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Description

It is funny how easy it is to overlook the common things in life. When you do or see the same thing every day, again and again, it almost becomes imperceptible. You don't think twice about it, it is just a routine at that point. So when others ask you stuff about it, you don't act like it is a big deal. Same thing every day, right? Doesn't everyone do this? It's only when you run into an outsider to your day-to-day life that you are given a chance to realize the wonder you often overlook. When they start excitedly asking questions and pointing out stuff you never thought much about, that is when it all hits you. Maybe there is magic in the mundane, because it turns out it is never "mundane" to everyone! So take a good long look at the "normal" and "common" things in your life, and I guarantee you will find that there is something special to it. I bring this all up because I too never realized the wonder within the common things. It came up when I was talking to a colleague who stopped by to visit me at home. They were from overseas, having traveled to this land to work on a research project of theirs. During the personal tour I gave them, I made mention of gardenbacks, which got them all excited. They suddenly asked if we had any nearby and if we could go see them. I pointed out that there was a whole farm of them just down the ways, and they nearly dragged me the whole way there. At first, I was confused about why they were so pumped up about livestock, but then I remembered that this species isn't native to their homeland. Once we got to the farm, they were absolutely ecstatic. This joy was infectious, and it made me realize that there was more to this species than just being a simple farm animal. I never thought of making an entry for them, because why bother? Doesn't everyone know what a gardenback is? Surely this is a species that needs no mention or description, but now I know better. If I am to truly research and document every species in this massive world, I must look at the ones that exist right outside my front door.

The gardenback is a terrestrial gastropod that lives in temperate to tropical climates. They live in places with lots of green, as well as water, be it from ponds or rainfall. They like the heat, but are able to tolerate the cold. In regions where winters are strong, the gardenback turns to hibernation to avoid the harsher months. Forest, field, grassland or jungle will do for them, as long as there are plenty of plants to graze on. Gardenbacks are not easy to miss, due to their large size and magnificent (but not quite Brilliant, ha) appearance. They stride across the land on six legs, and browse from the trees and shrubs with a long, flexible neck. Atop their head are hardened antenna that aid with sensing and defense. While these antenna/antlers (antennlers?) look impressive, the real show is further down their body. It starts from their back and then grows downward into a dragging cloak, almost like a peacock with their marvelous tail feathers. Here, it is countless bulb-like growths, swollen and colored by the fluids within. They are mostly green, but turn purple or pink at the tip, almost mimicking a flower, thus leading to their name. It is quite the shroud they carry with them, but it isn't just for looks!

You will see gardenbacks grazing on any vegetation they can find, mostly targeting trees and high growing plants. Their long neck lets them reach places that haven't been picked over, giving them access to more food. Tendrils around the mouth help pick out the best leaves, and a modified radulla grinds up tough rinds and sheaths. Though they are quite large, you may notice they don't eat as much as other big herbivores. Most you see tend to graze from sun up to sun down, but these beasts have periods of rest or have even been seen going days without food! How can this be? Well, it turns out they don't just eat these plants for nutrition! Gardenbacks have a unique anatomy that allows them to absorb certain parts of their veggie diet and transfer it to specific body parts. Mainly, gardenbacks can extract the light converting parts of plants and store them in their bulbous growths. With a proper coating of these green pods, they too can absorb light and convert it into food, allowing the gardenback to photosynthesize as well! That is how they are able to go on without food during droughts or harsh times, as they just rely on the sun to give them energy. Eating vegetation gives them additional nutrients, which is eventually needed for a mobile creature like themselves! Gardenbacks essentially face the same energy issue as dryads! Yes, the sun is enough to feed most plants, but that is because they stay in one place. Having an active lifestyle like the two of us burns extra energy. We may be able to go off the sunlight for days on end, but only if we slow down. If we keep on moving about, then we need to find some extra sources of fuel! Eating is the solution to that, so when the option is available, we shall feast! In the worst of times, gardenbacks can even eat their own back growths, digesting it completely to get every drop of nutrition they can. The hope is that better times are around the corner, so they can find vegetation and restock their lost coat.

This green cloak is an excellent source of food for them, but that also means others may wish for a bite. Funny enough, predators are not the real problem here, as those pods still contain vegetable juices that do not work well with a digestive system focused on meat. Carnivores will want to target their more fleshy bits for actual food. The truth is, herbivores and omnivores are the biggest threats, as they see those bulbs as a juicy buffet! They try to find ways to nab some of these growths, either through stealth or trapping the gardenback. Often they do not kill the creature, just make off with a swath of their bulbs. This is because the gardenback will grow these back, which means a renewable source of food! To avoid being robbed like this, gardenbacks use their long necks and hardened horns to batter foes. They can slam into attackers with incredible force, goring them or sending them flying. Their legs also possess sharp claws, normally used for digging up the ground or grappling with branches. If cornered, they won't hesitate to use these as weapons. These bulbs also attract the attention of parasites, who seek to burrow into the bulbous coat and feed off the juices. To cut down on these little feeders, gardenbacks will take time to groom, using their tendrils and long necks to reach their back and clean. They also rely on birds and other parasite eaters to get rid of these nasty critters. Turns out, a lot of creatures like what the gardenback has to offer, and that includes us!

At the beginning, I made mention that the gardenbacks are kept as livestock, and it is precisely for these bulbs! These creatures are perfect for us dryads! Our homes have plenty of plants, so there is food for them, and we make sure our homes get plenty of sunlight so we can photosynthesize too! Gardenbacks are easy to take care of and their regenerative properties means that a small herd can still create a whole lot of food. Their plump bulbs are filled with nutrients and also have that green juice that helps with sunlight absorption. It is excellent as a food, and refreshing as a drink, giving plenty of ways to prepare these growths. And since they grow back, farmers can just harvest a bunch of them without harming their herd. Sustainable practices with this species goes a long way, allowing farms to get along fine with only a handful of gardenbacks. In fact, some households will just have a single gardenback on the premises, and that is enough to provide plenty of bulbs for the family! This seemingly endless supply will probably never run out of demand, as dryads can't get enough of them! They have been found to be an excellent food for transitioning saplings from nectar to more solid foods once their stomachs grow in. The juiciness of the bulb makes it easy to eat and digest, and the nutrients is said to give growing saplings quite the boost! These growths are also said to be great for sick dryads, mainly those who are losing their green and energy. Mixing this green juice with other special ingredients creates a homemade brew that is believed to help the sick get better. It is an easy to drink concoction, but it does get a little bad rep for being brought out only when someone is sick. Drink enough of that stuff over the years, and your mind starts to equate the stuff with disease. Some dryads have sworn that if you bring out a jar of this medicine, they immediately start feeling queasy even if they are perfectly fine.

Outside of farming, gardenbacks have also been taken in as pets. Their size does mean that the family needs plenty of space for them to wander, and it can't exactly come indoors. However, gardenbacks are rather friendly and can be trained, so they find ways to be part of the family. Often you will see them sticking their heads through windows, looking for food and praise. Obviously their pods are still taken for food, but they have others uses too. With proper training, dryads have used them to reach high places, pull heavy loads or even act as transport! Their slow moving may seem useless for long distance travel, but their strength and capabilities do offer some bonuses. After all, it can feed itself with sunlight and even feed you! Not the greatest if you need to go somewhere fast, but long treks with little supplies is where these things can shine!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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

The leaf sheep was an animal that was due for a monster, so finally here we are!

Description

It is funny how easy it is to overlook the common things in life. When you do or see the same thing every day, again and again, it almost becomes imperceptible. You don't think twice about it, it is just a routine at that point. So when others ask you stuff about it, you don't act like it is a big deal. Same thing every day, right? Doesn't everyone do this? It's only when you run into an outsider to your day-to-day life that you are given a chance to realize the wonder you often overlook. When they start excitedly asking questions and pointing out stuff you never thought much about, that is when it all hits you. Maybe there is magic in the mundane, because it turns out it is never "mundane" to everyone! So take a good long look at the "normal" and "common" things in your life, and I guarantee you will find that there is something special to it. I bring this all up because I too never realized the wonder within the common things. It came up when I was talking to a colleague who stopped by to visit me at home. They were from overseas, having traveled to this land to work on a research project of theirs. During the personal tour I gave them, I made mention of gardenbacks, which got them all excited. They suddenly asked if we had any nearby and if we could go see them. I pointed out that there was a whole farm of them just down the ways, and they nearly dragged me the whole way there. At first, I was confused about why they were so pumped up about livestock, but then I remembered that this species isn't native to their homeland. Once we got to the farm, they were absolutely ecstatic. This joy was infectious, and it made me realize that there was more to this species than just being a simple farm animal. I never thought of making an entry for them, because why bother? Doesn't everyone know what a gardenback is? Surely this is a species that needs no mention or description, but now I know better. If I am to truly research and document every species in this massive world, I must look at the ones that exist right outside my front door.

The gardenback is a terrestrial gastropod that lives in temperate to tropical climates. They live in places with lots of green, as well as water, be it from ponds or rainfall. They like the heat, but are able to tolerate the cold. In regions where winters are strong, the gardenback turns to hibernation to avoid the harsher months. Forest, field, grassland or jungle will do for them, as long as there are plenty of plants to graze on. Gardenbacks are not easy to miss, due to their large size and magnificent (but not quite Brilliant, ha) appearance. They stride across the land on six legs, and browse from the trees and shrubs with a long, flexible neck. Atop their head are hardened antenna that aid with sensing and defense. While these antenna/antlers (antennlers?) look impressive, the real show is further down their body. It starts from their back and then grows downward into a dragging cloak, almost like a peacock with their marvelous tail feathers. Here, it is countless bulb-like growths, swollen and colored by the fluids within. They are mostly green, but turn purple or pink at the tip, almost mimicking a flower, thus leading to their name. It is quite the shroud they carry with them, but it isn't just for looks!

You will see gardenbacks grazing on any vegetation they can find, mostly targeting trees and high growing plants. Their long neck lets them reach places that haven't been picked over, giving them access to more food. Tendrils around the mouth help pick out the best leaves, and a modified radulla grinds up tough rinds and sheaths. Though they are quite large, you may notice they don't eat as much as other big herbivores. Most you see tend to graze from sun up to sun down, but these beasts have periods of rest or have even been seen going days without food! How can this be? Well, it turns out they don't just eat these plants for nutrition! Gardenbacks have a unique anatomy that allows them to absorb certain parts of their veggie diet and transfer it to specific body parts. Mainly, gardenbacks can extract the light converting parts of plants and store them in their bulbous growths. With a proper coating of these green pods, they too can absorb light and convert it into food, allowing the gardenback to photosynthesize as well! That is how they are able to go on without food during droughts or harsh times, as they just rely on the sun to give them energy. Eating vegetation gives them additional nutrients, which is eventually needed for a mobile creature like themselves! Gardenbacks essentially face the same energy issue as dryads! Yes, the sun is enough to feed most plants, but that is because they stay in one place. Having an active lifestyle like the two of us burns extra energy. We may be able to go off the sunlight for days on end, but only if we slow down. If we keep on moving about, then we need to find some extra sources of fuel! Eating is the solution to that, so when the option is available, we shall feast! In the worst of times, gardenbacks can even eat their own back growths, digesting it completely to get every drop of nutrition they can. The hope is that better times are around the corner, so they can find vegetation and restock their lost coat.

This green cloak is an excellent source of food for them, but that also means others may wish for a bite. Funny enough, predators are not the real problem here, as those pods still contain vegetable juices that do not work well with a digestive system focused on meat. Carnivores will want to target their more fleshy bits for actual food. The truth is, herbivores and omnivores are the biggest threats, as they see those bulbs as a juicy buffet! They try to find ways to nab some of these growths, either through stealth or trapping the gardenback. Often they do not kill the creature, just make off with a swath of their bulbs. This is because the gardenback will grow these back, which means a renewable source of food! To avoid being robbed like this, gardenbacks use their long necks and hardened horns to batter foes. They can slam into attackers with incredible force, goring them or sending them flying. Their legs also possess sharp claws, normally used for digging up the ground or grappling with branches. If cornered, they won't hesitate to use these as weapons. These bulbs also attract the attention of parasites, who seek to burrow into the bulbous coat and feed off the juices. To cut down on these little feeders, gardenbacks will take time to groom, using their tendrils and long necks to reach their back and clean. They also rely on birds and other parasite eaters to get rid of these nasty critters. Turns out, a lot of creatures like what the gardenback has to offer, and that includes us!

At the beginning, I made mention that the gardenbacks are kept as livestock, and it is precisely for these bulbs! These creatures are perfect for us dryads! Our homes have plenty of plants, so there is food for them, and we make sure our homes get plenty of sunlight so we can photosynthesize too! Gardenbacks are easy to take care of and their regenerative properties means that a small herd can still create a whole lot of food. Their plump bulbs are filled with nutrients and also have that green juice that helps with sunlight absorption. It is excellent as a food, and refreshing as a drink, giving plenty of ways to prepare these growths. And since they grow back, farmers can just harvest a bunch of them without harming their herd. Sustainable practices with this species goes a long way, allowing farms to get along fine with only a handful of gardenbacks. In fact, some households will just have a single gardenback on the premises, and that is enough to provide plenty of bulbs for the family! This seemingly endless supply will probably never run out of demand, as dryads can't get enough of them! They have been found to be an excellent food for transitioning saplings from nectar to more solid foods once their stomachs grow in. The juiciness of the bulb makes it easy to eat and digest, and the nutrients is said to give growing saplings quite the boost! These growths are also said to be great for sick dryads, mainly those who are losing their green and energy. Mixing this green juice with other special ingredients creates a homemade brew that is believed to help the sick get better. It is an easy to drink concoction, but it does get a little bad rep for being brought out only when someone is sick. Drink enough of that stuff over the years, and your mind starts to equate the stuff with disease. Some dryads have sworn that if you bring out a jar of this medicine, they immediately start feeling queasy even if they are perfectly fine.

Outside of farming, gardenbacks have also been taken in as pets. Their size does mean that the family needs plenty of space for them to wander, and it can't exactly come indoors. However, gardenbacks are rather friendly and can be trained, so they find ways to be part of the family. Often you will see them sticking their heads through windows, looking for food and praise. Obviously their pods are still taken for food, but they have others uses too. With proper training, dryads have used them to reach high places, pull heavy loads or even act as transport! Their slow moving may seem useless for long distance travel, but their strength and capabilities do offer some bonuses. After all, it can feed itself with sunlight and even feed you! Not the greatest if you need to go somewhere fast, but long treks with little supplies is where these things can shine!

Chlora Myron

Dryad Natural Historian

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

The leaf sheep was an animal that was due for a monster, so finally here we are!