[b]The Rokthani | Population; 245[/b]

"Ugh, my underside is killing me... HEY! Wait up, would you?!"
A (relatively) small Rokthan sprints to the rest of the pack. He slithers up alongside another explorer.
"Where are we going, anyway? Which way is home? Do you know where we're going?"
The other Rokthan, carrying a map strapped to his topside responds while keeping his gaze forward.
"You ask many questions. Perhaps too many."
The small one's face turns sour.
"These shrubs are real tall. Not like the ones back home." Says the small one, his eyes darting up and down following the trunks of the trees. The forest is thick and brimming with wildlife. Strange and exotic insects and animals can be heard screaming away in the canopies above. The Rokthan caravan are ever cautious.
"I have only seen vegetation like this a few times before, when I would come to the Outreach to chart farmlands." says the map carrier. "But I have never actually stepped into this place before. Truly it is a marvel of nature. That being said..." The mapmaker turns his gaze to the small one.
"You must stay sharp. Predators may lurk behind every stem."
The small one gulps and his voice cracks. "You got it."

The crew make further advances into the forest. Just as they are about to cross a small stream, they hear a noise in the treetops.
"[i]TSST![/i]" hisses the leader. The rest of the group make a sudden and complete stop, except the small one, who bumps into another person.
The leader whispers to the other group members. "[i]Did you hear that?[/i]"
"[i]Aye.[/i]" responds the map maker. Before anyone can say another word, a strange black shadow expands in the trees. Like a drape being cast upon the forest, it swoops down to the group's position leaving a virtual tornado in its wake. The group leader yells out; "[b][i]SCATTER!![/i][/b]"
Some Rokthan attempted to burrow into the ground, but the thick forest floor made it difficult. Some managed to dart behind a tree trunk. One Rokthan, however, had no idea what to do. Like a deer in headlights, the small one stared his inevitable doom straight in the eyes as it descended upon him. It would have been the end of him had it not been for an incredible, blinding flash of light that emanated from the map maker. The black shadow was clearly disoriented and flew off in a strong gale, clipping branches on the way out. Regaining his composure, the small one rushed over to the map maker, who was limp. "HEY! Hey, are you alright?! Say something!"
The map maker lets out an exhausted groan as the other members of the group come to check on him.
"That was some quick thinking there, Vuld. Can you move or do you need help?" says the leader.
"What happened?!" says the small one, visibly concerned.
The leader responds, "He expended all of his luminescence in one burst to scare off... whatever that was. He should be fine, he just needs some time to rest. A little sunbathing wouldn't be so bad either."
"You, uh... you saved my life. I owe you a lot! So... thank you! A lot!" says the small one sincerely.
"Gnnnggseeegadgscgrh....." responds the map maker, who is being carried by a few group members. Including the small one.
The group leader, cautiously, speaks up to the others. "It's getting dark. I think it's time to find some place to stay the night.

Meanwhile, in the mountains, Shel and his party are making progress in finding suitable burrowing ground. They make marks in the rocks where holes may be dug in the future.