carrion_luggage

This is a world much like our own, only changed after years of nuclear war that has erased most of life as we've come to know it. As always, life finds a way, and new forms have started to emerge.

This new world has been rebuilt from spliced DNA and engineered evolution, though not necessarily by human design. Humanity has been reduced to an unorganized pack of scavengers, fighting over the remains of something long lost. In their place rises a cunning new species, predominantly Gnoll-like creatures. Out from under their dominance, other races flourish and thrive, crafting an altogether new biodiversity.

Within this world, and the few humans which populate it, one wanders alone, lost. Trying to survive while searching for more. I want to focus the next two months on this world, and with each week, a new environment. Within each environment, a speed-painting of the whole, then a set of field notes of the local flora and fauna. Natives and their culture follow after that, and if there isn't one for that particular environment, character concepts will fill in. Likewise, ruins will be detailed where they exist. And then a larger environmental drawing after all the details have been worked out.

Welcome, to my world.

Plains/grasslands/forest/temperate zone

What use to be small jerkwater towns, that thrived on bigbox stores, and used cars. Is now overgrown cars and parking lots, and nature takes it all back. Ruins would be old walmarts/gernal stores.

The Vain Oak,
Thick at the trunk's base, a sprawl of gnarled roots twist into one another, as the contaminated soil prevents the tree from fully taking root. This makes a great shelter for smaller wildlife to hide within, where their droppings provide a scarce amount of nutrients. From this, the tree produces fruit early in the summer, which is blood red in color and very sweet in both smell and taste. Just as the wildlife can get drunk on the fallen, fermented fruit, a common wine is made from this tree, baring a similar name.

Morninglory Hole,
This rare plant is only found in areas of constant sunlight. They bloom quickly in the spring, and are present for most of the summer season, carrying into the remaining warmth of the fall. The pollen and pistil are located within the bulb, which serves to pollinate similar to a fig plant. They are a vivid hue of purple and are known to produce a crude form of opiate. This sticky, semi-sweet ichor is toxic in its unprocessed state, which lures pollinators in, but doesn't allow them to leave.

Peacock Weed,
Much like a larger form of dandelion, only in hues of muted blue and violet. The bulb itself is considered edible, like a large peapod, before the bulb swells to a more prominent shade and grows wispy white hairs. Since they are found growing in most fields and open areas, some people tend to cultivate them. A diligent planter could produce upwards of either harvests a year if done right.

Eucanlycthus Pitcher,
A vile-smelling plant that attacks and devours low, ground-dwelling grubs as a primary foodsource. Yet, the plant itself is a key diet for other wildlife. The roots have a high nutritional value and grows nearly year-round, otherwise the roots can be dug up in the winter months. To most species, the plant itself smells not unlike rotten meat, and has a sour, astringent taste. Any portion of the plant needs to be boiled to be properly consumed.

Trunk Cap,
A commonplace fungus, notably found growing from felled trees and most forms of dead wood. These can be picked and cooked for their peculiar texture and flavor. Their typical brown coloration varies on the season in which they are picked. They are scarce in the spring and summer, yet very abundant in the middle of the fall season.