The Outskirts
» Helovia's Threshold

The Regions
» Dragon's Throat
» World's Edge
» Hidden Falls
» Aurora Basin

The Wilds
» Frostbreath Steppe
» Heavenly Fields
» Blood Falls
» Helovia's Heart
» Heart Caves
» Veins of the Gods
» Riptide Isles
» Thistle Meadow
» Endless Blue
» Secret Grove
» Ancient Rotunda
» Deep Forest
» Green Labyrinth
» Halcyon Flats

• Dawn Redwood: Some of Helovia's largest and tallest trees, the dawn redwood trees have soft, feather-like leaves that are vibrant green during Birdsong and Tallsun, orange and fiery during Orangemoon, and leafless during Frostfall. Because of the tree’s massive size, they grow far apart and are the pillars that mark the gates of Helovia
• White Oak: A moderately sized tree with a wide canopy overhead, the white oak is true to its name as the bark is often a gray or white in color. The leaves are soft pink to red as they emerge during Birdsong and turn green for Tallsun, but just like the redwood, the leaves turn vibrant orange for Orangemoon and is leafless for Frostfall. They have pale green, drooping flowers during Birdsong and drop acorns during Orangemoon that can be eaten.
• Flossweed: Though stunning, the plant is deadly. White flowers produced in Tallsun are attached to tubular stems which contain a dangerous neurotoxin. The leaves are long and thin and the entire plant is a healthy green that barely reaches over 2ft tall. When you come into physical contact with the plant, it releases the toxin through the blooms that is then absorbed through the skin. Too much exposure to this plant can lead to certain death during the season of Tallsun!

• Normal Animals: Red deer, red fox, squirrels, badgers, woodpeckers, blue-jays, hares, various insects and butterflies.
• Mythical Animals:
  » Twix: The twix are similar to squirrels but sprout mushrooms and other fungi along their back. Due to their longevity, these creatures make very wise advisors and are often friendly, helpful and clever. Often, the twix will direct newcomers with broken speech, though most do not talk the same language as the equids.

• Birdsong: During Birdsong, the ground is damp from the melting snow, but the trees are in bloom. The temperature of the air is brisk and moderate, and the fauna are beginning to become active again.
• Tallsun: Even the trees seem to be weighed beneath the heat of Tallsun, and the relief of shade that they provide is welcomed. The leaves are vibrantly green and the air is warm and dry.
• Orangemoon: The leaves turn vibrantly orange and begin to fall, and the wind takes on a more cool and biting temperature. Though the sun still provides warmth during the day, the nights are often very cold.
• Frostfall: Snow typically falls lightly over the Threshold during Frostfall and lightly freezes over the creeks and streams. The boughs of the trees are often full of snow and the animals are all hibernating with the exception of the deer and fox who move south.

• Model Biome: Temperate Deciduous Forest
• Humidity: 60-80%
• Annual Precipitation: 30-60 inches
• Temperature Range: -22 to 86° F (±30° C)
• Average Temperature: 50° F (10° C)

• Normal Flora: Various cactus, palm trees, coastal grass, sage brush, milkweed, tumbleweed (Russian thistle), honeysuckle, yucca, mimosa trees, and primrose.
• Aquis Pipe: The tube-like pipe is dark green and almost blue in color and has small yellow flowers. Unlike the cactus, the Aquis Pipe does not have dangerous spines. The flowers collect water and sweeten the liquid, restoring strength to the drinkers; eating the flowers can assist in curing hunger aches. This plant grows year round without pause.
• Crimson Tide: Also known as Red Spidering Moss, the Crimson Tide is a far reaching ground vine that can be eaten or chewed to cure colic pains. True to its name, the plant is a deep red in color and does not require sunlight to grow, gaining all nutrients from under the ground.
• Dragon's Blood Tree: A beautiful and iconic fixture of the Dragon's Throat is its Dragon's Blood Tree. The tree self-pollinates and exists as a single entity next to the oasis. Within the light brown colored bark lies a thick, red liquid that serves as the heart of the tree, and the boughs branch upward like an inverted umbrella. During Tallsun and Birdsong, the tree is covered in light green leaves, but it is leafless during Orangemoon and Frostfall.

• Normal Animals: Mountain Lions, various arid-climate snakes, burrowing owls, camel spider, quail, coyote, lizards, vultures, hawks, various insects, and the occasional camel.
• Mythical Animals:
  » Pygmy Hippocamp: Even to the inhabitants of Helovia, the hippocamp is regarded as a mythical creature. They are a rare equid species that reside in the water as a half-fish and half-horse hybrid. The ones that live in the Dragon's Throat stick to the shores and reach only a 1 foot in length. Often, they choose to live closer to shore and are hard to miss with their bright coloration. This is how you make a list.
  » Desert Manticore: This chimeric animal has the body and head of a red lion, a sandy coloured mane, and a red scorpion’s tail tipped with black venom. It travels in small groups throughout the Throat, trapped here now that the herdland is an island. They are smaller than the average African lion - weighing up to 100 lbs - and prefer to hunt smaller game instead of the equids that have settled in their home. Still, the young and the injured prove to be tempting targets for them. The venom on their stinger is capable of paralyzing a fully grown horse within a matter of minutes but if they survive, the effects wear off in a day.

• Birdsong: Birdsong is often accompanied by the same influx of blooming flowers and plants as other areas, increasing the pollen count and often inflaming allergies. The temperatures are relatively low for the region at the beginning but rapidly increase toward the middle of the season.
• Tallsun: The heat can often be unbearable during Tallsun for the region. Low humidity and high temperatures leave the area feeling arid, with coastal winds coming up from the ocean being one of the few reliefs. Most of the annual rain for the Dragon's Throat occurs toward the latter end of Tallsun, however, with high chances of flash flooding.
• Orangemoon: The scathing heat of Tallsun dims during this season. The humidity remains low, and the coastal winds increase. Though still low, chances for a hurricane are highest during this season. There are sporadic rainstorms, but otherwise the weather is constant and calm.
• Frostfall: Early in Frostfall, temperatures remain high compared to most of the lands. However, nights in the desert during this season can be freezing. Temperatures dip lower toward the end of Frostfall, with slight chances of snowfall each year. Snow is extremely rare and will only occur during years with high precipitation.

• Model Biome: Subtropical Desert
• Humidity: 10-30%
• Annual Precipitation: < 8 inches
• Temperature Range: 5 to 110° F (-10 to 40° C)
• Average Temperature: 64° F (18° C)

• Normal Flora: Various ferns, shrubs, and mosses, Douglas fir, cedar, juniper, spruce, and other coniferous trees.
• Glow Wood: A low growing tree with thick trunk and branches that stretches out in a dome-like circle. The bark is black with silvery veins running vertically from roots to the tips of the branches. Leaves are hand shaped and gray-green in color, with a velvety feel to them. During the night, the veins glow with a soft white light. When cut, the wood retains the same black and silver coloration as well as the glowing. Flowers during Birdsong, and bears cherries during Orangemoon.
• Nightshade: Formally known as Noctura boraginaceae, the plant looks more like a bush or small shrubbery during the day with green little petals and light blue buds. But at night the buds awaken and millions of dark blue, silver spotted flowers appears. Usually a number of the central flowers are white and silver so when looking at the bush you get the feeling of beholding the stars and the full moon at a clear night. Only exists in the meadows of the World's Edge.
• Hanging Vine: A hanging vine that is symbiotic with Glow Wood and provides shelter from the rain, as well as camouflage. The vine grows quickly during Birdsong and Tallsun, but begins to turn yellow in Orangemoon and Frostfall, eventually dying before coming back again the next year. Bright, purple flowers grow on the vine that only appear during Birdsong, and eating the flower can cure skin diseases like rain rot or thick coats that will not shed.

• Normal Animals: Black bears, minks, lynxes, sables, beavers, seagulls, sea lions, silver foxes, squirrels, robins, and various insects.
• Mythical Animals:
  » Luna's Butterflies: A delicate, tiny specimen of butterfly, they are a pale shade of moonlight cream, with twisting veins clearly visible through their paper-thin wings. The veins are normally of a light gold, blue or azure, and form intricate, tiny patterns. Normally, they resemble a celtic design or knotted ropes, but can be just about anything. Despite their attractive beauty, they are of little use until night falls when they begin to dimly glow, an elegant sparkle in the night. They cluster on trees, sometimes bursting into flocks of beautiful color when startled.
  » Lantern Foxes: Lantern Foxes do not light up and glow, most unfortunately, but they are named for the strange brilliance of their eyes, which commonly cause mild hypnotism in horses and complete and utter uselessness in foals. Although quite small, they are agile, quick, and clever - trapping them or removing them is extremely difficult. In color, they appear a dark sooty gray, with white paws and a cream tail-tip. Despite their mischievous nature, they normally avoid contact with larger species.

• Birdsong: Rain welcomes each Birdsong. Instead of the Frostfall snows, rain pours from above. Flowers bloom within the area, and humidity begins to rise. Temperatures are moderate during the day, and it grows cool during the night.
• Tallsun: Humidity and the occasional rainfall characterize Tallsun. During the day, it is often stuffy within the misty forest. Temperatures can get quite warm, holding throughout the night, which offers temporary relief from the humid climate.
• Orangemoon: The few deciduous trees within the World's Edge will turn to brilliant colors, and the temperatures again begin to fall. The driest season of the year, Orangemoon allows for a welcomed escape from the humidity of summer. Often, the early mornings are brisk with frozen streams.
• Frostfall: Frostfall begins with lower temperatures and toward the end of the season snows enter the land. The dense canopy keeps much of the snow at bay, but the rivers and streams often ice over during the nights.

• Model Biome: Temperate Coniferous Coastal Forest
• Humidity: 60-80%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 30 inches
• Temperature Range: -13 to 68° F (-25 to 20° C)
• Average Temperature: 32° F (0° C)

• Normal Flora: Liverworts, hornworts, mosses, spruce, strawberries, honeysuckle, wild roses, sarsaparilla, birch trees, white oaks, and various tall grasses.
• Quentic: A tuber-root plant that can be dug up and its roots eaten for the relief of fever and aches. This plant is also a very powerful anti-inflammatory. Quentic can be used to reduce swelling, if mixed into a salve and applied directly to an open wound.
• Windchime Roses: Close to the base of the mountains, roses of several colors bloom with interesting shaped petals. Curved upward, when the wind rushes through the petals, the flowers seem to sing, whistling and chiming until the breezes die down. Windchime Roses bloom during Birdsong and flower throughout Orangemoon. Appear as normal rose bushes during Frostfall.
• Churning Green: Mosses that appear normal, for all intents and purposes. However, these carnivorous plants have the ability to move freely! Often, they can trap or trip young foals who do not watch where they are walking. Churning Green grow solely on rocks, and only stray when they are on the move, either to capture small prey or unsuspecting foals.

• Normal Animals: Elk, quail, red wolves, wombats, salmon, mice, rabbits, badgers, red-tailed hawks, timberwolves, various bears, and various insects.
• Mythical Animals:
  » Wish Fish: An elusive, small pink fish. Flowing fins trail behind it, and all-knowing, dark eyes peer out from under the water. It is believed that wishes made upon these strange fish will usually be granted if you can manage to find one.
  » Two-Headed Bear: Much like the wish fish, sightings of this odd bear are few and far between. She makes her home in a cave hidden behind a waterfall, though which waterfall, no one can say for sure. About the size of a black bear, she has dark grey fur and two heads that sprout from her massive shoulders - one with blue eyes and one with green. It's rumoured that she is the last of her kind, awoken when the mountains crumbled. Now she hunts fish in the pools around her home and avoids the equine herd that has moved in. Her fur is considered to be lucky when tied around an item, if you manage to find some of it!

• Birdsong: Berries and shrubbery spring to life. Days are warm and comfortable, with moderately low humidity. Showers are common toward the end of the season but fall mainly around the sparse gathering of trees.
• Tallsun: Days are warm and temperate, with low humidity and few rainstorms. Grasses grow and grow toward the edge shared with the Thistle Meadow. On the hottest days, the sun can be scathing, but nights are always calm and cool.
• Orangemoon: Grasses and trees begin to grow colorful. Nights grow chilly. Winds are especially powerful during this time of the year, making the hills sing with the music of the roses.
• Frostfall: Frostfall comes with low, biting temperatures and sporadic snowstorms. The winds howl often, but with a bitter cold that is only escaped closer to the edges of the mountains. Many animals go into hibernation, and others struggle to find food with the dried grasses.

• Model Biome: Sparse Trees and Parkland Ecosystems
• Humidity: 20-50%
• Annual Precipitation: 10-15 inches
• Temperature Range: -22 to 77° F (-30 to 25° C)
• Average Temperature: 45° F (7° C)

• Normal Flora: Spruce, fir, birch, willow, pine, larch, cranberries, wildflowers, fireweed, shrubs, mosses, raspberries, and sparse amounts of maple and oak trees near the hot springs.
• Toadstool Lantern: Within the deepest portions of the caves, mushrooms which vary in size from a few inches to a foot in height line the floors and walls. They glow with simple, ethereal light. The spores these strange, glowing fungi give off have psychedelic effects, leaving one seeing strange illusions and colors for hours, while also lightening the spirit.
• Wyvern's Breath: The bark on this tree is as smooth as silk and a soft creamy color of off white. During spring little red flowers bloom from an emerald topping, each little flower a perfect angel of five or so petals arranged with a small white head directly center. This budding tree sports these flowers until the middle of summer, where it loses all flowering and remains strongly colored in layers of green. Late fall robs the tree of its leaves and it produces small berries that are sweet to eat.
• Snowweed: A small, spiky white and gray flower. It has light blue-gray blossoms, a slightly purple stem, and is normally found clinging in large numbers to the snow and ice. They are only about one inch in height. Despite the foul taste, these small flowers give a rush of adrenaline, making the consumer feel stronger almost instantly.

• Normal Animals: Blackfish, pike, walleye, whitefish, blue-spotted salamanders, moose, reindeer, beavers, squirrels, elk, otters, wolves, badgers, bears, and some insects.
• Mythical Animals:
  » White Time Tiger: Mythical being that can only be seen on moonless, foggy nights. Considered a good omen, a blessing to lay eyes upon, she is thought to protect the realm from ill will.
  » Aurora Fireflies: Named for the flashing lights they present, much like the common firefly, these bugs dance along the insides of the caves during summer months. They light the walls with colors of vibrant pink, greens, purples, and blues - a beautiful sight to behold.

• Birdsong: Birdsong retains much of the chill of Frostfall for the majority of the season. Nights are often frigid, natives retreating to the warmer caves. Nearing the end of the season, flowers begin to come to life once more, grass grow green, and winter's breath takes its retreat.
• Tallsun: The warmest season of the Basin can bring the area up to temperatures thought to be present only further south. A short, but well-deserved retreat from the chill, Tallsun hosts long days and short, cool nights. This seasons boasts the most precipitation as well, in the form of easy rains during the evenings.
• Orangemoon: Coming too soon, the brisk season of Orangemoon ends the warm days of Tallsun. The grasses begin to grow lifeless, as do the flowers. Berries sprout and form, offering much needed foodstuffs for the inhabitants. Toward the middle of the season, the Basin gives way to bitter cold temperatures but is thankfully shielded from the winds of the neighbouring steppe.
• Frostfall: Snow marks the arrival of Frostfall. The second busiest season in terms of precipitation, it is not unusual for snowstorms to paint the valley in pristine white. The days are extremely short, and the temperature is nearly always constant. The night sky often parades the Northern Lights.

• Model Biome: Taiga
• Humidity: 35-70%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 40 inches
• Temperature Range: -65 to 70° F (-54 to 21° C)
• Average Temperature: 27° F (-3° C)

• Normal Flora: spruce (stunted, on southern reaches), mosses, lichens, black bearberry, crowberry, arctic poppy, cottongrass, wildflowers
• Aura Grass: throughout most of the year, this grass appears to be like any other - the long blades a dull green. On Tallsun nights though, the blades glow with a bioluminescent shine that mirrors the greens, blues, and purples of the Aurora Borealis in the sky. Grows in small clumps scattered across the Steppe.
• Iceberry: a creeping, ground vine that grows around the base of the rock formations in the Steppe. The leaves and stems are a dull maroon but the berries are a bright white-blue that make them stand out when the snow melts during Tallsun. With a sweet scent, these berries may be tempting to eat but they are hard as ice and if swallowed can cause the contents of stomachs to turn to slush, causing moderate to severe distress until the contents are passed.
• Hearth Moss: a soft, rich red-orange moss that grows on the surface of rocks. This moss doesn’t only get its name from the fiery colours of its foliage but the warming sensation that it can cause when eaten. Though the effects are temporary, they relieve the sensation of frostbite and a mouthful of this precious plant could mean the difference between life and death if lost in the Steppe.
• Memorial Trees: two trees that have grown together, making it appear as if they were one large tree, in memorial of Tolio and Phaedra. The bark glistens with star-sheen beneath a thick layer of ice over where their bodies were discovered.

• Normal Animals: polar bears, arctic foxes, caribou, arctic hare, snowy owl, lemmings, narwhal, beluga, snow goose, red-throated loon, and various migratory birds.
• Mythical Animals:
  » White-striped Snow Bat: This large bat species is unmistakable in this cold climate with a thickly furred light grey body marred only by white stripes. During the warmer seasons they are insectivores like their southern cousins but Frostfall turns these mighty creatures into hunters and scavengers. It’s been rumoured that in particularly bad winters, a colony of bats have been known to prey upon lone equine travellers. They roost in the rock formations that are the only shelter on the Steppe.
  » Frosties: Small, fuzzy white insects that survive through Frostfall by attaching to animal hosts and burrowing in the fur close to the skin. These creatures feed on blood and leave behind a freezing sensation after they bite.

• Birdsong: Birdsong is slow to touch this northern land, only noticeable at first by the growing day length. It isn’t until the later part of the season that the harsh chill in the air starts to fade away and the snows begin to melt in preparation for the growing season.
• Tallsun: Tallsun transforms this northern territory into one of life. Although it does not become lush and green like the lands to the south, the snow recedes into the nearby mountains and the top layer of the permafrost soil melts. The land becomes boggy and populated by flowers blooming to take advantage of the short growing season. This season brings long days and short nights with the sun not setting for a few days midseason.
• Orangemoon: Just as Birdsong is slow to take grip on the Steppe, the effects of Orangemoon come all too quickly. The land freezes as the days shorten and temperature drops, sending all but the hardiest plants back into dormancy until the next year. Snowfalls are infrequent.
• Frostfall: Heavy snowstorms are not common but the snow accumulates throughout the season, creating a vast ocean of snow moulded by the strong, cold wind that gives this land its name. With the nights long and the days short, the temperatures drop, making it unwise to travel in the open for long periods of time.

• Model Biome: Arctic Tundra
• Humidity: 50-90%
• Annual Precipitation: 6-10 inches
• Temperature Range: -58 to 54° F (-50 to 12° C)
• Average Temperature: 15° F (-9.5° C)

• Normal Flora: buttercup, moonwort, goldenrod, stinging nettle, tufted hairgrass, awned sedge, alpine timothy
• Cloud Grass: Pale, seafoam green coloured grass that blends in with the rest of the grass species for most of the year. In Tallsun when it seeds, this grass releases soft, fluffy, white seedpods that get caught up by the slightest breed and float into the sky - giving the impression of small clouds.
• Yellow Kardia: A low-lying shrub with dark, near-black bark and spade-shaped olive green leaves. Blooms in Orangemoon with small, pale yellow flowers. Drawing moisture from the snow, this shrub actually produces and maintains its fruit - bright yellow and orange heart-shaped berries - throughout Frostfall. In an otherwise snow-covered landscape, these sweet berries are a welcome food source during the cold season.
• Orange Kardia: Another subspecies of Kardia, this low shrub also has the dark bark and olive green leaves. Instead of yellow flowers it blooms orange in Orangemoon and produces deep orange and red heart-shaped berries in Frostfall. Although initially sweet like its sister species, the berries have a bitter aftertaste and if ingested cause light-headedness, fainting, or a coma depending on the amount eaten. Effects are temporary.
• Memorial Tree: A large white tree growing in a memorial to Myrddin, with branches growing in a V-shape and stretched towards the heavens. The leaves are alabaster in colour with a gentle blue taking over in the fall.

• Normal Animals: golden eagle, pygmy shrew, American mink, silver-haired bat, yellow warbler, blue grouse, common garter snake, western toad, and various insects.
• Mythical Animals:
  » Opal Hummingbird: These small, colourful birds appear to be drawn to high elevations and areas abounding with magic - making the Heavenly Fields a perfect home for them. Their bellies are bespangled with an array of colouration, each plume beholding its own lustrous hue. The back and head of these petite birds are a vibrant shade of viridian and the males are distinguished by their caudal feathers which are an eye-catching crimson rimmed with black
  » Mimic Mouse: A relatively large mouse species, about the size of a chipmunk, it blends in well with the grass thanks to its sandy brown fur. They have the ability to mimic the calls of other animals and often do so when threatened or when their den is approached.

• Birdsong: The snows are slow to melt in this high altitude meadow but when they do, they make the soil rich with moisture and the Fields become bright with green grass and blossoming wildflowers. Cold breezes often stir the air making it feel colder but the sun is warm.
• Tallsun: This season brings long, warm days to the mountain meadow. The driest season, with the occasional rainfall though rarely one of significance, the soils growing dry and the vegetation starting to follow suit toward the end of the season. The winds are usually calm, with both the nights and days pleasantly warm.
• Orangemoon: With the abundance of grasses in this land, Orangemoon transforms the Fields into a golden world. The temperatures slowly drop but an increase in wind speed during the night creates a significant gap between the daytime and nighttime temperatures.
• Frostfall: As the days shorten, a change comes over the Heavenly Fields. Frostfall bears most of the precipitation this region sees, with heavy snowfalls common and rarely a sunny day. The temperatures drop but don’t drop too far below freezing and remain relatively constant throughout the season. The snow builds up, creating large mounds that are sculpted into waves by the wind.

• Model Biome: Montane-Subalpine Grassland
• Humidity: 40-80%
• Annual Precipitation: 20-40 inches
• Temperature Range: 28 to 73° F (-2 to 23° C)
• Average Temperature: 39° F (4° C)

• Normal Flora: whitebark pine, indian paintbrush, balsam fir, douglas fir, white spruce, larch, aspen, bunchberry, twinflower, various boreal shrubs and herbaceous species
• Larix haema: The blood larch is a tall, deciduous conifer that grows in clusters in the moist soils along the banks of the pool and river. Although a conifer, they are deciduous and lose their soft needles in Orangemoon. Their name comes from the deep, blood red colour that the needles turn into mid-Tallsun which persists until they drop. Their bark is a pale brown and they have small, whorled cones that group at the tips of their branches.
• Black Iris: A member of the iris family, this aquatic flower grows in the shallows of the blood falls. The deep green leaves fade to a mottled white around the edges and are striking on their own but when the plant is in bloom, the foliage is inconsequential. A trio of deep, midnight-black flowers with vivid purple-red veins at the centre top each plant like a crown. It blooms in late Birdsong and persists into Tallsun. The seed pods of this plant contain a mild neurotoxin, which can produce symptoms ranging from irritability and mood changes to seizures.
• Stink Algae: The name says it all when it comes to this plant. It grows in a curling, vine-like fashion along rocks around the waterline and the lush green foliage stands out boldly against the blood red of the waters. The leaves are three inches across but are usually curled around themselves into small cones. When this algae dries out, however, the leaves uncurl and release an unpleasant fragrance into the air - reminiscent of rotting fruit. Despite the foul smell, the leaves of this plant are rich with vitamins and minerals.

• Normal Animals: grizzly bear, Clark’s nutcracker, elk, wolverine, lynx, harlequin ducks, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, Columbian ground squirrel, boreal toad, wood frog, western terrestrial garter snake, various fish and insects
• Mythical Animals:
  » Midnight Bat: unlike other vampire bat species, this one thrives in temperate climates and hibernates during the winter in caves carved into the mountainsides. They have a wingspan just under 2 feet and have exceptional eyesight, especially at night, and rely little on echolocation. It is rumoured that their favourite blood source are unicorns, though equines are just as sought after (the wings of pegasi generally covering up much of the body). They feed by landing on the neck, rump, or flank and biting away a flap of skin so they can lap up the blood.
  » Ruby Leech: a moderately sized member of the aquatic leech family, this subspecies has adapted to the Blood Falls climate by evolving a shiny, red appearance which mirrors that of the rubies that line the pool. They feed on the blood of the fish and animals that live in the waters here, as well as any visitors that might take a swim. Once attached, these leeches can expand up to five times their size with blood and require a fine touch to remove though they will fall off naturally when full.

• Birdsong: The chill from Frostfall is slow to leave this northern territory and the nights during Birdsong often dip below freezing until late in the season. Buds are slow to develop on the trees and plants but for a short period of time there are flowers brightening the forest. A fair amount of rain falls during this season and there are few cloudless days.
• Tallsun: Thanks to the northern location, Tallsun brings long days to the Blood Falls. The foliage of the forest becomes rich thanks to the frequent rainfalls. The days are warm especially when it is sunny and the nights are cool and comfortable. A light breeze often stirs the waters, bringing a slight chill.
• Orangemoon: As the days start to shorten again, they remain warm but the nights start to become chilly once more. Frost often comes early during this season and it is not uncommon to see a few light flurries during the days though it is often sunny.
• Frostfall: This season sees the shortest days, where the temperature hovers just below freezing before dropping during the long night. The snowfalls are usually moderate and much of the area is protected from the snows by the trees. The branches cannot cut out the strong wind that comes out of the Frostbreath Steppe, adding a further windchill to the already cold air.

• Model Biome: Temperate Coniferous Forest
• Humidity: 30-65%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 18 inches
• Temperature Range: -0.4 to 73° F (-18 to 23° C)
• Average Temperature: 37° F (3° C)

• Normal Flora: elephant grass, Mexican bush sage, agave, various wildflowers, grasses, small shrubs
• Ramus gemmarum: A strange, leafless shrub that thrives in the heat close to Helovia’s Heart. In place of flowers, garnets bloom on the bare twigs during Birdsong and Tallsun. For those who brave the intensity of the Heart to harvest these garnets and eat them, they’ll receive a surprising reward. They allow the consumer to see everything clearly as if it were daytime, letting them continue their travels until the effect wears off in the daylight.
• Firecracker Plant: This plant stands out in the sea of grass surrounding Helovia’s Heart. It grows in small pockets and thrives in shade, allowing it to grow interspersed among the taller grasses. Reaching a maximum height of about 3 feet, the pale green stems and leaves are unremarkable until early birdsong when the flowers expand. The flowers boast a single petal, which curls around itself and dangles in a loose spiral. They bloom in a range of colours such as bright reds, oranges, yellows, and white and they glow slightly in the hours just after sunset. The flowers persist until mid-Tallsun and then the plant produces small, gold pellet-shaped seeds.
• Sticky Grass: A clumping, deep olive green grass that is able to withstand the heat from the Heart - growing close to the edge of the pit. While relying on photosynthesis for some energy, this grass species exudes a sticky substance along its inch-wide blades of grass that is sweet smelling. This attracts flies and other insects which become trapped within the sap. Slowly the bodies are decayed and nutrients are absorbed into the plant through microscopic pits along the surface of the blades. For those foolish enough to chew through both the sticky sap and the insects, this plant holds no reward. It can cause gas and discomfort in the intestinal tract as it is very slow to digest.

• Normal Animals: vulture, field mouse, coyote, kangaroo rat, jaguarundi, desert cottontail, boar, toads, Mexican spotted owl, prairie chicken, rattlesnakes
• Mythical Animals:
  » Ash-Wing Eagle: Twitchy but massive birds of prey. They have a wingspan of approximately eight feet on average. They love the heat and the thermals around Helovia’s Heart and can often be found feasting on carrion and small mammals. Their plumage is red though they have a golden crest upon their head and the undersides of their wings are grey mottled with white. Equipped with long, vicious black talons and a hooked golden beak, these eagles can be deadly. Capable of taking down small horses and foals if hungry enough, they can be fended off by larger animals.
  » Fire Bat: This unique bat species roost in cracks deep within Helovia’s Heart, right in the pit of fire. Their eyes have become so used to the blistering hot flames that they are useless outside of the fire, forcing the bats to rely on echolocation. They never stray far from the flames, hunting insects and small rodents that are attracted to the heat and light. Though most similar to other bat species in appearance, they do have some notable differences. Their wings are laced with flames and the leathery skin underneath ranges from a bright crimson to orange, allowing them to blend in around the fire.

• Birdsong: Typically Birdsong sees warm temperatures during the day and cooler during the night. Most of the precipitation this region sees falls during the season and because of the compact clay soil, it is prone to flooding during this season. Flash floods can occur during a particularly intense thunderstorm and it is best to stay wary when it rains.
• Tallsun: The hot air temperatures combined with the heat from the Heart make this season distinctively hot with relative humidity. Most days are sunny with few clouds and there is low precipitation. The soils dry out and wildfires become a serious danger.
• Orangemoon: Temperatures start to regulate during this season, with both the nights and days warm. High amounts of precipitation are possible though this season usually sees cloudless, sunny days. Minor flooding possible in years where precipitation becomes significant.
• Frostfall: The heat from the Heart helps maintain artificially high temperatures throughout Frostfall, but even further away from the fires temperatures low enough for snow to fall are rare. There is little precipitation during this season and those that does fall is scattered sparsely. Most days are overcast.

• Model Biome: Subtropical Grassland
• Humidity: 65-72%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 32 inches
• Temperature Range: 40 to 96° F (4 to 36° C)
• Average Temperature: 70° F (21° C)

• Normal Flora: ferns, mosses, liverworts grow near the entrance and more within the glowing room
• Shine Toadstool: growing exclusively in the Glowing Room, this fungus spreads through shiny, silver spores. The fruiting bodies are mushrooms with caps that are 4 inches in diameter when fully developed. They glow a bright blue and help to illuminate the cavern where they pop up through the moss along the ground and rocks. They are safe to eat and have a pleasant sweet taste.
• Cave Cherry: Defying all logic, the glowing room hosts several trees. The cave cherry is a moderately sized tree - its canopy growing wider than it does tall with branches that droop slightly in a shallow J. Their leaves are feather soft and in the absence of sunlight they receive the majority of their nutrients through a symbiosis with the other plants in this enchanting cavern. The leaves glow a gentle teal and it produces flowers irregularly due to the lack of seasons down in the caves. When they do bloom, they are a light blue in colour and produce white cherries. As alluring as the bright, star-like cherries can be though they have a bitter taste and can cause muscle spasms or temporary paralysis depending on how much was ingested.
• Vitis stella: The star grape is a draping, sprawling vine that creeps up the side and hangs off of the roof of the Glowing Room. The pointed leaves are a deep green but interspersed among them are perpetually blooming pale flowers that have sparkles along their petals which catch the light from the bioluminescent plants in the room, making them appear to twinkle like stars.
• Memorial Tree: In the caverns outside of the Glowing Room, a single tree grows in memorial for Ode. The bark is a deep black, lined with pulsing veins of red light. Twisted and gnarled limbs grow upward and outward, lining the walls and ceiling of the caves, while crystal fragments dust the ground and base of the tree.

• Normal Animals: cave salamander, various species of bats, various insects, scorpions, millipedes, rat snake, cave swallows
• Mythical Animals:
  » Crystal Nightingale: In the darkness of the caves, this nightingale appears to be pure white but in the light they become semi-transparent. They rarely leave the cave, eating the insects that come in from the surface, and if they do then they only leave at night. Their eyesight is exceptional in the dark enabling them to navigate the cave system with exceptional ease. This species has sexual dimorphism with the females a pure, crystalline white and the males boasting a deep black crown and tail feathers.
  » Cave Hyena: Thought to be extinct, this subspecies of hyena has become specialized for hunting in the Heart Caves. A large species (weighing up to 100 lbs), they have a brindled black and brown coat and large black eyes that help them see in the recesses of the caves. Unfortunately, there is not enough prey in the caves to fully sustain them so they hunt in the grass fields around the Heart in the dark of night, dragging their kill back into the darkness of the caves to feed. They pose a danger to horses as well so it is best to be on your look out when exploring these caves.

• The seasons on the surface do not have a significant effect on the climate in the caves, with only slight fluctuations in temperature between Frostfall and Tallsun - and these occurring only in the cave rooms closest to the entrance. No precipitation falls directly into the caves but the waterways are fed by the rain above ground and by underground reservoirs. The humidity increases the deeper into the caves you travel except in the Glowing Room where the plants help to regulate both temperature and humidity.

• Model Biome: Texas cave systems
• Humidity: 60-95%
• Annual Precipitation: < 1 inch
• Temperature Range: 50 to 75° F (10 to 23° C)
• Average Temperature: 68° F (20° C)

• Normal Flora: various grasses
• Lestus argem: A short plant, growing between 5 to 12 inches in height with small teal heart-shaped leaves. Blooms in Tallsun with just one or two flowers per plant. The flowers are deep blue with purple veins running along the petals and golden glowing pollen in the centre. If the petals are chewed and applied to a wound, it can stop blood loss within minutes and the pollen can be soaked in water and drunk to sooth sore throats.
• Laughing weeds: Low growing, grass-like plants with yellowish-brown, thin leaves that grow in clustered tussocks in the Veins. They feed off of magic rather than sunlight and can be found around the shrines and along the pathway into the veins. Can easily be mistaken for harmless grass or weeds but if this plant is ingested, you cannot speak without laughing. For just a mouthful can last between one to two weeks so it is wise to avoid eating a lot!
• Memorial Trees: In a memorial for Vesta, Psyche, and Circe there grows three trees here that appear to be entirely composed of lava. Roots of heat and magma extend from their base and root into the rocks of the Veins while the branches grow high and spread toward the sky. Each leaf shimmers with blue and the bark churns like the ground surrounding the trees.

• Normal Animals: various insects, dolphins, various tropical fish, sea turtles, seals, sea birds
• Mythical Animals:
  » Calling Swallow: A bird species that exhibits four distinct plumage patterns - blue and purple, orange and gold, brown and green, black and white - but they all share other characteristics. They have beady green eyes, long claws, and a tail that splits into a V shape. A moderately sized bird, their wingspan can be up to 4 feet. They roost on the island, creating nests out of grasses on pockets of cooled magma. Omnivorous, these swallows feed on insects and the Lestus argem flowers. They can often be found perching on the shrines and have grown accustomed to the visiting horses.
  » Lurker: Despite their sinister names, Lurkers are reserved, quiet beings. They look similar to an eight-legged cat, with their short muzzles, rounded ears, and long bodies. They are quite small, an average of about three feet long, with males reaching four feet. In appearance, they are normally dark sooty gray with a scattering of spots along their back. These spots are normally bright golds, reds, or purples. These small creatures eat mice and insects, and have a beautiful 'singing voice'. They are quite capable mimickers, able to mimic a wide range of sounds, with the noted exception of words. They have earned their name from their tendency to hang out in the shadows, where only their glowing eyes and spots can be seen - creating an unnerving sight, especially at night.

• Birdsong: Storms are frequent during Birdsong, especially at the beginning of the season, and even calm days are normally overcast. The rain helps keep the humidity moderate through the warm days and nights.
• Tallsun: Rain rarely falls during this season on the Veins and the humidity drops. The days can get hot beneath the bright sun and with no vegetation to hide under, it can be dangerous to linger exposed for too long - especially with additional heat radiating from the magma constantly flowing around the island. The nights are typically cool and clear.
• Orangemoon: Precipitation returns with the onset of Orangemoon, though it is scattered and storms bringing significant rain are rare. Both the nights and days are warm and comfortable with relatively high humidity.
• Frostfall: This far south, the bitter touches of Frostfall are rarely felt. The temperatures stay warm, never dipping below the freezing mark and only rarely would it ever snow here. The humidity is high during this time and this season brings the most precipitation. Although more rainy than the other seasons, it sees a high amount of sunshine.

• Model Biome: Tropical Savanna
• Humidity: 60-80%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 18 inches
• Temperature Range: 60 to 90° F (16 to 32° C)
• Average Temperature: 75° F (23° C)

• Normal Flora: saman tree, Philippine mahogany, mangroves, rubber tree, olive trees, coconut tree, mango tree, eucalyptus, orange trees, pomegranate, banana plant, various fern species, many orchid species, various grasses and seaweeds
• Belladonna Palm: more of a shrub than a tree, this palm grows a maximum of 5 feet. The stem is only a few inches high and rest is made up of the large fronts that fold out in a fan shape. They are a dark near-black at the base and grow paler towards the tips. The seed pods of this plant are small, dark purple berries on long, flimsy stems that sway in the slightest breeze. Tempting as these lure-like berries are, if consumed they have similar effects as nightshade - causing delirium and hallucinations. They are commonly found on the shores of the islands.
• Golden Fern: Standing out brightly on the slopes of the volcano, this fern has metallic gold leaves and grows about 3 ft in height. It only grows in the rich volcanic soil on the open slopes of the Isles and is intolerant of shade. The young fiddleheads are sweet and delicious to eat.
• Dragonfly Locust: Part of the acacia family, this is a tall growing tree found in the forests of the Riptide Isles. The leaves are a bright green and compound, each pair of leaflets growing in a whorl of four giving the impression of dragonfly wings. Along the red-brown trunk of the tree there are sharp, black thorns that help protect it from animals that might be after the bean-like seed pods.

• Normal Animals: pythons, cobras, saltwater crocodiles, Philippine eagle, palm civet cat, dugong, cloud rat, Philippine tarsier, peacocks, hornbills, mouse deer, Palawan bearded pig, harpy fruit bat, various tropical birds, large variety of butterflies and insects, tropical marine fish, crabs, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, eels, blue-ringed octopus, eagle ray
• Mythical Animals:
  » Seaweed Turtle: a pygmy species of sea turtle, this species only measures 1 foot in length and 7 inches across at maturity. This species lays its eggs on the southern beaches of the largest island. The hatching of the young turtles is timed with the seeding of some seaweed species, and some small plants usually become rooted on the shells of the turtles. As they grow, so does the collection of marine plants on their back. They are a slow moving turtle, even in the ocean, and when at the surface can easily be mistaken for a rock.
  » Riptide peafowl: a species of peafowl endemic to these islands, these birds are truly beautiful. The male peacocks boast plumage that is an homage to the volcano that created the isles. Most of their bodies are an iridescent black with a single strip of red or orange along their crown. Their tail feathers display a fiery scene with bright red, oranges, yellows, and golds. The eyespots on these train feathers are a hot white and are bioluminescent, glowing in the twilight when the males make their displays. The female peahens have an ashy grey plumage with a band of red-to-orange-to-yellow on their necks. These birds are fiercely territorial and it is not recommended to startle one!

• Birdsong: The temperatures during Birdsong are moderate and warm, with not much difference between the day and night temperatures. The occasional rain storm may hit though rains are usually light and frequent. The sky is typically overcast with some sunny breaks.
• Tallsun: Humidity and precipitation reach their peaks during this season. The majority of the rainfall this region sees falls during this season and most days are cloudy. Storm season starts at this time, making the risk of typhoons and cyclones high. The temperatures still remain hot but moderate, without much fluctuation between the days.
• Orangemoon: Humidity drops and while the rains are still heavy, there are more sunny days during this season. Like the rest of the year, temperatures are fairly regular with only a slight difference between day and night.
• Frostfall: Though the temperatures do drop during Frostfall, they don’t drop far. The days still remain warm though the nights get cool and comfortable. This is the dry season for the Isles, with only a few inches of rain falling throughout the entire season. Most days are sunny and comfortable as the humidity also drops.

• Model Biome: Subtropical Humid Broadleaf Forest
• Humidity: 70-90%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 68 inches
• Temperature Range: 70 to 90° F (21 to 32° C)
• Average Temperature: 82° F (28° C)

• Normal Flora: various oak species (such as bur oak and red oak), red maple, sweet cherry, sunflowers, asters, forbs, thistles, and various grasses and wildflowers
• Spinner Thistle: These thistle plants are almost identical to other thistle species, growing 2-3 feet high with bright purple flowers and spiny leaves that protect them from grazers. They thrive in open, high-sun meadows and have an additional defense mechanism. When these thistles are approached, they detach from the soil and fly up and catch in the air, spinning and making whirring sounds as they do.
• Bone Grass: A short growing (max 8 inches) pale green grass species that seems to only grow around the skeletons and bones of deceased animals. The seeds settle into the flesh and the grass takes root into the decaying bone marrow.

• Normal Animals: vole, rabbit, fox, red deer, field mouse, chipmunk, squirrel, coyote, groundhog, striped skunk, badger, bald eagle, geese, owls, great blue heron, wild turkey, woodpeckers, various song birds, various butterflies and other insects
• Mythical Animals:
  » Thistle Fox: A small canine species that has quills similar to those of a porcupine, only shorter. They are a light brown in colour with the tip of the quills fading to black and the tips of their ears and feet are a bright white. Although they hunt small rabbits and mice, they protect themselves from larger predators by shooting their prickly quills at threats. If not removed quickly, the small wounds can become infected and cause discomfort.
  » Frost Oriole: These songbirds have a wingspan of about a foot and bear some physical resemblance to the arctic zephyrs. The males are white with deep blue chest and undersides to the wings and pale blue bands on the wings while the females are a light grey with a light blue head. They have a cheery sounding song that can often be heard on clear Frostfall days.

• Birdsong: As the snow begins to melt and the lengthening of the days encourage flowers to bloom, the Thistle Meadow experiences cool but comfortable days and nights as the humidity drops. There is a significant amount of rain falling during this season but there is still enough sunlight to encourage plant growth.
• Tallsun: Rain gives way to sun during Tallsun and both the nights and days are typically warm and moderately humid during this season. Thunderstorms roll through occasionally and keep the meadow lush with moisture.
• Orangemoon: As the grasses turn golden and the trees become bright with red and orange leaves, the days are typically warm and sunny though the nights begin to get cool and frost is a normal sight in the morning.
• Frostfall: The temperatures drop during this season and the humidity rises, creating a damp cold that chills the bones. Most days are cloudy during this season but the snow is typically light.

• Model Biome: Sparse Trees and Parkland
• Humidity: 45-90%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 31 inches
• Temperature Range: 2 to 80° F (-17 to 27° C)
• Average Temperature: 42° F (6° C)

• Normal Flora: dogwood, yellowwood, poplars, willow, alder, azaleas, sweetfern, eastern red-cedar, wild olive, live oak, sabal palm, coastal sweet-pepperbush, dwarf palmetto, yucca, various flowers and grasses
• Spark Weed: A yellow-green seaweed that grows close to the shore along the beach, the small skinny blades trailing in the waves. As they rub against each other, small yellow sparks are given off that usually dissipate harmlessly into the water. If touched, however, they can deliver a shock similar to that of a jellyfish. It is wise to avoid them when wading out into the ocean.
• Sandivy: A relative of poison ivy, this is a small herbaceous plant that grows in clusters and reaches 5 inches in height. It has four spade-shaped, dark green leaves with a pale blue, luminous underside and the stalk has small silver hairs lining it. Although safer than its cousin, it is remarkable when the wind stirs them and exposes the shining sides of the leaves.
• Memorial Tree: In memorial for Skysong, this tree has rooted in the seemingly inhospitable sands that has vibrant bark and leaves. The limbs stretch out toward the sea, as if ensuring protection for all those who would swim beneath its boughs.

• Normal Animals: leafy seadragon, albatross, bottlenose dolphin, crab, beavers, southern fox squirrel, manatee, muskrat, humpback whale, coyote, armadillo, marsh rabbit, various insects, various waterfowl and coastal birds
• Mythical Animals:
  » Leafy Hippocamp: This subspecies has a striking resemblance to the Leafy Seadragon. They are the largest of the hippocamp subspecies, reaching up to 8 or 10 feet in length. They tend to remain in temperate waters and are equipped with a profoundly intense sense of direction. They are most likely to be discovered around kelp-covered rocks and clumps of seagrass. They are normally solitary, only coming together to mate.
  » Sun Minnows: Small, even as minnows go, these fish only reach a maximum of an inch in length. They are a pale yellow in colour and would look sickly out of the water but in the clear sea, their scales dance like sunlight even on cloudy days. They are heralds of good weather, appearing in the shallows of Endless Blue on the mornings of clear days and when a storm is ending.

• Birdsong: This stretch of beach is quick to warm as the days lengthen during Birdsong. The days are warm though the nights are still cool, especially with the lack of shelter to break up any wind that does stir. There is little precipitation and the days and nights are usually sunny with some clouds.
• Tallsun: Both the days and nights grow hot during this season but the heat is cut often by the high amounts of rain that falls. Thunderstorms are common and the region can see tornadoes and even hurricanes.
• Orangemoon: The chance of hurricanes and storms still remains during Orangemoon but they are less frequent and intense. Most of the days are sunny and hot but the nights are cooler and more comfortable.
• Frostfall: Unlike most of Helovia, this area generally remains too warm for snow to fall though it occasionally happens still, especially in the northern areas. The days are warm and the nights are cool with a sharp breeze coming across the ocean.

• Model Biome: Humid Temperate (north) to Subtropical Savanna (south)
• Humidity: 60-90%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 51 inches
• Temperature Range: 30 to 98° F (-1 to 36° C)
• Average Temperature: 64° F (18° C)

• Normal Flora: eastern hemlock, American beech, white pine, black cherry, American chestnut, willows, maples, blueberries, bedstraw, iris, various grasses, sassafrass, sycamore, various temperate herbaceous species
• Lantern Tree: Small, gnarled trees that cluster in groups of three and four and grow no higher than 30 feet. Their bark is dark and they have weeping branches but in place of leaves bear large, round fruits in soft pinks, oranges, and yellows that glow brightly at night. They grow at night by feeding on shadow so they are able to produce fruits all year round. Eating the fruit has a soothing effect on the mind.
• Noxia: A ground-covering, perpetually blooming vine that emits wonderful smells. The Noxia is not bothered by the snow or the heat and it grows rather quickly, often covering the trees nearby and suffocating them. The blooms are a light purple with a yellow center and the leaves are very deep, ivy-like green.
• Sperma passiflora: A thick-growing, shrub that can reach a meter in height with a glossy green leaf. The flowers are large, 40 centimeters in diameter, with long think petals. They grow in a rainbow of colours, several layers around a bright green centre. It is said to heighten the chances for a mare to bear a child and increase the success of a stallion's seed when eaten. The leaves turn a deep red in Orangemoon before they fall.
• Memorial Tree: A slender and magical tree growing in memorial of Esther. Its branches circle outwards and create a secluded and private areas. The serene setting and soft greens are inviting to any lover.

• Normal Animals: white-tailed deer, grouse, various songbirds, black bears, wild turkeys, koi fish, fireflies and various insects
• Mythical Animals:
  » Glowing Koi: In the waters of the Secret Grove are special koi whose fins are abnormally long, trailing in the water behind them like extravagant trains upon a dress. The scales of these fish exude a faint light, making them glow in the water. Glowing Koi can be seen in a variety of colors and sizes, but they are typically seen in pastels with white being the most common. They range anywhere from a few inches in length to two feet and mingle with their less-shiny cousins in the waters of the Grove.
  » Argent Swan: A rare species to spot, this swan is shy and easily startled. For the patient and the blessed, it is a special treat to be able to watch one or even rarer still - a pair - move along the surface of the Grove on a calm day. Their feathers are a soft, near-white silver that grows darker at their head until the very tip of their beak is solid black. Although they are mute, there is the soft tinkling of bells as their feet paddle gracefully back and forth beneath the surface of the water. To see one is rumoured to bring very good luck.

• Birdsong: Warm days and cool nights that are typically cloudy with the promise of rain. This season is fairly wet and sees a moderate to heavy rainfall with a chance for snow at the beginning of the season. Storms are rare and the rain that does fall is usually gentle.
• Tallsun: Typically warm and humid during both the day and the night. Rainfall is common with a high risk of thunderstorms especially at night as the temperatures fluctuate.
• Orangemoon: Warm with cool nights that made colder by breezes that cut through the sparse forest from the north. The rains ease up during this season and most days are sunny though there is a risk of snowfall toward the end of the season.
• Frostfall: Cold and dry compared to the other seasons, though still sees a fair bit of precipitation throughout the season (up to 30 inches total). Can see a combination of rain, sleet, and snow but typically the temperatures do not drop low enough for the small lake to freeze completely.

• Model Biome: Temperate Mixed Forest
• Humidity: 50-85%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 42 inches
• Temperature Range: 10 to 85° F (-12 to 29° C)
• Average Temperature: 50° F (10° C)

• Normal Flora: oak, beech, maple, hickory, walnut, elm, azaleas, huckleberries, honeysuckle, dogwood, mountain laurel, wax myrtle, mimosa, various wildflowers and grasses
• Amethyst Maple: A very rare species of maple; there are only two known specimens in Helovia and they are in the forest surrounding the Rotunda. In Birdsong, the new leaves are a deep shade of purple and as they grow they turn a brilliant shade like that of an amethyst. Their bark is pale grey and smooth and in Orangemoon the leaves become a rich wine colour.
• Mandrake: This root vegetable looks unremarkable from the surface up - a crown of bright green, oval-shaped leaves growing about six inches in length. Beneath the surface, however, is an entirely different story. If pulled from the ground, the mandrake root emits a piercing scream that can temporarily damage the ears of those nearby. If the root can be silenced and eaten, in small doses it can be used to treat melancholy but in larger doses it can cause delirium and madness.

• Normal Animals: beaver, feral pig, cottontail rabbit, foxes, opossum, otter, raccoon, weasel, bobcat, fox squirrel, Indiana bat, alligator, eastern kingsnake, cottonmouth snake, green anole, five-lined skink, painted turtle, various salamanders and frogs, bass, catfish, various insects and invertebrates
• Mythical Animals:
  » Jackalope: this odd species of hare is seen almost exclusively around the Ancient Rotunda, with one family even forming its burrow beneath the stone structure. Its body length is typically around 24 inches while its ears can grow to be 8 inches in length. Their fur is a mottled tan and brown which enables them to blend in with the forest floor and they have a small set of tan antlers on their forehead. Although curious creatures, the jackalopes are startled easily and have been known to attack young foals that frighten them.
  » Glass Spider: another creature endemic to this part of Helovia, these large spiders are rumoured to have spawned from shards of glass when the rotunda was being built. Including the legs, they are about 5 inches in length and their body is translucent so you can see their organs. They resemble the stained glass ceiling and have a twisting rainbow of colours across their body. These spiders do not have venom and generally stick to themselves, weaving shining webs in the crooks and crannies of the rotunda.

• Birdsong: With cool days and nights, it is not uncommon to see the occasional snow flurry persist into this season especially at the beginning. The humidity is low making the weather comfortable and as the season ages snow turns into rain.
• Tallsun: Warm, does not typically get overwhelmingly hot though the humidity does rise during this season. This season is when this region sees the most precipitation as it falls as rain and most days are at least partially overcast. Storms are uncommon.
• Orangemoon: Warm days with cool nights which occasionally dip below the freezing mark and cause frost to coat the changing vegetation. It is typically sunny during this season and though some rain does fall, it generally passes through at night.
• Frostfall: Cool, hovering just around the freezing mark. Some snow falls but it’s usually not too heavy (around 10 inches) and occasionally melts as the temperatures fluctuate above the freezing mark. Freezing rain is common, coating the ground and vegetation in a layer of ice.

• Model Biome: Temperate Deciduous Forest
• Humidity: 55-90%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 45 inches
• Temperature Range: 5 to 93° F (-15 to 34° C)
• Average Temperature: 56° F (13° C)

• Normal Flora: blue spruce, lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, ponderosa pine, white fir, juniper, sand cherry, goldenrod, sage, yucca, various wildflowers and grasses
• Lotus Tree: a shrub-sized tree that only typically reaches a maximum of 10 feet in height and grows in the underbrush of the Deep Forest where light reaches the ground. It has a rich brown bark and deep olive green leaves and bears plum-sized fruits in Tallsun that are a bright magenta in colour. When eaten, these fruits cause a pleasant drowsiness but in high doses can trigger a temporary coma.
• Moly: A herbaceous species that only grows around the red waters of the pool in the Forest and on the sites of dead bodies. Its root is a deep red bulb from which a black stalk and leaves that have with green veins. It blooms in Frostfall unlike most flowers, a bright white, heart-shaped and drooping flower - one per plant. There are no known beneficial or harmful effects of eating this flower though it has a slightly bitter taste for those that try. Its maximum height is just over a foot.
• Memorial Tree: A single tree growing in remembrance of Ailith near the pool of water, it’s roots wrapping around the circumference of the waters. The twisted branches provide shade to the water, the leaves a deep green that matches the rest of the forest but in Birdsong pink fruit grows that is sweet and tart in flavour.

• Normal Animals: squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, snowshoe hare, spotted bat, cougar, red fox, bears, direwolves, marten, raccoon, mule deer, pheasants, ducks, red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, rattlesnakes, collared lizard, skinks, various insects and invertebrates
• Mythical Animals:
  » Arasalda: Name translates to “tree deer” in Elvish. The derision of this name is clearly evident in its bark-ridden contours, for its body is composed of a majority of lignin fibers, giving off the impression that the creature is a living tree. The males are adorned with a rather impressive rack of antlers which are considerably larger than the Arasalda's arguably less 'remarkable' brethren: the whitetail. From the summit of each point blossom delicate, white flowers, that become annually crimsoned with the transcendence of Frostfall.
  » White Hart: The white hart is perhaps one of the rarest sights in all of Helovia. He is a large, white stag with a massive rack. Lore suggests there is only one of these creatures existent in all the land, and that he only reveals himself to those whose hearts are 'pure.' He is an abundantly magic creature, who often attracts songbirds and other small animals. He is revered as a hallowed omen of good fortune to anyone who lays eyes upon him.

• Birdsong: Typically warm with cool nights though snow persists well into this season especially in the northern parts of the forest. It isn’t until closer to Tallsun that the snow mixes with and then becomes rain as the night temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Humidity is typically low and the days are sunny.
• Tallsun: The temperatures during this season can fluctuate from mild to hot though they are typically hot with warm nights and low humidity. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons and can bring rain or hail but not in significant amounts.
• Orangemoon: The first snow fall comes early to the Deep Forest but it takes a while for the ground and air to reach low enough temperatures for it to stay around for any length of time. The days during this season are warm and the nights are cool to cold, typically slipping below the freezing mark by mid-season.
• Frostfall: Generally mild but can be bitterly cold. This season is when the Deep Forest receives its highest amount of precipitation as snowfall. It accumulates on the canopy and can weigh down the evergreen trees enough that they bend over. The bulk of the snow falls over a handful of days and the rest of the season sees clear skies. Closer to the edges of the forest the wind can be biting but further inland is protected.

• Model Biome: Temperate Coniferous Forest
• Humidity: 40-60%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 65 inches
• Temperature Range: -6 to 100° F (-21 to 38° C)
• Average Temperature: 50° F (10° C)

• Normal Flora: bamboo, hinoki, Chinese plum, rice plants, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, lotus, magnolias, wisteria, various flowers and grasses
• Snakevine: This woody vine has dull brown bark and bright variegated leaves (white on edges, green toward center). Weedlike in its nature, it spreads and grows quickly - especially on the straight stems of the bamboo plants in this forest. It coils around the stems as it grows upward, seeking sunlight. The older stems have diamond shapes along their sides and may easily be mistaken for a snake.
• Spotted Horsetail: A herbaceous ground plant that grows around the pools and rivers in the labyrinth. It has a single lime-green stem with two-inch long needles sprouting off of it giving the impression of a tufted tail. Each needle has small, silver spots that reflect the light and can make these plants look as though they are shining. Can be eaten and has diuretic features which make it useful for treating bladder and kidney infections or disorders.
• Poison Sunweed: As the name suggests, this weedy plant is best avoided. Growing along the forest floor beneath the bamboo stalks, it is 6-inch tall with thin, long, bright yellow-white leaves that shine in the shade, giving the impression of sunlight. They are attractive plants but when eaten they mix dangerously with the acids in the stomach and can cause a variety of intestinal issues from gas to colic depending on sensitivity and the amount consumed.

• Normal Animals: macaque monkeys, tanuki, panda, bamboo rat, red-crowned crane, foxes, wild boar, deer, crows, carp, catfish, and various reptiles, amphibians, and insects
• Mythical Animals:
  » Minotaur: Although named after the greek legend, this species of bovine does not share the human features of that mythical creature. They are large, hulking creatures with a dark brown coat and a pair of twisted black bull horns on their head. They are experts at navigating the Labyrinth and can be known to help lost souls find their way out however if startled or threatened, they become vicious and bloodthirsty. Capable of outrunning the average horse, it is not wise to anger one of them! The Minotaurs travel in small family groups and form fierce bonds with each other from birth.
  » Qilin: After a quick look at the qilin, you might think your eyes are playing a trick on you. They stand about 3 feet tall at the shoulder and have a golden scaled, dragon-like body and head with cloven-hooved deer legs. They have a deep bronze mane with a large set of bronze antlers on their head and their eyes burn with a bright red-orange. Solitary creatures, qilin are normally only seen in numbers during the mating season or when a mother is accompanied by her two young children. They are carnivores but only hunt small game through the bamboo forest.

• Birdsong: This season is typically sunny though it does see some rain so the soil does not usually dry out completely. The days are warm and the nights cool, typically with a faint breeze rustling the leaves of this thick forest
• Tallsun: The beginning of Tallsun is very wet in the Labyrinth with the majority of the rain this region sees falling in the first half of this season. Sunny days are rare during this time but in the later half of the season the rain breaks and sunny days become the norm. The later half of Tallsun sees hot and humid days and nights.
• Orangemoon: Although typically without the intense rain of Tallsun, there is a risk of storms and even typhoons particularly on the southern edges of the region. The days are warm and the nights cool and comfortable.
• Frostfall: Temperatures drop below freezing and there is the occasional snowfall though it is typically dry with low humidity and little cloud.

• Model Biome: Humid Temperate to Subtropical Shrubland
• Humidity: 50-90%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 60 inches
• Temperature Range: 0 to 92° F (-18 to 33° C)
• Average Temperature: 60° F (15° C)

• Normal Flora: the harsh environment does not allow for typical plants to grow here, though giant cacti, pilaya, thola, and quinoa plants grow along the shores
• Featherroot: this small plant grows on the rocky shores of the salt flats. It is very hardy despite its delicate appearance. Similar to a fern, five feather-like leaves sprout from one central root and reach a height of two feet. The leaves shine brightly with pale greens, blues, and yellows that alternate in stripes along its length. They are tough to eat but can speed healing when applied to a wound.
• Salt Lily: dappling the thin layer of water against all odds is a species of waterlily that thrives on the salt minerals. It typically grows in clusters around the shore. The leaves are supposed to be a bright green but quickly become stained with white from salt deposits. When it blooms in Birdsong and Tallsun, it produces a crystalline flower of the brightest white.

• Normal Animals: the waters here are too salty to support fish life, though some small marine fish (minnows, cichlids) come in when the tide is high and the water is a little more diluted. Flamingos, horned coot, Andean hillstar, and Andean goose can occasionally be seen here.
• Mythical Animals:
  » Strix: large, owl-like creatures that roost in the sandy grown in the area surrounding the Flats. They have long golden beaks that are hooked and red plumage, occasionally with black feathers on their face around their eyes. They have four legs instead of two, enabling them to run quickly along the ground as well as fly, with large black clawed feet. Their eyes are bright yellow and round, lacking pupils. Their favourite food is the blood of foals and young animals though they are known to go after adults as well.
  » Kraken: Although the large Kraken does not live in this shallow lake, it is used as a spawning location. The eggs are deposited on the ocean edge of this salt shelf and as they hatch, they move further inland. When fully grown, the Kraken resembles a massive squid with a tail similar to that of a whale. While they are growing, they are pale white and slow growing - taking about 5 years to reach a size where it is safe enough to move into the open waters. Without other competition, the infant Krakens thrive in the Flats, eating fish and insects.

• Birdsong: Generally sunny and dry, Birdsong has warm days and cold nights. The sun heats the Flats quickly during the day but as soon as it goes down there is little heat retention and the nights are chilly.
• Tallsun: Much like the Riptide Isles, Tallsun is the wet season for the Flats - the edges of the tropical storms occasionally reaching these sunny shores and replenishing the crystal clear salt water that covers this region. The days are hot but not humid and the nights cool and clear.
• Orangemoon: Similar to birdsong, the days during Orangemoon are warm while the nights become cool with the absence of the sun. Rain is uncommon during this season and the sky is usually completely clear of clouds.
• Frostfall: The driest season in the Flats, almost no precipitation falls during this season. Snow is possible and the water on the flats may freeze a little bit at night but the days are warm enough that it melts again.

• Model Biome: Cold Desert Climate
• Humidity: 30-50%
• Annual Precipitation: approx 10 inches
• Temperature Range: 5 to 94° F (-15 to 34° C)
• Average Temperature: 45° F (7° C)