Green Maw

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. Outriders, Oaks, AntiOaks, etc. Forest Halflings evolved large eyes to see in the murky forest. Their hands and feet are equally dexterous.

Biomes

The Abyssal Layer

Terrible luring monsters live in the sunless depths. Largely uninhabited except for expeditions.

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.

The Crown

Very high up yo! Direct light, birds.

Flora

Trees

• Balefire Tree
• Fir, Parasitic
• Oilseed Tree
• Steelwood Greattree

Shrubs & Vines

• Neta Plant
• Vine, Choke
• Vine, Glass-Seed

Flowers

• Orchid, Dream
• Orchid, Radiant

Fauna

Beasts

• Abyssal Render
• Decipede
• Scaled Stalker
• Swarmother

Beetles

• 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.
• 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 which is, in turn, used to weave 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 crimson hue.
• Beetle, Warrior - This family of dark green beetles live in colonies of a couple dozen members to a couple hundred. Each beetle is about the size and weight of a human fist and can be identified by it's large halberd-like horn they use for fighting, digging, hanging etc. There social structure appears to be one where the strongest beetle will lead the colony, most often determined by fights. Different colonies may come in conflict with one another but rarely are entire colonies wiped out by another.
• Cud worms - Worms with cow teeth that live in the leaf layer between the Abyssal and Twilight layers. Eats in an a-typical method more like a thrusting spear, rather than a consistent, consumption down a hole, like most worms. Has a tough hide (for a burrowing creature) and can grow to surprising lengths. It is theorized that without these worms, the Abyssal and part of the twilight layers would be an impassible tangle of vines, branches, and other plants.

Birds

• Gardener Owl - A plant-eating owl that nests in the abyssal layer, but goes out to find fruits and nuts from the other layers. This large eyed creature plays an important role in transferring tree seeds to soil where they can grow. Because of their large eyes, ubiquity in all layers of the forest, and special relationship with trees, forest halflings feel an emotional and sometimes spiritual kindred with this species.
• Haku - A large eagle that lives in the Crown. Its sharp talons and cutting beak mean it primarily predates on mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is a particular bane of the Forest Halflings. Wayward halfling children are told that they could be carried off by these birds if they are naughty, but the truth is these large birds care neither about the morality of their prey, nor whether they are a child or adult.
• Skewerbird - Skewerbirds are heron-like birds that live in the Crown and Canopy layers. Their beaks are specialized for puncturing the carapaces of the enormous insects of the maw, and slurping out their insides. These birds are often raised and kept by Forest Halflings to help hunt insects, especially for armor, as their puncturing attacks can bring down prey with minimal damage to chitin intended for armor.