Re: A challenge...Aspis

excerpt from the Bral Sun Weekly (a Knights of Ridder news outlet)

	Bralians have been disturbed by the recent arrival of an unusual 
race.  A colony of Aspis, large weevil-like insects, have settled in 
Gods' Marbles.  Miners in that asteroid field report that the Aspis 
arrived in a huge box-shaped vessel.  There have been no further 
sightings of this ship.
	The Aspis have based themselves in a small cluster of asteroids.  
The asteroids were purchased from House Zudrik for an undisclosed sum by 
Teller Fastbuck, a halfling apparently acting as an agent for the Aspis.  
Bralians will recall Fastbuck's involvement in last year's Giff Bowl 
ticket scandal.
	House Zudrik refused comment for this story other than noting 
the asteroids in question were once mines long ago tapped out and deemed 
unsuitable for farming.
	The Aspis have apparently woven various asteroids together using 
infinity vine and other spacial flora to create an artificial liveworld 
complete with its own atmosphere.  Rock Hoppers are avoiding the area.  Our 
reporters were unable to gain admittance due to the flurry of missiles 
that blanketed our vessel.  
	Pest controller Artho Gaster suspects that the undulating mass of 
plant life is riddled with tunnels and chambers through which the 
insectmen crawl.  One large passage, concealed by a tapestry of vines, 
has been observed as a port for an Aspis vessel.  This is a worn, but 
still rugged, turtle ship (apparently with standard armament).  Once a week 
this vessel leaves the Aspis enclave and docks at Bral.  The ship's power source
is unknown and no identifiable helmsmen have been noted.  
	Disembarking from the turtle each visit are 2-20 Aspis drones and 
3-10 giant ants.  The ants act as laborers and porters.  They are led by 
a drone wearing a helmet-like device.  As this drone carries out all 
communications with other species, the headgear may facilitate language 
capabilities, although some drones have been known to speak crude and 
limited phrases in Common, according to the wizard Gamalon.  It is not 
known whether the same drone has worn the headgear at each visit as they 
all look alike.
	The Aspis apparently produce glues, corrosives, cleansers, and 
other plant-based chemicals.  However, their most popular products are 
perfumes and scented air fresheners.  The perfumes in particular are all 
the rage in Bral's high society.  These products are sold in a small shop 
on Charthouse Street operated by Fastbuck.  The Aspis have purchased 
little in return, apparently collecting their wealth within their base.  
The Aspis seem to favor gemstones as currency.
	No one is sure from where these creatures have come.  The 
explorer and scholar Euhemerus claims to have seen two Entomosians of the 
herder variety amongst the giant ants.  The insects of the sphere Entomos 
are highly intelligent and frequently of the giant variety.  Entomosian 
giant ants have limbs with adaptable manipulators capable of using 
tools.  Euhemerus also notes that the Aspis base probably contains a cow 
and as many as 60 drones and 100 larvae.  If this is true, it appears the 
Aspis are here to stay.
	Finally, we close this story with the whispered rumors of various 
Bralians on the street:
	1.  A dock worker stated that the Aspis have negotiated a deal 
with the Otyughs at the jettisons.  The Aspis collect the rubbish before 
it is jettisoned.  It is unknown what the Otyughs receive in return.
	2.  Frightened patrons at the Green Galley claim that many people 
have been disappearing off the streets since the Aspis arrived.  They 
believe one of the Underbarons has a deal to provide fresh meat to the 
newcomers...
	3.  An Elven naval officer, who did not want to be indentified, 
informs us that the EIN forces will be keeping a close eye on the Aspis 
enclave.  They suspect the Scro of Spiral of attempting to deal with the 
Aspis for sporozoan compounds to use as weapons against the Elves.
	4.  The sage Theorenius Puerilius, author of the controversial 
Origins of the Phlogiston, claims Euhemerus has misidentified his giant 
ants.  Puerilius explained that the Entomosian giant ants are actually of 
the slaver variety.
	5.  Sources within the palace indicate Prince Andru is 
investigating the Aspis after a soldier was found dead from some form of 
disease.  Apparently the Prince fears this is a prelude to an Aspis 
invasion spearheaded by germ warfare.

SJR5 Rock of Bral
MC5 Greyhawk Adventures (Aspis)
Bralspace Almanac post by Paul Westermeyer (Jan 12, 1998)
SJR1 Lost Ships (turtle ship) 

John McCloud