Quote: Rainforest

This page contains the narrations of leafcutter ant missions.

## **The Harvest**

**Mission begins**:

* This young queen has successfully raised her first daughters beneath the leaflitter of the rainforest floor. The nutritious fungus she fed them as larvae is now dwindling. If they don’t find food quickly, they will all starve.

**You dig out a woodworm for the 1st time**:

* The juicy grubs nearby are a staple meal for many underground opportunists, but for now at least they will go ignored. This budding *Atta cephalotes* leafcutter colony has only one viable source of food, and it must be collected above ground.

**You place a pheromone marker on the surface for the 1st time**:

* The small scouting party of minor workers could lead any number of deadly jungle creatures back to their undefended queen. They will need time and luck on their side.

**You encounter a harvestable plant for the 1st time**:

* The workers have located a patch of young seedlings, just what they were looking for. The leaves are soft enough to be sliced up with ease and carried back to the nest.

**You store leaves for the 1st time**:

* The harvested leaf chunks are not eaten directly. Instead, they are used by the very smallest minim workers to cultivate nutritious fungus.

**Waste is created for the 1st time after fungus has been cultivated from leaves**:

* Over time, waste builds up in the fungus gardens. If left unchecked it can attract necrotrophic parasites. To deal with this problem, *Atta cephalotes* dig out subterranean waste heaps, preferably as far as possible from the healthy nursery chambers.

**Waste occupies over half of your brood chambers**:

* Waste is building up in the fungus gardens. The leafcutters need to dig out a refuse dump.

**You haven't encountered any enemies for 60 seconds after digging to the surface**:

* The ants’ activities outside the nest have not gone unnoticed. They are being watched.

**You have played for 5 minutes**:

* The most accessible leaves are located to the north of the nest entrance. However, another *Atta* colony has already laid claim to them. The close proximity of these nest places the two colonies in direct competition with one another. Time will tell which has the potential to grow into a great empire, and which will submit to the unforgiving law of the undergrowth.

**You spawn a leafcutter ant major for the 1st time:**

* The leafcutters have raised their first major ant. Its swollen head is filled with muscle to power its crushing jaws. Few stand against it in combat and escape unscathed. This champion warrior will make a fine addition to the colony.

**Day is over** *(loop)*:

* As the sun sets below the horizon and the rainforest canopy shrouds all but the slightest glimmer of moonlight, the predators of the night begin to emerge.

* Night falls, and under the cloak of the darkness, velvet worms, bush crickets and harvestmen emerge from their hiding places. Any ant straying from the relative safety of the trail will likely meet with an unfortunate end.

* Dusk approaches. As the twilight fades, the daytime creatures withdraw to their hidden refuges to wait out the darkness. The ants can afford no luxury, the cogs of the leafcutter machine will grind on throughout the night.

**Night is over** *(loop)*:

* As the sun rises over the treetops above, the diurnal jungle invertebrates emerge once again to replace their night time counterparts. The ants will remain steadfast in their efforts. All must be risked for the harvest.

* First light marks the end of the nocturnal critters’ reign over the harvesting grounds, but the ants are no mean safe. Mantids and jumping spiders that hunt by daylight are already prowling the leaflitter in search of breakfast.

* Daybreak has arrived, and the creatures of the night scurry back to the dark crevices of the undergrowth. For the ants however, the objectives of the day remain unchanged: locate vegetation, defend supply lines, and process leaves. There is no time for rest.

**You dig out a larval green rove beetle for the 1st time**:

* These rove beetle larvae are distant relatives of the European devil’s coach horse beetle. Despite a few million years of separation, they share the same carnivorous appetite, razor sharp pincers and most importantly, a fearsome final form!

**You dig out an adult green rove beetle for the 1st time**:

* The ants have disturbed the nest of a fully grown *Phanolinus auratus* rove beetle. Its hardened armor and defensive secretion make it a formidable opponent for even the largest of the leafcutters. It will take significant numbers to subdue it effectively.

**You dig out a small velvet worm for the 1st time**:

* The ants have uncovered a small velvet worm hiding underground. It will defend its home fiercely.

**You encounter a jumping spider for the 1st time**:

* A brightly patterned jumping spider, *Psecas viridipurpureus,* has subdued one of the workers. This expert solo hunter combines extreme agility with incredible forward vision, allowing it to pounce on unsuspecting prey with pinpoint accuracy.

**You encounter a harvestman for the 1st time**:

* An ant has fallen prey to a wandering harvestman. Its long slender legs keep its vulnerable body elevated high above the leaflitter, and when threatened, it can release strong smelling odor to deter other predators. A stern response will be needed to drive this striding nuisance away.

**You chase a harvestman away for the 1st time**:

* Overwhelmed by the defensive leafcutter forces, the harvestman decides to make a swift exit.

**You encounter a small velvet worm on the surface for the 1st time**:

* A young velvet worm, *Oroperipatus ecuadoriensis*, is lurking overground. These ancient mysterious predators are masters of ambush. They creeps toward their unwitting victims silently on soft hollow legs. Once in range, they squirt oscillating streams of slime, forming a wide net that entraps their prey.

**You encounter a large velvet worm for the 1st time**:

* A fully developed velvet worm measuring a titanic 7 centimeters in length has come face-to-face with the ants. Only a coordinated multi-pronged effort by the soldiers will be effective in subduing this mammoth predator.

**You encounter a medium leaf-mimic praying mantis for the 1st time**:

* One of the ants has fallen prey to a young leaf-mimic praying mantis. Once in range, its long, razor clad forelegs can ensnare and impale victims with lightning speed.

**You encounter a large leaf-mimic praying mantis for the 1st time**:

* A fully grown *Pseudoxyops perpulchra* leaf-mimic praying mantis is grazing amongst the vegetation. Not only is it more dangerous in its final instar, with near perfect camouflage against the leaves, it is also a master of stealth.

**You encounter a trap-jaw ant for the 1st time**:

* Leafcutter aren’t the only ants nearby. Whilst the two *Atta* colonies joust for territory, *Odontomachus bauri* trap-jaw ants roam the clearing. They can be found hunting alone or in small packs for vulnerable invertebrates to take back to their nest. They use their snapping jaws to bludgeon their targets, exerting 300 times their body weight in a single blow.

**You encounter a spiny devil bush cricket for the 1st time**:

* A *Panacanthus varius* bush cricket has spotted the ants. Its thorax and appendages are adorned with sharp, protruding spikes, offering 360 degrees of protection and turning its substantial forelegs into a pair of deadly flails. This spiny devil will not be easily deterred.

**You attack the enemy colony for the 1st time**:

* These leaves are contested. The leafcutters will generally not attack unless provoked, but today there is too much at stake. Only a strong show of force will deter the opposing colony.

**You attack the enemy colony** *(randomized)*:

* A territorial dispute has arisen between the *Atta* colonies!

* A fight has broken out over the harvesting rights to a sapling.

* The leafcutters have clashed due north of the nest!

* The leafcutters have clashed to the northwest.

* The leafcutters have clashed northeast of the nest!

**You force the enemy colony to retreat for the 1st time**:

* The opposing leafcutters have retreated from one of their harvesting sites. They may have been easily startled this time, but they’ll soon be back... and in greater number.

**You force the enemy colony to retreat** *(randomized)*:

* The opposing colony to the north has pulled back some of its harvesters; they need time to regroup.

* The leafcutters have secured a vital harvesting site from their opponents.

* Opposing leafcutters have been cleared from an area to the north. The leaves can now be stripped and sliced without interruption.

* Opposing leafcutters have been cleared from an area to the northeast. Harvesting operations can now continue.

* The opposing *Atta* colony has retreated from one of its sites to the northwest, leaving unguarded foliage ripe for the picking.

**Enemy leafcutter ants are going to attack for the 1st time**:

* The hillside *Atta* colony is falling behind, with their demise at hand, they have no choice but to strike back at their opponent!

**Enemy leafcutter ants are going to attack** *(randomized)*:

* Another squad of leaf cutter majors are inbound, the hillside *Attas* must gain control!

* More leafcutters are inbound.

**You win**:

* The ants have subdued their rival and achieved dominion over the clearing. As the competition withers, they will extend their territory in all directions, firmly establishing their agriculture empire. One day this colony will number in millions.

**You lose**:

* As the leaves nearby are depleted and the superior hillside *Atta* colony cuts off access to the new pastures, the nests falls into ruins. The ants grow weak, the gardens rot and the queen is left to starve. Her reign has ended.

## **Front Line**

**Mission begins**:

* This small leafcutter colony has established a foothold in a clearing near the base of a tree. The location provides prime access to lucrative harvesting grounds which have gone unchallenged for the past few weeks. However, unbeknown to the ants, the peace is about to be broken. A scourge is drawing in. It will be here by morning.

**The 1st night is over**:

* Several metres south of the nest, a legion of nomadic *Eciton burchellii* army ants are preparing to march. They set up camp late last night and will now conduct daily swarming raids on the surrounding areas until they see fit to move on. This humble leafcutter stronghold will soon lie directly in their path.

**Army ants appear on the surface for the 1st time**:

* The army ants have arrived, they will sweep eastwards swarming everything they find. Larvae filled ant colonies are particularly ripe for culling. Only a substantial defensive force with the right tools to repel the aggression will be left alone. The leafcutters must prove to the invaders that they are more trouble than they are worth. If the army ants can be pushed back beyond the leafcutter territory, they will likely give this area a wide berth until it is time for them to relocate their nest.

**Day is over***(loop)*:

* As dusk sets in, the army ant foraging activity begins to settle. The *Eciton* forces are reconvening to join a giant bivouac formed of their own bodies where they will wait out the night. For the *Attas*, this is the perfect opportunity to stockpile leaves.

* As daylight fades, the army ferries the last of the day’s spoils back to the bivouac for the evening feast. They will return at first light.

* The day is nearly over. The army retreats, and a relative tranquility sets in across the rainforest floor.

* The army is returning to camp, and once again the nightly truce is founded.

**Night is over** *(loop)*:

* The jungle stirs, the sound of panicked arthropods running from danger can be heard throughout the leaflitter, and the antbirds are circling overhead. The swarmed has returned.

* Dawn has broken, and the night critters run for cover. The army ants are on the march.

* Free reign of the harvesting grounds is about to be cut short. The swarm has mobilized.

* Once again the swarm raiders return, and the battered soldiers of the *Atta* ranks stand to meet them.

**You dig out a larval blue rove beetle for the 1st time**:

* These rove beetle larvae pose a serious threat to the minim workers. They will need to be exterminated quickly.

**You dig out an adult blue rove beetle for the 1st time**:

* An adult *Plochionocerus fulgens* rove beetle has been disturbed by the ants. Left unchecked, this angry critter could cause some serious damage.

**You dig out a small whip spider for the 1st time**:

* The ants have uncovered a *Heterophrynus batesii* whip spider hiding beneath the leaflitter. This unnerving arachnid feels its way through the undergrowth with modified antenna-like forelegs. When it finds a target, it snatches forward with enormous pedipalps, impaling its victim on deadly spines.

**You dig out a small whip spider for the 2nd time**:

* The ants have uncovered a whip spider hiding beneath the leaflitter. It will need to be dealt with before excavations can continue.

**You encounter a large whip spider for the 1st time**:

* The ants have drawn the attention of a *Heterophrynus batesii* whip spider. This unnerving arachnid feels its way through the undergrowth with modified antenna-like forelegs. When it finds a target it snatches forward with enormous pedipalps, impaling its victim on deadly spines.

**You encounter a large whip spider for the 2nd time**:

* One of the foraging trails has drawn the attention of a whip spider. The ants must defend themselves.

**You kill a large whip spider for the 1st time**:

* The threat of the whip spider has been eliminated. The ants were fortunate, this specimen was only a few months old. A fully grown adult would not have submitted easily.

**You encounter the huge whip spider**:

* A fully grown whip spider has detected the presence of the leafcutters. With supreme prowess, this gargantuan night hunter can knockback, swipe and lance even the toughest major soldiers. A considerable sustained flow of resistance must be called upon for the colony to stand any chance of dissuading this legend of the undergrowth.

**You kill the huge whip spider**:

* The whip spider has fallen. The colony sacrificed many brave soldiers to pacify this beast. The queen will now works quickly to spawn their replacements.

**You encounter an army ant scout for the 1st time**:

* Occasionally, scouts will head out from the swarm frontier in search of live prey for the horde. If they find anything of significance they will call for reinforcements. A battalion of soldiers can respond in seconds.

**You encounter an army ant scout** *(randomized)*:

* An army ant scout has spotted the leafcutters! It must not be allowed to report back to the swarm.

* An army ant scouting party has spotted the leafcutters! They must not be allowed to report back to the swarm.

* The leafcutters have been spotted by a scout. If it escapes, it will call for reinforcement.

* The leafcutters have been spotted by a troop of army ant scouts. If they escape, they will call for reinforcement.

**You let an army ant scout escape** *(randomized)*:

* An army ant scout has reported recent leafcutter movements back to the swarm, enemy reinforcements are inbound!

* The leafcutters allowed an enemy scout to escape, a battalion of soldiers is inbound!

* Army ant scouts have reported recent leafcutter movements back to the swarm, enemy reinforcements are inbound!

* An enemy scouting party has alerted the swarm to the presence of the leafcutters!

**You kill a group of army ant scouts** *(randomized)*:

* The army ant scout has been silenced. The leafcutter can continue their work.

* The *Atta* soldiers managed to prevent the army ant scouts from returning to the swarm.

* An enemy scouting troop has been overwhelmed by the *Atta* soldiers.

**Army ants move to the next lane** *(loop)*:

* The swarm frontier is expanding toward the leafcutter nest.

* The army ants are extending their foraging activities. Space is running out.

* The *Eciton* soldier lines are bearing down on the nest; the leafcutters are about to be overrun.

**Army ants invade your nest for the 1st time**:

* The *Atta* nest is within the swarm's grasp. They will send waves of soldiers underground to strike at the heart of the colony.

**You push army ants back** *(randomized)*:

* Pushing eastwards is proving to be inefficient for the swarm. They will fan out, in other directions.

* After taking significant losses in their efforts to subdue the leafcutters, the swarm raiders have been pushed back. The leafcutters must press on to keep them at bay.

* The leafcutters are causing problems for the army ants and the swarm frontier is beginning to recede.

* The army ants are finding the *Atta* colony difficult to deal with. Less troublesome prey can be found elsewhere.

**You win**:

* Against impossible odds, the soldiers of the *Atta* stronghold met the tyrannical intruders with ferocious defiance time and time again. Unable to break their lines, and after tremendous losses, the army ant swarm has finally elected to move on. For the leafcutters, the ultimate trial… is over.

**You lose to army ants**:

* As the last of the *Atta* defenders fall, swarm raiders poured into the heart of the nest. They butchered the queen and dragged her larvae out into the sunlight. Against the might of the *Eciton* colony, this insignificant colony didn't stand a chance.

**You lose to other enemies**:

* In the relative calm between the swarm raids, the workers neglected their defensive responsibilities in their quest for unhindered foraging. Greed and arrogance led this colony to its demise.

## **Challenge mode**

**Mission begins**:

* Unfortunately for the ants, overground swarms of parasitic phorid flies are beginning to hatch. Leafcutter innards provide perfect incubation chambers for the young of these insidious insects.

**You encounter a phorid fly**:

* Phorid flies are attempting to lay eggs into the heads of ants on the foraging trail. Those traveling toward the leaves can defend themselves, those lumbered with cargo will need assistance.

**Phorid flies infect your ants**:

* A fly has injected one of the workers with an egg. The ant’s internal organ will be slowly dissolved and consumed by the developing larvae.