ENVIRONMENT
The Jade Empire of Ingen is a sprawling interstellar Empire inhabiting four primary planets and dozens of smaller colonies. Its territories are host to a wide range of flora, fauna and geographic environments. The Imperial Ministry for Natural Harmony is responsible for, among other things, ensuring the development and maintenance of healthy ecosystems throughout the Jade Empire, and to that end the movement of flora and fauna is controlled by provincial and imperial legislation. Some of the unique species found through the Jade Empire are listed below. This article deals solely with naturally-occurring flora and fauna - any creatures or beings created by the Far Anomaly are not considered part of the natural environment of the Jade Empire.
FUNGIFungi are widespread throughout the Jade Empire, both as a foodstuff and a key part of many natural ecosystems. Larger fungi often inhabit similar niches to trees, providing shade and water and enriching the soil around them, whilst smaller fungi have various medicinal and culinary uses. Spread by spores, fungi are found across much of the planet of Laptev and thrive in humid, warm-temperate climates. They are prized by the Ingenious, who eat red meat less regularly than other cultures, as a source of key nutrients.
Pictured here is the Great Shofu Mushroom, a large species of mushroom that can grow up to six metres in height. Other common species include Luminous Opala, a small mushroom noted for its aromatic flavour and Mercy's Table, a shelf fungus that lowers blood pressure and acts as a mild anaesthetic when heated. |
SATTRAN HOUNDThe Sattran Hound is a breed of the genus canis which is first evidenced in approximately 30-24,000MT on the planet of Neusattar. Originally bred as a livestock guardian dog, males grow to 70–80 kg and 85–100 centimetres, while females reach 50–59 kg and 79-90 cm. On average, their lifespan is 13 to 15 years. They have a weather-resistant double coat with a coarse overcoat over a dense, woolly undercoat that allows them to resist sub-zero temperatures. They have a strong bite force and heavy bone structure.
They are highly territorial and aggressive toward strangers, but are very biddable. They are capable of learning complex commands but are stubborn and require repetition to learn. Once it is clear their owner is comfortable with newcomers, Sattran hounds are affectionate and gentle, especially with children. |
DINOSAURIAAlthough across most of Laptev, reptilians gave way to mammalian life approximately eighty million years before present day following a series of volcanic winters, the fauna and flora of the island of Ko in the south-west of what is now Ingen District survived thanks to the presence of gulf streams which helped to stabilise the regional temperature. The insular ecosystem contains more than two dozen extant species of dinosauria, with the region being strictly protected by ecological regulations to prevent invasive species.
The most prevalent species include the Oromoloch, a 6ft tall raptor, the Archaeopelix, a sauropod which can reach 55ft in height, and the Calliocanthus, a ceratopsid weighing nearly ten tonnes and prized for its colourful scales and delicious meat. |
LYNGBAKRFound in the oceans of Neusattar, the Lyngbakr is a species of colossal cephalopod that was, until recently, believed to be a cryptid. Prevalent in local folklore and legends, Ingenious researchers dismissed it as a mythological creature until the first confirmed sighting of one in 2431 AT. Further research has provided a rough estimate of a global population of 60,000.
The Lyngbakr is a secretive creature. It is predatory and is believed to exhibit significant cognitive ability. Averaging 13 - 14 metres in length and able to withstand great pressure differentials, it is considered an apex predator and poses a threat even to medium sized oceangoing vessels. Most boats carry electrified harpoons to deter Lyngbakr. |