As I keep stuffing my face, Granin and I discuss my various body parts and what might qualify as a good option for a 'reset' in my next evolution. I remain a little cagey about a few things, such as the existence of the Vestibule, but I try to be as honest as I can during our discussions. A few things get ruled out pretty fast. No need to do anything fancy with the pheromone glands at this point, for example. I'm not even sure what sort of new functionality I would gain for my pheromone gland. Demon pheromones? Pheromones made from flames? Geh.
In this way we eliminate candidates and before long we arrive at a shortlist. Carapace (obviously), Mandibles, Acid Gland, Legs, Regeneration Gland, Eyes. All the big ticket items. Would be great to do my brain, but it's not even mutable at this point, so it can't be reset. The carapace is there for very clear reasons. I was promised a reset of pure diamond and by Gandalf, I'm going to get it. If an option appears to reforge my mandibles into some awesome demon chitin or something of the sort then it would surely be a significant boost to the strength of my bite, which is always handy. My legs are an obvious weak point and although the diamond carapace does offer them some thin protection, changing their base properties to something more durable would help to keep me from being legless quite as often. The Regeneration Gland is a (literal) life saver and a significant upgrade there would be incredible. My vision speaks for itself. Better eyes means better life. Being able to see stuff coming is a useful trait to have, and with the reset, who knows what sort of crazy options I might see?
I personally feel like there's a strong chance that the Vestibule will come up as an option to be reset in the evolution choices, given that my current species includes the term 'juvenile'. It would make sense that the natural progression would be to a 'mature' Colony Paragon of some variety, and the key organ of this species is the Vestibule. Exactly what sort of option would be provided to reforge the Vestibule itself, I've no idea, but I think it will be powerful. There is the likelihood that such an upgrade would have adverse side effects, such as giving the Colony an even larger window to sneak their Will into my mind, but there's a good chance that the trade-off will be worth it.
[You might want to rethink your idea of picking carapace on this evolution,] Granin tells me.
[What!? My carapace is a life-saving, incredibly shiny part of my body! What could possibly be more important than that?]
Granin holds up both his hands.
[Whoa there. It's beautiful and amazing, we all get that, just take a second to hear me out.]
He waits until I settle back down and get back to shovelling Biomass into my face before he continues.
[I totally agree that your carapace is important, it's your foremost defensive tool after all, but there are two good reasons that you should hold off during this evolution. Firstly, the options you may get at this stage of evolution are inferior to what you'll get next time. In my opinion, your carapace and plating, upgraded to +30, are going to be sufficient to protect you through the third strata. If you evolve before you attack the fourth, you'll be able to upgrade to a much better base material.]
Something about the tone of his thought suggests he knows something he hasn't said.
[Do you happen to know what I might get if I hold off?] I ask pointedly.
[There are a few different diamond flavoured materials you could see, but all of them are good. Living Diamond, Void Diamond, Liquid Diamond, just to name a few. All are seen mostly on the fifth strata but there's a chance they'll show up when you evolve to tier seven.]
Holy moly! All of those sound so awesome! Liquid Diamond?! How does that even work?!
[Alright,] I say, trying to hide my excitement and totally failing, [what about the other reason.]
[The other reason is the inner carapace plating. I actually love this mutation and I think it's done more than you realise to keep you alive to this point, but it can do more. The synergy between the carapace and plating isn't what it could be. I'm suggesting that when you reset your carapace, you reset the plating at the same time. This will let you pick options that harmonize, and allow you to reconfigure your mutations to line up perfectly, giving you the best possible outcome. Does that sound reasonable?]
He does make a good case.
[Alright, I'm convinced, and I'm also full. Step back a second for me, would you?]
The golgari Shaper hurriedly steps out of the way and I back up a bit, my gaster having swollen to absurd proportions after cramming both of my stomachs full of Biomass. Geh, I feel like I'm gonna chuck. Is this what a replete feels like? I used to wonder what it was like to be one of those ants who just hung around inside a nest and allowed other ants to fill up their social stomachs with food to the point they could move. Living food storage units…
Alright, with all of this Biomass, I should have enough to at least make a serious dent in the remainder of the evolutions I need to make. Let me check what's going on in here. According to the menu, I have seven body parts still in need of mutation, some of them more than one. Eyes, pheromone gland, Neural network, my three new acid additions and the Gravity mana gland. I think it makes sense to start with the eyes and take them from +20 to +25. Let's take a squiz at the options.
[Alright, I think I'm going to focus on my mutations for the moment. If possible can I get some privacy for this?]
It's hard to tell, but I think Granin quirks an eyebrow at my words.
[You sure you don't want any advice on this?]
[Ah, no. I think I can handle this bit. I'll be sure to speak to you again before I evolve, don't worry.]
[Alright then, have it your way.]
He turns around and after a brief argument with Torrina in which she gives a massive case of stink eye, he leads the triad out of the chamber.
[Alright team, let's assume formation C!] I instruct my pets.
In an instant, Crinis has leapt into action, blanketing the chamber in complete darkness using her magic whilst also expanding her body to cover my frame in a sphere of inky black shadow flesh. Invidia uses his shield magic to erect opaque barriers before every door frame, blocking line of sight as well as physical entry into the chamber whilst Tiny takes up a vigilant guard position halfway between the entrances and my own body.
There, now there's no chance anyone will see me when I mutate. Now I can focus on the menus. Let's do this!