|
Gremlins
There are two distinct subspecies of Gremlins that are catalogued at this time. The
smaller, weaker ones (Thiefus Plainus) have a colony south of Dundee in Valorn. The other subspecies,
(Thiefus Mountainus) has a colony in the vicinity of an abandoned mining outpost to the north of Branishor.
Both share some similarities.
By their nature, Gremlins appear attracted to items that are not their own. Perhaps it is akin to the mating
rituals of other species where the amount of items owned are heaped up to attract interested mates. Or perhaps
it is a marker of status and unbeknownst to us Gremlins quarrel over each item with only the strongest keeping
them with the smaller, weaker ones cast out to raid and search for new trinkets.
The latter theory may well be true as Gremlins have been known to raid the market areas in nearby towns.
However, no certainty is yet given to this theory as the day to day life of Gremlins is difficult to observe due
to their secretive nature and tendency to attack visitors.
A Gremlin scout has been seen in recent days in the Dundee Inn, although it is a rarity.
Plains Gremlin
Thiefus Plainus is smaller than a human – coming up mid-waist on some of the taller human subspecies
Adventurous. Their skin is sallow, perhaps from the amount of time spent underground, and their gnarled,
almost clawlike hands are more dexterous then they appear. They have been known to pilfer and steal even
gems from their settings. (See the monograph “They Stole What? The Defilement and Subsequent Refurbishment of
the Statue of High King Deek on the Plains.”)
Within this subspecies it appears that there are several groupings. The feeblest are cast out of the colony and
left to scout out new locations for dwelling and pilfering. As mentioned previously, one specimen of Thiefus
Plainus Skulkus (Gremlin Scout) was found in the Dundee Inn. Unfortunately, before it could be preserved for
scientific purposes it was shoved down the Abyss and lost for all time. From the brief description given, it
was smaller than even the smallest reported adult found in the Hollow Tree Colony. It has not yet been proven
if the differences between gremlins in the colony are distinct enough to label them distinct groupings or not.
They are mostly identified by the tools they carry in the case of Thiefus Plainus Scrapus (Scrappy Gremlin
Engineer) and by temperament in the case of Feistus and Fiercus.
Mountain Gremlin
Thiefus Mountainus is larger than its plains cousin. The skin is a bit less sallow, perhaps indicative of the
longer amounts of time spent outdoors. The chest cavity is larger, enabling it to operate at higher altitudes.
Unlike with the Plainus subspecies, the Skulkus nomenclature does not denote a significantly weaker creature.
Both known groupings of Thiefus Mountainous are strong enough to keep the creatures of the black wastelands from
impinging on their hunting grounds. Their specific family structure is unknown.
Both subspecies raid local towns with frequency, spending time attempting to loot the markets and in some
instances the bathrooms. It is still unknown why some gremlins are driven to loot the bathrooms of the Dundee inn,
for no scholar has yet expressed a willingness to research it.
Cribbins Wattlestaff: “Little thieving scallywags, gremlins!”
Shirila Moonlight: “They are trying to survive by whatever means they can. They do us no harm lest we enter their dwellings. Then they attack to defend. Nothing more.”
Atia-Gremlin when asked about the gremlin lifestyle: Gremlinsss lifesssies? Isss good, when theres is stuffsiesss to collect. Yous people alwaysss leaving special stuffsiesss lying around.
 Gremlin Girl of Dundee by Synvasti Shymere
by Asrai
|
|
