Ash Lice
Ash Lice are a species of armored, segmented, giant terrestrial isopods formerly found only in marine habitats. Following the Great Cataclysm, several species seemingly crawled up onto the land to escape the rising temperature and toxicity of the oceans, adapting quickly to a terrestrial lifestyle foraging amongst the ash blanket. Ash lice are generally harmless to humanity and are one of the few creatures capable of providing sustenance that can be hunted with relatively little risk of injury. However, in large numbers, ash lice may overwhelm a human hunter and inflict grievous injury with their sharp feet. Still, this is a very uncommon occurrance.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Growth Rate & Stages
Ash lice begin their lives in a so-called 'brood pouch' carried by a sexually active female. After fertilization by a male, the female carries the pouch until the embryos are fully developed and ready to be released. They emerge as fully developed miniatures of the adult form, or mancae. In their infant stagem, they range in size from a pea to a silver-dollar, only an inch or so in length. They then shed their exoskeleton, or 'podskel' in slang terminology, and grow rapidly to over ten times their original size, up to a foot long. This is the adolescent stage. Another molting occurs here, after which they grow to up to twice this size. Then, a final molting occurs, after which they retain their exoskeleton through the final stage of growth and throughout adulthood. These discarded exoskeletons, once shed, are extremely durable, but so small they are often buried beneath the ash blanket by the ever-precipitating soot of Ashrain. As such, small podskels are extremely rare to find, and happening upon one is considerd remarkably lucky. Large ash louse exoskeletons are frequent occurances, often dotting the otherwise blank, black landscape of Ashrain where large groups of ash lice congregated during a molting season.
Ecology and Habitats
Ash lice live all throughout the ashen terrestrial terrain. They can be found marching across the open landscape, or burrowing deep into the ash blanket in search of food or in flight from threats. Ash lice can remain buried in the ash for days at a time, deprived of food, water, and even oxygen, waiting for a safe moment to emerge. They can also dig themselves out even when buried by ash storms and landslides. When they are close to the surface, their burrows can be identified by the imprint of their feet across the ash, the disturbed ash where they dug down, and their twin antennae poking up above the surface.
Additional Information
Domestication
Many survivor groups who have permanent settlements, such as the Homesteaders, or mobile caravans, such as the Yellowstone Nomads, have collected live specimens of ash lice and succeeded at breeding them in captivity. This has given them an easy, renewable source of food and water.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Ash lice are one of the most reliable and readily available sources of nutrition in the desolate wastelands of Ashrain. Their soft body parts are an excellent source of protein, and their chitinous outer exoskeletons, or podskels, are excellent for crafting body armor and weapons. They are often scavenged by survivor groups wherever they are found. Bits of chitin can be sharpend to make weapons, and many pieces of the exoskeleton are the proper shape for a variety of tools. Furthermore, ash lice are excellent at retaining water, making their soft body parts a good source of liquids as well as meat.
Another utility of ash lice comes from a superstition regarding luck. A so-called Podskel Amulet is a pendant made from the discarded exoskeleton of a juvenile ash louse, hence the slang term podskel (isopod skeleton). Believers wear these tiny exoskeletons around their necks as pendants, on their wrists as bracelets, or simply carry them in their pockets, believing that they will bring good luck and protection from harm. While there is no practical utility to these tiny artifacts, they are highly prized among those who believe in their protective powers.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Ash lice are found throughout the former North American continent, and perhaps globally throughout Ashrain. Their origin seems to have been the oceans, so their current habitats are by inference wherever they crawled up and found the most suitable ecosystem. They are most commonly found in dense ash fields and regions such as the Charnel Flats.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Ash lice navigate by compound eyes comprising over 4000 individual facets each. These eyes are designed to see in dim light, through turbulent weather, and beneath the surface of the ash blanket. Twin antennae also protrude from the fused dorsal exoskeletal segments, giving them extra sensory capability as they scuttle across the landscape. Additionally, the sharp, pointed feet of an ash louse are highly sensitive, allowing them to essentially 'taste' the ash as they walk across it. This helps them to locate food buried beneath the surface.
Scientific Name
Bathynomus ashtitan
Lifespan
Unknown
Average Height
6 to 10 inches
Average Weight
20 to 45 lbs
Average Length
20 to 36 inches
Geographic Distribution
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