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Description

Despite its extreme temperatures, brutal winters, and the eldritch darkness of the polar winter, the northwestern corner of Paradise’s sole continent hosts perhaps its greatest diversity of terrestrial megafauna. This is an ecosystem best compared to Earth’s extant savannas and degraded mammoth steppe, where vast and productive open spaces provide food for multitudes of huge herbivores and the animals that hunt them. What sets it apart, however, is its extreme wetness. Though primarily a stretch of algae plains interspaced with ancient, rocky, low-lying hill country, the northwest is also home to a massive network of lakes, rivers, and accompanying marshland that connect to the vast tidal flats and the dark sea beyond. Given the climate and proliferation of algae, these wetland areas are drenched with layers of semisolid mud several feet deep, which provides valuable habitat for various huge burrowing wyrms and worms. On the firmer ground nearby there is valuable pastureland for those creatures that graze above the surface. While the center of the continent is dominated by featureless stretches of plains and marshland, and the south is riddled with lumpy pseudofungal forest and treacherous mountains and tidal flats, the northwest provides an abundance of open, algae-rich habitat to support different castes of grazers while also providing the firmer, elevated terrain that smaller animals like Atrox Sapients and hogs require, but to a degree that does not prevent the grazing giants from moving through it. Though smothered silent with snow in winter, this region is a pulsing, vibrant green patch of life during the brief, but highly productive, summer.

1: Incurvus Major: A giant, warm-blooded, predatory wyrm. Prefers the tidal flats and nearby marshland/floodplain areas, but requires firmer ground to rest on from time to time. Is specialized for small prey despite immense size.

2: Incurvus Minor: Very similar to the former, but slightly smaller and found further inland.

3: Common Hippo: Obviously not a proper Earth hippo, this giant algae grazer lives in marshy coastal areas deep enough to submerge in but not so deep as to require swimming to the surface in order to breathe. Adults weigh in at two to three tons a piece. Most closely related to mastodons, essentially just a mastodon with the bulkiness and semiaquatic tendencies taken to extremes.

4: Roving Drumjaww: A small, cursorial, pack-hunting Drumjaww. Prefers open country of low-lying hills and firmer plains, where it hunts for hogs and smaller species of rhino.

5: Mammoth: A kind of derived mastodon with huge tusks and a more downwards-facing head to facilitate a lifetime of algae grazing. Feeds with a retractable, trunk-like radula. Large adults can weigh nearly twenty tons, making them among the largest of Paradise’s terrestrial animals. Live in small, loosely knit herds, more intelligent than other mastodon species.

6: Four-Tusker: Another derived relative of the mastodons, lives a very similar lifestyle to the contemporary hippos, though preferring shallower marshland, and is only slightly smaller on average. Mature bulls develop four huge, flamboyantly curved tusks.

7: Common Rock Rhino: A small, athletic rhino species commonly found in the rockier hill country, where it grazes for algae and pseudofungi in small herds. Very active and covers extensive terrain during its yearly travels.

8: Common Drumjaww: The largest extant species of Drumjaww and the most widespread. Adapted for persistence hunting megafaunal herbivores on the open plains with a range covering nearly all of the continent’s central plains and northern regions. Most populations are migratory, following the same routes as their prey, though pregnant females stay up north to birth and rear their pups in the relative safety and solitude of winter, living off of their fat reserves. Rely primarily on rhinos and smaller mastodon species for food, though occasionally feed on Phoques, giant wyrms, and the calves of larger herbivores.

9: Lardhogduck: A very rotund species of Duck Hog and found further north than nearly all others. Feed in the extensive, algae-choked lakes, rivers, and the more watery stretches of tidal flats, spending most of their time bobbing on the surface. Winter in burrows along the shore which they excavate themselves.

10: Blunthorn Rhino: The heaviest extant species of rhino (in northwestern populations). Solitary and foul-tempered, though not anywhere near as aggressive as many smaller species. Almost entirely herbivorous, with limited interest in carrion. For unknown reasons they tolerate and are one of the only animals to be tolerated by Jotun. Dirty white in color, with the thick, rubbery skin on their back being nearly iridescent.

11: Bladed Duck Hog: A larger Duck Hog named for the shape of its radula sheath. Not aggressive in the least, despite the name, and found mostly in watery stretches of tidal flat. Migrate south in the fall, following the coastline and rarely if ever touching open waters.

12: Unus: A small, flighty, sociable herbivore found in pods of up to sixty. Their distant, but closest living, relatives are Jotun. Enlarged, phallic “head” serves as a resonating chamber to amplify their fluting, musical calls. Winter in elevated, secluded caves, though spend most of the summer months feeding in open, marshy plains. Unlike most smaller “herbivores”, the Unus have broad, webbed feet and move by leaping, which facilitates their agility despite the uneasy terrain which has otherwise favored bulky giants.

13: Emousse: A large, omnivorous wyrm. Found in semisolid stretches of tidal flat, where they feed on algae, fungus, carrion, and small animals. Heavily armored by wyrm standards, especially in the cranium.

14: Atrox Sapient: Carnivorous, few hundred-pound sapients. Usually found in small family units, though occasional “hordes” of over a hundred individuals may form under certain circumstances. Fond of caves, though frequently excavate large burrows to live in when caves are not available. Utilize simple tools and clothing, protected from elements by thick skin and fat layers. Prefer hilly terrain for shelter with access to open plains for foraging. Speech ranges from guttural clicks, hisses, and screams to surreally pleasant chirps, tweets, and whistles.

15: Mud Arrow: A giant, predatory wyrm. Armored, spearpoint head to facilitate burrowing and protect vulnerable mouthparts. Found throughout tidal flats as well as marshier areas inland, capable of crawling over firmer ground to find new habitat if needed. Venomous, injecting lethal toxins into prey with a bladed proboscis below their cranial sheath. Feed primarily on other wyrms.

16: Nephilim: Giant, carnivorous sapient prober. Live in small, usually migratory family units. Incredibly intelligent and strong. Insulated with thick skin and fat but fond of clothes. Feed primarily on megafaunal herbivores of all varieties, the flesh of whom they liquify with digestive juices before consumption. Very fond of water with some semiaquatic tendencies. Frequently submerge themselves to sneak up on prey or away from danger. Very fond of art, especially music, and most cultures have very rich mythologies, stories, and songs passed down from prior generations. Fond of building monoliths for artistic and communicative purposes.

17: Stiffback: A crocodile-sized predatory wyrm. Resides within rocky crevices and burrows, emerging to prowl marshy areas for carrion and small prey. Like all giant wyrms, it is warm-blooded, but reverts to an ectothermic metabolism to conserve energy during its winter stasis.

18: Dart Lard: A fat, herbivorous wyrm of algae-choked lakes and rivers. A quick burrower/swimmer, nervous, flighty, and defenseless save its size, violent thrashing, and protective, slug-like mucus.

19: Maggot Duck: A giant herbivorous wyrm found in similar habitat as the Dart Lard. Unlike the lard, however, the Maggot Duck is social, travelling in groups of a dozen or so and feeding mostly near the surface. Very bold, and thus more frequently encountered than most species of wyrm. Will mob carrion.

20: Accroupigriffe: A rare species of Drumjaww found entirely along the west coast. Though still partaking in rhino and mastodon prey, this species is unique in that it relies mostly upon more aquatic targets, namely Phoques, Sea Cocks, and giant wyrms. Its lower posture and more hooked killing tendrils reflect this, as they allow it to efficiently grapple with low-slung and slippery prey. Non-migratory, the Accroupigriffe spends its summer prowling the marshes and stalking Phoque colonies, moving into a den in the hills to sleep away the winter.

21: Common Rhino: The most widespread species of rhino, being found along nearly the entire western half of the continent as well as most of the south. Its primary requirements are sufficient quantities of algae, though pseudofungi is also taken, and firm terrain to run upon. In the northwest it inhabits hill country and firmer stretches of algae plain. Adults are often solitary, though they are not adverse to living in small groups and exhibit occasional cases of monogamy. Smarter than most rhinos and far nastier in temperament, which combined with their speed and agility has earned them a fearful reputation amongst contemporary tribes of Nephilim and Atrox Sapient.

22: Talus Rock Rhino: A secretive species of dwarf rhino found in rocky, mountainous regions. Omnivorous diet. Solitary except when breeding, where both male and female cooperate to raise their offspring. Supremely quick and agile, very rarely encountered as they tend to dart away before being noticed and the omnipresent rain of their habitat helps to mask their scent. Winter in caves in the lowlands.

23: Chisel: A herbivorous, burrowing wyrm of the tidal flats and marshes. Frequently feeds on decaying matter and fungi in addition to fresh algae. Solitary and very rare.

24: Northwestern Plow Probe: A smaller, mostly herbivorous probe found in the hill country and mountains of the northwest. Namesake proboscis sheath is used to uproot certain remnant “plants” as well as fungi, pseudofungi, and small animals. Solitary, fond of burrowing, and rarely encountered. Quite aggressive when confronted, though shy in demeanor. When pursued into their burrow, they turn their backs to the entrance and crouch low, plugging it with their fat, armored, spine covered tail.

25: Longhorn Rhino: A large and sociable species of rhino found across most of the west coast as well as much of the continent’s central plains. Live in loosely associated herds of up to a few hundred (though usually much less) individuals and feed almost entirely on algae. Surprisingly quick and nimble, and possessing incredible endurance. Females give birth in the spring, which presents a valuable food source for many northern predators. Heavily armored with thick skin and fat.

26: Crawler: A oddball (mostly) herbivorous wyrm found throughout much of the west coast. Crawlers require some variation in terrain, primarily for constructing their winter burrows, though they spend the summer far out in deep, soggy marshlands with no permanent residence in sight. Awkward and slow moving, though incredibly slimy, foul-smelling, and in possession of a mild toxin in their mucus.

27: Fretille: A semiaquatic wyrm found mostly in flooded marshlands where it feeds on algae. Surprisingly capable of overland travel and moves to firmer ground to excavate its winter retreat.

28: False Bull Worm: Slightly larger than the true, predatory Bull Worm of the distant south, the False Bull Worm is one of, if not the, largest extant wyrm species. Despite being shorter than, say, the Incurvus, it is far bulkier, weighing in at nearly five tons in a large adult. It resides in the tidal flats as well as particularly deep and semisolid floodplain areas, coexisting along many smaller wyrm species which often flock to it for protection. The False Bull Worm is very frequently “seen” by way of vast quantities of algae suddenly being sucked down into the mud below. An elephant of their subterranean savanna, the False Bull Worm is bold, powerful, and armed with tremendous strength and exceedingly thick layers of skin and fat. It is brown in color, and its wrinkled skin very similar to that of a walrus. Like other more fossorial wyrm species, the False Bull worm does not leave its summer muck, instead entering a state of low activity as the winter ice seals it beneath the earth.

29: Jotun: A gigantic, bipedal herbivore and very distantly relative of the Unus and Drumjaww. Mature Jotun average about thirty tons in weight, though very large individuals may exceed fifty. Live in small, closely knit herds consisting of females and their offspring, with mature males usually being solitary. Migratory, going north to south yearly, and found along most of the west coast and the central plains. Feed primarily on algae, though incidentally consume fungi and small animals while grazing. The mouth is a huge, retractable, proboscis-like radula. Deafeningly loud, tremendously powerful, and widely revered by contemporary sapients.

30: Lesser Mareequus. A small, aquatic hog relative that lives much like a capybara, only in polar swamps of algae rather than lush Amazonian rivers. Lesser Mareequus live in small herds, alternating between foraging in the water for algae and resting on firmer ground. Given their small size and clumsiness outside of water, they do not stray far from their watery homes save during fall, when they must make a perilous migration to a den site further inland in which they spend the winter.

31: Atrox Hog: The most numerous and widespread hog species. Atrox Hogs can grow quite large, though most are only a couple hundred pounds in weight. They are omnivores with a very distinct lack of pickiness, eating everything there is to be eaten with gusto. Algae comprises most of their diet, though pseudofungi is very important to southern populations, while those in the northwest eat a good deal of worms and worm eggs. During the productive warm months, they forage in small groups, sticking mostly to hills, shallow marshes, and other areas where they are not at risk of being bogged down in thick mud. Come fall, however, the hogs band together in hordes several hundred strong in order to secure a suitable den site, usually a large cave. This has made them mortal enemies of the Atrox Sapients, who also favor caves for their winter hideouts, and though below their sapient rivals in intelligence the hogs are persistent and deadly opponents. Though relying primarily on speed and agility to escape danger, hogs are vicious when they need to be and can deliver an exceedingly nasty bite with their powerful radulae. Favored den sites often go back and forth between hog and sapient occupation as a result of these wars, with a viable cave one year being a dreaded hell-pit the next.

32: Abyss Rhino: Without contest the most beautiful rhino. The Abyss Rhino is snow-white in color, with its forked horns a scarlet red as well as the tips of the keratinous spines on its back. Thin crimson stripes grace its neck, back, and flanks in elaborate patterns, and its feet, stomach, and throat are a clean pink. Despite this surreal beauty, the Abyss Rhino is something of a beast in nature. Solitary save the bond between mother and calf, the Abyss Rhino is frighteningly agile and temperamental, opting to charge any potential threats smaller than itself which has earned it a similar reputation as the Common Rhino. Despite appearances, its forked horn is quite sturdy and makes for a formidable weapon. Unlike most herbivores, Abyss Rhinos are quite selective in their feeding, wandering extensively for choice varieties of algae and pseudofungi. They prefer elevated, rocky habitat though frequent stray into marshes in search of a favored red algae.

33: Quattor: Though there are several species of Quattor as well as a few closely related lookalikes, this is the most common and widespread species. Adults weigh a couple hundred pounds on average and spend most of their lives buried in semisolid mud, where they hunt for soft-bodied prey which they engulf whole in an eerily leech-like manner. During heavy rains they frequently flee to the surface, however, and come fall they move to higher and dryer terrain in order to hibernate, often in caves alongside Atrox Sapients and hogs. Like all species of Quattors, their saliva has a potent toxin which is very quickly taken up by the permeable skin of their preferred prey, quickly paralyzing them.

34: Robust Unicorn species: The larger and bulkier of the two extant unicorns. Like its relative, it is solitary, athletic, and unnervingly fierce. The Robust Unicorn has an omnivorous diet, though it mostly relies on pseudofungi and any more mobile prey it can overpower, including hogs, pygmy rock rhinos, smaller wyrms, and a rare few Atrox Sapients. Very rare, they are found mostly in hill country and firmer plains with sparse algae, though are better able to tolerate wetlands than their gracile relatives and frequently enter them in search of amphibious prey. An extensible proboscis as well as the namesake horn and powerful kicks serve well to subdue small prey.

35: Compact Duck Hog: The northernmost Duck Hog species and the most aquatic, spending much of their time diving beneath the surface to feed on seafloor invertebrates and algae unlike their herbivorous, surface-grazing relatives. Non-migratory, wintering at sea in the black polar waters.

36: Hill Country Mastodon: A very rare, small, primitive mastodon species found mostly in the northwest’s more elevated regions and the marshy valleys lying in between. Live in small herds of just a few individuals. Despite their small size they possess the same ferocity as the larger mastodons, and their huge, armored heads and strong tusks make predators take caution.

37: Abyss Mastodon: The most widespread species of mastodon, found along most of the west coast, the south, and sparingly throughout the central regions of the continent. Eat almost anything. One of the largest species of mastodon. Though large adults, weighing in at nearly twenty tons, are in the same league as the Mammoth and Bristled Mastodon, they attain this size more frequently than the former. Adverse to elevated terrain, preferring marshland and soggy plains though will graze on firmer pastures. Foul tempered and exceedingly stupid.

38: Mareequus: Similar to the Lesser Mareequus, though much larger and mostly found in coastal habitats and very far north. Frequently seen in small groups lounging around on ice floes, diving into the frigid waters beneath to feed on algae and sessile invertebrates. Very fat and thick-skinned. Common prey of Drumjaww and Atrox Sapients.

39: Bumbler: Giant, predatory, derived prober. Bumblers are fond of burrowing and spend much of their time mucking around in their preferred foraging grounds of algae marsh, where they feed on various soft bodied animals as well as wyrms, which they are especially suited to predate upon. Have a venom-injecting spine on each forelimb and thick, wrinkled skin below with smooth, iridescent skin and fat layers forming a “shell” above. Ecosystem engineers, constructing a variety of pits, tunnels, and new waterways through their foraging habits and tendency to only use their shelter for a few days before moving on. When threatened, they hide their extremities beneath their fatty “shell” and sink into the mud.

40: Longmaw: A common and large species of Duck Hog found in swampy lagoons and estuaries. Solitary except during the breeding season, where they gather in the hundreds and become quite cacophonous. Herbivorous and flighty, frequently dive and dart many dozens of meters away at the first sign of danger.

41: Tombante: The most common species of Dropshank. Found in steep hill country and mountainous regions, excellent climber, supremely agile and flexible. Hunt animals similar in size to themselves (hogs, small rhinos, etc) in the usual Dropshank fashion, perching low and inconspicuous on some high place until an unfortunate victim passes below, which will then spur them into acting out their namesake with the lethal venomous proboscis and tail hook. Usually set up their ambush near a pool, stream, or grove rich in pseudofungi. Winter in caves, where females construct a cocoon of sorts to house their offspring.

42: Dropshank: Smallish, rare ambush predator. Hunts in much the same way as the Tombante, but is constrained to mountainous habitat and is even more specialized for climbing and leaping. Possesses incredibly lethal venom and incredible physical power, making it the apex predator of its native haunt, occasional Atrox Sapient aside.

43: Holme-Calmar: A secretive, distant relative of probers found in marshes. A burrower, spending most of its time underground in search of small prey. Venomous. Pale and flabby in composition. Facial tendrils primarily for sensory purposes but have some prehensile properties. Occasional found wintering in caves. Atrox Sapients kill them on sight with extreme prejudice.

Description

Despite its extreme temperatures, brutal winters, and the eldritch darkness of the polar winter, the northwestern corner of Paradise’s sole continent hosts perhaps its greatest diversity of terrestrial megafauna. This is an ecosystem best compared to Earth’s extant savannas and degraded mammoth steppe, where vast and productive open spaces provide food for multitudes of huge herbivores and the animals that hunt them. What sets it apart, however, is its extreme wetness. Though primarily a stretch of algae plains interspaced with ancient, rocky, low-lying hill country, the northwest is also home to a massive network of lakes, rivers, and accompanying marshland that connect to the vast tidal flats and the dark sea beyond. Given the climate and proliferation of algae, these wetland areas are drenched with layers of semisolid mud several feet deep, which provides valuable habitat for various huge burrowing wyrms and worms. On the firmer ground nearby there is valuable pastureland for those creatures that graze above the surface. While the center of the continent is dominated by featureless stretches of plains and marshland, and the south is riddled with lumpy pseudofungal forest and treacherous mountains and tidal flats, the northwest provides an abundance of open, algae-rich habitat to support different castes of grazers while also providing the firmer, elevated terrain that smaller animals like Atrox Sapients and hogs require, but to a degree that does not prevent the grazing giants from moving through it. Though smothered silent with snow in winter, this region is a pulsing, vibrant green patch of life during the brief, but highly productive, summer.

1: Incurvus Major: A giant, warm-blooded, predatory wyrm. Prefers the tidal flats and nearby marshland/floodplain areas, but requires firmer ground to rest on from time to time. Is specialized for small prey despite immense size.

2: Incurvus Minor: Very similar to the former, but slightly smaller and found further inland.

3: Common Hippo: Obviously not a proper Earth hippo, this giant algae grazer lives in marshy coastal areas deep enough to submerge in but not so deep as to require swimming to the surface in order to breathe. Adults weigh in at two to three tons a piece. Most closely related to mastodons, essentially just a mastodon with the bulkiness and semiaquatic tendencies taken to extremes.

4: Roving Drumjaww: A small, cursorial, pack-hunting Drumjaww. Prefers open country of low-lying hills and firmer plains, where it hunts for hogs and smaller species of rhino.

5: Mammoth: A kind of derived mastodon with huge tusks and a more downwards-facing head to facilitate a lifetime of algae grazing. Feeds with a retractable, trunk-like radula. Large adults can weigh nearly twenty tons, making them among the largest of Paradise’s terrestrial animals. Live in small, loosely knit herds, more intelligent than other mastodon species.

6: Four-Tusker: Another derived relative of the mastodons, lives a very similar lifestyle to the contemporary hippos, though preferring shallower marshland, and is only slightly smaller on average. Mature bulls develop four huge, flamboyantly curved tusks.

7: Common Rock Rhino: A small, athletic rhino species commonly found in the rockier hill country, where it grazes for algae and pseudofungi in small herds. Very active and covers extensive terrain during its yearly travels.

8: Common Drumjaww: The largest extant species of Drumjaww and the most widespread. Adapted for persistence hunting megafaunal herbivores on the open plains with a range covering nearly all of the continent’s central plains and northern regions. Most populations are migratory, following the same routes as their prey, though pregnant females stay up north to birth and rear their pups in the relative safety and solitude of winter, living off of their fat reserves. Rely primarily on rhinos and smaller mastodon species for food, though occasionally feed on Phoques, giant wyrms, and the calves of larger herbivores.

9: Lardhogduck: A very rotund species of Duck Hog and found further north than nearly all others. Feed in the extensive, algae-choked lakes, rivers, and the more watery stretches of tidal flats, spending most of their time bobbing on the surface. Winter in burrows along the shore which they excavate themselves.

10: Blunthorn Rhino: The heaviest extant species of rhino (in northwestern populations). Solitary and foul-tempered, though not anywhere near as aggressive as many smaller species. Almost entirely herbivorous, with limited interest in carrion. For unknown reasons they tolerate and are one of the only animals to be tolerated by Jotun. Dirty white in color, with the thick, rubbery skin on their back being nearly iridescent.

11: Bladed Duck Hog: A larger Duck Hog named for the shape of its radula sheath. Not aggressive in the least, despite the name, and found mostly in watery stretches of tidal flat. Migrate south in the fall, following the coastline and rarely if ever touching open waters.

12: Unus: A small, flighty, sociable herbivore found in pods of up to sixty. Their distant, but closest living, relatives are Jotun. Enlarged, phallic “head” serves as a resonating chamber to amplify their fluting, musical calls. Winter in elevated, secluded caves, though spend most of the summer months feeding in open, marshy plains. Unlike most smaller “herbivores”, the Unus have broad, webbed feet and move by leaping, which facilitates their agility despite the uneasy terrain which has otherwise favored bulky giants.

13: Emousse: A large, omnivorous wyrm. Found in semisolid stretches of tidal flat, where they feed on algae, fungus, carrion, and small animals. Heavily armored by wyrm standards, especially in the cranium.

14: Atrox Sapient: Carnivorous, few hundred-pound sapients. Usually found in small family units, though occasional “hordes” of over a hundred individuals may form under certain circumstances. Fond of caves, though frequently excavate large burrows to live in when caves are not available. Utilize simple tools and clothing, protected from elements by thick skin and fat layers. Prefer hilly terrain for shelter with access to open plains for foraging. Speech ranges from guttural clicks, hisses, and screams to surreally pleasant chirps, tweets, and whistles.

15: Mud Arrow: A giant, predatory wyrm. Armored, spearpoint head to facilitate burrowing and protect vulnerable mouthparts. Found throughout tidal flats as well as marshier areas inland, capable of crawling over firmer ground to find new habitat if needed. Venomous, injecting lethal toxins into prey with a bladed proboscis below their cranial sheath. Feed primarily on other wyrms.

16: Nephilim: Giant, carnivorous sapient prober. Live in small, usually migratory family units. Incredibly intelligent and strong. Insulated with thick skin and fat but fond of clothes. Feed primarily on megafaunal herbivores of all varieties, the flesh of whom they liquify with digestive juices before consumption. Very fond of water with some semiaquatic tendencies. Frequently submerge themselves to sneak up on prey or away from danger. Very fond of art, especially music, and most cultures have very rich mythologies, stories, and songs passed down from prior generations. Fond of building monoliths for artistic and communicative purposes.

17: Stiffback: A crocodile-sized predatory wyrm. Resides within rocky crevices and burrows, emerging to prowl marshy areas for carrion and small prey. Like all giant wyrms, it is warm-blooded, but reverts to an ectothermic metabolism to conserve energy during its winter stasis.

18: Dart Lard: A fat, herbivorous wyrm of algae-choked lakes and rivers. A quick burrower/swimmer, nervous, flighty, and defenseless save its size, violent thrashing, and protective, slug-like mucus.

19: Maggot Duck: A giant herbivorous wyrm found in similar habitat as the Dart Lard. Unlike the lard, however, the Maggot Duck is social, travelling in groups of a dozen or so and feeding mostly near the surface. Very bold, and thus more frequently encountered than most species of wyrm. Will mob carrion.

20: Accroupigriffe: A rare species of Drumjaww found entirely along the west coast. Though still partaking in rhino and mastodon prey, this species is unique in that it relies mostly upon more aquatic targets, namely Phoques, Sea Cocks, and giant wyrms. Its lower posture and more hooked killing tendrils reflect this, as they allow it to efficiently grapple with low-slung and slippery prey. Non-migratory, the Accroupigriffe spends its summer prowling the marshes and stalking Phoque colonies, moving into a den in the hills to sleep away the winter.

21: Common Rhino: The most widespread species of rhino, being found along nearly the entire western half of the continent as well as most of the south. Its primary requirements are sufficient quantities of algae, though pseudofungi is also taken, and firm terrain to run upon. In the northwest it inhabits hill country and firmer stretches of algae plain. Adults are often solitary, though they are not adverse to living in small groups and exhibit occasional cases of monogamy. Smarter than most rhinos and far nastier in temperament, which combined with their speed and agility has earned them a fearful reputation amongst contemporary tribes of Nephilim and Atrox Sapient.

22: Talus Rock Rhino: A secretive species of dwarf rhino found in rocky, mountainous regions. Omnivorous diet. Solitary except when breeding, where both male and female cooperate to raise their offspring. Supremely quick and agile, very rarely encountered as they tend to dart away before being noticed and the omnipresent rain of their habitat helps to mask their scent. Winter in caves in the lowlands.

23: Chisel: A herbivorous, burrowing wyrm of the tidal flats and marshes. Frequently feeds on decaying matter and fungi in addition to fresh algae. Solitary and very rare.

24: Northwestern Plow Probe: A smaller, mostly herbivorous probe found in the hill country and mountains of the northwest. Namesake proboscis sheath is used to uproot certain remnant “plants” as well as fungi, pseudofungi, and small animals. Solitary, fond of burrowing, and rarely encountered. Quite aggressive when confronted, though shy in demeanor. When pursued into their burrow, they turn their backs to the entrance and crouch low, plugging it with their fat, armored, spine covered tail.

25: Longhorn Rhino: A large and sociable species of rhino found across most of the west coast as well as much of the continent’s central plains. Live in loosely associated herds of up to a few hundred (though usually much less) individuals and feed almost entirely on algae. Surprisingly quick and nimble, and possessing incredible endurance. Females give birth in the spring, which presents a valuable food source for many northern predators. Heavily armored with thick skin and fat.

26: Crawler: A oddball (mostly) herbivorous wyrm found throughout much of the west coast. Crawlers require some variation in terrain, primarily for constructing their winter burrows, though they spend the summer far out in deep, soggy marshlands with no permanent residence in sight. Awkward and slow moving, though incredibly slimy, foul-smelling, and in possession of a mild toxin in their mucus.

27: Fretille: A semiaquatic wyrm found mostly in flooded marshlands where it feeds on algae. Surprisingly capable of overland travel and moves to firmer ground to excavate its winter retreat.

28: False Bull Worm: Slightly larger than the true, predatory Bull Worm of the distant south, the False Bull Worm is one of, if not the, largest extant wyrm species. Despite being shorter than, say, the Incurvus, it is far bulkier, weighing in at nearly five tons in a large adult. It resides in the tidal flats as well as particularly deep and semisolid floodplain areas, coexisting along many smaller wyrm species which often flock to it for protection. The False Bull Worm is very frequently “seen” by way of vast quantities of algae suddenly being sucked down into the mud below. An elephant of their subterranean savanna, the False Bull Worm is bold, powerful, and armed with tremendous strength and exceedingly thick layers of skin and fat. It is brown in color, and its wrinkled skin very similar to that of a walrus. Like other more fossorial wyrm species, the False Bull worm does not leave its summer muck, instead entering a state of low activity as the winter ice seals it beneath the earth.

29: Jotun: A gigantic, bipedal herbivore and very distantly relative of the Unus and Drumjaww. Mature Jotun average about thirty tons in weight, though very large individuals may exceed fifty. Live in small, closely knit herds consisting of females and their offspring, with mature males usually being solitary. Migratory, going north to south yearly, and found along most of the west coast and the central plains. Feed primarily on algae, though incidentally consume fungi and small animals while grazing. The mouth is a huge, retractable, proboscis-like radula. Deafeningly loud, tremendously powerful, and widely revered by contemporary sapients.

30: Lesser Mareequus. A small, aquatic hog relative that lives much like a capybara, only in polar swamps of algae rather than lush Amazonian rivers. Lesser Mareequus live in small herds, alternating between foraging in the water for algae and resting on firmer ground. Given their small size and clumsiness outside of water, they do not stray far from their watery homes save during fall, when they must make a perilous migration to a den site further inland in which they spend the winter.

31: Atrox Hog: The most numerous and widespread hog species. Atrox Hogs can grow quite large, though most are only a couple hundred pounds in weight. They are omnivores with a very distinct lack of pickiness, eating everything there is to be eaten with gusto. Algae comprises most of their diet, though pseudofungi is very important to southern populations, while those in the northwest eat a good deal of worms and worm eggs. During the productive warm months, they forage in small groups, sticking mostly to hills, shallow marshes, and other areas where they are not at risk of being bogged down in thick mud. Come fall, however, the hogs band together in hordes several hundred strong in order to secure a suitable den site, usually a large cave. This has made them mortal enemies of the Atrox Sapients, who also favor caves for their winter hideouts, and though below their sapient rivals in intelligence the hogs are persistent and deadly opponents. Though relying primarily on speed and agility to escape danger, hogs are vicious when they need to be and can deliver an exceedingly nasty bite with their powerful radulae. Favored den sites often go back and forth between hog and sapient occupation as a result of these wars, with a viable cave one year being a dreaded hell-pit the next.

32: Abyss Rhino: Without contest the most beautiful rhino. The Abyss Rhino is snow-white in color, with its forked horns a scarlet red as well as the tips of the keratinous spines on its back. Thin crimson stripes grace its neck, back, and flanks in elaborate patterns, and its feet, stomach, and throat are a clean pink. Despite this surreal beauty, the Abyss Rhino is something of a beast in nature. Solitary save the bond between mother and calf, the Abyss Rhino is frighteningly agile and temperamental, opting to charge any potential threats smaller than itself which has earned it a similar reputation as the Common Rhino. Despite appearances, its forked horn is quite sturdy and makes for a formidable weapon. Unlike most herbivores, Abyss Rhinos are quite selective in their feeding, wandering extensively for choice varieties of algae and pseudofungi. They prefer elevated, rocky habitat though frequent stray into marshes in search of a favored red algae.

33: Quattor: Though there are several species of Quattor as well as a few closely related lookalikes, this is the most common and widespread species. Adults weigh a couple hundred pounds on average and spend most of their lives buried in semisolid mud, where they hunt for soft-bodied prey which they engulf whole in an eerily leech-like manner. During heavy rains they frequently flee to the surface, however, and come fall they move to higher and dryer terrain in order to hibernate, often in caves alongside Atrox Sapients and hogs. Like all species of Quattors, their saliva has a potent toxin which is very quickly taken up by the permeable skin of their preferred prey, quickly paralyzing them.

34: Robust Unicorn species: The larger and bulkier of the two extant unicorns. Like its relative, it is solitary, athletic, and unnervingly fierce. The Robust Unicorn has an omnivorous diet, though it mostly relies on pseudofungi and any more mobile prey it can overpower, including hogs, pygmy rock rhinos, smaller wyrms, and a rare few Atrox Sapients. Very rare, they are found mostly in hill country and firmer plains with sparse algae, though are better able to tolerate wetlands than their gracile relatives and frequently enter them in search of amphibious prey. An extensible proboscis as well as the namesake horn and powerful kicks serve well to subdue small prey.

35: Compact Duck Hog: The northernmost Duck Hog species and the most aquatic, spending much of their time diving beneath the surface to feed on seafloor invertebrates and algae unlike their herbivorous, surface-grazing relatives. Non-migratory, wintering at sea in the black polar waters.

36: Hill Country Mastodon: A very rare, small, primitive mastodon species found mostly in the northwest’s more elevated regions and the marshy valleys lying in between. Live in small herds of just a few individuals. Despite their small size they possess the same ferocity as the larger mastodons, and their huge, armored heads and strong tusks make predators take caution.

37: Abyss Mastodon: The most widespread species of mastodon, found along most of the west coast, the south, and sparingly throughout the central regions of the continent. Eat almost anything. One of the largest species of mastodon. Though large adults, weighing in at nearly twenty tons, are in the same league as the Mammoth and Bristled Mastodon, they attain this size more frequently than the former. Adverse to elevated terrain, preferring marshland and soggy plains though will graze on firmer pastures. Foul tempered and exceedingly stupid.

38: Mareequus: Similar to the Lesser Mareequus, though much larger and mostly found in coastal habitats and very far north. Frequently seen in small groups lounging around on ice floes, diving into the frigid waters beneath to feed on algae and sessile invertebrates. Very fat and thick-skinned. Common prey of Drumjaww and Atrox Sapients.

39: Bumbler: Giant, predatory, derived prober. Bumblers are fond of burrowing and spend much of their time mucking around in their preferred foraging grounds of algae marsh, where they feed on various soft bodied animals as well as wyrms, which they are especially suited to predate upon. Have a venom-injecting spine on each forelimb and thick, wrinkled skin below with smooth, iridescent skin and fat layers forming a “shell” above. Ecosystem engineers, constructing a variety of pits, tunnels, and new waterways through their foraging habits and tendency to only use their shelter for a few days before moving on. When threatened, they hide their extremities beneath their fatty “shell” and sink into the mud.

40: Longmaw: A common and large species of Duck Hog found in swampy lagoons and estuaries. Solitary except during the breeding season, where they gather in the hundreds and become quite cacophonous. Herbivorous and flighty, frequently dive and dart many dozens of meters away at the first sign of danger.

41: Tombante: The most common species of Dropshank. Found in steep hill country and mountainous regions, excellent climber, supremely agile and flexible. Hunt animals similar in size to themselves (hogs, small rhinos, etc) in the usual Dropshank fashion, perching low and inconspicuous on some high place until an unfortunate victim passes below, which will then spur them into acting out their namesake with the lethal venomous proboscis and tail hook. Usually set up their ambush near a pool, stream, or grove rich in pseudofungi. Winter in caves, where females construct a cocoon of sorts to house their offspring.

42: Dropshank: Smallish, rare ambush predator. Hunts in much the same way as the Tombante, but is constrained to mountainous habitat and is even more specialized for climbing and leaping. Possesses incredibly lethal venom and incredible physical power, making it the apex predator of its native haunt, occasional Atrox Sapient aside.

43: Holme-Calmar: A secretive, distant relative of probers found in marshes. A burrower, spending most of its time underground in search of small prey. Venomous. Pale and flabby in composition. Facial tendrils primarily for sensory purposes but have some prehensile properties. Occasional found wintering in caves. Atrox Sapients kill them on sight with extreme prejudice.