Chrysalis

The floor of this particular expanse is quite similar to the last one I was in. Long fronds of those spined weed like plants that drift and bend with the flow of shadow mana in the air. The stone coral is also present, but the huge strands of web that are anchored to the rock dominate the space that we can see. I can detect flickers of mana in just about every direction, monsters huddling away from this new invasion of their space. An interesting point is that I can feel mana flowing through the massive webs I can see also. The spiders that made these must be similar to the one that poisoned Tiny.

"Be careful of the webs," I warn everyone around me, "there's shadow mana infused inside."

There are a few mages in Vibrant's group and they quickly busy themselves running over to the nearest web and investigate it, their antennae quivering with eagerness.

[You watch yourself,] I say to Tiny, [I don't know if you're immune to the influence of that mana or not, but I don't see any reason to take a chance, do you?]

The big ape looks mad but he shakes his head with a grimace. The pain of having your insides constantly eaten away seems to have made a lasting impression on him. Since his evolution, I'm pretty sure he would be at the very least, resistant to the effects of that mana, but we have absolutely no reason to push our luck.

[Any chance I can send you out on a scouting mission?] I ask Crinis.

[No.]

Haaah.

[Fine. I guess we'll just hold here for a moment as we get our bearings. Invidia! Let's do some practice!]

ending and today is no exception. Invidia practices his shields, forming barriers out of hardened mana in the air as I blast them with whatever element I happen to be practicing. That, or we engage in mind magic duels, which I almost always lose. I think that once I manage

stupid spiders and their webs so I want to ensure I'm well practiced with my constructs. The fire bolt, fire spear, even the fire domain might come in handy in this place. The fire domain is a little tricky to use though. My allies and pets aren't affected by the flames of the domain itself, but since it produces such ridiculous amounts of heat, that it tends to set everything around it on fire and those flames can absolutely burn my allies, as Tiny found out. Considering how flammable these spiders

the surrounding area, screaming at me about

Look at what

you chase it down and

"One of those! Yes!"

segments that support a powerful looking tail.

barbs from its tail?"

were fast, too! I mean, not

sinew which acts as a launching mechanism. The barbs themselves are probably formed deeper in the tail so there's a ready stock of ammunition.

than just one type of arachnid making a home here in this expanse. The eight legged menace has truly gained a strong foothold in this cursed place! I can tell from the ants around me that they too are burning with outrage and disgust at the

that we can get our mandibles on! If it has the wrong number of

on guys, let's

further ado, teams of ants, a very excited Vibrant and my group swarm out into the darkness. Acting as coordinated units, the native monsters are unable to put up much resistance before our onslaught. I have fun operating twin flame throwers and roasting whatever gets in front of me as Crinis performs her dark work and Tiny punches everything into pieces. For his part, Invidia acts as the perfect support

death, they constantly try to launch sneak attacks, creeping from the dark with their glistening mandibles ready to puncture our defences. With Crinis and Invidia on the lookout, they never

what you can do to heal

I sssshall

[Good stuff.]