Wildlife of Earthdawn -- Blow Quokkas

The Blow Quokka (Quokka explodus), is a small robust mammal about one metre in length. It's appearance is much like that of a large rat, with its small ears, long tail and hopping gait being identifiable features. This creature has a short life span, due to its unnerving ability to inflate its body and explode itself, as a response to threatening situations. Scientists of Earthdawn theorise that the explosive gases in the Blow Quokkas body are gained from its specialised diet of river weed. In times of stress, it has the ability to heat its blood to such a point that the gases ignite, resulting in a small scale explosion which blows body parts into the face of a predator. One side effect of the river weed diet is a somewhat disturbed temperament, resulting in completely unpredictable actions and a tendency to lie on their backs with their feet in the air, cooing softly to themselves.

Historical uses of the blow quokka have been in the Dwarven mines, where they were placed into small holes in the rock and then scared, resulting in an explosion which rips rocks apart. Some warring factions have also suggested a use as explosive devices in war. Quokkas could be launched through the air towards an enemy, at which point they would become sufficiently scared to explode. Test trials have, however, resulted in problems, when Quokkas failed to explode and were pacified by the enemy, with an offering of river weed. It has been suggested that a picture of Stevenicus Criddulus, the ancient warlord, be strapped to the Quokka's face, in order to facilitate their scaring.

In conclusion, this is a wonderful and versatile creature, and there is no doubt, that the world of Earthdawn would be a sorry place with the loud explosions of this creature at dawn and dusk.

Azril Darkspell,
Nethermancer and Ecologist.

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