Chrysalis

In the interests of expanding the Colony's knowledge of future evolution options, I take the time to explore the normal evolutions I've been offered and let the eager triad document the stat gains, organ benefits and descriptions offered by the System. In truth, the stat gain for even these 'ordinary' evolutions was much higher than I expected and my hopes climbed sky-high for what the more delectable 'rare' choices would have to offer. With the first three options out of the way, I take the time to go through each of the special evolutions carefully. You never know if there might be a diamond in the rough!

[Special Evolution: Ant Archmage. +60 bonus to Cunning, +60 Bonus to Willpower. This evolution provides a significant boost to the power of the mind, along with a Manaweave Core Crystal. This new organ grows around the core and focuses the user's mind on the mana contained within, making it easier to handle and use. A new eye is also granted, the 'mana eye', which allows the Ant Archmage to project mental sensing abilities through the eye to increase their effectiveness.]

This is a special evolution?! Look at these stats! And the bonus organs are nuts? Manaweave Core Crystal? Excuse me?! This seems like a super useful organ for a monster like me who focuses more on traditional spellcasting using mana from the core than most monsters who rely on mana glands.

Granin looks impressed with the offering.

[That's better than I expected, to be honest. If you wanted to focus on a pure spellcasting build, this wouldn't be a bad option at all. Don't underestimate the Mana Eye either. It might not be as expensive as the crystal in terms of evolution energy, but it's no slouch. You can think of it as directly bumping your mana sense up a rank for free, and that's before you mutate it.]

[That's… super good. Isn't it?]

[Heck yes it is,] Corun seems excited, [if you took this option you'd almost be as good at spell shaping as Invidia!]

Being as strong as one of my pets, one that I already defeated, doesn't make me all that happy. Still, the gulf between Invidia’s and my mastery of magic is vast. Even getting close to his level will be hard. It's tricky to remember sometimes, since he's just a little floating eyeball with tiny wings and arms, but Invidia's mass is like, ninety percent brain.

[The mage ants will want to know about this one for sure,] I muse, [make sure you guys let them know when you complete your report.]

[Of course,] Granin nods.

Onto the next.

[Special Evolution: Colony Guardian. +80 bonus to Might. +80 bonus to Toughness. Focused on physical prowess, the Colony Guardian receives a large bonus to physical stats, furthermore, additional purchase of physical stats are cheaper during this evolution. The carapace of the Colony Guardian will be reforged into Demonic Chitin (warning, this will reset all mutations).]

is,] Granin whistles, [the

I'm a bit confused.

the bonuses don't seem as good as

cost reduction, this is also an excellent saving. If

I suppose it's better than I

so far, I think this one is better,] Granin advises, [You would sacrifice your mental stats in this evolution, but you could make yourself a physical powerhouse. Still, as we discussed, I wouldn't recommend a carapace reset

[Right.]

strong, but it surely isn't as shiny as

benefits from mixed stats and grows in power the more of their kind fight on the battlefield. The Hive Storm Aura

one sounds

aura is nasty. I've heard about it popping up a few times in the past when hive insects

he phrases it like that, but I can't disagree with him. With tens of thousands of members, the Colony will struggle to push many members

I want to see if he knows before I check

species within range. You know where they are

[Fair enough.]

and the golgari is spot on. Granin

his hands together, [time for the main course! Let's take a look

as he is, I fire up

+20 bonus to Might, +20 bonus to Toughness. The Elemental Ant is a force of nature, with devastating spells that cover all the basic elements. In pursuit of Elemental perfection, some potential is lost. A mythic Omni-Elemental Mana Flux is formed around the core. The Antennae will be remade into Spectrum Crystal, able to better channel elemental mana and sense its flow. An All-Season Eye is granted. As a price, all non-elemental mana

I relay the information to Granin and he once again nods

upper tiers. Spectrum Crystal is not third strata, maybe not even

is this Mana Flux