Sprig Brother

This medium sized Exo takes the form of a slow moving stick bug. Being native to The Great Briar, these bugs resemble a sprouting, thorny vine, although this is entirely camouflage rather than self defence. The "thorns" on this Exo are actually flimsy skin flaps. They move slowly, around the pace of a giant turtle. For nourishment, they only need to eat around once a week, and absorb moisture from their surrounds. They also only need to rest or "sleep" around 10 mins every 3 hours. This means they are able to exemplify "slow and steady", as they will hardly ever stop tracking a target until the scent is lost or they lose motivation.
The Sprig Brother species has gained a reputation as a tracking aid. They can be given a piece of clothing worn by a person, or some other objected scented like a creature, and they will follow the trail. They are considered "the bloodhounds of the Briar". They will follow this trail for at least 24 hours with no other input, but usually give up if they don't detect the scent of the creature that originally gave them a trail to follow nearby. Since they are also generally non-threatening, slow, and easy to catch, experienced parties of Exo Foresters can use them to pass notes between different groups, like a carrier pigeon. This close working relationship is why they have gained the name Sprig Brother, since foresters grow attached to their useful friends.
Their favorite food is lush, green ginkgo leaves, which are quite rare inside the Briar. They will gladly approach a human for a leaf or two from these trees. You can frequently spot the houses of Briar trackers in settlements by the ginko trees they cultivate!
Sprig Brother

Sprig Brother

Level: 2 (6)

You realize a branch is moving unnaturally, not just with the wind. Upon closer inspection, this thorny branch around the size of your forearm is actually an insect! It seems afraid of humans, and may even be looking for a treat, as if other humans have fed it before.
Motive: Hunger (Especially for treats), survival, fleeing danger Exo Intelligence Level: 1, any training of this insect is more a function of exploiting it's instincts than any real training.
Environment: The Great Briar
Health: 6
Damage Inflicted: 1
Armor: 0
Movement: Immediate normally, Short if it is determined in following a scent.
Modifications (Skills): Diff 4 to spot when still or moving slowly Counts as an asset when tracking at a normal pace if you have a scented item for it to track
Combat: Sprig Brothers rely on camouflage rather than defending themselves. They will ruin from most danger, and can sting with a very weak stinger if needed.
Interaction: Will hang around the players if fed a ginkgo leaf. May or may not accept other green leaves as tribute.
GM Use: Just as the players may utilize a Sprig Brother to track an enemy, an enemy may use it in turn. A few carnivorous species of Exo may have learned that Sprigs will lead them directly to a nice, squishy human snack occasionally.
Loot: Nothing of value, except a sense of guilt.
Intrusion: The players spot a Sprig walking directly toward them. Does it have a pack of Buzzers trailing behind it? Or perhaps an Empire tracking party?