The basalt roads of Jacint criss-cross the many layer of Malfeas, forming the backbone that connects the demon city. However, these roads are never connected to each other, or the plates, in ways that are comprehensible to mortals or the less serfs of the city. Created in order to connect the many paths of Jacint, the Sadakeeda have found a home among all the demon city, and are used to carve paths for trade, and for war. Octavian is know to keep a stable of the creatures, bred to be especially voracious, for use as siege engines, as they simply eat their way through fortification, while leaving a path for his army to follow.
Each Sadakeeda appears as a massive caterpillar, the size of a Yeddim, with it's segmented shell made of a golden brass alloy; though the shine of the shell is rarely visible, due to the nature of the beast. As it crawls along the plates of Malfeas, it consumes all in front of it, via it's massive gaping maw, lined with many spinning circles of teeth. Inside the worm, a massive vat of vitriol and fire breaks down all the consumed materials in to a dark bituminous pitch, save stones, which are broken down into a mix of gravel and sand. This mix is extruded out between the massive golden plates, staining a shining creature black and slimy, and fills the trench the Caterpillar leaves behind. Over the next several hours, this slime hardens to a smooth, black rock-like structure, similar to the basalt roads of Jacint, though much softer, but still convenient to travel upon.
Due to it's lack of eyes, Sadakeeda will only travel travel in strait lines, consuming all within their path. When used in the demon city, care must be taken be taken to ensure that they don't eat their way through anything of value.
Only two things redirect or stop a hungry Sadakeeda. Should the Brass Caterpillars encounder a stream of flowing water, it will stop upon the slightest touch, for the waters of creation and Kimbery are toxic to the Sadakeeda. Should it be tricked into consuming more than a bucket full of water, it enters a form of torpor, freezing in place until it is fed at least a buckets worth of burning coals, or burning charcoals. The other thing that can redirect the worm is the scent of it's favorite food, coal. Should the Brass Caterpillar scent coal nearby, it will divert it's path to eat all of the black rock that it can fit into it's mouth.
Given enough coal to eat, The Brass Caterpillars will enter a form of cocoon, wrapping itself in a stone shell, which will them grow red hot from within. After 1 month spend in this form, the shell will shatter open, revealing a collection of smaller Brass Caterpillars, each which set out on their own path.
A Brass Caterpillar can escape into creation whenever a man dies of thirst or starvation, while traveling down a road.
Summoning: Sadakeeda are summoned to carve paths throughout creation, though they are of less use in some areas, due to the amount of water. Sorcerers who summon the worms will mark the path they wish the Sadakeeda to follow with clusters of burning coals, guiding down a path not to steep for human travel, and away from rivers, puddles, and springs that might stall the worm. They have been used as siege weapons as well, eating their way through the walls of castles and cities.
Motivation: To satiate it's endless hunger.
Attributes: Strength: 12 Dexterity: 2 Stamina: 12 Charisma: 1 Manipulation: 1 Appearance: 4 (2 when coated with pitch) Perception: 1 Intelligence: 2 Wits: 3
Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 5, Temperance 1, Valor 4
Abilities: Athletics 5, Awareness 2(+3 Smelling), Craft (Earth) 1 (+3 Earthworks), Integrity 3, Investigation 1, Martial Arts 2 (+3 Bite), Melee 3, Occult 1, Presence 2, Resistance 5 (+2 Endure Hardship), Survival 2
Charms:
AFFINITY (ELEMENT) CONTROL – The Sadakeeda may control the bituminous pitch it extrudes
BREAD OF WEAK SPIRIT – The Sadakeeda loves the taste of weaker gods.
DOMAIN MANIPULATION SCENARIO – The Sadakeeda can twist the roadway it leaves behind.
ESSENCE BITE --- The burning tar that covers the Sadakeeda is unpleasant to touch.
Materialize—Costs 60 motes
Ox body Technique x3
Tracking – May only track coal, or a bound location.
Landscape Travel --- The Sadakeeda can crawl across almost any surface, or even up walls.
First (Ability) Excellency—Athletics, Craft, Resistance
Third (Ability) Excellency—Athletics, Craft, Resistance
Join Battle: 5
Attacks:
Bite: Speed 5, Accuracy 7, Damage 8L, Parry DV 0
Trample: Speed 3, Accuracy 5, Damaged 12L
Soak: 18B/14L (Malfean Brass Plates +12B/+8L)
HL: -0x2/-1x3/-2x3/-4x3/I
Willpower: 9 Essence: 3 Essence Pool: 70
Other Notes: The Sadakeeda moves at rate of about 2 mph while traveling overland, leaving behind a trail of asphalt approximately 3 yards wide, level with the surrounding terrain.
