Green Maw: Difference between revisions

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Forest halfling ethnic groups were historically defined by their alliances in the war. [[Outriders]], [[Oaks]], [[AntiOaks]], etc. [[Halflings]] evolved large eyes to see in the murky forest. Their hands and feet are equally dexterous.
Forest halfling ethnic groups were historically defined by their alliances in the war. [[Great Mangrove Project]], [[United Pollen Oak Tide]], [[Successionist Acorn League]], [[Bristlecone Alliance]], etc. [[Forest Halflings]] evolved large eyes to see in the murky forest. Their hands and feet are equally dexterous.


=Biomes=
=Biomes=
==The Abyssal Layer==
==The Abyssal Layer==
Terrible luring monsters live in the sunless depths. Largely uninhabited except for expeditions.
[[File:Abyss Layer.jpg|thumb|right|The Abyssal Layer, artist's depiction]]
At the very base of the forest biome, these sunless depths are the final frontier for halflings.
 
From lack of light, the abyss can at first appear barren. Stark pillars of tree trunks ascending anywhere from a few stories to hundreds of meters into the gloom. Canyons, valleys, and caves of gnarled roots.
 
In the darkness, a bioluminescent symphony of mushrooms blanket the fallen corpse of a collapsed tree. In the rare dot of sunlight, a riot of competing plants seek to monopolize it.
 
More detailed information on Abyssal flora and fauna can be found [[Abyssal_Layer|here]].


==Twilight Layer==
==Twilight Layer==
Line 21: Line 28:
==Canopy==
==Canopy==
Most inhabited zone, filled with sunlight. Tree houses.
Most inhabited zone, filled with sunlight. Tree houses.
Some groves contain species-specific seasonal butterfly mating grounds that are inhabited at very specific times by millions of butterflies (essentially all members of the species), think Monarch butterflies
Contains:
* Scads of Epiphites (air ferns and bromeliads). Often seeking to retain extra water for later use.
* Big thick tree branches you can travel along.
* Primary biome for parasitic trees/plants (i.e. Mistletoe)
* Vines are key for switching levels and branches
* Tom's bonus: Pocket biomes?


==The Crown==
==The Crown==
Very high up yo! Direct light, birds.
Very high up yo! Direct light, birds.


=Flora & Fauna=
==The Emergent Zone==
==Flora==
Formed by [[Cloudscraper Trees|cloudscraper trees]], these trees rise above the ambient level of the jungle crown. They are uncommon but not rare, and, when you climb to the crown of one, you're likely to be able to see several others. Individual cloudscrapers form "island" ecosystems which main contain unique flora and fauna species.
* '''Chokevine -''' A colloquial term for any of several varieties of vines and runners that seem to have no other purpose than to clog up the Twilight layer and above, and interfere with commerce. They are just large enough to be a nuisance while too small to be useful for travel. In the Canopy, chokevines form massive, suspended, mats that collect leaves, branches, dead creatures, etc. These mats create suspended island ecosystems sometimes referred to as [[Cloud_Island|cloud islands]].
 
* '''Fir, Parasitic -''' Parasitic Fir grows up from the Twilight layer by sending its roots deep into the bole of its host. In this way the Fir becomes a graft of the host tree taking on many of that trees properties and characteristics. While not technically a Fir, the Parasitic Fir often finds fir trees as a host due to the softer wood of that tree. The Parasitic Fir produces fruit for both more of it's kind as well as that of it's host thereby creating a somewhat symbiotic relationship. The Parasitic Fir is not a true symbiote as its presence tends to weaken the host and diminish the fruit the host produces.
An example of a settlement on a cloudscraper tree is [[Cloud_City|Cloud City]].
* '''Oilseed Tree -''' A tree of the Canopy that grows from the dense mats formed by chokevines and miscellaneous detritus. Although short in height, it spreads out widely and prolifically producing a round nut with a fibrous husk. The nut is harvested for [[Oilseed_Oil|oilseed oil]] which has a wide range of uses. The thick husk is soaked until the fibers fully separate, then it's spun into a soft, pliable, [[Oilthread|thread]] similar to cotton.
 
* '''Orchid, Dream -''' A common but difficult to find and harvest orchid that lives high in the Crown. The flower is small, white, and broad resembling a small phalaenopsis. The Dream Orchid is a prolific producer of nectar. While it doesn't appear that any known nectivores in the Green Maw are effected by the nectar, to halflings it has a strong narcotic and entheogenic effect and is called [[Dream_Nectar|Dream Nectar]]. The nectar is sometimes harvested for recreational and spiritual use but it's primary use is as an important ingredient in healing potions.
=Flora=
* '''Orchid, Radiant-''' An uncommon flower that lives mostly in The Twilight layer in colonies. As it's name suggests, it provides a natural light as part of it's natural growth process. Often times, prey creatures will hide among these orchids as the light can discourage some predators. Little nutritional value.
==Trees==
* '''Balefire Tree -''' This plant grows in the abyssal layer, and is named for the phosphorescent light found near its top. This light makes use of the phototropism of nearby plants, as leaves from the twilight layer dip down towards this light. The balefire tree makes use of this phenomena in that the leaves from the twilight layer dipping down to this light source create a kind of sand trap, and hapless creatures fall in and slide into the gooey digestive substances of this carnivorous plant. In lean times the light of the balefire tree will extinguish, causing the nearby leaves to die and fall into the digestion pit. Halfling denizens of the abyssal layer will often cultivate paths of Balefire Trees to mark out safe paths and trade routes, and eradicate trees that are not part of the path. Maintenance of these paths often requires feeding the Balefire Trees in the path.
Different trees in the maw utilize different germination methods. Some drop their seed to the abyss layer, and when a tree collapses there is a murderous plant competition for the one spot in the light. For this reason some plants germinate based on loud noises and seismic activity. Some  species shoot their seed in the twilight layer, with their initial root system in the plant layer, and send suckers downward to become roots in the motherlode of actual soil nutrients. Others also establish in the twilight layer growing heavier and heavier until they crash through to the lower layer. Those trees tend to enjoy dappled sunlight, and dropping lower prolongs their time in their preferred light zone while also getting them access to soil nutrients. There are also parasite trees that take over an existing tree and assassin plants that kill an existing tree.
 
* '''[[Balefire Tree]]'''
* '''[[Parasitic Fir|Fir, Parasitic]]'''
* '''[[Oilseed Tree]]'''
* '''[[Propeller Tree]]'''
* '''[[Steelwood Greattree]]'''
* '''[[Cistern Tree]]'''
* '''[[Lenha Tree]]'''
 
==Shrubs & Vines==
* '''[[Bougain Tangler]]'''
* '''[[Crown Creeper]]'''
* '''[[Neta Plant]]'''
* '''[[Choke Vine|Vine, Choke]]'''
* '''[[Glass-Seed Vine|Vine, Glass-Seed]]'''
 
==Flowers==
* '''[[Golden Tangler]]'''
* '''[[Moonflower]]'''
* '''[[Blue Creeping Vulture]]'''
* '''[[Dream Orchid|Orchid, Dream]]'''
* '''[[Radiant Orchid|Orchid, Radiant]]'''
* '''[[Foaming Fit Orchid|Orchid, Foaming Fit]]'''
* '''[[Fastflower]]'''
* '''[[Fairy Flowers]]'''
 
==Fungi==
* '''[[Death Lantern]]'''
* '''[[Fly Lace]]'''
* '''[[Tube Mold]]'''
* '''[[Light Sleeper]]'''
* '''[[Boftra Deez Mutsrooms]]'''
 
=Fauna=
==Animals==
* '''[[Abyssal Render]]'''
* '''[[Blind Abyss Gecko]]'''
* '''[[Demimorph]]'''
* '''[[False Render]]
* '''[[Greater Scaled Stalker|Scaled Stalker, Greater]]'''
* '''[[Scaled Stalker]]'''
* '''[[Sludgewhip]]'''
* '''[[Swarmother]]'''
* '''[[White Tent Bats]]'''
* '''[[i want this little fucker in the maw]]'''
* '''[[The Bald Spider]]'''
* '''[[Thoba Lizard]]'''
 
==Invertebrates==
* '''[[Firborer Beetle|Beetle, Firborer]]'''
* '''[[Hive Beetle|Beetle, Hive]]'''
* '''[[Sparkthrower Beetle|Beetle, Sparkthrower]]'''
* '''[[Threadwing Beetle|Beetle, Threadwing]]'''
* '''[[Cistern Beetle| Beetle, Cistern ]]
* '''[[Warrior Beetle|Beetle, Warrior]]'''
* '''[[Cud Worms]]'''
* '''[[Death Lantern]]'''
* '''[[Decipede]]'''
* '''[[Greenwood Dragonfly|Dragonfly, Greenwood]]'''
* '''[[Canal Building Termites]]'''
* '''[[Maggot Moth]]'''
* '''[[Oînops Butterfly]]'''
 
==Birds==
* '''[[Burrower Owl]]'''
* '''[[Gardener Owl]]'''
* '''[[Haku]]'''
* '''[[Owlbear]]'''
* '''[[Skewerbird]]'''
 
=Folklore=
==Fairy Tales==
* '''[[The Night Knocker]]'''
 
=Lore=
==Factions==
* [[Bristlecone Alliance]]
* [[Great Mangrove Project]]
* [[Successionist Acorn League]]
* [[United Pollen Oak Tide]]
* [[Spinevine Assimilation Committee]]
 
==Concepts==
* Tree Elisi
** "If you put your feet in enough halfling guts surely the rich soil will accept you"
* War Metaphors
* Young vs Old
* Alien Motives and Timescale
** Lovecraftian
* Nature is Violence and Struggle
* Deciduous vs Coniferous. Waiting versus not Waiting. Seasonality
* These trees can change the climate. They actually claim territory and change it
* Tree pheromones, competing for pollinators
** Trees release pollen to claim territory
* War is bad, no good factions
 
===Dreamers===
* Sentient slow moving trees are Dreamers
* Active
* Indirect. Mystical and Strange
* Lovecraftian
* Almost geological timescale
* There are major and minor Dreamers. In terms of movement, sentience, power, etc
 
===Halflings===
* Halflings pollenate and prepare territory
* Halfings are themselves a valuable commodity. They produce fun stuff etc
* Halflings do a lot for Dreamers. They extend their reach across the forest, not just stuck in one spot
* Halfling factions match up to tree factions
 
===Halfing Behaviors that are the Dreamers in Action===
* Paladin powers
* Religion
* War making and alliances
* Farming and agriculture
 
===Arcane Magic, Clerical Magic, Druid Magic===
* It might all come from the trees
* But then again, Maybe not!
* After all, different trees have different spells to offer


==Fauna==
===Carapace Curing===
* '''Abyssal Render -''' This titanic creature is a deadly predator in the Abyssal layer which hunts through vibrations generated in the Twilight layer and above. Its devastating attack is to send tentacles from its massive body in the Abyss up into the upper layers. The tentacles are sent up quickly but stealthily and, once in position, flash patterns and lights that confuse and terrify it’s prey sending them into either panic or paralysis. The Render then proceeds to destroy everything in the vicinity causing its prey to fall through into the Abyss where it can be devoured, thus earning its name. In this way, the Render destroys trees, Dreamers of the Maw, and Halflings alike. Fortunately, Renders are very rare.
* Bug shells of various kinds can be tanned, cured, or treated to half decomposition and become more resilient.
* '''Beetle, Firborer -''' This family of medium sized beetles range in size from about that of a Halfling to about twice that. Once believed to be found only on Parasitic Fir, varieties of this beetle have been found an nearly all tree species indigenous to the Green Maw. They prey upon the larvae of other beetles by partially burrowing their abdomen into the bole of their preferred tree and generating a series of strong vibrations that drive larvae in the tree out to the surface for the Firborer to harvest. There are unconfirmed reports of Firborers preceding an attack from an Abyssal Render. If true, it's unknown if the connection is accidental or intentional.
* Some examples are: water proofing, fire-proofing, puncture resistance.
* '''Beetle, Threadwing -''' The Crimson Threadwing is the rarest and most valuable member of the Threadwing family of beetles. Threadwings are small beetles, about the size of a sheep, whose underwings can be pounded into fine, but strong, fibers. These fibers are then spun into [[ironthread|ironthread]] which is, in turn, used to weave [[Ironcloth|ironcloth]]. The underwings are occasionally shed and grow back. The Crimson Threadwing is unique in that the fiber not only provides the finest ironthread but it serves as a natural dye for a highly prized and vibrant [[threadwing_crimson|crimson hue]].
* Typical curing involves drying, nut alcohols, and solvents to imbue the carapice with properties
* '''Swarmother -''' A large floating omnivore that slowly travels The Crown grazing on anything edible foods it can fine. In order to feed, it spawns small flying drones specialized for various purposes (leaf cutting, cargo transport, hunting, etc). These drones have limited to no intelligence and cannot survive without the mother unit. The mother unit, however, displays near higher order intelligence as it will spawn drones with tools that indicate creativity. While this creature could be a terrifying and deadly predator, it is mostly content to eat things that are easy to catch, like plants.
* Then you shellac it (bug juice): acid, tannin blocker, and waxes


===Are there unexplored areas?===
* People know their local area, but not more than a few trees or layers over. Old timers might know their migration routes. But point to point or layer to layer exploring is crazy adventurer behavior.
* Also the Maw changes so much that it's hard to follow a path from even a year ago. People don't make maps as they're out of date quickly.
* There are plenty of place with no permanent settlements nearby. Perhaps a migration path through at most. Or a hazard like a swarming insect would ward people away.


[[Category:Location]]
[[Category:Location]]
[[Category:Neighborhoods]]
[[Category:Neighborhood]]
[[Category:Game]]
[[Category:Atlas Game]]
[[Category:Dungeon World Game]]
[[Category:Elf Genders Game]]
[[Category:Hidden Life of Trees Game]]
[[Category:Monster Mashup Game]]
[[Category:Gazetteer]]
[[Category:World Info]]

Latest revision as of 23:45, 16 January 2026

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1X5Jlx_a-0GeqW7eMqNVEmC0XTc06QpBskz0OFuiJ3fo/edit

Dense forest that seems to change more than usual over time. Mapping efforts have met with change.

The Great Pollen Wars continue to this day. The wars are caused by trees, now sentient, to carry out grudges from when they were mere plants. The tomb meteor caused an arcane storm, which inspired the forest halflings to create rituals to make the trees sentient. These sentient trees are now known as Dreamers of the Maw.

The trees of the Maw are extremely tall, and there are various sub layers within it. In the forest there are also giant bugs, including 10 foot long centipedes, and dragonflies with 6 foot wingspans.

The forest is intentionally cultivated by the forest halflings, who foster mushrooms, fruits, and insect hives, and live in settlements around these food rich areas.

+ Forest halfling ethnic groups were historically defined by their alliances in the war. Great Mangrove Project, United Pollen Oak Tide, Successionist Acorn League, Bristlecone Alliance, etc. Forest Halflings evolved large eyes to see in the murky forest. Their hands and feet are equally dexterous.

Biomes

The Abyssal Layer

The Abyssal Layer, artist's depiction

At the very base of the forest biome, these sunless depths are the final frontier for halflings.

From lack of light, the abyss can at first appear barren. Stark pillars of tree trunks ascending anywhere from a few stories to hundreds of meters into the gloom. Canyons, valleys, and caves of gnarled roots.

In the darkness, a bioluminescent symphony of mushrooms blanket the fallen corpse of a collapsed tree. In the rare dot of sunlight, a riot of competing plants seek to monopolize it.

More detailed information on Abyssal flora and fauna can be found here.

Twilight Layer

In some areas the trees are so thick that rivers flow through the middle layers among the branches some 40 feet above the ground.

Canopy

Most inhabited zone, filled with sunlight. Tree houses.

Some groves contain species-specific seasonal butterfly mating grounds that are inhabited at very specific times by millions of butterflies (essentially all members of the species), think Monarch butterflies

Contains:

  • Scads of Epiphites (air ferns and bromeliads). Often seeking to retain extra water for later use.
  • Big thick tree branches you can travel along.
  • Primary biome for parasitic trees/plants (i.e. Mistletoe)
  • Vines are key for switching levels and branches
  • Tom's bonus: Pocket biomes?

The Crown

Very high up yo! Direct light, birds.

The Emergent Zone

Formed by cloudscraper trees, these trees rise above the ambient level of the jungle crown. They are uncommon but not rare, and, when you climb to the crown of one, you're likely to be able to see several others. Individual cloudscrapers form "island" ecosystems which main contain unique flora and fauna species.

An example of a settlement on a cloudscraper tree is Cloud City.

Flora

Trees

Different trees in the maw utilize different germination methods. Some drop their seed to the abyss layer, and when a tree collapses there is a murderous plant competition for the one spot in the light. For this reason some plants germinate based on loud noises and seismic activity. Some species shoot their seed in the twilight layer, with their initial root system in the plant layer, and send suckers downward to become roots in the motherlode of actual soil nutrients. Others also establish in the twilight layer growing heavier and heavier until they crash through to the lower layer. Those trees tend to enjoy dappled sunlight, and dropping lower prolongs their time in their preferred light zone while also getting them access to soil nutrients. There are also parasite trees that take over an existing tree and assassin plants that kill an existing tree.

Shrubs & Vines

Flowers

Fungi

Fauna

Animals

Invertebrates

Birds

Folklore

Fairy Tales

Lore

Factions

Concepts

  • Tree Elisi
    • "If you put your feet in enough halfling guts surely the rich soil will accept you"
  • War Metaphors
  • Young vs Old
  • Alien Motives and Timescale
    • Lovecraftian
  • Nature is Violence and Struggle
  • Deciduous vs Coniferous. Waiting versus not Waiting. Seasonality
  • These trees can change the climate. They actually claim territory and change it
  • Tree pheromones, competing for pollinators
    • Trees release pollen to claim territory
  • War is bad, no good factions

Dreamers

  • Sentient slow moving trees are Dreamers
  • Active
  • Indirect. Mystical and Strange
  • Lovecraftian
  • Almost geological timescale
  • There are major and minor Dreamers. In terms of movement, sentience, power, etc

Halflings

  • Halflings pollenate and prepare territory
  • Halfings are themselves a valuable commodity. They produce fun stuff etc
  • Halflings do a lot for Dreamers. They extend their reach across the forest, not just stuck in one spot
  • Halfling factions match up to tree factions

Halfing Behaviors that are the Dreamers in Action

  • Paladin powers
  • Religion
  • War making and alliances
  • Farming and agriculture

Arcane Magic, Clerical Magic, Druid Magic

  • It might all come from the trees
  • But then again, Maybe not!
  • After all, different trees have different spells to offer

Carapace Curing

  • Bug shells of various kinds can be tanned, cured, or treated to half decomposition and become more resilient.
  • Some examples are: water proofing, fire-proofing, puncture resistance.
  • Typical curing involves drying, nut alcohols, and solvents to imbue the carapice with properties
  • Then you shellac it (bug juice): acid, tannin blocker, and waxes

Are there unexplored areas?

  • People know their local area, but not more than a few trees or layers over. Old timers might know their migration routes. But point to point or layer to layer exploring is crazy adventurer behavior.
  • Also the Maw changes so much that it's hard to follow a path from even a year ago. People don't make maps as they're out of date quickly.
  • There are plenty of place with no permanent settlements nearby. Perhaps a migration path through at most. Or a hazard like a swarming insect would ward people away.
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