When the creatures stand, it’s apparent that they have hundreds of legs, each as big around as a man’s wrist. Their standing heights are 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m), and their bodies are typically twice that in length. Scutimorphs have a pair of large front pincers that protrude when the creatures feel threatened.
Oddly enough you feel that the small girl is the one controlling the scutimorph. You also detect a third presence, a second rider hidden from view from afar.
As the scutimorph gets close, you notice that it carried not 1, but two riders. There is a boy sitting behind the small girl, crouched down, clearly injured, and hidden from view from afar.
Neither of the riders bare any of the marks Peregrines, and their pants are not stained with the telltale blue-green hem.
The scutimorph slows and stops at your 'welcoming party.' The scutimorph brandishing large pincers from from its front if anyone comes close to it or its riders.
Laris keeps well away from the pincers, and speaks up.
"Hello travelers, interesting pet you have there... your friend looks injured, is there anything we can do to help?"
She removes her hand from the hilt of her sword, and keeps her stance open and non-threatening.
Jake steps forward flanking Laris.
Bobby Diamond will stare in disbelief a bit and slowly unstring and put away his bow.
Kwiz'mie focuses on the scutimorph and the kids. Thinking to himself, Something doesn't seem right.
"Good morning. Your friend seems injured, please let us help."
Sal steps forward, trying to stay out of the reach of these dreadfull looking pincers while offering to help.
The boy riding in back slowly lifts his head and looks out at the lot of you. Hello... he says weakly My name is Patel, this is my sister Seria. Our family was attacked by a group of pallones. Please... Take my sister to the Cylion Basin, she needs protection. I must return and defend my family from the attackers.
With that, both of the riders dismount. Seria helps her brother approach, and he quickly puts her in front of his person and urges her towards you.
How far off is your home, Patel?
Kwiz focuses on his cane and blows a small tune as a bird appears on the cane. After whispering a short message, he sends the bird to land on Larsis' ear at which point it whispers a message to Larsis "I don't know how, but that girl is controlling the scutimorph. Be careful."
Something is very odd here...
"Patel, your injuries seem severe, can we at least take a look at you?"
Laris keeps an eye on the girl, anything seem odd about her?
I only ask, Patel, because we may be able to aid you after dropping your sister off.
Voss cranes his neck upward as the huge creature arrives in a cloud of dust. Staring with intense curiosity, he watches the two....children...descend from the beast.
As the others barrage the boy and girl with questions, Voss thinks back to his own experiences...pallones, has he heard of such things before?
Voss tries to remember if he's heard anything about pallones
Patel answers Jake's question first, My home... I am not sure exactly... Traveling quickly by foot would likely take about a day and a half or two days... The scutimorph was able to get us here much more quickly, but I doubt that will work for the lot of you.
Seria then turns to Larsis. I... It just... I'm fine. I can make it to the Cylion Basin by myself, go with my brother and help him and my family deal with the Pallones.
Patel shakes his head in disagreement, looking at Laris Please, my injuries are not life threatening, and I do not have time to waste here. I will be fine to make it to the False Woods and help my family with the Pallones. As you have discerned... My sister is special, she needs protection. Please take her to the Cylion Basin and do not worry about me.
Seria, the only time she is vocal stamps a foot, Patel, you are being foolish. I am fine, and able to take care of myself. She steps away from the scutimorph who gives a wide look over everyone, then rears up, turns, and runs the direction from which it came. Please brave people, help my brother in the False Woods.
Patel turns back to Jake after the scutimorph has left. The false woods are that way He points to the Northeast the Cylion Basin is that way He points to the Southwest, and then puts pressure on his wounds, wincing a little.
"I am really not sure... I don't want to let anyone of you two go alone."
Sal turns to Patel, her face showing that she is concerned and still weighing the alternatives.
"You are sure you are ok? Your family is waiting in the woods for you?"
Patel nods at Sal. Yes, our home is in the False Woods, my family will be there defending it from the Pallones.
Seria then shakes her head, Do not listen to him! Can't you see he is injured? Go with him and help our family, I can make it to the Cylion Basin.
Choices, choices...
Having followed the conversation in silence , Voss steps forward and says "Your sister is safe now, that you have both done well to do. Now the pressing matter is the safety of your family. If pallones are attacking your homestead, time is of the essense. "
Turning to Larsis, he says "I for one am returning with the lad to help his family."
Indeed, Voss, I concur. Shall we, then?
Bobby nods as well.
"I am afraid, you are right, Voss. The boy is injured and we shouldn't let him go alone."
Laris bows her head in assent, she'll accompany Patel with the others.
From within the shadows Galtar speaks, "The boy is brave, but foolish to aid his people in this injured state. It is wise to accompany him to the False Woods. I would be happy to escort Seria to the Cylion Basin and double back to meet up with you in the False Woods."
I would suggest we stick together, but in the event we do separate, I can travel quickly over great distances. Seria, do you know how to get to the Cylion Basin from here?
Nodding in respect at the gals decision larsis sheaths his blade and turns towards Kwiz"shall we accompany him?"
Kwiz steps out from behind his illusion and smiles as he twirls his cane, "I think it is tea time in the forest. Let's go!"
Patel hangs his head and shakes it, She is the one that needs your help... It appears she has exerted her influence over you as well...
Seria smiles and looks to Jake with a big nod. She begins heading of the direction that was pointed out to you earlier, as she does, she reaches out and puts a hand on Larsis Thank you for listening to reason, and being so brave in helping my family. I wish the best With that she removes her hand and bows, but...
With that you head out towards the False Woods, Patel was correct in that it takes about a day and half traveling conservatively by foot.
From far away, the False Woods appears be an actual forest, probably one that was cultivated. All of the large trees appear to be the same diameter and the same height. Only when you get closer do you discover that the name “False Woods” is more than apt. This was once a sort of structure, but now it appears more like a grove of trees. However, the trees are not trees at all, but a field of synth tubes covered in a living mesh at the top.
Each brown-grey tube begins about 2 feet (0.6 m) above the ground and rises 20 (6.1 m) feet into the air. The tubes are about 10 feet (3 m) in diameter and hollow on the inside. A large scutimorph wraps around each tube, and the creature’s rough and cobbled brown exoskeleton makes the tube look like a real tree trunk.
Stopping on a rise ,looking down upon the False Woods with arms crossed, Voss comments to Patel "Your people found a curious place to live...do not the, what were they called, scutimorphs? Do they not object to your people living among them?"
Aye, are they all your pets like the one you rode here, or are they a threat that we should concern ourselves with?
The Scutimorphs are mostly interested in self defense. If you leave them alone, they should leave us alone. My sister is the only one that I know of who has been able to ride one. Most of them would make themselves slippery to avoid holding a rider, and then if pestered further, would attack.
"How did she manage to do that? I've never heard of someone taming those creatures"
She stands next to voss on the rise, looking down upon the woods.
"So where is your family nad where are those Pallones?"
"Thanks for the warning."
Says Bobby with a wink.
Lady Laris raises an eyebrow at Sal. "I doubt I'm the most well travelled of us all, and even if I've seen things which are... odd. If I can do this..." Laris sweeps a hand through her hair and it changes from lustrous black to a deep blue, "then I'm sure someone more gifted can influence these simple creatures."
Sal smiles friendly at Lady Laris display of her abilities.
"You are right, Laris. I think, I am just not good with manipulating living things²
Kwiz looks at the "trees" and whistles, "Those are quite interesting. What prey tell are they?"
Patel looks to Sal, My family is on the other side of the woods, we'll have to go through before we get to them.
Lead the way, Patel.
Galtar continues through the woods, bow at the ready on the lookout for pallones.
Bobby will draw and string his bow, eyes open for danger.
Jake draws his Raper and Dagger and moves forward with Larsis flanking him.
Come forward, Lady Laris, join us, and be prepared for a fight.
Sal has her dagger drawn, while she follows the others through the woods, ever on the lookout for surprises.
Laris draws her sword, it's blade glittering sapphire. She stays by Jake's side as he accompanies Larsis.
After staring curiously at the "trees" and their strange companions, Voss shoulders his sword-staff and accompanies the other through the "Forest"
Kwiz moves to follow Larsis. Tapping his cane, a flurry of lights briefly surronds Kwiz, "Ready when you are."