War of Thorns: Ch.1 Get Out Of My Swamp! [Scene of the Crime]

Panda, the herd leader and bread winner of the Kela Highland Styracosaurus, paused his grazing to look around his territory. Something wasn't quite right and even one of his females, Moosetracks, had noticed a disturbance in their home territory. Panda, a big green alpha male, trotted over to where Moosetracks was chirping, a call signaling his attention. Upon inspection he could see her distress over an issue. There was a new plant growing in their area and she couldn't identify its species nor safety to ingest. Panda sniffed at the growing plant and snorted at the sour smell it gave off. He lifted his head and glanced to Moosetracks who shrugged and jogged off towards the herd again, leaving Panda alone to investigate the plant and where it came from. 

The first thing Panda noticed was that there was some scratch marks on the ground around him. They came in a series of three. That meant whoever did this must have been a theropod of some sort. The green appaloosa styracosaurus sniffed around the ground and followed the scratch marks around the area of the rainbow lake. The lake was given its name from the red surroundings and colorful waters. Not all of the water pools were safe to drink as some high higher levels of limestone or sulfur. Luckily the main water source was indeed safe to drink and was the main reason why he moved his herd to this location. The foliage this time of year was in ranges of greens and golds. Perfect grasses to graze on and fatten his females for breeding season. 

With this rainbow lake being full of his herd mates, it was hard to believe that something, like a theropod of sorts, would slip through the cracks of any surveillance group. Panda continued to follow the tracks around and noticed that wherever he saw the same or similar sized three claw marks in the ground, there was this mysterious plant growing here. This plant that was lime green in color, but smelled sour like lemons. It held two to four ovular leaves and the stock seemed strong and sturdy. There was no telling or sign of this plant was dangerous for styracosaurus to ingest and there was no indication that this plant could be a real threat, however, the sudden appearance of this plant was concerning. It was not native to the Rainbow Lake location and could turn into a threat towards the native plant species which styracosaurus did consume in this area. A threat to their food source could then be translated to a threat to his herd and family. 

With a new sense of urgency and worry, Panda continued his investigation on this plant species. So, one thing could be certain. A theropod had transported this plant here, but how? Panda pawed at the ground and began to dig around the surrounding area to see if he could find any more clues. Luckily the green buck didn't have to dig very far. Several seeds were being planted in various areas around where the claw marks were. These seeds had to be the source of this odd plant. The seeds themselves were a yellow or tan color with a smooth and soft outer shell. They didn't seem to have much of a smell at first, but some of the sprouting seeds had that faint lemon smell. Panda confirmed these seeds did indeed grow into this little smelly plant.

So, these plants were from a theropod and being transplanted as seeds. The best way to carry seeds like this is through a beak of some sort, but only so many theropods had beaks and were herbivorous at the least. Omnivores were likely as well, but carnivores were definitely off the list. Panda pawed the ground again and shook his massive crested head. What could this species possibly be? If they were on the ground that eliminated a vast majority of flyers and theropods alike. Given the size of the claw marks it could be determined that microraotors could theoretically be a possibility. They had small enough theropedic feet. They were also omnivorous. The only issue was some of the claw marks were slightly just too big to be an adult microraptor. Couuldn't be velociraptors or Utah raptors. Both of them were carnivores last Panda heard. With possibilities narrowed down, Panda continued his search for anything else that could be obvious. 

He found it. The obvious feather of what could only be the accused. This feather smelled like the tracks did and seemed to match the size of the animal in question. The feather was obvious too large to be a microraptor and thus making this a new encounter for Panda. This was definitely a creature he had never encountered before. He turned his head to call back to Moosetracks. He wanted her opinion on the matter of this discovery and possibility. Moosetracks jogged away from her grazing area at the Rainbow Lake and met his side obediently. Panda lead her around the area. He showed her the claw marks, the seeds, and even the feather. The feather was white with a black edge and gray spots. It certainly was an odd looking feather. Moosetracks sniffed around at the feather and the claw marks. She also confirmed through smell alone that the feather belonged to whoever made the claw marks and the seeds most definitely were carried by the same creature. 

The two circled around the area a little while longer and continued to investigate the scene of the crime. Moosetracks followed Panda's footsteps and retraced everything he had looked at. She came to the same conclusion. Whatever this creature was, it brought these seeds here and all they can do is hope this plant wasn't dangerous and hope this plant didn't take over their natural grazing lands and food chain. Panda watched as Moosetracks rejoined his herd to graze among their members, leaving him alone to ponder what exactly could be out there and spreading these seeds? Why were these seeds being spread? What was the purpose behind these plants and would it turn out alright or would this plant endanger their food supply?

Panda sniffed at the baby plants again in question. A part of him really wanted to take a taste and see if this plant was indeed dangerous or could be eaten by members of his herd. If this plant was safe to ingest, they themselves could effectively resolve this issue by eating any of the plants this mystery creature had dropped off. The issue was that if they weren't safe, he could in turn makes himself really sick and then risk the health of his herd. He needed a guinea pig. He needed a practice creature. Something to come by and eat this plant and help determine how to classify the organism. Panda carefully broke one of the plants and noticed a lack of milk that milkweeds would typically leak This was a good sign. This plant also lacked the leaves necessary to be something dangerous like poison ivy or poison oak. The light citrusy smell was what threw him off. Citronella was quite toxic and smelled like this, but the leaves didn't match a budding or youngling specimen. Perhaps it would be safer for him to not try to eat it on the off-chance it made him sick.