Chrysalis

The other predominant theory is that the demons' very nature, their demonic disposition, if you will, is what causes them to embrace conflict. It's true that the demons are generally untrusting, aggressive, greedy, short tempered, perpetually unsatisfied, possess an inflated opinion of themselves or all of the above, but the question I always come back to is: why?

It's not enough for a scholar to say 'they're born that way' and have done with it. When we observe creatures of nature and the traits they are born with it is possible with study and reason to determine the purpose of those traits. Why do some sorts of insects cooperate? It increases their chances of survival! Why do wolves operate in packs? Why do geese flock together? Why do lions move in prides? Why do bears hibernate in the winter? We can make educated guesses as to the purpose of all of these things. So, in my opinion, it stands to reason that we can do the same for demons.

When viewed in this way, the answer becomes apparent rather quickly, though I have failed to convince many of my contemporaries of the veracity of this hypothesis. Demon society is embroiled in a constant state of conflict, at almost every conceivable level, because it produces stronger demons that way.

There is no such thing as resting on your laurels, for a demon. No such thing as a happy retirement. If one of their kind manages to rise to the top, they need to continue to rise, lest they be overtaken and cast down by others more worthy. It's a brutal, single-minded approach to community, but one that suits them rather well. Though many have tried, there are none who have managed to subdue the monsters native to the third strata for long. They can be reasoned with, to an extent. Bargained with, to a point. But they are so, so difficult to conquer.

• Excerpt from ‘The Demon Below’ by Axelgesis

Warm and fuzzies out of the way, it's time for the big moment! We max out their cores, but before anything else can happen, I need to make a few adjustments to Tiny's core.

[Get over here, dammit!] I yell at the ape as he attempts to run away. [It's not going to hurt! All I'm going to do is transfer some stats from might to cunning.]

as if I just told him I'm going to shift his

warn him. [Get over here right now or I swear I'll switch half your muscle mass into neurons. Maybe then you'll be smart enough to stack one block

wounded look as if to say 'that was a little excessive. I'll have you know that I put two blocks on top of another, thank

Okay? Just come over, I'll make you smart enough

of his body, Tiny makes his way over, running his hands along his biceps and bulging shoulder muscles with a mournful look on his face. I do my best to

to keep things in balance, I do my best to ensure the loss of Might is generally applied across his whole body and not concentrated on any particular place. That way he won't become ungainly in some way that might negatively affect his evolution. When

thick was your skull man?!] I demand. [There wasn't enough room up there for additional mass, half of it’s

severe brain injury from all the beatings he's taken over the weeks and months. I knew he was

there did you?] Torrina welcomes us with a smile as we park ourselves outside the Golgari offices.

later and the surly old rock trundles

turns to Tiny and Crinis with a broad grin. [Tier six! The big leagues! Jeez, I can't remember the last time

around,] I boast,

Corun rolls his eyes.

they deserve worse than