Chrysalis

There aren’t many scholars who take the time to learn about the… unique culture and properties of the Magpei people, leading them to dramatically underestimate their strengths. It is a source of eternal frustration to me, as a Magpei studies professor, that my colleagues seem to think the only trait of these interesting and enduring people they need to understand is that they are ‘aggressive’.

Yes, they are aggressive, yes, they famously lack what some would consider ‘social graces’, but that is merely the surface. As a people, the Magpei are fiercely loyal, protective of their families and forgiving, under the right circumstances.

Due to their… irascible nature, they are among the finest pugilists in the world, fighting almost exclusively with their fists. I’ve seen them shatter the skulls of tier five fish monsters in a single blow, even through metres of water.

If one is able to win their trust and friendship, the Magpei are a wonderful people, full of laughter, comradery and joy.

However… it is still necessary to fight with them.

- Excerpt from ‘The People of Light’ by Propentia

[OI! This is a good cuppa right ‘ere!]

[Aw yeah? Lemme have a taste!]

[Get your own!]

[Like that, is it? EYY? Come up here and say that!]

[Maybe I will, then!]

Aaaaaand they’re gone. Another pair fly up to engage in what I’m coming to understand is more like a fun pastime for the Magpei rather than a serious fight. They just seem to love smashing the heck out of each other, and for whatever reason, they don’t seem to get hurt much. Perhaps they’re just much tougher than they look?

After watching the market unfold and listening to these people interact, I’ve come to understand exactly what is going on here. I was confused at first, because they don’t have fur, waste energy speaking and are less prone to thumbs ups, but the Magpei are basically all just shiny, feather-winged versions of Tiny.

the dumb ape lay fists into everyone and everything he could if I let him? Absolutely! It’s not like he’s malicious, he just enjoys it, and he assumes everyone else does as well. I get the feeling the bad attitudes and rudeness displayed by the Magpei are due to them wanting to skip as much of the unnecessary stuff as quickly as possible and get to

put the billy on! This tea is

than my

it is, you

you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken

[EYYYY?]

[EYYYY!?]

their attention. As before with the ka’armodo, the small

even a ka’armodo with setsulah attendants, everyone seems welcome here. The

birdbrains fall out of the sky, or smile and nod politely whenever someone tries to pick a fight with them. It almost seems magical. I wish I

all sad on

at me like that through ya

so on. No matter how long I sit here, unresponsive, in the centre of this impromptu market, they just don’t seem to run out of gas. Or

here. It’s not that I’m sick of these winged loudmouths slinging mug at me, it’s that proper respect isn’t being shown

a gravity well to drag them all down to the ground, or use one to lift me up into

Or… why not both?

Gweheheheh.

an evil chuckle, I begin to draw out gravity mana from my gland, weaving it deftly and carefully, masking my work as much

you doing something,

the brathian mage, the Dungeon Seer… Olivis! She’s watching me like a hawk at

not! Why would you suspect something like

I felt a stirring of mana. You

you ever suspect me of yes, yes I was. I’m getting really