Antlion Larva

Like bees, antlions start their life as larva in a honeycomb structure deep in the nest. The actual appearance of the larvae is unknown, but their occupied cells glow with blue light. They are tended to by the workers and eventually grow into grubs.

The Extract

Larvae have their own personal protector; the guardian. If any hive robber should approach or interfere with the larvae, the guardian will pursue him, even outside of the hive, until one of them is dead.

The guardian is well assigned, as the larvae are the most delicate and sought after caste of antlions. A Vortigaunt can extract a very powerful substance from them that allows total submersion in the Vortessence, granting a group of Vortigaunts extraordinary abilities. The extract, like the larvae’s cells, glows a bright blue.

In order to claim this price, a hive robber must outwit the guardian rather than killing it, as the death of the guardian renders the extract useless.