Flora and Fauna of Balúrail

Introduction

The plants and animals of Balúrail are adapted to its long, cold winters and, in the Western Lowlands, to waterlogged ground. The lowlands are dominated by peat bogs, swamps and light forest, and the Eastern Highlands by boreal forest on the foothills of the Mazissage Mountains. This page lists some of the more distinctive plants and animals of the region.

Flora

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  Balúrail Pine
  The most common tree in Balúrail, found throughout the lowlands and highlands.
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  Balúrail Spruce
  Grows at the edges of the swamps and forms the dense forests of the highlands.
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  Allia
  A fir of the higher, cooler slopes of the highlands.
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  Bagava
  A fruiting plant of the alpine slopes of the highlands.
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  Lumbage
  A pale marsh fern whose leaves are used in teas and poultices.
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  Fraie Irir
  A marsh fungus tied to folktales about silent monks wandering the swamps.
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  Ipuimbe
  A lowland shrub known for its bright red berries.
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  Sejene
  The peat moss that makes up most of the swamps of the Western Lowlands, cut and dried as peat.
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  Espivar
  A saw grass of the open marshes, with blade-like leaves.
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  Cantuim
  Singing reeds whose stems produce song-like melodies in the wind.
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  Belerde
  The common grass of meadows and dry ground.
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  Elurbe
  An edible berry and a food source for the Mifajene.
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  Talme
  An edible swamp berry and a food source for the Mifajene.
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  Elhos
  A poisonous berry.
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  Sendive
  A valuable fruit known for its healing properties.
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  Oeimar
  A lichen that covers the ground of the highland forests and feeds grazing animals in winter.
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  Ledel
  A large bog plant whose long, sticky tendrils form nets that can trap and digest animals as large as people.
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  Porondo
  A fungus that grows on the borders of swamps. Its spores can invade a victim and kill them slowly, and it is cultivated for poison.
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  Uril
  A floating lily of the lakes and slow rivers.
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  Urbilar
  A floating weed that covers still water.

Fauna

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  Aerbicares
  Large one-horned herbivores whose wide hooves carry them across marshy peat.
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  Oeinsos
  Slender, long-legged herbivores found throughout Balúrail and hunted for food.
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  Lersuns
  Large water birds of the swamps that can swim rapidly underwater.
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  Falixes
  Predatory birds that hunt fish in the lowland lakes and rivers.
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  Oimãos
  Venomous swamp lizards that hunt in groups and have been known to bring down lone travelers.
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  Quelotoxes
  Huge winged insects, territorial and known to attack people.
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  Moscanos
  Swarming, biting insects of the swamps.
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  Preguios
  Rare, territorial herbivores of the highland forests.
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  Pallas
  A fierce mammal of the highland forests.
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  Sibelas
  Small carnivorous mammals of the highlands.
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  Passachs
  Grouse that live in the highland woods.
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  Zapusos
  Small, common rodents.
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  Turfels
  Grey-furred pack hunters of the swamps, with long muzzles and pointed ears.
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  Salzes
  Large swimming reptiles of the lakes and rivers, known for leaping from the water.
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  Urinsues
  Large predatory reptiles of the lakes and rivers, with long, toothed jaws.
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  Ivearrês
  A common fish of the rivers and lakes, widely caught for food.
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  Lacutãos
  A large fish of the deep lakes.
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  Puzizes
  Frogs of the ponds and swamps, known for their singing.
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  Lõirues
  Salamanders of the mud and shallow water of the swamps.
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  Indersos
  Large, heavy-bodied predators of the highland forests, with shaggy brown fur and powerful claws.
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  Mozeiras
  Flat-billed waterbirds of the lakes and swamps.
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  Gouvies
  Owls of the highland forests that hunt at night.
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  Oilsurgas
  Bloodsucking leeches of the swamps.