Chrysalis

Despite most of the peoples of Pangera using their own form of currency - even the bruan’chii used something they called a ‘soul chip’ to trade amongst themselves - there was one universal unit of wealth that was good for business everywhere in the Dungeon.

Cores.

Which was why Smithant and Cobalt had brought a healthy supply from the Colony’s stores with them on this trip, though they had begun to suspect that they may have brought too many. Their brathian guide couldn’t resist sending covetous glances towards their carry bags, strapped to their carapace, though she tried to hide it.

“Everything is so spread apart,” Smithant huffed. “It’s inefficient.”

“It is,” Cobalt agreed, “but it does allow room for specialities to bloom. If everyone were forced to compete in proximity to each other, every stall would be the same.”

It was taking a long time to get from market to market; each district of Freehill was a sprawling mass of houses, shops, schools, fighting arenas, seemingly without much planning having gone into the layout. It was apparent that much of the growth was organic, new things being constructed when it was found to be necessary, and placed wherever the people at the time thought it would make sense. It deeply offended the ants.

Yet, it wasn’t their place to criticise others’ way of living, they were out looking for trade, and were having greatly mixed levels of success.

[What is this store?] Cobalt asked their guide.

Irisod read the sign and sighed.

[It is ‘Big Hogs Swarthy Swords’.]

seem

the name of the store to be…

whit for marketing, only for quality goods, so they decided to head inside, squeezing through the entrance with

they were confronted with the clientele. Large, pinkish-skinned and snout-nosed

of the Council,” Irisod assured everyone, holding

Nobody did.

the two ants. He spoke to Irisod in

be aware that it has been stolen. Please

to buy. Having monsters in his shop is making

Smithant said without hesitation, her antennae twitching as she took in the many blades

returned bearing a huge, two-handed

running her antennae over the metal, as well as her eye. It was an exceptional piece of work. If there was one thing that impressed her about the Folk, it was the amount of craftsmanship they put into their swords. Not only was the metal refined to the highest purity, not only

fire this, to get that effect?

even use swords, so I don’t think it’s necessary for us to spend all that much on them, regardless of how well-made they

for making good blades can also be applied to metal mandible

each set needed to be adjusted and fitted to the ant who used them, but a sharpened and enchanted set of barbs that fit over an ant’s mandibles had proven to

to how much

back and forth, the mage supplied the

In my opinion, this is overpriced by as much

with the overcharging,” Smithant grumbled, still prodding