[Index]
Numenera Discovery
Resembling large dogs in stature and movement, these four-footed creatures are covered in hard, overlapping scales. The intricate patterns on the scales range from greenish-brown to black-and-white spotted to the reddish hue of embered coals. From their backs grow a mass of organic crystals. Standing about knee-high to most humans, seskii have large teeth, pointed ears, and sharp, pointed tails.
Nanos and numenera crafters value seskii crystals as useful components in information storage devices. Occasionally, seskii shed the crystals naturally, but more often, they must be cut from the creatures. Crystal poaching is common.
Motive: Hunger or loyalty
Environment: Anywhere, even urban areas
Health: 6
Damage Inflicted: Minor wound (2 points)
Armor: 2
Movement: Long
Modifications: Attacks as level 3 if wearing any type of manufactured armor, including a spiked collar, daggered tail cover, or synthclaws. Defends against piercing weapons as level 3.
Combat: Seskii typically attack with their teeth and the sharp tips of their tails, although they might also claw or pounce. While the crystals provide armor, their scales provide them with additional protection against piercing weapons.
Interaction: Seskii engage in combat for one of two reasons: hunger or loyalty.
When hungry, they often attack anything that seems edible, including other seskii. When they attack humans, it is typically to snatch any food being carried and race off with it, rather than to eat human flesh.
In terms of loyalty, seskii may become particularly devoted to anything and anyone, including other seskii, humans, statues that seem like creatures, and places they call home. They will fight to the death to defend a place or person they deem as their own.
If a seskii in the wild is wearing manufactured armor, it means the creature was once someone's favored companion. There is a good chance that the person is now long dead, as a seskii would not willingly leave their person's side while they were still alive.
Use: Intelligent and loyal companions, seskii can be trained in various methods of hunting, stealth, and attack by those who have skills with animals. Many humans outfit their seskii with special types of weapons and armor—spiked collars are a favorite.
GM Intrusion: The seskii is so tenacious that it continues to fight even after its health is gone; treat the creature as if it had 10 more health than normal. Further, in this state, it inflicts 1 additional minor wound (1 point).