Hoxxes

Hoxxes IV Concept Art

Hoxxes IV is a scorched, tidally-locked planet orbiting the blue star Creus, unique among the other planets in the system for its extraordinarily rich precious material deposits and extremely hostile environment. Only the mining corporation Deep Rock Galactic, known for a lack of safety precautions, is stubborn enough to continue mining in this sector, offering hefty paychecks and bonuses to those willing to brave the depths of Hoxxes IV.

The dangers include, but are not limited to: electromagnetic storms, gravity anomalies, tectonic instability, seas of sulfuric acid, and one of the most hostile ecosystems in the galaxy. The creatures of Hoxxes only grow more hostile and dangerous under the unending radiation from Creus and the biomatter and microorganisms left by other mining corporations. And if the pincers, teeth, tentacles, and altogether too many eyes of Hoxxes’ children isn’t enough to scare you away, rumors of even worse and much older, sinister, and alien things down in the deepest excavations abound.

The Biomes

Hoxxes's surface is composed of several unique continents, each with a different type of biome. These biomes provide not only differing cave layouts and complexities, but also contain more or less of certain minerals, which can help those who are looking for specific Crafting Materials. The flora of each biome is diverse and offer different traits that can be helpful when dealing with enemies or harmful.

Crystalline Caverns
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Jadiz Bismor
“ Among the most spectacular sights on Hoxxes, the aptly-named Crystalline Caverns are truly a sight to behold. Massive crystals erupt from every surface, glittering and twinkling in the dark. Alas, the larger crystals are mostly worthless silicate, but abundant deposits of valuable minerals dot the caves too.
The Crystalline Caverns contain vast purple crystals composed of worthless silicate, jutting out of the walls of the cave and obscuring vision. Electric Crystals are a rare hazard that arc chains of high voltage electricity between each other at regular intervals. The tight corridors and tunnels of the region are helpfully lit by glowing Blue Crystals which are the only natural source of light in the region.

Salt Pits
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Enor Pearl Bismor
“ The Salt Pits of Hoxxes was once the location of a huge underground lake. It dried up billions of years ago and left huge crystallized deposits of red salt. Red salt - though worthless - tastes really good on Glyphid omelettes.
The Salt Pits are densely populated with giant red salt crystals jutting out of the walls at irregular angles, and fragile platforms of white salt can occasionally be found on the walls. Stalactites delicately hang from the ceiling that can easily crush smaller creatures should they be disturbed. Note: The "Glyphid omelettes" in the biome description of the Salt Pits are theorized to be the eggs collected as the primary objective in Egg Hunt missions.

Fungus Bogs
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Croppa Jadiz
“ We're almost sorry to send employees in here, but the rewards are too great to ignore. So therefore: Welcome to the Fungus Bogs! A truly awful region, built mostly from slime, mold, stinging insects, fungus, stinking mud, and corrosive lichen.
Fungus Bogs is overrun with vegetation: patches of dense grass and vines, legions of giant mushrooms, pools of thick goo, and clusters of Poisonous fungus spores that will release deadly vapors when approached.

Radioactive Exclusion Zone
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Umanite Enor Pearl
“ Ravaged by thousands of years of high-intensity gamma radiation, this region of the planet is now a veritable hellhole of radioactive ash and decrepit, mutated flora. Move with great care, and pay particular attention that you maintain full detox procedure upon return.
Radioactive Exclusion Zone contains vast deposits of volatile uranium that glow green in the darkness, damaging anything in their proximity. Certain enemy types have evolved to withstand the onslaught of radiation, notably mutated Cave Vines that lurk in the ceiling. Fleshy tumorous growths can be found latched to the walls, emitting bioluminescent light, and more rarely, some tunnels can be scattered with harmless Wall Eyes which watch the dwarves as they pass through the region.

Dense Biozone
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Bismor Umanite
“ Whoever said plant life needs access to sunlight has obviously never visited Hoxxes. This region is dominated by what can best be described as a subterranean rainforest - masses of writhing, (mostly carnivorous) plant life, producing entire microcosms of life deep within the crust of the planet. Tread with care.
Dense Biozone is a vast subterranean system of pitch black caverns, littered by plant life that is mostly dangerous or hostile. The cave coral formations can occasionally help in traversing the caverns for hidden riches.

Glacial Strata
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Magnite Umanite
“ At least one of our xenogeologists quit in a rage when research started on this region. Instead of having conventional polar ice caps, and in violation of all physical laws we know of, the continental plates of Hoxxes rest on top of a planetwide permafrost layer several miles deep. As always, DRG recommends a "don't ask" approach when dealing with the peculiarities of Hoxxes' makeup.
Glacial Strata is one of the more extreme environments on Hoxxes, featuring sub zero temperatures and oppressive blizzards. Dwarves working in this region will need to manage their temperature to avoid becoming frozen solid. Certain types of hostile fauna have adapted to the cold, and will attack any intruders with freezing substances.

Hollow Bough
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Jadiz Bismor
“ Hollow Bough is a biological oddity that has the Science Department scratching their heads - this entire region of the planet is dominated by collosal, organic conglomerations resembling the inside of hollow trees. However, these structures are under attack by an invasive species of voracious vine-like plants, as much a threat to us as the planet itself. We recommend traversing these environs with extreme caution. The deep, dark folds of wood and bark house much more than a first glance lets on.
Hollow Bough resembles the interior of a dead subterranean tree, greatly infested by hazardous vines that offer no form of leisure for any mission. The area is largely devoid of plant life due to this invasive species, yet a unique form of wasps has somehow made their home.

Azure Weald
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Croppa Umanite
“ The Azure Weald is a chilly place, every bit as hostile as the rest of Hoxxes IV - but still, we cannot deny it is oddly beautiful. Dazzling, bioluminescent clusters of lichen light up the darkness, illuminating this fertile and overgrown Region in flickering neon colors. Don't let that lull you into a false sense of security however - the Azure Weald brings to mind the deep jungle, in all its splendor and horror - and much like its terrestrial counterparts, it is absolutely not out to make friends. Kill or be killed - this is the law in this place.
Azure Weald consists of caverns filled with pink and blue luminescent plants. It features big, open chambers, connected by tunnels filled with glowing flora, producing a soft light. The material making up the caves is durable, taking two hits to give way.

Magma Core
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Magnite Croppa
“ Among the deepest of our mining sites, the Magma Caves are a mellow 250-400 degrees and helpfully lit by the churning, molten innards of the planet. We advise that you do not touch anything not mandated by the mission objectives, as your employee insurance does not cover burns.
Magma Core is home to explosive plants, explosive maggots, lava geysers, and earthquakes. Miners should be especially careful when operating in this area, as explosions will expose dangerous hot rock beneath the ground.

Sandblasted Corridors
Crafting Materials Abundant Scarce Enor Pearl Magnite
“ This region is dominated by windblasted and arid tunnels reaching dozens of miles below ground. The particular composition of the surrounding rock means practically no moisture, resulting in one of the driest regions of the planet. With water being so precious, the inhabiting wildlife is particularly aggressive, ravenous for whatever fluids reside within their prey.
The rock in Sandblasted Corridors appears to be sandstone, easily giving way to tunneling—though caution is advised when digging downwards. The caverns in Sandblasted Corridors can be hundreds of meters in length and height, but are occasionally engulfed by thick sandstorms.

Shallow Grotto

Shallow Grotto is only accessible through the tutorial mission, played with Gunner in Solo Mode. Shallow Grotto contains various features from other planetary regions such as Glowing Blue Crystals and Spider Webs. Unlike other planetary regions, Shallow Grotto doesn't contain any crafting materials, and no secondary objective minerals are present. The cave is abundant in Morkite, which must be collected as the primary objective to complete the tutorial mission.

The cave generations are mostly the same, such things as tunnels between caves, ore placement and biome features are randomized.