Wildlife of the realms
Wildlife of the realms is varied and exotic. Often winged or capable of gliding long distances many species are capable of swimming through the air supported by some unknown force. Entire species of plant grow, and spread never touching the ground. Huge swarms of small insects, larvae of larger species, and clouds of pollen and spores drift among the open skies.
On the ground the animals are no less adaptive. Lizards, insects, and chimeras species mixing mammal, saurian, and insect traits are common. while most are no larger than elk or dear there are species that are as large as bison, or dwarf cottages and roam in herds that cover the open plains of arcadia and Ja-Rhoon.
Airborne
Windsprit: a generic name for the small windborne creatures drifting along the currents of the Open Skies. These are often larvae of larger breeds feeding off of pollen and spores that teem in the Aerial regions. Windsprit can be as fine and infrequent as specks of dust or lacy bits of fluff or as numerous and dense as a wall of yellow brown dust that obscures the sky and drives folk indoors. Many creatures of the Open Skies feed on Windsprit and follow dense shoals of it as it flows across the skies.
Feather Frond. An airborne plant the glides along the air currents supported by it’s many long feathery leaves and gas pockets. Massive tangles of feather frond grow sometimes as large as small islands. Hosting a teeming multitude of small creatures.
Coral: colonies of small creatures that secrete a stony substance to protect themselves. Over time these creatures build up in layers creating a rocky reef not only found in the upper layers of the encircling sea bt drifting among the Sky reaches and shatters reefs of coral are colorful and varied ranging from simple shoals of irregular stone sprouting millions of tiny brightly colored tendrils to huge orbs resembling a sphere of intricately sculpted stone.
Syhl: two to four feet long these creatures have long segmented creature resembling a flattened armored eel with a series of long fins along it’s forward half. Syhl glow softly in the dim light of the lower realms and the depths of Arboria. The long slender spins sprouting from the body along it’s back and underside are painfully sharp and cause painful irritation swelling in some people.
Syhl fly by a form of levitation and propel themselves with their rapidly undulating wings. Syhl are prized for the meat and ils from their flesh which is used in medicines and cosmetics. Fleets of fishing craft pursue the shoals of Syhl over long distances using lures and nets to capture large numbers of Syhl.
Tuhlahr: large winged scaled creature about the same size and behavior as tuna. He large streamlined body of the animal is rich in oil and fat as well as a fluid filled sac that contains an exotic oil, used as a component of alchemical fuels, that allow it to levitate and propel itself at high peed with it’s enlarged winglike fins.
Ribbon Fly: huge sometimes growingtoover100 feet long the ribbon fly resembles a long flattened and segmented dragonfly with dozens of wings in clusters of four or six along its body. Moving in slow looping flights Lone ribbon flies sweep up huge swarms of midge, windsprit and pollen in the gaping maws. Alongwiht the occasional smaller
Abeoloii: a large sky ranging creature that resemble in form and behavior sea dwelling whales with longer fins, and multiple large eyes that give it excellent all around vision. The Abeoloii live and travel in pods led by a dominant bull and cow, the adults are protective of their young since predators and hunters are constantly on the prowl for any exposed youth.
Abeoloii are hunted for the rich oil they contain for use as fuel and in alchemical preparations. However hunting Abeoloii is extremely dangerous due to the powerful telekinetic blasts and mental influencing abilities of the Adult bulls and cows.
Several breeds of Abeoloii exists some are passive filter feeders while others are fierce and dangerous predators. Largest of the breeds are the Mahdahta, or “Cloud eaters” who feed on the massive booms of windsprit. Smaller but more aggressive are the Ruhhlma. armed with large jaws and razor edged teeth they are feared by an traveler for their attacks on small craft and occasionally settlements
Narsaek: An airborne winged predator that is the size and nature of sharks. The Nareask resembles a long slender eel with ray like wings and a large three part maw lined with rows of serrated teeth. Nareask hunt use with a strong echo location and the ability to sense the body heat and electrical impulses of it’s prey. Nareask can generate an ear piercing shriek that can confuse and stun it’s prey.
Land dwelling:
Gadfly: Large bloated insects resembling a cicada but only as large as a an or even larger in the depths of Arboria. Gadflies are herbivores but can inflict a dangerous sting with sharp spikes they can forcefully project fro between their mandibles or quills thy spray from the large hump on their back if attack by predators.
Gadflies are pests who can devour crops or ruin trees, and fields. Farmers will usually go to great lengths to chase of or kill gadflies and airships are constantly on the watch for larger specimens who can damage their craft by accidentally flying into them or board their ships in search of trash or harvested fruit and grain.
Shellek: a large crustacean common to the Encircling Sea and Arboria and found in other lands as it has a tendency to hitch rides on ships when young. Shellek resemble a spiny crab ranging from the size of a small coin to several meters in diameter depending on species, age,and and diet.
Baluchaderm: largest of the land animals Baluchaderm, resembling massive rhinos more than anything, are slow moving massive beasts twice the size of an elephant. Their plated hide is thick enough to stop bullets and their head sports short spikes and horns. An enraged bull is powerful enough to destroy small towns, and dragons hunt them showing great caution in their attacks.
Domesticated Baluchaderm are used as beasts of burden and living siege engines. There size allowing them to haul long trains of laden wagons or uproot trees without struggling. Few folk can .afford to feed a full grown specimen but the younger ones are prized by many.
Dohl: a fearsome beast The Dohl is a giant segmented and armored wormmeasuring100ft long in some cases. waiting patiently under loose soil or sand the Dohl use the long armored tentacles emerging from their maws to snare unwary prey. Bison, elephants and even Land Wyrms can be dragged down it the spiked and barbed maw of a Dohl. Stories of Dohl devouring entire caravans and large bodies of armed men are usually accepted as even a small specimens can wreak havoc.
Dohl spread through the realms by spores which grow into mobile creatures which soar through the skies for decades growing larger and more aggressive passing through several stages( mostly still unidentified) before finding a suitable area to pass into their final stage and burrow into the ground and beginning their ambush predations. This final form can live for centuries growing ever larger.
Dohl have been seen tunneling to the surface and spewing out huge gouts of spores that can cloud over entire towns and choke the intakes of engines. Naturalist theorize that Dohl may be responsible for a large portion of the airborne plankton in the upper realms.. It is estimated that billions spores and larvae are consumed for each spawn that reaches it’s adult stage. And a further thousand or so adults are killed for each one that reach a size to no longer be threatened by predators.
Drakes: Drakes are large dragon like reptiles ranging from a large dog to larger than a warhorse. They are cunning and aggressive predators who hunt any creature they can physically over power including other drakes and humans.
Drakes are often loners but some breeds are pack hunters working in unison to bring down large prey and defend their hunting ranges and nesting areas. Filling the niche of ambush hunters and chasers Drakes are a constant menace to livestock and lone travelers but seldom threaten groups of aircraft.
Dragons: larger and dangerously intelligent Dragons roam the skies and forests lairing in remote places sometimes laying claim to entire regions and fiercely defending their territory from other dragons. Fully capable of reason and using magic Dragons can be a formidable and terrifying enemy if roused.
Ancient, long lived and slow breeding Dragons irrelatively few but their power and influence are far more impressive than their numbers. Many dragons are savage and uncivilized little more than fierce ruthless predators who serve no master but their own whims. However: some have adapted well to civilization achieving prestige, power and ranks among several nations. Two Dragons set on Ruthae’s council of thanes and Lord Rechantae Holds the title of Graff Within the Empire of Metahnii.
Other than Demons of the chaos Dragons are some of the most powerful beings in the realms. A single Elder dragon can dominate or terrorize entire regions or defeat an army. When roused they can fight with both cunning and ferocity destroying anything they encounter. However Dragons are prone to long periods of dormancy and surprising gentleness. They will befriend a lone traveler or entertain visitors with riddles and games for days simply to amuse themselves. Their strange whims and agendas remain a mystery to even the most learned of sages and naturalists.
Hammer Wing: Named for the repetitive thumping sound of their wings in flight a large dragonfly native to Arborii regions some varieties of the Hammer Wing are large enough to serve as mounts for the Arborii. Typically anywhere from two to seven feet long with a wingspan of twice their length, and having a bright iridescent color to their exo-skeleton and wings, the Hammer Wing feeds on smaller winged insects and aerial species. Hunting them with swooping, darting maneuvers and feasting on the wing.
Most notable of the features of the Hammer wing is it’s intelligence, and it’s lack of fear of humans. They congregate near human habitations and often hunt prey stored up or spooked by travelers. Other hammer wings will befriend or accompany travelers on their travels using the six inch envenomed spine at the tail of their body to protect travelers from predators and vermin.
Saberwing The Largest most fearsome of the Hammer wing is the Saberwing Just in front of their two sets of wings the Saberwing sports a long curved spine. The mobile spines not only aid in controlling their flight but are sharp and rigid enough to slice through their prey and ward off attacks by larger predators. Arborii warriors mounted on Saberwings are often the first and last sight raiders and pirates see of the Arborii.
Ground Wyrm: Similar to drakes Ground wyrms are reptilian creatures ranging who can grow up to fifty feet long and take bison or young Baluchaderm single handedly. Wyrms are more intelligent than drakes but still well below human intelligence. Wyrms are domesticated and make excellent pets, guard animals and war beasts. Dedicated, loyal, and clever ground wyrms are both respected and feared by most folk.
Supernatural
Grisspins
Short bony reptilian creatures with harsh angular features and large gleaming eyes, are rumored to snatch children from their beds or lure careless children into dark places and sprit them away the grisspin are never welcome and seldom tolerated in any civilized region.
Clothed in loose fitting tattered clothing and masks made of rags and bits of metal the Grispn shun sunlight or any strong light keeping to the underside and alleys of cities and deep forests and caves in the wilds, or abandoned and ruined places where they can.
Devious, cunning and able to craft dangerous traps and devices from the trash and cast offs of other people the Grisspins tend live in small covens protected by hidden doors traps and dead falls. If Grisspin have a culture it loose and largely without any formal traditions. Only their sadistic glee at causing misery and an unhealthy fascination with children is shared by the widely scattered bands of Grisspin.
Pughwuhgi: small manlike and elusive Pughwuhgi are viscous and cunning beasts who resemble small dirty and wiry children with needle sharp teeth, often wearing grotesque masks. While shunning the light they inhabit dark forests, caves, catacombs and tunnels. Venturing out during twilight hours to hunt, and harass travelers. Or prey on the old, sick, and feeble.
Pughwuhgi are cowardly beasts attacking from hiding with small poison tipped darts and clever traps, or setting fires and leaving dangerous vermin to slow and confuse attackers. The shamans among their number are crafty able to animate the forest and brambles in an area to cause further havoc among their targets or cover their escape.
Ccreated
Scalimaders: winged lizards ranging from the size of a newt to the size of a komodo dragon. Scalimaders have long leather wings either in single or double pairs with some having a long series of spines with a thin skin that allows it to glide long distance without beating it’s wing.
Scalimanders were bred by the Arborii initially as pets, livestock and companions. they spread quickly and are now common sights anywhere in the realms.
Flitter cats: winged housecat Originally an arcane bred pet that became numerous after escaping captivity. Flitter cats come in all shades and pattern with large feathered wings and needle sharp teeth and claw allowing it to hunt small birds, and flying mammals.
Klik Klack: a rogue automaton native to the shatters and outlands, Klik Klak are believed to be remnant of the Ashanto war that survived by scavenging parts from any machine or even each other. They are hostile toward all creatures and will tear apart any machine they encounter in search of spare parts. Klik Klak have an infinite number of shapes and sizes with the largest being a threat to even a large galleon if encountered.
Random: a rogue automaton that wanders about endlessly repeating it’s designated task from polishing anything metal, sweeping floors endlessly, to spritzing passers by with perfume. In some locations randoms are viewed as minor nuisances along side pigeons and flitter cats, in other areas they are a more serious threat…especially if they happen to be equipped with a mining drill and impact hammer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:03, Fri 21 Oct 2011.
