BIOMES

[subnauticmods]

≡U.R.S.U.L.A. NAVIGATION

_ PREMISE & NAVIGATION ✦ RULES ✦ MOD CONTACT TAKEN ✦ RESERVES ✦ APPLICATIONS ✦ HIATUS & DROPS FAQ ✦ BASE ✦ BIOMES ✦ URSULA ✦ URSULA CONTACT

SAFE SHALLOWS The Safe Shallows are a beautiful area rich in peaceful, diverse sealife and bright, twisting beds of coral. Stone archways, tiered sandy beds and long, spacious tubes made of coral make up the majority of the landscape. The clear blue waters always allow one to see the bottom during the day. At night, the coral and acid mushrooms provide a gentle glow around most areas, sometimes making a flashlight unnecessary. The cave systems under the Safe Shallows are also the shortest and best lit with large openings, making them easy to explore. Although some dangers still lurk, most resources can be gathered here without much hassle. This tropical paradise makes passing the days almost too relaxing if one forgets about the great ocean beyond it. The only real reminder is a single lava geyser that spews super-heated water every hour or so. Don't get too close. Resources that are plentiful include salt, quartz, copper, various types of coral, acid mushrooms, titanium and hunks of metal from the crashed ship. Gold and silver can occasionally be found in the caves. Since the Aurora's explosion, several wrecks have finally settled in the area. Many are deeper and farther out in the Safe Shallows, some closer to the Aurora itself, making them interesting discoveries. Much of the flora and fauna in the Safe Shallows has been catalogued by crew. The strangest additions, however, are destroyed life pods. There are no signs of life in any of them but unlike the wrecks, they seem to have appeared overnight rather than settled from the crash itself. How they appeared is a mystery. Each one is damaged in a similar way, an explosion to the side. They can be raided for flares, first aid kits, food rations, flashlights, water bottles and some basic materials. The numbers on the life pods suggest there are more to be found...

GASOPODS Gasopods are a creature that inhabit the shallower areas of the ocean. The distinctive gas mask-like face and large, bulbous tail with sickly yellow pods give this animal its name. Gasopods tend to travel in mated pairs or small pods when protecting their young. An adult Gasopod can reach a length of ten feet. Despite their booming bellows, they are docile creatures that avoid conflict and feed strictly off kelp and other plant-life. When threatened, however, they move surprisingly fast and release the yellow pods off their tails which contain poison. A normal dose of their poison can cause a terrible sickness in an average human that may last upwards of two weeks without treatment, while the poison will kill smaller fish in the area. This unique poison may have uses yet to be discovered. DISCOVERIES » Research has found that Gaspod poison can be refined into an injectable poison! STALKERS Stalkers are an aptly named creature notable for their speed and powerful, long jaw. Reaching anywhere between six to twelve feet, they can be a terrifying sight. During the daytime in the Safe Shallows, these creatures can be found hunting fish - they favor Peepers above all else - and on occasion scavenging dead Gasopods or other dying creatures. They are relentless with their prey, becoming single-minded until they catch it. However, they are also intelligent and have an interesting habit of picking up shiny or pretty objects and taking them back to their nest. It's possible that a Stalker may have the intelligence to recognize opportunities to gain food or objects from humans, perhaps for a mutually beneficial relationship. Or perhaps not. Their teeth can be found easily for research or inventions. DISCOVERIES » Stalkers can be temporarily tamed or coaxed into calmness through fish offerings! » Due to the work of the crew, several Stalkers have been trained to understand the reward system and will even approach swimmers in a non-threatening way with gifts of metal or supplies on the assumption of a reward waiting for them. They may turn on swimmers if they aren’t rewarded for their efforts! FLOATERS Floaters are similar to jellyfish in many ways, made of a gelatinous substance with a thick, clear layer protecting the pink insides. Most Floaters range from a few centimeters to six inches, though they seem to grow dependent on food supply. Simple creatures, they latch onto anything they come into contact with using stingers and teeth-like gripping claws around their mouth. Once attached, the stingers immobilize any small prey and release powerful digestive enzymes. Special bladders then allow the Floater to drift, sometimes to the surface of the water, while slowly feeding on their meal. Floaters can be found collected on everything from larger creatures to corpses to even rocks or coral. The digestion process is so slow that a Floater can feed on a rock for upwards of years. Floaters pose some threat, as they can easily eat through gear or cause buoyancy issues, especially if in a group. They can be used for food, though they may be an acquired taste. DISCOVERIES » The membranes of Floaters can be used as a stretchy, durable material!

CRASHES Crashes are an interesting, parasitic lifeform. The actual Crash is the red plant that grows inside of cave systems. It lures fish into the mouth of the plant and closes around them, feeding them and injecting thousands of eggs inside of them. Then, when larger animals like Gasopods or Stalkers (or unfortunate swimmers) pass by, they release the fish. The fish, now breed specially for one purpose, slams into the other creature, exploding and releasing parasites inside of the wound created, allowing Crashes to spread farther. The parasites slowly eat away at their host and take over their brain to die somewhere convenient. The insides of Crashes can be scooped up if someone is careful enough, providing everything from explosive powder to spices. The Crash plant is hearty and can be eaten safely if cooked properly. AIRSACKS Airsacks are thin, worm-like fish with clear, bladder 'wings' around it. They're usually only a foot long and fairly dull. They're passive creatures with low speed, making them easy catches. Their taste, however, matches the effort put into catching them. Still they are a good source of plentiful food and sleep in small bunches at night. These easy targets are only noteworthy for how durable their bladders are in crafting buoyant materials. They may have other uses to be found. RABBITRAYS Rabbitrays are a brightly-colored ray type of fish that typical reach sizes of three feet in length. Being very curious and friendly fish, they often can be found playing with other fish and each other, investigating swimmers without hesitation. However their friendliness doesn't prevent them from making speedy getaways if threatened. They have no ability to defend themselves and thus make good meals if caught. Passive and sweet, they could make a good pet if you're feeling particularly lonely.

KELP FORESTS The Kelp Forests are beautiful, lush areas thick with Creepvines and other kelp-like plantlife. They surround the Safe Shallows like a land forest surrounds a town, reaching deeper depths and making it hard to see the bottom from the water's surface. Navigating these forests can be difficult due to the sheer amount of Creepvines, while the sea floor houses even more plants to harvest. At night, the Creepvines' large seed pods glow and act as lanterns in the dark. Many fish hide among the forest leaves making this a bountiful hunting ground as well. It could also work excellently for a game of hide and seek. Venturing too far into the forests, however, can leave one stranded in extreme depths. A cave system exists here as well, offering dark pathways lit only by plants at night and brighter, spacious areas during the day. These caves have been mapped out and the map has been added to URSULA's resources. Be aware that Stalkers nest in the Kelp Forests. Their nests may be tempting to raid for delicious eggs, scrap metal and other resources but Stalkers are extremely aggressive once provoked near their nests, especially at night. They won't stop until either the hazard or themselves have died. However if you can manage it, then they only add to the plentiful nature of this otherwise peaceful forest. Most of the resources and creatures found in the Safe Shallows can also be found here. Like the Safe Shallows, several wrecks have also settled here, mostly in the deeper areas again. There are also two life pods to be found, though still not all of them judging by the numbers.

CREEPVINES Creepvines are the central feature of the Kelp Forests and cannot be found anywhere else. By nature they are massive, sometimes growing tall enough to reach the surface even from depths of 400 feet, with seed pods the size of a human head. At the base is only the stalk of the vine but they become increasing branching and thick with leaves and seeds towards the top, like a tree. These vines store naturally filtered water that tastes similar to berries, the leaves taste similar to lettuce and the seed pods are also edible, though the taste is perhaps too strangely 'meaty' for most. Since they're simple plants, there isn't much use to them besides food. DISCOVERIES » Grinding up kelp can turn it into an adhesive paste! BLEEDERS Bleeders are terrible creatures, only roughly a foot long and yet they can be deadly. Their mouth is covered in sharp, tentacle-like fangs that can pierce through even thick wetsuits, biting through flesh and sucking rapidly to drain the victim of blood. They often appear in swarms and latch onto anything with blood, staying attached until the blood is sucked dry or they become too bloated to eat anymore. Bleeders can be killed easily or ripped off, causing additional pain. Being caught in a large swarm can spell death. They have a very complex auditory system which can hear a blood from large distances, allowing them to home in on prey. HOVERFISH Hoverfish are curious creatures that are plentiful on the sea floor, hiding around the Creepvines. Its design allows it to 'hover' on the water and float with ease, though this method of travel is slow. What makes them notable is that they appear to be able to enter a state of inertialessness. This could be useful if studied further. Try not to eat too many of them. Their taste is especially lacking.

GRASSY PLATEAU More open ocean than the previous Biomes, the vast, spacious Grassy Plateaus have a tranquil feel that can lull one into a false sense of security. Beautiful fields of bloodgrass cover much of the area, swaying in the sea currents. Large pillars eroded over time and rare arches scatter the otherwise empty landscape. Although more open than some Biomes, there is a large amount of Floaters that live in the area, creating odd formations of floating rocks in the middle of nowhere. Several cave systems are scattered throughout the area, most entrances guarded by hanging stingers ready to deliver a powerful shock to anyone careless enough to brush against them. The caves themselves are densely packed with plant life through their tight spaces. However, these caves go much, much deeper than previous caves. Several openings lead down to long vertical shafts filled with bioluminescent plants that light the dim. These caves can go very deep, some as deep as 500 feet. The caves are dark and strange, full of odd plant life and even a few creatures, including the occasional Sand Shark or Mesmer and plenty of Tiger Plants. At least precious metals are plentiful in these areas. Since these tunnels go so deep, it stands to reason there could be more to these cave systems than meets the eye... After the Aurora's explosion, two large wrecks settled in the plateaus. Scattered around and inside of these wrecks are items like broken picture frames, damaged solar panels and a datapad of blueprints for various base expansions. In addition, a large crop circle in the style of Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff has been imprinted onto the grass.

SAND SHARK Sand Sharks are smaller predators, usually growing no larger than six feet in length, but what they lack in size they make up for in sheer aggression. Preferring to ambush their prey, Sand Sharks will bury their whole bodies in the sand and wait for prey of any size to pass overhead before lunging out. The only sign of a Shark in wait is if it recently buried itself, leaving a cloud of sand above the spot. Otherwise they're excellent at hiding. While the sand sharks are not particularly fast, their prey often panics and becomes easy to catch. No matter the size of the prey, they will attack. They have some aversion to the surface, however, and will stop their chase the moment they get too close. Sand Shark eggs are currently numerous and a delicious source of protein. Their segmented exoskeleton is sturdy and can withstand great amounts of heat. DISCOVERIES » Research by characters reveals that Sand Shark armor works well against most smaller attackers and against fires. REEFBACK The gentle giants of the ocean, even the smallest adult Reefback is 20 meters (65 feet) in length, with most being much larger. With the diverse ecosystems of coral and plants growing on their backs, it's no wonder that they appear as small islands when they surface. Reefbacks travel in small pods and call to each other in clicks and songs similar to those of whales. Most interesting about Reefbacks is the way they seem to take to humans and the other species exploring the planet. Although they don't go out of their way to come to one, an explorer can safely ride on their backs, get close to their young and even harvest extra eggs. Young Reefbacks will even sing at swimmers, though what they're saying is a mystery. DISCOVERIES » Those who interact with Reefbacks will find that young Reefbacks may later call to them or wave their tentacles to play! » Reefbacks will now sense distress from crew members and if in the area try to defend them! BITER Biters are the resident piranhas of the ocean. Less than a foot in length, they're speedy and greedy, preying mostly on fish their own size or somewhat bigger. However, when there's blood in the water, they can easily mass into a vicious swarm. They're extremely fast and even at night can be seen luring prey in with the light stalk on their heads. Biters can be distracted with offerings of fish but will turn immediately when the food is gone. Highly territorial, these fish should be avoided at all costs. One can be killed with ease but where there's one, there's always more lurking in wait.

MESMER Beautiful as they are deadly, Mesmers appear like butterflies with bright colored 'wings' that shimmer and sparkle in vibrant, shifting patterns. The main body is only the size of a human head, with the wings each roughly two feet in length. The wings allow them to propel forward through the water, though they're content in resting with their wings open to lure in prey. The patterns that flash over the wings have hypnotic abilities, clouding the minds of prey and bringing them right to the mouth of the hungry beast to be eaten alive. If the spell is broken, Mesmers will quickly flee. These patterns also serve as communications between others of their species and as self-defense against other predators, scaring them off. TIGER PLANT Tiger Plants, named for the distinctive stripes, are an aggressive form of sponges. They are not, in fact, carnivores. Instead, they shoot their poisonous spikes into nearby fish and then bring them closer with their green tendrils, so they can bury their victims in the sand at their roots. It gives them an endless supply of good fertilizer to grow in. The plant is highly sensitive to movements in the water, sensing incoming fish from over fifty feet. The tubes can move into better positions based on these senses to target the prey. They will also shoot these darts at anything that comes too close as a defense mechanism. Fortunately, the base has an antivenom in stock. PURPLE BRAIN CORAL Purple Brain Corals, while found all over the ocean, seem to be found mostly here in the Grassy Plateaus. They feed on carbon dioxide and produce an abundance of oxygen in return. While it may seem that the large, worm-like creatures that live inside of it are separate creatures, they are actually one and the same. Their function and purpose for the coral is unknown but they do not attack or act in defense of the coral even if the coral is attacked. They will peek out in curiosity at swimmers, but otherwise seem to only pop up on occasion to feed on the oxygen bubbles. DISCOVERIES » Brain Corals in the current areas will warn if Stalkers are incoming by waving their weird worms around!

THE AURORA A mining ship sent on a terraforming mission, the Aurora is a massive spaceship that crashed due to unknown reasons. It landed against a mountainous area, the only reason it hasn't sank to the bottom of the ocean. The area leading up to and around the Aurora is littered with debris and devoid of any flora, a barren wasteland. While a few new creatures have taken up residence around and in the Aurora - as well as some Stalkers outside and Bleeders in the waters inside the Aurora - the Aurora seems to be a lifeless area, likely due to the radiation. Many large sandbars exist around it, pushed up from the depths by the impact of the crash. Since the explosion, the front of the ship has made for an excellent if rather dangerous entrance. There are also numerous open tunnels and shafts that lead into various areas of the ship. Given how massive it is and how twisted it became in the impact, mapping which entrances lead to where might be quite an ordeal. For now, at least, the wall lights and other lights still work, with the generator's leak repair allowing it to continue powering the dying ship. That doesn't mean it's not of interest to anyone. On the contrary, it's what remains of humanity around here; at least, there's some good things to loot. You'll have to ignore the occasional half-eaten body (or the more likely picked clean skeleton) but searching the ship will reveal rooms in various states of terrible damage with a plethora of wonders. (Note: Pictures sadly lacking terrible damage, please use your imagination to picture horrible things.) Common rooms with games like cars or board games or perhaps dungeons and dragons, magazines, video games, books, trading cards and even alcohol. The Med Labs contain valuable, if not busted, equipment, as well as some portable med labs on top of basic first aid kits and other normal hospital items. The conjoining doctor's quarters are messy but relatively intact with an assortment of books and datapads on health. A couple of dozen bedrooms are around with personal belongings of the deceased crew, like clothes, photos, medications, even stuffed animals. Remember, it's not like these people are alive, probably, so it's fine to raid their stuff if you have no morals. But the storage room is where the true bounties lie. Although almost entirely submerged, the units are sealed air tight with seeds from many plants, terraforming equipment, biosuits for deep underwater exploration, mining equipment and, surprisingly, weapons. Unfortunately, a Reaper Leviathan tends to guard this area closely. Be careful how long you stay. In general, the Aurora would be a lovely home away from home, if it weren't for the occasional bursts of fires, hundreds of Cave Crawlers, twisted wreckage falling on you or trapping you in areas and Reaper Leviathans waiting in the waters. Perhaps there are many dangers but many rewards, as well, if you can salvage what's left. Please be reasonable with how much your character would be able to take back with them given the travel distance and dangers. URSULA requests that any datalogs found made by crew members be given to her before listening to them.

CAVE CRAWLERS Cave Crawlers are crab-like creatures that swarm areas with dead or dying creatures. Mostly scavengers, they can also attack in groups, though being used to prey that is not usually mobile, they can be easily outwitted. Like spiders, they're capable of crawling walls, fitting into small spaces and very capable jumpers. Launching themselves seems to be their preferred form of travel. The amount of bodies on the Aurora are a likely reason for the unusual amount of crawlers in the area. Avoid going prone near them, as they may mistake you for another dead body to eat. REAPER LEVIATHAN One of the largest known creatures on the planet, the Reaper Leviathan is a frightening predator. Roughly 48 meters (160 feet) in length as adults, this creature is known to prey on Reefbacks in titanic battles between the two. However, they aren't picky at the size of their prey. As long as they can see it, they'll try to eat it. Most ocean denizens fear the Reaper Leviathans and steer clear of them, though this is no easy task. The horrific roars of the creature echo in the ocean, making them difficult to locate and confusing prey to their location. Many Reapers will attack from behind, catching prey in their powerful mandibles and shaking it apart. Some will even attack from below, occasional seen breaching the surface in a deadly attack. Reapers are usually found in the open ocean but several have gathered around the Aurora and are even fiercer than the rest. It's almost as if they're guarding it. Reapers are known to respond badly to Gasopod poison in the way a dog reacts to a bee sting. SKYRAYS Skyrays are, strangely enough, birds. They can't swim at all and will in fact drown easily if caught in the water, making them an oddity on this planet. They require land to live and have gathered on the Aurora, building nests out of any soft materials they've found, as well as branches and leaves they've brought from unknown landmasses. Skyrays skim the surface of the water to catch fish. They often travel in flocks and will alert each other of dangers lurking in the water, waiting for them. Although easily startled, if caught, they're probably very tasty. Their feathers are also very soft-looking. Perhaps showing their evolutionary roots, their chests have faint blue and green bioluminescent markings.

FLOATER ISLAND A tropical paradise of dense greenery and bright colors, Floater Island is a surprising find in the endless ocean. Currently located south of the Aurora, this massive island is not anchored to the seabed but rather drifts supported by floaters. These floaters are even unusual, ranging in size from several feet to the size of a small house. Thanks to them, this surface ecosystem is able to continue on. And what an ecosystem it is! Lush flora covers the entire island and just like the life in the sea, everything here glows in different colors as well, lighting up the night. The sheer variety of trees, flowers, grasses and other vegetation will delight any crew member who missed the comforts of dry land. As a bonus, most of it is not only edible but delicious. Tiny insects and even very small bird-like creatures, as well as everyone's favorite Cave Crawlers and their actual favorite Skyrays also populate the island along with several new, larger animals. The ecosystem seems to be quite stable between these various groups. No one population dominates and none of them, save the cave crawlers, are especially violent, making life easier above the waves than it would be below. The center of the island houses several openings into the sea, including one large 'lake', as well as a system of caves webbed under the small mountain areas ready to be explored. The mountains themselves are more like the tops of mountains rather than anything truly massive. Still, they're impressive enough and should be climbed cautiously, looking for pathways rather than trying to climb the sides themselves. The lake, even though it leads into the ocean, is safe to dive in and provides another entrance to the island aside from the beaches. On this island, too, are the remains of a small base from a prior crew. They placed two observatories on the tops of the mountains and many of the lingering pathways scattered across the island are from them. They also had a small farm on the other side of the island which is now overrun. Some areas even look as though they may have been made for the crew's ease. After visiting the island, though, it may be hard to imagine why they abandoned it. Aside from the homicidal crabs, it's a wonderful place to settle down and enjoy a peaceful, if isolated, life.

BIRDOG Small flocks (packs? herds?) of Birdogs can be found all across the island. They're small creatures, roughly three feet long, with beautiful bioluminscent wings. Though their wings are functional, they work best for short distance flight. Birdogs are highly social with complex social networks within their flocks and even what appear to be varying dialects. Highly affectionate, they can be seen giving a variety of greetings to each other and raising their many young as a group. Their sounds are closer to that of dogs than birds. They spend most of their time near the water, catching small fish, or sometimes venturing into the trees for berries. At any time, including at night, several birdogs will be on guard to call out warnings in case cave crawlers or Chompers coming looking to make a meal out of them or their eggs. CHOMPERS Measuring only around a foot and a half tall and four to five feet long, Chompers are named for their love of food. Though they look aggressive, their fearsome beaks and claws are designed for bashing open cave crawlers for their meat and climbing trees and rocky ledges for fruits and other vegetation. As small omnivores they live mostly in mated pairs, using teamwork to gather food easier and expend less energy. At night they sleep in the trees or curled up on higher, cut-off areas to protect themselves from cave crawlers. Although curious creatures when it comes to eating, they shy away from attention, preferring to watch from a distance or follow far behind. They communicate through gestures with their feathers, a bioluminescent glow along their arms and clicks and chirps. LIGHT FROG The Light Frog is deceptive creature. Found all across the island, they seem oblivious to anything around them, not even hunting for food. They sit prone for hours at a time. But that is their secret. The frogs can change their colors to match the bright flowers and plants around the island. Insects and some of the smaller birds wind up prey to the false food finds but not before trying to eat from them. The poison in the frogs skin causes them to become dazed and fall dead, making for an easy meal. To larger animals, though still toxic, it isn't deadly, simply causing hallucinations. Still it isn't anything they actively seek out unless desperate for food. At night, Light Frogs shine, eating the meals they gathered during their day's rest, loudly croaking out to each other as if to sing the island into pleasant dreams.

DUNES Rich in life but lacking scenery, the Dunes are a quiet home with danger lurking in the depths. Located west of the Grassy Plateaus, the Dunes represent the first real dive into the deeper ocean, with the deepest parts reaching over 400 meters in depth. Most of the Dunes are, in fact, just as they sound, with massive rolling dunes making up the majority of the landscape. These dunes are interspersed with stone arches of varying sizes and stalagmites. In some areas, patches of grass litter the bottom. What makes this area really notable is the life within it and the places connecting to it. Another Void entrance can be found deep down, far to the west end of this area. Several more normal, though extremely large rifts in the earth lead down long paths that eventually open into massive underground biomes that exist far beneath the currently known biomes. These will definitely be worth exploring to get to the heart of this mysterious planet. Several of these entrances have vents that shoot super-heated water and steam, making them dangerous to swim near. There also exists a large wreck from the Aurora to be explored. Many different supplies can be found in this area and within the wreckage itself. Aside from the new lifeforms that can be found here, this area is also home to Sand Sharks, Biters, Bleeders, a variety of fish, Reefbacks and unfortunately is a popular feeding destination for Reaper Leviathans.

ANGEL WING Angel Wings are deceptive creatures. At first glance, they are kindly giants of the ocean. They travel in small pods of five whales but often strike out on their own for hunting. They nurse their young and use incredibly haunting, beautiful songs to communicate. But these songs may, in fact, become the stuff of nightmares. The true nature of these animals is a fickle heart and their intelligence leads to cruelty. They are the only animal known in these waters thus far to kill for sport or whim rather than food. Even their hunting methods often lead to actions like dragging their living prey around for fun, letting it swim away only to be caught and tormented again. They're just as likely to give a friendly ride as they are to suddenly breach and throw the rider off. What these creatures think is a mystery. It's better to not engage. BULBURTLE Calm as the ocean is deep, Bulburtles are serene creatures. They spend much of their time feeding; in fact they are almost always eating. They live only on smaller fish and so must spend their entire lives eating just to have the energy for regular activities like swimming. As the real gentle giants of the Dunes, they communicate with other Bulburtles through a serious of clicks and snorts. They actually do not have gills, either, and spend time on the surface sunbathing or catching deep breaths of air. Their massive lungs and impressive respitory systems allow them to stay under for a day at a time. The poison sacks on their back not only explode if touched but can be released on command to allow them defenses against creatures like Bulk Whales and Reaper Leviathans. CLOWN PINCHERS Clown Pinchers are smaller creatures, about four feet in length, that actually eat tiny worms and similar creatures that live in the sand. They cover the bottom of the dunes, picking and digging away with their fast claws to unearth their prizes. Sometimes there are so many that the sand can't be seen under the dizzying waves of colored stripes. This serves to confuse any attackers from above. Most of them nest under the sand with their dorsal fin and eye stalks above. They are fast enough to escape humans, though they usually fall victim to Sand Sharks given their shared living space. The females of the species have larger claws. They also taste much like crabs.

JELLY SHROOM CAVES A dimly lit cave system reaching deep under the ocean, the Jelly Shroom Caves are an isolated and surreal area. The only real light in the caves comes from the bright, glowing Jelly Shrooms that spot the caves in bunches like lanterns in the dark. In some crevices and trenches, the pulsing light of lava geysers clear away some of the cave's gloom. Stalagmites and stalactites litter the area heavily, making it extra treacherous for divers in the dark. Several entrances throughout the Grassy Plateaus and other nearby cave systems lead to the Jelly Shroom Caves, though the caves themselves don't appear to lead anywhere, making it a small, closed off world of its own. The good part is that it's a surprisingly rich area for flora and fauna alike, with most of the plants and animals being sensitive to light and reacting poorly to it. Some have developed specifically to live without sight or light at all. Most seek movement in the water. They are clearly not use to anything coming down here and some fish won't bother to swim away at first from guests. The most notable thing about the caves is an abandoned base deep inside that was left by the crew of the Degasi, built past a particularly dark stretch of area between two Jelly Shrooms. This dark wreckage many not be the last of their remains.

CRABSNAKE The Crabsnake is a large predator, though not nearly as aggressive or massive as some. Ranging around 30 feet in length, these creatures make their home in Jelly Shrooms, waiting to ambush anything that comes neat their mushroom. They sometimes patrol around their home in territorial displays against other Crabsnakes and will even engage in battles against each other at times if they meet. They rarely go too far from their own mushroom and won't chase prey further than their area. Due to the extremely dim lighting in the caves, they don't have eyes and hunt through sensitivity to movement in the water. JELLY SHROOM Jelly Shrooms are a strange but brilliant plant. With a curious, wide, hollow center, they house the Crabsnakes. They have evolved specifically for this purpose and baby Crabsnakes will use them for homes early in their lives. The key is that Crabsnakes are sloppy eaters, with much of their prey becoming food for the mushrooms instead. The Crabsnakes also protect them from fish and other creatures eating at the mushroom. This symbiotic relationship means that Jelly Shrooms are often found growing in small bunches rather than alone. BOXING SNAIL A shy creature, the Boxing Snail makes it's home in the Jelly Shroom Caves. Growing up to three feet in size, these crab-like animals prefer a solitary life in the deepest, darkest parts of the cave. They will often pinch their claws in rapid, loud bursts to disorient prey and allow them to take their time eating. They don't hunt very often and spend most of their time sleeping or building increasingly ornate shell homes until they eventually need to shed and grow a new shell. These glittering shells may be to dazzle potential mates. They look quite pretty.

THE MONOLITH In the middle of the ocean, with nothing but water surrounding it and about two hours by land or sea from our crew's base, the Monolith (formerly known as The Nostromo) towers in the sky, a black structure against blue. The crew of the Nostromo purposefully reconstructed their ship into this oddity to gain attention in case of rescue. While it looks strange, much of the ship's interior is still intact. After entering through a narrow, half-submerged stairway near the bottom of the Monolith, the area opens up into the Command Deck of the ship. A spacious room, many of the computers still work, though in basic functions only. Data about the crew and their journey can be found. A meeting area off to the side can display different Three important rooms come off the side of the command deck. The Life Support Pods are still functional, just for very short periods of time. These pods could be salvaged for parts, however. Notable as well are the cafe and convenience store, both of which are no doubt interesting to crew starved of such things. The cafe is something akin to a typical Starbucks while the convenience store houses a number of nice items. Above this floor are sparse crew areas and living quarters. Lastly, the engine room and an Alien Containment Room that's been splattered in red paint for amusement might be fun to check out as well. In general, the Monolith is good for salvaging parts and a good cup of coffee. Due to crew tampering, the Monolith now has no lights on whatsoever. Bring a flashlight.

MOUNTAIN ISLAND A beautiful, lush island that hides dangerous secrets, the Mountain Island can be found roughly three hours north of the Aurora. It's an especially dense, thriving jungle, with tall canopies, bright and colorful plants and the hum of life in every step. But speaking of steps, you should really watch yours. Just because it's gorgeous doesn't mean you should let your guard down. Deeper into the jungle lie more dangerous, aggressive animals. When their prey tries to hide or run to the outer edges, they'll be followed. Coming inside is asking for something to try inviting you for dinner. Aside from the animals looking for their next meal, the many types of flora have their own dangerous sides. Even some of the trees have odd, purple bulbs of poison growing on them. It's safe to say that when engaging with anything on this island to proceed with caution. At least there are some berries that can be eaten. Even the river that runs through is infested with odd sorts of fish, most of which are delicious, but some of which are best avoided. The waterfall makes for good noise in a place that is filled with the sounds of distant shrieks and calls. Maybe it's so violent because at the heart of all of this is the tall, active volcano that named this island. And below it, deep under twisting and turning caves, lies an active lava area reminiscent of something out of a movie. Of course, very little lives here but some odd plants seem to do well in these traitorous conditions. The animals never come here, so if you consider lava safe, it might be a good place for you. This place is home to more than just troubling animals and plants but also the home of three survivors of the Aurora. Lead programmer Naoko Furukawa, head engineer Mikhail Vinogradov and SnapBlu employee Jennifer Way all call this island home for now, including Jennifer's cat, a ginger tabby named Glitter. Some of Naoko's genetic monster plants can be found growing here and there on the edges of the forest in fence in areas. But you wouldn't steal those right? A garden has been established on the mountain, called Garden of Weedin'. It grows grapes and cacao.

RED EYES Red Eyes are another predator that causes fright. In the day, they can't be found, elusive in their sleeping places. But at night they terrorize the jungle. Even Horrorsloths choose their sleeping spots wisely. Red Eyes will launch themselves up trees and jump long distances with their powerful arms to find and eat anything in their path. These frog-like creatures will attack anything, no matter the size, under the cover of darkness. Their grips can crush bone, making most any prey theirs if caught. NOODLE SWING Somewhat creepy and sloth-like, the Noodle Swings can be seen all over the jungle. Their limbs may look weak but they can propel their bodies like ragdolls from tree to tree with ease. Most of what they eat are fruits, berries and insects. The odd feelers around their mouths are constantly picking up food and helping them eat as they travel. Noodle Swings rarely take breaks but when they sleep, they sleep scattered across the highest branches of the jungle. They are generally skittish but if threatened will wrap around the threat and squeeze tight like a snake in the hopes of killing it. HORRORSLOTH Horrorsloths are well-named, for the sight of their ten feet of lumbering mass has most animals running for cover. In most respects they seem to be almost gentle and can be found in mated pairs or alone, flicking up bugs with their tongues and scratching their massive bodies against trees. But when they're hungry, they move with shocking speed and single-mindedness to hunt any prey within sight. Their claws have poison in the tips that causes dizziness and disorientation, while their bite can numb, making them dangerous predators to anything in the jungle.

ROUNDSAW Roundsaws are a special river creature that have developed here on the island. Roughly ten to fifteen feet long, these odd fish latch onto prey with their tentacles and teeth and saw through their food messily and painfully. This process attracts numerous fish to the sites of their massacres, feeding much of the river with their leftovers. Round saws are aggressive but incapable of coming onto land. Instead, they lurk in the shallows, still sometimes for hours before prey comes in to drink. That's when the river runs red. LIZARD HORSE Lizard Horses are a gentle, proud species that prefer defense to offense. Large enough to be ridden, they can be tamed and trained with surprising ease if a dedicated enough person wants to give it a try. The males make for the best horses, though it's harder to get them away from protective females. The females, though, can cover more terrain with ease. Observations say the males actually raise their young while females stay alert for predators. Their powerful legs pack a punch for any creature foolish enough to fight them head-on. For those wanting more use out of their horses, their noses are so powerful they can't get lost anywhere in the jungle. SHRUBBACK & SHROOMBACK Shrubbacks and Shroombacks are two closely related species that function in similar ways. With both, the plants growing on their backs are symbiotic and dangerous. They can attach to anything living and grow on them in a parasitic nature, however Shrubbacks and Shroombacks have evolved to work with them. It means eating a lot. Most of their lives are devoted to eating and as omnivores they're very good at it. The only real difference between them is that Shrubbacks are generally less aggressive and prefer prey to be dead or a plant, scavenging for food. Shroombacks instead blend into their environment and attack the moment prey is too close to know what hit them. Their odd feet have hooks that latch into prey and make it difficult to run away. The more they struggle, the deeper the hooks twist.

THE UNDERWATER ISLANDS A network of landmasses supported by giant Floaters, the Underwater Islands are a strange sight. These islands float, suspended in the water, on the proverbial backs of Floaters. Similar to Floater Island, these islands show what Floater Island must have been like perhaps hundreds of years ago, part of a chain of islands that once broke the surface. How these landmasses are lifted from the sea bed is a mystery but probably not an important one. The sea floor below is rocky and shows exposed lava vents where the land once was. Until they come to the surface, they form a diverse ecosystem. Eighteen islands in total make up the vast area and some are even quite large, supporting their own cave systems. An Aurora wreck lies here as well, apparently once used by another crew as a camping site, which couldn't have been that long ago. Still, for now it is abandoned and awaits scavenging.

BONESHARKS Aggressive predators, Bonesharks can be found here in abundance. They usually are slow and calm, patrolling the waters near food sources and nesting grounds. However, if these nests are threatened or their hunger gets the better of them, they move with lightning speed and single-minded purpose. They are usually nighttime hunters, their sensitivity to light meaning they're ideal for spotting the bioluminescent glow of other fish. Their tough exoskeleton allows them to survive the aggressive behavior of other Bonesharks and even larger predators. MANY FINS A strange scavenger, the Many Fins is ideal for this environment. It developed alongside the Boneshark, growing protective, hard fins that make eating it or biting into it difficult for the shark. On top of that, it can be seen almost taunting the sharks by swimming around them. It does this so once the sharks do have prey, it can easily pick off pieces left in the water. Although it mostly eats leftovers, it can hunt on its own, but seems to just prefer not to. INTESTINE The Intestine might have a gross appearance but it's a gentle filter feeder. It travels the ocean without eyes, using high frequency sonar to find its way around the islands. It may have adapted to environments with a great many objects to form maps in its mind. These creatures seem to invite swimmers, used to fish traveling around them to pick off parasites and other tiny terrors from its skin.

THE VOID A sudden drop-off that exists near the Aurora leads to the Void. A deep, dark place, it's nothing but open ocean for miles, stretching down far into the abyss. Many creatures live here but few are ever seen. Most live isolated lives hunting for food. Little is actually known about its depths. The Sea Dragon spends most of its time here, where it feasts on the massive creatures that inhabit the Void as well as the ones forced to migrate through it. It's a dangerous place, so please don't go here.

TITIANA Titania is a mysterious species. They're perfectly adapted to the dark conditions of the Void and seem to only live there without migrating elsewhere. Solitary creatures, they can go years without seeing another of their species. Because of this mating is crucial and happens whenever one of the species meets another. It's possible they lay their eggs deep down in caves to allow them the best chance of survival. Despite their size and appetites, they're relatively gentle creatures. CUTE FISH Cute Fish can be found in the Void. Why their species is able to live there is a mystery. Like most Void species they've adapted to both darkness and light, having varying sensitivity depending on how much a light source provides. Cute Fish seem to live in family groups that are closely knit. This may be the reason that despite having many natural predators, they seem to thrive. Given the discovery of a Cute Fish egg outside of the Void, it's possible they lay their eggs elsewhere. EEL DRAGONS Eel Dragons are predators that live deep in the depths of the Void. Little is known about these giants. These creatures seem to prey on anything that appears nearby. They have adapted solely to dark conditions and are unable to thrive outside of them. Because of this they usually can't be found anywhere but the deepest reigns of the Void, where they often have massive battles against Titania for food.

THE GRAND REEF An area of glimmering lights in the darkness, the Grand Reef is a beautiful place. Home to an abundance of life, it's hard to swim around without running into a school of jellyrays or other fish, all glowing brilliantly in the dark. This is an area where the bioluminescence really shines and even darker areas are lit by heated smoke stacks. Even the plant life here shines. Odd but fragile floating stones grace the sea floor, tied up in their own roots as they sway gently in the currents. Equally beautiful are the membrane trees that host delicate ecosystems inside their protective covers. Three large pieces of the Aurora have settled here, one in the sea treader's path and two others on the sea floor. They're still full of various goodies to be found, their contents scattered around. Interestingly, some structures here almost look like they were terraformed. The Grand Reef is also home to what may be the final Degasi base. Datapads indicate that temperatures were running high during their time in this base. Structural damage, meanwhile, seems to point to something devastating happening to the base. All signs show no human life in the area. Perhaps they went deeper.

JELLYRAYS Jellyrays are a small species of ray common to the ocean but especially common to the Grand Reef. You can hardly swim a foot without running into these creatures. They are, however, docile enough to allow fish and even swimmers to swim alongside them. They eat only micro organisms and communicate in brilliant displays of color. This unfortunately makes them popular prey. CRABSQUIDS Crabsquids are a surprisingly violent and well-adapted predator that lurks in the darkness. While speed may not be on its side, it has a powerful EMP attack that ripples through the water and causes equipment to breakdown wile stunning unfortunate prey. It is attracted to light and able to track even small, distant sources of light with ease. SEA TREADER The elephants of the ocean, Sea Treaders can be found walking the ocean floor in large herds. They follow migratory paths through massive caves and well-worn tracks. Baby Sea Treaders are found in the center of the group, protected from predators. They use their long snouts as a third foot and graze as they walk, ever eating. Their feces is wonderful fertilizer.

THE LOST RIVER With an eerie green glow and gloomy, murky waters, the Lost River is indeed something out of a ghost story. Most of the bottom of this biome is covered in large rivers of brine that are highly acidic to the touch and dangerous to organic matter. Smaller caves can be found with the river still snaking through. Untold amounts of fossils and skeletons can be found littering the ground and the sticking out of the deep rivers. In fact, it could be said this is an excellent place to make new discoveries in ancient marine life. A few jaw-dropping, massive skeletons can be found, one in particular creating an area called the Bond Fields. This appears to be a hopefully extinct subspecies of the Sea Dragon. Sea Dragon fossils can also be found amidst the forests of odd trees and branches. Nearby, a large lake pools around a massive tree in a cave, a surreal, dreamlike scene. Most interesting about the Lost River is a base left behind by an alien race that studied the marine life of the planet. It seems to have been some sort of disease research facility, however it was destroyed by the Sea Dragon in a rampage. The inside of the structure is just as alien as you would expect, though luckily it hasn't flooded yet from the damages. Many holding aquariums still exist. Entry can be gained through a moonpool.

SNUFFLER A large but docile creature, the Snuffler can be found in the deepest areas of the Lost River. This creature feeds off plankton and other micro organisms as well as the remains of dead creatures on the bottom of the river. Its snout is thick and tough enough to withstand the acidic brine of the river so that it can sniff out and eat any small particles of food it finds. It is highly sensitive to movement in the water. GHOSTRAY Ghostrays are a large species of ray found only in the Lost River biome. These massive but gentle giants earn their name by ghosting though the biome, often with their bioluminescence off. Combined with their powerful wings, they can sneak up on small fish and catch them with ease. Ghostrays are one of the few that can survive the acidic brine river thanks to a thick, clear mucus on their bodies. RIVER PROWLER The River Prowler is one of the most aggressive and largest animals in the biome. With speed and powerful jaws on its side, the River Prowler can attack, hard and sudden, slipping back into the depths only to attack again. This hit and run style of catching prey is due to the fact that in a straight fight, their soft cartilage bodies would do poorly. The tendrils around its face sting prey that get too close.

THE DREAMSCAPE A surreal landscape of bright colors and dazzling light, the Dreamscape can be considered the heart of the planet. A place reached through dreaming, the Dreamscape is very real despite it. It's a warm, gentle ocean here, one the crew members might not want to leave. It is the true nature of the ocean, the soul of the planet that's layered parallel to the waking world, and in many ways it is the place you are safest. No harm can befall someone while in the Dreamscape, allowing them to freely explore the ocean without fear of death. Of course, pain is still possible and fights can still be an unpleasant experience. But it's better than the alternative in many cases. The creatures of the world also exist here and are easier to understand, speaking something akin to the languages the crew members speak. Actions taken with them will carry over to the waking world, meaning kindness here may be repaid with kindness later, while aggression could be met with aggression later. The creatures here behave mostly how you would expect: Birdogs are kind, Reapers are cruel, Angel Wings are devious and so forth. What truly makes it exceptional is the abilities people gain. Magic is stronger and better thanks to the spiritual energy of the planet. People can tap into empathy links via telepathy to share feelings directly. They can build and recreate places and even people to an extent as much as they want, though it stays rooted in the memories.