Rainforest (range)

Rainforest is a densely wooded land where broadleaf trees grow densely, their high-reaching branches forming an unbroken canopy that limits sunlight below. The air is humid and warm, with rainfall occurring frequently throughout the year, often in heavy downpours. The soil, though rich in decaying plant matter, is typically thin and nutrient-poor, as most of the forest’s nutrients are held within the living vegetation itself. Water moves constantly through the landscape, dripping from leaves, collecting in pools, and running in narrow, winding streams that swell with the rain.

The trees vary in height, with the tallest rising above the canopy, their wide-spreading crowns emerging into the sunlight. Beneath them, layers of shorter trees, shrubs, and climbing plants form a dense understory, with broad leaves adapted to capture the little light that filters through. Some trees develop large buttress roots to support their towering trunks in the shallow soil. The forest is loud with the sounds of life, as birds, insects, and unseen animals call through the trees. Some creatures move through the upper branches, never touching the ground, while others dwell in the damp shadows below. The thick vegetation muffles sound, making movement unpredictable — some places are eerily silent, while others hum with constant noise.

Rainfall varies from steady mist to violent downpours, with water collecting in depressions or rushing through narrow gullies. Some areas flood temporarily, with standing water covering the ground until it drains away. The combination of heat, moisture, and decaying plant matter fosters rapid growth and decomposition, with fallen trees and leaves quickly overtaken by fungi, moss, and new plant life. The rainforest’s climate remains warm year-round, with little seasonal variation. Many trees shed leaves gradually rather than seasonally, maintaining their dense foliage. The constant moisture supports diverse fungi, molds, and mosses that thrive in the damp air. Fallen trees decompose quickly, replaced by rapid new growth. Some areas develop seasonal flooding, while others have dry periods where the soil hardens before the rains return. Insect life is abundant, with swarming species shaping the ecosystem by pollinating plants and breaking down organic matter. Occasional clearings form where large trees fall, allowing bursts of sunlight to reach the forest floor before new growth closes the gap.

Travel is slow, as there are few open paths, and thick vegetation forces movement along winding routes. Rivers and streams often serve as the best passage through the forest, though their courses shift with the rain, and their waters hide unseen depths. The dense canopy shields much of the sky, making navigation difficult for those unfamiliar with the land.

Major Rainforests

Tundra exists primarily around the Arctic polar region, north of the tree land. This can be divided into the following distinct wildernesses:

• Brahmaputra-Ganges Lowland - lowlands and islands formed by the two rivers
• Kerevik - tundra lands from the Verkhoyansk Mountains in Siberia to eastern Alaska
• Nuvakholm Waste - vast area topping North America
• Samoyadia - coastlands stretching along coast from Yak-Margug to Sakha
• Western Ghats - the western mountains of the India Subcontinent