Duhukasar
Duhukasar (Chult in the Shadowfell):
Ecology:
There is virtually no sunlight that reaches the earth of the Shadowfell, so the land has a very unique ecology. Surrounding the planet is a particulate corona that blocks out virtually all of the UV radiation that normally would reach the planet’s surface, caused by a giant comet that impacted the planet’s moon, obliterating it. The sun is also a “Red Dwarf” in this dimension, that releases much less UV radiation into its solar system.
In the Stratosphere, the air is thick with lighter-than-air microorganisms that absorb what little UV radiation creeps past the Shadowfell’s corona. These microorganisms are predated by microscopic filter feeders, which are hunted by larger organisms, etc. The ecology is very similar to the ecology of Aeturna’s oceans, with Duhukasar's surface acting like the seafloor. Thereby, most of the ecology on the planet’s surface is a balancing act of Necrophages, Detritivores, and parasites. There are also pockets of algae blooms near volcanically active areas that thrive on the nutrient-rich magma that spews forth.
Another fascinating aspect of Duhukasar's ecology is its reliance on Nodes to the Material Plane and Feywild that spew forth a relative cornucopia of living matter that is hungrily devoured by the native flora and fauna. However, any sunlight that touches these Nodes on the Shadowfell instantly closes the gateway - as though the planet is sealing an open wound to protect itself.
There are also “Dread Domains” in the Shadowfell that are self-contained biomes that are distorted versions of existing locations in the Material Plane. It is unclear how these came to be, or can even exist, but most scholars dismiss them as lazy writing on behalf of Wizards of the Coast, but players are often forced to suspend disbelief in order to move the plot forward. Subsequently, "Dread Domains" are simply accepted by adventurers for what they are: weird and often necessary.
In the sky:
You will find the airborne fungi, algae, and microorganisms that are the life-blood of the otherwise lifeless planet. Many of these organisms are bio-luminescent, causing the sky to glow green, violet, or ghostly blue. There are also enormous floating filter-feeders that resemble whales, jellyfish, or rays that slowly drift on air currents, consuming the smaller airborne krill and algae as they fly. Likewise, there are smaller creatures that are beneficial to these creatures that live in, on, and around them; as well as smaller pack hunters that prey on the older and weaker filter-feeders.
On the ground:
The earth of the Shadowfell has sparse vegetation, but the Duhukasar - the area that is the local equivalent of Chult on the Material Plane - is comparatively dense in vegetation and wildlife. Partly due to the multitude of Nodes in the area connected to the Material Plane, the Duhukasar is a literal jungle, but more resembles a great reef than the jungles of Chult. There are a multitude of carnivorous plants, huge fungal colonies, and massive filter-feeders that cover the otherwise desolate volcanic landscape. Likewise, there are far more herbivores and predators, in addition to hardy Humanoids that are native to the area. As is expected in a world of mostly darkness, many creatures have adapted some form of bio-luminescence - to lure prey, ward them off, entice a mate, or as a dazzling defense mechanism.
In the sea:
The oceans around the Duhukasar are relatively similar to the marine life found in Chult, with the exception that almost none of the animals rely on sight.
Ecology:
There is virtually no sunlight that reaches the earth of the Shadowfell, so the land has a very unique ecology. Surrounding the planet is a particulate corona that blocks out virtually all of the UV radiation that normally would reach the planet’s surface, caused by a giant comet that impacted the planet’s moon, obliterating it. The sun is also a “Red Dwarf” in this dimension, that releases much less UV radiation into its solar system.
In the Stratosphere, the air is thick with lighter-than-air microorganisms that absorb what little UV radiation creeps past the Shadowfell’s corona. These microorganisms are predated by microscopic filter feeders, which are hunted by larger organisms, etc. The ecology is very similar to the ecology of Aeturna’s oceans, with Duhukasar's surface acting like the seafloor. Thereby, most of the ecology on the planet’s surface is a balancing act of Necrophages, Detritivores, and parasites. There are also pockets of algae blooms near volcanically active areas that thrive on the nutrient-rich magma that spews forth.
Another fascinating aspect of Duhukasar's ecology is its reliance on Nodes to the Material Plane and Feywild that spew forth a relative cornucopia of living matter that is hungrily devoured by the native flora and fauna. However, any sunlight that touches these Nodes on the Shadowfell instantly closes the gateway - as though the planet is sealing an open wound to protect itself.
There are also “Dread Domains” in the Shadowfell that are self-contained biomes that are distorted versions of existing locations in the Material Plane. It is unclear how these came to be, or can even exist, but most scholars dismiss them as lazy writing on behalf of Wizards of the Coast, but players are often forced to suspend disbelief in order to move the plot forward. Subsequently, "Dread Domains" are simply accepted by adventurers for what they are: weird and often necessary.
In the sky:
You will find the airborne fungi, algae, and microorganisms that are the life-blood of the otherwise lifeless planet. Many of these organisms are bio-luminescent, causing the sky to glow green, violet, or ghostly blue. There are also enormous floating filter-feeders that resemble whales, jellyfish, or rays that slowly drift on air currents, consuming the smaller airborne krill and algae as they fly. Likewise, there are smaller creatures that are beneficial to these creatures that live in, on, and around them; as well as smaller pack hunters that prey on the older and weaker filter-feeders.
On the ground:
The earth of the Shadowfell has sparse vegetation, but the Duhukasar - the area that is the local equivalent of Chult on the Material Plane - is comparatively dense in vegetation and wildlife. Partly due to the multitude of Nodes in the area connected to the Material Plane, the Duhukasar is a literal jungle, but more resembles a great reef than the jungles of Chult. There are a multitude of carnivorous plants, huge fungal colonies, and massive filter-feeders that cover the otherwise desolate volcanic landscape. Likewise, there are far more herbivores and predators, in addition to hardy Humanoids that are native to the area. As is expected in a world of mostly darkness, many creatures have adapted some form of bio-luminescence - to lure prey, ward them off, entice a mate, or as a dazzling defense mechanism.
In the sea:
The oceans around the Duhukasar are relatively similar to the marine life found in Chult, with the exception that almost none of the animals rely on sight.
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