Anyone who has played any Monster Hunter game will have probably noticed at some point that the ways these so called "monsters" act are strangely familiar, with their behavior being more animalistic than monstrous. This is without a doubt the thing...
Night envelopes an archipelago off the coast of the mainland, the collection of rocky landmasses coated in shining white snow, the cold substance marking the borders between ground and water. Many smaller islets are dotted throughout the area, acting as occasional life-saving rest stops for animals swimming across the shallower regions of the surrounding sea, hopping from one frozen landscape to the next.
Nutrient-rich waters and shallow bays allow a surprisingly diverse cast of marine and semi-aquatic species to thrive here, with even a few fully terrestrial lifeforms periodically sustaining themselves on the sea's bounties. Although life is at its densest near the coastlines, the interiors of the islands are still capable of supporting flora and fauna, with scattered patches of woodland and low-growing vegetation amongst the towering mountains that dominate the hearts of these landmasses.
Despite the abundance of snow and ice here, the frost islands are significantly warmer than the surrounding environments on the mainland; this is because the archipelago is positioned in a temperature pocket, making the climate here somewhat more bearable than its counterparts, though the region is still very cold even at midday. Because of the unique position this collection of landmasses is in, it can play host to creatures that wouldn't usually be found this far north, and is even commonly used by Zamtrioses as nurseries for their young; however, this unusually high biodiversity doesn't mean that living here is easy.
The challenges experienced by the islands' inhabitants may be lessened, but sub-zero temperatures, lack of resources, difficult terrain, and competition are still challenges the organisms must face. Additionally, the archipelago is more vulnerable to snow storms, and the fluctuation of usable food and water can force wildlife to island hop, aggravating some of the problems they face. As a chilling breeze blows across one of the glacial landmasses, a herd of Antekas scrapes away some snow from the ground as they search for and feed on buried plants in the outer mountains which overlook a lagoon in the distance.
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Milling about the uneven, snow-covered terrain, the mammals continue grazing, frequently stopping and looking around, wary of possible predators that may attempt to use the cover of darkness to sneak up on them. Staying vigilant, the Antekas stay close together as they keep moving and feeding. However, a large shape watches them from the shadows of a wooded area. Advancing slowly and carefully through the trees, Frostbite, an adult female Goss Harag, watches the herbivores, waiting for them to lower their guard in order to launch her attack.
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