Chrysalis

The Colony has distinguished itself in battle across its existence, displaying sharp tactics, excellent training and sound strategy at all levels of warfare. Such a thing is highly unusual for a swarming monster type, but the irregularly high levels of intelligence obviously made it possible for the ants to accomplish many things that are atypical.

In small numbers, they are smart. They move quickly, engage carefully, retreat expeditiously and attack aggressively when the opportunity presents itself. The caste system provides them a strong balance of specialists, making teams of ants well positioned to handle a wide variety of situations.

In larger groups, they become very deadly. Capable of digging and fortifying positions in a matter of hours, they can be expensive to dislodge the moment they gain a foothold. With a strong command structure and perfect discipline, they present no weaknesses, no chinks in the armour. They must be confronted directly, head on, or not at all. Only a skilled and determined force can match them.

In a swarm, they show their true might. The endless tide of ants is a foe like no other that I have ever witnessed. The concentrated power of their collective is overwhelming and they will sweep away whatever lies in their path. Against that indomitable horde, I have seen nothing succeed, and I have tried much.

• Excerpt from the war diary of an unknown general.

Advant watched as a continuous stream of ants marched through the portal, four by four. There wasn't room for more sadly, the big soldiers barely fit, side by side.

The scouts could fit through five by five, and the generals six by six, which helped.

The Colony was going all out in its assault against the rivals they had found here in the fourth stratum. Every member of the family felt the burning rage within their inner core, an unsettling anger that would not end until either they, or the termites had been put to rest. As always, the Eldest had the right of it, they could not both exist on Pangera, one had to go.

best of what the Colony had left to offer, the sixes already here and involved in the fight. From what she'd heard, the battles above had been intense, a

into the warriors of the Colony. More powerful Soldiers, Mages, even the core shapers had reaped a rich harvest in

brood fed to the larvae, they could retreat back to higher in the Dungeon, concentrate on developing their holdings, refining their advancements. With the added security of having the Mother Tree locked in as an ally, the Colony would

least she

down the roots and underground, on their way to the front. This would be the largest force the Colony had gathered in its history, the largest battle

it would take. Nothing

join the assault. An unprecedented

tier fours were fresh recruits, graduates from the academies in the first stratum! The Colony was

her nerves. She should be confident, the Eldest was

the upper limit of what she could spare. Powering the gateway to bring this many monsters to the battle hadn't

the gate flashed again, and through it came something she hadn't expected to see. Humans, golgari, a few folk, each with their spears, shields and matching uniform. The ranks weren't as neat as the ants had been, the precision wasn't there as they turned to salute her,

for this fight. Yet here they were, answering a call that had

ants, each bearing an individual on their back! Strange saddles had

is going on here?"

inaugural ant cavalry division. The generals required all legs on the tunnel floor