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Description
If you ever get a chance to visit a Hiveland ecosystem (and also gather the courage to walk those hollow mountains), your first impression of it may vary depending on your location and timing. For some, their first glimpses of the Hivelands may show a barren wasteland of sparse vegetation and shattered peaks. Others may find a land of abundance, with roaming herds and slithering vegetation coating the mountainside. Even then, if the same folk go back to the same location months later, they may find a completely different scene! This is because the Hivelands is a very chaotic place, where mountains grow and fall within weeks, and the earth itself hardens or crumbles with each passing day. In such a land, permanence is impossible, as one day the ground beneath your roots may give way or the spire high above your head may come tumbling down. This leads to a very nomadic ecosystem, where even the plants will move as time rolls by! The weather and the seasons may decide where the flora and fauna go, but the biggest driving force is the Mountain Makers. These massive colonies drift throughout the region, building new structures and abandoning them when wells run dry. Each ecosystem has many colonies residing within the earth, and their travels and disputes decide the fate of the entire ecosystem. While vegetation is available in the Hivelands, the most abundant food source to be found are the tiny Melders, the builder caste of the Mountain Makers. These little critters are responsible for building the great spires and structures, which are meant to house the other members of the colony. To even fathom how many Melders are in one colony is impossible, but it is enough to satiate the appetite of many insectivores! Many different creatures feed on the Melders, so they must follow the colony's movements to stay close to their food source. For those who feed on these beasts, they must follow as well! Even plants and fungi tag along, as the waste products from the colony provide excellent nutrients. So if you want to know where the Mountain Makers reside, just look at the land around you. Or at least look for the Naotul.

The Naotul are large insectivores that are found exclusively in the Hivelands. There is no place else they could survive, as they feed entirely on the many insects that dwell within the porous earth. They slowly plod along on six stalk-like legs, using a face full of sticky tendrils to probe every hole and burrow for tasty bugs. To aid in their search is a pair of tentacles that possess a clawed manus. These appendages are flexible and have a surprisingly strong grip. These limbs are used to pull apart small mounds and spires so that they can get their tendrils inside. Practically every appendage of the Naotul is packed with sensors, so that they may feel the vibrations of the insects down below and smell the pheromones they leave behind. Just like every other creature in the Hivelands, they are a nomadic species, following the great colonies as they flow like the tides. Though vibrations and smell are their primary senses, the Naotul have stalked eyes that they use to survey the world above. They are capable of independent movement, and they often dart around erratically as they scan for threats. They are truly an odd beast to behold. Despite this, they are quite a common creature to find in the Hivelands. If you are in the right location, you can often see herds of these shelled beasts grazing on the hidden Melders down below.

While the Naotul prey upon the Melders and other insects in the earth, they must be wary of those who would feed on them. In the Hivelands, though, it is not so much about outrunning predators or fending them off, but never encountering them in the first place. Many species use ambush to take down prey, preferring to sit and wait for a meal to walk by. Active predators do exist, but they are quite rare. I believe this is because the Hivelands are too unstable for any beast to go running about wildly. If you step in the wrong spot, then you may punch through a sinkhole and take quite the nasty fall! I imagine wolves would stop chasing prey if the earth could just randomly swallow them! But in any case, many predators prefer to hide in the many holes and burrows and wait for prey to get close. For Naotul, it is important for them to use their senses to detect these hidden attackers and steer clear. Their tendrils search for odors and vibrations, anything that may suggest an ambush. Their legs also play an important part in this! If you ever watch a Naotul walk across the landscape, you will notice that their slow pace is due to the cautious placement of their feet. Their front most pair will always stretch out in front of them and test the ground, while the rest clamp down and wait. They are trying to detect any empty pockets or unstable surfaces before they take a step. They need to know that the ground will hold their weight, and that they won't punch through the rock. This is especially important if one wants to avoid Pitfall Moles, as they love to make these hidden sinkholes! These little trap-makers can prey on Naotul, or anything that falls into their pit. Acid Slimes also feed on Naotul, but they often don't actually kill them. If you have read my entry on Acid Slimes, you know they are often referred to as "Leg-Eaters." Their caustic limbs can sear through flesh, and they often grab legs of passing prey. When they latch onto a Naotul, they can quickly burn through one of their boneless legs. The Naotul, however, has five more limbs and regenerative flesh. In time, they can simply grow the stolen foot back. So Acid Slimes will often just steal a leg and dart back into their holes, and Naotul won't really be too bothered from the attack. If the time comes to defend themselves, they have their shells to protect them and their clawed tentacles. With a nasty crack, they can whip those limbs like a cat'o'nines and leave some deep cuts. They prefer to stand their ground, as running often means falling through the ground.

Some may imagine that the Naotul are sought after for their vibrant shells and soft flesh, which is quite right. Their colorful backs make for great art pieces and beautiful armor, while their tender, boneless meat is considered a delicacy in some regions. The problem (or blessing for the Naotuls) is that they reside in the Hivelands, and that isn't the safest place to hunt. Not many want to take the risk to bring down one of these beasts, especially since it means hauling the heavy carcass back the way you came! I can't imagine how many hunters didn't realize that their spoils made them a lot heavier for their journey back. Thin shells and brittle earth may have held up for them before, but a laden pack can quickly change that! Believe me, I would know! My rock samples kind of wound up going back into the earth that I collected them from! Along with my tent, bed roll and well pretty much everything else. I did happen to learn that day that I have really good grip strength when it comes to clinging for dear life!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Hivelands require fauna, so here is some more! Started as a nautilus and then I started adding stuff. Kind turned out a weird fusion of a bunch of different things.

Also this turned out to be another entry to help further explain Hivelands and how they work. Go figure!

Description
If you ever get a chance to visit a Hiveland ecosystem (and also gather the courage to walk those hollow mountains), your first impression of it may vary depending on your location and timing. For some, their first glimpses of the Hivelands may show a barren wasteland of sparse vegetation and shattered peaks. Others may find a land of abundance, with roaming herds and slithering vegetation coating the mountainside. Even then, if the same folk go back to the same location months later, they may find a completely different scene! This is because the Hivelands is a very chaotic place, where mountains grow and fall within weeks, and the earth itself hardens or crumbles with each passing day. In such a land, permanence is impossible, as one day the ground beneath your roots may give way or the spire high above your head may come tumbling down. This leads to a very nomadic ecosystem, where even the plants will move as time rolls by! The weather and the seasons may decide where the flora and fauna go, but the biggest driving force is the Mountain Makers. These massive colonies drift throughout the region, building new structures and abandoning them when wells run dry. Each ecosystem has many colonies residing within the earth, and their travels and disputes decide the fate of the entire ecosystem. While vegetation is available in the Hivelands, the most abundant food source to be found are the tiny Melders, the builder caste of the Mountain Makers. These little critters are responsible for building the great spires and structures, which are meant to house the other members of the colony. To even fathom how many Melders are in one colony is impossible, but it is enough to satiate the appetite of many insectivores! Many different creatures feed on the Melders, so they must follow the colony's movements to stay close to their food source. For those who feed on these beasts, they must follow as well! Even plants and fungi tag along, as the waste products from the colony provide excellent nutrients. So if you want to know where the Mountain Makers reside, just look at the land around you. Or at least look for the Naotul.

The Naotul are large insectivores that are found exclusively in the Hivelands. There is no place else they could survive, as they feed entirely on the many insects that dwell within the porous earth. They slowly plod along on six stalk-like legs, using a face full of sticky tendrils to probe every hole and burrow for tasty bugs. To aid in their search is a pair of tentacles that possess a clawed manus. These appendages are flexible and have a surprisingly strong grip. These limbs are used to pull apart small mounds and spires so that they can get their tendrils inside. Practically every appendage of the Naotul is packed with sensors, so that they may feel the vibrations of the insects down below and smell the pheromones they leave behind. Just like every other creature in the Hivelands, they are a nomadic species, following the great colonies as they flow like the tides. Though vibrations and smell are their primary senses, the Naotul have stalked eyes that they use to survey the world above. They are capable of independent movement, and they often dart around erratically as they scan for threats. They are truly an odd beast to behold. Despite this, they are quite a common creature to find in the Hivelands. If you are in the right location, you can often see herds of these shelled beasts grazing on the hidden Melders down below.

While the Naotul prey upon the Melders and other insects in the earth, they must be wary of those who would feed on them. In the Hivelands, though, it is not so much about outrunning predators or fending them off, but never encountering them in the first place. Many species use ambush to take down prey, preferring to sit and wait for a meal to walk by. Active predators do exist, but they are quite rare. I believe this is because the Hivelands are too unstable for any beast to go running about wildly. If you step in the wrong spot, then you may punch through a sinkhole and take quite the nasty fall! I imagine wolves would stop chasing prey if the earth could just randomly swallow them! But in any case, many predators prefer to hide in the many holes and burrows and wait for prey to get close. For Naotul, it is important for them to use their senses to detect these hidden attackers and steer clear. Their tendrils search for odors and vibrations, anything that may suggest an ambush. Their legs also play an important part in this! If you ever watch a Naotul walk across the landscape, you will notice that their slow pace is due to the cautious placement of their feet. Their front most pair will always stretch out in front of them and test the ground, while the rest clamp down and wait. They are trying to detect any empty pockets or unstable surfaces before they take a step. They need to know that the ground will hold their weight, and that they won't punch through the rock. This is especially important if one wants to avoid Pitfall Moles, as they love to make these hidden sinkholes! These little trap-makers can prey on Naotul, or anything that falls into their pit. Acid Slimes also feed on Naotul, but they often don't actually kill them. If you have read my entry on Acid Slimes, you know they are often referred to as "Leg-Eaters." Their caustic limbs can sear through flesh, and they often grab legs of passing prey. When they latch onto a Naotul, they can quickly burn through one of their boneless legs. The Naotul, however, has five more limbs and regenerative flesh. In time, they can simply grow the stolen foot back. So Acid Slimes will often just steal a leg and dart back into their holes, and Naotul won't really be too bothered from the attack. If the time comes to defend themselves, they have their shells to protect them and their clawed tentacles. With a nasty crack, they can whip those limbs like a cat'o'nines and leave some deep cuts. They prefer to stand their ground, as running often means falling through the ground.

Some may imagine that the Naotul are sought after for their vibrant shells and soft flesh, which is quite right. Their colorful backs make for great art pieces and beautiful armor, while their tender, boneless meat is considered a delicacy in some regions. The problem (or blessing for the Naotuls) is that they reside in the Hivelands, and that isn't the safest place to hunt. Not many want to take the risk to bring down one of these beasts, especially since it means hauling the heavy carcass back the way you came! I can't imagine how many hunters didn't realize that their spoils made them a lot heavier for their journey back. Thin shells and brittle earth may have held up for them before, but a laden pack can quickly change that! Believe me, I would know! My rock samples kind of wound up going back into the earth that I collected them from! Along with my tent, bed roll and well pretty much everything else. I did happen to learn that day that I have really good grip strength when it comes to clinging for dear life!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Hivelands require fauna, so here is some more! Started as a nautilus and then I started adding stuff. Kind turned out a weird fusion of a bunch of different things.

Also this turned out to be another entry to help further explain Hivelands and how they work. Go figure!