Spoiler
Is it alive?
The artifacts of some strange ritual, especially when cast in such light by Nilss, are even more chilling. Ssssil has no idea himself, merely shuddering at the idea of red and black - two simple colours - having some other meaning.
Upon hearing the movement, Ssssil hopes for a moment that it is just the creature they are looking for, or some startled swamp deer. He searches his memory for any indication like that, even though his hands already reach for his weapons.
He does not need to understand Urrffrah's questions to Nilss to be thinking exactly the same thing himself.
Rolled a 19 in knowledge (nature) to perhaps guess what is coming - size if not what it might be.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3677467/