- enough time around a sufficiently persuasive rat would likely remedy that claim, and often act as a perfect doorway to further acts of influence

Building off this, while it can be a permanent sign of someone's influence it'll always be better to act as the first domino in corrupting them to become a hybrid or to be transformed into the other species.
A kobold might assure others that reptiles cannot sweat or put on fat but -

So real honestly. And to be frank what else is an artist's purpose in life if not to be inevitably driven into spirally obsession and utter adoration in their attempts to convey and spread the beauty of your mind-breaking form

I'm honestly of the opinion that even indirect influence is a really ideal means for the divine to lay claim to others. Statues and shrines corrupting the land, created and aided by already claimed followers to all just slowly and methodically ensnare others to the same faith with due exposure.

I hope that you get cursed with many a red room and no gems 🥰

Taping it shut btw >:[
Sending thee on a whimsical postal experience BTW >:(

Putting you in a box and not letting you out until you behave 🥰
Such cruel words and claims cannot go unpunished

- well that is a sign of your own merit.
It all leads back into the potential of the species as a whole with any form of corruption. Be it binding them up in new attire or casting off scales for new forms, it's their innate power and arrogance that makes them a great target and subsequent victory

They're built up to be such a powerful being that when you strip it away, when you slowly whittle away at their dominance or infect their mind, all of that is a perfect mark of a corruptor's power. It takes skill and it takes power, but making them go from what they are meant to be to what they are-

They have so many exploitable flaws; greed and blinding pride; a willingness to hoard people and things, amass kobold servants and claim caverns as their own domains
And all of that can be the perfect start to their downfall.

Like icarus I must soar higher
Even if I fall I must try and reach as high as I can through intrusive thoughts and evil ideas of corruptible beings. Such is the life we all should strive for tbh

I had to start off strong, first impressions are vital as they say