...lend me your brains! Don't worry; I'll give them back. I just want
to...borrow them.
One of the local Dollar Stores is selling four different kinds of "Star Wars
Batle Bags". Bags which, to quote the ad copy on the back of the package,
"...OOZE WITH EXCITEMENT!" Yes, that's right. Ooze. But, buried within that
ooze, are: Creatures. Strange alien creatures. FULLY (and NICELY) PAINTED
creatures. In 25mm scale, no less.
Two of these bags contain sea creatures, and are pretty useless to me. The
other two bags contain Swamp Creatures...which are quite useful. Most of
these animals have pretty obvious uses -- one of the packs contains a
creature with a saddle that looks to be perfect for a 25mm rider -- and
I already have plans to work them into different scenarios.
However, one animal continues to puzzle me:
http://www.geocities.com/johnxcrim/Graphics/Animal.jpg
The "Pikobis", shown here with a GZG UN trooper for scale. What I would like
is some suggestions on how to use this curious beastie. What are its habits?
Is it dangerous? How can I work it into an SGII scenario? Be creative, be
absurd, be...whatever. I've got ten of these cute little guys, and I don't
want them to just sit around gathering dust.
I'm just about brain dead tonight, and I want to hear some ideas, that's all.
And I have found that the people on this list tend to have some pretty good
(and entertaining) ideas. So what do you xenobiologists out there think?
G'day John,
The Pikobis macrostomus (known in most xeno labs as the Demon Duck of Doom) is
the most common predator of the Aotopogi archipelago, though they are
now quite widespread in the Lavackii sector as they were transplanted as a
potential food source. These incredibly intelligent creatures closely resemble
a cross between terrestrial dinosaurs, of the raptor complex, and members of
the large ratites (for example moas). In their native lands, they occupy all
land types from coastal sand dunes up to alpine altitudes, though they prefer
dense rainforests. Primarily a browsing species they use their fine fingers to
pluck fresh shouts from the thorn bushes so common in their native
archipelago, but their dexterity has seen their diet spread to include small
animals, arthropods and fungi collected from the lower levels of shrub of
their homes and they have even be known to fish the migratory Charbut on their
annual spawning runs (picking up the eager migrants as they try to swim up
waterfalls and pass sandbars, much as terrestrial grizzlies catch salmon).
They exhibit small scale pack, or family group,
behaviour and will often cooperative to clear a feeding area of all accessible
food. Their elongated larynx allows them to produce long and low trumpeting
sounds which can be heard for a great distance, this allows them to locate
mates despite their fairly low local densities. While not naturally aggressive
towards beings as large as humans, they can be come
extremely violent if they are cornered, threatened or startled. The
combination of their heavy beak, stubby grasping teeth, strong legs and the
razor-sharp claws which tip each of their digits is quite an effective
on and even body armour will not necessarily save you from a killer blow.
However, do not let their lethal potential deter you. If raised from before
hatching they make exceptionally loyal companions which also double as good
mounts and keen look-outs (as evidenced by the extensive use by the
forest militias of Grandaplout 5).
So John you could have a hapless band stumble across these guys
mid-patrol,
not only would all the commotion attract the enemy, but it is down right
deadly in its own right. Another option would be to have them in a pen beside
camp... nice little alert device if anyone tries to sneak into camp... mind
you if they were turned lose it'd be an AWFUL long walk back to friendly
bases.
Just a couple of ideas for you.
Have fun
Beth
> http://www.geocities.com/johnxcrim/Graphics/Animal.jpg
Pseudopsittacus Maximus (Largest Pseudo-Parrot) or Pikobis
The Pikobis is a warm-blooded pack hunter, similar in many ways to
Velociraptor and other Raptor dinosaurs of ancient Earth. One of many similar
creatures found on Rigel IV, generally it feeds only the largest of prey, the
Macropodia Gigantica, which resemble small mountains. Normally bipedal, the
method of attack (if you can call it that) is to leap upon the Macropod's
tail, run up the back with the help of its forefeet, then bury its long beak
deep in the skin of the victim.
It secretes both analgesics and anti-clotting agents, and feeds upon as
much
as it can eat beneath the Macropod's 2-metre thick hide. By the time the
pain signal has reached the Macropod's nearest neural knot, the Picobis is
long gone. Thus it resembles both a Vampire Bat and a Mosquito, albeit on a
considerably larger scale. The Pikobis also is not averse to feeding upon the
other parasites found on the larger Macropods, and thus could theoretically
pose a danger to humans, but few attacks have been recorded, and those only in
nesting grounds.
The Pikobis is also a carrion-eater, using its long neck and beak to
probe deep into the carcass, much like a vulture or buzzard. Approach any
group of Picobi feeding with caution, as they are very territorial about their
food. The Pikobis follows a very conventional social pattern, that of a harem
of females hunting for young and an alpha male, with opportunistic bachelors
nearby, similar to Lions. Unlike many of its close relatives, the Pikobis is
not particularly bright. It is, however, curious. And it does have a unique
talent, which gives it its name. It is, with the possible exception of Earth's
Australian Lyrebird, the best mimic in the known Galaxy. Unlike the lyrebird,
it is capable of generating audio signals up to 120 dB, comparable with an
unsilenced Jet Engine at 1 meter.
***
The "Pikobis", shown here with a GZG UN trooper for scale. What I would like
is some suggestions on how to use this curious beastie.
***
Mount or pack animal.
The_Beast
-Douglas J. Evans, curmudgeon
One World, one Web, one Program - Microsoft promotional ad
Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer - Adolf Hitler
> At 05:44 AM 7/27/00 GMT, you wrote:
[...snipped, but saved!]
Thank you, and thanks to Beth too! One of my hair-brained ideas that
will probably never get off the ground is to put up a page full of alien
animals, with stats for several systems and suggestions on how to use them in
miniatures games. I advise no one to hold their breath, but I do think that
it's a really neat idea.
From: "John Crimmins" <johncrim@voicenet.com>
> >>http://www.geocities.com/johnxcrim/Graphics/Animal.jpg