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?”

techniques. Their use of mana during the forging process is far beyond what we are capable of. For example, I’m fairly sure one of the forges we saw was actively infusing water mana into the

going to be a lot to do once we get back from this trip,” I

grizzled carver cleans off her antennae as she

higher ranks, we need to investigate more advanced techniques like these. Now that we have a clue, it should help us advance, albeit

are other secrets they reveal to us as

a big monster sitting around

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

Road, this story should be reported if

enjoys a little privacy,

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 didn’t… but I don’t think it’ll be enough

cards. If the Satrap is the fattest brathian I’ve

compared to me, but I’m trying to pay attention

brathian settlements built

Shulk is a huge monster, tier seven at least, its core gleaming like a miniature

them,] Marzban informs me readily. [You would have felt the barrier you passed through when you entered our

I nod.

the Shulk. It keeps 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

Huh.