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Biomes~Forest Draft.
Jul. 9th, 2011 08:22 pmWhile the forests have always suffered greatly in recent centuries, the great fires had done much to revitalize the land. Besides the near-absence of man, copious amounts of ash have introduced both nutrients and heavy metals into the soil.
Naturally, the forest grows thicker the deeper one ventures in. In-tact ecosystems still persist in larger territories, though the trees can be seen growing more knotted and twisted in appearance. Almost tentacle-like in appearance, some adventurers have described the bark as having a wet-looking sheen that does not dry.
Perhaps not surprisingly, necrotic plants and animals live in the deeper reigons. Pockets of marshland typically develop throughout, and at times, pre-existing riverwalks provide a slowly crumbling path among the fetid waters. Stilt-shacks are seen, yet only assumed to be abandoned.
Native Flora;
Stalkingweed
Found blooming in the late Spring months, bright and fragrant lavender flowers gradually darken over the change of season. This plant has its stamens housed on the outer portion of its petals, situated atop their own pair of stalks. Meanwhile, the pistil is located at the thick center stalk of the plant. During the transition from Summer to Autumn, this stalk ripens and ferments into a juicy and delectable red-violet fruit. Many small seeds line the interior, which are also regarded as edible.
Bloodtooth Toadstool
Aptly named for the dark red secretions that drip from its pores, the white patterning also resembles a skull. While scattered reports claim the toadstool to have a cloyingly sweet taste and smell, it is highly poisonous. Profuse sweating and the appearance of blood blisters signify the potency of the plant.
The Swooping Tree
An usual-looking tree, named for it's bulbous and rubbery form. Bearing a resemblance to an agitated sea urchin or cuttlefish, the tentacle-like branches are extremely flexible and contain countless spiny thorns. A question of sentience persists, as many believe this hybrid creature to sense the subtle electrical fields in living creatures, of which it reacts to aggressively.
Spiny Gulper
An aggressive strain of choking weed that grows profusely in wet climates. Covered in more thorns than the Swooping Tree, their ability to hunt like a common fly trap lead these plants to be mistaken for saplings of that tree. It is more reliably believed that the plant's stalk and roots contain medicinal astringents, provided one can work around the thorns.
Native Fauna
The Sarcastic Mudskipper
This fish commonly begins its life cycle in a mucous sac beneath a fallen and rotten tree. Apart from their lousy taste, they are defenseless, relying upon the insects and grubs found within rotten vegetation. While they may appear comical with their swollen eyes, they possess a colorful threat display. Witnessed most commonly over territorial disputes, these fish will suck their eyes into their skull and expand their mouths to a great degree
The Moss Boar / Tuskmoss
A lazy creature that spends the majority of its time in muddy, swampy ground.
From this, it has developed a colony of fungus and flying insects upon its backside, which gives off a distinct odor from at least a half-mile radius. These boars are also recognizable by their three sets of protruding tusks, which are often obscured by the layers of caked mud by which they dig with.
When they are not lazy, they are highly aggressive and will charge at the slightest provocation. The smoke from uncontrolled campfires and wildfires have been known to greatly agitate the insects, which can drive a given reigon of boars to frenzy. This is referred to as "Tuskmoss", when the otherwise passive vegetation is violently rustled and threatening of attack.
If confronted with a Moss Boar, it is useful to know that these animals possess poor eyesight, to the point of partial blindness. Remaining still or seeking high ground will deter them.
Triad Flies
These chromatic insects favor a type of plant that only grows upon the back of the Moss Boar, where their eggs are laid and left to hatch. It has 3 sets of wings, which allow this insect much control over its direction in flight, as with hovering. Most of its nutrition can be found on either the backside, or the underside of the Boar.
General Sherman
A fabled beast of the lands, commonly sighted by the drunk and drug-addled. It is widely regarded as large enough to loom over a shopping mall, easily able to swallow a gnoll without trouble. Armored coils of the beast have been spotted in several bodies of water, leading some to suspect this leviathan actually dwells beneath and between the land.
Naturally, the forest grows thicker the deeper one ventures in. In-tact ecosystems still persist in larger territories, though the trees can be seen growing more knotted and twisted in appearance. Almost tentacle-like in appearance, some adventurers have described the bark as having a wet-looking sheen that does not dry.
Perhaps not surprisingly, necrotic plants and animals live in the deeper reigons. Pockets of marshland typically develop throughout, and at times, pre-existing riverwalks provide a slowly crumbling path among the fetid waters. Stilt-shacks are seen, yet only assumed to be abandoned.
Native Flora;
Stalkingweed
Found blooming in the late Spring months, bright and fragrant lavender flowers gradually darken over the change of season. This plant has its stamens housed on the outer portion of its petals, situated atop their own pair of stalks. Meanwhile, the pistil is located at the thick center stalk of the plant. During the transition from Summer to Autumn, this stalk ripens and ferments into a juicy and delectable red-violet fruit. Many small seeds line the interior, which are also regarded as edible.
Bloodtooth Toadstool
Aptly named for the dark red secretions that drip from its pores, the white patterning also resembles a skull. While scattered reports claim the toadstool to have a cloyingly sweet taste and smell, it is highly poisonous. Profuse sweating and the appearance of blood blisters signify the potency of the plant.
The Swooping Tree
An usual-looking tree, named for it's bulbous and rubbery form. Bearing a resemblance to an agitated sea urchin or cuttlefish, the tentacle-like branches are extremely flexible and contain countless spiny thorns. A question of sentience persists, as many believe this hybrid creature to sense the subtle electrical fields in living creatures, of which it reacts to aggressively.
Spiny Gulper
An aggressive strain of choking weed that grows profusely in wet climates. Covered in more thorns than the Swooping Tree, their ability to hunt like a common fly trap lead these plants to be mistaken for saplings of that tree. It is more reliably believed that the plant's stalk and roots contain medicinal astringents, provided one can work around the thorns.
Native Fauna
The Sarcastic Mudskipper
This fish commonly begins its life cycle in a mucous sac beneath a fallen and rotten tree. Apart from their lousy taste, they are defenseless, relying upon the insects and grubs found within rotten vegetation. While they may appear comical with their swollen eyes, they possess a colorful threat display. Witnessed most commonly over territorial disputes, these fish will suck their eyes into their skull and expand their mouths to a great degree
The Moss Boar / Tuskmoss
A lazy creature that spends the majority of its time in muddy, swampy ground.
From this, it has developed a colony of fungus and flying insects upon its backside, which gives off a distinct odor from at least a half-mile radius. These boars are also recognizable by their three sets of protruding tusks, which are often obscured by the layers of caked mud by which they dig with.
When they are not lazy, they are highly aggressive and will charge at the slightest provocation. The smoke from uncontrolled campfires and wildfires have been known to greatly agitate the insects, which can drive a given reigon of boars to frenzy. This is referred to as "Tuskmoss", when the otherwise passive vegetation is violently rustled and threatening of attack.
If confronted with a Moss Boar, it is useful to know that these animals possess poor eyesight, to the point of partial blindness. Remaining still or seeking high ground will deter them.
Triad Flies
These chromatic insects favor a type of plant that only grows upon the back of the Moss Boar, where their eggs are laid and left to hatch. It has 3 sets of wings, which allow this insect much control over its direction in flight, as with hovering. Most of its nutrition can be found on either the backside, or the underside of the Boar.
General Sherman
A fabled beast of the lands, commonly sighted by the drunk and drug-addled. It is widely regarded as large enough to loom over a shopping mall, easily able to swallow a gnoll without trouble. Armored coils of the beast have been spotted in several bodies of water, leading some to suspect this leviathan actually dwells beneath and between the land.
