One thing that occurred to me on my last trip was the beauty of the jungles of Earthdawn. Whilst floating leisurely downstream on a T'skrang riverboat to Haven, much of the journey occurred through vast tracts of jungle. Jungle forms a large portion of Earthdawn, and unfortunately, many people have little concept of what jungle really is.
Jungles are seen as vast, foreboding expanses filled with thick tangled vines, biting insects, stinking swamps, deadly creatures and a cornucopia of unseen horrors. In reality, however, Earthdawn's jungles are fascinating places.
I shall never forget standing in the Liaj Jungle at dawn. Trees towered above my head forming a vast unbroken canopy, punctuated only by shafts of golden sunlight which streaked to the forest floor before being rapidly eaten up by the dappled shadows. Underfoot, soft green moss formed a carpet blanketing the bases of trees, rocks and everything in site. Most amazing was the silence. In the distance, the Serpent River could be heard gently flowing and ebbing along its ancient river bed. Wind blew gently through the trees, tousling the thick vines and all around, a cacophony of wildlife trumpeted its blessings to the morning sun.
A myriad of colourful bird-life inhabits these jungles, from the colourful fire trumpeter, with its iridescent red sheen illuminating the darkness, to the deadly whoompa which roams the forest floor in search of victims to ram its pointed head spike into. Colourful and deadly serpents roam the tree canopy, whilst underfoot, deep in the leaf litter, hooty toads, and for the very unfortunate, venom frogs, lie in wait.
Despite these much feared animals, there is beauty in the darkness. Each animal is an amazing result of trillions of years of subtle evolutionary change and is a perfect adaptation to the unique climate of Earthdawn (excepting, of course, those twisted and most unnatural products of magic). An excellent example of the brilliant designs of nature is afforded by the whoompa. Feeding off any vertebrates it can find (including humans), this bird is superbly adapted to food gathering. Standing 6 feet high, and walking on two strong legs, it roams the forests with its specially adapted eyes which can detect movement in the low light conditions. When prey is spotted, it races forwards on its muscular legs, making its characteristic "whoompa, whoompa" sound. Upon reaching the prey, it thrusts its reinforced head spike into the unfortunate victim, impaling it, before voraciously consuming it!
Thus my friends, Earthdawn's jungles, although containing much to fear, are also intrinsically beautiful places. Next time, instead of fearing the unseen beasts that lay within the dark forests, I ask you to think twice and consider the brilliant designs of nature. As indeed I often cast my mind back to that moment spent alone at dawn . . .
Azril Darkspell,
Nethermancer and Ecologist.