The New World

The New World refers to the new and still largely unexplored continent that was discovered by the Guild several decades ago.

(For intents of the RP, most of the RP will take place in the New World unless desired otherwise. While characters may be from the Old World, they can have been born in the New World itself and never even travelled to the Old World.)

## **Astera**

Astera is the home and central hub of the Research Commission in the New World.

Astera is built primarily out of wood, some taken from the very ships that brought the Research Commission to the New World. It sits below a waterfall between the Ancient Forest and Wildspire Waste.

Astera is more of a base than a village, built to support the Hunters and researchers as they explore the New World and its ecology. It is built in three primary tiers. Winding stairs and a waterwheel-powered series of chain pulleys serve to move people and supplies from one tier to the other quickly.

The Tradeyard is the ground floor, containing docks, supply caches, research offices, a meeting area, and an Ancient Tree, that grows and supplies herbs, mushrooms and insect life. Some of the former ships also serve as makeshift bunks for travelling Hunters.

The second tier contains the Workshop, where weapons and equipment are developed, and the Canteen, which serves food. Lodging for veteran New World hunters can also be found here, as can a training area.

### **Notes**

* Astera was built by the First Fleet.
* Researchers gather info, hunters gather to hunt, technicians keep everything together, etc.
* Occasionally, captured monsters are brought back to Astera for researchers to study. The last monster the Hunters capture will be asleep on a platform next to the main gate.
* Astera is powered by water turbines. The turbines use water currents from a nearby waterfall to provide the necessary energy for Astera, which is used for various equipment in the village.

## **Ancient Forest**

The Ancient Forest is an area of thick lush forest that can't easily be traversed by normal means. The Ancient Forest is home to a variety of flora, fauna, and monsters.

### **Environments**

As the name implies, the Ancient Forest consists of a massive forest, but is also comprised of clearings close to the coast and a combination of cliffs and massive trees that creates a vast vertical space.

#### **Shorelines**

This section of the map is comprised of mid-sized grasslands surrounded by the forest, many groups of herbivores can be found here including Aptonoth and the New World's Kestodon, other monsters that frequent this area include Jagras, Great Jagras, Kulu-Ya-Ku and Anjanath, who wander around these parts in search of food.

#### **Lower Forest**

The lower forest is thick and lush with greenery, which provides the perfect environment for Pukei-Pukei to camouflage itself, Great Jagras, Tobi-Kadachi, Rathian and Anjanath also wander these parts, this is a great location for collecting plants and mushrooms and groups of Mosswine can be found, many sections of this area contain bodies of water where Gajau can be seen.

#### **High Forest/Ancient Tree**

High in the cliffs and branches of massive trees, one can find the nests of wyverns such as Rathalos, most monsters found in the shorelines or the lower forest don't come here unless provoked, and they'll generally attempt to flee if the King of the Skies or another powerful monster makes its entrance.

### **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Banbaro
* Great Jagras
* Kulu-Ya-Ku
* Nightshade Paolumu
* Pukei-Pukei
* Tobi-Kadachi

#### **Middle**

* Anjanath
* Rathian

#### **Top**

* Bazelgeuse
* Deviljho
* Glavenus
* Nargacuga
* Rajang
* Rathalos
* Tigrex
* Yian Garuga
* Zinogre

#### **Elder Dragons**

* Kushala Daora
* Leshen
* Velkhana

### **Notes**

* The apex monsters of the Ancient Forest are Rathalos and Nargacuga.
* Many resources can be gathered from this location.
* Vines can be used to trap monsters, leaving them open to attacks.
* Some of the plants in this area can be used as weapons.
* This area contains prehistoric plants such as ferns, horsetails, cycads, tree ferns, Araucaria, as well as a large, massive tree.
* Rain is commonplace in the Ancient Forest, water usually accumulates in the upper areas, which can be used by hunters to forcefully push monsters into the lower levels.
* The Ancient Tree, the landmark at the center of the Ancient Forest, grew to a massive size from the bioenergy of dead Elder Dragons nurturing it.

## **Wildspire Waste**

The Wildspire Waste is a vast desert with muddy marshes, twisted canyons, branching caverns, and sandy dunes. Few monsters are adapted to this harsh environment.

## **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Barroth
* Banbaro
* Jyuratodus
* Kulu-Ya-Ku
* Pukei-Pukei

#### **Middle**

* Anjanath
* Rathian

#### **Top**

* Bazelgeuse
* Deviljho
* Diablos
* Glavenus
* Rajang
* Tigrex

#### **Elder Dragons**

* Lunastra
* Nergigante
* Teostra
* Velkhana

### **Notes**

* The apex monsters of the Wildspire Waste are Diablos and Glavenus.
* The Wildspire Waste's water is sourced from the Ancient Forest.
* The Wildspire Waste is filled with large ant mounds.
* Unlike the other deserts, this area has mudflat wetlands.
* Despite being at the top of the food chain, Diablos is actually a herbivore.
* A gate leading back to Astera can be found near the southeast camp.

## **Great Ravine**

The Great Ravine is a ravine is larger than most normal ravines, thus the name. During the Commission's efforts to capture Zorah Magdaros decades ago, it escaped and tore it's way through the mountains, creating the Great Ravine.

The ravine itself is filled with giant lakes and pools of lava, though is devoid of any monsters, and leads on into the Coral Highlands.

## **Coral Highlands**

The Coral Highlands is an area that consists of a vast landscape like that of the ocean floor, the most notorious feature is the many species of coral, as its name implies. This area is comprised of steep cliffs that form a highland, hunters will traverse the colorful highlands and ominous lower levels to achieve their objectives.

### **Environments**

The coral highlands can be divided into the lower section, featuring dark paths among gigantic cliffs, and the highlands, featuring more open areas atop the cliffs.

#### **Lower Section**

This section is comprised of many branching paths mostly comprised of sand supported by coral. Shamos and Tzitzi-Ya-Ku roam here, keeping themselves to the shadows of the cliffs, commonly clashing for prey such as Kelbi and -presumably- Wigglers. Odogaron sometimes pass through here when carrion is not enough, intending to reach the highlands for more substantial prey.

#### **Highlands**

Featuring open areas comprised of sand and a few coral platforms, the highlands are the perfect place for monsters such as Paolumu and Legiana. It is here that Odogaron can rarely be found clashing with other large monsters, with groups of Raphinos also calling this section their home, with the rare Kirin appearing here on occasion.

### **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Banbaroi
* Paolumu
* Tzitzi-Ya-Ku

#### **Top**

* Bazelgeuse
* Deviljho
* Legiana
* Nargacuga
* Odogaron
* Rajang
* Zinogre

#### **Elder Dragons**

* Kirin
* Namielle
* Velkhana

### **Notes**

* The apex monster of the Coral Highlands is Legiana.
* Hunters can use the Glider Mantle to ride air currents and reach higher areas.
* The white 'flakes' floating in the air are coral eggs. Some species, like Wingdrakes, are known to gather in the Coral Highlands to feed on the coral eggs, as seen with the Raphinos.
* Below the Coral Highlands lies the Rotten Vale, with the coral pillars below the highlands being tinted green by the Effluvium flowing upwards.
* When Kirin appears in the Coral Highlands, a thunderstorm will appear in the sky.

## **Rotten Vale**

The Rotten Vale is an inhospitable valley littered with the corpses of dead monsters. It is a massive area covered in the rotting bones of Elder Dragons and other monsters that have come there to die. It sits at the bottom of the Coral Highlands, though perhaps it is more accurate to say the Coral Highlands grows from the Rotten Vale.

### **Environments**

The Rotten Vale can be divided into three sections; the third being much smaller in size.

#### **Upper Section**

The upper area near the starting camp is fairly open and mostly inhabited by Radobaan, Hornetaur, and Vespoid. It is mostly made up of large bony structures.

#### **Deeper Section**

The area that can be reached by dropping from the upper section has numerous Girros. Of course, their leader Great Girros lives here, while Odogaron and Radobaan can also be found in the upper and deeper portions of this zone, respectively. Effluvium is a big problem from the first portions to the deepest parts of this section. The corpses of Raphinos and, very rarely, Legiana will occasionally fall to this area.

#### **Acid Pools and the Depths**

The depths of the Rotten Vale has acid that can damage Hunters. The dens of Odogaron and Vaal Hazak can be found here.

### **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Banbaro
* Great Girros

#### **Top**

* Bazelgeuse
* Deviljho
* Odogaron
* Rajang
* Tigrex

#### **Elder Dragons**

* Vaal Hazak
* Velkhana

### **Notes**

* The apex monsters of the Rotten Vale are Odogaron and Tigrex.
	+ Though both monsters are considered to be the apexes of the Rotten Vale, Vaal Hazak is considered to be the true ruler of that ecosystem.
* The Rotten Vale has a deadly gas that can suffocate hunters. Called Effluvium, it is produced by a bacterium that causes dead tissue to rot rapidly. When a Hunter is exposed to Effluvium, their health will be affected as they will slowly struggle to breathe. However, this can be countered with ventilation equipment.
	+ This gas also makes the monsters that live in the area more aggressive than usual, even timid ones.
* Giant bone structures hang above some areas that a hunter can bring down upon monsters using their Slingers.
* Above the Rotten Vale is the Coral Highlands.
* Raphinos and Legiana corpses can occasionally fall into specific areas of the Vale. Hunters can carve these carcasses for items.
* Among the carcasses are the remains of Diablos and Rathian.
* A good portion of the Vale explored by Hunters is composed of the skeletons of two extinct monsters that are said to be related to Dalamadur. One of their skulls can be seen in the top Rotten Vale, and in the map.
* Rocks with a blue energy glowing from within them can be found in the lower areas of the Vale, near an Odogaron's den. Destroying them releases a blue flame that will continuously damage any Hunter or monster standing within it.
* The Rotten Vale has acid puddles that damages those who stand in them.
* The Rotten Vale is the graveyard for monsters, including Elder Dragons. Monsters come to this area to die.
* Upon dying, the Elder Dragons dissolve in the effluvium, and their bioenergy accumulates in the earth before eventually crystallizing. This process made the crystalline structures seen in the Elder's Recess.

## **Elder's Recess**

The Elder's Recess is a volcanic environment covered in the crystallized bioenergy of Elder Dragons.

### **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Banbaro
* Dodogama

#### **Middle**

* Lavasioth
* Uragaan

#### **Top**

* Bazelgeuse
* Brachydios
* Deviljho
* Glavenus
* Rajang
* Rathalos
* Tigrex
* Zinogre

#### **Elder Dragons**

* Behemoth
* Kushala Daora
* Lunastra
* Nergigante
* Teostra
* Velkhana

### **Notes**

* The apex monster of the Elder's Recess is Brachydios.
* Some crystal structures hang above, Hunters can bring them down upon monsters using their Slingers.
* Some breakable crystal stalagmites can be climbed on, making them useful for jumping on and mounting monsters.

## **Seliana**

Seliana is a second headquarters for the Research Commission in the New World, serving as the base of operations in the Hoarfrost Reach.

Along with including all of the features of Astera, Seliana has a Steamworks facility that provides power to the rest of the base. Fuel for the Steamworks can be gathered by Hunters by exchanging items and ores for it.

Compared to Astera, Seliana features a more convenient layout for the Commission.

## **Hoarfrost Reach**

The Hoarfrost Reach is a cold, inhospitable area. This snow-covered region may look too hostile to survive in, but it's teeming with unique endemic life.

### **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Banbaro
* Beotodus

#### **Top**

* Barioth
* Legiana
* Rajang
* Tigrex
* Zinogre

#### **Elder Dragons**

* Kirin
* Velkhana

### **Notes**

* The apex monster of the Hoarfrost Reach is Barioth.
* Hoarfrost Reach is the largest locale in World so far.
* Hoarfrost Reach has a variety of different areas such as one with hot springs.

## **Balam**

Balam is the latest settlement constructed by the Research Commission, having recently been completed. The first of its kind in the New World however, Balam is not only a new headquarters for the Commission, but also houses the first headquarters of the Hunter's Guild in the New World, and also serves as a domestic settlement for the Guild and non-Guild members alike, serving as the first residential area in the New World for civilians who have travelled to visit or settle.

Using knowledge combined from constructing Astera and Seliana, Balam is largely constructed of wood, but utilises the combined methods of water and steam to power the settlement, allowing it to run with even more efficiency than either former settlement. The Commission's researchers have even found a way to harness further power from thunderbugs to create what they have dubbed as 'electricity', to help power streetlights, cooking equipment and so on.

Built to the Northwest and situated between the Coral Highlands and Hoarfrost Reach, Balam is naturally secure, surrounded by rivers and giant trees, but also protected by a state-of-the-art fencing system to repel any monsters, again harnessing thunderbugs to electrify the barrier if needed. Situated at the forefront of the newly discovered area dubbed The Shroud, the settlement provides a base for the Guild and the Commission, but also is inhabited my many civilians and non-Guild members, having migrated from the Old to the New World and living permanently in the new continent. As well as civilians, it has also attracted the migration of new generations of Hunters and Researchers, eager to further explore the New World.

### **Notes**

* Balam is the first settlement of its kind, being both a research base, and a residential area.
* It combines both water and steam to power the facility, boosting its efficiency beyond either Astera and Seliana.
* Balam is the largest Commission settlement ever built, especially with the idea of it functioning as a civilian home area.
* Balam is the first area to harness the power of thunderbugs outside of combat use, thanks to a new wave of researchers and technicians.
* It has good connections to not only the other settlements, but also most discovered areas of the New World with a docking platform for multiple airships.

## **The Shroud**

The Shroud is the most newly discovered area in the New World by the Commission, comprising of a large forest akin to the Ancient Forest further South, but with its own ecosystem, and being most forest than junglelike. While it is now discovered, there is still plenty to explore that is unknown.

### **Food Chain**

#### **Bottom**

* Bakuga
* Blangonga
* Caeserber
* Delex

#### **Middle**

* Azuros
* Berukyuroso

#### **Top**

* Astalos
* Temnoceran

### **Notes**

* The Shroud has the largest recorded trees anywhere in the known world.
* Several new species have already been discovered, such as Aracnos.
* The Shroud has been recorded as having natural boosted regeneration, as any life or flora cut down regrows at a rate quicker than usual.