When the rift opens, it will clear all the trees within its borders and turn all terrain into dirt. Also, when the rift opens, it will spawn a few traps, rift stones, rift crystals, and rift trees, which can be harvested once the rift has closed. You cannot terraform inside the rift area until it has been closed. Also, rift mobs will attack all the creatures in the rift area at the time of the rift opening, regardless of whether or not said creatures are passive or aggressive. The only time the rift mobs will not attack creatures is when they are being ridden. ''Note: This does not apply to hitched animals, which will still be attacked.''
When the rift opens, many different kinds of mobs will spawn. These mobs come in waves of increasing difficulty, and they include Rift Beasts, Rift Casters, Rift Summoners, Rift Jackals, Rift Ogres, Ogre Mages, and lastly, the Warmaster. In order to advance to the next wave of creatures, you must sacrifice 20 rift mob hearts that are obtained by butchering the mobs at the '''Rift Altar''', an altar that the rift will spawn on its own. ''Note: These hearts are not like normal hearts. They cannot be put into a [[food storage bin]] and create healing covers of useless potency.'' When a mob is killed, every player has a 5% chance to get a loot item that can include but are not limited to shoulder pads and [[Rift Jewelry|jewelry with special abilities]].
Please visit [http://forum.wurmonline.com/index.php?/topic/141729-wsa-guide-to-rift-gear/ this guide] for additional rift loot information or for any questions you may have.