Containing Demishade
Sheltage
Well, who else to start this psiclopedia than one of my own? After all, who couldn't appreciate the visual of a Sheltage chain, helping to observe the local populace? I mean, most people aren't like that Merrow who threw rocks at me the other day. I mean, who is to talk when I've seen them psilogging onto Bulbflash. You know that site is just empty posturing and politic-[RECORDING PAUSED]
Description:
This Demishade looks like a small bird cage whose “chain” is actually a tail ending in a stinger. They fly around using a round, ragged membrane that resembles fabric covering it at rest.
Biology:
Only barely capable of movement when grounded, the Sheltage relies on flying with the membrane on its upper body, pulsing not unlike a jellyfish as it floats through the air. Its “cage” is made of a bonelike material, capable of surrounding and enclosing creatures smaller than it and harassing anything larger. If anything proves too resistant, the claw ending its tough and prehensile tail can inject a powerful sedative.
Behavior:
The Sheltage's main purpose seems to be the collection, analysis, and movement of retrofauna populations. They are often created in groups, working in tandem to ferry everything from roofrats to criwis to wherever the city needs them most. It isn't uncommon to see them before or after the scenes of a Wyworg's rampage, moving a portion of survivors to a place where they are less likely to cause damage.
Due to their lack of combat prowess, Sheltages tend to be non-confrontational and polite, especially to anything larger than themselves. When among their own kind (or anything else they trust enough), however, they'll often be a lot more honest in their opinions. Due to this, the visual of multiple Sheltages hanging from their tails has sometimes been used as a symbol of gossipy and two-faced behavior.
Statblock:
Small Demishade, Brawn 3/Brain 5, Scan 18
Eyes: The Ground Below: [PERCEIVE 1d10 vision/brains] E1
Crystoform: Demishade Directive: [CORRAL +2d10 retrofauna] E2
Wings: Flapping [MOVE flying] [DASH 1] E2
Tail: Tranquilizer: [INFLICT 1d10 pacified, inhibited/brawn] [COMBINE 1] E2
Cage: Catch and Trap: [ENGULF 2d10/brawn] [CLING] E4
Points: 8Endurance: 11
