Once upon a time, our island was a thriving paradise. The air was filled with the cheerful chirping of birds, the trees stood tall and vibrant, and the plants flourished in a harmonious dance of colours. But now, due to fungal corruption and unsustainable gathering, the birds have stopped singing, the trees are lifeless, and the plants are overridden by invasive weeds. The ecosystem's vitality has reached an all-time low.
But all is not lost! It is up to you, explorer, to breathe life back into this once-beautiful haven. Together, we will learn how to restore balance and revive the symbiotic harmony of the ecosystem.
Welcome to the Ecosystem Restoration Devlog.
The first step to identifying an island in need of rejuvenation is to take a look around and examine the visual cues symptomatic of low vitality: dull colours, wilted and invasive plants, vine barriers, unharvestable crops, sick trees, and animal bones. While travelling, you can use the Table-Map and/or Spyglass to identify these low vitality islands from a distance.
In order to help restore the island’s ecosystem, craft a Field Guide by combining Leaf Cloth, Rope, and Paper on the Workbench. Using the Field Guide, you can study the ecosystem to determine what it requires to be fully restored; use that green thumb of yours to equip seeds and plant trees, various flora, and decomposers on the island. Soon, you will be able to introduce critters and other animals by transferring them over from other islands or by building a birdhouse. The Field Guide also highlights in red any hindrances such as sick trees that need to be chopped down, corruption nodes that need to be destroyed, and birdhouses that need to be repaired.
Once you've met the Field Guide requirements, watch as the island's ecosystem transforms and comes back to life right before your very eyes! feels good
There are several rewards to gain after restoring an island’s ecosystem; you will literally be feelin’ good as you’ll receive the “Enthusiastic” condition, which boosts your running speed, attack speed and damage, as well as momentum capacity.
Additionally, you will be able to harvest special crops that were previously overrun by weeds, access chests and different areas of the island that were previously blocked by vines, and tame animals.
The current Ecosystem Restoration mechanic is an introduction to what we have planned. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come:
- Animals Adopting You
- To move animals between islands, you will have to first restore the ecosystem. Once the ecosystem is restored, an animal can adopt you, enabling you to relocate them to another island or bring them back to your home base.
- Dream Herbs
- Dream Herbs are a unique crop that will be found on low vitality islands. Restore the ecosystem to gather them!
- The consumption of Dream Herbs will allow you to lucid dream and control your progression (more info on the Dream System later).
- Life Trees
- Each Tablemap sector contains a Life Tree, a massive tree species that wilted with the coming of the corruption.
- Restoring the ecosystems of all islands surrounding these trees will revive them, revealing a vast hollow chamber at their roots that grant access to hidden rewards.
- Restoring the Life Tree also imbues the sector of that biome with benefits, like favourable weather, revival of long-lost crops, and more.
- Life Trees and its Saplings will grant Life Fruits: these fruits will have various purposes, notably for animal breeding and the Stormchaser system.
Here's a sneak peek at the Life Tree concept.
So, get ready, Sky Sailor! With your Field Guide in hand and a heart full of hope, embark on this enchanting mission to reinstate balance to the natural environment. Remember that the ecosystem is counting on you — give to it and it will give back. Happy exploring, and may the winds of restoration carry you forward.
Looking for other explorers to restore the ecosystem with? Join our Community Discord!
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