Chrysalis

The nature and origin of the Krath has been a matter of debate for many years within academic circles, yet it isn’t one that invites a scholar to delve too deeply.

Secretive to the point of obsession and more elusive than word of the Ancients themselves, the slug tribes of the fifth are difficult to study. Not that there is no enthusiasm amongst academic circles to learn more about them, nor indeed a dearth of driving force among the various authorities of the fourth. With every wave, the Krath torment the lower tunnels and send their servants upward to spread poison and filth. Knowledge of their methods and techniques would greatly benefit all of us, yet no one is willing to attempt it.

Not anymore.

The Krath, living in the fifth, are almost impossible to reach as it is, yet expeditions have been made to try and secure this intelligence before. All of them failed. Not just failed, but were made an example of. As barbaric and cruel as they are, the Krath seem to hold a special place in their twisted hearts for those who try to learn their secrets.

Expeditions were returned to the fourth, twisted and maimed beyond recognition. Sometimes, only pieces were recovered, left in the open for others to collect. Famously, a group from the Empire of Stone were recovered, minds almost completely gone from the horrors they had endured. The members clutched journals in their quivering hands, records that the Krath had forced them to keep detailing their own torture.

As a result, we do not seek to learn the secrets of the Krath.

Not anymore.

- Excerpt from ‘The Fifth and Beyond’ by Scholar Ralis

“Oh nooooo, they got meeeeee.”

The tentacles latched onto me writhe with glee as they forcefully attempt to yank me into the mucus river.

Emphasis on “attempt”.

the strongest creature around, physically? No, of course not. I’m not the physically strongest in my own group of pets. Am I going to let myself get yoinked into a river by some fifth

you can

slimy limbs touch me is flooding my body with the horrible stuff, so much so my mind constructs are struggling to break it all apart before it

real danger. Any second now, this situation is

Anyyyyyy second.

OFF OF

sense my loyal friend’s mana. As the light is chased away, she emerges from all around me, latching onto the monster who’s taken hold of me

Don’t eat that stuff, the poison will get inside

MUST REND YOU APART FOR

a thousand of

myself. She’s as dedicated as always, but seriously… she

you make sure to detoxify Crinis as much as possible? She’s being a bit

[I ssssshallll.]

water, a vigorous struggle, and then… Crinis employs her most

triumph. A moment later, the beast itself emerges from the river, howling

but it’s too late now. At least I get a good look at my would-be attacker. This monster clearly comes from a different evolutionary tree than most of what I’ve fought so far in the fifth. It doesn’t look slug or snail-like at all, rather a kind of mucous starfish, except with way more than five points. Crinis has driven her tentacles right into

Finish it off or let it go, but don’t let it get muck