Creatures Caves

As August begins to wind down, our CCSF season is just beginning! I took some time to figure out many of the details, though anything is subject to change. Most importantly, submissions are not limited to any of the descriptions! I have alternate plans to work in different types of releases, so please don't feel obligated to follow along with any of the world descriptions. They're here to stimulate and inspire developers, and those looking for some new ideas. By all means, think outside of the box!

CCSF 2012 DATES: November 1-14, 2012
CCSF 2012 THEME: New Worlds

The following are descriptions of new worlds that may be used during the CCSF. Everyone is encouraged to gather new ideas from the following, but as stated above, submissions are certainly not limited to the following.

(There are twenty descriptions, but I'm expecting only about half to be utilized. If need be, more days may be tacked onto the CCSF, but only if the number of releases makes it feasible. I've got contingency plans! And if these don't spark enough inspiration, think a little further: Could something be living beneath the surface of these worlds? Or perhaps a desolate planet is being orbited by an inhabited spacecraft?)

WORLD 1: VOLCANIC WORLD
Temperature: Very Hot | Weather: Dry | Danger: Radiation
Hot magma flows over the blackened landscape like rivers, where it is generated in multiple active volcanoes. Surprisingly, the flora and fauna have adapted to these conditions: Most gain their nutrients directly from the magma, or spring up after the hot liquid has dried out and cooled down. Radiation makes some portions of the world too dangerous for standard exploration, but scans indicate that other living beings may live close to the volcanoes, and perhaps even inside. The ecosystem is primarily composed of life forms exhibing red, orange, and black color schemes.

WORLD 2: DESERT WORLD
Temperature: Hot | Weather: Very Dry | Danger: Thirst
This entire world is composed of yellow sand, as far as the eye can see. A probe indicated that several oddly colored sands exist in different areas, though the reasoning is unknown. Water is extremely scarce, and vegetation is nearly nonexistent. The heat of the sand has made land travel nearly impossible, except for a life form or two which has adapted to the conditions. Fauna were observed flying through the air: They moved very slowly, as if to conserve energy. Further investigation was cut short due to time, but this yellow world seems to have something beneath the surface.

WORLD 3: BEACH WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Moderate | Danger: None
A relaxing aura enveloped this world from its inception, where its islands create the perfect tropical paradise. Over a dozen islands were observed during a reconnaissance mission, and each seemed slightly different than the next. Nearly every life form has adapted to an amphibious life, with most able to swim to other islands, and a select few able to travel through the relaxing air. The flora is not as colorful as may be expected, though it does have an amazing range of green and blue hues. Sandy beaches adorn every island, where the waves play a constant melody.

WORLD 4: JUNGLE WORLD
Temperature: Hot | Weather: Wet | Danger: Predators
From space, this world is slathered in green and appears to be a gaseous planet. However, closer inspection has revealed a world growing with the thickest vegetation and the most varied array of flora among waterfalls and streams. Every color is represented beneath the canopy, though it was discovered that hostile and territorial residents made close inspection impossible. It was undetermined whether the probe was attacked by a Norn, Grendel, Ettin, or other species. The air remains hot and sticky all the time, though the world's residents are unaffected by these conditions.

WORLD 5: AQUATIC WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Moderate| Danger: None
The mission to explore this world was largely incomplete, due to our inability to scan deep beneath its oceanic surface. Land is nowhere to be found, but the clear water is teeming with life. Nearly a dozen fish species swam together just below the top layer of water. Underwater audio scans indicated several large masses, presumably cities or bases, deep below the surface. It is theorized that many life forms have not seen the light of day from the deep recesses of the water. It was peculiar that no large life forms were detected. Future deep sea exploration is recommended.

WORLD 6: FLORAL WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Moderate | Danger: Poison
A vastly colorful world was discovered from long range images, and a closer inspection of the world's surface revealed something truly spectacular. Everywhere, growing at every height, are different species of flowers blooming in every imaginable color. Plant life dominates the ecological system: It was discovered that many flora possess specialized defenses ranging from invisibility and agility, to toxic spikes and poisonous gasses. The creatures of this world have adapted to the dominance of the flowers. Intelligence indicates that some "flowers" may actually be animal species.

WORLD 7: ARCHITECTURAL WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Moderate | Danger: None
To describe this world in a matter of a few words is impossible, and would never do it justice. Its inhabitants are masters of architecture, with intricate, gigantic structures forming pseudo-cities. Many buildings look like pieces of art, and are treated that way: No lifeforms were detected inside many of the structures. Reconnaissance indicated how even the youngest critters have some skill in crafting or building, which may come from highly advanced learning, or refined instincts. Every architectural style can be seen, which may indicate space exploration or communication.

WORLD 8: APOCALYPTIC WORLD
Temperature: Hot | Weather: Moderate | Danger: Contaminants
Safeties were overridden to investigate this world, which was clearly destroyed long ago. The cause of destruction is unknown, and many possibilities exist. Scans showed multiple small encampments where lifeforms grouped together. Air samples showed an unsustainable atmosphere, though life has clearly survived. Contaminated water and radioactive elements suggest a sort of nuclear disaster, though there are other possible causes. This world is largely undocumented, due to its many dangers, but further study of its surviving inhabitants is warranted.

WORLD 9: INDUSTRIAL WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Dry | Danger: Pollution
A highly advanced and dominant species has taken control of this world, and for a considerable period of time. Commodities are produced quickly and efficiently, though the economy of the world is not yet understood. Inter space travel and trade appears to be the way of life for many residents, for the world is highly polluted and largely uninhabited. Lesser lifeforms appear to have learned how to live off of the pollutants and excess industrial energy. Intelligence shows that the dominant race is scarce on the world's surface, and may reside in orbit on a structure or moon.

WORLD 10: FROZEN WORLD
Temperature: Very Cold | Weather: Moderate | Danger: Blizzards
Blasts of cold air characterize the surface of this planet, which is composed primarily of snow and ice. Visibility is exceptionally low, and one probe was lost in a particularly violent snowstorm. It began transmitting many years later, from a location under the unforgiving surface. Data suggests that an organized, intelligent society and ecological system may exist beneath the surface. Recent surface scans have shown heat rising from small openings, as well as possible entrances to the world beneath this world. There is also possible evidence of a group of hardy surface residents.

WORLD 11: FIRE WORLD
Temperature: Very Hot | Weather: Very Dry | Danger: Fire
In-depth examination of this unusual world was barred due to extreme heat conditions. This entire world is made of constantly changing fire: Some areas experience cooler red flames, while there are particularly concentrated blue flames in some areas of the landscape. Scans indicate that the weather may be fire driven. Despite the extremely hot conditions, several species were noted on the surface. Nutrition may actually derive from heat and fire, while anything living on the surface appears to be immune to burns, though fire was noted to flow through some critters.

WORLD 12: AUTUMN WORLD
Temperature: Cold | Weather: Moderate | Danger: None
The color palette of this world is made almost entirely of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Flora sport uniquely autumn patterns year round, yet never lose their leaves. The weather patterns often bring in dense clouds and cool temperatures, which has made many residents evolve longer coats and ways to keep warm. Some of the more intelligent creatures appear to have taken up farming, and visual scans showed signs of harvesting in various regions. This is a world of plenty, where time seems to stand still and that unique autumn quality permeates every area of life.

WORLD 13: SWAMP WORLD
Temperature: Hot | Weather: Very Wet | Danger: Quicksand
Tall trees with immense roots litter the landscape of this swampy world, where dry land is the richest of possessions. Flora and fauna have developed over the years to create an ecological system almost entirely dependent on the trees. The swampy land below is very unstable, with large patches of quicksand and deep mud to blame for many deaths. Skeletons poking out of the top layer of mud were observed by probes. Natural bridges made of vines and overlapping branches make travel easy for the treetop residents. Strangely, flying creatures were not reported.

WORLD 14: FOREST WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Dry | Danger: Predators
A plethora of never-before-seen trees inhabits this world, which is primarily composed of a neverending forest. With such a dense layer of branches and leaves, sunlight rarely reaches the ground. In this dark region, many fauna have developed night vision for use at all hours. Plants are a rare find beneath the enormous trees, but those that do exist do not rely on photosynthesis. Some were noted to generate their own light. Predators abound on the ground level: One probe was destroyed by a large creature with giant teeth and claws. Exploratory caution is recommended.

WORLD 15: RAIN WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Very Wet | Danger: Water
Long range radar labeled this world as an aquatic one, but closer investigations revealed a world cloaked in constant rainstorms. Water is the main source of energy for nearly every species of flora and fauna detected on the world's surface. The ground is made of an unusual substance that channels water deep beneath the ground, so that liquid pools never form. Intelligence estimates that the rain quickly is recycled back into the air to fuel the storms. Inhabitants have not built shelters to escape the rain: Intelligence estimates that they require constant water to survive.

WORLD 16: CELEBRATION WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Dry | Danger: None
Attack alarms were initiated when exploration began in the atmosphere of this world. Evasive maneuvers were unnecessary: Fireworks were the cause of the alarms. This world is always in a perpetual state of celebration, for every possible reason. The inhabitants are rather advanced, with amusement park features present in many areas. Electricity has also been harnessed. Some species have learned to live off of the leftover celebration materials, which vary tremendously in size, shape, and color. Inhabitants are most likely exceptionally friendly, happy, and resourceful.

WORLD 17: DREAM WORLD
Temperature: Variable | Weather: Variable | Danger: Disappearances
No single description could share the strange ways of this world. What appeared in one location one day is completely different the next day: The world is constantly changing, with teleportation devices and oddities of all sorts. Multiple probes were lost under mysterious circumstances while exploring some of the inhabitants. None have returned, though transmissions still come through from time to time. The world appears to include everything imaginable, from the cutest little beings to the things nightmares are made of. Nothing about this fascinating world is concrete.

WORLD 18: MOUNTAIN WORLD
Temperature: Cold | Weather: Dry | Danger: Falls
Mountain peaks from this world nearly stretch into space, and intelligence shows a band of orbiting matter that may be the result of these peaks. There is a possibility that the mountains are actually in a state of growth. Travel across this rocky landscape is extremely difficult, with tall cliffs and narrow paths dotting the mountainsides. Residents have adapted to this environment with specialized hands and feet, while others have taken to flight. Species of flora are also present, teetering on the mountain edges and providing delicious meals to only the bravest creatures.

WORLD 19: TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD
Temperature: Variable | Weather: Variable | Danger: Malfunctions
Long range communication was established with the residents of this world, where technological innovations have been the most important part of life. Every type of gadget was observed, from simple electronic toys to completely mechanized plant life. Technological experimentation is often engaged in, but observations proved how common malfunctions can be. Space travel was not confirmed, but the intelligent inhabitants are assumed to be familiar with its properties. Life is very structured around technological advancements, and many critters no longer rely on nature.

WORLD 20: CLOUD WORLD
Temperature: Moderate | Weather: Dry | Danger: Electrocution
This mostly gaseous world does not possess a true surface, but instead is made of various forms of clouds. Due to the permeability, all species have extremely low masses in order to live atop the clouds. Their composition is unknown, for no water was detected. Beautiful, clear skies reign supreme over this world, where everything has a very clean feel. Inhabitants appear to travel from different clouds only when necessary, either through flight or enormous jumps. Pastel-like colors characterize all elements of this world, where even the clouds have slightly different hues.