hadriel | ✘ Round 9

Greetings, residents of this city-prison. Now that we have been transported to a new land, an environment that I imagine must be significantly harsher for most of you, I feel that it now may be a pertinent time to make an offer.

I am not bothered by this climate; in fact, I thrive in it. [He's not going to switch on the video and show why; even after years of being stuck here, Glacius is still wary about how and to whom he reveals himself.] So, I am offering my services as a hunter and forager to those that may be worried about their abilities to provide for themselves in the long-term. There is wildlife here that can be hunted for their meat, pelt, and parts; I can procure and deliver such items to you, should you need them. I estimate that I could feed a handful of you every couple of days without risking overhunting; I am capable of providing more, and every day at that, but we do not want to abuse and deplete what resources are naturally available to us. [Every hunter should know how to respect the lands, after all—especially when they do not have not-so-benevolent god-beings to magically manifest things for them. Glacius has always tried to remain self-sufficient from them wherever possible; now it is time to help others do the same.]

So ask of me if you have need, and I will manage the logistics of providing as much I can without overhunting. I already hunt for my partner and I and regularly patrol to be sure that no threats prowl too close to us, so this is not far out of my way.

[He seems like he might leave it at that, but after a moment he adds on:] Ah, and as far as plants go... they exist, as I imagine most of you know by now, but they are sparse. I have managed to absorb nutrients from some of them, but you are likely better relying on the orchards and perhaps the gardens should you make an arrangement with their owners. I have also determined that water is available deep under the ice of frozen bodies of water, but I am not certain whether or not it needs to be purified to be safe for your consumption.

So these are my findings and my offers. Rest assured, we can survive just fine without the absence of the gods, and I will do what I can to make it so.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A low, contemplative rumble rolls out of the alien's throat. This one has a different manner to him than most of the other replies he has received, slightly more crass and hurried, but what he is offering... still useful.] I am willing. It would be wise for people to know what awaits them in these tundras, especially of the beasts that could pose great risks to them.

[Sometimes self-preservation does not seem to be a strong suit of the people that are stuck here, but hopefully awareness of dangerous predators will keep people from traipsing off into the wilds too carelessly.]

Awesome, thanks. What sort of wildlife have you seen out there? I haven't really, uh, ventured too far out of town just yet.

[In other words, he's been sticking almost exclusively to the lab with the occasional jaunt to his house.]

You probably should not venture too far out unless you are equipped to survive and defend for yourself. [Glacius is always one to caution, not wanting people to end up getting hurt.] As for your inquiries, there are a number of different creatures; we are, after all, in a strange environment with its own complex ecosystem. There is everything from small scurrying mammals to larger apex predator beasts. Most of what I have seen seem to be closest to mammals; there are some that scurry, some that fly, and some that lumber. I have also, however, seen much stranger beings, especially as you get closer to the hills and mountains.

Which would you like me to describe to you first?

[Newt regards the caution with a tsk. He knows, dude. He's not stupid, and he doesn't like being reminded that he's pretty useless in survival situations. But he leaves it at that, not wanting to piss off a potential new ally right off the bat. He's learning.

Sort of.]

Yeah, trust me, guy. I understand the whole "complex ecosystem" thing. Tell me about these apex predators.

[Though he has somewhat similar beasts on his homeworld, Glacius has unfortunately never learned the word "mammoth", so he won't be able to describe them as such. Hopefully the rest of his learned common will suffice.] Ehm... mammals, I believe. They have warm blood and thick fur coats, though I have not observed the way they birth or nurse young to give a more certain classification. They also get rather large—the largest I have observed thus far was about eight feet long—and travel in herds.

While not insatiably aggressive, they do seem to be active hunters; I have noticed them taking interest in the city, with a number of these herds moving closer to our borders. As far as their hunting techniques go, they possess the odd ability to tuck their limbs up under their thick coats for protection, only to snap out with maws lined with rows of sharp teeth when an aggressor draws near. This technique seems to serve them well; I have seen other predators tire of trying to strike against their natural defenses, only to be dealt grave wounds when frustrated and exhausted, and smaller, more unwitting beasts have been easily picked off thinking that the threat has turned its attention elsewhere.

There may be other vicious creatures lurking further out, but these are the most predominant predators that I have noticed thus far.

[Whoa. Yeah, these guys sound like they might become a problem in the future, but for now? Very cool stuff.]

So, when you say they've taken an interest in the city, what does that mean? Are these guys an immediate threat? And how big are the herds, exactly?

I do not believe them to be an immediate threat; I do not believe they are intelligent enough to attempt an organized assault on us, nor do I believe they are aggressive enough to wander right into the middle of a highly populated area. Rather, I believe they lurk in the outskirts, hoping they might pick off any who break away from our own "herd"... which is exactly why I have advised you all not to stray past the city limits. Hopefully, my observation and hunts will keep them in check, but I cannot keep an eye on every animal.

The herds themselves usually contain six or seven individuals. The largest I have seen thus far was a herd of eight. There may be outliers, but this is the most consistent range I have noticed.

Well, good. It sounds like one of their groups wouldn't be large enough to take on the city. Hopefully, anyway.

[He's seen crazier crap happen in nature, but still, this is good news.]

Would you be able to get some pictures of them for me? And the other stuff you mentioned?

Yes... yes, I can do that. Would you like me to just send the images to you on these little devices?

[Glacius has never really been involved in the study and documentation of nature like this before; his interest has certainly perked up. It is always exciting to learn new things, and to be useful in new ways!]

[Newt laughs. He can't imagine living in a time with no technology, and he finds it pretty adorable when other people aren't quite sure what they're dealing with tech-wise. It's condescending, probably, but he doesn't notice.]

Yeah, that'd be great. I appreciate the help, man. I'm Newt, by the way.

[In Glacius' case, it is actually the exact opposite of Newt's condescending; he comes from a race that has developed such advanced technology that what they're working with here is confoundingly primitive, at times. It's why he asks for clarification in moments like this, to be sure that he's using it in a way that will be expected and understandable to those who are accustomed to it.

Also somewhat perplexing is the name—is that not an earth amphibian?—but he will choose not to comment on in and simply introduce himself in turn.] And I am Glacius. I will send whatever information I can to you.

[And, really, they'll be good images. Newt can expect to get a little bit of everything over the coming days; everything from videos taken from afar that show how various creatures move and feed, to up-close documentation of specimens both living and dead. The living ones have their limbs restrained in ice prior to the alien giving them a quick and merciful end, and then once they have been felled he takes up-close shots of their natural weapons such as teeth, claws, or tusks. Once Glacius has dedicated himself to something, he never half-asses it.]

Sweet, thank you. I'll be around the lab if you ever want to stop by.

[But he greatly appreciates all the fine nature documentation from his new friend out in the field. You're a pal, Glacius!]

[Glacius will be forever perplexed by the humans of this world being so quick to label him as a "pal" or a friend, but he's not aggrieved by it.] Perhaps I will take you up on that offer soon... I have not been to the lab in some time. What sorts of things are you currently keeping and researching there?

✘ Round 9 | [Audio]

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