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Brann |
 The Brann are a bipedal humanoid race native to the planet Erdas, a lush, idyllic sister planet to Arieki. They share some physical characteristics of Humans and Foreans, but have a light blue skin tone and elongated ears, with three digits on their hands and feet. Long ago the Eloh revealed the power of Logos to the Brann, who revered them as gods and showed great aptitude for Logos. The Brann wanted to emulate the Eloh society and they strove to create a Utopian civilization of learning, wisdom, and spiritual tranquility. They viewed unstable elements such as aggression and greed as destructive and forced unwanted Brann who displayed these tendencies to penal and re-education colonies off-world, on Arieki. While the ostracized Brann on Arieki would theoretically rehabilitate themselves through self-sustenance and mutually beneficial societies (or die trying), the Brann on Erdas would concentrate on their Utopia and the learning of Logos.
Unfortunately for the Brann, a Bane expeditionary force discovered them. Seeing the Brann’s vast knowledge of Logos as an imminent threat, they descended quickly upon Erdas and eradicated the peaceful Brann completely. There are rumors that a few scattering remnants made it to Arieki and may have found refuge with the Irendas Colony. Petty criminals originally inhabited the colony and those convicted of other “light” crimes, who are currently attempting to remake themselves in the Brann tradition (called the Reformists). Meanwhile, the hard-core criminals in the Staal Facility revolted and formed a number of self-ruling Syndicates. While AFS members are encouraged to cooperate with both groups of Brann, the Syndicates seem to be more inclined to engage the enemy and may be of great help on the battlefield.
 LASHER
STATISTICS
Max height: 5ft
Max weight: 20kg
Type: Indigenous life form
TACTICS
Lashers launch hit-and-run attacks on local fauna; they are likely to be aggressive to AFS troops as well.
OFFENCE
Their long tentacles inject a Virulent substance into their victims; this can cause paralysis or death.
VUNERABILITIES
They are surprisingly weak against Incendiary attacks.
DESCRIPTION
Lashers are a natural predator of Arieki. AFS rangers have observed these killers pursuing Geyser Hoppers and even Magmonix. Deceptively cowardly, Lashers spend most of their time hiding, but they attack suddenly when provoked or after sensing prey.
Flare Gasher
DESCRIPTION
The predatory Flare Gasher of Arieki evolved to use an extremely high-pitched sonic
attack to crack the hardened armor shells of its prey, which it then follows up with a flame attack.
 WARDEN BOT
STATISTICS
Max height: 4ft
Max weight: 50kg
Type: Robotic
TACTICS
Warden Bots operate in groups near somewhat settled areas.
OFFENCE
They attack any targets they interpret as escaped prisoners. They use electrical discharges to stun or kill, depending on region.
DEFENCE
They are repaired by Reconstructors and are well armored against Incendiary and Energybased weapons.
VUNERABILITIES
Easily destroyed by EM weaponry.
DESCRIPTION
Warden Bots and their Reconstructors are found throughout Arieki. Both were placed on the world to handle maintenance of the penal facilities.
On the Torden continent, the robots are far less aggressive; they try to disable Brann and AFS troops, but they rarely kill anyone. It is said that the robots in Ligo are programmed to be far more aggressive and deadly.
Reconstructors work to repair damaged buildings, collect materials, and maintain Warden Bots. Destroy these robots first when they are present, then move to destroy Warden Bots. Physical weaponry is dequate against both types of robots, but EM weapons are even better. Incendiary and Energy attacks are ineffective.
 ATTA
STATISTICS
Max height: 8ft
Max weight: 150kg
Type: Indigenous life form
DESCRIPTION
Atta are an insect-like species whose intelligence level is disputed. Though blindly aggressive in many circumstances, their attack patterns suggest they are more than mere animals. Arieki is filled with the Atta. Without the presence of the Brann, Bane, and AFS, it is clear that they would be the dominant species.
Because many Atta quickly charge their opponents, it is essential to use your GPS minimap to detect them before they get too close. Once you’ve located an Atta, turn toward it and fall back as you ready a fast-beading weapon. Then crouch, bead, and deliver lethal fire into the creature. If this fails, retreat again and repeat the process.
When you spot multiple Atta, sprint away from the group so that the creatures merge in pursuit. You can then use area-of-effect weaponry to dispatch the herd without fear of getting flanked. Shotguns, propellant guns, and launchers are perfect in this role. Certain Logos abilities are also quite effective.
BARB TICK
DESCRIPTION
These small, colony-based creatures live on and beneath the blasted sands of Arieki. They grind food for nutrition and sustenance, and the high mineral content of Arieki’s soil collects in their bodies over time, allowing the Barb Tick to spit out these chunks at high velocity. Barb Ticks also have a symbiotic relationship with another Arieki species, the Beam Manta, as they rely on the Beam Mantas to kill large prey.
BEAM MANTA
DESCRIPTION
Large, floating creatures that meander lazily close to the surface of Arieki, Beam Mantas use a unique method of attack to bring down prey. Beam Mantas gather electrical energy with their long, slender tails and store this energy in muscle tissue arranged across their back. When the Beam Manta attacks, it bridges a connection between its forward appendages, allowing it to direct a strong electrical pulse at its target. The Beam Manta is incapable of eating large prey on its own, and relies on Barb Ticks to reduce its food to manageable proportions.
GEYSER HOPPER
DESCRIPTION
One of the lowest creatures of the Arieki food chain, Geyser Hoppers serve an important role in sustaining life on the planet. Hoppers sustain themselves on bacteria and other organic material that can be found near Arieki’s numerous sulfur geysers. As a byproduct of this feeding, they produce and store oxygen and hydrogen in gas form, using it to propel themselves from one place to the next in the ever-constant search for more food. Hence, not only do these non-violent creatures replenish the breathable air, they serve as a constant source for food for nearly everything else.
MAGMONIX
DESCRIPTION
These large, four-legged hairless creatures evolved into a territorially aggressive species on Arieki. While they generally move slowly, Magmonix walk in a head-forward posture in anticipation of ramming anything they don’t like. A Magmonix’s flanks typically consist of thick plates of hide, in places charred heavily due to enormous heat. They like to live around extremely hot areas such as lava flows and other volcanic regions, and AFS members are encouraged to use their heads before attacking one.
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