Climate and Biomes

Ice

This biome encompasses two major types: polar ice caps and high mountain tops. Both are characterised by a cold climate that averages below freezing throughout the year. There is little to no vegetation, and frequent snowstorms and a lack of landmarks make it easy to get lost. In the mountains, additional dangers can include crevasses, avalanches, and thin air. Mountaintops are particularly sparse and few animals live there year round. By contrast the polar ice caps boast a thriving marine ecosystem full of plankton, fish, and larger swimmers. As both of Ryll's poles lie over frozen ocean rather than land, it's not as hard to find food if you know how to swim.

Ryll's poles are almost exclusively inhabited by Polar kiarrcats, the only species adapted to the harsh conditions. By contrast the mountaintops are sparser as there is little game to sustain a meaningful population, although a few wandering Mountain kiarrcats might be found, often migrating below the snowline in leaner times. There are also a few Polars, descended from those who travelled to the only parts of Ryll's lower latitudes they could survive in, so as to be less isolated from the world. In both cases there are few permanent settlements. Moving from place to place is the only way to prevent exhausting the local food supply.

Tundra/alpine

Tundra proper refers to frozen, polar plains, but it can also encompass the similar biome found on mountain slopes, above the trees but below the snow. Both are characterised by a long and cold winter that dips well below freezing, and a short, cool to mild summer. During this summer, the tundra explodes with life. Most animals either hibernate or migrate to escape the winter. Vegetation is low to the ground to escape the cold winds - grasses and small shrubs dominate the landscape. Animals tend to be divided into small, furry, explosive breeders, or larger migratory grazers and predators.

The kiarrcats that live here are similar to those in the ice regions - Polars and Mountains - although they are more numerous and more likely to live in stationary settlements. Mountainous environments may also be home to Air kiarrcats, who launch themselves into the sky from the heights. These settlements tend to be small, as crops cannot be grown in the thin, frozen soil, and hunting is the major source of food.

Taiga

Taiga consists of coniferous forests, found at both high latitudes immediately north or south of the tundra, and mountainsides below the tree line. Taiga is often thought of as being very cold, but in truth it can endure vast temperature swings - winters may be well below freezing, and summers very hot, especially in continental interiors. Taiga forests are often very quiet and somber, the light filtering in from above past huge pines. The undergrowth is somewhat sparse compared to temperate and tropical forests, making taiga a little easier to navigate.

Taiga environments can be quite rich in terms of kiarrcat inhabitants. The most common are Forests, at the cooler edges of their range, whilst Polars and Mountains may migrate here in the winter to mingle and trade with the permanent inhabitants and find food.

Temperate forest

Temperate forests are dominated by deciduous trees, mild temperatures year round, and relatively high levels of rainfall. That said, this is quite a varied biome, with temperatures ranging from sub-polar to sub-tropical. They usually occur in mid-latitude areas, though variants may be found on tropical mountainsides too cool to sustain a warmer climate. The range of plants, animals, and other life within these forests is very variable as well. If moving off the beaten path, it can be difficult to get around, as the undergrowth is thick and impedes movement for those who can't simply climb through the trees.

Very obviously, the most common inhabitants here are Forest kiarrcats, although they may be joined by Rainforests in the warmer reaches or even the odd Grassland in sparser woods. They usually live in stationary settlements, some of which are very large, and very often based within the trees themselves. A lot of Forest territory is more managed than it looks, as the residents will encourage the growth of useful plants or prey animals.

Temperate grassland

This biome is found in continental interiors and dry coasts where the rainfall is too low to sustain forests. It may also be found in tropical areas where the altitude is too high to allow savannah or desert. As might be obvious it is dominated by grasses and a few scattered shrubs. Temperatures throughout the year can be very varied, with bitterly cold winters, yet blazing hot summers. Grazing animals are common here, and a range of predators follow the herds. There is very little shelter here, so animals too big to burrow simply tough out the harsher weather. Most of these animals rely on speed to catch their prey or escape predators, as it's not easy to hide here. This is fairly easy terrain to cross, but it is easy to be spotted.

Grassland kiarrcats are the most common inhabitants here, with some Savannahs or even the odd Desert passing through during the summer. Populations are roughly split between stationary and nomadic, with the latter more common in drier regions. Both populations are strongly influenced by the yearly migration of the prey herds.

Savannah

These tropical plains experience high temperatures all around and distinct wet and dry seasons. Ryll's savannah biome is very variable, ranging from near desert to stands of trees closer to the rainforests. Much of the savannah is dominated by grass and shrubs. The landscape is often dotted with trees, which are specially adapted to retain water. Some of Ryll's most impressive wildlife lives here, including giant grazing animals that even the toughest predator would think twice about trying to bring down.

This biome is dominated by Savannah kiarrkats, though Deserts may also find the high temperatures to their liking, and Grasslands may wander here from time to time. As with the temperate grasslands, there is an even split between stationary and nomadic herd following populations, again with the latter being more common in the drier parts of the savannah.

Tropical rainforest

This is the richest of all of Ryll's biomes. Hot and humid year round, the rainforest provides perfect conditions for a massive variety of plants and the animals that live on them. This biome encompasses monsoon forest, found at the borders with the savannahs, and true rainforest, found deeper in. Monsoon forest experiences a dry season, though not as prolonged as that of the savannah, whilst true rainforest experiences consistent heavy rain all year. Though beautiful, the rainforest can be a dangerous place. Movement is hindered by thick plant growth, and many of the animals (and some of the plants) are more than happy to make a meal out of an unwary traveller.

The most common species here, obviously, are the Rainforest kiarrcats, but the watery conditions make it a good home for Waters who don't mind the heat. Some Forests may also settle in the cooler reaches, close to their temperate equivalents.

Desert

Hot and dry year round, this is one of Ryll's harshest climates. Vegetation is sparse, though sudden blooms will occur after rare spells of rain. Most plants here are adapted to conserve water, and have a variety of defences against creatures that would try to steal it, including thorns, a noxious taste, or chemical deterrents. Animals are often small and nocturnal, so as to avoid the intense daytime heat, though some larger creatures are capable of toughing it out. Just like the plants, animals here will conserve water where they can, and require less of it than similar creatures from other environments.

Desert kiarrcats, being well adapted to the heat and dryness, are the most common here, followed by Savannahs. Stationary settlements are rare - in the dry depths, it's better to keep moving to allow the game to replenish. Permanant settlements only spring up around reliable sources of water, such as rivers. These are the largest centres of population in the desert, and also mean that paradoxically, most Deserts will come into contact with Water kiarrcats at some point in their lives.

Aquatic

These are listed together as follows:

• Freshwater: Freshwater habitats include lakes, rivers, and wetlands/swamps. Such habitats are common across Ryll and usually play host to Water kiarrcats, as well as whatever inhabitants can be found in the surrounding habitat. Rainforests are also common in tropical watery areas.
• Coasts: Coasts are very varied, ranging from gentle beaches, to rocky cliffs, to estuaries and mangroves. As with freshwater environments, Waters are often found here, though in cold regions they are replaced with Polars, and in tropical areas Rainforests become more common. Air kiarrcats are also fond of rocky coasts, the cliffs giving them a great vantage point to take wing from.
• Ocean: Shallow seas are awash with life, though obviously very few kiarrcats are to be found here. Some Waters, Polars, and Rainforests, nevertheless, make their homes on floating rafts, diving to find food and spending most of their time in the water. Open ocean, by contrast, is much emptier. The only signs of life are the odd migrating family of Waters (the only species willing to swim so far out) or an Air passing overhead, en route to distant lands.

Subterranean

Cave systems are common all across Ryll. Once away from the surface, caves become cold and dark, and few creatures live here due to the lack of sunlight. Conditions can be very cramped and claustrophobic, and getting trapped or caught in a cave-in is a constant hazard. Ryll's caves are populated by the elusive Cave kiarrcats, who are well adapted to the dark, cold, cramped spaces.