Animal Encounters

[mancerbear]

In an earlier post I asked if anyone had current stats for the poni. Eventually, I put together stats based on a T5 description, then followed it up with stats for the kian. I'm thinking that a thread where people can post their beasties, either original or converted would be a good idea. I'll start by adding the poni and Kina, then do more as I go along. Feel free to add your own

 

[mancerbear]

PONI
Originally a beast of burden found on several worlds of the Sylean Federation, this 8 legged, armoured grazer has been spread thought the Imperium, even gracing the logo of the IISS X-Boat service.

Hits 55
Speed 27m
Skills Melee (bite) 0, Melee (trample) 2, Recon 1, Survival 2
Attacks Bite 2D, Trample 4D
Traits Armour (+1), Large (+3)
Behaviour Herbivore, Grazer

 

[mancerbear]

KIAN
Large herbivorous grazers native to Prilissa ( Trin's Veil / Spinward Marches 3035). The kian (scientific name Pseudostruthio gigas) are large bipedal animals with long necks, short tails, and no other limbs. Their legs are powerfully muscled for fast movement over long distances. Hearing and eyesight are extremely good, reflecting their original predator-laden environment. Kian are thickly furred, their coats showing distinctive colour patterns of brown, gold, lemon-yellow, and black.

A closed circulatory system and a high metabolic rate requires that kian eat 30-50 kilograms of vegetable matter daily. The digestive system consists of two stomachs, which allow the animal to break down the toughest plant life into digestible matter. A thick layer of fat insulates in cooler climes, and protects from venomous bites or stings of some small animals.

Kian are plains dwellers, travelling in herds of 10 to 60. When attacked or frightened, kian will usually flee. If cornered, they can deliver deadly kicks with either hooved foot. The large claws projecting from the backs of the feet are present only in the male, and seem to be used solely for ritual combat between males before mating.

Due to their hardy nature, kian were exported as beasts of burden, and are now common in the coreward reaches, both domesticated and in the wild. The sturdiness of their overall frames has made them a frequent choice for use as mounts and pack animals. Kian can carry up to 250kg comfortably, and will refuse to move if overloaded. They cannot tolerate thin atmospheres, and require a special filter/muzzle (Cr50) for tainted atmospheres.

Hits 29
Speed 25m
Skills Melee (kick) 1, Recon 2, Survival 2
Attacks Kick 2D
Traits Armour (+1), Fast Metabolism (+1), Large (+1)
Behaviour Herbivore, Grazer

 

[mancerbear]

Here's a little beastie that I just put together now. Astute players will recognise my source material

PINBACK’S MARSH BALL
A small omnivore hunter found on several worlds in the Spinward Marches, feeling most at home in swampy or wet environments. Excellent climbers, Marsh Balls spend the majority of time in trees as they are excellent climbers.

Pinback’s Marsh Ball, purportedly named after the scout who discovered it, is a spherical creature consisting of several specialised symbiotic organisms that cannot survive independently. The main body comprises of an gas filled sack that is normally brown in colour, and mottled with rings of a darker brown exterior with a pale interior. When excited, the rings change colour to bright blue. The sack also contains the creature’s brain, digestive tract, and other organs. When a bright light is shined through the sack it proves to be somewhat translucent, exposing the supporting cartilage and organs located in the lower quarter. At the bottom of the sack are two scaled partially webbed claws between which is the combined mouth and vent. While the Marsh Ball will quite happily subsist on foraged plant matter, they will happily consume small animals and insects opportunistically.

Pinback’s Marsh Balls can make reasonable pets. They are loyal and relatively affectionate, if not somewhat wilful. They can become bored easily if not engaged in a stimulating manner. A mistreated Marsh Ball can become aggressive and extremely dangerous. Because of their tendency to take small prey, Marsh Balls can be frequently found on spaceships to keep vermin under control.

Hits 7
Speed 4m
Skills Melee (unarmed) 2, Recon 1, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Attacks Claws D3+1
Traits Small (-2)
Behaviour Omnivore, Hunter

 

[Rick]

Here's a little beastie that I just put together now. Astute players will recognise my source material

PINBACK’S MARSH BALL
A small omnivore hunter found on several worlds in the Spinward Marches, feeling most at home in swampy or wet environments. Excellent climbers, Marsh Balls spend the majority of time in trees as they are excellent climbers.

Pinback’s Marsh Ball, purportedly named after the scout who discovered it, is a spherical creature consisting of several specialised symbiotic organisms that cannot survive independently. The main body comprises of an gas filled sack that is normally brown in colour, and mottled with rings of a darker brown exterior with a pale interior. When excited, the rings change colour to bright blue. The sack also contains the creature’s brain, digestive tract, and other organs. When a bright light is shined through the sack it proves to be somewhat translucent, exposing the supporting cartilage and organs located in the lower quarter. At the bottom of the sack are two scaled partially webbed claws between which is the combined mouth and vent. While the Marsh Ball will quite happily subsist on foraged plant matter, they will happily consume small animals and insects opportunistically.

Pinback’s Marsh Balls can make reasonable pets. They are loyal and relatively affectionate, if not somewhat wilful. They can become bored easily if not engaged in a stimulating manner. A mistreated Marsh Ball can become aggressive and extremely dangerous. Because of their tendency to take small prey, Marsh Balls can be frequently found on spaceships to keep vermin under control.

Hits 7
Speed 4m
Skills Melee (unarmed) 2, Recon 1, Stealth 1, Survival 2
Attacks Claws D3+1
Traits Small (-2)
Behaviour Omnivore, Hunter

Yup - got it quickly! Nicely done sir!

 

[mancerbear]

Thank you sir

 

[mancerbear]

Here's a beastie I put together today. I'll be doing a few more critters from Mithril, as my Travellers' second adventure will have them surveying Mithril while their j-drive is being repaired.

TUSHCAT
A large predator native to Mithril (Sword Worlds/Spinward Marches 1628). Tushcats are large quadruped carnivores found primarily on the ice and snow fields where they hunt prey. They are heavily muscled with a thick layer of blubber under their heavy fur which insulates them from the cold. Their fur is white with grey stripes which acts as effective camouflage in their native environment.

Tushcats have a bony interior skeleton and a closed circulatory system. The digestive system consists of a single stomach and comparatively short digestive system common to carnivores. Both the male and the female have large tusks while only the males have horns. The tusks used primarily in threat displays and courtship. Their feet are broad and bluntly clawed to assist walking on snow. They are extremely strong animals, and a single blow from one of their paws can easily ground prey twice their size.

Tushcats lay 3-5 small eggs which they incubate in a pouch located on the belly of the female. When the eggs hatch, the young are deposited into a nest dug out of the snow. The female leaves the nest only to hunt until the young are old enough to accompany her.

Solitary by nature and highly territorial, Tushcats are either encountered singly or as a mother with her young. They attack from ambush, hiding in the snow and suddenly attacking first with their blunt claws to knock their prey off their feet and then with a bite to dispatch it

Hits 45
Speed 20m
Skills Athletics (dexterity 1), Melee (natural) 2, Recon 1, Stealth 4, Survival 2
Attacks Bite (3D), Claws 3D+2)
Traits Armour (+2), Fast Metabolism (+2), Heightened Senses, Large (+2)
Behaviour Carnivore, Pouncer