Chrysalis

The brathian continue to be quite friendly and open with us, even allowing the carvers to peek into their workshops. The results of that visit were apparently a little humbling.

“They’re way ahead of us,” Smithant admitted freely.

She hasn’t changed much since the last time I saw her, in terms of attitude at least. Focused, a bit grouchy, entirely obsessed with her craft. It’s not always easy for me to tell, since I’m so much larger than every other ant, but I’m fairly confident she’s evolved recently as well. There’s a definite metallic sheen to her carapace and I’m not sure she always heated metal via her mandibles, or used her own carapace as an anvil. A nifty couple of additions, she doesn’t even need a forge to work anymore. Case in point, she’s busy testing some intricate wire… thing, even as we talk.

“Is it uncomfortable having your legs bend backwards like that?”

The spot she uses to hammer on is just behind her head. Her eyes are mutated enough that she still gets a good view of it, though she sometimes needs to turn a little.

“They don’t actually bend backwards, they rotate in the socket.”

“Ah… hmmm… so is that uncomfortable?”

“No.”

It sure looks weird.

“Sooo, we’re a long way behind them?”

of mana during the forging process is far beyond what we are capable of.

from this trip,” I muse. “How long do you think it will take before we

carver cleans off

push their Skills into the higher ranks, we need to investigate more

other secrets they reveal to us

felt a big monster sitting around here

fairly private creatures. You’ll forgive me if I don’t

this story should be

monster who enjoys a little privacy,

like I’ll ever get privacy ever again. How far away from the Colony would I need to be in order to be alone in my own head? Even if I got there, Crinis would be latched onto my carapace, no question. I really hope I get back before she wakes up. I left a note in the event I

apparently the brother of the Satrap and… their lead… fighty… guy. I don’t know his title. Unlike his pudgy, cheerful and fabulously wealthy brother, this guy is more jacked than a house of cards. If the Satrap is

they’re all tiny compared to me, but I’m trying to pay

brathian settlements built around one of

a huge monster, tier seven at least, its core gleaming like a miniature sun. Part crab, part oyster, the thing has shells on its shells, and spends almost all of its time just chilling down

felt the barrier you passed

I nod.

smaller monsters away, enriches mana, and reduces the burden of water pressure, allowing our settlements to thrive at greater depths than we would normally be able to live comfortably. In exchange, we provide for the

Huh.