Biomes!

Biomes are what really make up a planet. There are a lot of different biomes on earth, and even more on this planet due to its size (more than twice the earths size!). Not only that, but magic has a big impact on ecosystems. It can cause them to thrive and change, or die and stagnate. Here we will go over the various biomes on the mainland.

The Mountains

Located in the middle of the mainland is a massive mountain range that cuts it in half almost the whole way. It is responsible for one huge chunk of the continent being desert of some kind. The other half of it is lush and green with many different types of plants.

Many of the biomes around the mountains are very rocky. Plant life adapts and some are known to slowly drill through rock with thick roots. This means that the oldest of these plants are unable to be completely removed, and have a chance at growing back. Biomes with these special trees and greenery will be less prone to flooding. The water will often be sucked up through the roots, and the extra spat out into caves the roots have broken into. Not only does it help with too much water up top, but when the root grows long enough to reach the water source it created, it can use that during the dry seasons.

When making biomes in the mountains, get creative with how plants have adapted to the rocks and lower gravity the further the one goes up.

Mountain Biomes

Established Biomes are the following:

- **Rock-Eating Forests:** Forests that have trees with the special stone-burrowing roots. These trees are very, very thick and very tall. Their trunks go up several hundred meters before branching off at the top to create a canopy. Often found at the base of the mountains, and sometimes higher. With time, the leaf litter produces mulch and fertilizer for other plants to use.

- **Temperate Forests:** These forests have trees similar to pines, and are usually quite cold. Snow is common, and so many plants dont get much time to grow year-round.

- **Rain Forests:** These forests are categorized by how much rain they receive year-round. Greenery is lush and may also have trees with roots that dig into Rock and caves as a defense against flooding. With so much rain, plant life if diverse.

- **Rocky Deserts:** These deserts are full of rocks. Sand and rock. Plants here have adapted to the long, harsh days and long, cold nights. It is not uncommon to find ferns and cactus-like plants growing around.

The Desert

A large part of the mainland is just desert. It sits beyond the mountain range, and goes on for a *very* long time. One can find rivers and oasis's, as well as settlements near those bodies of water. The desert has fewer special biomes than the rest of the continent. Everything here has adapted to the long, hot days and equally long, cold nights. Rain is not an an every day occurrence here, and can be quite deadly when it does happen. These are some of the harshest environments to live in.

When making biomes for this area, remember that its very hot, very dry, and separated from the rest of the continent by mountains. Plants and animals should be adapted to these environmental issues, as well as how long the days and nights are. The planet is over twice the size of earth, so it takes longer for the sun to rise and set.

Desert Biomes

There are currently very few special places in the desert. This is bound to change. These are the current, established biomes:

- **Salt Flats:** a vast stretch of land that has a very thick layer of salt on the ground. Not much can survive here due to the high salt content. This is often harvested in sustainable amounts and shipped off as a seasoning.

- **Regular Sand Desert:** Imagine a sterotypical Egypt. Sand dunes are everywhere. Not much else to see here.

- **Oasis**: Always near water. Plant life thrives here due to it, giving animals a much needed break and place to live. Plants are used to high and low temperatures for long periods of time.

Forests, Plains, & More

The rest of the mainland is full of so many different biomes! Many of them will resemble ones on earth, but will be adapted for their particular environment. Forests are very common, and make up a good chunk of the green part of the continent. The rest are pains and other similar biomes. With so much room on the land, there is plenty of room for special and unique places.

When making a biome for the rest of the mainland, consider the temperature and gravity. The more below sea level it is, the heavier the gravity will be. The opposite is also true. Plants should be adapted for their environment.

Other Mainland Biomes

The following are the current established Biomes on the Mainland:

- **Wetlands:** Rain and floods are common here. Plants have adapted to being partially submerged in water, or just very, very wet.

- **Swamps:** Lots of water and submerged trees. Mud galore. Plants are used to rain and wet conditions. They don't do well in dry conditions.

- **Red Forests:** Red. Red everywhere. The dirt, the plants, and even the wood here is red. Animals also tend to be red. Something about the area makes everything.. Red.

- **Rainbow Forests:** The trees here have spots of various colours layered over each other. Their leaves come out in different colours as well, giving the canopy a very colourful look.

- **Tall-tall Forests:** These forests are categorized by the trees that are very, very tall. They often have rings of branches that serve as markers for every 100 meters. The trunks are gargantuan in thickness to help support all that weight. These trees are so strong that villages and cities are built among them.

- **Plains:** These are stretches of land with patches of light forests. Perfect farming land due to how flat it tends to be.

- **Hot Springs:** These heated springs are common on the mainland. You can find different varieties, and some of them are purified magic/sparkle water.