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?”

are capable of. For example, I’m fairly sure one of the forges we saw was actively infusing water mana into the metal as it was being worked. I’ve never even thought of doing that, let alone have any idea

once we get back from this trip,” I muse. “How long do you think it

cleans off her

few years, I would say. For our smiths to really push their Skills into the higher ranks, we need to investigate more advanced techniques like these.

they reveal to us as

I felt a big monster sitting around here

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

Royal Road, this story should be

monster who enjoys a little privacy, I can

my own head? Even if I got there, Crinis would be latched

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 the fattest brathian I’ve ever seen, then Marzban is surely the most muscular. Wearing his shining, gold plated armour that positively gleams with the weight

me, but I’m trying to pay attention to

all brathian settlements built around one of these

seven at least, its core gleaming like a miniature sun. Part crab, part oyster, the thing has shells

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

I nod.

greater depths than we would normally be able to live

Huh.