Coast Terrain
Guide to the Coast
Worldbuilding
Coastal regions are not just stretches of sand and seagrass. They include thriving ecosystems that comprise many terrains, each with its own plant and animal life and challenges to character survival.
It is the goal of this post to add some more visual and literary terms to your DM vocabulary, as well as presenting some thoughts on survival and a list of potential monsters.
“Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you, smiling, frowning, inviting, grand, mean, insipid, or savage, and always mute with an air of whispering, "Come and find out."
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
Post Soundtrack
Overview A coastline or a seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean, or a line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake.
The term coastal zone is a region where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs. Both the terms coast and coastal are often used to describe a geographic location or region.
A pelagic coast refers to a coast which fronts the open ocean, as opposed to a more sheltered coast in a gulf or bay. A shore, on the other hand, can refer to parts of land adjoining any large body of water, including oceans (sea shore) and lakes (lake shore).
Waves erode coastline as they break on shore releasing their energy; the larger the wave the more energy it releases and the more sediment it moves. Coastlines with longer shores have more room for the waves to disperse their energy, while coasts with cliffs and short shore faces give little room for the wave energy to be dispersed. In these areas the wave energy breaking against the cliffs is higher, and air and water are compressed into cracks in the rock, forcing the rock apart, breaking it down. Sediment deposited by waves comes from eroded cliff faces and is moved along the coastline by the waves. This forms an abrasion or cliffed coast.
The coast and its adjacent areas on and off shore are an important part of a local ecosystem: the mixture of fresh water and salt water (brackish water) in estuaries provides many nutrients for marine life. Salt marshes and beaches also support a diversity of plants, animals and insects crucial to the food chain.
The high level of biodiversity creates a high level of biological activity, which has attracted human activity for thousands of years.
The coast is a frontier that nations have typically defended against military invaders, smugglers and illegal migrants. Fixed coastal defenses have long been erected in many nations and coastal countries typically have a navy and some form of coast guard.
Coasts, especially those with beaches and warm water, attract tourists. In many island nations such as those of the Mediterranean, South Pacific and Caribbean, tourism is central to the economy. Coasts offer recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, surfing, boating, and sunbathing.
Terrain Coasts have many kinds of terrain through many types of biomes, and while this is not a comprehensive list, it should go a long way into giving you some alternate ideas beyond sand and cliffs.
Really Good Illustration
Bay: A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a gulf, sea, sound, or bight
Cove: A cove is a small type of bay or coastal inlet. Coves usually have narrow, restricted entrances, are often circular or oval, and are often situated within a larger bay. Small, narrow, sheltered bays, inlets, creeks, or recesses in a coast are often considered coves. Colloquially, the term can be used to describe a sheltered bay.
Headland: A headland (or simply head) is a coastal landform, a point of land usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water. It is a type of promontory. A headland of considerable size often is called a cape. Headlands are characterized by high, breaking waves, rocky shores, intense erosion, and steep sea cliffs. Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is flanked by land on three sides, whereas a headland is flanked by water on three sides
Peninsula: A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on the majority of its border, while being connected to a mainland from which it extends. The surrounding water is usually understood to be continuous, though not necessarily named as a single body of water. Peninsulas are not always named as such; one can also be a headland, cape, island promontory, bill, point, or spit.
Coastal Features Formed by Sediment Beach: A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, or cobblestones. The particles can also be biological in origin, such as mollusc shells or coralline algae.
Dune System: In physical geography, a dune is a hill of loose sand built by aeolian processes (wind) or the flow of water. Dunes occur in different shapes and sizes, formed by interaction with the flow of air or water.
Mudflat: Mudflats or mud flats, also known as tidal flats, are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides or rivers. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, bayous, lagoons, and estuaries. Mudflats may be viewed geologically as exposed layers of bay mud, resulting from deposition of estuarine silts, clays and marine animal detritus. Most of the sediment within a mudflat is within the intertidal zone, and thus the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.Tidal flats, along with intertidal salt marshes and mangrove forests, are important ecosystems. They usually support a large population of wildlife, and are a key habitat that allows tens of millions of migratory shorebirds to migrate from breeding sites in the northern hemisphere to non-breeding areas in the southern hemisphere. They are often of vital importance to migratory birds, as well as certain species of crabs, mollusks and fish.
Ria: This is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. Typically, rias have a dendritic, treelike outline although they can be straight and without significant branches. This pattern is inherited from the dendritic drainage pattern of the flooded river valley. The drowning of river valleys along a stretch of coast and formation of rias results in an extremely irregular and indented coastline. Often, there are islands, which are summits of partly submerged, pre-existing hill peaks.
Ria Coast: This is a coastline having several parallel rias separated by prominent ridges, extending a distance inland. The sea level change that caused the submergence of a river valley may be either eustatic (where global sea levels rise), or isostatic (where the local land sinks). The result is often a very large estuary at the mouth of a relatively insignificant river (or else sediments would quickly fill the ria).
Isthmus: An isthmus is a narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas across an expanse of water by which they are otherwise separated.
Canals: These are often built across isthmuses, where they may be a particularly advantageous short cut for marine transport.
Spit: A spit or sandspit is a deposition bar or beach landform off coasts or lake shores. It develops in places where re-entrance occurs, such as at a cove's headlands
Surge Channel: A surge channel is a narrow inlet on a rocky shoreline. As waves strike the shore, water fills the channel, and drains out again as the waves retreat. The narrow confines of the channel create powerful currents that reverse themselves rapidly as the water level rises and falls.
Tombolo: A tombolo is a deposition landform in which an island is attached to the mainland by a narrow piece of land such as a spit or bar. Once attached, the island is then known as a tied island. A tombolo is a sandy isthmus. Several islands tied together by bars which rise above the water level are called a tombolo cluster. Two or more tombolos may form an enclosure (called a lagoon) that can eventually fill with sediment.
Coastal Features Formed by Another Feature Lagoon: See my Guide to the Swamp
Salt Marsh: See my Guide to the Swamp
Other Features on the Coast Fjord: Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. A true fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by ice segregation and abrasion of the surrounding bedrock.
Island: An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water.
Island Arc: An island arc is a type of archipelago, often composed of a chain of volcanoes, with arc-shaped alignment, situated parallel and close to a boundary between two converging tectonic plates.
Machair: Machair refers to a fertile low-lying grassy plain along the coast.
Rocky Shore: A rocky shore is an intertidal area of seacoasts where solid rock predominates.
Coastal Plain: A coastal plain is flat, low-lying land adjacent to a sea coast.
Steep Coast: A steep coast is a stretch of coastline where the mainland descends abruptly into the sea. There is a sharp transition from the land to sea as opposed to that on a flat coast where the land descends gradually seawards. The height of the land on a steep coast is well above sea level.
Surf Zone: As ocean surface waves come closer to shore they break, forming the foamy, bubbly surface called surf. The region of breaking waves defines the surf zone. After breaking in the surf zone, the waves (now reduced in height) continue to move in, and they run up onto the sloping front of the beach, forming an uprush of water called swash. The water then runs back again as backswash. The nearshore zone where wave water comes onto the beach is the surf zone. The water in the surf zone, or breaker zone, is shallow, usually between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) deep; this causes the waves to be unstable.
Sea Cave: A sea cave, also known as a littoral cave, is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea. The primary process involved is erosion. Sea caves are found throughout the world, actively forming along present coastlines and as relict sea caves on former coastlines
Cliff: In geography and geology, a cliff is a vertical, or nearly vertical, rock exposure.Most cliffs have some form of scree slope at their base. In arid areas or under high cliffs, they are generally exposed jumbles of fallen rock. In areas of higher moisture, a soil slope may obscure the talus. Many cliffs also feature tributary waterfalls or rock shelters. Sometimes a cliff peters out at the end of a ridge, with tea tables or other types of rock columns remaining. Coastal erosion may lead to the formation of sea cliffs along a receding coastline.
Barrier Island: Barrier islands are coastal landforms and a type of dune system that are exceptionally flat or lumpy areas of sand that form by wave and tidal action parallel to the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen. They are subject to change during storms and other action, but absorb energy and protect the coastlines and create areas of protected waters where wetlands may flourish. A barrier chain may extend uninterrupted for over a hundred kilometers, excepting the tidal inlets that separate the islands,
Blowhole: In geology, a blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate. Blowholes are likely to occur in areas where there are crevices, such as lava tubes, in rock along the coast. These areas are often located along fault lines and on islands. As powerful waves hit the coast, water rushes into these crevices and bursts out in a high pressured release. It is often accompanied by a loud noise and wide spray
Tides Tide changes proceed via the following stages:
Sea level rises over several hours, covering the intertidal zone; flood tide.
The water rises to its highest level, reaching high tide.
Sea level falls over several hours, revealing the intertidal zone; ebb tide.
The water stops falling, reaching low tide.
Oscillating currents produced by tides are known as tidal streams. The moment that the tidal current ceases is called slack water or slack tide. The tide then reverses direction and is said to be turning. Slack water usually occurs near high water and low water. But there are locations where the moments of slack tide differ significantly from those of high and low water.
Tides are commonly semi-diurnal (two high waters and two low waters each day), or diurnal (one tidal cycle per day). The two high waters on a given day are typically not the same height (the daily inequality these are the higher high water and the lower high water in tide tables. Similarly, the two low waters each day are the higher low water and the lower low water. The daily inequality is not consistent and is generally small when the Moon is over the equator.
Rip Current: A rip current, often simply called a rip, or by the misnomer rip tide, is a specific kind of water current which can occur near beaches with breaking waves. A rip current, often simply called a rip, or by the misnomer rip tide, is a specific kind of water current which can occur near beaches with breaking waves. A rip current is not the same thing as undertow, although some people use the latter term incorrectly when they mean a rip current. Contrary to popular belief, neither rip nor undertow can pull a person down and hold them under the water. A rip simply carries floating objects, including people, out beyond the zone of the breaking waves.
Undertow: Undertow is the average under-current which is moving offshore when waves are approaching a shore. The undertow's flow velocities are generally strongest in the surf zone, where the water is shallow and the waves are high due to shoaling. In popular usage, the word "undertow" is often misapplied to rip currents. An undertow occurs everywhere underneath shore-approaching waves, whereas rip currents are localized narrow offshore currents occurring at certain locations along the coast. Unlike undertow, rip currents are strong at the surface.
Weather The climate of the coast ranges is characterized by cool, dry summers and mild, wet winters in the north. From north to south, both summers and winters get progressively drier in the coast ranges, and variability in wintertime precipitation becomes greater.
Tropical Cyclone (Typhoon/Hurricane) Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbursts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential (see chart). Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Scale Number (Category) Sustained Winds (MPH) Damage Storm Surge 1 74-95 Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. 4-5 feet 2 96-110 Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. 6-8 feet 3 111-130 Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. 9-12 feet 4 131-155 Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded. 13-18 feet 5 More than 155 Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. Greater than 18 feet Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are the deadly and destructive result. Slow moving storms and tropical storms moving into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides, especially in mountainous regions. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Flooding on rivers and streams may persist for several days or more after the storm.
Other Phenomenon Waterspout: A waterspout is an intense columnar vortex (usually appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud) that occurs over a body of water.
Tidal Waves: These are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. A tsunami can move hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and smash into land with waves as high as 100 feet or more. From the area where the tidal wave originates, waves travel outward in all directions. Once the wave approaches the shore, it builds in height. The topography of the coastline and the ocean floor will influence the size of the wave. There may be more than one wave and the succeeding one may be larger than the one before. That is why a small tidal wave at one beach can be a giant wave a few miles away.
Plantlife Coastal Strand: These plant communities are occurring both on beaches above high tide and on sand dunes behind the foredune. Since the establishment and subsequent naturalization of European beachgrass, this habitat has decreased as the width and height of the foredune has increased. The physical conditions of these habitats are adverse and have high substrate instability, nutrient-poor soils, a high exposure to salt spray and "sandblasting" (caused by daily northwesterly winds) which leads to a shifting, sandy substrate. Vegetation on beaches is generally low in species richness and plant cover. On most beaches typically only 2-3 species (such as cakile, beach bursage and yellow sand-verbena) are present on the ocean side of the foredune. These species are typically herbaceous perennials (the exception is cakile) which are evergreen, succulent, and prostrate.
Deflation Plain: Behind the foredune is the deflation plain, which is formed when sand is eroded away to the water table. Since the establishment of European beachgrass the deflation plain has steadily increased in width. Species present in these communities include many species of sedges , rushes, and spike rushes.
Coastal Headlands: Coastal headlands are dominated by evergreen shrubs, usually less than 2 meters tall, and wind pruned tress. Species include coyote brush, salal, black crowberry , common juniper, hazel nut, black twinberry, and wax myrtle. Herbaceous species include reed grass, frosted paintbrush, and Bolander's sneezeweed. These plant communities endure very harsh environmental conditions including, strong winds, year round salt spray, and fog.
Coniferous Forests: Coniferous forests in this region occur on soils ranging from stabilized sand to soils on old marine terraces. These forests are primarily composed of shore pine, Sitka spruce and, in more protected areas, Douglas-fir and western hemlock. These coastal forests have a dense understory composed of many shrubs such as rhododendron, salmonberry, black twinberry, and wax myrtle.
List of Plants Coastal areas are famous for their kelp beds. Kelp is a fast-growing seaweed that grows up to a metre a day. Corals and sea anemones are true animals, but live a lifestyle similar to that of plants. Mangroves, seagrasses and salt marsh are important coastal vegetation types in tropical and temperate environments respectively.
Here's a short, and by no means comprehensive, list:
Sand Verbena (Dune)
Salbush (Dune)
Saw Grass (Dune)
Rushes (Swamp)
Cordgrass (Swamp)
Morningglory (Dune)
Goldenrod (Dune)
Heather (Dune)
Mangroves (Black, White, Red) (Swamp)
Seagrapes (Dune)
Wax Myrtle (Swamp/Dune)
Bayberry (Dune)
Mulberry (Swamp/Dune)
Beach Plum (Dune)
Palms (Swamp/Dune)
Bay Cedar (Dune)
Bay Cypress (Swamp)
Animal Life Some of the animals live along a typical coast. There are animals like puffins, sea turtles and rockhopper penguins. Sea snails and various kinds of barnacles live on the coast and scavenge on food deposited by the sea. Most coastal animals are used to humans in developed areas, such as dolphins and seagulls who eat food thrown for them by tourists. Since the coastal areas are all part of the littoral zone, there is a profusion of marine life found just off-coast.
Here's a short, and by no means comprehensive, list:
Cormorant
Duck
Gulls
Crabs
Lobsters
Octopus
Otters
Penguins
Puffins
Fur Seal
Rays
Sharks
Pelicans
Crocodiles
Turtles
Eels
Foxes
Bats
Herons
Garnets, Osprey
Walrus
Sea Lions
Monkeys & Baboons
Mudskippers
Survival The coast, while looking benign and tranquil, can be a deadly place. Here's a list all the things you should consider:
Coastal Dangers: Using the resources of the sea and land require you to put yourself in harm's way to get these commodities. On land, you may need to watch out for the local poisonous snakes and insects. In the surf, you may get hammered into sharp rocks or coral. Further out in the water, sharks are a danger to swimmers and fishermen. However, if we look at the most likely dangers to a survivor, they are not as dramatic as shark bites and exotic deadly snakes. Dehydration, poisoning by eating the wrong plants, and infections are much more likely to harm or kill someone than all of the exciting hazards combined.
Coastal Resources: If you get lucky and find a stream of fresh water pouring out into the bay or ocean where you are stranded you are in great shape. That sure beats the alternative, which is trying to desalinate the sea water. Since you can't boil the salt out of water, you'll have to create steam and capture the steam in a way that condenses it back into water. One option is to boil the salt water in an open vessel with a piece of cotton towel or cloth suspended a few inches over the container top. The steam will condense in the cloth, which you can wring out and drink. The down side is that it only catches a few drops at a time.
Food Seafood abounds in many coastal areas, but you will need to do your homework as some fish and shellfish are toxic to humans. Many seaweed species are edible, but again - do your homework before you start chowing down.
There is a great variety of animal life that can supply your need for food in this type of survival situation.
Mollusks: Mussels, limpets, clams, sea snails, octopuses, squids, and sea slugs are all edible. Shellfish will usually supply most of the protein eaten by coastal survivors. Avoid the blue-ringed octopus and cone shells. Also beware of "red tides" that make mollusks poisonous. Apply the edibility test on each species before eating.
Worms: Coastal worms are generally edible, but it is better to use them for fish bait. Avoid bristle worms that look like fuzzy caterpillars. Also avoid tubeworms that have sharp-edged tubes. Arrowworms, alias amphioxus, are not true worms. You find them in the sand and are excellent either fresh or dried.
Crabs, Lobsters, and Barnacles: These animals are seldom dangerous to man and are an excellent food source. The pincers of larger crabs or lobsters can crush a man's finger. Many species have spines on their shells, making it preferable to wear gloves when catching them. Barnacles can cause scrapes or cuts and are difficult to detach from their anchor, but the larger species are an excellent food source.
Sea Urchins: These are common and can cause painful injuries when stepped on or touched. They are also a good source of food. Handle them with gloves, and remove all spines.
Sea Cucumbers: Use them whole after evisceration or remove the five muscular strips that run the length of its body. Eat them smoked, pickled, or cooked.
Special Health Hazards Coral, poisonous and aggressive fish, crocodiles, sea urchins, sea biscuits, sponges, anemones, and tides and undertow pose special health hazards.
Coral: Coral, dead or alive, can inflict painful cuts. There are hundreds of water hazards that can cause deep puncture wounds, severe bleeding, and the danger of infection. Clean all coral cuts thoroughly. Do not use iodine to disinfect any coral cuts. Some coral polyps feed on iodine and may grow inside your flesh if you use iodine.
Poisonous Fish: Many reef fish have toxic flesh. For some species, the flesh is always poisonous, for other species, only at certain times of the year. The poisons are present in all parts of the fish, but especially in the liver, intestines, and eggs. Fish toxins are water soluble--no amount of cooking will neutralize them. They are tasteless, therefore the standard edibility tests are use-less. Birds are least susceptible to the poisons. Therefore, do not think that because a bird can eat a fish, it is a safe species for you to eat. The toxins will produce a numbness of the lips, tongue, toes, and tips of the fingers, severe itching, and a clear reversal of temperature sensations. Cold items appear hot and hot items cold. There will probably also be nausea, vomiting, loss of speech, dizziness, and a paralysis that eventually brings death.
In addition to fish with poisonous flesh, there are those that are dangerous to touch. Many stingrays have a poisonous barb in their tail. There are also species that can deliver an electric shock. Some reef fish, such as stonefish and toadfish, have venomous spines that can cause very painful although seldom fatal injuries. The venom from these spines causes a burning sensation or even an agonizing pain that is out of proportion to the apparent severity of the wound. Jellyfish, while not usually fatal, can inflict a very painful sting if it touches you with its tentacles.
Aggressive Fish: You should also avoid some ferocious fish. The bold and inquisitive barracuda has attacked men wearing shiny objects. It may charge lights or shiny objects at night. The sea bass, which can grow to 1.7 meters, is another fish to avoid. The moray eel, which has many sharp teeth and grows to 1.5 meters, can also be aggressive if disturbed.
Sea Snakes: Sea snakes are venomous and sometimes found in mid ocean. They are unlikely to bite unless provoked. Avoid them.
Crocodiles: Crocodiles inhabit tropical saltwater bays and mangrove-bordered estuaries and range up to 65 kilometers into the open sea. Consider specimens over 1 meter long dangerous, especially females guarding their nests. Crocodile meat is an excellent source of food when available.
Sea Urchins, Sea Biscuits, Sponges, and Anemones: These animals can cause extreme, though seldom fatal, pain. Usually found in tropical shallow water near coral formations, sea urchins resemble small, round porcupines. If stepped on, they slip fine needles of lime or silica into the skin, where they break off and fester. If possible, remove the spines and treat the injury for infection. The other animals mentioned inflict injury similarly.
Monsters I've wracked my brain across all the official editions and settings for monsters that dwell in coastal/sea environments. I've taken the liberty of putting them into alphabetical order, and their stats are easily found online. I have no doubt missed some and some will seem like they don't belong on this list. Feel free to amend as you see fit.
Aboleth
Blue Dragon
Bronze Dragon
Banshee
Blood Hawk
Bog Giant
Bullywug
Crabfolk
Cyclops
Deep Scion
Dimetrodon
Dire Octopus
Dire Crab
Dire Shark
Dire Whale
Dolphin
Dragon Eel
Dragon Turtle
Eagle
Flotsam Ooze
Giant Crab
Giant Eagle
Giant Lizard
Giant Squid
Giant Toad
Griffon
Harpy
Kelpie
Kobold
Kopru
Kraken
Lacedon
Leviathan
Manta Ray
Manticore
Marid
Megalodon
Merfolk
Merrow
Morkoth
Ocean Giant
Ocean Strider
Ogre
Plesiosaurus
Poisonous Snake
Pseudodragon
Pteranodon
Reekmurk
Roc
Sahuagin
Sea Cat
Sea Drake
Sea Hag
Sea Spawn
Sea Tiger
Selkie
Siren
Sirine
Sprite: Nixie
Stirge
Storm Giant
Triton
Water Elemental
Water Mephit
Water Weird
Winged Kobold
Young Blue Dragon
Young Bronze Dragon
Zaratan
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/7w738g/guide_to_the_coast/
It is the goal of this post to add some more visual and literary terms to your DM vocabulary, as well as presenting some thoughts on survival and a list of potential monsters.
“Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you, smiling, frowning, inviting, grand, mean, insipid, or savage, and always mute with an air of whispering, "Come and find out."
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness
Post Soundtrack
Overview A coastline or a seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean, or a line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake.
The term coastal zone is a region where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs. Both the terms coast and coastal are often used to describe a geographic location or region.
A pelagic coast refers to a coast which fronts the open ocean, as opposed to a more sheltered coast in a gulf or bay. A shore, on the other hand, can refer to parts of land adjoining any large body of water, including oceans (sea shore) and lakes (lake shore).
Waves erode coastline as they break on shore releasing their energy; the larger the wave the more energy it releases and the more sediment it moves. Coastlines with longer shores have more room for the waves to disperse their energy, while coasts with cliffs and short shore faces give little room for the wave energy to be dispersed. In these areas the wave energy breaking against the cliffs is higher, and air and water are compressed into cracks in the rock, forcing the rock apart, breaking it down. Sediment deposited by waves comes from eroded cliff faces and is moved along the coastline by the waves. This forms an abrasion or cliffed coast.
The coast and its adjacent areas on and off shore are an important part of a local ecosystem: the mixture of fresh water and salt water (brackish water) in estuaries provides many nutrients for marine life. Salt marshes and beaches also support a diversity of plants, animals and insects crucial to the food chain.
The high level of biodiversity creates a high level of biological activity, which has attracted human activity for thousands of years.
The coast is a frontier that nations have typically defended against military invaders, smugglers and illegal migrants. Fixed coastal defenses have long been erected in many nations and coastal countries typically have a navy and some form of coast guard.
Coasts, especially those with beaches and warm water, attract tourists. In many island nations such as those of the Mediterranean, South Pacific and Caribbean, tourism is central to the economy. Coasts offer recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, surfing, boating, and sunbathing.
Terrain Coasts have many kinds of terrain through many types of biomes, and while this is not a comprehensive list, it should go a long way into giving you some alternate ideas beyond sand and cliffs.
Really Good Illustration
Bay: A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a gulf, sea, sound, or bight
Cove: A cove is a small type of bay or coastal inlet. Coves usually have narrow, restricted entrances, are often circular or oval, and are often situated within a larger bay. Small, narrow, sheltered bays, inlets, creeks, or recesses in a coast are often considered coves. Colloquially, the term can be used to describe a sheltered bay.
Headland: A headland (or simply head) is a coastal landform, a point of land usually high and often with a sheer drop, that extends out into a body of water. It is a type of promontory. A headland of considerable size often is called a cape. Headlands are characterized by high, breaking waves, rocky shores, intense erosion, and steep sea cliffs. Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is flanked by land on three sides, whereas a headland is flanked by water on three sides
Peninsula: A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on the majority of its border, while being connected to a mainland from which it extends. The surrounding water is usually understood to be continuous, though not necessarily named as a single body of water. Peninsulas are not always named as such; one can also be a headland, cape, island promontory, bill, point, or spit.
Coastal Features Formed by Sediment Beach: A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, or cobblestones. The particles can also be biological in origin, such as mollusc shells or coralline algae.
Dune System: In physical geography, a dune is a hill of loose sand built by aeolian processes (wind) or the flow of water. Dunes occur in different shapes and sizes, formed by interaction with the flow of air or water.
Mudflat: Mudflats or mud flats, also known as tidal flats, are coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by tides or rivers. They are found in sheltered areas such as bays, bayous, lagoons, and estuaries. Mudflats may be viewed geologically as exposed layers of bay mud, resulting from deposition of estuarine silts, clays and marine animal detritus. Most of the sediment within a mudflat is within the intertidal zone, and thus the flat is submerged and exposed approximately twice daily.Tidal flats, along with intertidal salt marshes and mangrove forests, are important ecosystems. They usually support a large population of wildlife, and are a key habitat that allows tens of millions of migratory shorebirds to migrate from breeding sites in the northern hemisphere to non-breeding areas in the southern hemisphere. They are often of vital importance to migratory birds, as well as certain species of crabs, mollusks and fish.
Ria: This is a coastal inlet formed by the partial submergence of an unglaciated river valley. It is a drowned river valley that remains open to the sea. Typically, rias have a dendritic, treelike outline although they can be straight and without significant branches. This pattern is inherited from the dendritic drainage pattern of the flooded river valley. The drowning of river valleys along a stretch of coast and formation of rias results in an extremely irregular and indented coastline. Often, there are islands, which are summits of partly submerged, pre-existing hill peaks.
Ria Coast: This is a coastline having several parallel rias separated by prominent ridges, extending a distance inland. The sea level change that caused the submergence of a river valley may be either eustatic (where global sea levels rise), or isostatic (where the local land sinks). The result is often a very large estuary at the mouth of a relatively insignificant river (or else sediments would quickly fill the ria).
Isthmus: An isthmus is a narrow piece of land connecting two larger areas across an expanse of water by which they are otherwise separated.
Canals: These are often built across isthmuses, where they may be a particularly advantageous short cut for marine transport.
Spit: A spit or sandspit is a deposition bar or beach landform off coasts or lake shores. It develops in places where re-entrance occurs, such as at a cove's headlands
Surge Channel: A surge channel is a narrow inlet on a rocky shoreline. As waves strike the shore, water fills the channel, and drains out again as the waves retreat. The narrow confines of the channel create powerful currents that reverse themselves rapidly as the water level rises and falls.
Tombolo: A tombolo is a deposition landform in which an island is attached to the mainland by a narrow piece of land such as a spit or bar. Once attached, the island is then known as a tied island. A tombolo is a sandy isthmus. Several islands tied together by bars which rise above the water level are called a tombolo cluster. Two or more tombolos may form an enclosure (called a lagoon) that can eventually fill with sediment.
Coastal Features Formed by Another Feature Lagoon: See my Guide to the Swamp
Salt Marsh: See my Guide to the Swamp
Other Features on the Coast Fjord: Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created by a glacier. A true fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by ice segregation and abrasion of the surrounding bedrock.
Island: An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water.
Island Arc: An island arc is a type of archipelago, often composed of a chain of volcanoes, with arc-shaped alignment, situated parallel and close to a boundary between two converging tectonic plates.
Machair: Machair refers to a fertile low-lying grassy plain along the coast.
Rocky Shore: A rocky shore is an intertidal area of seacoasts where solid rock predominates.
Coastal Plain: A coastal plain is flat, low-lying land adjacent to a sea coast.
Steep Coast: A steep coast is a stretch of coastline where the mainland descends abruptly into the sea. There is a sharp transition from the land to sea as opposed to that on a flat coast where the land descends gradually seawards. The height of the land on a steep coast is well above sea level.
Surf Zone: As ocean surface waves come closer to shore they break, forming the foamy, bubbly surface called surf. The region of breaking waves defines the surf zone. After breaking in the surf zone, the waves (now reduced in height) continue to move in, and they run up onto the sloping front of the beach, forming an uprush of water called swash. The water then runs back again as backswash. The nearshore zone where wave water comes onto the beach is the surf zone. The water in the surf zone, or breaker zone, is shallow, usually between 5 and 10 m (16 and 33 ft) deep; this causes the waves to be unstable.
Sea Cave: A sea cave, also known as a littoral cave, is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea. The primary process involved is erosion. Sea caves are found throughout the world, actively forming along present coastlines and as relict sea caves on former coastlines
Cliff: In geography and geology, a cliff is a vertical, or nearly vertical, rock exposure.Most cliffs have some form of scree slope at their base. In arid areas or under high cliffs, they are generally exposed jumbles of fallen rock. In areas of higher moisture, a soil slope may obscure the talus. Many cliffs also feature tributary waterfalls or rock shelters. Sometimes a cliff peters out at the end of a ridge, with tea tables or other types of rock columns remaining. Coastal erosion may lead to the formation of sea cliffs along a receding coastline.
Barrier Island: Barrier islands are coastal landforms and a type of dune system that are exceptionally flat or lumpy areas of sand that form by wave and tidal action parallel to the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen. They are subject to change during storms and other action, but absorb energy and protect the coastlines and create areas of protected waters where wetlands may flourish. A barrier chain may extend uninterrupted for over a hundred kilometers, excepting the tidal inlets that separate the islands,
Blowhole: In geology, a blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate. Blowholes are likely to occur in areas where there are crevices, such as lava tubes, in rock along the coast. These areas are often located along fault lines and on islands. As powerful waves hit the coast, water rushes into these crevices and bursts out in a high pressured release. It is often accompanied by a loud noise and wide spray
Tides Tide changes proceed via the following stages:
Sea level rises over several hours, covering the intertidal zone; flood tide.
The water rises to its highest level, reaching high tide.
Sea level falls over several hours, revealing the intertidal zone; ebb tide.
The water stops falling, reaching low tide.
Oscillating currents produced by tides are known as tidal streams. The moment that the tidal current ceases is called slack water or slack tide. The tide then reverses direction and is said to be turning. Slack water usually occurs near high water and low water. But there are locations where the moments of slack tide differ significantly from those of high and low water.
Tides are commonly semi-diurnal (two high waters and two low waters each day), or diurnal (one tidal cycle per day). The two high waters on a given day are typically not the same height (the daily inequality these are the higher high water and the lower high water in tide tables. Similarly, the two low waters each day are the higher low water and the lower low water. The daily inequality is not consistent and is generally small when the Moon is over the equator.
Rip Current: A rip current, often simply called a rip, or by the misnomer rip tide, is a specific kind of water current which can occur near beaches with breaking waves. A rip current, often simply called a rip, or by the misnomer rip tide, is a specific kind of water current which can occur near beaches with breaking waves. A rip current is not the same thing as undertow, although some people use the latter term incorrectly when they mean a rip current. Contrary to popular belief, neither rip nor undertow can pull a person down and hold them under the water. A rip simply carries floating objects, including people, out beyond the zone of the breaking waves.
Undertow: Undertow is the average under-current which is moving offshore when waves are approaching a shore. The undertow's flow velocities are generally strongest in the surf zone, where the water is shallow and the waves are high due to shoaling. In popular usage, the word "undertow" is often misapplied to rip currents. An undertow occurs everywhere underneath shore-approaching waves, whereas rip currents are localized narrow offshore currents occurring at certain locations along the coast. Unlike undertow, rip currents are strong at the surface.
Weather The climate of the coast ranges is characterized by cool, dry summers and mild, wet winters in the north. From north to south, both summers and winters get progressively drier in the coast ranges, and variability in wintertime precipitation becomes greater.
Tropical Cyclone (Typhoon/Hurricane) Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several hundred miles inland. Winds can exceed 155 miles per hour. Hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes and microbursts, create storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from heavy rainfall.
Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential (see chart). Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Scale Number (Category) Sustained Winds (MPH) Damage Storm Surge 1 74-95 Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. 4-5 feet 2 96-110 Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. 6-8 feet 3 111-130 Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. 9-12 feet 4 131-155 Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded. 13-18 feet 5 More than 155 Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. Greater than 18 feet Hurricanes can produce widespread torrential rains. Floods are the deadly and destructive result. Slow moving storms and tropical storms moving into mountainous regions tend to produce especially heavy rain. Excessive rain can trigger landslides or mud slides, especially in mountainous regions. Flash flooding can occur due to intense rainfall. Flooding on rivers and streams may persist for several days or more after the storm.
Other Phenomenon Waterspout: A waterspout is an intense columnar vortex (usually appearing as a funnel-shaped cloud) that occurs over a body of water.
Tidal Waves: These are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. A tsunami can move hundreds of miles per hour in the open ocean and smash into land with waves as high as 100 feet or more. From the area where the tidal wave originates, waves travel outward in all directions. Once the wave approaches the shore, it builds in height. The topography of the coastline and the ocean floor will influence the size of the wave. There may be more than one wave and the succeeding one may be larger than the one before. That is why a small tidal wave at one beach can be a giant wave a few miles away.
Plantlife Coastal Strand: These plant communities are occurring both on beaches above high tide and on sand dunes behind the foredune. Since the establishment and subsequent naturalization of European beachgrass, this habitat has decreased as the width and height of the foredune has increased. The physical conditions of these habitats are adverse and have high substrate instability, nutrient-poor soils, a high exposure to salt spray and "sandblasting" (caused by daily northwesterly winds) which leads to a shifting, sandy substrate. Vegetation on beaches is generally low in species richness and plant cover. On most beaches typically only 2-3 species (such as cakile, beach bursage and yellow sand-verbena) are present on the ocean side of the foredune. These species are typically herbaceous perennials (the exception is cakile) which are evergreen, succulent, and prostrate.
Deflation Plain: Behind the foredune is the deflation plain, which is formed when sand is eroded away to the water table. Since the establishment of European beachgrass the deflation plain has steadily increased in width. Species present in these communities include many species of sedges , rushes, and spike rushes.
Coastal Headlands: Coastal headlands are dominated by evergreen shrubs, usually less than 2 meters tall, and wind pruned tress. Species include coyote brush, salal, black crowberry , common juniper, hazel nut, black twinberry, and wax myrtle. Herbaceous species include reed grass, frosted paintbrush, and Bolander's sneezeweed. These plant communities endure very harsh environmental conditions including, strong winds, year round salt spray, and fog.
Coniferous Forests: Coniferous forests in this region occur on soils ranging from stabilized sand to soils on old marine terraces. These forests are primarily composed of shore pine, Sitka spruce and, in more protected areas, Douglas-fir and western hemlock. These coastal forests have a dense understory composed of many shrubs such as rhododendron, salmonberry, black twinberry, and wax myrtle.
List of Plants Coastal areas are famous for their kelp beds. Kelp is a fast-growing seaweed that grows up to a metre a day. Corals and sea anemones are true animals, but live a lifestyle similar to that of plants. Mangroves, seagrasses and salt marsh are important coastal vegetation types in tropical and temperate environments respectively.
Here's a short, and by no means comprehensive, list:
Sand Verbena (Dune)
Salbush (Dune)
Saw Grass (Dune)
Rushes (Swamp)
Cordgrass (Swamp)
Morningglory (Dune)
Goldenrod (Dune)
Heather (Dune)
Mangroves (Black, White, Red) (Swamp)
Seagrapes (Dune)
Wax Myrtle (Swamp/Dune)
Bayberry (Dune)
Mulberry (Swamp/Dune)
Beach Plum (Dune)
Palms (Swamp/Dune)
Bay Cedar (Dune)
Bay Cypress (Swamp)
Animal Life Some of the animals live along a typical coast. There are animals like puffins, sea turtles and rockhopper penguins. Sea snails and various kinds of barnacles live on the coast and scavenge on food deposited by the sea. Most coastal animals are used to humans in developed areas, such as dolphins and seagulls who eat food thrown for them by tourists. Since the coastal areas are all part of the littoral zone, there is a profusion of marine life found just off-coast.
Here's a short, and by no means comprehensive, list:
Cormorant
Duck
Gulls
Crabs
Lobsters
Octopus
Otters
Penguins
Puffins
Fur Seal
Rays
Sharks
Pelicans
Crocodiles
Turtles
Eels
Foxes
Bats
Herons
Garnets, Osprey
Walrus
Sea Lions
Monkeys & Baboons
Mudskippers
Survival The coast, while looking benign and tranquil, can be a deadly place. Here's a list all the things you should consider:
Coastal Dangers: Using the resources of the sea and land require you to put yourself in harm's way to get these commodities. On land, you may need to watch out for the local poisonous snakes and insects. In the surf, you may get hammered into sharp rocks or coral. Further out in the water, sharks are a danger to swimmers and fishermen. However, if we look at the most likely dangers to a survivor, they are not as dramatic as shark bites and exotic deadly snakes. Dehydration, poisoning by eating the wrong plants, and infections are much more likely to harm or kill someone than all of the exciting hazards combined.
Coastal Resources: If you get lucky and find a stream of fresh water pouring out into the bay or ocean where you are stranded you are in great shape. That sure beats the alternative, which is trying to desalinate the sea water. Since you can't boil the salt out of water, you'll have to create steam and capture the steam in a way that condenses it back into water. One option is to boil the salt water in an open vessel with a piece of cotton towel or cloth suspended a few inches over the container top. The steam will condense in the cloth, which you can wring out and drink. The down side is that it only catches a few drops at a time.
Food Seafood abounds in many coastal areas, but you will need to do your homework as some fish and shellfish are toxic to humans. Many seaweed species are edible, but again - do your homework before you start chowing down.
There is a great variety of animal life that can supply your need for food in this type of survival situation.
Mollusks: Mussels, limpets, clams, sea snails, octopuses, squids, and sea slugs are all edible. Shellfish will usually supply most of the protein eaten by coastal survivors. Avoid the blue-ringed octopus and cone shells. Also beware of "red tides" that make mollusks poisonous. Apply the edibility test on each species before eating.
Worms: Coastal worms are generally edible, but it is better to use them for fish bait. Avoid bristle worms that look like fuzzy caterpillars. Also avoid tubeworms that have sharp-edged tubes. Arrowworms, alias amphioxus, are not true worms. You find them in the sand and are excellent either fresh or dried.
Crabs, Lobsters, and Barnacles: These animals are seldom dangerous to man and are an excellent food source. The pincers of larger crabs or lobsters can crush a man's finger. Many species have spines on their shells, making it preferable to wear gloves when catching them. Barnacles can cause scrapes or cuts and are difficult to detach from their anchor, but the larger species are an excellent food source.
Sea Urchins: These are common and can cause painful injuries when stepped on or touched. They are also a good source of food. Handle them with gloves, and remove all spines.
Sea Cucumbers: Use them whole after evisceration or remove the five muscular strips that run the length of its body. Eat them smoked, pickled, or cooked.
Special Health Hazards Coral, poisonous and aggressive fish, crocodiles, sea urchins, sea biscuits, sponges, anemones, and tides and undertow pose special health hazards.
Coral: Coral, dead or alive, can inflict painful cuts. There are hundreds of water hazards that can cause deep puncture wounds, severe bleeding, and the danger of infection. Clean all coral cuts thoroughly. Do not use iodine to disinfect any coral cuts. Some coral polyps feed on iodine and may grow inside your flesh if you use iodine.
Poisonous Fish: Many reef fish have toxic flesh. For some species, the flesh is always poisonous, for other species, only at certain times of the year. The poisons are present in all parts of the fish, but especially in the liver, intestines, and eggs. Fish toxins are water soluble--no amount of cooking will neutralize them. They are tasteless, therefore the standard edibility tests are use-less. Birds are least susceptible to the poisons. Therefore, do not think that because a bird can eat a fish, it is a safe species for you to eat. The toxins will produce a numbness of the lips, tongue, toes, and tips of the fingers, severe itching, and a clear reversal of temperature sensations. Cold items appear hot and hot items cold. There will probably also be nausea, vomiting, loss of speech, dizziness, and a paralysis that eventually brings death.
In addition to fish with poisonous flesh, there are those that are dangerous to touch. Many stingrays have a poisonous barb in their tail. There are also species that can deliver an electric shock. Some reef fish, such as stonefish and toadfish, have venomous spines that can cause very painful although seldom fatal injuries. The venom from these spines causes a burning sensation or even an agonizing pain that is out of proportion to the apparent severity of the wound. Jellyfish, while not usually fatal, can inflict a very painful sting if it touches you with its tentacles.
Aggressive Fish: You should also avoid some ferocious fish. The bold and inquisitive barracuda has attacked men wearing shiny objects. It may charge lights or shiny objects at night. The sea bass, which can grow to 1.7 meters, is another fish to avoid. The moray eel, which has many sharp teeth and grows to 1.5 meters, can also be aggressive if disturbed.
Sea Snakes: Sea snakes are venomous and sometimes found in mid ocean. They are unlikely to bite unless provoked. Avoid them.
Crocodiles: Crocodiles inhabit tropical saltwater bays and mangrove-bordered estuaries and range up to 65 kilometers into the open sea. Consider specimens over 1 meter long dangerous, especially females guarding their nests. Crocodile meat is an excellent source of food when available.
Sea Urchins, Sea Biscuits, Sponges, and Anemones: These animals can cause extreme, though seldom fatal, pain. Usually found in tropical shallow water near coral formations, sea urchins resemble small, round porcupines. If stepped on, they slip fine needles of lime or silica into the skin, where they break off and fester. If possible, remove the spines and treat the injury for infection. The other animals mentioned inflict injury similarly.
Monsters I've wracked my brain across all the official editions and settings for monsters that dwell in coastal/sea environments. I've taken the liberty of putting them into alphabetical order, and their stats are easily found online. I have no doubt missed some and some will seem like they don't belong on this list. Feel free to amend as you see fit.
Aboleth
Blue Dragon
Bronze Dragon
Banshee
Blood Hawk
Bog Giant
Bullywug
Crabfolk
Cyclops
Deep Scion
Dimetrodon
Dire Octopus
Dire Crab
Dire Shark
Dire Whale
Dolphin
Dragon Eel
Dragon Turtle
Eagle
Flotsam Ooze
Giant Crab
Giant Eagle
Giant Lizard
Giant Squid
Giant Toad
Griffon
Harpy
Kelpie
Kobold
Kopru
Kraken
Lacedon
Leviathan
Manta Ray
Manticore
Marid
Megalodon
Merfolk
Merrow
Morkoth
Ocean Giant
Ocean Strider
Ogre
Plesiosaurus
Poisonous Snake
Pseudodragon
Pteranodon
Reekmurk
Roc
Sahuagin
Sea Cat
Sea Drake
Sea Hag
Sea Spawn
Sea Tiger
Selkie
Siren
Sirine
Sprite: Nixie
Stirge
Storm Giant
Triton
Water Elemental
Water Mephit
Water Weird
Winged Kobold
Young Blue Dragon
Young Bronze Dragon
Zaratan
https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/7w738g/guide_to_the_coast/
Fauna & Flora
...
Flora:
Native Plants are ... Common Plants include ... Some other Plants found in this climate includes:- Aloe (Very Common)
- Anserke (Common)
- Archangelica (Common)
- Atramen (Common)
- Calamus (Common)
- Cat's Tail (Very Common)
- Chromus Slime (Very Rare)
- Culkas (Very Common)
- Draaf (Very Common)
- Ecru (Rare)
- Ember Root (Common)
- Felmather (Rare)
- Firethorn (Rare)
- Gariig (Legendary)
- Harfy (Very Common)
- Harlequin's Harp (Very Common)
- Hydrathistle (Uncommon)
- Karat (Very Common)
- Lakeleaf (Uncommon)
- Locust Needle (Very Common)
- Mountain Garlic (Common)
- Quickweed (Common)
- Sabito (Uncommon)
- Sand Vine (Uncommon)
- Sessali (Uncommon)
- Sleeping Ivy (Common)
- Surane (Uncommon)
- Tereeka Root (Rare)
- Umozokai Flower (Very Common)
- Waterorb (Common)
Fauna:
This climate is home to iconic animals like ...Fauna
- Adult Blue Dragon ( Dragon ; Coastal, Desert )
- Adult Bronze Dragon ( Dragon ; Coastal )
- Ancient Blue Dragon ( Dragon ; Coastal, Desert )
- Ancient Bronze Dragon ( Dragon ; Coastal )
- Balhannoth ( Aberration ; Coastal, Mountain, Underdark )
- Bandit ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Hill, Urban )
- Bandit Captain ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Hill, Urban )
- Banshee ( Undead ; Coastal, Forest )
- Berserker ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Hill, Mountain )
- Blood Hawk ( Beast ; Arctic, Coastal, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain )
- Blue Abishai ( Fiend (Devil, Wizard) ; Coastal, Urban )
- Bone Crab ( Beast ; Coastal )
- Canoloth ( Fiend (Yugoloth) ; Coastal, Underdark, Urban )
- Commoner ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Urban )
- Coral Drake ( Dragon ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Crab ( Beast ; Coastal )
- Cyclops ( Giant ; Coastal, Desert, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Underdark )
- Deep One ( Humanoid ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Deep One Archimandrite ( Humanoid ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Deep One Priest ( Humanoid ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Deep Scion ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Dimetrodon ( Beast (Dinosaur) ; Coastal, Swamp )
- Djinni ( Elemental ; Coastal )
- Dolphin ( Beast ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Dolphin Delighter ( Fey ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Dragon Eel ( Dragon ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Dragon Turtle ( Dragon ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Drakon ( Dragon ; Coastal )
- Drowned Maiden ( Undead ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Druid ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark )
- Eagle ( Beast ; Coastal, Grassland, Hill, Mountain )
- Eidolon ( Undead ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Mountain, Urban )
- Elder Tempest ( Elemental ; Arctic, Coastal, Grassland, Hill, Mountain )
- Flind ( Fiend (Gnoll) ; Coastal, Forest, Grassland, Hill )
- Frost Giant Everlasting One ( Giant ; Coastal )
- Gerridae ( Fey ; Coastal, Forest, Underwater )
- Giant Crab ( Beast ; Coastal )
- Giant Eagle ( Beast ; Coastal, Grassland, Hill, Mountain )
- Giant Lizard ( Beast ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Swamp, Underdark )
- Giant Toad ( Beast ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Swamp, Underdark )
- Giant Wolf Spider ( Beast ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill )
- Griffon ( Monstrosity ; Arctic, Coastal, Grassland, Hill, Mountain )
- Guard ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Urban )
- Harpy ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Forest, Hill, Mountain )
- Ki-rin ( Celestial ; Coastal, Desert, Grassland, Mountain )
- Kobold ( Humanoid (Kobold) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark, Urban )
- Kraken Priest ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Lake Troll ( Giant ; Coastal, Forest, Underwater )
- Leviathan ( Elemental ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Lonely Sorrowsworn ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Desert, Mountain, Underdark, Urban )
- Mahoru ( Monstrosity ; Arctic, Coastal, Underwater )
- Manticore ( Monstrosity ; Arctic, Coastal, Grassland, Hill, Mountain )
- Marid ( Elemental ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Merfolk ( Humanoid (Merfolk) ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Merrenoloth ( Fiend (Yugoloth) ; Coastal )
- Merrow ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Morkoth ( Aberration ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Morphoi ( Plant (Shapechanger) ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Nagpa ( Monstrosity (Wizard) ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Swamp, Underdark, Urban )
- Nihileth Aboleth ( Undead ; Coastal, Underdark, Underwater )
- Nihilethic Dominator ( Undead ; Coastal, Underdark, Underwater )
- Nihilethic Zombie ( Undead ; Coastal, Underdark, Underwater )
- Ogre ( Giant ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark )
- Plesiosaurus ( Beast ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Poisonous Snake ( Beast ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Swamp )
- Pseudodragon ( Dragon ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Urban )
- Pteranodon ( Beast ; Coastal, Grassland, Mountain )
- Quetzalcoatlus ( Beast (Dinosaur) ; Coastal, Hill, Mountain )
- Ravenala ( Plant ; Coastal, Forest )
- Red Hag ( Fey ; Coastal, Forest, Underdark )
- Roc ( Monstrosity ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Hill, Mountain )
- Rum Gremlin ( Fey ; Coastal, Urban )
- Sahuagin ( Humanoid (Sahuagin) ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Sahuagin Baron ( Humanoid (Sahuagin) ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Sahuagin Priestess ( Humanoid (Sahuagin) ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Salt Golem ( Construct ; Coastal, Desert )
- Scout ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark )
- Sea Hag ( Fey ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Sea Spawn ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Serpopard ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Swamp )
- Sharkjaw Skeleton ( Undead ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Shoosuva ( Fiend (Demon) ; Coastal, Forest, Grassland, Hill )
- Skulk ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Forest, Swamp, Underdark, Urban )
- Spire Walker ( Fey ; Badlands, Coastal, Urban )
- Spirit Troll ( Giant ; Coastal, Forest, Swamp, Underdark )
- Stirge ( Beast ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark, Urban )
- Stone Giant Dreamwalker ( Giant ; Coastal, Hill, Mountain )
- Storm Giant ( Giant ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Storm Giant Quintessent ( Giant ; Coastal, Desert, Mountain, Underwater )
- Subek ( Humanoid (Subek) ; Coastal, Desert, Grassland )
- Swarm of Wharflings ( swarm of Tiny Beasts ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Swashbuckler ( Humanoid ; Coastal, Urban )
- Swordbeak ( Beast ; Coastal, Grassland, Hearth, Hill )
- Tortle ( Humanoid ; Coastal )
- Tortle Druid ( Humanoid ; Coastal )
- Tribal Warrior ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark )
- Vampiric Mist ( Undead ; Arctic, Coastal, Forest, Grassland, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark, Urban )
- Veteran ( Humanoid (Any Race) ; Arctic, Coastal, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Underdark, Urban )
- Vos'skyriss Serpentfolk ( Monstrosity ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Swamp )
- Vos'skyriss Serpentfolk Ghost ( Undead ; Coastal, Desert, Forest, Swamp )
- Wastrilith ( Fiend (Demon) ; Coastal, Swamp, Underdark, Underwater )
- Water Elemental ( Elemental ; Coastal, Swamp, Underwater )
- Wharfling ( Beast ; Coastal, Underwater )
- Winged Kobold ( Humanoid (Kobold) ; Arctic, Coastal, Desert, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark, Urban )
- Young Blue Dragon ( Dragon ; Coastal, Desert )
- Young Bronze Dragon ( Dragon ; Coastal )
Coastal Terrain Fauna
Any Terrain Fauna
Location under
Inhabiting Species
Any Terrain
Environments