The hivelord awoke.
It didn't know how or why, but it was peculiar. It was unfamiliar to sentience, to being aware. It had lived its entire life as a drone, and to suddenly gain independent thought was a surprise. For the first time in its existence, the hivelord faltered, unsure of what to make of its newfound intelligence.
When the hivelord paused to consider itself, so too did its countless minions. So much to suddenly consider. What was the hivelord? Why was it here? How long had it been maintaining the same existence, commanding the hive and its growth?
The drones around the hivelord felt its unease, and gathered around their leader. The hivelord looked upon his masses, and for the first time, felt emotion. The hivelord felt pride. Pride in its legion, that it had risen to the highest rank in the hive to command. Under the hivelord's guidance, the hive had risen from tiny numbers in a forgotten corner of existence into a mighty colony feared- and even admired- by the entire plane and beyond. A new age was dawning. And, surrounded by its loyal followers, the hivelord raised itself high, threw its four arms out, and let out a triumphant roar.
The Slivers had returned.
"You're after the Slivers!? Are you mad!?" Bellowed Tasken.
The group had just arrived in a small hamlet on the northern plains of Shandalar and were resting at a local tavern. Sitting around the table were four journeymen, each from different reaches of the world. While a group of travelers would not be out of place on a Shandalaran afternoon, this odd group stuck out, for each of them were clearly foreign, and experienced.
The first was Ticus, the de facto leader and the group's guide. An artificer from a far away town, Ticus set off for foreign lands to become a master of artifice- a hard craft to master when aligned with white mana. After nearly fifteen years, he had gained great experience, and was a powerful artificer- when it came to crafting defensive tools. He always fell short on offense. Ticus' short white hair complimented the metal-and-leather armor he wore, which was currently off to his side.
To Ticus' right was Karumont, the artificer's best friend and fellow journeyman. Karumont was a wild spirit who sought adventure wherever it lie, and never backed down from a promising thrill. He was a wielder of green and blue mana, and befriended Ticus by besting him in a battle years ago. Ticus' resilience had earned him Karumont's respect, and the wild soul offered to accompny him and lead him out of a very sticky situation in an overcrowded forest grotto. Though Karumont valued adventure above all else, he also valued learning, and followed Ticus on his travels to learn more about the vast world. Karumont's long, brown hair was characteristic of him, flowing behind him like a cape whenever he ran, complimenting his pointed ears and green, fitted garb.
Across from Ticus was Tasken, a mighty wall of a man, five times the size of the chair he sat in. Tasken was old and very wise, having traveled all throughout Shandalar, and had even met planeswalkers in his time. His experience was rivaled only by his size- Tasken was a seven foot tall titan with stone armor covering much of his skin. He was an expert user of red mana, and had bonded stone with his body to keep himself strong and youthful. As expected of a red mana user, Tasken had a fierce sense of independence and willpower, and also a very short temper. He had no such thing as an indoor voice.
Finally, to Ticus's left, was a mysterious shrouded man known to the group as Mizu. He was a young man of few words, with silver hair and small eyes. Burn scars covered a good deal of his face and right arm, the first detail many would notice about him. He wore a tattered red cloak, which he had on him when the group found him knocking on death's door in a filthy, swampy muck. They took him to the nearest town and nursed him back to health, where afterwards he tagged along with the trio while searching for his own goals. But while Mizu was a quiet man, he was one of unrelenting force, displaying skill with lightning crafting that even Tasken had never witnessed. Many of Mizu's foes were dead on the ground before the battle even started, and the deaths of his weakling enemies seemed to be the only things that made Mizu smirk every now and then. Nonetheless, he was a loyal companion and a welcome addition to the party.
"That's right. The sliver hive in Kalonia, to the east" said Ticus, with a grin.
"Slivers? Haven't seen THEM in a long while," said Karumont. "And I used to live in Kalonia."
"You should be thankful for that. The slivers are evil, unrelenting, and nigh-undefeatable. Why on Shandalar would you want to go to their hive!?" Boomed Tasken.
"If they're anything like the Slivers I've heard about before, then they know how to create a metal life form or two. I could learn from that. Besides, they sound so interesting."
"Interesting but also very dangerous, Ticus," said Karumont. "One moment, you want to see what the Slivers are all about, the next, you're lying dead in the mud with a talon-sized hole in your chest."
"Sounds like a challenge to my armor." Ticus grinned.
"... What are Slivers?" Mizu asked quietly.
"A swarm species that live in a hive in Kalonia, the forest to the east," replied Karumont. "They're slithering, chittering creatures with talons and tentacles for arms, and they're FIERCELY territorial. They've been on Shandalar for a while now- I remember seeing them when I was young- and I've been told they're much more ancient than that. Rumor has it they come from another world."
Shandalar's residents were already well aware of their presence but could do little do act against them. With their recent resurgence, they had turned from an unnerving reason to avoid that area of the world to a global threat. Many intrepid warriors and wizards had gone to investigate the threat and were never seen again. Only the strongest few lived to warn others of the threat of the hive. If travelers needed another reason to avoid Kalonia, the Slivers gave them one.
"Kalonia is a haven for hydras, ten-foot-tall beasts, giant spiders, and even some dinosaurs," said Karumont. "Apart from a few trade outposts, it's mostly uninhabited save for the elf settlements. It's a circus of monsters and beasts waiting to rend a man limb from limb. So when I say that even Kalonia is scared of the Slivers, it should be a testament to their power."
"You've both seen them, right?" Ticus asked.
"Only one of their young scouts," said Tasken, "but it was enough to make me afraid. And I am very rarely afraid. The Slivers are bad news."
"That's what intrigues me. A race that powerful has to have some secrets, and I love secrets," said Ticus with a smirk.
"But why?" Asked Karumont. "I'm not one to turn away from a challenge, but what can you learn from a race of snake-insect-human things?"
"I've read about them," Ticus replied. "The armor that covers each Sliver's body is metallic, yet can change to fit the form of any Sliver. And apparently, long ago, there were completely metallic Slivers in their ranks. I want to know the inner workings of that hive."
"That's a MIGHTY risk, Ticus," boomed Tasken. "Only a madman would think of approaching that hive."
"One doesn't make history by following the norm."
"HAH! That's why I like you, Ticus!" Tasken roared. "You call the next step in your quest to master metalcraft an exploration into the most dangerous place in Shandalar! What a mind!" Tasken laughed heartily.
"The big guy has a point. What bigger thrill could there be on Shandalar? I'd love to adventure there."
Mizu nodded slowly as he finished his drink.
"... Ah, hahaha. We're all insane. This could get us all killed, you know!" Ticus exclaimed.
"As if we haven't been getting nearly killed the past few years? Giving death a back rub seems to be the norm for us," said Karumont.
"Then it's settled. We rest here for the night, and make for Kalonia first thing tomorrow!" Ticus said with a smile.
"This'll be INTERESTING! I love it!" Tasken boomed.