2022-10-20

kengr: (Default)
2022-10-20 01:49 am

fantasy ecology

While reading an e-book the other day, I ran across an example of fantasy ecology that's been rather overlooked.

Our Hero has the body of an 8-year-old, but the knowledge of someone a lot older. He's set up his camp in a cave behind a waterfall in an isolated glen.

He's out hunting one day when he sees a dragon flying overhead, apparently heading for the glen. He hides, then finishes his hunt and approaches the glen with *extreme* caution.

The dragon isn't there. But it definitely *was* there. He can tell this by the 5-foot long, waist-high dragon turd...

This presents problems. For one, it *reeks*. Also upon approaching it, he's attacked by several worm-like parasite, as thick as his arm.

After dealing with them, he has to deal with the giant flies....

A solution is eventually found and with help from a friendly water spirit, the now dried dung is washed away. Leaving behind some bones, bits of armor and weapons.

I had not previously considered the perils of monster shit. Nor the possibility of treasure or useful materials within it.