Under The Volcano The smoldering crown of Mount Xhichad looms above the mica flats. Once a lush jungle, this whole region was decimated by a massive eruption from the volcano about three centuries ago. Only now are plantforms beginning to to emerge again. This is also the stomping ground of the carnivorous Banshi. These speedsters are unique in that their primary sense is a complex sonar. As they run (up to 80 KPH at full sprint) air is forced into their mouths and through specialized gills that emit a piercing wail. The sound echoes and is picked up by their large, sensitive ears. As precise as this hunting system is (they have been seen tracking small rodents over a kilometer away), the Banshi have one drawback: they go "blind" whenever they slow down or stop, which they seldom do. Not surprisingly, they have short lifespans. |
