Elithian Environments

Elithian Deserts (Mesaea)


General
A common Elithian environment. Although plantlife is scarce, animals are found here very frequently. The deserts are composed of mainly sand and sometimes rocky surfaces. There are two main kinds of deserts: the Kri-Mesaea, and the Gar-Mesae. Some significant differences include the formation and climate:
The Kri-Mesaea were formed due to rain shadows. The high mountains surrounding the Kri-Mesaea prevent clouds from reaching the Kri-Mesaea, turning them into dry, nearly plantless landscapes. The Gar-Mesae's formation is still a mystery though. Researchers are still trying to discover what might cause a desert to form on such a location.
The climate in the Kri-Mesaea is very dry, with an average rainfall of less then 150 millimeters per Aerii. Temperatures range from 80 C on hot days to -20 C on cold nights. The Gar-Mesae however has an average rainfall of slightly less than 400 millimeters per Aerii. Here, temperatures range from 50 C on hot days, to -10 C on cold nights.


Commonly found animals:
For detailed information on individual animals, see the 'Animals' section of the AED.

-Bahamur*
-Rygantor
-Dug-dug*
-Sandrat*
-Daenea
-Artahkk
-Dornet
-Grian

(*=Desert exlusive)


Elithian Highlands (Hyura)


General
A rather rare landscape on Elithia. The highlands are rich in both animals and plantlife. The highlands feature low mountains with an average height of around 200 meters. Many rivers cross the landscape, providing large amounts of fresh water for the wildlife found here. Caverns, often completely hidden under roots and vines, can also be found here, providing a safe place for many animals to rest and hide. Rainfall in these regions can range from 700 to 1300 millimeters per Aerii. Temperatures range from 10 C on the coldest nights, to 30 C on the hottest days.

Commonly found animals:
For detailed information on individual animals, see the 'Animals' section of the AED.

-Daran*
-Dornet
-Arthakk
-Cratonian stingflies
-Faryth
-Nihol
-Girnha
-Grian
-Phantokk
-Voren*

(*=Highlands exclusive)


Elithian Forests (Forea)


General:
A very common environment on Elithia. The forests are rich in both animals and plantlife. The forests features not only densely grown area, but also reasonably large open plains and large bodies of water. A surprisingly high amount of steep elevated areas can also be found here, often forming maze-like structures. These 'mazes' are often densely grown, sometimes even so much that almost no light reaches the ground anymore. Animals have evolved to live in eternal darkness here. Grasses and other low-growing plants can also be found here in great numbers, but it is still a mystery how these survive in the darkness. These mazes often feature thick fog, and this is what gives the mazes their 'creepy' appearence. However, most forests are by far not as dark, and are much more 'friendly' to their inhabitants.
The temperatures in the forests range from -10 C in the darkest of mazes, to up to 35 C on hot days. Rainfall ranges from 600 to more then 2000 millimeters per Aerii.

Commonly found animals:
For detailed information on individual animals, see the 'Animals' section of the AED.

-Farythian
-Nadoron
-Faryth
-Grian
-Phantokk
-Nihol
-Girnha
-Sovli*
-Dorbet
-Barango*
-Trangii

(*=Forests exclusive)


Elithian Waters (Oceii, Maera, Flows)


General:
A very common environment on Elithia. The waters include all oceans (Oceii), lakes (Maera) and rivers (Flows). On Elithia, there is only freshwater, meaning that oceanic animals may just as well live in rivers and lakes, as long as there is enough food, enough room etc.. Plantlife is also very common here. Underwater, especially in the oceans, many caves can be found. Most of these caves are completely flood, but some offer an area with air as well. These air-filled caves are often lniked to the surface by pipe-like structures, which provide fresh air for the animals to breath.

The oceans are vast areas with depths of up to 20 kms. These deep areas are completely dark, for no light can reach them. This results in a very special animals, which have adopted to live without light. In the higher areas, where light is present, some of the largest Elithian animals can be found.

The lakes offer many hiding places, and this is where many smaller animals can be found. The deepest lakes have a depth of around two kilometers, but most lakes have a depth of 3 to 80 meters.

The rivers often have fast currents, and only animals who are powerful enough to beat this current in one way or another live here. Some animals can swim very fast, but most animals in fast rivers simple hold on to whatever they can find, and move only little during their lives. In the slower rivers, life is more common, for it is easier to swim against the flow here.

Commonly found animals:
For detailed information on individual animals, see the 'Animals' section of the AED.

-Kzahl
-Skarret
-Ponthoa
-Spendos
-Gonluth
-Bluugo
-Ulgavron

(*=Waters exclusive)


Elithian Volcano (Vulcus)


General:
A rare environment on Elithia, the only true volcano is the Gar-Vulcus, which holds a surprisingly high amount of life.
The Gar-Vulcus is an enormous volcano which is higher than any mountain and deeper than any ocean found on Elithia. In it lies a great maze-like system of caves, where temperatures rise so high that only the most advanced creatures can survive here. Another threat to life in the Gar-Vulcus is the incredibly low amount of water available. Vaporized water can be found in the hot air inside the caves, and on rare occasions a small pond can be found, which is filled with hot water and which is connected to a water source outside the volcano, such as the ocean that surrounds it.
One of the most beatiful places inside the Gar-Vulcus are the crystal chambers, where enormous often luminiscent crystals cover the walls, the ceiling and often even the ground. These crystals remain a great mystery, for they seem to be able to support life even in the absence of water.
Temperatures of the air inside the Gar-Vulcus range fro only 40 C to several hundreds of degrees, whilst the lava-lakes reach temperatures of several thousands of degrees centigrade. However, even in these lakes life can be found, for fish-like creatures have been seen swimming in the lava. Studying these creatures is hard, so it remains unknown how these creatures have evolved to withstand such temperatures.

Commonly found animals:
For detailed information on individual animals, see the 'Animals' section of the AED.

-Crustosus*
-Nesopath*
-Dormin*
-Bosne*
-Gravoron*
-Saven*
-Various kinds of Hornbugs

(*=Volcano exclusive)


-More information coming soon-