During this time, other non-Concentration spells can be cast, but if Concentration is broken for any reason, the spell effect disappears.
Wisdom Saving Throw is easy to understand: after being controlled, the target continuously tries to regain body control, and the stronger the Wisdom, the harder it is to be controlled by the spell.
If Anse had known this spell earlier, with Metamagic Quick Cast, he might have controlled the opponent for a few seconds, which would be good for survival.
As soon as Anse confirmed, a surging Mana surged from deep within his body, surging and rushing, spreading throughout his body—sometimes like scorching magma, sometimes turning into cold frost.
Both full of vitality and extremely obedient.
His skin glowed with golden-silver light, and changes quietly occurred throughout his body; every time a Sorcerer develops Innate Magic, it is a sublimation of life form.
After a long time, the surging Mana settled into silence, but that powerful sense of fulfillment still overflowed his mind.
Anse silently digested the three new Second Ring spells he had mastered, feeling great.
During the years the original owner painstakingly studied in the Mage Tower, he more than once doubted he was an idiot; that torment and pain of never learning was something ordinary people could never comprehend.
No, perhaps students from a previous life who majored in math by mistake could empathize a bit!
‘This is great.’
He pulled up the Character Card to check his status.
【Name: Anse Hollewen】
「Race」: Human-Silver-Horned Subspecies （Medium Size）
「Background」: Noble
「Class」: Sorcerer （Draconic Spell）
「Level」: 3
「Experience」: 1117/2700
「Life」: 28/28
「Mana」: 20/22
「Psionic Energy」: 1/3
「Armor Class」: 15 （14+1）
「Alignment」: Absolute Neutral
「Faith」: None
——Core Attributes——
【Strength: 12】
【Dexterity: 12】
【Constitution: 12】
【Intelligence: 13】
【Wisdom: 13】
【Charisma: 17】
「Skills」: Arcana +2, History +1, Acrobatics +1, Athletics +1, Medicine +1, Intimidation +1, Survival +1
「Languages」: Common Tongue, Dragon Speech, Netherese, Iluskan
「Feats」: Proficiency, Tough, Spell Sniper
「Traits」: Spellcasting, Metamagic, Draconic Resilience, Draconic Spell, Mana Surge, Super Magic
「Metamagic」: Twinned Spell, Quicken Spell
「Equipment」: Goodberry Staff （Fine）, Protective Cloak （Fine）, Spell Storing Ring （Rare）
——Spells——
「Cantrips」: Light, Ray of Frost, Mage Hand, Prestidigitation, Sorcerous Burst, Mold Earth
「First Ring Spells」: Disguise Self, Feather Fall, Jump, Shield, Prismatic Spray, Command, Magic Missile
「Second Ring Spells」: Dragon Breath, Polymorph, Hold Person
——Other——
「Adventure Traits」: Mana Control, Extraordinary Talent
‘Finally looking decent.’ Anse was very satisfied.
Just looking at this experience, leveling up to four is quite difficult, but upgrades get slower later on; he was mentally prepared.
At level four, he can choose a new Feat or improve Attributes; thinking about it, he was still very much looking forward to it.
Anse opened his eyes, meeting Brat’s surprised gaze.
“You… mastered new spells?” Brat asked hesitantly.
“Mm.” Anse did not deny it.
Professionals do not know numerical levels, but every increase in strength brings a vague feeling; it’s just not as exaggerated as Level Up—they need accumulated training and learning.
“Where do we go now?” Involving professional privacy, Brat did not ask further.
Anse looked at Finn: “What’s the situation in the City District now?”
“Chaos!” Finn’s voice was hoarse, “Greyhawk can’t tell how many monsters there are, hundreds, maybe thousands…”
These monsters are scurrying everywhere, few in groups of two or three, more in dozens, causing massive chaos.
Actually, ordinary goblins and Kuo-Toa are not much stronger than commoners; the human side has many professionals, but few dare to fight to the death.
The Underdark survival environment is harsh; Underground Creatures are far more ferocious, cruel, and bloodthirsty than humans!
The largest monster group is blocked at the Northeast Corner Breach, mostly Kuo-Toa, and the situation is not optimistic.
“No wonder so many merfolk; the river mouth breach might not be an accident!” Anse’s voice was ice-cold.
The Underground Creatures are clearly organized and premeditated; racial conflict is kill or be killed, no mercy.
“Once they break through the defensive line, we… probably won’t be able to organize an effective counterattack.” Brat knew well the nature of adventurers and professionals—they run faster than anyone when things look hopeless.
By then, with Kuo-Toa invading en masse, humans will struggle to cross the river, boats useless, likely trapped here and gradually eaten away.
“Then slaughter them.” Anse smiled faintly, revealing a mouth of stark white teeth.
He originally had no hatred for Underground Creatures; different races, all for survival. But when that dark blue blade fell on his neck, his mindset changed.
I am also human; killing them requires no reason, no sympathy. Different civilizations mean no empathy or humanitarianism, no psychological burden.
“Heh heh, just what I wanted!” Brat clashed his sword and shield; the anger in his heart had not yet dissipated.
“Let’s go.” Finn slung on his Backpack, unusually proactive for once.
The three returned to Middle Street, hurrying north along the main avenue.
By now, there were almost no living commoners on the road; those who could run had run, and monsters chased the crowds deeper into the City District.
Nearing the Bridgehead, water was everywhere, squelching underfoot, corpses strewn about—humans and Underground Creatures alike.
Flame Fist Fortress still stood in the night, like a silent giant perched on the high platform, indifferently watching this human catastrophe.
