Welcome to another dev diary. In the last entry, we shared a general (and yes, still partial...) update on our recent production efforts. Today, the team wants to introduce you to another creature from the strange ecosystem of Neterun: the Lepisma. Please keep in mind that everything we show you is a work in progress and may change in the final product.
The Lepisma got its name from the raiders of the Malaxdon cult, who were the first to detect the presence of these elusive creatures. When conceptualizing the Lepisma, we wanted to design an exception to Neterun's usual dangers, a creature that, unlike others we've showcased in previous diaries, is non-aggressive. Similar to the Morays, another Neterunian species we discussed a couple of diaries ago, the Lepisma’s name reflects its distinctive shape.
Since then, the Lepisma’s design has changed only slightly, as our initial concept allowed us to capture its form with little need for additional iterations. Like other creatures of Neterun, the Lepisma features a mechanical component that is closely tied to sonic matter, though it stands out for its gentler nature in comparison to the more aggressive Morays and Zanions. These creatures inhabit one of the galaxy's most mysterious areas and prefer to avoid raiders rather than engage them.
With this in mind, we’ve crafted the Lepisma with a much more cautious behavior, adding an element of calm to our hostile galactic prison. Drawn to the massive structures left behind by the ancient Neterunians, the Lepisma uses them not as hunting grounds but as shelter, slipping into the shadows to evade raiders. Thanks to its connection to sonic matter, it moves swiftly and elusively, using these structures both for navigation and defense.
Lepisma live in packs that migrate from zone to zone, moving in unison along the energy fields generated by Neterunian monuments. These fields help them stay in sync and remain shielded from raiders and other threats. As a result, the Lepisma represents an anomaly within Neterun’s typically aggressive wildlife. It’s a creature only partly influenced by the violence of sonic-matter life forms.
That’s all for today. We’ve reached the end of this October dev diary, but we hope to be back soon with another entry. Until next time,
Farewell, raiders!
