- The Beginning
- Lore
- Geography
- Systems
- Extras
- Credits
|
Southern Seas
The southern regions of the Rift have pulled a vast, warm sea into its dimension. In doing so, the foreign and hungry ocean wrapped around the existing lands, spreading far to the north and creating the Frozen Sea. The temperate water provides thick and humid air along the coasts, growing beautiful rainforests and aside from a short expanse of cliffs in the southeastern shore, sandy and verdant beaches stretch along the southern coasts. Amid the warm sea swells are its heart: the Riptide Isles. However, beneath the waves holds the south’s true splendor. Take a bite of the Malspira plant and discover the Sea’s delights… beware diving too deep, for who knows what dangers lurk in these dark depths.
Vjanta the Tiger Goddess
Vjanta the Tiger Goddess, when first pulled and morphed into the Rift on the Riptide Isles, was an elegant creature. She survived the Rift’s tumultuous pull by her instinctive command and control; and she continued her rule over coast and sea with similar attributes. Ever graceful in her prowl, her great bodice regally controlled both on land and in the waves of this southern dominion. A body of russet orange and deep black stripes shone with an iridescence that colored these vibrant lands. Three, bright yellow eyes allowed her to more closely see and control that life which she she pulled into existence here.
However, self-control only goes so far, and hers gave way to greed and manipulation beneath the endless possible powers of the Rift. Her vibrant coat faded to a mild orange; her iridescent stripes melted into sticky, dripping tar. Eyes that once allowed her to see so much were now clouded with greed. So Vjanta and her Southern Seas fell to the Helovian gods.
Lands
- Riptide Isles - The homeland to Vjanta, and thus the magical heart of this region, this tropical archipelago was a once teeming with life. Steep cliffs were draped in vines, roots, and mosses. Sandy beaches gave way to colorful, vast coral reefs swarming with wild aquatic life. The islands, themselves, were coated in forests with heavy, humid air. All sorts of life blew from the Cliffs to the Isles (and vice versa). Though, now torn from the Rift, only a great upheaval of air and sea fill the void with cyclones and water spouts.
Pulled into the Rift: Year 589
- Akvo City - Akvo is a vivid coral city beneath the waves that was pulled into the Rift to save it from some unknown disastrous fate in another realm. The population of this great civilization was as varied and vast as the sea, itself. Colorful coral heaps on itself to form the structures of this undersea metropolis. The most common tongue spoken here was Akvian [[Esperanto]], but many other tongues could also be heard between coral spires. However, all is now coated with a grey sand and the once clear water is now murky. There are shadowed forms in the buildings of unfortunate souls caught in whatever magical trap ensnares this city.
Pulled into the Rift: Year 1023
- Ultima - The beautiful, enchanting crystal caves was taken from a wild and magical land called Islime, believed to be the birthplace of the equine species. However, this land became wreathed in shades, or figures of the vengeful dead. Yet, the lone collection of hope and beauty in this realm pushed a single land into the Rift to be saved: Ultima. This window into the underwater world opens into a colorful, seaglass beach. Mostly untouched by the Rift’s sickness, a few veins of shadow and fluorescence line through the crystal and glow in pockets on the beach.
Pulled into the Rift: Year 1165
- Rainforest Cliffs - This forest is ancient, both in terms of the Rift and its existence before being drawn into the Rift. Some rumor that this was the first land pulled into this dimension; and that the Lignum Vitae (Living Trees) provided the first roots to hold this wild, powerful realm together. No matter the truth, this old growth feels as alive as the many creatures that scamper through its thickly forested depths. Even the hot, humid, thick air seems to be teeming with magical life (likely the insects); however, all this magical force made it entirely susceptible to the Rift’s sickness. Thus, it is one of the more dangerous places in the Rift, now.
Pulled into the Rift: Year 2
- Floating Key - A unique, whimsical place pulled into the Rift during the height of brightness and life, the Floating Key is a small island that sits atop the shell of a great sea turtle. The varied and vivid life that lives in this beachy, dune-filled, forested islet is entirely miniaturized compared to their mainland counterparts. Due to its continual movement, the mobile islet is rarely seen--and, likely, this is why is has been untouched by the Rift’s sickness.
Pulled into the Rift: Year 380
Flora
- Bonewood - A species of giant tree native to the Riptide Isles (though miniaturized versions live on the Floating Key), they grow slowly but can reach heights of over 300 feet with trunks easily extending 30m in diameter. The bark is velvety and soft and hold a luminous gray to white color that resemble bleached bone, while the palm-sized, ginko-shaped leaves maintain a gleaming golden color year round. It flowers during early Scorch, and drop large succulent fruits during the shift from Drench to Freeze, providing a much needed source of sustenance before the long cold. Other than its nourishing qualities, Bonewood is notorious for its lightweight, yet very strong, wood. A fully grown tree is nearly impossible to destroy, but the wood of saplings or younger trees has traditionally been used in place of metal and is prized for its flexible yet durable quality. Due to the slow growth of the tree and its largely endemic nature, Bonewood has always been rare and since the disappearance of the Riptide Isles only a handful trees remain in the South, scattered along the coastline. (Chan)
- Crystal Lichen - Found only in Ultima’s cave, this amusing small growth likes to grow in shadowed, wet, briny places. Once established, the alga and fungi work together to secrete crystal films from the hyphae. However, don’t get too close, as the growth spurts out irritating, sticky glitter when disturbed. This shimmering, white substance can take up to 2 days to stop itching and wash off.
- Glow Cherries - A species of tree native to Helovia, the previously opened Portals to the Rift saw an introduction of the plant to the dark world. Especially abundant amidst the Rainforest Cliffs, which largely resemble its previous habitat at the World's Edge. Growing quickly in the humid climate they are competing with other native plants and due to its hardiness it is threatening to overtake many other native flora. Glow cherries resemble a weeping willow tree with overhanging branches that create sheltered spaces around the trunk, which is rough and black with glowing silver veins running lengthwise through the entire tree. It sets deep bluish-purple flowers with pure white centers late during the Drench, while the glowing white fruit with blood red flesh, from which it has its name, ripen at the end of the Scorch. Also known as silver-vein or glow-wood, the tree has previously been used in crafting as the black wood and the silvery glow of the veins retain the light-bringing properties even after the tree has died. (Chan/Sarah)
- Lignum Vitae - Also known as the Living Trees, these are the rarest of any species in the Rainforest Cliffs. They are great and ancient giants that truly live. They may stand and walk on their roots; at their core is a beating heart; leaves breath with mouths; at their apex is a cluster of dense wood that provides a brain. Very, very few are left, as their life force stems from a pure and powerful magic untouched by taint. Thus, the Rift consumes them eagerly. It is rumored that these were the first heart of the Rift, before the gods and other hearts. If you stumble across one, count yourself very blessed.
- Malspira - A succulent shrub that grows well in the sandy areas, eating this plant allows one to breath underwater. The older the plant, the longer it may allow one to breath underwater; however, extremely old plants become poisonous! The color of their leaves are dependent on the sand-type they grow in. They rarely flower, but the blooms are very sweet. Their roots are hallucinogenic.
- Medusozoa Hedera - similar in appearance to a sea anemone, only land dwelling. Grows in deep forest. When brushed against, they leave long "tracks" from their tentacles, and create a burning stinging sensation. Prolonged exposure creates more extreme injuries, in to and including death. Unfortunately, magical healing does not work to quell the burning and pain. The only cure for symptoms is dousing the site in urine to interfere with the plant's oils. (Noella)
- Poison Puffers - A small shrub, the Poison Puffer is scattered throughout the forests in the South. Typically dormant and harmless, it is most dangerous in Drench when the seed pods are at their fullest. Fat little brown pods covered in dimples rest between two leaves, growing in clusters that, when crushed, releases a toxin causing the adjacent pods to rapidly inflate. The dimples, when forced out by the inflation, turn into sharp spikes that may break skin and cause mild skin irritation. Pods remain inflated until rotting; however they are filled with a delicious fruity meat. (Noella)
- Screaming Moss - A lush green moss that grows along the ground in the Rainforest Cliffs. Though visually indistinguishable from regular moss, when this species is stepped upon it releases a scream akin to that of a foal in severe pain. (Sarah)
- Sleeping Beauty - This is a lovely, pale bluish-green, parasitic vine that lives throughout the Rainforest Cliffs. It reproduces asexually, flowering bi-annually in late scorch and late freeze. When on a host, the blooms are varied in color, depending largely on the vine’s shared biology with its host. Vines that have been germinated on their hosts produce seeds from their flowers, which are later shed and rooted into the ground. These non-hosted vines preferring lots of moisture and variable sunlight, and they grow from a central root source into a patch of sprawling vines that produce blue-white flowers that taste sweet and have an alluring, calming scent. These flowers however, contain a strong sedative in their pollen, which can either be inhaled or ingested, and causes a nearly instantaneous slumber. Once the unsuspecting victim has fallen asleep, the vines sense the nearby heat source, uproots itself, and crawls upon the host. The roots burrow into the host, inserting a seed just under the skin. The rest of the vine dies off, while the seed continues to grow internally, in search of nervous tissue. The plant grows along the host’s neurons, eventually making its way to the brain. Infected individuals appear to be decorated by this living vine that threads in and out of their body. Long-term effects come with variable negative psychological disturbances. It is otherwise harmless short-term. To get rid of the Sleeping Beauty, one must harm their nervous system to kill the growth (i.e. drug/alcohol intoxication, poisoning, extended fast, prolonged lack of sleep, etc.), or by manual removal. (Mar)
Fauna
- Asulli - The gentle giant of the forests, Asullis are softly glowing blue creatures of enormous size. However, they are extremely shy and exist on a diet of luminous fungi. Though not entirely rare, they have been occasionally hunted to near extinction for their horns and the feathery growths that line their heads. The feathers may store extremely powerful magic. And it is believed that crushing their glowing horns to powder and drinking it as a tea will cure any malady (magical or not) or reward the drinker their heart’s desire. However, removing an Asulli’s horn or feather-like growths is not only extremely painful to the shy creature, but also potentially fatal.
- Baleano - The great monster of the deep: Baleano. Rarely seen (perhaps because any who do meet certain death), it is unknown (but giant) proportions. A great mouth with untold amounts of razor teeth attach to a long, sharply played tail. Its bright, eerie green bioluminescence should warn victims of their imminent doom; however, the Baleano moves with such lightning speed that none truly stand a chance. Additionally, its size and speed creates another danger: giant waves wherever it moves. However, the one reprieve from the monstrous beast is that there are very, very few of them; and they generally live only in the deep.
- Bird-Eating Whale - The Bird-Eating Whale (also called the BEW for short) is a unique creature of the Southern Seas. Moderately sized (for a whale), this creature swims almost exclusively near the surface near land. This is due to its feeding habits, as great fronds tipped with colorful lures sprout from its back. These interesting appendages aim to lure unsuspecting birds close where it then swats them from the skies with the fronds and consumes them. Unfortunately, this often leads to beaching and death of the great creatures, as they pay more attention to the birds around their lures than to the ocean tides.
- Capitocoral - Unlike most corals, this living rock can grow in any formation (staghorn, brain, etc) and be any color, depending on the surrounding water’s climate. However, this coral is unique in that it has the ability to store images and messages when magic is nearby or touches it. It will replay these images during reproduction, its sperm and eggs releasing and condensing into replicate scenes.
- Ceteyan - The Ceteyan is a curious, magical whale of the Southern Seas. It’s a massive creature, grown large with the vastness of the warm waters. However, it size is also due to its curious eating habits. The Ceteyan feeds solely on magic. It does this by luring any kind of magical creature towards its massive, toothless mouth with calming lights on its body that weave illusions for its prey. Once consumed, the ‘stomach’ of the Ceteyan then morphs into a liveable space for the meal, where the creature may live for an extended time until the Ceteyan has finished digesting its magic. Then the great whale opens its mouth, allowing the meal to swim free.
- Crazed Cuttle - A small, beautiful, and unassuming creature that is responsible for many deaths in the Southern Sea. Tiny, translucent, and remarkably colourful, this small derivative of the cuttlefish is unique in that the venom that coats the suckers of its tentacles induces short bouts of pure insanity in victims. This, for an unknown reason, usually manifests itself in the stung prey to dive to and remain at the nearest ocean bottom.
- Dusk Howler - A large land-living bird loosely resembling an ostrich, the Howler has a bright blue and red plumage and a large crest of shimmering feathers crowning the head while a massive cascade of iridescent tail feathers trail behind them as they go. With a heron's long beak and legs powerful enough to break bones with a sharp kick, these temperamental giants are the terror of the southern beaches as their territorial nature refuses to overlook anything or anyone who is not food or another Howler. They sustain themselves largely by foraging for clams and crabs in the shallow pools during low tide, but are also known to haunt the edges of forests where they catch snakes, lizards and amphibians. Their name comes from the haunting scream they emit towards the end of each day. (Chan)
- Eriucla - A shy creature found only in certain areas of the Rift, the Ericula is a small creature (hedgehogs/porcupines/echidnas) with flower petals in place of spines. The Ericula have uniform petals, however they may be of any plant. Very sensitive to corrupted magic, they are almost never seen outside the Floating Key and Glowworm Woods. Lightweight and capable of reaching impressive speeds despite their diminutive size, they are often mistaken for being capable of flight as they leap through the underbrush. Partial to drier climate they inhabit leafy forests, groves and meadows where they subsist on a diet of dry grasses and leaves. (Chan)
- Forest Walker - Perhaps one of the most mystic (and ominous) creature of the dark Rainforest, Walkers are extremely rare. Some aren’t even convinced that they truly exist. These ghostly creatures are rumored to have been birthed from the nightmares of tortured children, and so they feed upon misery and terror. The few, unfortunate souls that claim to have seen them report that they have transparent skin, strong forelimbs, elongated necks, black predatory teeth, and fluorescent tendrils that drift from their backs. They may elicit a scream that births a black cloud; and caught in the cloud begin to experience magical amnesia and lose all sense of self,
making them vulnerable to the Walker's feeding.
- Giant Drifters - Very little is known about these gentle ocean giants, as they are rare and generally found far out to sea. They are massive creatures that subsist on sea carrion, various planktons, and sunlight. They cannot move much on their own accord, but instead drift along with ocean currents. It is said that looking one directly in the eye brings good luck. Male Example
- Kalofin - A beautiful creature that abounds in the warm seas, it hunts small fish and Crazed Cuttles in the open ocean and shorelines. Their colorful purple fins breaching the surf are a playful sign that these smart, curious creatures are either hunting or investigating. Their thin bodies and double tails make them wickedly fast and agile, making it a joy to watch their acrobatic antics as they jump and flip out of waves. The only time these playful creatures become hostile is when they are protecting their young, as they reproduce in twins but their lithe bodies often lead to miscarriages. They communicate in barks, although it’s said some older creatures are able to mind-speak with land-lubbers before they pass on.
- Naridon - The more accessible beast of the Southern Sea, this terrible titan is not as large as the Baleano. However, it is just as vicious. This dark, fluorescent predator boasts too many sharp teeth to count and a ridge of too many razor sharp points along its back. Its glowing markings are similar to the Pistris, in that colors mark it sex (blue for males, orange for females). Four fins allow it to move for short distances on land, making it all the more dangerous of a predator. It hunts in shallow and deep water alike.
- Pistris - A monster of the not-so-deep, the Pistris is a great shark that has been known to scour coastlines and deep oceans alike. It’s massive mouth is filled with serrated teeth. A thick, powerful tail can propel it well out of the water, while strong and clawed pectoral fins allow it to drag itself partially out of the water. Deep blue to black in color, it bioluminesces along it’s sharply spiked spine in accordance to its gender: blue for males and orange for females.
- Revitaflies - Glowing, flesh eating flies that thrive in warmer, humid climates, and lay their eggs on dying animals or recently deceased animals, typically while the corpse is still fairly warm or in the process of cooling. The maggots are flesh eating as well, and tunnel through the corpse as they see fit. These maggots and flies carry a parasite that attaches itself to the nervous system and infests the brain, frequently resulting in a "reanimation" of the corpse, so long as it has a functioning brain and enough connections to slightly function. Reanimated corpses are passive, and solely wander until the host body decomposes almost completely. (Dark)
- Snargli - The snargli are giant flesh-eating slugs that grow between 30cm and 2m in length. While quite slow and easy to outrun for a fully grown and healthy equine, they pose a real threat to young, disabled, or absent-minded prey. Vibrantly colored in many varying patterns, they blend in well with the surroundings and thrive in damp, moist environments. The males carry giant shells on their backs while the females tend more towards frilly appendages and extra antennae. Some of the more omnivorous Natives claim that the meat is a delicacy... Preparation would take some amount of skill however, as the slime the Snargli exude is acidic and easily burn its way through both leather and softer metals. (Chan)
- Trilizard - One of the larger predators of the Rainforest Cliffs, this avid hunter is a terror when crossed. With the body of a lizard, and excessively long tail, short and frilled wings, three heads, and covered in razor-sharp scales, these opportunistic feeders are fast and voracious. Slow growing but long-lived, the younger specimens may be as small as a hoof, while the older ones may be three times the size of the largest equine. Able to self-fertilize their own eggs (as they usually contain both genders between their three heads), they are careless parents and their broods are easily raided by other creatures for scrumptious meals. However, beware being caught by the odd protective mother! The tips of their short, gliding wings possess poison darts that they may throw at victims. Their poison is a short-acting, but painful, paralytic, lasting no more than a few seconds. However, the Trilizard moves so quickly that rarely is any more time needed.
- Velella - Also known as "By-The-Wind-Sailers,” these are small creatures less than a foot in size that float along the ocean’s surface. However, once touched, they inflate to horse-sized and are hardy enough to support flotation of other creatures! Eventually, however, the Velella deflate and will trap and consume whatever is on its surface, making it incredibly difficult to escape. (Goatfairy)
|
