Post by Lynn on Aug 29, 2015 17:58:47 GMT
Sanctuary is a world a little smaller than Earth, but with a similar climate and appearance. Unlike Earth, Sanctuary is about 85-90% water, its only landmasses islands dotting its seas. It has Polar Ice Caps, but they are not quite as large as Earth's, and the general climate of the planet is warmer, more tropical, which leads most to believe this is why its mostly water. This is due to it being slightly closer to its sun, a large yellow star known as Diana3871(so named for the woman who discovered it).
The Aries has crash-landed on one of the largest islands in Sanctuary's middle island belt, an area comprised of nine Islands, though only 6 so far are named and being explored. For now, the Planet's new inhabitants must rely on the things they brought with them, but as they delve deeper they are finding many new things on this previously mostly undisturbed world, including evidence of previous human habitation. This has baffled the scientists of the Aries, for until now, Sanctuary was not known to the inhabitants of Earth. Rumors and speculation abound, but no one has found any real evidence to support any of the odd theories being thrown about, and survival is more important than getting those questions answered.
Sanctuary is home to some unusual beasts, many of whom can be safely consumed, assuming they can be caught. Species on this planet seem to resemble Earth beasts in a lot of ways, at least the herbivores and some of the insectoids do, but they also tend towards being smaller, swifter, and more elusive, forcing the hunters to change their tactics. The guns that were brought have been abandoned as being too loud and obnoxious and been replaced with bows and arrows. Primitive perhaps, but it seems to work far better for them. The main creatures providing food at this time are small, snow white herbivores resembling deer, with stripes of rich black to break up their coloring in the jungle they inhabit, as well as gazelle-like beasts found on the open plains of Threshold Isle. There are also evidences of bird-like beings in the Threshold jungle, but no one as yet has actually SEEN one, so it is unknown as of now whether they are edible or not. Rumors also abound of strange, larger herbivores, roughly the size and build of a Friesian horse, that are extremely shy and also inhabit Threshold Isle. The largest of these beings, it is said, possess long, spiraling horns growing from their foreheads, but at this time, no proof has been brought back of their presence. More dangerous beasts also inhabit the jungles of Sanctuary, including magnificent beasts that are similar to Terran lions, but covered in dark pelts of deepest ebony. The Shadowstalkers, as they've been termed, are generally accompanied by one of the strangest beings the humans have yet seen, a little scavenger of bright neon pink with lime green spots termed the Bearin. In appearance it looks like a mashup of a dragonfly and a pillbug, with overlarge mandibles, and its presence is almost always a good indicator that one is being targeted by a Stalker. The other large predator known to the humans is a stunning beast of purest ivory found in the Threshold plains. This creature, called a Cloud, is similar to a Terran elk, save for the massive saber fangs jutting from its upper jaw. Males are possessed of a magnificent rack of antlers, which have small growths dangling off them that glitter like gems. Unlike the Shadowstalkers, whose blood is poisonous, the Clouds can actually be eaten, and taste much the same as the other ungulates, if a bit richer due to their diet. Both predators can be hunted for their pelts, although it takes a brave soul, or group, to hunt a Stalker, as well as massive, Mastiff-like dogs trained for lion or bear hunting.
In addition to its varied beasts, the Planet is also home to some amazing plants, whose properties are still being discovered by the humans trying them. Already, many medicinal plants have been discovered in the Saltmarsh. They are tricky to obtain, but once done so, they are rewardingly potent, with mostly quick acting effects. These include the Saltroot, a long tuber that can be used to ease sore throats and also possesses a chemical similar to Caffeine that eases migraines if ground and put into water; Gingwa, a small bush with berries that can soothe tooth pains; Yurico(named for the Doctor who discovered its use), which can be used to ease labor and other abdominal pains and resembles a beautiful, five pointed star of snowy white; and Hika Plant, which is the local cure for general aches and pains. Dingbat Flowers are lovely red flowers resembling a puffball that are dried and ground up to be used in numbing agents, although the one using the agent better be wearing gloves or else their own hands will go numb while applying it, and Fireweed is the orange-red root that counters this numbing effect. Both of these are found on Threshold, along with the Quina plant, which is used as a sleep aid and general relaxant.
Other flowers and plants are used for food, among them the spicy Uri root, which resembles a potato save for its vivid yellow hue; the Pippa plant, which can be used in place of lettuce, though its blue shade turns some people off; Bearin honey, created by the little scavengers accompanying Stalkers(for which reason some people actively catch the beasts and are trying to domesticate them); and asper fruit, which are a bright green and taste like the lost strawberry fruits.