The Cove's shore life: crabs up the beach from dusk till dawn (keep to the sand, pinch if you get close, crab meat to cook), gulls after food on the sand and fish on a smoking rack; online too

scripts/core/sfx.gd

@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ const SOUNDS := {
 	"guard_rattle": {"set": [C + "guard_rattle_%d.ogg", 2], "db": -2.0, "pitch": [0.85, 1.1], "reach": 25.0},
 	"crow_caw": {"set": [C + "crow_caw_%d.ogg", 2], "db": -4.0, "pitch": [0.92, 1.1], "reach": 40.0},
 	"fox_yip": {"set": [C + "fox_yip_%d.ogg", 2], "db": -4.0, "pitch": [0.92, 1.12], "reach": 30.0},
+	"gull_cry": {"set": [C + "gull_cry_%d.ogg", 2], "db": -5.0, "pitch": [0.9, 1.12], "reach": 50.0},
+	"crab_click": {"set": [C + "crab_click_%d.ogg", 2], "db": -6.0, "pitch": [0.85, 1.15], "reach": 14.0},
 }
 const BUSES := ["Music", "SFX", "Ambience", "Voice"]
 const DEFAULT_VOLUMES := {"Master": 0.85, "Music": 0.6, "SFX": 0.9, "Ambience": 0.7, "Voice": 1.0}

scripts/creatures/crab.gd

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+extends "res://scripts/creatures/creature.gd"
+## A crab (0.6.0, the Cove only): shore.gd brings them up out of the sea
+## onto the beach at dusk. They scuttle about the sand sideways and keep to
+## it. Walk within NIP of one and it comes at you, claws up, and pinches
+## (not much, but it adds up with three of them about). Leave it NIP_GIVE_UP
+## behind and it forgets you. Hit one hard enough and it runs for it. At
+## dawn they all go back into the sea. A dead one gives crab meat.
+
+const NIP := 2.2                ## this close and it comes for you
+const NIP_GIVE_UP := 6.0        ## this far and it lets you go
+const HOME_FOR := 40.0          ## at dawn: this long to reach the water before it simply goes
+
+func interact_prompt(p: Node) -> String:
+	if is_dead():
+		return "Crab  [E] Crack it open"
+	match state:
+		"charge": return "Crab (claws up!)"
+		"home": return "Crab (heading back to the sea)"
+	return "Crab (keep your distance, or it'll pinch)"
+
+## Daytime: back to the sea.
+func _daytime() -> bool:
+	var h: float = world.day_night.hours()
+	return h >= 6.5 and h < 17.5
+
+## Which way the sea is: straight out from the middle of the bay.
+func _seaward() -> Vector3:
+	var a := deg_to_rad(float(terrain.beach_angle_deg))
+	return Vector3(cos(a), 0.0, sin(a))
+
+func _think(dt: float) -> void:
+	if state != "home" and state != "flee" and _daytime():
+		state = "home"
+		_state_t = HOME_FOR
+	var pp: Vector3 = player.global_position
+	var d := global_position.distance_to(pp)
+	match state:
+		"home":
+			var to := _seaward()
+			steer(atan2(-to.x, -to.z))
+			_state_t -= dt
+			if _state_t <= 0.0 or global_position.y < terrain.water_level - 0.25:
+				queue_free()   # (into the waves)
+			return
+		"idle", "wander":
+			if d < NIP:
+				state = "charge"
+				_aggro = def.aggro
+				_attack_cd = 0.5   # (a moment to see it coming)
+				return
+		"charge":
+			if d < NIP_GIVE_UP:
+				_aggro = def.aggro   # (it keeps on at you while you're close)
+			else:
+				_aggro = 0.0
+	super._think(dt)
+
+func _desired_speed() -> float:
+	if state == "home":
+		return def.walk * 1.6
+	return super._desired_speed()
+
+## Keeps to the sand (and out of the water) until it's going home.
+func _blocked(dir: Vector3) -> bool:
+	var probe := global_position + dir * (0.8 + speed * 0.15)
+	if not terrain.inside_boundary(probe.x, probe.z, 4.0):
+		return true
+	if state == "home":
+		return false   # (straight down the beach and into the sea)
+	if not terrain.on_sand(probe.x, probe.z):
+		return true
+	return super._blocked(dir)
+
+## Hit: it fights back while it can, then runs.
+func _react(from: Vector3) -> void:
+	if hp > def.hp * 0.35:
+		state = "charge"
+		_aggro = def.aggro
+		_attack_cd = 0.3
+	else:
+		_start_flee(from)
+		_state_t = 5.0
+
+## Sideways, legs a-flicker; the claws come up when it's after you.
+func _animate(dt: float) -> void:
+	_visual.rotation.y = PI * 0.5   # (it walks sideways)
+	if is_dead():
+		return
+	var k := clampf(speed / maxf(def.run, 0.01), 0.0, 1.0)
+	_phase += dt * (6.0 + speed * 14.0)
+	for i in range(_legs.size()):
+		var l: Node3D = _legs[i]
+		var s := -1.0 if l.position.x < 0.0 else 1.0
+		l.rotation.z = s * (1.0 + sin(_phase + i * 1.9) * (0.08 + 0.3 * k))
+		l.rotation.x = cos(_phase + i * 1.9) * 0.25 * k
+	var up := 0.12 if state == "charge" or (puppet and speed > 1.5) else 0.0
+	_visual.rotation.x = lerpf(_visual.rotation.x, -up, minf(dt * 6.0, 1.0))
+	_visual.position.y = absf(sin(_phase * 0.5)) * 0.01 * k
+
+## A crab doesn't topple onto its side: it ends up on its back.
+func _die(_from: Vector3) -> void:
+	state = "dead"
+	speed = 0.0
+	hp = 0.0
+	_flash = 0.0
+	_set_material(_mat)
+	remove_from_group("creature")
+	add_to_group("carcass")
+	collision_layer = 2
+	_visual.rotation = Vector3(0.0, PI * 0.5, PI)
+	_visual.position.y = 0.1
+	if not puppet:
+		died.emit(self)

scripts/creatures/crab.gd.uid

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://kqumi2x6lfai

scripts/creatures/creature.gd

@@ -54,6 +54,16 @@ const KINDS := {
 	"fox": {"name": "Fox", "hp": 25.0, "walk": 1.5, "run": 7.6, "turn": 7.0,
 		"notice": 0.0, "notice_loud": 0.0, "calm": 30.0,
 		"drops": {"raw_meat": [1, 1], "hide": [1, 1]}},
+	# 0.6.0, the Cove only: crabs come up the beach at dusk and pinch anyone
+	# who walks too close (crab.gd, shore.gd); gulls are the Cove's crows,
+	# after food left on the sand and fish on a smoking rack (gull.gd).
+	"crab": {"name": "Crab", "hp": 14.0, "walk": 0.9, "run": 2.6, "turn": 7.0,
+		"notice": 0.0, "notice_loud": 0.0, "calm": 20.0,
+		"damage": 5.0, "attack_range": 1.7, "attack_cd": 1.3, "aggro": 5.0,
+		"drops": {"crab_meat": [1, 2]}},
+	"gull": {"name": "Gull", "hp": 8.0, "walk": 1.0, "run": 11.0, "turn": 8.0,
+		"notice": 0.0, "notice_loud": 0.0, "calm": 30.0,
+		"drops": {"feather": [1, 3]}},
 	# The barrow's skeletal guards (guard.gd, barrow.gd). Slow (you can walk
 	# away from one) but they hit hard; bone, so blunt weapons do +50%.
 	"guard": {"name": "Barrow Guard", "hp": 80.0, "walk": 1.4, "run": 3.4, "turn": 4.0,
@@ -172,7 +182,7 @@ func setup(k: String, w: Node3D, pos: Vector3, seed: int) -> void:
 	cs.position = Vector3(0, parts.height * 0.5, 0)
 	if not k in ["rabbit", "guard", "drowned"]:   # (rabbits are round, guards stand upright)
 		# Long bodies: lay the capsule along the spine.
-		cap.height = {"deer": 1.5, "boar": 1.4, "wolf": 1.25, "alpha": 1.65, "bear": 2.0, "fox": 0.8, "crow": 0.3, "old_stag": 3.3, "spirit_wolf": 1.25}.get(k, 1.4)
+		cap.height = {"deer": 1.5, "boar": 1.4, "wolf": 1.25, "alpha": 1.65, "bear": 2.0, "fox": 0.8, "crow": 0.3, "gull": 0.4, "crab": 0.45, "old_stag": 3.3, "spirit_wolf": 1.25}.get(k, 1.4)
 		cs.rotation.x = PI * 0.5
 		cs.position = Vector3(0, parts.height * 0.55, 0)
 	add_child(cs)
@@ -525,6 +535,8 @@ const VOICES := {
 	"drowned": {"alert": "guard_rattle", "angry": "guard_rattle", "attack": "guard_rattle"},
 	"crow": {"alert": "crow_caw", "hurt": "crow_caw", "idle": "crow_caw"},
 	"fox": {"alert": "fox_yip", "hurt": "fox_yip"},
+	"gull": {"alert": "gull_cry", "hurt": "gull_cry", "idle": "gull_cry"},
+	"crab": {"alert": "crab_click", "attack": "crab_click"},
 }
 ## States a creature is in when it's after someone (music.gd's list too).
 const ANGRY := ["charge", "stalk", "lunge", "bash", "stomp", "telegraph", "warn", "raid", "summon"]

scripts/creatures/creature_meshes.gd

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ static func build(kind: String) -> Dictionary:
 		"bear": d = _bear()
 		"fox": d = _scaled(_wolf_parts(Color(0.78, 0.4, 0.15), Color(0.92, 0.88, 0.8), 281), 0.6)
 		"crow": d = _crow()
+		"gull": d = _gull()
+		"crab": d = _crab()
 		"guard": d = _guard()
 		"drowned": d = _drowned()
 		"old_stag": d = _scaled(_stag(), 2.1)
@@ -208,6 +210,61 @@ static func _crow() -> Dictionary:
 		"hips": [Vector3(-0.06, 0.19, -0.01), Vector3(0.06, 0.19, -0.01)],
 		"radius": 0.12, "height": 0.3}
 
+## Gull: a crow's build, bigger, white with grey wings and a yellow beak.
+static func _gull() -> Dictionary:
+	var white := Color(0.93, 0.93, 0.9)
+	var grey := Color(0.6, 0.63, 0.67)
+	var tip := Color(0.12, 0.12, 0.13)
+	var beak := Color(0.95, 0.75, 0.2)
+	var st := P._begin()
+	var r := _rng(295)
+	var n := _noise(295, 2.0)
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.2, 0), Vector3(0.09, 0.085, 0.18), n, 0.08, white, r, 1)
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.25, 0.04), Vector3(0.075, 0.05, 0.14), n, 0.06, grey, r, 1)
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.28, -0.16), Vector3(0.06, 0.06, 0.065), n, 0.08, white, r, 1)
+	P._cylinder(st, Vector3(0, 0.275, -0.21), Vector3(0, 0.255, -0.3), 0.017, 0.004, 4, beak, r)
+	P._cylinder(st, Vector3(0, 0.22, 0.15), Vector3(0, 0.2, 0.3), 0.035, 0.05, 4, tip, r)
+	for s in [-1.0, 1.0]:
+		P._cylinder(st, Vector3(s * 0.03, 0.13, 0.0), Vector3(s * 0.035, 0.0, 0.02), 0.008, 0.007, 3, beak, r)
+		P._blob(st, Vector3(s * 0.04, 0.295, -0.19), Vector3.ONE * 0.009, n, 0.0, Color(0.1, 0.1, 0.1), r, 0)
+	var wst := P._begin()
+	P._blob(wst, Vector3(0, -0.2, 0.03), Vector3(0.014, 0.21, 0.09), n, 0.04, grey, r, 0)
+	P._blob(wst, Vector3(0, -0.38, 0.05), Vector3(0.012, 0.05, 0.06), n, 0.0, tip, r, 0)
+	return {"body": P._commit(st), "leg": P._commit(wst),
+		"hips": [Vector3(-0.08, 0.25, -0.01), Vector3(0.08, 0.25, -0.01)],
+		"radius": 0.15, "height": 0.38}
+
+## Crab: a wide, flat red-brown shell facing -Z, two big claws in front and
+## eyes on stalks; six thin legs splayed out to the sides (crab.gd turns the
+## whole crab side-on to walk, and flickers the legs).
+static func _crab() -> Dictionary:
+	var shell := Color(0.66, 0.22, 0.12)
+	var dark := Color(0.42, 0.13, 0.08)
+	var pale := Color(0.9, 0.72, 0.55)
+	var st := P._begin()
+	var r := _rng(297)
+	var n := _noise(297, 2.4)
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.11, 0), Vector3(0.2, 0.06, 0.14), n, 0.1, shell, r, 1)
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.08, 0.01), Vector3(0.17, 0.035, 0.12), n, 0.05, pale, r, 1)
+	for s in [-1.0, 1.0]:
+		# Arm, then the claw: a fat pincer and a thin finger.
+		P._cylinder(st, Vector3(s * 0.12, 0.1, -0.09), Vector3(s * 0.17, 0.13, -0.2), 0.025, 0.02, 4, shell, r)
+		P._blob(st, Vector3(s * 0.17, 0.14, -0.26), Vector3(0.05, 0.04, 0.07), n, 0.1, shell, r, 1)
+		P._cylinder(st, Vector3(s * 0.17, 0.15, -0.31), Vector3(s * 0.15, 0.16, -0.37), 0.02, 0.006, 4, dark, r)
+		P._cylinder(st, Vector3(s * 0.19, 0.12, -0.31), Vector3(s * 0.18, 0.12, -0.36), 0.014, 0.004, 4, dark, r)
+		# Eyes on stalks.
+		P._cylinder(st, Vector3(s * 0.04, 0.15, -0.11), Vector3(s * 0.05, 0.21, -0.13), 0.008, 0.006, 3, shell, r)
+		P._blob(st, Vector3(s * 0.05, 0.22, -0.13), Vector3.ONE * 0.014, n, 0.0, Color(0.05, 0.05, 0.05), r, 0)
+	var lst := P._begin()
+	P._cylinder(lst, Vector3(0, 0, 0), Vector3(0, -0.11, 0.0), 0.014, 0.01, 3, shell, r)
+	P._cylinder(lst, Vector3(0, -0.11, 0.0), Vector3(0, -0.2, 0.0), 0.01, 0.003, 3, dark, r)
+	var hips: Array = []
+	for s in [-1.0, 1.0]:
+		for z in [-0.05, 0.03, 0.1]:
+			hips.append(Vector3(s * 0.17, 0.1, z))
+	return {"body": P._commit(st), "leg": P._commit(lst), "hips": hips,
+		"radius": 0.2, "height": 0.25}
+
 ## Barrow guard: an upright skeleton facing -Z, in a rusted helm, an old
 ## sword in its right hand and a round shield on its left arm. Two legs
 ## (creature.gd walks them like a pair of a quadruped's).

scripts/creatures/gull.gd

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+extends "res://scripts/creatures/crow.gd"
+## A gull (0.6.0, the Cove only): the Cove's crow, sent by thieves.gd by
+## day. It comes for food left on the sand and for fish on a smoking rack
+## that nobody's watching. Bolder and quicker than a crow: it lands, snatches
+## one and is off with it, and another soon follows. Shoot it down while
+## it's carrying and it drops what it took. Feathers.
+
+const SNATCH_AFTER := 1.2       ## seconds on the ground before it grabs one
+const GULL_SCARE := 6.0         ## (bolder than a crow)
+
+var carry: Dictionary = {}      ## {id, count, extra} once it has something
+
+func display_name() -> String:
+	return "Gull"
+
+func interact_prompt(_p: Node) -> String:
+	if is_dead():
+		return "Gull  [E] Pluck"
+	if not carry.is_empty():
+		return "Gull (off with your %s!)" % ItemDB.item_name(String(carry.id)).to_lower()
+	return {"peck": "Gull (after your food!)", "fly": "Gull (circling your food)"}.get(state, "Gull")
+
+func _think(dt: float) -> void:
+	match state:
+		"fly":
+			if not thieves.gull_still_there(food) or thieves.watched(thieves.spot(food), GULL_SCARE):
+				_leave()
+				return
+			_goal = thieves.spot(food)
+			var ground: float = terrain.sample_height(global_position.x, global_position.z)
+			if Vector2(_goal.x - global_position.x, _goal.z - global_position.z).length() < 0.35 and global_position.y - ground < 0.15:
+				state = "peck"
+				_state_t = SNATCH_AFTER
+				thieves.gull_landed(self, food)
+		"peck":
+			if not thieves.gull_still_there(food) or thieves.watched(global_position, GULL_SCARE):
+				_leave()
+				return
+			_state_t -= dt
+			if _state_t <= 0.0:
+				_peck_anim = 0.4
+				carry = thieves.snatch(self, food)
+				_leave()
+		"fly_off":
+			if thieves.out_of_sight(global_position):
+				thieves.gone(self)
+		_:
+			_leave()
+
+## Shot down with something in its beak: it drops it where it falls.
+func _die(from: Vector3) -> void:
+	super._die(from)
+	if not carry.is_empty() and not puppet:
+		var at := global_position + Vector3(0, 0.3, 0)
+		world.drop_item(String(carry.id), int(carry.count), Transform3D(Basis(), at), carry.get("extra", {}))
+		carry = {}

scripts/creatures/gull.gd.uid

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://draw1wvqi3cif

scripts/creatures/shore.gd

@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+extends Node3D
+## The shore's own wildlife (0.6.0, a land whose worldlet lists "crabs" in
+## its "wildlife": the Cove). From dusk till dawn crabs come up out of the
+## sea onto the beach, a few around each player who's down on the sand, at
+## the waterline and out of the way. At dawn they go back in (crab.gd).
+## Not saved: like the other wildlife they simply carry on around you.
+##
+## On a server this runs for everyone, and players see the crabs through
+## creature_net.gd.
+
+const CrabScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/crab.gd")
+
+const BUDGET := 5                ## per player on the beach, up to twice it
+const CHECK_EVERY := 2.0
+const RING_MIN := 14.0
+const RING_MAX := 45.0
+const NOT_WITHIN := 10.0         ## never comes up right beside anyone
+const DESPAWN := 80.0
+const BEACH_NEAR := 40.0         ## a player this close to the sand counts as on the beach
+
+var world: Node3D
+var terrain: Node3D
+var enabled := true
+var _rng := RandomNumberGenerator.new()
+var _acc := 0.0
+var _serial := 0
+
+func setup(w: Node3D) -> void:
+	world = w
+	terrain = w.terrain
+	_rng.seed = terrain.noise_seed + 1201
+
+func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
+	step(delta)
+
+## Dusk till dawn.
+func night() -> bool:
+	var h: float = world.day_night.hours()
+	return h >= 17.5 or h < 6.5
+
+## Living crabs.
+func alive() -> Array:
+	return get_children().filter(func(c): return is_instance_valid(c) and not c.is_queued_for_deletion() and not c.is_dead())
+
+func step(dt: float) -> void:
+	if not enabled or world.creatures == null or not world.creatures.enabled:
+		return
+	_acc += dt
+	if _acc < CHECK_EVERY:
+		return
+	_acc = 0.0
+	var everyone: Array = world.players()
+	for c in get_children():
+		if not everyone.any(func(p): return p.global_position.distance_to(c.global_position) <= DESPAWN):
+			c.queue_free()
+	if not night() or everyone.is_empty():
+		return
+	var on_beach := everyone.filter(func(p): return _near_sand(p.global_position))
+	if on_beach.is_empty():
+		return
+	if alive().size() < BUDGET * clampi(on_beach.size(), 1, 2):
+		var who: Node3D = on_beach[_rng.randi() % on_beach.size()]
+		spawn_near(who.global_position)   # (one at a time: they trickle up out of the sea)
+
+func _near_sand(p: Vector3) -> bool:
+	for a in [0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0]:
+		var q := p + Vector3(cos(a), 0.0, sin(a)) * BEACH_NEAR * 0.5
+		if terrain.on_sand(p.x, p.z) or terrain.on_sand(q.x, q.z):
+			return true
+	return false
+
+## A spot on the sand at the waterline, RING_MIN..RING_MAX from `around`
+## and not right beside anyone, or Vector3.INF.
+func find_spot(around: Vector3) -> Vector3:
+	for _try in range(40):
+		var a := _rng.randf() * TAU
+		var r := _rng.randf_range(RING_MIN, RING_MAX)
+		var x := around.x + cos(a) * r
+		var z := around.z + sin(a) * r
+		if not terrain.inside_boundary(x, z, 6.0) or terrain.beach_weight(x, z) < 0.75:
+			continue
+		var h: float = terrain.sample_height(x, z)
+		if h < terrain.water_level + 0.25 or h > terrain.water_level + 0.9:
+			continue
+		var p := Vector3(x, h, z)
+		if world.players().any(func(pl): return pl.global_position.distance_to(p) < NOT_WITHIN):
+			continue
+		return p
+	return Vector3.INF
+
+func spawn_near(around: Vector3) -> Node3D:
+	var p := find_spot(around)
+	if p == Vector3.INF:
+		return null
+	return spawn(p)
+
+func spawn(pos: Vector3) -> Node3D:
+	var c: AnimatableBody3D = CrabScript.new()
+	_serial += 1
+	c.setup("crab", world, pos, _rng.randi() + _serial)
+	add_child(c)
+	c.global_position = Vector3(pos.x, terrain.sample_height(pos.x, pos.z), pos.z)
+	c.state = "wander"
+	c.yaw = _rng.randf() * TAU
+	c.target_yaw = c.yaw
+	return c

scripts/creatures/shore.gd.uid

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+uid://b6eeco4cs028q

scripts/creatures/thieves.gd

@@ -9,10 +9,16 @@ extends Node3D
 ## fox.gd). Food in a chest is never touched (that's what chests are for);
 ## the bear (bear_range.gd) is another matter.
 ##
+## In a land with gulls (the Cove, 0.6.0: its worldlet's "wildlife"), food
+## left on the sand draws a gull by day instead of a crow (gull.gd), and so
+## does fish on a smoking rack that nobody's watching: a gull snatches one
+## and flies off with it.
+##
 ## On a server this runs for everyone (thieves are wildlife: creature_net.gd).
 
 const CrowScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/crow.gd")
 const FoxScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/fox.gd")
+const GullScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/gull.gd")
 
 const CHECK_EVERY := 5.0
 const UNWATCHED := 10.0
@@ -25,6 +31,7 @@ signal stolen(thief: Node, id: String, count: int)
 
 var world: Node3D
 var enabled := true
+var gulls := false               ## this land has gulls (the Cove)
 var _acc := 0.0
 var _unwatched: Dictionary = {}  ## pickup instance id -> seconds left alone
 var _rng := RandomNumberGenerator.new()
@@ -32,6 +39,7 @@ var _rng := RandomNumberGenerator.new()
 func setup(w: Node3D) -> void:
 	world = w
 	_rng.seed = w.terrain.noise_seed + 997
+	gulls = w.has_wildlife("gulls")
 
 func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
 	if enabled:
@@ -85,14 +93,28 @@ func step(dt: float) -> void:
 		_unwatched[k] = float(_unwatched.get(k, 0.0)) + since
 		if float(_unwatched[k]) >= NOTICE_AFTER and not _targeted(d) and alive().size() < MAX_THIEVES:
 			send(d)
+	if gulls and not night():
+		for r in racks():
+			if not gull_still_there(r):
+				continue
+			var k: int = r.get_instance_id()
+			seen[k] = true
+			if watched(r.global_position, UNWATCHED):
+				_unwatched.erase(k)
+				continue
+			_unwatched[k] = float(_unwatched.get(k, 0.0)) + since
+			if float(_unwatched[k]) >= NOTICE_AFTER and not _targeted(r) and alive().size() < MAX_THIEVES:
+				send(r)
 	for k in _unwatched.keys():
 		if not seen.has(k):
 			_unwatched.erase(k)
 
-## Sends a thief after `food`: a fox at dusk and night, otherwise a crow.
+## Sends a thief after `food`: a fox at dusk and night, otherwise a crow (a
+## gull on the sand, or at a smoking rack, where there are gulls).
 func send(food: Node3D) -> Node3D:
 	var fox := night()
-	var fp: Vector3 = food.global_position
+	var gull := not fox and gulls and (food.is_in_group("processor") or on_sand(food.global_position))
+	var fp: Vector3 = spot(food)
 	var from := Vector3.INF
 	for _i in range(12):
 		var a := _rng.randf() * TAU
@@ -104,8 +126,8 @@ func send(food: Node3D) -> Node3D:
 			break
 	if from == Vector3.INF:
 		return null
-	var t: AnimatableBody3D = (FoxScript if fox else CrowScript).new()
-	t.setup("fox" if fox else "crow", world, from, _rng.randi())
+	var t: AnimatableBody3D = (FoxScript if fox else (GullScript if gull else CrowScript)).new()
+	t.setup("fox" if fox else ("gull" if gull else "crow"), world, from, _rng.randi())
 	t.thieves = self
 	t.food = food
 	t.state = "sneak" if fox else "fly"
@@ -148,3 +170,63 @@ func grab(fox: Node, food: Node3D) -> Dictionary:
 ## A thief left with what it took (or empty-handed).
 func gone(t: Node) -> void:
 	t.queue_free()
+
+# --- gulls (the Cove) ----------------------------------------------------------------
+
+func on_sand(pos: Vector3) -> bool:
+	return world.terrain.on_sand(pos.x, pos.z)
+
+static func is_fish(id: String) -> bool:
+	return Dictionary(ItemDB.get_item(id).get("food", {})).get("diet", {}).has("fish")
+
+## This land's smoking racks.
+func racks() -> Array:
+	return get_tree().get_nodes_in_group("processor").filter(func(r): return is_instance_valid(r) and not r.is_queued_for_deletion() \
+		and String(r.item_id) == "smoking_rack" and world.is_ancestor_of(r))
+
+## Fish on a rack: the first id there is, or "".
+func _rack_fish(r: Node3D) -> String:
+	for st in r.inventory.slots:
+		if st != null and is_fish(String(st.id)):
+			return String(st.id)
+	return ""
+
+## Whether a gull's target is still worth it: food on the ground, or a rack
+## with fish on it.
+func gull_still_there(t: Node3D) -> bool:
+	if t == null or not is_instance_valid(t) or t.is_queued_for_deletion():
+		return false
+	if t.is_in_group("processor"):
+		return not _rack_fish(t).is_empty()
+	return still_there(t)
+
+## Where a thief lands for `t`: on food, or on the ground beside a rack.
+func spot(t: Node3D) -> Vector3:
+	if t.is_in_group("processor"):
+		var p: Vector3 = t.global_position + t.global_basis.z * 0.8
+		return Vector3(p.x, world.terrain.sample_height(p.x, p.z), p.z)
+	return t.global_position
+
+func gull_landed(_gull: Node, t: Node3D) -> void:
+	if t.is_in_group("processor"):
+		_tell(t.global_position, "A gull's at the fish on your smoking rack!")
+	else:
+		_tell(t.global_position, "A gull's landed by your %s!" % ItemDB.item_name(t.item_id).to_lower())
+
+## A gull takes one and flies off with it. Returns what it's carrying.
+func snatch(gull: Node, t: Node3D) -> Dictionary:
+	if not gull_still_there(t):
+		return {}
+	var c := {}
+	if t.is_in_group("processor"):
+		var id := _rack_fish(t)
+		t.inventory.remove(id, 1)
+		c = {"id": id, "count": 1, "extra": {}}
+	else:
+		c = {"id": String(t.item_id), "count": 1, "extra": t.extra.duplicate()}
+		t.amount = int(t.amount) - 1
+		if int(t.amount) <= 0:
+			world.take_dropped(t)
+	_tell(t.global_position, "A gull has snatched your %s!" % ItemDB.item_name(String(c.id)).to_lower())
+	stolen.emit(gull, String(c.id), 1)
+	return c

scripts/items/item_meshes.gd

@@ -84,6 +84,8 @@ static func build(key: String) -> ArrayMesh:
 		"mackerel": m = _fish(MACKEREL, 0.2, false)
 		"cod": m = _fish(COD, 0.3, false)
 		"grilled_mackerel": m = _fish(MACKEREL, 0.2, true)
+		"crab_meat": m = _crab_meat()
+		"cooked_crab": m = _cooked_crab()
 		"grilled_cod": m = _fish(COD, 0.3, true)
 		"fiber_plant": m = _fiber_plant()
 		"iron_nugget": m = _pebble(61, RUST, Vector3(0.07, 0.05, 0.06), 0.6)
@@ -1179,6 +1181,34 @@ static func _barrow_key() -> ArrayMesh:
 # --- P4 food keeping ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 ## A crust of white salt crystals.
+## A few chunks of white crab meat in a cracked bit of shell.
+static func _crab_meat() -> ArrayMesh:
+	var st := P._begin()
+	var r := _rng(341)
+	var n := FastNoiseLite.new()
+	n.seed = 341
+	n.frequency = 2.6
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.03, 0), Vector3(0.11, 0.03, 0.08), n, 0.2, Color(0.62, 0.22, 0.12), r, 1)
+	for i in range(4):
+		var c := Vector3(r.randf_range(-0.05, 0.05), 0.06, r.randf_range(-0.035, 0.035))
+		P._blob(st, c, Vector3(0.035, 0.022, 0.025), n, 0.25, Color(0.95, 0.9, 0.84).lerp(Color(0.95, 0.7, 0.62), r.randf() * 0.4), r, 0)
+	return P._commit(st)
+
+## A whole crab, boiled pink-red, legs tucked.
+static func _cooked_crab() -> ArrayMesh:
+	var st := P._begin()
+	var r := _rng(343)
+	var n := FastNoiseLite.new()
+	n.seed = 343
+	n.frequency = 2.4
+	var shell := Color(0.9, 0.35, 0.22)
+	P._blob(st, Vector3(0, 0.05, 0), Vector3(0.12, 0.04, 0.09), n, 0.1, shell, r, 1)
+	for sx in [-1.0, 1.0]:
+		P._blob(st, Vector3(sx * 0.1, 0.04, -0.1), Vector3(0.03, 0.025, 0.045), n, 0.1, shell, r, 0)
+		for z in [-0.03, 0.01, 0.05]:
+			P._cylinder(st, Vector3(sx * 0.1, 0.03, z), Vector3(sx * 0.15, 0.01, z + 0.02), 0.008, 0.004, 3, P._mul(shell, 0.85), r)
+	return P._commit(st)
+
 static func _salt() -> ArrayMesh:
 	var st := P._begin()
 	var r := _rng(331)

scripts/net/creature_net.gd

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ const Creature = preload("res://scripts/creatures/creature.gd")
 const BearScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/bear.gd")
 const CrowScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/crow.gd")
 const GuardScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/guard.gd")
+const GullScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/gull.gd")
+const CrabScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/crab.gd")
 const StagScript = preload("res://scripts/creatures/old_stag.gd")   # (rears and lowers its antlers)   # (falls apart in its own way)
 const Bobber = preload("res://scripts/fishing/bobber.gd")
 const Projectile = preload("res://scripts/creatures/projectile.gd")
@@ -99,7 +101,7 @@ func _server_tick(w: Node3D, delta: float) -> void:
 
 const PER_PACKET := 40
 const ENTRY := 23
-const KIND_IDS := ["rabbit", "deer", "boar", "wolf", "alpha", "bear", "crow", "fox", "guard", "old_stag", "spirit_wolf", "drowned"]
+const KIND_IDS := ["rabbit", "deer", "boar", "wolf", "alpha", "bear", "crow", "fox", "guard", "old_stag", "spirit_wolf", "drowned", "crab", "gull"]
 const STATE_IDS := ["idle", "wander", "flee", "charge", "dead", "rest", "alert", "stalk", "lunge", "retreat", "home", "defend", "bash",
 	"warn", "raid", "eat", "fly", "fly_off", "peck", "sneak", "carry", "circle", "telegraph", "stunned", "summon", "stomp"]
 
@@ -198,7 +200,8 @@ func _s2c_life(packed: PackedByteArray, fl: Array) -> void:
 		var c: Node3D = got if is_instance_valid(got) else null
 		if c == null:
 			# (Kinds with their own look: the bear rears up, a crow flaps.)
-			var script: Script = {"bear": BearScript, "crow": CrowScript, "guard": GuardScript, "drowned": GuardScript, "old_stag": StagScript}.get(kind, Creature)
+			var script: Script = {"bear": BearScript, "crow": CrowScript, "guard": GuardScript, "drowned": GuardScript, "old_stag": StagScript,
+				"gull": GullScript, "crab": CrabScript}.get(kind, Creature)
 			c = script.new()
 			c.puppet = true
 			c.setup(kind, world, e[2], cid)

scripts/net/player_net.gd

@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ func _run(p: Node3D, what: String, a: Array) -> void:
 				for m in w.get_tree().get_nodes_in_group("processor"):
 					m.step(float(a[0]) if a.size() > 0 and (a[0] is float or a[0] is int) else 60.0)
 		"debug_spawn":
-			if cheats and Creature.KINDS.has(_s(a, 0)) and not (_s(a, 0) in ["wolf", "alpha", "bear", "crow", "fox", "guard", "old_stag", "spirit_wolf", "drowned"]) and _v(a, 1).is_finite():
+			if cheats and Creature.KINDS.has(_s(a, 0)) and not (_s(a, 0) in ["wolf", "alpha", "bear", "crow", "fox", "guard", "old_stag", "spirit_wolf", "drowned", "crab", "gull"]) and _v(a, 1).is_finite():
 				w.creatures.spawn(_s(a, 0), _v(a, 1))
 		"debug_boss":
 			# Tests: ["hold", secs] stands the Old Stag still (stunned);

scripts/world/terrain.gd

@@ -768,6 +768,14 @@ func sea_weight(x: float, z: float) -> float:
 	_ensure_noise()
 	return _sea_w(x, z)
 
+## Whether (x, z) is on the sand (0.6.0): the beach side of the rim, low
+## enough for the sandy shoreline (terrain.gdshader paints sand below
+## water_level + SAND_TOP), or under the water off it.
+const SAND_TOP := 1.2
+func on_sand(x: float, z: float) -> bool:
+	_ensure_noise()
+	return _beach_w(x, z) > 0.5 and sample_height(x, z) < water_level + SAND_TOP
+
 ## How strongly (x, z) lies on the beach side of the rim (0..1; W2).
 func beach_weight(x: float, z: float) -> float:
 	_ensure_noise()

scripts/world/world.gd

@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ var bobber: Node3D              ## bobber.gd: the cast fishing float, if any
 var wolves: Node3D              ## wolf_pack.gd (null if this seed has no den site)
 var bears: Node3D               ## bear_range.gd: the island's bear (null online as a client)
 var thieves: Node3D             ## thieves.gd: crows and foxes after food left out
+var shore: Node3D               ## shore.gd: the Cove's crabs (null in a land without them)
 var hazards: Node3D             ## hazards.gd: lightning on trees, hard-winter ice (P4)
 var stones: Node3D              ## standing_stones.gd: the altar and the Old Stag (P5)
 var barrow: Node3D              ## barrow.gd: the burial mound and its guards (scenery; guards where creatures run)
@@ -513,6 +514,12 @@ func _setup_bear() -> void:
 	thieves.enabled = not "--no-creatures" in OS.get_cmdline_user_args()
 	if barrow != null and barrow.found and thieves.enabled:
 		barrow.start()
+	if has_wildlife("crabs"):
+		shore = preload("res://scripts/creatures/shore.gd").new()
+		shore.name = "Shore"
+		add_child(shore)
+		shore.setup(self)
+		shore.enabled = thieves.enabled
 	if not has_place("bear"):
 		return   # (bears only in the lands that list one: the Valley)
 	bears = preload("res://scripts/creatures/bear_range.gd").new()
@@ -1314,6 +1321,11 @@ func has_place(kind: String) -> bool:
 		return kind in DEFAULT_PLACES
 	return places.any(func(p): return p is Dictionary and String(p.get("type", "")) == kind)
 
+## Whether this land has wildlife `kind` beyond the usual ("crabs",
+## "gulls"): its worldlet's "wildlife" list (0.6.0; the Cove's).
+func has_wildlife(kind: String) -> bool:
+	return kind in Array(terrain.worldlet.get("wildlife", []))
+
 ## This worldlet's id ("valley") and its whole definition.
 func worldlet_id() -> String:
 	return terrain.worldlet_id