FLORA AND FAUNA.

[ataraxites]

F L O R A   A N D   F A U N A

▒   F L O R A
	Found growing out of the trunks and lowers branches of many trees, this parasitic plant has thick, fleshy leaves reaching the length of a hand, growing in a stemless rosette. The 'skin' of the leaves is tough, thick and bitter-tasting, but the flesh is sweet and moisture-rich. ABUNDANCE: COMMON THREAT: NONE SUSTENANCE: FLESH OF LEAVES EDIBLE
	A vine found growing on many trees, these huge, bright blue flowers only bloom high and in areas where sunlight pierces through the canopy more consistently. While the flowers are very beautiful, the vines are strong and sturdy. The seed pods are small, but have a dense, crisp flesh which tastes similar to banana. ABUNDANCE: RARE THREAT: NONE SUSTENANCE: SEED PODS EDIBLE
	Often found growing in thick patches on the ground, this plant is carnivorous, covered in a fur of thin fronds which use a sticky mucilage to trap and digest insects. Luckily not big enough to be a threat to larger animals, contact with the fronds will still cause a painful rash which will take 5 days to heal. ABUNDANCE: COMMON THREAT: LOW SUSTENANCE: NON-EDIBLE, MILDLY TOXIC
	This subshrub can only be found growing in the rare spots where sunlight reaches the ground through the forest's thick canopy. With a thick foliage of thin, delicate leaves, the shrub, when blooming, is covered in tiny white flowers which in turn produce lumpy red berries. These berries measure roughly five centimetres with a juicy flesh and have a citrus-like smell and flavor, but are very, very seedy. ABUNDANCE: RARE THREAT: NONE SUSTENANCE: BERRIES EDIBLE
	A cup-shaped fungus of varying sizes which can be found growing on decaying wood in heavy shade. Bioluminescent, they can be seen glowing a pale pink at night or at times of low light. Inside the cups, many disc shaped 'pearls' are produced. These pearls have a thick flesh similar to common mushrooms, are highly nutritious, and taste like steak. The edges of the cups are ringed with sharp, thorn-like growths which produce a highly toxic fluid with grave effects on the parasympathetic nervous system. Skin being broken by any of these thorns can result in increasing symptoms including dry mouth, dilated pupils, ataxia, hallucinations, convulsions, coma, and death depending on exactly how much of the toxin entered the bloodstream. ABUNDANCE: UNCOMMON THREAT: MEDIUM SUSTENANCE: PEARLS EDIBLE

▒   F A U N A
	These beetle-like insects are the most commonly found insect in the rainforest. Roughly two centimeters big with a bright yellow shell and eye-like blue markings, they are plant-eaters, and can be found eating the leaves of many of the plants growing in the jungle. While edible, they taste very bitter and don't offer much nutritional value for their size. ABUNDANCE: COMMON THREAT: NONE SUSTENANCE: NON-PALATABLE
	Small gecko-like reptiles, growing approximately 20 centimeters long with a dappled red and brown skin which allows them to blend into the trunks of the rainforests trees. These lizards have small, bat-like wings and are capable of flight over short distances. They are insect-eaters and the most common predator of the yellow beetles, but can be difficult to spot due to their camouflage and speed. They will bite if approached, but as they have no teeth the most this will leave is a nasty bruise. Properly cooked they taste like chicken, but consumption of undercooked meat will cause mild gastroenteritis. ABUNDANCE: UNCOMMON THREAT: LOW SUSTENANCE: MEAT EDIBLE
	Medium-sized creatures which are feathered rather than furred, with large beaks and a call similar to a heron's. They are most commonly seen with a pale pinkish plumage, but can also be found in blue, green or black colorings. Carnivorous and predatory, they hunt smaller animals but can also be seen eating insects. They are tree-dwellers and build platform-like nests in the higher branches of trees out of twigs and leaves, only venturing down to the ground if necessary to hunt. They are non-aggressive and will flee if approached; cornered, they will lash out with sharp talons and beak. Their meat is incredibly tough and stringy, and there is not much of it. ABUNDANCE: RARE THREAT: LOW SUSTENANCE: MEAT NON-PALATABLE
	Found in the acidic river, these animals resemble cephalopods in shape and behavior but crustaceans in biology, with a thick exoskeleton which protects them from the water's acidity. They feed on worms and mollusks found in the river bed. Fast, intelligent and strong enough to break bones, their armoured tentacles can be near impossible to remove should they have cause to attack you. Likewise protected by the water, they are very difficult to catch, but if successful the shell can be cracked open to reveal a rich, high-protein meat which tastes similar to bacon. ABUNDANCE: UNCOMMON THREAT: MEDIUM SUSTENANCE: MEAT EDIBLE
	About the size of a black bear, these animals are nocturnal, fast-moving predators which hunt in packs of three. They are currently extremely rarely sighted due to the crash driving most of their usual prey out of the immediate area, but very, very aggressive. Their return to the area and presence will be mod-announced. ABUNDANCE: VERY RARE THREAT: HIGH SUSTENANCE: UNKNOWN

▒   T A X O N O M Y As the planet characters have found themselves on has not previously been charted in any way which is accessible to characters, none of the wildlife, much like the planet itself, has a known name. The listing on this page reflects that, but should a commonly used name develop ICly as the game progresses, the page will be updated to include it for easier reference. Players are also encouraged to use the SETTING SUGGESTIONS form to suggest additions to the planet's wildlife. - - - - - - - - - - - - N A V I G A T I O N