Brila Ornamos are an unusual species of insect whose breeding season falls in the middle of winter. Found only in fast-growing forests of Kreskanta Tigo, they lay their eggs in the dead wood of tree trunks demolished by Arba Brakumos, powerful mammals that migrate through the forests feeding on the trees’ soft inner sapwood. Their hard carapaces protect them if they are caught in an Arba Brakumo’s rampage. The eggs hatch at the onset of spring, and the grubs use the warmer months to feed and pupate before emerging to repeat the cycle the following winter. Since they are quite heavy and hindered by their large mandibles, both flying and walking are very awkward and slow for Brila Ornamos. They instead use their mandibles to cling to the fur of forest-dwelling mammals, including Arba Brakumos, looking like colorful baubles attached to their hosts. Using this manner of travel, they are able to cross much greater distances and will often lay several batches of eggs in different areas during their short mating season.

The creatures that dwell in this rather desolate world still display some diversity in appearance, eating habits, and social behavior. Whether they have fur or feathers, skin or scales, their unique genetic makeup allows for a variety of colors and markings within each species. Despite limitations in food sources, herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores are all present in the food chain, and each species requires specialized care within a laboratory. Although the artificial setting of housing units and breeding pods precludes most opportunities to study true interspecific behavior, the interactions within and between species has been studied extensively in the wilderness by scientists daring enough to venture beyond the outpost’s walls.