Grandel Isle

FAUNA

Orizons - are light-bearing hawk-like birds with feathers made from the gold and silver that they eat in the caves on the cliffs by the Red Sea. They light nighttime battles and rip and bite at the enemy with their iron claws and beaks.

Ayrosynses - These are crane-like birds. They have flowing yellow feathers on their bodies that glow in dark places. Flight feathers cover their wings. Ayrosynses birds have the ability to sense danger. They help the Lowlander miners by lighting the dark mines and saving miners from collapses and pockets of deadly gas. They roost at the ganndean trees.

Quadlets - In the marble halls of the palace are immense fireplaces. Around these fireplaces are perches and birdhouses for these small white dove-like birds with four wings. The ones in front are a larger set and the primary flying wings. The ones in the rear are smaller and help with maneuverability and to protect the nest. Under the four wings are blue eyes that glow. When the halls are dark, they fold their wings on their backs and fill them with their soft blue light.

Cressorn - The cressorn is an enormous snake that lives under the sand. It has a horn over each eye that detects poison, so it is able to avoid the deadly streams. They feed on the bodies of the misfortunate that have wandered into the Outer-lands without direction or water.

Blind Diggers - These groundhog-sized creatures do their job to help the Low-land's soil. They help to mix the nutrients and plant matter within the soil. The biggest problem with these diggers is they secrete a musk that has a fume in it. The fumes can make large animals ill and can kill smaller ones. They are blind and have no hair. They never surface, for sunlight will kill them and moonlight will burn them. Their paws and claws are for digging large tunnels and they have oversized teeth to eat the roots they need to fill their bellies.

Under Mouse - Under the soil, these tiny black creatures mix carbon into the soil to help crops grow. They spend much of their lives underground and must be hyper-aware of two things. One is the Blind Digger. The fumes from their muck can kill an Under Mouse. They have been forced to flee their den because of them. The other is the gas pockets that lie in wait to be disturbed. These mice are the only known ones who can detect them. A farmer knows a field is safe when these critters are in it.

Indigo Fox – These white foxes with blue feet have developed a coexistence with the Lowlander farmers. The farmers have a necessity for the under mouse, but they reduced rapidly. The foxes keep their numbers in check. Lowlander farmers allow the fox's presence if they leave their small livestock alone.

Grandel Isle Horses - Three different breeds of horses came to Grandel the day the humans came. They came from across the vast waters to the east of the mountains where the portal sits. They brought the Fell Ponies from the rocky lands of England, the Thessalian Pony from the mountains of Greece, and Shire Horses from Belgian. These three breeds' DNA mixed through the years to create the Grandel Isle Horses. The breeds they are lineage from are all strong and large. Therefore, so is every horse found on the island today. They have huge hooves that can and have broken bones. Their coats are slightly shaggy and around their hooves are tufts of hair. They have long thick manes and tails. Their colors vary between black, chestnut, and gray. Upon them, all have a ten-pointed star. Its location and size vary. The Lowlander farmers, Midlander orchard and garden keepers, and the Highlander army use these horses.

Ladybirds - Several insects live on the island, but these little insects are the most unique and are located only in one area. Their home is in the Festival Fields among the ganndean trees. They help fertilize the flowers and, in return, they lay their eggs on the underside of the petals. They are a small beetle whose back is gold with white spots. Its head and feet are also white. They have plumose antennas that are white.

Hares - A limited number of these interesting creatures have found their way through the portal to Earth and found themselves in some folklore there. The hares have two strong back feet that propel them through the forest. Their fur is a deep brown that helps them blend in with the dead leaves that cover the woodland ground. On their heads are two long ears. The males have a pair of small, light antlers that sit between their ears.


Soaring Cat - These wildcats are the smallest felines on the island. They spend most of their lives in the treetops. Their coats are short and smooth, the color blends with the bark of the trees. A special membrane of skin called a patagium extends from the front feet to the hind feet. It opens when they spread their appendages while in the air. They are pack hunters and scavenge off the larger predators.

Spiroom - They have eight legs and a body composed of eight red-capped mushrooms. Beneath the mushroom caps is a set of eight eyes. They are small creatures that warned the forests of Grandel Isle in search of fallen trees. They feed on the dead trees by releasing their mouths from which mycelium creeps out. The mycelium consumes the tree, breaking it down into soil rich enough for fresh growth and, in the process, nourishing itself. They look for carcasses to lay their younglings in. They tear as much rotting flesh from the deceased creature as they can, bury it, and lay their eggs within.


Golden Deer - A population of white deer lives on Grandel Isle. The males have great golden antlers. They live among the thick trees of the Low-lands Forest. The only ones that hunt them are the Lowlanders, Royal Lions, and the few dragons who stay on Grandel Isle.

Royal Lions - The Winged Lions that reside on the island are the final defense for the Queens. Before the infant queen departs for Earth, to be raised by their fathers, they receive a kitten that has undergone a transformation into large house felines. They maintain these forms until one of two things occurs. Either they return to Grandel Isle or the future queen encounters danger while on Earth. When one of these happens, they burst into their true forms. They have the colors of a domesticated feline with a lion's body. From their backs sprout huge, feathered wings with their coat colors.

Flora

Druid Yew Tree - This transformed tree once stood tall and wide with leaves of green and bared red berries. After the tainting of the Red Sea, it transformed to survive the poison that invaded it. The Yew exists as a bush now. Its leaves are a dark green with sharp spines, and the black barriers are filled with the poison that consumes the sea. A necessity to protect arose within these trees at the time of their change. They send their seedlings to the battle sites where so many have fallen. The seeds grow rapidly and with the help of the Black Roses drive beings of ill intent away.


Black Rose - These black stemmed, leafed, and petaled flowers became so after the tainting of the Outer-lands. Like the Yew Tree, the necessity to protect came to them. The thorns they wield can slice at the slightest touch. If they get embedded, they will dive deep into the flesh until it hits the bone. There, it festers, causing an infection that will not heal until a healer removes the thorn.


Ganndean Tree - In the Festival Fields located in the Low-lands are the beautiful flowering ganndean trees. They have lovely emerald, green leaves, and white flowers that are constantly in bloom from the center of them are what look like white, flowing feathers. The base of the tree is four trunks that have twisted together as they grew. A pleasant smell fills the surrounding area. Around the trees are nests created by the ayrosynse.


Feathery Peacock Fennel - This plant grows tall and throughout the Festival Field. It is poisonous but is let alone for its beauty and usefulness. The upper plumage is an array of blues and greens. It smells of black licorice. If boiled it can be used to rid one of parasites.


Southernwood - The smell of lemons is around when you find these small gray-green bushes with tiny yellow flowers. You can find them in the Lowlander Forest. The people of Grandel Isle believed that these flowers offer protection and help with pain. The Healers also use it as an antiseptic and tonic to help with coughs and congestion.


Hyssop - A small rod that is covered with flowers. The variation in colors are white, purple, red, and a reddish brown. The meadow between the Iron Gate and the Palace is the only area where they can be located. The Grandelites believe they have protective properties, along with several medical properties. Its most common use is for upper respiratory infections.


TREES - Hawthorn and Western Juniper trees compose the Lowlander Forest and the forests on the mountainside. In the Royal-lands you can find peach trees and rowan trees besides providing the many benefits that all trees provide shelter for animals, new fresh oxygen, wind-breaking, shade, food, and stopping ground erosion. These trees also help to keep negative energy off the island. They also provide medicine as well.

Hawthorns - This tree reaches high and spreads its thorny branches. It bears crabapples that the wildlife scarf up as soon as they can reach them. A medicine that helps with blood flow can be made from it.


Western Juniper Tree – These evergreens grow twisted trunks and branches. They have green needles and small tan barriers that look like pinecones. The medicine that can be brewed from this tree helps with colds and boils.

Rowan Tree – The rowan tree is a small tree that has many narrow leaves. It bears bushels of red berries. The berries are an anti-inflammatory.

Peach Tree – These trees bear a large juicy fruit that has fussy skin. The leaves are a dark green that shines in the sun. The fruit helps strengthen the immune system and decreases inflammation.


Earth Dragon Flower - This flower only grows at the mouth of an Earth Dragon cave on Grandel Isle. On the Earth Dragon island they grow everywhere. They are flowers with five teardrop petals in the front and six in the back. The ones in the front are a light sand color and the ones in the rear are a dark tan. The center is deep brown.