Amstaadian Flora and Fauna

[rolandofthewhite]

Falcon

In nature, fierce birds of prey. Used by peopel to hunt game, as well as for scouting ahead.

[Thok]

Ocelot

A small spotted wild cat. Feasts on small wild prey (mice, rabbits, small birds, occasionally a deer if it can catch one). Nocturnal, it sleeps in trees during the day. Usually found in small groups of 3-6. Somewhat territorial and will attempt to attack/frighten away intruders.

[Pie_is_good]

Paereb Spiders

The spiders are not so much a species as a hive of giant spiders that lives in Amstaad. Its nursery is underground, but hunters are often sent above to bring food down. These spiders can range anywhere from the size of a standard Earth spider to about 10 feet long... and they aren't afraid to bring humanoid prey down.

The spiders have long mouthparts that crush their prey as well as small needle-like appendage that injects a paralysis poison into the grappled prey (strength of poison is often proportional to size of spider). They are jet-black with a natural oil secretion making their hard outer surface shine in the sun. They can blend in well in the shadows, though.

[Yaw]

Vizid Snakes

Venomous sea snakes. Black and about 5 to 6 feet long. Live only in salt water, and though they aren't large enough to consume a full-grown person, the venom can certainly kill one.

[rolandofthewhite]

Cat

Coming in a variety of shapes, colors, breeds, etc. Many are domesticated as pets, but some run wild.

[Thok]

Jungo Berry

Physical Decription: A thorny vine with a somewhat tart berry. The berries can be eaten raw, or cooked into a sumptious jam. The taste is a close to a cross between lime and raspberry.

[Pie_is_good]

Rollep

Rollep is a plant that looks similar to wild grass (although it's a bit larger). The root is edible, and although tasteless, can provide sustenance in a pinch. Rollep can only flourish in water-dense areas, so exceptionally large patches of rollep are good indications of an underground spring or otherwise concealed body of water.

[Yaw]

Linfal Tree

Tall deciduous tree with clusters of small leaves that turn bright red in autumn. It's known for the unique structure of its twigs, which are hollow and open at the end. When the wind blows through the branches of a Linfal, the twigs act like panpipes, creating music.

[rolandofthewhite]

Dryad

Demihuman. Shorter than most humans.

Dryads are always female, capturing human males to use for mating and then releasing them. The soul of a dryad is tied to a particular tree in their home grove, and if the tree is destroyed or sickly, the dryad dies or is ill as well. The appearance of the dryad is always directly tied to that of the tree, as well, and changes according to the appearance of the tree and the season.

Spring

hair - light brown, blonde, or pale green
skin tone - lightly tan

Summer

hair - dark green or dark brown
skin tone - tan

Autumn

hair - red, orange, blonde, brown
skin tone - bronzed

Winter

hair - black, white, brown, grey
skin tone - pale

Of course there are exceptions, for example a dryad whose tree is an evergreen or whose tree is in an area that doesn't experience a certain season or whose tree has curiously-colored striations in the leaves (reflecting as streaks in the hair, etc.)

Basically the dryad reflects the color/condition of their tree. Most of the time dryads live in a closely-knit community in their grove, guarding their trees protectively. Some, however, do go out into the world for adventure. All dryads are somewhat mischievous in nature, and always stop travellers through the forest to seduce.

[Thok]

Crabapple tree:

Yep more flora, and more stuff to make jelly out of.

[Pie_is_good]

Turriss

The turris is a reasonably large fish (an average Turriss is about the size of an exceptionally large salmon). It's harmeless to humans, but a predator to almost all smaller fish. Also one of the Tiktuk's fishing targets.

[Yaw]

Lotus Tree

Grows to an average height of 8-10 feet tall, with deep emerald leaves. Produces clusters of small, pure white lotus flowers, which later form sweet white berries which are considered a gourmet item. The trees are notoriously vulnerable for the first two years of life, which contributes to their rarity.

[Yaw]

Roland asked about diseases. I agree we should be defining them, but for now let's stick to flora and fauna. We can define viruses and bacteria when we're done drafting. (Although if you want to allude to a pathogen you want to appear when drafting a disease carrier, feel free to do so.)

[rolandofthewhite]

Sharks

Many species, like our modern sharks, and rumors abound of sharks large enough to sink a boat (Carcharadon Megalodon, perhaps...?).

[Thok]

Bees

You know the drill, they provide honey, pollenize flowers and sting things.

[Pie_is_good]

Pristek

This organism resembles a bush from a distance, but upon closer examination, its outer shell of leaves serve only as protection for an inner eyestalk and a strange tube-like appendage capable of shooting an acidic mixture. It often suprise-attacks its prey, spraying acid and then moving to reside on top of its target's old body, which then provides its nourishment. Amount and strength of acid produced varies based on the age of the creature. It moves at about 10 feet per hour - negligible to any combat.

[Yaw]

Boar

Your normal European wild boar. What says European fantasy quite like a boar hunt, or feasting on roasted boar? (And there's the added allusion -- the Passani dietary requirement against eating boar.)

[rolandofthewhite]

Hareesh

Physical description: Large, whale-like creatures. Hareesh resemble a slightly smaller, more attractive humpback whale. Their skin is an unusual iradescent green and blue, often freckled with shiny, pearl-like bumps.

Hareesh live in the deep ocean, though they occasionally will swim close to shore. They are quite playful and intelligent, often swimming alongside boats. Sometimes, if a captain frequents the same waters for an extended amount of time, the same hareesh will follow them around every time, almost like a guardian. Legends abound among sailors of hareesh that have defended boats from attack and even saved the lives of sailors, so they are held in extremely high regard among mariners, and it's considered good luck to see one.

The hareesh make many noises, ranging from a whistle that is almost like laughter to deep, threatening-sounding clicks to low, melancholy songs that one can hear late at night on the open sea. The hareesh's clicks act as sort of a sonic deterrent to sharks in particular and not other fish, which is another reason that hareesh are well-liked by fishermen.

The hareesh primarily feeds on plankton, algae, small crustaceans, and small fish.

Unfortunately, the hareesh has recently become a hunted animal in some areas. Hunting boats are used to harpoon a hareesh and drag it to shore. The pearl-like growths on the hareesh's skin are then sold as jewelry, and the shimmery greenish oil that covers the animal's skin and gives it its iradescent shine is used in dye, producing a brilliant, emerald green cloth. Hareesh products are generally sold for extremely high prices and are a sign of wealth. The killing of hareesh is looked down upon in most port towns, but the business continues to grow, particularly in wealthy areas of towns.

[Thok]

Giant Vulture

Physical Description: A large carnviorous scavenger, an adult Giant Vulture is typically the size of a small hut (10 feet tall with a 20 foot wing span). These creatures are fairly rare; one nest of 5-10 vultures can scavenge a large region of over 100 miles in radius. Has large claws for piercing hides and carrying corpses to the nest.

[Pie_is_good]

Derphai

These resemble dolphins with much longer fins - up to 4 feet long. They eat other fish, and can be harpooned by the fishermen.

[Yaw]

Gnats

Very small, black flying insect with an itchy bite. Breeds in standing water, and can be found in swarms when breeding grounds have been left undisturbed for a long time. May be disease carriers.

[rolandofthewhite]

Abyssid

Abyssids are pale, humanoid creatures that live in caverns and caves beneath the world's surface. They resemble humans, but are somewhat shorter, with pale (nearly translucent) skin flecked with greyish-green blotches, and they are totally hairless. They are completely blind, with eyes that are either pale blue or totally white. Due to their lack of vision, they hunt by emitting shrill screams and clicks and use echolocation to find their prey. Abyssids are usually slight of build, almost to the point of appearing emaciated, to help them slip through the thin cracks in the rock. Their fingers end in tapered points, used to climb rock walls and grasp onto victims. They have numerous needle-like teeth which they use to tear out their victims' throats, and then feast on the body later.

Abyssids are unabashed carnivores. The majority of the time they will feed on shrimp, fish, crayfish, and other animals within the cave, but occasionally they will venture outdoors after dark, hunting other prey, including humans.

Little is known about the organization of Abyssids. They appear to lack sentience, and live in small groups of around 30-40, never with any sort of leader. They are rarely documented, as they live deep within the earth (and many who happen upon them don't return). They are rumored to have descended from the Mar-Dejir, a human sect that worships the earth god and lives deep within caves. The Mar-Dejir deny having any connection to the "abominations", however, so the origin of the Abyssids remains a mystery.

It's also worth noting that their name is a misnomer; they aren't demons.

[rolandofthewhite]

The idea was almost entirely stolen from The Descent, by the way.

[Thok]

Shadow Root

A black raddish that grows solely in the wild. General Consensus believes that this is a cursed plant, poisonous for consumption and just generally cursed. Certain cultures have complicated rituals to purify a field tained by Shadow Root. General Consensus is in fact horribly wrong; with proper preparation Shadow Root makes a good stew, although it must be cooked (as it is quite bitter when eaten raw).

[Pie_is_good]

Moroxi

The Moroxi are an intelligent race that most closely resemble abnormally large snakes with wings. Their wings are white, heavily feathered, and extremely powerful. They are located close to the head of the snake body, and in flight, they carry the snake in wild, bounding arcs. Although they are half again as large as the average human, the flight is much too wild to be rideable. They are also capable of moving across land fairly quickly, but they aren't coordinated enough to navigate easily. They must go significantly slower to navigate forests to get around the trees, for example.

The Moroxi prefer solitude, living in small packs in open areas. They speak their own language. Extreme pacifists, they will run or fly away from any questionable contact with the outside world.