Blank Slate IC2

[Johel]

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Please, don't throw a "Major Acts argument" here. Unless there were only 20 settlements (villages, cities, outposts...), the Gari are far from annihilated so the number of acts is irrelevant here, as yours are spread on the whole Gari population.
Two acts is the cost to create any sentient species.
The 3rd was to boost their population and technology.

This being said, I'm not sure for the "It will not take much to keep them from climbing higher". Our everyday centipedes usually live underground mainly because :

• they would be eaten if they didn't.
• they quickly die of dryness, as their soft exoskeleton retain water badly.

They are more than capable to climb a wall, a branch or even a smoother surface, the only limit being that they have to be able to dig their claws on small asperities (which explain why they can't climb on a plastic wall...)

16m-long centipede don't have to worry about predators. And their very thick armor prevent fast loss of water. Even the size difference matter not, as a tree large enough to support a city would be the same for them as a branch is for normal centipedes. So, as I said, settlements are easy preys, even if the inhabitants can still run away rather than fight.

However, you're right about the "splash" : even without true organs, their sheer weight would be the worst weakness of a giant centipedes if they were to fall. I just thought the Garis would be too afraid to fight back but if they are willing to take the risk, let's give them credits.

The monkeys showed more strength than was expected. But the Kind Mother wouldn't admit it. She was not the type to recognise her mistakes. She would rather see the whole forest burn...

"-They fail me. They got what they deserved. Such a simple task and they weren't able to accomplish it ? Ah !! These little buggers amused me, at least..."

She now knew more about her preys. The Centipedes had been sleeping for decades so she wouldn't miss them that much. But the insult was to be avenged. And yes, she would have "avenged" herself even if the Garis had slit their own veins open. But still !!

Signs were created : patterns of red tropical flowers growing at the base of some huge trees, swarms of flees leading to the Gari cities, prophetic dreams where grigs sacrificed Garis in Xiren's honor... All of this was seen by her priests among the Fey Folk. It took time but eventually, small bands began to gather to hunt down "Zuli's monkeys".

So high above the ground, the summoned vermin was the only ally on which the grigs could count. The vermin and the Garis themselves. Charming one single of those monkeys was enough to find their cities.

Grigs weren't good fighters when it came to open battle, on the ground, where melee was the deciding factor. But in the canopy, where the "ground" was nothing but a few shambling branches, large melee were impossible. Range, accuracy and mobility would decide the winners. This and the magic. And with their natural gifts and Xiren's priests, the grigs weren't the weak ones.

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Creation of "shrines" in the whole continental forests, near the Gari settlements. Usual communication with the priests.

An army gathers near one of the cities. The idea is to attack the city at night, using fairy fires to light up the targets and opponents before flying over and shooting any Gari in sight. As soon as the city is dealt with, they'll loot it before proceeding to the next one.

They got their informations through a mix of charm and (if it doesn't work) torture. Being the CE little demons they are, they won't hesitate to go as far as to throw one of them in a Gari trap just to attract one of the monkeys.

Main grigs advantage for the battle :

• they are very small (thus difficult to aim at)
• they can fly (badly) and jump (very well, like a cricket)
• their weapons are poisoned.
• their accuracy is boosted with magic by the priests.
• biological warfare through diseases and vermin (very usefull if siege)
• limited control over the plants for the random grigs.
• large control over the plants for the priests.
• they know how to set and counter ambushes. Centuries of practice...