Are thri-kreen cannibals?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Aug 23, 2004 12:46:26
I understand that in normal circumstances thri-kreen prefer to hunt and eat domestic creatures rather than the PC races, but at the same time are not opposed to doing so if the need should arise.
I intend to have an encounter where a travelling caravan is attacked by a thri-kreen pack, who either kill or carry away the humanoids within the caravan in order to eat them. One of my PCs is a thri-kreen, and I was wondering whether the pack would want to eat him or not, bearing in mind there is a shortage of other animals for them to eat (hence the raid)?

Mark
#2

Sysane

Aug 23, 2004 12:57:23
I think thats a judgement call on your part.

Initally I'd say no they wouldn't if there was "meaty" beings around like the other PC's but if they are starved I guess I could see it being justified that they would. Granted, I don't know if the kreen would find another kreen all that nourishing. Another thing to consider.
#3

zombiegleemax

Aug 23, 2004 13:33:38
If I remember correctly thri-kreen eggs are laid in the same area as the old thri-kreen go to die. I'm assuming that when the eggs hatch the young, incredibly hungry thri-kreen often eat the meat of the dead thri-kreen that are lieing about.

If hunting becomes to sparse in an area, clutches would fight (and most likely kill) other clutches for the rights to hunt that area. If the area has been cleaned out of suitable prey it might degenerate to the point where thri-kreen are killing and eating other clutches. I think that one clutch sacrificing itself for the survival of another, stronger clutch and for the strength of the pack would be considered honorable to thri-kreen.

So, yes, I would say that thri-kreen could become cannibals, however, there better be a bunch more thri-kreen than other "meaty" beings before they'd eat the lone thri-kreen. Of course, they might feel sorry for the "clutchless and packless" kreen and attempt to kill it just to put it out of its misery.
#4

murkaf

Aug 23, 2004 14:30:21
Thri-kreen prefer to eat:
Elves
Non-sentient animals (include beasts or any animated creature)
Sentient beings
Other Thri-kreen
Rocks & sand
Plants
Sentient plants

They won't resort to eating something if they can get something listed on the line above.

Elves are the exception: not all kreen crave their taste as badly.

I don't remember if it's the Tok'sa or the Jeral (see Thri-Kreen of Athas) that will willingly attack their own hatchlings if they can find them...

If what I wrote isn't well structured, blame too many hours of trying to use PowerBuilder 6.5 as the front end for an Oracle 9.2 database...

Respect of the Pennarinian Clause:
m'a finir de travailler pis m'a aller en caler une couple de p'tites frettes...
#5

korvar

Aug 23, 2004 18:47:23
Jeral are the more civilised ones, Tok'sa much less so. Jeral look after their young, Tok'sa don't. And Jeral are less influenced by the "tasty elf!" thing. Something about their antennae being smaller, apparently.

And there's the Kiltektet, a group of Kreen who search out knowledge, who all pledge never to eat a sentient being.
#6

jaanos

Aug 23, 2004 18:54:08
I'd go along with this, largley because, although sentient, thri-kreen are incredibly survival-instinct driven. I can easily see Clutches raiding (and eating) each other in dire cricumstances. Thri-kreen are no different to other sentient beings, if the situation is dire enough, some will eat thier own (including humans) to further thier own survival.

Originally posted by Buldan
If I remember correctly thri-kreen eggs are laid in the same area as the old thri-kreen go to die. I'm assuming that when the eggs hatch the young, incredibly hungry thri-kreen often eat the meat of the dead thri-kreen that are lieing about.

If hunting becomes to sparse in an area, clutches would fight (and most likely kill) other clutches for the rights to hunt that area. If the area has been cleaned out of suitable prey it might degenerate to the point where thri-kreen are killing and eating other clutches. I think that one clutch sacrificing itself for the survival of another, stronger clutch and for the strength of the pack would be considered honorable to thri-kreen.

So, yes, I would say that thri-kreen could become cannibals, however, there better be a bunch more thri-kreen than other "meaty" beings before they'd eat the lone thri-kreen. Of course, they might feel sorry for the "clutchless and packless" kreen and attempt to kill it just to put it out of its misery.

#7

jihun-nish

Aug 23, 2004 19:37:18
Originally posted by Toxophilly
I understand that in normal circumstances thri-kreen prefer to hunt and eat domestic creatures rather than the PC races, but at the same time are not opposed to doing so if the need should arise.
I intend to have an encounter where a travelling caravan is attacked by a thri-kreen pack, who either kill or carry away the humanoids within the caravan in order to eat them. One of my PCs is a thri-kreen, and I was wondering whether the pack would want to eat him or not, bearing in mind there is a shortage of other animals for them to eat (hence the raid)?

Mark

I cant speak on behalf of the Kreens in the Tyr region but those in the Crimson savanha see all other living being as food. They may be curious of adventurers but eventualy, they'll want to feast on them.
As for your last paragraph, I have in my possession the accesory book: Thri-kreen of Athas and i dont recal reading canibalism among themselves. Of course in your example above I guess they could like any other race in their situation.