[Atheran Wildlife] Deus Proditor Flora, Fauna, And Bestiary

[Booklight12 477]

Atheran Wildlife

Flora, Fauna, Bestiary

 

 

Deus Proditor

 

Land:

Flora- Plant Life

Fauna- Wildlife/Animals

Monsters- Monsters/Oddities

 

Marine:

Normal Sea Creatures- Normal animals that live in the ocean nearby

Sea Monsters- Monsters/Oddities that live in the ocean nearby

 

Fauna

 

Deus Proditor is a desolate land mass in the open seas of Athera comprised entirely of hot sands, it was once a prospering land, with a rich civilization though due to an unknown cataclysm the entirety of the continents life was destroyed. Some say by meteors, others by magic, and others say by the folly of the people themselves. Though much is unknown some say that the dead walk the desolate sands in hordes of men women and children dressed in odd tattered garbs. What is known though, is that it is recommended /never/ to travel there. Especially alone.

 

• Jackal [Common] - A medium-sized carnivore with doglike features and a bushy tail, is widely distributed in these lands. They are sly creatures able to pick off dead, or dying small animals. Their normal prey though are birds, mouse, small rodents, and snakes. Not much is known about these creatures besides that they held a significant standing in the civilization of old Athera, being in numerous glyphs, and drawings within the ruins of the land. As well various statues are scattered about of humanoid figures clad in gold, though instead of a normal face it is that of a Jackal

 

• Desert Snakes [Common]- A variety of different snakes, they normally have a beige or yellowish gold scale pattern to use as camouflage against predators and prey. There are numerous types, from Cobras, small slender snakes, Most are within the bounds of 1-5 feet in length. Though, be wary for many of the snakes of the desert are poisonous, poisons that can kill from a half an elven hour to a few days. They can be told by their varying scale colors, and tend to have rounder heads their bites less painful than non poisonous types.

 

• Scaddernak [Extremely Rare]- Scaddernaks are huge, dark creatures that resemble a mix of spider and scorpion with eight legs and a giant pincer. hey have two claws bigger than an entire Orc and enough strength to smash down a fort in seconds. They are usually black or sandy coloured. These powerful creatures have thick skin, and pinsirs that constrict with enough force to dent or even crush iron armors.

 

• Crabs [Common]- Both Giant crabs and normal crabs, they tend to prowl the coasts of this great landmass. Due to lack of food around the area they tend to be on the more slender side, though far quicker than standard crabs, or giant crabs. Being able to move their warhammer like pincers with great speed and efficiency, due to this it is recommended not to take them on, as their meat spoils quickly, their eggs are what makes a good meal, being large, and fleshy giving a decent meat yield.

 

• Lupus Land Dragon [uncommon]- Slender lizards, much different from their Desert Drake relatives, they stand about a foot off the ground, and can grow from 5-7 feet long, most of the length coming from their tails they use for balance. Though they have a leathery skin, and no wings. They can spring up to 15 mph at full stride, and the bite from their powerful jaws can prove fatal, easily tearing through flesh and bones. (Essentially a Komodo Dragon)

 

• Camel [uncommon]- These are gentle animal, is a long necked creature with fur similar to that of thinner sheep wool. They come in varying sizes, though the feature that every camel has is the large lumps atop their backs where they store water and fluids so they may traverse the desert with minimal amounts of drinks. Many, have been found in ancient tomes to have been a prime animal used as transportation, to traverse the deserts. They are very nurturing of their young, though have not much defense besides their powerful legs.

 

• Mongoose [Common]-  These sleek creatures have long bodies with short legs and tapered snouts. They normally have brown or gray grizzled fur, and a number of species sport striped coats or ringed tails. Mongooses live in burrows and are nondiscriminatory predators, feeding on small animals such as rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, and worms. It is the symbol of the followers of Aeriel, a holy creature for many, though surprisingly are able to survive in these harsh climates with no problem, leading some believers, to speculate a divine intervention lending protection to these beautiful creatures.

 

• Bulbus Ant [Common]- A common sight around the deserts of Deus Proditor, this creature is easily distinguished by the large red bulb protruding from its back, used to hold toxins, and liquids poisonous to most other creatures, it is used as a final defense mechanism to protect the colony, committing suicide by sacrificing itself to be eaten where the toxins from the ants bulb quickly takes effect shutting down the creatures organs and immune system killing whatever small animal it is eaten by in a matter of minutes, and to be easy pickings by the rest of the colony. Though, it should be of note this poison can be harvested but due to the distance from civilization and its quickness to spoil. Once taken in a large enough quantity for a human to consume the most it would do is give a stomach ache, and perhaps diarrhea.

 

• Gurrakagh [Common]- A large bald headed vulture, it has a wrinkled neck and body that is hairless. With a wingspan of about 2 meters, and jet black fur it is a true scavenger. It traverses the low skies of the desert all day searching for prey, or dead animals. And when it does it swoops down with its mighty talons to ****** the prey and bring it back to its roost to eat. Or if it is a larger creature, normally eating a large portion to make its stomach full, then returns to its nest vomiting the large clumps of meat for either later consumption, or to feed its young. Rarely though does this creature tend to attack other living creatures, and lives at high rocky cliffs, in the mountainous regions of the Deus Proditor.

 

Monsters

 

• The Basilisk [unknown]- The king of serpents. The Basilisk is a giant serpentine creature with jagged teeth as long as arms, this great beast with bluish-green, and blackened scales. They say this creature lives on the eastern parts of the continent and has some dominance over the snake population in the region. Though not much is known about it as there are only cases recorded there, and too many are afraid to step foot on this island let alone that region. Though, it is said that the creature itself reaches a length in cases from 20 feet long to 30 feet. Though not enough is known about it to even be certain.

 

• The Dead  [ Moderately Common]- A nickname given to the undead men, women and children that walk the land mainly coming out at night though there are some able to withstand the suns rays. Not much is known about these creatures besides that they seem to be those that are from the civilization before that had a cataclysmic event that destroyed the entire island and turning many of its people into these zombies. They come in different shapes, sizes, and genders. From mummified people in ancient bandages covering their bodies, to completely bare of clothing, and even those in now rusted metals adorning their bodies from old jewels, to pristine looking golden bracelets un damages from time. Though they are generally mindless, it is recommended to stay away from them for where one is killed, it is almost certain to attract another, and another.

 

• Dust Wraiths/Revenants [Very Rare]- Both different, though similar enough to be categorized as the same. Due to the events that happened long ago, these creatures seemed to have formed from the undead, and survivors of the lands. Not like the normal necromantic creatures, instead these are formed from unknown causes and have lost their general sentience instead acting as murderous creatures of death and despair. Wraiths are very similar to the necromancy wraiths though instead unable to cast magics on a whim or think freely they are clad normally in thin armor and or black, tattered robes covering their decrepit bodies, and having black mist seeping from their crevices. Revenants on the other hand are a different batch, losing all sentience whatsoever and maintain a similar appearance, the only thing setting them apart is the ability to float atop the ground a few feet much like a ghost or graven but instead are able to physically change the world commonly attacking unsuspecting people with quick swoops, and slashes from their talon like hands.

 

• Apparitions [ Extremely Rare] - An amalgamation of souls of the past, these dark creatures hold immense, and dark powers within them. Far stronger than a wraith or zombie. These creatures are created from where many had died in the same place and their souls conjoining together to create an unnatural creature. The ancient apparitions that wander the continent are quite aggressive not commonly seeing the living. They are powerful enough even to have somehow command a small horde of the undead living on the land. From revenants, wraiths, and the standard zombies. Not much is known of them, besides that it is best to leave them alone, for they are formidable creatures that can easily slaughter a small party of adventurers looking for quick coin.

 

• Giant Jackal Statues [Rare]-  These Jackal statues are monoliths of the past, made of fine jewels and odd molds from this prosperous people. Once standing as what seems to be guardians of temples to protect against attacks. They remain as they were commanded to protecting their temples from wanderers and aggressors. Not acting all the time as their activation seems to be random and only occurs by chance. If you are caught when these creations activate it is best to run. For they will not let up on complete onslaught having immense strength able to fling orcs with one swoop of their maces, and jewels priest accessories they seem to adorn. Wearing an ancient garb of old. Oddly enough they remain completely intact without any signs of rust.

 

• Cockatrice [Rare]- These creatures large birds of prey, with heads similar to that of what we would call a chicken, and then the body of a giant bird, or phoenix. These are normally passive monsters, unlike their Adrallan brethren these have a more rough, almost scaly wings, and odd, symbols made of a wood-like material that is set atop their head like a crown. With blue glowing eyes, they appear to be more menacing than they are, normally ignoring travelers, but if they are attacked they are a ferocious monster, acting with a stronger force, and armor like hide but are slower than their forest family in Adrallan.

 

• Desert Drake [Rare]- Land drakes, many ancient texts state they were once magnificent flying creatures, though have since shed their wings now having thick armor like scales that jet out of their bulky bodies. These giant lizards tend to appear in small groups of 2-4, their bodies normally size up to 10 -15 feet long with tall bulky bodies, and a powerful thick tail that have spines jetting out of the top of it for defense. They tend to have a more milky brown coloring to them, their main source of food are the undead that wander the lands aimlessly, or the larger game such as scaddernaks, giant crabs, or their smaller lizard brethren.

 

• Proditor Raptor [uncommon]- A giant lizard like creature, standing atop two bulky legs, with two much smaller front arms that have sharp claws attached to them. This scaly creature has very powerful skin and is a powerful predator of Deus Proditor. One of its’ more famous creatures and well known, having a plethora of stories after it, and having a long rasping roar that can be heard miles away. This creature with its giant maw can split, and crush almost anything it wraps around, be it the hull of a boat, an armored animal, it is even known to scoop up smaller animals and eat them whole. This is an apex predator, and considered the king of the desert. Though, the only defense they have is their poor eyesight and smell having to get very close to smell anything of note on objects. Because if that if you see this creature, do not run for it will outrun you, do not fight for it will eat you, the only thing you can do is stand still and pray no one in your group

 

Flora

(Due to the climate, and situation of the region, i’m limiting the plants to 6. For now atleast unless others have more ideas they wish to add.)

• Dankegh Cactus [Rare]- It’s the dank ****. A medium sized cactus with a rounded, bulb like top to it, it has various black spines protruding from around the main portion of the cactus that can easily puncture through skin, or simple garbs. Around the bottom portion of this cactus grows a miracle cannabis that can be harvested and dried. It has a powerful kick to it and is considered one of the strongest cactus green in the world, even stronger than many of the ‘natural’ orcish strains giving a powerful high that can last for quite a while, though it is easy to smoke, producing a smooth smoke that is easy on the lungs making it a decent incense. Though, because of this the cactus isn’t the best at storing liquids in fact, if one were to drink the juices on the inside they would find themselves throwing up a few minutes later, a dangerous thing in this wasteland lacking in water.

 

• Djinns’ Cactus [Moderately Common]- A beautiful cactus with a low rounded body like that of a watermelon, it grows in patches and has white spins littered across the surface of it, though for good reason as it protects the rich nectar on the inside. If you can get past the surface you would find a ripe cactus filled with a green juice, thick, and sweet it provides a refreshing meal, aswell as drink for those lost and low on food or water. Though, because of the juices and meat of the cactus it is aswell quite bad to eat in large quantities not good as a main source of water or used on an empty stomach. With prolonged use it may give the drinker a stomach ache, and produce minor hallucinations.

 

• Xir’uh Root [uncommon]- A medicinal root, most likely used by the people living here long ago, to treat simple ailments such as stomach aches, pains, and headaches. It is a light brown, golden color to it akin to that of the sand around, and has a hard surface that is impossible to break apart, and can must be cut open. When you get inside of the root though, there is a slightly softer though still hard, and damp meat, which when consumed heals the sicknesses said above, though can be mashed or liquids strained to get a more potent effect. It is a moderate earth symbol of fortitude for alchemical purposes.

 

• Jackals Tender [uncommon]- A small dry vine that normally grows around the oasis’ and beaches of the desert, though it may hold some liquids inside they are mostly brown, and spoiled unclean to eat. Though, the main use of this vine is the skin of it. Removing the bark like skin of the vine it seems to have been a notable incense of the people of old, and may still be used today working as a fine material to burn when dried out. It gives a sweet, cinnamon like smell when burnt the smoke very smooth making it easy on the nose, and safe around children.

 

• Soaptree [uncommon]- is a tall 10-18 foot plant with palm tree-like leaves. These leaves are at the base of the plant. They are very similar to those of a palm tree in the respect that the green leaves of the Soaptree Yucca are long and triangular shaped and are not wide. The stalk that shoots up from the leaves is a twig-thin stalk with small white flowers growing at the top. The reason it is called the Soaptree is because its’ main use is that as a natural soap to clean the body when bathing, as opposed to simply diving into a bath house, or in a lake. This tree allows a more thorough clean, and cleanly smell uncommon in this day in age.

 

• Nurse Plant [Moderately Common]- For a desert plant it has a short life-span, only 50 years. Its most significant function is as a "nurse plant" for other species. Because it prefers to grow in open, sunny areas, it is one of the first plants to populate an empty space too hot for other seedlings. Once it is established, it provides a microhabitat for the seedlings of other species and protects them from herbivores with its tangle of branches. In time the area becomes populated with many different species of desert plants. It has round cotton like spores along its thin stem, and it’s only uses besides to help other plants are, for alchemical purposes as a moderate air symbol, as well as it being able to be harvested and woven into fabrics.

 

Sea/Water Animals

 

• Miracle Toad [Common in Oasis’ only]- Only appearing in the small oasis’ that are still clean within the giant sandbox we call Deus Proditor. It got its name for being a sign of miracle, as it is infact quite a miracle to find water in these lands, thought to be a sign of good luck by many. Though, not for them as the Miracle toad is quite a delicacy for weary travelers. Though, by removing its poison sack first as it is deadly to those who eat it,the toad can be prepared in many ways, but most commonly sprinkled with a few dry herbs around an oasis where it is found, and then cooked on open flame. It provides a nice invigorating kick, as it opens new possibilities to the palate with its oddly salty flavour. Though, sadly unable to be brought back ashore as the meat quickly rots and must be cooked a day or two after death or it will be spoiled, aswell it wouldn’t be wise to bring them out of the oasis and back ashore to Athera as that will as well kill them, their bodies are set specifically for the oasis’ mineral content and will be unable to survive elsewhere.

 

• Sandbank Squid [Common]- The name coined because the odd way any of these squids choose to die by  beaching themselves. They live for prolonged periods of time able to live for hundreds of years, though may only give birth once in their lives expelling all their eggs when fertilized. Because of this many of these squids beach themselves after reaching a hundred or so, no longer do the squids have a reason to live anymore. An odd sight indeed as to why they do this, though it is not without fortune as it has been found the ink they produce to be one of the finest in the world, and provide a delectable treat for anyone who comes across it whilst fishing, it has a chewy texture, and tends to have a moderate salt content and because of it not being too salty it allows the true richness of its acute flavouring to be tasted when consumed.

 

• Moonfish [Very Rare]- Called the Moonfish for its blue hued scales, and its body which is shaped like that of a crescent moon. It produces a warm luminescence when it swims across the water and is indeed a beautiful fish to see able to achieve sizes of up to 6-7 feet in height from one tip of the crescent body to the other. It is rare enough to see them in the wild, and even rarer to be able to eat them as they are smart fish rarely breaking the surface but a few times even in their life, so the taste of it is unknown. But who would kill these beauties anyways? They are nearly extinct because of overfishing long ago before the descendants entered this realm. So not much is known of them.

 

• Naked Shark [Common]- A small shark, at most only able to achieve around 3-4 feet in length, it is said to be called the naked shark because of a tale saying tht the person who found it long ago gave it to a woman he liked as a gift, inwhich she was seduced by this gem at the time and bedded him that very moment, though but rumors it is considered luck for any man to find it, and even luckier if he is to bestow it upon an important lady in their heart. Though, besides that tale it has no notable features, looking like a standard shark, with jagged teeth, it’s common prey being smaller fish around their domains.

 

• Kings Urchin [Common]- A rounded sea urchin, with golden barbs protruding from its body, they are tipped with a poison that shoots into whatever creature it sticks into, having small barbs on the ends of the spines that latch onto the creature. The largest of most urchin in the region at about 2 feet in diameter, and 2 and a half if including the barbed spines. Normally found on coral reefs around the the continent though, because not many would dare eat urchins even the creatures of the sea, it is very prominent in these parts.. Better watch your step!

 

• Sandfish [Common]- A saltwater fish found all around the area near Deus Proditor, and only about 1 foot in length. Tt has been here for over 1000 years having various fossil records dug around Deus Proditor leaving some to believe that they used to live on deus proditor itself and that it may have had wetlands and deltas connecting to the ocean. True to its’ name, the sandfish is a sand colored fish easily camouflaging itself on the ocean floors as a bottom feeder, eating algae and other microorganisms. It is recommended not to eat as it has large sums of rocks, that are broken down into a chalky sand like material that lines much of the fishes body giving it a pungent taste that is very unappealing to the palette, though it is believed they use these rocks to crush up the larger things that they may eat such as smaller fish, worms, or plants.

 

• Sand Tiger Whale [somewhat Rare]- Found in the ocean about 3 miles offshore of Deus Proditor, these whales are smaller than their blue whale, or sperm whale counterparts though still in immense size normally reaching about 15-20 feet in length. This whale is a harmless one, sticking to small animals such as shrimps, small fish, and algae, it filter feeds through its thick bristle teeth, much like its relative Baleen whales, though these whales have a sand like leathery skin, with white stripes along its body like a tiger. They are powerful though gentle creatures, easily can they capsize a boat, as they travel colonies of 10-15. Though, their teeth are a rare item normally used as a brush for high class members of Athera being quite expensive. And their meat is supposed to be some of the finest in Athera.

 

Sea Monsters

 

• Pleskana Delta [unknown]- The Pleskana Delta much like its’ Pleskana relative is a large reptilian sea creature They have the body of what could be seen as a large turtle without a shell complete with four flippers and a tail not to discount their large neck. Their scales are usually a shade of blue and are usually patterned to act either as camouflage. Though, unlike its’ relative it is far larger measuring at immense sizes with a head large enough to eat 1-2  humans in a single gulp. Not much is known about this creature besides the description and that they are far more aggressive, and seem to have more jagged fins leading some to believe that they are in fact unrelated but vastly similar looking.

 

• Kraken [unknown]-  Believed to be a giant squid simply put, many have heard stories of these eldritch beings, snapping ships with but a twist of their tentacles and dragging the doomed sailors to their depths, though something that is unknown in fact. Is what exactly the body looks like, as the only people who are able to get close enough, are fated to drown in the depths by the mass of tentacles. Leading some skeptics to believe perhaps it is a different being, a spell summoned by a powerful warlock, or a sunken daemon in the physical realm taking these sailors as a sacrifice to satiate its’ fiendish desires.

 

Thank you for reading, if you have any questions, think more creatures or plants should be added feel free to PM me and Shady_Tales or reply below. This is a post in our region lore series, which I hope to be used for better organization and to help fuel RP if people wish to go hunting, gather materials and so on. Fiandra will be the next region in our series so be sure to check it out. Aswell, look at this post here if you wish to vote for the next region!

 

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/121215-poll-atheran-flora-fauna-and-monsters/

-Booklight12

 

Possible to do:

Pictures

[Oldkingmeta 1]

Finally, some stuff for desert rp! +1!

[Travista 1353]

(( Fairly certain there's literally only a single wild scaddernak...))

[Booklight12 477]

(( Fairly certain there's literally only a single wild scaddernak...))

Not one hundred percent certain about the Scaddernaks I looked up the lore, but know they are rare that's why they are extremely rare. Though, if there are 2 or three prowling about it'd be pretty cool to have orcs may choose to tame them or let them take their natural course. As if there was only one wild scaddernak in the entire realm of Athera speaking realistically like size distance etc. There would be no other scaddernaks for it to mate with. And it would eventually die out and the scaddernaks would just be extinct. 

[Travista 1353]

Not one hundred percent certain about the Scaddernaks I looked up the lore, but know they are rare that's why they are extremely rare. Though, if there are 2 or three prowling about it'd be pretty cool to have orcs may choose to tame them or let them take their natural course. As if there was only one wild scaddernak in the entire realm of Athera speaking realistically like size distance etc. There would be no other scaddernaks for it to mate with. And it would eventually die out and the scaddernaks would just be extinct. 

They is literally only a few, orcs had to bring them over to Athera via boats and they can only be tamed by shortly after birth, older children and adults are too hostile and even then would be a challenge to train, even for the greatest animal tamers. Again, I was told this by some orc I can't even remember the name of...though I'm fairly certain I'm correct. Now, why aren't they extinct? Orcs have a small handful they breed.

[L0rdLawyer 2271]

They is literally only a few, orcs had to bring them over to Athera via boats and they can only be tamed by shortly after birth, older children and adults are too hostile and even then would be a challenge to train, even for the greatest animal tamers. Again, I was told this by some orc I can't even remember the name of...though I'm fairly certain I'm correct. Now, why aren't they extinct? Orcs have a small handful they breed.

Yea, I think Shreck may be right. BUT, shreck just roll with it, say a few uruk boats went missing on the way over. o-o 

[lawnmowerman 3040]

These threads are an interesting and sophisticated read, give us more!

[Jistuma 1995]

I'm sorry to say that this lore has been Denied.

 

While most of the lore is pretty much just placing the existing lore in the right locations, some of the new monsters and animals are a bit overpowered and quite a bit hard to ever appear in roleplay.