File: jayose/Jayose Library: Clacker Ecology.txt

by Durok Rrecrok

It has been a great disappointment to many that the important questions about clackers have had to go unanswered. With the general population worrying more about the larger beasts such as the ulbernaut and marfusang, not to mention what fiendish creatures may pour out from the Labyrinth at any time, it is easy to overlook something as maligned as the clacker. It has not been until more recent months that any serious study of the creatures has been undertaken.

A rather innocuous creature, clackers have been known since the earliest settlements here in Yliakum. Whether they have always been here, or came from elsewhere like most of the races, no one really knows. Most seem to find it more sensible to believe the creatures have always been here.

One of the questions most often asked is how many different kinds of clackers are there? This is a question with both simple and complex answers. The simple answer is that we really do not know. However, such an answer leaves one feeling rather dissatisfied, regardless of it being the truth. Perhaps some further study will reveal their numbers. On the other hand, there are three separate species that have been identified. The first of these is of the mundane variety. Coloured in deep reddish-brown, this creature is often seen by itself or in groups numbering no more than four.

The second breed is the spectacular Jade clacker. As the name suggests, the first thing that is often seen of them is their brilliant, deep green shade. However, because of their colouring, they are the least often seen.

The last is the swift and powerful Thunderclacker, immediately identified by the glistening royal blue hued carapace. This breed, it should be noted, has been seen in numbers no fewer than six which has led to the question of whether or not the creatures live in colonies or hives. The simple fact is that only the thunderclackers have been observed behaving in anything resembling colony-like behaviour. Even then, nothing has been directly observed that would make one certain that they do. Speculation still abounds, though I am inclined to believe they do. Perhaps we will know more in the coming months.