Rival Shores

Overview

Slightly smaller than Ancestral Plains, Rival Shores features several large, diverse islands with varying biomes. These biomes include temperate forest, desert, snowy tundra, dense jungle, and standard tropical semi-forest. As the map is still being actively developed, more unique biomes may be added in the future. As with all currently implemented maps, Rival Shores features a substantial ocean, perfect for aquatic creatures. This ocean separates the islands, though only during high tide. During low tide, landbridges emerge between the largest of the islands.

Notable Features/Landmarks

Temperate Island

Containing multiple spawn points, the temperate island is one of the three "main" islands, being roughly the same size as its counterparts (if not larger). Its main biome - as the title may suggest - is temperate forest, and to reflect this the island is littered with conifer and deciduous trees. Though, palms still line the beaches in many spots. Towards the rear end of the island is an expanse of sparse grassland covered with tall grasses. These grasses are tall enough to obscure most younger creatures and may be tall enough to conceal a Megalosaurus.

The grassland at the rear of the island connects it to its second major biome, which takes the form of a towering, snowy mountain.

Snow Mountain

The snowy mountain at the rear of the temperate forest island is large and imposing, with its peak being the tallest point on the map. The terrain of the mountain can sometimes be hard to traverse, and one must exercise caution when ascending or descending its slopes, or they may risk falling to their death.

There are only two viable entrances to the area of snow, as most places along its border are too steep to be traversed. One entrance is a small cave and its tunnel, which takes one directly into the area of snow. Large creatures cannot fit through this entrance, the largest able to actually enter and exit being an adult Parasaurolophus. The other entrance is a longer trek and arguably harder to access, as it involves following the river along one of the mountain's sides upstream. Any creature is capable of following this path.

There is edible foliage in the snowy terrain, though some consider it hard to spot. It takes the form of the snow-covered pine trees (an accessible food source for Apatosaurus) and somewhat small, snow-dotted ferns.

The mountain has two water sources, five if one counts the three frozen ponds halfway up its slope (said frozen ponds cannot be drank from). One water source is a small pond located at the peak. The other is a river, which flows down one side.

Desert Island

As its name may suggest, this island is almost entirely desert landscape, though it is broken up by a mountain with a small pond on one side and a single oasis that contains a small amount of kelp (it can be entered by aquatics via an underwater cave entrance. Be careful!) It is one of the three "main" islands.

Many shelters exist on this island in the form of small rock structures. Though initially not at all impressive, these structures may provide 100% shelter to most creatures.

Though one may not expect much food in a desert, this island is plentiful. Small corpses frequently appear in the sands, the island is covered in edible cacti, and there are termite mounds that act as supplements to terrestrial creatures. Any herbivores must be careful when eating the many cacti, though - consuming the spiky plants results in a loss of comfort. This can be mitigated with the Botanist talent. Piscivores and semi-aquatics are recommended to avoid eating from termite mounds, as each one consumed deals a blow to their comfort. The equivalent to termite mounds for these types of creatures (and aquatics) are clams, which may be found in the shallow water near the shores of the main islands.

At the top of the mountain located on one side of this island, there is a portal, which connects to a corresponding one in a deep cave on the jungle island. Within the mountain is also a decently-sized cave system with fresh water and comfort crystals.

Jungle Island

The island covered with dense jungle is covered with edible foliage and places to hide and take cover. It harbors several cave systems and around five different sources of fresh water, making it an ideal place to live. It is one of the three "main" islands.

Close to the center of the island is a large swamp surrounded by especially dense foliage. The water source is very deep, meaning it can sustain multiple creatures for very long periods of time. One should take caution drinking here, though - the lake is accessible to aquatic creatures such as Mosasaurus via an underwater cave entrance. Along the floor of this body of water is a substantial amount of kelp.

At one end of the island is a large mountain. This mountain's peak is the second tallest point on the map. The mountain, though it contains three out of the five water sources on the island (one at the peak, one 75% of the way up, one deep in a cave system), is very steep. It is incredibly hard to get to the top with a creature that does not do well with inclines, such as Lurdusaurus. Towards the peak is a vast cave system which contains a pond deeper down, some edible foliage, and comfort crystals.

All trees on the island are edible for any properly sized Apatosaurus, even the towering kapok trees.

"Pteranodon Mountain"

Like Ancestral Plains, this map features a mountainous structure that is an ideal living space for Pteranodons. Unlike the one on Ancestral Plains, however, this iteration of Pteranodon Mountain is not as tall, and the cave near the peak is much smaller. Unlike its counterpart on Ancestral Plains, this mountain has many more roosting locations (in the form of rock ledges) along its sides, as well as a water source outside of its main cave (and a small waterfall, which pours into said water source).

Also unlike its counterpart, Rival Shores' Pteranodon Mountain is more out of the way, and is much harder to reach for terrestrial creatures, making threats from particularly intrepid Velociraptors rare.