1. FLORA and FAUNA

Here follows a treatment of the most traversable environments of Hyperborea, including native plant and wildlife species. There is little need to examine mountains and glaciated terrain, despite their frequency; like wise, mainland Hyperborea’s numerous tar pits are hazards to be avoided by even the most stalwart wayfarer. Note that the following expositions do not include supernatural or otherworldly inhabitants, humanoids, dæmons, undead, and the like. For purposes of general presentation, normal and quasi-normal wildlife types consistent with Old Earth are discussed; the remainder is deemed unnatural and invasive. However, because it is a matter of conjecture as to whether giant species are a natural progression or the result of sorcerous manipulation, they are included for sake of completeness.

DESERT (Sandy and Steppe)

Here lie the most barren regions of Hyperborea, where little precipitation falls and men scarcely dwell. Sand covers about 10–25% of the land, whilst gravel-covered plains, rocky hills and plateaus, dry lake beds, dry stream channels, and salt flats cover the remainder. Sharath is the exception to this norm, with sand and dust comprising over 65% of the land. Much of the desert landscape is carved by the wind. As noted, rainfall is meagre, but when the storms gather, or if summer heat releases a torrent of glacial water, floods may occur, particularly on the Leng Plateau. In the desert regions grow cacti (many of which present brilliant flowers), grasses, herbs, and some stunted shrubs. Flowers blossom, too, though mostly these will bloom in startling profusion following rains and/or flooding. Grasses are more abundant in the semi-arid regions where desert transitions to steppe and/or grassland. Desert wildlife includes a variety of insects, spiders, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Bears, deer, foxes, wolves, and some great cats will enter the desert in search of food, especially following heavy rains. Some of the more notorious desert beasts include @Giant Ant, @Giant Bee, giant beetles, @Boar, giant centipedes, @Wild Dog, @Hyæna(common and giant), @Lion, giant lizards, @Giant Rat, @Giant Scorpion, giant snakes, giant spiders, and @Giant Weasel.

FOREST

The predominant forest type of Hyperborea is the boreal forest, which may cover hilly terrain and also low-elevation mountain slopes; higher elevations oft shew stunted conifers and shrubs. Precipitation is variable, depending on the season and the altitude. Boreal forests are able to withstand Hyperborea’s long, dark winters and cool summers. Due to snowmelt and low temperatures, little evaporation occurs, so typically the lowlands are boggy by summer though frozen by winter. Coniferous trees are dominant here: firs, hemlocks, pines, and spruces. Broadleaf deciduous types are much fewer: paper birch, maple, oak, and so forth. All of these species are adapted to the lengthy and exceptional seasons of Hyperborea. Notable plant species of the forest environment include bog blueberries, bog rosemary, labrador tea, sedges, and wild roses, as well as ferns, horsetails, lichens, and mosses. Countless animal species exist, including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles, as well as worms, molluscs, insects, and spiders. Common types encountered include frogs and salamanders; chickadees, ducks, eagles, hawks, jays, owls, ravens, wild turkeys, and woodpeckers; bass, trout, and salmon; bats, bears (black, brown), beavers, chipmunks, deer, elk, foxes, lions, mountain lions, mice, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, tigers, weasels, wolves, and wolverines; lizards, snakes, and turtles. Some of the more feared species include @Giant Ant, @Carnivorous Ape, @Giant Bat, @Giant Bee, giant beetles, giant centipedes, giant frogs, @Giant Leech, giant lizards, @Pterodactylus, @Giant Rat, @Ground Sloth (Megatherium), giant snakes, giant spiders, @Giant Tick, @Giant Toad, and @Giant Weasel. That the coastal regions of the Savage Boreal Coast sustain a more temperate coniferous forest type is noteworthy. Here significant precipitation supports the growth of cedar, massive redwoods, and other species otherwise unseen about the realm, particularly several more flower types and some enormous ferns. This region enjoys a milder climate, perhaps due to the shielding Barrier Mountains, the warmer currents of the Pictish Channel, and other factors.

GRASSLAND (Plains and Steppe)

This environment comprises several subtypes, including the coastal grassland, prairie, and steppe. The coastal grassland is met by the sea and so endures heavy winds and salt spray; these conditions foster and support a rich variety of grass types that several herbivore species prefer. Also an abundance of herbaceous plants and shrubs may be found. Wildfires are less common in the moister coastal grasslands, but not unusual during late summer. Many coastal grasslands transition to forest or marshlands. Prairies are rolling grasslands (flat or moderately hilly) that tend to have higher grasses, some species of which will grow taller than a man; these are oft buried in snow and ice come winter. Prairies might have shaded river valleys within which may thrive trees and other plants. Precipitation in prairie grasslands is moderate, supporting hundreds of species of flowers, including some enormous sunflowers and daisies; vast swaths of prairie can appear painted in colours brilliant. The steppe is a colder, drier grassland with shorter grasses (the tallest being 4½ ft.) and plant life that in general more closely resembles desert. Fires will periodically devastate the steppes during late summer. Grasslands and steppes are inhabited by all manner of insect (grasshoppers most common), spiders, amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Birds include blackbirds, grouse, hawks, meadowlarks, quail, and ravens. Commonly seen mammals include @Aurochs, @Boar, @Red Deer, @Wild Dog, ferrets, wild horses, @Hyæna, @Woolly Mammoth, mice, @Musk Ox, rabbits, skunks, voles, and @Weasel. Some of the more feared beasts include @Giant Ant, @Giant Bee, giant beetles, @Giant Ferret, @Giant Frog, @Giant Hyæna (Hyænodon), @Lion, giant lizards, @Pterodactylus, @Giant Scorpion(steppes only), giant snakes, giant spiders, @Tiger (including @Sabre-Tooth Tiger (Smilodon)), @Giant Toad, @Giant Weasel, and @Dire Wolf.

TUNDRA

This category encompasses the cold, dry, treeless lands of Hyperborea, where the ground is permanently or semi-permanently frozen. The centre of the Spiral Mountain Array and also the Plain of Leng are notable tundra regions. Precipitation is minimal; notwithstanding, some hardy plants emerge from spring to summer: mosses, dwarf shrubs, and wildflowers such as club-moss, forget-me-not, saxifrage, and several species of poppy. Vast fields of lichens grow as well. The tundra is inhabited by @Aurochs, @Polar Bear, @Leaper Camel, @Reindeer, @Giant Elk, ermine, @Fox, @Hare, lemmings, @Mountain Lion (Cougar, Puma), @Woolly Mammoth, @Musk Ox, @Woolly Rhinoceros, @Ground Sloth (Megatherium), @Squirrel, @Tiger (including @Sabre-Tooth Tiger (Smilodon)), @Dire Wolf, and @Wolverine. Migratory bird species such as ducks, geese, sandpipers, snowy owls, and terns are temporary inhabitants of the alpine and tundra regions, oft using this environment as a breeding ground during the summer years. Rare is the bird that permanently dwells in the Hyperborean tundra; a few species of grouse are noted. At the lower alpine elevations, where glacial ice does not mantle the vales and mountainsides, stunted firs and pines grow, oft transitioning to boreal forest environments.

WETLANDS

Here are lands that are permanently or semi-permanently saturated with water, which may be fresh, salt, or brackish. In winter, wetlands may remain frozen for up to four years. Wetlands are subdivided into swamps, bogs, fens, and marshes. Great diversity of plant life is seen in wetlands, including submerged (e.g., eelgrass), floating (e.g., lily pads), and emergent types (e.g., cattails, papyrus, reeds). Algæ, moss, and lichens prevail throughout all wetland types. Peat (partly decomposed vegetable matter) is found in acidic bogs; this valuable resource is harvested throughout the realm and utilized as heating fuel. Carnivorous plants grow in wetlands, most preying on insects, but others preying on amphibians, birds, and even mammals. Every animal type inhabits wetlands. Some of the more commonly observed include bats, beavers, bears (black), deer, elk, frogs, otters, rabbits, raccoons, rats, skunks, snakes, squirrels, turtles, and weasels. Several fish and shellfish thrive in wetlands, too, including bass, flounder, and trout, as well as clams, crayfish, and oysters. Birds prosper here as well, feeding, nesting, and raising their young all within the confines of these habitats. Common species include ducks, geese, hawks, songbirds, and wading birds. Countless species of insects and spiders also inhabit wetlands. Some of the more notorious beasts here include @Giant Bat, @Giant Bee, giant beetles, giant centipedes, @Giant Crab(marsh only), @Crocodile, @Electric Eel, @Giant Ferret, @Giant Frog, @Giant Leech, giant lizards, @Pterodactylus, @Ground Sloth (Megatherium), giant snakes, giant spiders, @Thew, @Giant Tick, @Giant Toad, and @Giant Weasel.

RAINFOREST

Rain forests primarily occur at various islands at the Rim of the World. Likewise, the Savage Boreal Coast sustains a more temperate coniferous rainforest. Here, significant precipitation supports the growth of cedars, massive redwoods, and other species elsewhere unseen, particularly several flower types and enormous ferns. This region enjoys a milder climate, perhaps because of the shielding Barrier Mountains, the warmer currents of the Pictish Channel, and other factors. In addition to the usual forest fauna, rain forests are known to support @Archaeopteryx, giant centipedes, @Cœlurus, @Crocodile, @Giant Dragonfly, @Pterodactylus, and @Thew.

HILLS

Scholars aver that these low extrusions of land properly are distinguished from mountains for being gentler and less than 1,000 feet above the Hyperborean Sea. Hills oft demonstrate an ecosystem similar to the surrounding terrain, and in some circumstances this environment is subsumed by other terrain types. For instance, a forest may grow atop low hummocks. Many hills are blanketed with grasses, heather, and furze, as well as a variety of colourful flowers, herbaceous plants, shrubs, and stunted coniferous trees. Others are dry, rugged, and rocky, with sparse vegetation (including glaciated hills, which seldom are traversed). In general, most hills support wildlife quite similar to plains, though larger populations of @Fox and @Hare oft are observed.