40d:Flatland

Flatland biomes form in areas with low to moderate rainfall and moderate drainage. In order of increasing rainfall, they include grasslands, savannas, and shrublands. They come in temperate and tropical varieties.

Humans often build towns in flatlands.

Resources

Flatlands contain fewer trees than forests, although they usually have enough to get by unless you need large amounts of wood for fuel. They are covered in grass, and other plants are plentiful. Temperate grasslands are notable as the only source of valley herbs.

Flatlands have one or more soil layers, possibly including an aquifer. They usually have plenty of murky pools, and often have brooks or even rivers (with their associated hazards). They tend to have less ore than mountains, but as with any biome, you can find some if you dig down a few z-levels and look hard enough.

Creatures

Flatlands have a very diverse natural population. Fortresses built on flatlands should take advantage of the wildlife, and players might even consider establishing a ranch.

• Rhesus macaques and groundhogs live in temperate flatlands.
• Warthogs, gazelles, and several varieties of large felines live in tropical flatlands. Savage tropical flatlands may have the giant versions of those felines.
• Some forest creatures also live in shrublands (but not grasslands or savannas), such as elephants, chimpanzees, and bonobos (tropical); wolves (temperate); and cougars (both).
• Some tundra creatures also live in temperate grasslands, such as elk, muskoxen, and (if evil) werewolves.
• Evil flatlands (temperate or tropical) may contain harpies and ogres.