DESIGN QUEST: Flora/Fauna in the Zone

TheWizard

Exiles, you are really something. Now it's time for flora and fauna. But first, the other Design Quest threads for ease of navigation:

Home Thread
History Thread

Now it's time to brainstorm what the place is teeming with as far as plants, landscapes and all manner of beasties!

(no humanoids here, please-- we'll get to the humanoids in the Civilization thread)

So have at it. What populates the open world, the nooks and crannies, the various landforms that you've described in the other threads. Be they friendly or no? What do they want? What must they eat?

It's all up for grabs and remember-- we'll put it all together for you to vote on and discuss after the initial ideas are here. Then we'll hone, then we'll declare what's what in this very special Zone of Embermark!

Evilteddy

Mountain goats - mostly friendly and will leave you alone if you leave them alone, but occasionally during mating season the rams may be a little aggressive.  They eat the sparse outcroppings of grass and a the few small trees that pop up here and there.  If you are low on water or health carefully follow a mountain goat, they might lead you to a small deposit of water or a temporary shelter.  If you do not see or hear any mountain goats nearby...your fate may already be sealed.

Mountain lion - The smallest of the dangerous predators in this area, mostly feeds on young mountain goats, birds, and other small mammals, but if hungry will attack an unsuspecting traveler or travel down to the settlements to steal away any livestock it can find.  Puma kittens are prized among adventurers, and are often trained to be very loyal hunting companions.

Mountain Eagle - One of the largest raptors on the continent, has been seen carrying off an mountain goat.  If you manage to dodge its arm length talons on its first attack, this eagle's beak can slice through five layers of leather armor and is rumored to be able to be able to cut through even dragon scale.  If you encounter one of these raptors, do not try to run away, it will not miss on its dive a second time.

Evilteddy

Above the tree line only some of the most resilient of grasses can be found.

At the tree line can you will find mostly Conifer trees and many types of grasses and a few flowering plants.

Down near the coast and in the valleys you will find a lot of grassy areas great for livestock.  In these areas wild fruit plants are abundant, mostly briar berries like blackberries and raspberries, but you may also stumble upon the occasional Apple, Pear, or Mulberry tree.

Spacegoats

Alright, well this may just be my specialty. @TheWizard you asked for this and had better read it all!

Flora

* The Reaching Tree- These trees are found near freshwater, especially large lakes. All of the trees branches reach upwards, like they are trying to pluck the very stars from the sky, hence the name. All but the biggest of leaves also point skyward. Its leaves (upwards of a foot long and a few inches across) are strong and difficult to tear. The lumber from the reaching tree is fairly valuable since it is extremely strong and sturdy though cutting one down can prove quite the challenge for lesser metals. The wood is used in all sorts of things but mostly in tools, and wizard staffs. The leaves are useful for braiding into things such as rope. 

* The Red Dragon- A flower which grows in more arid climates. It has a vine like structure that is covered nearly entirely with tiny needle like thorns and holds five to six red flowers that loosely resemble serpent heads. Its name mostly comes from the toxin in its thorns however, since a creature scratched by one will experience a sensation likened to being burnt from the inside out. Its usefulness comes from the nectar it holds in its flowers. It's said that a small vials worth can make a man stronger, faster, and more perceptive. Though beware its addictive qualities...

* The Madness Tree- It is.. wait, no, no. You aren't ready for this one I think. Perhaps another time...

Fauna

* The Giant Rock Lurker- Easily one of the biggest and most violent predators in this zone. It is extremely territorial, and they each have huge territories, usually overlapping one another's. During the day it hides along large outcroppings of rocks and boulders or even in large holes in the ground where it blends easily into the terrain. It extends its batlike wings to be in direct sunlight, absorbing the warmth and radiation. During the day it will not hunt but can still defend itself. At night, however, things become dangerous. It is a rather intelligent creature and easily poses a serious threat to any who venture this land. It has two strong back legs it uses to jump around the terrain or lunge at prey. It has two middle appendages that don't serve much use except to rip apart dead prey. Its two wings also act like arms and can achieve a surprising amount of rotation and range. The end of its wings support five eerily long fingers with sickle like claws. It has a tail used mostly for stability but in a pinch can cause quite a daze in an opponent. Its head is fairly feline esq and it can turn 180°. It has four eyes that help it see extremely well in the dark. Its hide is extremely dense and can withstand a fair amount of damage.

* The Blind Grizzlemaw- One of the few contenders for biggest predator in the region. It hunts by sound and smell and is incredibly fast. It usually resides in caves and only really ventures forth when it is hungry. The Grizzlemaw is usually active around dusk and dawn, just as things begin to stir or settle down. It stands six feet at the shoulder and is easily twice that on its hind legs. Its jaws are lined with oversized fangs and once it grabs ahold of prey, it refuses to let go and will rend it to pieces fairly quickly. The strangest feature of this creature is its ability to harden its pelt so much that even steel weapons have a hard time puncturing it. 

* The Sea Mantis- This creature usually inhabits the deep oceans, but during mating season and when they get hungry enough, the can be found lurking in the coastal waters south of this zone. They have long necks with a long wide mouth full of razor sharp teeth. The have an antenna of sorts on their head that glows with bioluminescence when exposed to air, that they can raise and lower at will. The neck extends down to a wide body that has six appendages. There are four massive flippers on the side of the beast that propel it through the water with the help of a long thick tail. The other two are located near the front of the creature and are long arms with serrated bone at the ends. They tend to lie in wait in murky water and use its bioluminescence to lure in prey and then strike when it gets close. (Basically, a plesiosaur, a preying mantis, and an angler fish all had an illegitimate love child.)

Alright Wiz. I'm letting you off easy this time. I know you're busy and I don't want you stuck here reading a book of all my creations. Though if you want more, more you shall have!

Finjinimo

The Red Begbie Nut - Rumoured to increase strength, virility and to put hairs on your chest. Locals use it to help stay awake, to increase concentration, and most importantly -- to give themselves courage. And perhaps it does do some of these things. However in reality all it really seems to do is cause slight euphoria, followed by a bad headache and horribly red stained teeth.

TheWizard

ha, @Finjinimo, you took the (game stats) teeth out of it with your last sentence! 

Excellent work so far, Exiles (@spacegoats and @Evilteddy, you are monsters of fauna). Keep it coming...

Finjinimo

Rock Spider - Not really a spider, this eight legged crustacean is actually a type of land crab. A superbly camouflaged creature, the same colour and texture as the rocky outcrops it likes to call home. It is mostly harmless, although it's pincers can give you a nasty pinch. Most would never notice it's existence if it were not for the fact that it clicks its pincers to attract mates, to warn off rivals, when agitated, threatened, hungry, bored. Stumbling into the midst of a colony of these little blighters sets off a cacophony of castanets, making sleeping anywhere near them extremely undesirable.

Finjinimo

Stink Bug - Jet black with a slightly yellow head, this tiny beetle is completely harmless. However, only truly desperate animals will prey on it because if it's carapace is crushed or pierced, the creature releases a most odious stink. A smell so hideous, vermin will try to claw their noses off rather than suffer it. Luckily, they mostly live solitary lives. However once a year they swarm, mate and die, painting the desert black for a day and causing both man and beast to tread very, very carefully.

Finjinimo

Salt Bush - This gnarly, stubborn tree is found sparsely along the coast. It is a small, stunted, sea-blasted shrubbery which is not much good for anything at all. However, it's love of salt-water does mean that although it's leaves taste particularly foul, some locals have been known to use it as seasoning.

Finjinimo

Octarious Curmugenous- Looking very much like your eighty year old grandma, this member of the cactus family is found sporadically through out this area. It is wrinkly, bent, and somewhat wizened plant, covered in sharp spiney spikes that will absolutely jab you for not having a real job. This surly looking plant radiates judgement, displeasure, and disappointment. Good in a soup.

Finjinimo

Withered Squash - This unfortunate member of the melon family struggles for existence in the dry rocky mountains of <zone name>. Its leaves are dry, thin and wispy; its vines spindly and tough. The fruit of this plant looks aged well beyond their years, like a prune left in the sun too long and then trodden on. It tastes terrible.

Evilteddy

Bat - Small nocturnal flying creature that is completely harmless on its own, but in large groups have been known to scary the shit out of adventures as the leave one of the many mines and caves in this area.  Bat guano is prized both within and outside of the continent as fertilizer, however, collecting it can be dangerous.  The bats themselves might not be very dangerous, but their guano carries many flesh eating parasites that can exploit the smallest cut and consume an adult in a matter of hours.

Giant Bat/Bat King - A very large bat that resides deep in the tunnels of the mountains.  Reports on his size vary, some claim he is the size of an adult other claim he is the size of a child.   All of the other bats will bring the bat king the best fruit and bugs as offering to him. When the bat king dies all of the male bats will then fight for dominance to become the new bat king.

Cave Spider - This spiders favorite food is bat, you can often find their web either at the entrance to a cave or mine, or swarming near bat colonies.  Adults spiders can get to be about the size of a cat, but are more often about the size of a rat, and prefer solitude and do not like to share their catches.  The young cave spiders are about the size of a mouse and prefer to work in swarms.

Evilteddy

Phosphorous Lichen - This lichen was imported across the Breach by the gnomes, the gnomes use this lichen in to light their great halls and mining tunnels.  This lichen grows in great abundance throughout the underground regions has made safer travel for adventures within the areas which it can be found.  Many of the more dangerous underground inhabitants have been known to scrape their hunting grounds clean of this lichen, and great caution should be taken when traveling through areas where this lichen is not found.

Evilteddy

Dead Man Tree - This carnivorous tree is another plant that traveled across the Breach to the continent.  This tree gets its name from its skeletal appearance, with bone white bark and limbs that look like arms and hands.  No need to fear this tree hurting you, for they prefer to eat things that have already died, but it not recommended that you sleep under one of these trees.

Finjinimo

Flatulous Horrificus - A type of cabbage. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

TheWizard

By touching or eating or both?

Finjinimo

Why not both?

Touching it sets off a most odious defence mechanism, accompanied by an appropriately hilarious sound. Children the world over love it as a natural woopie cushion.

Eating a little bit is fine. Eating too much makes for a very long car-trip.

helpicantfly

sneezing fruit : a fruit you don't really want to eat but if your hungry another better than nothing.
Beanbark : from the out side of a tree provides a little nourishment but takes a while to chew.
brush : pull it out ground use to sweep and if no weapon then hey use it to hit whatever is in your way.

Psycho_Mycho

The friendly Eno is great for traveling around the land. At 2 meters tall and approximately 135 kilograms, these beasts are easily tamed and provide a ride over easy to moderate terrain. They can carry a total weight of 260 kilograms (well over their body weight) over an extended period and not tire, which is why many travelers use the Eno. They are grazers in nature, eating whatever grassy-type substance they can get their mouths on.

As far as dangers go, the fierce Razortooth is to be avoided at all costs. Though their jaws have teeth aplenty, it’s the one tooth which extends over 15cm from its closed jaw that it’s known for. This creature lurks in the shadows and is sleek black in appearance. At approximately 1.2 meters tall and 90 kilograms in weight, the Razortooth is problematic for many of the inhabitants in this world. The Razortooth favors caves and cracks, though it is not uncommon to see this lurking around the forests. Vary rarely will this creature be seen near a city. The Razortooth is a carnivore.

The Rockler, ah yes, who can forget. The Rockler is a beast unlike any other, and is only found in elevations above 4000 meters, particularly in mountainous areas. This beast makes man look like a mere ant. At 7.5 meters tall and weighing in at over 1000 kilograms, this beast is surprisingly hard to spot until it’s too late. Its large body is a mesh of brown, black, and grey, giving it a “rock-like” appurtenance from which it is named. The Rockler has a surprisingly strong “arm” which can hurl large stones, and its skin is as tough as scale armor. Not too many have lived to tell of their encounter with this foul beast, and those that did typically did so by outrunning their friends. The Rockler is an omnivore, but favors meat over rocks and vegetation.