The Sezani Zoological Gardens

Just north of Sezani, nestled amidst verdant woodlands, the Sezani Zoological Gardens offer a sanctuary for a diverse array of creatures from across the realms.
Despite its humble exterior, the zoo is a haven of wonder and discovery, with winding paths leading visitors through lush habitats and enclosures. Colorful banners flutter in the breeze, and the air is filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves.
The zoo boasts a menagerie of fascinating beings, ranging from majestic griffins and to mischievous fae creatures and exotic beasts from distant lands.
Despite the zookeeper's best efforts, the facility faces challenges due to limited funding and resources. Some enclosures may appear run-down, and certain creatures may not be living in optimal conditions. However, the halfling ranger zookeeper, with her warm smile and genuine love for animals, strives to provide the best care possible within her means.
Visitors to the zoo have the opportunity to learn about the importance of conservation and the preservation of endangered species. Educational exhibits offer insights into the habitats and behaviors of the creatures housed within the zoo, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
The zoo is overseen by a friendly and dedicated halfling ranger named Merryl Greenbottle. With her deep love for animals and boundless enthusiasm, Merryl works tirelessly to ensure the well-being of the zoo's inhabitants, despite the challenges she faces in maintaining the facility. Though she may appear tired at times, her passion for her work shines through, and she welcomes visitors with open arms, eager to share the wonders of the Sezani Zoological Gardens. There's been less support lately, and she could do with some more workers (though, at the moment, she doesn't have much in the way of paying them) and more publicity.

Exibits

The Sezani Zoological Gardens has a rich array of exhibits showcasing the diverse fauna from each continent, as well as the mysterious ocean depths. Here’s a breakdown of each exhibition:

Eumoya Exhibit (Temperate Zone)

This exhibit showcases creatures from the temperate forests, grasslands, and mountainous regions of Eumoya.

Featured Creatures:

Giant Elk: Towering and majestic, these creatures roam the open fields of the exhibit that reflect the Piltona Fields of northeast Eumoya.
Dire Wolf Pack: A pair of these enormous wolves prowls through a simulated forest area that reflects the Rolis Wood.
Giant Birds: Silent and eerie, the nocturnal Giant Owl sits in a large aviary. A Giant Vulture committee lives in an open aviary that reflects their home from the Beinholm Flats, northwest of Sezani. They also have Giant Eagles on display, though they're less native to Eumoya and instead inhabit the floating islands around the continent.
Giant Toad: In a marsh-like habitat that reflects the Aegis Marshes to the east, these massive toads croak loudly, blending into the reeds.
Special Feature: Visitors can watch the "Giant Bird Show" where keepers interact with the birds and show them off. They also show off a domesticated Gryffon, on loan from the Skywardens, for the children to pet.

Arboria Exhibit (Heavily Forested Region)

Arboria is a mysterious, thickly forested continent filled with both plant-based creatures and strange beasts rarely seen.

Featured Creatures

Shambling Mound: A sentient plant mass, it slowly moves within a dense, green enclosure. They often live in the wilds far outside of the cities.
Twig Blights: Small, sinister plant creatures skitter around their controlled environment.
Campestri Small plant creatures that resemble mushrooms. They set off spore clouds that slow people when endangered, so their enclosure is behind glass.
Forest Hydra: A rare, multi-headed serpent that lurks among the dense foliage, its heads always on alert.
Giant Ape and Orangutan: The zoo features a large enclosure for all of their primates to explore.
Panda: A slow, lazy bear, both black and white, that enjoys eating all day.
Special Feature: The "Arboria Walk," a tree-covered path where visitors feel as though they're in the heart of the Arboria forest. There's a huge trunk that's said to be the size of the tree at the heart of the continent, it's false and carved with tunnels for children to play around.

Auclon Exhibit (Desert Region)

The desert continent of Auclon is known for its vast, arid landscape and resilient creatures.

Featured Creatures

Sand Wyrm: A smaller version of the desert’s monstrous sand wyrms, it tunnels beneath the sand in its large, glass-enclosed habitat.
Camel Herd: Domesticated but hardy creatures that visitors can observe and even feed.
Desert Hawk: These keen-eyed birds of prey soar overhead in an open aviary.
Giant Scorpion: large creatures whose poison is much more deadly than their smaller counterparts.
Ankheg: Large, armored creatures that defend themselves with acid.
Special Feature: A "Desert Adaptation Talk" where guides explain how these creatures survive the extreme heat and dryness of Auclon’s deserts.

Solstheim Exhibit (Tundra Region)

Solstheim is a frozen, tundra continent, home to creatures adapted to the icy wilderness.

Featured Creatures:

Woolly Mammoth: Massive and majestic, these beasts wander through a snow-covered environment.
Sabre-Tooth Tiger: Sleek and dangerous, these predators prowl their rocky, icy enclosure.
Frost Wyrmling: A smaller, ice-breathing dragon-like creature that huddles within its cave-like den.
Snowy Owl: A beautiful white owl with keen eyesight, perching in an aviary filled with evergreens.
Special Feature: The "Frozen Hunt," where a simulated snowstorm fills the exhibit, allowing visitors to observe how the creatures navigate the cold environment.

Odeirux Exhibit (Mountainous Region)

Odeirux is dominated by tall, rugged mountains and strange, formidable creatures.

Featured Creatures

Owlbear: A massive, hybrid creature known for its brute strength and sharp talons, it sits in a mountainous enclosure full of rock ledges.
Stone Golem (Miniature): A smaller, controlled version of the stone giants that reside in the mountains of Odeirux. It was created and donated by Axidor Ashfond, who was a Master of Transmutation at the Aetherium Collegium for many years. He donated the golem as part of his will.
Mountain Goat: These hardy, sure-footed animals climb the steep cliffs in their exhibit, a favorite for children.
Griffon (Mountain Variant): A fierce predator, similar to the Arboria griffon but adapted for colder, harsher terrain.
Giant Boar: Large, tusked and heavily furred, nocturnal beasts that come from the Channois Forrest.
Special Feature: The "Mountain Climb Challenge" for visitors, where children can pretend to scale a mock mountain wall, simulating the heights of Odeirux.

The Ocean Exhibit (Creatures from the Breach Cities)

Creatures from the depths of the ocean, including the mysterious Breach cities, are housed in this aquatic section.

Featured Creatures:

Giant Squid: In a massive tank, this creature’s tentacles occasionally wave against the glass, stirring dark waters.
Giant Seahorse: A large, brightly colored, magical species larger than a horse, it swims gracefully among coral reefs. They're often used as mounts for underwater societies.
Octopus: Clever and curious, this octopus navigates a tank filled with puzzles for it to solve. Clancy has tried to escape several times, so his enclosure is given extra protections.
Sharks: Strange fish-like creatures from the Ocean, given a large tank to explore from all sides.
Special Feature: An "Interactive Tank," where visitors can touch smaller, non-dangerous creatures like starfish, stingrays, and sea cucumbers.

The Isle of the Ancients Exhibit

A mysterious and sparsely explored region, the Isle of the Ancients hosts strange and ancient life forms.

Featured Creatures:

Velociraptor: A small, agile, brightly feathered predator from the ancient forests of the Isle. Despite its size, its sharp claws and keen instincts make it a dangerous creature. It was captured by Leoqen Sodre.
Ankylosaurus: A large, armored lizard sporting a knobbed tail. His name is Arty, and he's been raised in the zoo and so is far less aggressive than he would be in the wild. I was found as a baby and brought by Leoqen Sodre.
Feathered Serpent: A snake-like creature with vibrant plumage, never seen outside of the Isle. It resembles a Couatl, but isn't related at all.
Whisperwind Fox: They move silently, eerily so, and their fur will change colors to blend in with its environment. The zoo has a singe one, a female that had a disfigured foot and wouldn't survive, and was brought back by an archeologist, a gnome named Venmyra Bekkadon.
Special Feature: The "Discovery Trail," an educational path with holographic displays and stories from explorers who have ventured to the Isle, like Venmyra Bekkadon and Leoqen Sodre.

Merryl Greenbottle, the zookeeper

Type

Room, Animal, Enclosure