8 MÉTODOS DE RESOLUCIÓN DE ECUACIONES POLINÓMICAS
8.2 Método general de cálculo de raíces aproximadas
a
rThroPods
Many of the creatures in the Hollow Earth inspire the surface world visitor to quickly find a hole or cave to hide in, as was the case on several occasions upon first discov- ering some of the dinosaurs and reptiles mentioned in earlier sections. But I wish to caution the reader to regard that hiding place as a territory already inhabited! I suggest a long stick be poked into any possible hiding place before entering, and it does not hurt to poke the same stick under your bed before turning in every night.
I came across several insects, spiders, crabs, cen- tipedes, and other forms of arthropods previously believed extinct. As is common to those prehistoric species, they are considerably large and intimidating, and some regard humans as a food source. However, the natives in the Hollow Earth showed me how tasty and nutritious some of these arthropods could be, although I do not mind mentioning that I found it nec- essary to stifle my gag reflex at first. Some of the most notable are included here, but do remember that most of the normal-sized and surface world variations exist here in the Hollow Earth as well, and I simply could not list them all.
Arthropleura
At six feet in length, the typical Arthropleura is a monster of a millipede, scuttling swiftly through the undergrowth of the Hollow Earth’s rainforests on 50 pairs of legs. Broad, low to the ground, and cov- ered with a heavy carapace, it can also curl up into an armored ball to protect itself when threatened, and is armed with a pair of short, sharp jaws with which it slices and devours foliage, small animals, and insects.
The two jungle tribes with which I sheltered hunt- ed Arthropleura when festivities were imminent; the arthropod was boiled whole and served as the center- piece at feasts. The discarded chitin plates were used to craft light but reasonably durable primitive armor vests. While the creature typically avoided conflict with anything approaching its own size and was quick to roll into a ball when seriously threatened, it was still given a healthy respect, as it could deliver a vicious bite. The tribal hunters showed me an easy way to
Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)
Brawl 6 4 10 (5)
Stealth 2 2 2** (1)
Survival 0 4 6 (3)
Talents
Alertness 1 (+2 Perception rating) Skill Aptitude (+2 Survival rating)
Resources
None
Flaw
Bestial (Character cannot communicate or use tools)
Weapons Rating Size Attack (Average)
Tusks 4 L -2 12 L (6) L
Stomp 2 N -2 10 N (5) N
* Creatures with four or more legs double their Move rating when running
** Woolly mammoth suffers a –2 Size penalty on Stealth rolls
Woolly Rhinoceros
Coelodanta antiquitatis, more commonly and aptly described as the woolly rhinoceros, inhabits many of the same regions as the woolly mammoth. Aside from its preference for colder climates, a secondary horn on its forehead, and its shaggy pelt, this animal closely resembles its more familiar surface world cousin. It displays the same cantankerous, aggressive disposi- tion, and will charge just about anything smaller than a mammoth and larger than a fox. I have a rather nasty scar from just such an encounter.
Woolly Rhinoceros
Follower 2
Archetype: Animal Motivation: Survival
Style: 0 Health: 10 Primary Attributes Body: 6 Charisma: 0 Dexterity: 3 Intelligence: 0 Strength: 6 Willpower: 3 Secondary Attributes Size: 1 Initiative: 3 Move: 9 (18)* Defense: 8 Perception: 5 Stun: 6
Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)
Brawl 6 4 10 (5)
Stealth 3 2 4** (2)
Survival 0 4 6 (3)
Talents
Alertness (+2 Perception rating) Skill Aptitude (+2 Survival rating)
Resources
None
Flaw
172
Chapter Six
Meganeura
More annoyance than threat, Meganeura is a one- foot long dragonfly with up to a three-foot wingspan. A colorful insect and agile predator, it snatches small birds, reptiles, mammals, and other insects out of the air mid-flight, or clasps them in its legs as it skims across the surface of water or nearby ground.
Although entrancing to watch, these plenti- ful insects soon become irritating on account of the extremely loud buzzing generated by their large wings. They can deliver a nasty bite if handled, so I suggest not swatting them away too vigorously.
Meganeura
Follower 1
Archetype: Insect Motivation: Survival
Style: 0 Health: 3 Primary Attributes Body: 2 Charisma: 0 Dexterity: 4 Intelligence: 0 Strength: 2 Willpower: 4 Secondary Attributes Size: -2 Initiative: 4 Move: 6 (3)* Defense: 8 Perception: 4 (8)** Stun: 2
Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)
Brawl 2 4 6 (3)
Stealth 4 2 8*** (4)
Survival 0 4 6 (3)
Talents
Skill Aptitude (+2 Survival rating)
Resources
None
Flaw
Bestial (Character cannot communicate or use tools)
Weapons Rating Size Attack (Average)
Bite -2 L +2 6 L (3) L
* Meganeura uses its Move rating when flying but only half Move on the ground
** Meganeura has multifaceted eyes that provide a +4 bonus on sight-based Perception rolls
*** Meganeura gains a +2 Size bonus on Stealth rolls
track Arthropleura: the tracks of this large millipede resemble parallel train tracks, although the feet leave a slightly crescent-shaped marking in their parallel rows. In the thick undergrowth these tracks are nearly invisible, but in muddy areas they are easy for even the untrained eye to find.
Arthropleura
Follower 1
Archetype: Insect Motivation: Survival
Style: 0 Health: 8 Primary Attributes Body: 4 Charisma: 0 Dexterity: 2 Intelligence: 0 Strength: 2 Willpower: 4 Secondary Attributes Size: 0 Initiative: 2 Move: 4 (8)* Defense: 6 (8)** Perception: 4 Stun: 4
Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)
Brawl 2 4 6 (3)
Stealth 2 2 4 (2)
Survival 0 4 6 (3)
Talents
Skill Aptitude (+2 Survival rating)
Resources
None
Flaw
Bestial (Character cannot communicate or use tools)
Weapons Rating Size Attack (Average)
Bite 0 L 0 6 L (3) L
* Creatures with four or more legs double their Move rating when running.
** Arthropleura has a tough carapace that provides a +2 Passive Defense bonus
173
Bestiary
Pterygotus
Follower 1
Archetype: Insect Motivation: Survival
Style: 0 Health: 3 Primary Attributes Body: 2 Charisma: 0 Dexterity: 4 Intelligence: 0 Strength: 2 Willpower: 4 Secondary Attributes Size: 0 Initiative: 4 Move: 12 (0)* Defense: 6 (8)** Perception: 4 Stun: 2
Skills Base Levels Rating (Average)
Brawl 2 4 6 (3)
Stealth 4 2 6 (3)
Survival 0 4 6 (3)
Talents
Skill Aptitude (+2 Survival rating)
Resources
None
Flaw
Bestial (Character cannot communicate or use tools)
Weapons Rating Size Attack (Average)
Pincer 0 L 0 6 L (3) L
* Pterygotus uses its full Move rating when swimming, but cannot move outside of the water
** Pterygotus has a thick carapace that provides a +2 Passive Defense bonus
o
Ther
P
rehisToriC
C
reaTures
While prehistoric reptiles and mammals may rule the Hollow Earth, strange amphibians and birds from prehistory also stalk the waters and forests.
Dunkleosteus
Imagine a marine predator larger than an elephant. Now imagine one with armor plates and the jaw- strength of a Tyrannosaur. Now imagine one that prowls the depths and the shallows in schools as large as a dozen. These horrors converge in the Dunkleos- teus (sometimes also called the Dinichthys), a primitive but voracious carnivore. Individually, they will attack and consume prey as small as a monkey or as large as a rhinoceros. In packs, they have taken down a bronto- saur before my very eyes.
I had the good fortune of finding a Dunkleosteus that had been trapped in a tidal pool and perished as the lowering tide left it beached. Before the coastal scaven- gers chased me off, I made as thorough an examination
Pterygotus
A sea scorpion of huge size, the Pterygotus is as long (from mouth to tip of tail) as a tall adult human male.
This predacious creature is constantly hunting trilo- bites, squid, and fish; its forelimbs form a pair of spike- lined claws as large as a man’s arms, these followed by four pairs of limbs suitable for walking across the sea- bed, and a final pair of limbs modified into powerful paddles for swimming. The telson at the end of its tail is a wide, flat paddle, also providing it greater swim- ming facility.
Making my way along the beach, gazing down into the crystal waters of the nearby shallows, I was watching several large fish swimming lazily by, when the sand beneath them burst into a flurry of action. I watched as the massive, spiked pincers of a Pterygo- tus darted forward and swiftly grabbed a fish; its two pairs of large compound eyes glittered as it drew the struggling fish to its maw. Making a mental note to avoid walking through the shallows, even when they are seemingly clear, I left the powerful ambush preda- tor to its meal.