An assassin does not get overwhelmed. If there is an unexpected problem, they figure out a solution. And above all else, they must not allow their emotions to control them.

The more I write about this mantis guy, the more I start to like him :D
Sure will be a shame when he finishes his mission in a future ThursdayPrompt :3c

Glossary:


Grolxal: Though he never says it outright, Grolxal is the true name of the praying mantis alk the above story is about! (I drew a picture of him here :3)

alk: The anthropomorphic residents of Alka call themselves alks to differentiate themselves from the animals that they resemble.

Verdania/Verdish: With its numerous trade routes, wealth of magical resources, and status as the seat of Belbatoria's worship, it is not uncommon to hear people say that Verdania is the center of the world. Even many people in the Deadlands know a few words of Verdish.

Belbatoria: The proud goddess of order, light, and knowledge. Of all of the gods and their followers, hers are the most numerous, with devotees even in the Deadlands.

Deadlands: Though it is a land of constant warring, the insect alks of the Deadlands endure. Though they have been cut off from the weave of ether, they persevere. Even should the last plant wither and the last lake dry up, they will survive. They take their joys where they can find them, knowing that tomorrow may never come to pass.

ether: Sometimes called lifeforce or mana, this is a mysterious energy that suffuses the world, giving rise to many strange plants and animals. Every living thing has some amount of ether, even in the Deadlands.

Polus: Once little more than a watering hole, many say the idea of Polus started when the first trader set up shop by the small pond in order to get rid of the last of their wares. Some days later, another trader realized they had taken on too much cargo and desperately sold off the excess weight. The tradition continues into the present with an ever-rotating cast of stalls selling all sorts of goods, from fruits to silks, cheeses to gems, and folk remedies to magical spells.

magic/spell: Every spell in Alka requires ingredients of some kind, and many of these spells come in the form of potions. The art of spellcraft involves careful measurements, specific techniques, and also a touch of etherial manipulation. Without a mage's inborn talent, not even a person following a spell's recipe to the letter can hope to create one for themselves.

Toria: The city of Toria was founded on the Bay of Anat, and it is this bay that shaped the capital of Verdania into what it is today. Once a place of orthodox order as the supreme seat of Belbatoria's worship, the constant flux of trade in and out of the harbor brought alks from all over Alka, each one changing the city bit by bit. Now, it is known as the most diverse and free city in the world.

Zzix: The secretive god of insects, connections, and the reviled. They rule over the Deadlands, far away from any of the other gods.

Hali'Tuin: This is best described as a continent of extremes. Hali is a humid hellish jungle, full of deadly animals and virulent disease. On the other side of the Twin's Divide mountain range, Tuin is a frozen, desolate wasteland. Despite the harsh conditions, the people that live there, the Halini and Tuini, have managed to carve out a niche for themselves with clever inventions and mighty magic.

The Peaks: The high concentration of mountains, volcanoes, and rocky spires have led many to come up with all sorts of nicknames for this continent: The Hedgehog, The Pincushion, The Needles, That One Trick With the Swords Stabbin' into the Barrel, and more. Its inhabitants, the Peaksfolk, do not care, so long as no one bothers them needlessly, and as long as they do not bring along their wicked magic.

Dothos: As the largest nation under the sea, Dothos supplies many rare and exotic goods to the surrounding countries above the waves, especially Verdania. Unlike most other societies around the world, Dothoians are strictly matriarchal. When they interact with those above the waves, they are known to be quite taciturn, relying more on body language and even sign language than spoken words.

Inzan: Many falsely attribute Zzix as the god of death when in reality, Inzan, the Mycelial Lord, holds that honor. He rules over his realm with an iron fist, punishing sinners and innocents alike. However, in breaking down the spirit of these souls, he also provides the path towards rebirth and perpetuates the cycle of life.

grandie: Verdanian silver coins are called grandies due to bearing the visage of a highly influential and charismatic traveling cleric of Belbatoria, Saint Belophile. The goat alk was very empathetic, visiting even the most remote villages and most destitute beggars and performing miracles. Even more than a hundred years after his death, people still refer to him as "my grandpa, Bellie."

Eridi/Eriani: An ancient country from before the unification of Verdania. It was unique for being one of the few amphibious nations, meaning that both land-dwellers and water-dwellers lived together. They were also known for having many festivals and delicious food, but sadly, little information still remains of those delectable dishes.

Sarkuul: A vast, mostly flat land consisting of windblasted grasslands, scorching deserts, shifting swamps, murky thickets, and more. The nomadic people of this region, the Sarkuuli, are as diverse as the landscape and its climates, and they are known for their uncanny good fortune.

caravan/family: The Sarkuuli language is full of words with multiple meanings based on pronunciation. Depending on the intonation, one can even say two things at once.

Itzik: This is Grolxal's homeland, one of many countries in the Deadlands. Many successful authors and poets have come from this surprisingly peaceful place, and he fancies himself as another upcoming star. Itzik has a lax view on religious practice, meaning that temples are even built to gods from outside the Deadlands.

Ceremona: The goddess of plants, union, and purpose. Every alk of every nation, no matter their language, uses the word "ceremony" to describe the same thing. Even though few actively worship her outside the Deadlands, she is the second most involved goddess in the affairs of mortals.