Chrysalis

My first nap as a tier seven, a deep and satisfying torpor that I luxuriate in. Indeed, life is only complete when one gets their eight hours! I’ve been flat out for way too long, to the point I’ve started to worry that the Torpor Police might disappear me.

That would have caused quite a stir, I’ve no doubt.

They do an incredible job of hiding, those little ninjants, but ever since I picked up the Vestibule, it’s been impossible for them to conceal themselves from me.

Unlike my bodyguards. Whatever it is that they use to create the strange forgetful effect was powerful enough to give me trouble for a little while. Ever since my evolution, though….

I reach out with one leg and poke at the air.

….

I poke again.

….

Another poke, harder this time.

“... Is that really necessary, Eldest?” Protectant complains.

Gweheheheh.

“I just find it fun, how easily I can spot you now.”

The guard smells decidedly unhappy about it.

“We would like to know how you do it,” she grumbles, “out of professional courtesy.”

just try and find a way

is one. As far as I can tell, as long as they’re ants who believe in me, they will provide me with Will. As long as the energy is flowing, they’ll be lit up like a christmas tree, regardless of what they

still works on my other senses when they actively try to conceal themselves. I can’t see Protectant with my eyes, or even feel it when I poke her with my leg, or detect the scent when the guards communicate with

level of stealth they’ve achieved

why it’s so fun to prod at them. Poke.

stop

Heheheheheh.

make the push to tier six,” I tell the invisible squad of babysitters. “If I’m

we evolve, we’ll be able

whip around and poke her

be stupid! You can hide from everything you need to hide from already. You need to seriously bump up your stats and combat prowess. That concealment

Just stop poking

home the point, then I turn to Crinis and the others

We’re fresh, we’re ready for action and we need to get some Levels into you, pronto. Hunting in the fourth stratum is likely to be our best bet, but at the same time, we need to be

It’s rewarding having an audience

mutations ticking along, but we should make sure to contribute to the Colony stockpile, since you three are all maxed out. Let’s go see what we can

I wipe that species from the Dungeon! As it turns out, we don’t even make our way out of the tunnels before

scout calls to me and I stop to let her catch up. “Eldest.

I rumble down to the

by a host of ants that watch their every move with preternatural stillness. The leader, a fairly burly-looking golgari, almost seems happy when he notices my approach, even as he winces

me

together a mind bridge and latch onto the mercenary, then I bring his two followers into the

so soon,] I greet them. [Excellent, excellent. I suppose your hunt was

own, and I make a conscious effort to tone it down. I can’t be scaring away

of them begin unloading the cargo in their boat, depositing a dozen of the offensively glittering

them out at quite

on this level of the