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.
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.