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!]

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 to evolve again, I'll be able to have the raw power to keep up with him. If I combine higher stats with sufficient mind magic ability to create those mental constructs that he uses, I might even

these 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

doesn't share my patience and decides to lead a group to scout the surrounding area, screaming at me about how she'll 'just take a quick look!'. Naturally, she returns ten minutes later with the severed

Look at

did you chase it down and bite it until it questioned

"One of those! Yes!"

of scorpion? Hardened carapace (of an inferior sort) in segments that support a powerful looking tail. When I take a closer look at the barbed point of that tail, I

shoot barbs from its tail?"

fast, too! I mean, not fast

just stabbing. Looks like it's all attached to some sinew which acts as a launching mechanism. The barbs themselves are probably formed deeper in the tail so there's a ready stock

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 appearance of these wrong

up anything that we can get our mandibles on! If it has the

on guys, let's

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

are, for the most part, more of the scorpion variety, though we do start to come across some spiders. Nimble creatures of shadow and 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 had much chance, but when we regroup it's clear that

can

sssshall takess their

[Good stuff.]