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Magisteria Mods ([personal profile] magisteriamods) wrote2024-10-03 05:08 pm

Flora and Fauna of Magisteria






Flora and Fauna of Magisteria



🐾 Fauna: All Categories


🐟 Aquatic Fauna

The twin disaster fish of Magisteria: cryptocarp and NFTs. The latter are a purely invasive species, and the first are invasive in the context of lakes/ponds. The two fish have quite a few enchantments about them. Most notoriously, when they jump from the water and strike Otherworlders, they can impart a 24-hour curse that induces the unlucky Otherworlder to give bad financial advice.

Take care when dealing with the fish of Magisteria, or use aggressive means during the invasive species culls...




Cryptocarp


Found In: Any moving freshwater. If found in lakes or ponds, please report immediately.
Description: Traveling the rivers in schools, the cryptocarp group together seemingly by colour. Their scales can range in shade anywhere from red-orange to yellow-green and be blotched with white or black. They sometimes beg at footbridges, schools swimming in enticing patterns to persuade the passers-by to toss in bits of food, from bread to lettuce to pellets that are sold by the handful in coin-operated vending machines.

Actually feeding the cryptocarp is frowned upon. The patterns in which they swim are hypnotic when combined with the patterns on their scales, something thought to have come about to lull predators into either ignoring them or finding them frightening enough to leave alone. Now, they use it to gain sustenance and reproduce in the rivers, sometimes threatening the natural habitats of the waterways. The pellet vending machines have been removed multiple times, but it is presumed that someone enthralled by the cryptocarp keeps replacing them.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Debated.



Near-Figmentary Tetra





Found In: Any moving freshwater.
Description: These tetras are an invasive species. At first, the nigh-figmentary tetras were seen as beneficiary as they kept the number of cryptocarp in check. As time has passed, however, their presence has made the number of cryptocarp dwindle by sniping the ability for the male cryptocarp to fertilize the eggs.

These fish are difficult to see, their entire body all but invisible. The only way to spot them is to be inside the water when one swims by and either see or feel the ripple in the current nearby. Even then, by the time they’re reached for, they’re already out of reach. Their invisibility thoroughly bypasses the visually-focused cryptocarp’s senses and brings them into the ideal position to steal the cryptocarp’s spawn. The two species are, somehow, compatible as it comes to breeding, but the offspring, a piebald mix of visible, patterned scales and invisible body, are infertile.

The tetras are big enough to be a food source when caught, and many high-end restaurants sell them as delicacies. Those who buy the dish mostly do so as an experience, however, as the flavour is reported to remind most of those who eat it of despair.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Not friend-shaped, free game for fishing and eating (with ample seasoning).





🐑 Pastoral Fauna


Bloombeasts




Found In: Sacred Nexus, Agrarian Enclave, and sometimes Mysticaire District. Migratory patterns could theoretically cross the Elysian Grove, but their primary dwelling is the Agrarian Enclave
Description: Bloombeasts are gentle and enchanting creatures. Often, they resemble deer and sheep, but sometimes their shapes can be that of other animals. Their bodies are adorned with colorful flowers that bloom and change with the seasons.

As the Bloombeasts move through the Agrarian Enclave and Sacred Nexus, the flora that bloom from their bodies scatter seeds and spores, enriching the land's biodiversity. This symbiotic relationship helps maintain the beauty and enchantment of the Agrarian Enclave. The type of flowers that bloom on the Bloombeasts' bodies changes with the seasons. In spring, their fur may sprout vibrant wildflowers, while in summer, they may be covered in delicate blossoms. In winter, they are adorned with hardy, frost-resistant flora. The presence of Bloombeasts signifies the changing of seasons in Magisteria, and they are often seen as natural emissaries between the spirit world and the human realm. The timing of their migrations is closely watched by the city's residents.

Bloombeasts have a harmonious and calming aura, and their presence in the Enclave promotes a sense of peace and tranquility. Many visitors come to the Agrarian Enclave to witness their migrations and experience their calming influence.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Friend-shaped.





🐁 Rodents


Pygmy Floribounder




Found In: Sacred Nexus, Agrarian Enclave, Elysian Grove, and household gardens in the Mysticaire District.
Description: These tiny rodents are, at most, four inches tall at full leg extension, and they are mostly leg. Their eyes are solid black and their bodies are covered with a dark, mottled brown fur - but though their tall ears have the same fur on the exterior, the interior are vividly coloured like flower petals, and the furred tip of their tail is always dusted with a glittery gold pollen.

They mostly feed on nectar from low-growing flowers, their tail used for counterbalance and collection of that pollen to spread it from plant to plant. An observer can easily tell when a floribounder has recently eaten its fill because, with every hop, tiny flowers in all colours sprout from the ground behind it.

Built in such a way, most people would see these floribounders as ideal prey, but their pollen-collecting tail is actually also their defense mechanism. When a floribounder feels threatened, their inherent magic can turn the pollen they’ve collected into a highly reactive allergen, causing any creature attacking it to be overcome by sneezes, allowing the floribounder to get away. Some animals have even gone into full anaphylaxis, but that severe of a reaction is very rare.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Friend-shaped but avoids contact.



Flutterbuns




Found In: Sacred Nexus, Agrarian Enclave, Elysian Grove, and household gardens in the Mysticaire District. Especially abundant in Agrarian Enclave.
Description: Flutterbuns are unique creatures that resemble a blend of rabbits, moths, and birds. Their bodies are covered in soft, downy fur, and they have large, intricate wings with patterns reminiscent of moth or bird wings. Flutterbuns are agile and skilled flyers, darting and gliding through the air with grace and agility.

Flutterbuns have a diet primarily based on floral nectar. They are important pollinators in the Agrarian Enclave, helping to sustain the unique plant life found there. Their delicate and precise feeding habits promote the growth of exquisite and magical blooms. Flutterbuns are drawn to night-blooming flowers, and they have been observed to gently tend to these blossoms, ensuring their continued growth and pollination.

Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Friend-shaped.





🦋 Insects



Bursterflies



Found In: Aetherium District and High Rise Village.
Description: These creatures rarely move outside the Aetherium District for reasons that, after a glance, are obvious. Their wings and bodies are crafted of thin, segmented metal though they hatch and grow as more organic butterflies do. Their wings, however, instead of fluttering to provide their flight, function more as guide surfaces for their miniature electrojet engines. The wings can flutter, however, to provide VTOL or VSTOL before the electrojets activate with an audible bursting sound.

Their metal can be of any normal metallic shade, though bronze, copper, and steel are more common than gold or silver. While they can have many different finishes as well, their real beauty comes from the growth patterns of their wings, each of which is as individual as a fingerprint.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Friend-shaped, but approach with caution - they can cause small burns when caught.




Lepidoperatives




Found In: High Rise Village and Aetherium District. If seen in Enchantech Assembly, report for removal.
Description: These began as accessories for personal devices, especially used for file transfer, data gathering, and monitoring. The lepidoperative was developed and sold for these purposes and became a trendy accessory for almost every inhabitant of the city. The nanites making up the lepidoperatives could be programmed with many functions and to have many patterns and shapes, often reconfigurable on the fly to follow the hot colours or personal preferences. Some kept their lepidoperatives shaped as scarabs. Others were butterflies or moths with complex and vibrant colours. Others even shaped theirs to look like miniature bats. The only difficulty came when owners of the lepidoperatives passed away.

Without the owners there to deactivate them and seen as an insignificant accessory, the lepidoperatives simply continued their programmed routines until the natural progression began to take place: errors occurred, buffers overflowed, memory filled, and bit by bit, the lepidoperatives forgot that they were accessories. As the lepidoperatives became accustomed to the wilds, more of the “accessory” versions were mysteriously reprogrammed and joined the now-feral swarms.

They’re considered harmless, especially as their diet is sunlight and they deal no harm to anyone. However, sensitive buildings often have pest control shields especially to prevent the lepidoperatives from reaching confidential information and accessing it without permission. A few lepidoperatives have been domesticated again, but these are by far the minority.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Unpredictable. They will not attack, but their intent is unknown.



🌌 Elysian Grove (Spirit) Fauna



Luminari


Found In: The Central Gardens/Elysian Grove.
Description: These aerial jellyfish-like creatures inhabit the Central Gardens of Magisteria. They are known to move in mesmerizing, dance-like patterns, creating a tranquil and enchanting atmosphere. The Luminari have a calming effect on visitors who encounter them. Luminari are also living memory stones, storing the memories and emotions of those who come into contact with them. These memories can be retrieved by individuals through different rituals or negotiations with the creatures.

Luminari are also believed to be connected to the realm of dreams. When they gather in larger groups, they can create a dreamlike atmosphere that induces peaceful and vivid dreams in those who rest in the Gardens. Some visitors come specifically to sleep beneath their gentle light. Luminari are seen as protectors of the Central Gardens. Their presence wards off negative energies and dark forces, creating a haven of tranquility and magic in the heart of the city. While Luminari are attracted to visitors and their emotions, they remain somewhat elusive. They do not engage in direct physical contact but communicate through their radiant displays and the memories they store. The lifecycle of Luminari is a well-kept secret of the Gardens. They are known to appear and disappear seemingly at will, leading to speculation that they may be closely linked to the shifting nature of the Central Gardens.
Friend-shaped/Not Friend-shaped: Friend-shaped if a little shy at times.




Lumens



Element: Light
Location: Anywhere
Description: One of the more common nature spirits, Lumens tend to congregate in more magically-oriented areas of the island but can be found everywhere. Social and curious by nature, they are only seen at night and provide a natural ambience that illuminates the surrounding area. They have been known to follow people that catch their interest and sometimes even make a light trilling sound to gain the attention of others. It is also a special talent of these spirits to find that which is lost. Though they cannot be caught or tamed, more than one lost child or item has been found by a nosy spirit who decided to intervene.
Rarity: Common







🌿 Flora: All Categories



Nightglow Flowers




Found In: All Districts
Description: Most all flowers of Magisteria can grow not only as the lovely blooms that people enjoy both looking at and smelling, but very often, they also bloom with the “nightglow” variety. Drawing on the Bios inherent to the land, the flowers not only offer their beautiful colours during the day but, at night, some refuse to close and rest. These stay open and light the night with a soft glow that, though it doesn’t compete with artificial light sources, still offers a beautiful and unique sight.

In the areas of Magisteria more given to magic, the light more often resembles torchlight. The soft amber illuminates the natural colours of the flowers, making hanging baskets look like a bundle of gently-burning candles. In the areas more given to technology, the petals instead fade and become ripples of a pleasant blue-green light that trace the veins and lines of the flowers in patterns like oceanic waves.

Local botanists and herbalists have become experts in knowing which flowers will bloom as nightglows and some specialize in certain varieties. The nightglow variety isn’t limited by species and, though there are some species that have this quality year round, it’s most often found from early summer to the first frost of autumn, except in well-kept houseplants.
Edible/Not Edible: Not recommended.
.




Variable Hexberries






Found In: Only found on the riverbank of the Mysticaire District.

Description: Native to Magisteria, these berries grow in only one area on the island: on the shore of the river as it passes through the Sacred Nexus. They're popular in pastries for their unpredictable effects. [See table below.]

Edible/Not Edible: Edible, with caution.

Table A:
1:Hair colour changes4 hours
2:Eye colour changes
4 hours
3:Everything eaten tastes like your favourite food
24 hours
4:Everything eaten tastes like your least favourite food
24 hours
5:Skin colour changes4 hours
6:Scales appear on your body then shed away, leaving the effect of a pleasant exfoliation
6 hours
7:Sensation of pins and needles travels over your body
2 hours
8:Gain the scent of flowers, type of flower dependent on anyone smelling you
12 hours
9:Gain the scent of the favourite breakfast food of the person smelling you
12 hours
10:Colour of skin, hair, eyes, and clothing changes to photo negative, even if action is taken to change those colours otherwise
4 hours
11:Gain energy and wakefulness without "energy crash" afterward
5 hours
12:Fall into a sleep state with pleasant dreams
6 hours
13:Grow proportionally 6 inches taller, clothing included
8 hours
14:Shrink proportionally 6 inches shorter, clothing included
8 hours
15:Hands glow, leaving glowing prints on everything you touch
3 hours
16:Gain a sudden and lingering awareness of the cardinal directions
24 hours
17:See those with a strong emotional connection to you with a halo or aura
12 hours
18:Gain the ability to control a floating, heatless source of light of scintillating colours that cannot be dismissed
6 hours
19:Burp bubbles of different tints that float into the sky but pop upon being touched
3 hours
20:Attract butterflies that land on you or flutter about you
6 hours
21:Hair grows between 1-3 feet - can be cut, but will revert to original length
24 hours
22:Levitate ten inches off the ground, but retain ability to move normally
4 hours
23:Scatter glitter with every gesture - glitter can set off pollen allergies
8 hours
24:Gain energy from sunlight, needing water but not food
24 hours
25:Become translucent.7 hours