The goblins Shadow (volume 1 of The Demon's Journey)

The town

Shadow walked with the group taking in the sights. The plains were amazing he had rarely seen something like this, as far as he could remember.

The party chatted, Shadow, wanting to get to know the party better was happy to answer their questions as long his were answered.

He learned a lot, there were different classes of fighter, How they could only do a number of spells before resting, and where they were going.

Questions they had for shadow were about his abilities. He could shapeshift he did this by perfectly turning into a copy of the lizard priest. Surprising the rest of the party.  

He demonstrated his larger size. His muscles grew and he slouched over, his arms grew bigger and stronger his finger talons grew in size and sharpness. He grew to the max of eight feet. His teeth showed again in a smile and his extras eyes opened on the side of his head his head extended out further. His mouth opened and slithered out a tongue that had mandibles on the end. To the horror of the group 

But when it was over his body liquified and shrank back into his normal shape.  "I have several other forms I can change into. But some of them require a specific set of elements." said Shadow "I can however show you these." He got into a crouching position and sprang up already growing. His size continued to grow, and grow, and grow, His head shifted to more of a demonic look jagged edges on his mouth replaced his teeth. Horns grew out of the side of his head, his feet didn't grow, they transformed into toeless shoes that became rocklike.

He continued to grow until he reached 970 ft tall towering over a skyscraper and Shadow opened a hand and his weapon formed. A long staff appeared on one side an ax blade on the other side was another blade but upside down so when thrown, it would act more like a spear. 

The party looked up in awe, the goliath was stunningly large and they couldn't even see his head! Shadow now in goliath form looked down at them and began to shrink down until he was 200 ft. Goliath kneeled and looked at the party small where he was standing.

Satisfied with his show, Goliath stood and jumped. While in mid-air he changed his body into liquid and shrank smaller, smaller till he was 50 ft tall he grew wings and his arms feet changed so he could walk on 4 legs. Shadow grew wings and extended neck. His head changed to look lizard-like. 

Still falling Shadow extended his wings and took flight quickly turning and decelerating to a stop before the party and bent his head down towards them. 

Later as they were nearing the town Shadow had shifted back into normal size. "I can't believe you can do all those things." said High elf looking at Shadow who was still taller than her. "You blow all of out of the water!" said Lizard priest. "Yes, while that may be true, they are extremely taxing on my health." "I can only transform 3 times before I have to rest otherwise I might collapse from exhaustion. Even doing those two were tiring" 

The dwarf smiled "Well it's a good thing you saved one otherwise I might have had to carry you!" High elf scoffed "Please, you would probably collapse from exhaustion carrying him!"

As the dwarf and the elf continued to bicker, Goblin slayer reached the top of the hill. "I see the town." As they continued to walk they noticed the state of the town it wasn't looking too bad for being attacked by goblins.

As they entered the town they saw the wreckage, wagons were broken, so were doors. "I'm guessing that they took the women?" Shadow asked Goblin slayer crossing his arms. "Most likely." 

The villagers were desperate for help so when they saw the party they were overjoyed and answered all the questions they had. But when they passed the church Shadow felt a brick thrown at him.

"Get out of here creature of evil!" said the priest grabbing another brick. He threw it, it flew this time towards the priestess Shadow extended his arm, caught the brick, and shattered it in one hand. 

"Come on, they obviously don't want us here," said Shadow starting to walk towards the mountain.  

The priestess was shocked. The man had attacked Shadow without a second thought. Was Shadow always treated this way even though he volunteered to save them?

The man had left a dark cloud over the party. "Are you alright Shadow?" asked the Lizard priest. "I'm fine. Let's focus on the adventure," replied Shadow. "I don't have much experience dealing with goblin nests, so what do I need t know?" 

Goblin Slayer explained to Shadow as they set up camp. "By the looks of the town, I would assume that this is a large group. They most likely have someone leading them, either a shaman or a champion. There will most likely be Hobs too by the looks of those wagons." "We strike at nightfall when they will be the least prepared."