Scree

Aliases: Black Forest Ghost, Spirit of the Woods
Race: Klik Tripod
Aspects: Body 4, Soul 4
Sex: Neuter; Ht: 6' 4"; Wt: 700 lbs

"Scree-eeeee!!!"

Character Description/Notes: //Status: Flux-storm has terminated.\\--//ALERT!: Entire Node has experienced inter-dimensional displacement!\\--//Status: Preliminary scans indicate 87.2% probability of transference to primary Apoc biosphere.\\--//Directive: Dispatch all scout units to investigate, identify threats, and locate resources.\\

//ALERT!: Contact with scout unit 5C-233 severed!\\--//Directive: Reestablish contact.\\

//Status: Attempt to reestablish contact failed.\\--//Conclusion: 99.6% probability that Scout unit 5C-233 has been destroyed.\\

When a Flux-storm transported a small Klik Node to the Rocky Mountain Region of North America several months ago, 5C-233 ("Scree") was among the scouts deployed to explore the area. Scree was traveling to the southeast of the Node, toward a dense forest (known to the local inhabitants as Black Forest). As he neared the edge of the woods, he was attacked by a pair of Flux horrors. Retaliating with null pulses and relying heavily upon his weakening displacement field, Scree managed to drive the creatures away. Disoriented and severely damaged during the encounter, Scree stumbled off into the woods before collapsing.

When Scree returned to an active state, he felt different. In place of the faint susurrus emanating from the Klik Node, Scree heard the gentle song of the Black Forest. Startled, he leapt up from the ground, balanced on his three legs. Furtively glancing around, he attempted to locate the source of the song. Finally, the Tripod paused, allowing the song to flow through him. The mechanical code of the Great Machine gave way to the musical code of the woods. The Klik realized that his connection to the Node had been severed, only to be replaced by one with the mighty forest. Scree also discovered that the forest had repaired most of the damage inflicted by the Flux horrors, but that foliage had sprouted from various parts of his chassis. While his enigma engine and the components it supported were intact, Scree noted that other devices had been replaced entirely by vegetable matter.

Before being able to contemplate this further, Scree experienced a sense of dread. He instinctively knew that the forest was under attack. Setting off toward the cause, the Klik was oblivious to the fact that the terrain was unmarked by his passage. By comparison, the uprooted trees and great furrows of displaced earth led him directly to the enraged xenartha. With the forest crying out in anguish, Scree charged the enormous beast, spraying it with a gout of acid. Startled momentarily by this new ability, the Klik was struck by the monster. Recovering, Scree managed to avoid the beast long enough to slay it with null pulses.

After the encounter, Scree was able to spend the time necessary to study his transformation more closely. First, he found that he was no longer distressed by the loss of his link to the Node. Then, through trial and error Scree discovered his ability to move without leaving tracks (or other traces of his presence). The Tripod also realized that it had become extremely difficult to detect in the visual spectrum. Combined, these abilities granted him an amazing degree of stealth. In addition to his ability to discharge acid at close quarters and the regenerative qualities that the forest had bestowed upon him, Scree also discovered that he could produce an unsettling scream capable of panicking creatures. With his period of self-examination complete, the Klik turned his attention to what he had started to think of as his new Node: Black Forest itself. Scree traveled its width and breadth, familiarizing himself with the lay of the land.

Since that time, Scree has become the protector of the woodland. A shadowy presence, his uncanny stealth allows him to be virtually undetectable. No other being has yet discovered Scree, but many of the Churl who visit the forest have encountered him unknowingly. The Klik watches all who enter the Black Forest, and attempts to drive off with frightful screams (or failing that, destroy) those who would do harm to the woods.

While Scree has only been in the Black Forest for a few months, he has come to learn that the Churls who often visit the vast forest treat it with reverence. As such, he has felt a growing kinship toward them. On several occasions, Scree has intervened to protect the Churls from various dangers, always without being revealed. They have only managed a few fleeting glimpses of the Klik, his leafy appearance giving the suggestion that the forest had come alive. Attributing these occurrences to a guardian spirit, the Churls unknowingly refer to Scree as the "Black Forest Ghost" or the "Spirit of the Woods."

Scree has become interested in one of the Churls in particular, a spear-wielding female with scars on the right side of her face and the adjacent arm. He has sensed that, like him, this Churl also hears the song of the Black Forest. As of yet, Scree hasn't attempted to make contact, but as the scarred Churl visits the woods frequently, he feels that it will only be a matter of time.

Tactics: Scree typically begins an engagement by releasing a terrifying scream in an attempt to scare off those that would harm the forest. If that fails, he attempts to sneak close to his opponents while calling upon the local plants to entangle them. Scree then blasts nearby foes with acid, while launching a barrage of null pulses at distant targets. The strange Klik always uses his knowledge of the local terrain, concealing himself whenever possible and herding unsuspecting foes toward gullies or thorn-covered thickets.

Fanonical? What?

Fanonical posts are a new thing here at Untoldthegame.com, and as far as we know, something new to RPG's in general. We've talked about our Open Campaign Setting from "Day 1" around here, but we've not made much fuss of it so far. Well, that's about to end...

Basically, "fanonical" is a word we've coined based on the term canonical. Something that is canonical, or canon, is something that is accepted as being the truth or the "way that it is". In RPG's, something that is "canon" is something that has been "blessed and sanctioned" by whomever owns the IP. For instance, if you know anything about the Dresden Files RPG, you know that Dresden is a guy, not a girl - stuff like that is "canon".

Well, "fanonical" is like one mini-step below that. Fanonical posts are those submitted by fans that have become accepted as part of Splintered Serenity. They are now an official part of our shared game world and may even become part of the cards themselves! If you're interested in joining up with us and growing this world (and those to come), simply leave a comment below, or drop Ashy and email: ashy [at symbol] untoldthegame [dot symbol] com!

Keep and eye peeled for even more Fanoical posts to come!