Chrysalis

Golgari society has long been divided in a caste structure based on profession. The outer circle, or the fourth, consists of those regular craftsmen and women, the farmers, the miners, the smiths and tailors and traders. No matter how high a level they reach, or what impressive feats they achieve, it is impossible for them to climb higher than the circle in which they live.

A half-step above them is the Shaper circle, a name given to those with the ability to shape the mana of Pangera and bend it to their will. In many ways, their inclusion above the fourth circle is something of a begrudging nod of acceptance from the golgari caste system, which existed long before the Rending.

For this reason, the Warriors have always held a dominant position within golgari society. It was they who fought and defended the early territories of their people, before mana began to saturate the surface and the Shapers emerged to wield it.

Above them all stands the Noble circle. These are the ruling Class of the golgari, but make no mistake, there are no Shapers among them. Family members of the Noble families who choose to pursue the art of magic and join the Shapers are cut off from their families.

This social structure is as rigid and unyielding as the golgari themselves, and yet, their people continue to thrive. The Empire of Stone survived the Rending, rebuilding itself from the devastation left by Yarrum. To them, theirs is a successful model for society. Why would they change it?

- Excerpt from ‘People of Stone’ by Xinci

Isaac found it difficult to follow multiple conversations at the same time, which he felt was a natural thing to struggle with. This task only became exponentially harder when one of those conversations was out loud and one of them was conducted with pheromones. Isaac was uncomfortable with pheromonal conversation on several levels.

Where and how did he produce pheromones? How did he receive them? If his Class had grown small antennae on his body somewhere, he would have a serious complaint. The ants were evasive, at best, when he tried to get answers to questions like this, saying they couldn’t possibly know how Classes worked.

“Are you paying attention, Isaac?” Cavalant huffed at him.

“Of course I’m paying attention,” he snapped back, “but having you chirp at me all the time isn’t helping.”

“I’m ensuring you’re focused on the right things.”

“You are, in this moment, distracting me from the very things you want me to focus on!”

“That’s because you aren’t paying attention.”

would be paying attention if

attention,” the ant noted, smugly. “Which

pinched the bridge of his

two of us, to not talk, and listen to the envoys speak to

content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report

understand

know you are getting a live translation from a

silent, flicking her antennae in a ‘have it your way’ kind of

members of his cavalry squad. That meant fifty burly, powerful soldiers, built for strength, endurance and speed, along with their human riders, each

it

the massive rock-people, now there were easily three hundred. Actually, knowing the golgari, there were

to the warrior triad in charge of proceedings. Because of course the merchants couldn’t run it. They

Eran said,

ma’am a bit. She didn’t tolerate nonsense either,

coat of almost

is sent regarding your welcome here. It wouldn’t do

of this delegation,” Eran replied smoothly and Isaac struggled not to smirk. She was about half the height of the man she was talking

way,” the warrior replied smoothly. “Please follow me and we will

to leave, only for Eran to

we would like to make the presentation as soon as possible

a quizzical expression on his

do you mean?” he

mean, I want to complete our business here, now, and be on our way. I’m sure that won’t be an

tall, a hand grasping his chin as he considered the much smaller negotiator through narrowed