Skelters

Skelters are small furry tentacled creatures that are native to the coastal rocks around the harbour at Runners End. They nest in large colonies of thousands up and down the cliffs, with rocky nests kept in the many nooks and crannies.

Pack hunters

The Skelters get their name from the way they move underwater, often hunting in packs. They will circle schools of fish, forming a whirlwind with their speed, as each member of the pack takes it in turn t dive into the school to feed.

Little thieves

Skelters and will build elaborate nests from rocks to attract their partners when they are ready to mate. They will adorn these with decorations, often made from the bones of their prey, and other bright and unusual objects they have collected. This often incudes kin-made objects they have scavenged from the port and town. They have earned a reputation for the theft of many a trinket, and are affectionally dubbed 'Little thieves' by the populace.

Mischevious pets

Skelters are highly communal animals, and will often be seen cavorting playfully with each other in the waters of the harbour or upon the rocks and wharves at Runners End. They will easily bond with Kin, and their colonies exist easily alongside the port activity. They are a favoured pet of the Breakers and other members of The Icerunners Guild, and many of their ships will keep a few with them as the travel. While on ships, the skelter's natural playfulness and thievery will result in them regularly playing tricks with the crew - stealing and hiding their possessions. They will find nooks within the ship's structure where they can build their nest and collect their findings.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Skelters are air breathing creatures that hunt the shallow waters. They have a central body that is roughly spherical, but stretches into more streamlined forms when swimming. This is adorned by two large eyes, adapted to the gloom of the twilight lands. These enable them to see in the dark waters as they hunt for their prey. The body is trailed by a tangle of long muscled tentacles which they use in a variety of ways. The tentacles are use to propel themselves at great speed through the waters, like squid, and they can reach phenomenal burst of speed and surprising agility as they do so. they are also used to pull themselves around on the coastal rocks where they nest, and to probe into the nooks and crannies of rocks for fish that may seek refuge there. The tentacles surround the toothy mouth of the Skelter, and are used to drag their food in to be devoured.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have extremely good eyesight, and can see underwater in the gloom for some distance. Their eyes can also sense warmth, which usualy signifies some sort of prey. They are easily startled and blinded by bright lights as a result.

Geographic Distribution