When did he begin to hear the call? Even I can't be sure. Long before I warned him, of that I'm sure. Such a subtle thing, that siren song, the incessant pull that pushes them to dive ever deeper, until they are crushed by the pressure or forged into something new. I firmly believe he would have gone there even without my influence, it's inevitable, the call will find all of them in the end.
I have to believe that.
He is gone now, to places that I can no long...
2021-11-13 11:48:26 +0000 UTC
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"Nice work, Brilliant! You're getting a lot quicker with that dark magic."
"I quite like it, to be honest. Watching Crinis jump through shadows has been an inspiration for me!"
"What's it like to be able to perceive the shadow dimension?"
The smaller ant thinks for a long moment.
"Weird," she says.
"Fair enough, I suppose. Trying to explain another dimension to a person who can't see it would be quite the challenge I imagine. How do you explain colours to a blind...
2021-11-11 02:22:14 +0000 UTC
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Leeroy was tired. Not just in a physical sense, because she was definitely drained from long days without rest and filled with hard labour, but more than that she belt a weariness that echoed deep within her very soul. Not even the harsh words of the Eldest had been enough to shake this lethargy and sense of aimlessness from her and her fellow tier six sisters.
If only she'd been more careful and read the evolution description more carefully!
If only any of them had done that!
...
2021-11-10 00:52:24 +0000 UTC
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I don't know we keep the random 'u' in words, but we do. It's as Australian as deadly wildlife and democracy snags.
Burke wouldn't say she disliked the company of other ants, not at all, but it couldn't be denied that she, and quite a few other scouts had developed a strange sense of independence over the months. More than any other group, except perhaps the far ranging core shapers who spent more time with their pets than others of their own kind, the scouts spend huge...
2021-11-09 04:48:37 +0000 UTC
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Will try for two chaps this week, we'll see how it goes. Hope your day/week are going well for everyone out there!
Edit: posted for the wrong tier. Sorry all!
Events:
Your attempts at Stealth have increased proficiency. Sneak has reached level 3.
Concentration has increase proficiency. Concentration has reached level 4.
You have performed a successful cast o...
2021-11-08 02:40:38 +0000 UTC
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The demon infusion program began rather shortly after our expansion began within the third stratum. It became clear quite quickly that a steady supply of demon recruits would be needed to fuel our ambitions, especially if we wanted them to be a regular and meaningful contributor to our conquests. Normally this would happen naturally, there is always a flow of demons that battle and survive on the plains below, reaching tier six and then ascending to join their cousins on the plate cities ...
2021-11-07 12:34:47 +0000 UTC
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It'd be nice to mutate right now but I want to build up my bank of Biomass a bit more before I take the plunge. Going through those endless lists and menus is a massive pain in the backside and I'd rather save it all up and go through as much as possible at once.
That doesn’t mean I don't tell Tiny, Crinis and Invidia that they need to make sure they're 100% ready to go before we leave. I leave my three friends silently contemplating their options whilst Brilliant roams free, enjoying...
2021-11-05 11:26:13 +0000 UTC
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I'm kind of surprised that the hatchling, I mean Brilliant, didn't try and escape after evolving, but here she is obediently waiting for me after waking. Has she finally learned her lesson? That would be a good thing indeed! Growth! Actual growth! And here I thought I was going to have to change her name to Massive-idiant.
[Well, well, well,] I look down on the emphatically no-longer-a-hatchling and clack my mandibles happily, [tier five. You made it to the big leagues! A big bad ant no...
2021-11-02 07:13:04 +0000 UTC
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Flex on it.
Tiny looked down at the little one cradled in the crook of his arm and felt a smile creep up on his face. It was good to protect the little one, and make sure that she survived as she slept. Keeping her safe when she was awake was much harder. Tiny preferred time like this. It made him feel good, feel strong, we he cared for the little ones. They took care of Tiny, brought him food, were family with the master, so, he would care for them in turn.
The o...
2021-11-02 00:34:49 +0000 UTC
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Probably one this week. Less time to write at the moment.
"You look like shit."
Hakoth looked at the kid who stood leaning against his door as if he might fall over if the wood weren't propping him up. He knew he'd been pushing him hard, but he didn't think he'd been pushing him this hard. He almost felt bad. Almost.
"I still expect a full day of work out of you," he warned the lad.
Tyron just nodded, he didn't have the spare energy to bother ...
2021-11-01 04:26:28 +0000 UTC
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The hot air of the third stratum burned against his skin and Jim cursed as his tender flesh seared in the open air. He wasn't built to be exposed like this which was probably why they demanded he come out of the protective soil for this discussion.
The demon city of Arkesh loomed high above them, the five tiers of plates disappearing in the smoke and ash far above. He shuddered and the rings that made up his long form coiled and twisted uncomfortably.
Now that he had revealed hims...
2021-10-29 10:53:44 +0000 UTC
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Putting up another one today to catch up.
There's just something so thrilling about delving deep into the Dungeon my dear readers! I can scarce describe it, the growing sense of unease and foreboding as the mana thickens in the air around you and the tunnel walls close in. Who knows what monster might lie around the next corner? What mystery the Dungeon will throw at you next?
Even if an old duck like me no longer has much to fear in the first stratum...
2021-10-28 23:46:21 +0000 UTC
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Quite a fun new character in this one. Next chapter on Monday!
Words of power rolled sonorously from his mouth as he concentrated on each syllable, ensuring that no errors were made. At the same time he split his focus, directing a portion of his attention to the circle beneath his feet into which he began to direct a steady flow of magick. The power built over time as he continued to speak, the sweat already beginning to bead on his brow and he tried to remain hushed w...
2021-10-28 23:16:03 +0000 UTC
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Fantastic, just what I needed, another giant lizard in my life. Haven't I dealt with enough of these things?! Considering our minds are connected, I carefully shield my exasperation and reply.
[Hey there, lizard bro! How's things? Life treating you well? Try not to dry out too much down here, gets a bit warm in these parts. Make sure you, you know… stay moist. Or whatever a lizard does.]
I can practically feel the indignation radiating of the big fella.
[I am Kaarmodo,] he...
2021-10-27 10:33:56 +0000 UTC
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Here we go. If writing goes well this week I'll put up another Chap on friday.
The next morning Hak rose with the dawn, as was his habit, and carefully rolled out of bed so as not to disturb his still slumbering wife. The woman had a fierce temper when she didn't get enough sleep and he was wise enough to know a little care on his part would pay dividends down the line. In the near darkness he fumbled until he was able to light a single candle by which he was able to dr...
2021-10-25 10:59:08 +0000 UTC
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[He's close! We need to get all minds on the job. Try and find his mana signature. It'll be hard, he's good at hiding, so we need to get on this now!]
[Anthony…] Sarah's mind hesitantly reaches out to mine.
[Later,] I tell her brusquely, [I can hear what you have to say later. The Colony won't be dissuaded on this, not after what he did.]
I switch my mind directly to my allies.
[Crinis, reach out through the shadows, cover as much ground as you can.]
I...
2021-10-24 11:22:33 +0000 UTC
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[Gah! Another ghast! Who's turn is it?]
[It's mine,] Sarah replied grumpily, [I'm willing to give it away though…]
Tiny immediately shot his hand up, an eager expression on his face.
[Settle down you big lug. Sheesh, you don't even get to eat 'em when they're done. Are you this greedy for experience as well now?]
The big ape gives me a long slow nod before extending a sombre thumbs up.
When it comes to hoarding things for myself, I'm always greedy.
...
2021-10-23 11:58:28 +0000 UTC
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These chapters were actually in the google doc linked in the pinned post, but obviously I should have given them their own post, I just never got around to it. Apologies for the confusion all!
Chapter 14 - Homecoming
"Do you think he'll be mad at us?"
"Yes. You keep asking me, and I keep telling you. Yes! Of course he'll be mad at us!"
"You agreed we should delay!"
"And I knew he would be mad when I did."
Magnin Steelarm sl...
2021-10-22 09:35:31 +0000 UTC
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The rest of the day was taken up with eating, drinking and sleeping as Tyron recovered from his journey. He kept to himself an focused on getting his energy and focus back as quickly as possible. His overuse of mage candy had stretched his tolerance quite a bit and he would need time to detoxify his system. Frankly, he was embarrassed at how badly the journey had played out. He'd taken far longer to arrive here than he should have and lost so much along the way. Without the little forethought...
2021-10-22 00:22:23 +0000 UTC
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Hello dear readers! Tolly here, once again reporting on my ongoing adventures in the lands of the Colony! The town of Renewal and the surrounding farmlands were a picturesque and inspiring sight that told a tale of the strength of the living spirit. People who had risen up and rebuilt their lives after a devastating disaster at the hands of monsters with the help of, of all things, monsters. Getting to know these people and listen to their stories was a powerful experience that went a lon...
2021-10-21 04:34:36 +0000 UTC
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Isn't it incredible how quickly time flies when you're having fun with your friends? It seems like only yesterday that we set out from Orpule to scour these new hunting grounds for delicious, delicious prey. By the by, I don’t' want to give the impression that demons are tasty, they certainly aren't. Their hides are tough as steel and the like everything else I've been forced to eat since I was spawned in the Dungeon they have a truly disgusting flavour. I'm starting to forget what good tas...
2021-10-19 10:11:10 +0000 UTC
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The frontier of the western province had a reputation for breeding hard folk. There was little in the way of law out here, the various farmsteads and villages left to fend for themselves more often than not. When three burly looking farmhands stepped out of the trees around him Tyron was quick to throw his hands in the air and try to look as harmless as possible. Which was quite simple considering he was alone and unarmed.
"Hello there," he tried to force a smile through the greasy feel...
2021-10-18 03:13:38 +0000 UTC
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So sorry that this chapter is late! This is the fourth chapter for the week.
The Colony recoiled from the reprimand of its Eldest and most respected member as if it had been bitten on the antennae. It has not happened many times, when the Eldest directly criticised the actions and decisions of its family, but each occurrence has resulted in great upheaval and a paradigm shift that changed the course of the Colony forever.
This instance was ...
2021-10-17 12:12:28 +0000 UTC
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[So this is the full armour set, huh?]
[Yep, it's heavy, but it works very well.]
I didn't get a good look at the full suite during the assault but now that I can have a real sticky-beak up close I have to say that fully armoured Sarah is intimidating as hell. She already a well-built monster in terms of mass, but with smooth, interlocking plates of armour covering her massive frame she has an altogether different level of presence. It's enough to make me start to consider what a ...
2021-10-14 05:37:21 +0000 UTC
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"Look, it might not have turned out how you expected, but you've still a lot for the Colony. You can't let this keep you down forever."
"…"
"I mean, is it really that painful? Being alive? You've given yourself a whole new opportunity to fight for the Colony and help your family. Think about all the difficult struggles and hard work that we have in front of us, you'll be able to be there and shoulder your part of the burden. You might even have the chance to face down an opponen...
2021-10-12 06:59:46 +0000 UTC
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I wanted to wait until I had something more concrete to post this news but it's taking too long because I'm too damn slow at editing.
At any rate, I signed a publishing deal with Aetheon publishing, same people who publish half the stuff on Royal Road, like He who Fights with Monsters, First Defier and so and so on.
An unfortunate part of this meant that the audiobook rights were sold, which meant that agrosquerril needed to take down his Chrysalis work...
2021-10-11 07:09:59 +0000 UTC
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Don't be dissuaded by the Book of the Dead shenanigan's going on, Chrysalis keeps on rollin'! In fact, I should make a dedicated post on the news....
The history of organised religion on Pangera is a troubled one, though that could be said of many other institutions that exist on the planet. I do not seek to make excuses mind you, I am simply observing the universal truism that when groups of people of different, or even the same race, gather together, there is inev...
2021-10-11 07:01:53 +0000 UTC
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Awwww snap. Here's the first new chapter of the necromancer story in... quite a while. Enjoy!
Ravens screeching awoke Tyron with a start. The birds harsh call grating in his ears as he blinked the grime from his eyes and tried to sit up. Muscles stiff from cold and lying on the hard ground groaned in protest and the young man slumped back down before he flopped like a fish, trying to get the blood flowing through his limbs again. The rain had been a near constant ...
2021-10-11 01:38:14 +0000 UTC
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Still a little rough and there's some i
2021-10-11 01:31:25 +0000 UTC
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Late on this one, sorry!
The origins of the mother tree are difficult to determine, even for us. Her children have been consulted on many occasions but not even the most talkative Grove Keeper was willing to spill even an iota of their parent's secret history. What we can say with certainty is that she was spawned somewhere between the third and fifth strata, most likely several hundred years after the Rending. As the interests of the Colony moved alongside her own,...
2021-10-09 03:23:07 +0000 UTC
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