Verith - The Shattered World

 

The mountains are the lifeblood of Verith and its development.  With the dwarves being the first inhabitants of Verith, given the duty of caretakers, they have nurtured the great Spine of the World over the last several thousand years, building great halls, trails and tunnels.  During which nature, wars and magic have wrecked havoc and wonder upon the majestic peaks of the various sections of the Spine.  Although they are almost one solid chain as seen from the sky above, the various regions are named by the local populace.

 

SPINE OF THE WORLD: What remains of the once great ring of mountains before the Wyrmkings destroyed the great egg.  They now form the boundary between Fang Reach, Banador, Sunara, and the Lands of Skyoraskia.  The great Dragon’s Tail Ocean trench runs along the spine.

 

NYGAR MOUNTAINS:  The Nygar consists of tall rocky peaks, with many fiords and glaciers.  They are covered in snow and ice most of the year.  The few passes that exist are heavily fortified by the various tribes that use them for travel.  Most are only accessible during the warmer months.  This region of the Great Spine is home to the Nygar Dwarves.  Here precious metals are mined to forge into weapons of power.  However, the majority of the time the Linnorm is the focus of much of the attention of man and Dwarf as they are a common threat here in the high peaks.

 

VALLEY OF THE XPH: Located in the center of the Nygar Mountains this valley is home to the Xphrall cat lords.  They live in Malisral, and hunt in the surrounding areas.  Small families litter the valley floor earning their keep by hunting the beast of the Nygar.  The elite guards protect the Temple of Xphrall.  Many feline creatures roam the valley floor, they are all considered holy.

 

JALISRAD PASS:  This steep and treacherous path is the only way through the Nygar Mountains without going around or over the top.  Lake Sigurn is the start of the pass, while the castle of Yrgath marks the outside edge.  The hot springs provide fresh water year round.  The springs are guarded well by the Dwarves.  This is a key pass for the Xph.  They use it to keep the armies of the Shadow Cult back and to control the flow of Cendrum hordes that invade in the winter months.

 

WHITE WOLF MOUNTAINS:    The men of Charak have existed separated from the rest of the world for centuries; with the separation, and like them the mountains are lonely and desolate with little life,  most of it having died off from the extreme cold. The waters here are poison and what does grow here is vile and impure.  The mountains are holy to the people of Charak.  They are seen as a gift from Astra, and only those taking the holy quest of manhood may enter the peaks.  It is a test of endurance and a time of visions.  The valley in the middle of this range is a breeding ground for the Giant white wolves that the peaks are named after. The Starlight Elves are some of the only living beings here besides the Charakeen.

 

THE OGRES BACK: This small outcropping of peaks surrounds and protects the MAgocracy of Gamale.  It is home to many of the Cendrum beasts that rise up in the Wizard Wastes.  These mountains are littered with tunnels and mines, most are abandoned and dangerous, and others lead right into the depths of evil. 

 

SILVER PEAKS:  This small grouping of low mountains juts into Silver-Wind Bay and gives it the reflection that its name is taken from.  The smooth surfaces of these peaks reflect brightly from the Light of Belorn.  Habitat to all manner of beasts especially Kobolds; many miners have ventured here to seek their fortune; some have succeeded but most never return.

 

CRAGS OF THE VIPER:  these are the highest peaks on Verith.  They reach way beyond the clouds, and most never see their peaks, much less the middle.  High atop these peaks Eladrin of Alcene make their home; with their servants living in and protecting the forest below from intruders.  These mountains are a magical place and strange things are said to occur beyond the clouds.  The crags stretch coreward into Valusia and Caladrial, but they dramatically lose their height and end up as rolling hills as they stretch to the coast.  The Eladrin have trained Sylvan elves not only as servants but to patrol the mountains as well.  The result is that no Cendrum has stepped foot in these mountains in over 3,000 years.

 

LONE MOUNTAINS OF SKIDARA:  Located in the center of the Vulture Flats, the lone mountains stand high against the horizon.  Weathered by eons of wind and rain, they now appear as a giant collection of smooth rocks with intricate patterns etched into them by the craftsman of time.  Skidara is a shunned place for it is home to the Lich Mordalko and his undead host.  The surrounding lands have been laid waste by this evil.

 

MOUNTAINS OF SKYE:  the purple mountains of Skye are home to all the rejected experiments of the great wizard’s and sorcerers of Skye.  The mountains are a place of wild magic and strange surges occur at random throughout the mountains.  These mountains provide the barrier wall that shrouds the Wierdinghold of Skyoraskia from the rest of the world.  Magical Storms are always passing over these peaks, twisting the natural order of things.

 

VALE OF THE WHYTE LYNX:  This is the smaller valley coreward of the Xphrall Valley.  Halflings and other Sylvan creatures of the Fey wild mostly inhabit it.  The weather here is exceptional 98% of the year.  With only the darkest of winter nights to bring down the cheer of the villagers. They trade heavily with both the Sunaran elves and the citizens of Xphrall.  During the winter months they hold the pass from the forces of Iccendria.

 

 

CHANGOR RANGE:  This small range of mid-level mountains is the rimward boundary to the Changorin, a wild bunch of faeries.   Many elementals of good nature live here and protect this region. Zamtha is a village of mixed demihumans that make a living from the mountains and Red-eye Bay.  Rouge bands of Sahuagin make raids on occasion along the shores of the bay.

 

AK-TOR MOUNTAINS:  Home to the ancient mountain dwarves of the same name, the Ak-Tor is a place of history and pride.  The dwarves have lived here since Jastian first molded them from the mountains in the 1st Age.  The throne of the White Mountain lays hidden deep in the high peaks.  The dwarves here have consented over the last hundred years to allow the elves to guard the lower hills in exchange for letting them live in peace.  The dragon king has enforced this ruling as well.  The few volcanoes in this region are used to forge great weapon and armor that is traded to the elves for enchantment. The grazing lands within the valley are home to all manner of beasts that the dwarves raise for food and labor.

 

VALLEY OF THE WEMIC:  The vale is a dry and parched arena for the great and fearsome wemics.  These lion men roam the parched floors of the valley hunting for their families.  They have a loose pact with the dwarves to aid in times of trouble. They also frequent the elvish city of Eronson to trade.  The valley is home to many rare plants and herbs that only grow here and are a main staple of the Wemic healers.

 

RAYGORN PASS:  In the Horn of the Tritons, the Raygorns rise slowly but to a great height beyond the clouds.  Small this chain may be but its importance in the protection of Drazillia is grand.  A well-guarded pass allows for speedy travel north to the forest of the wyrm kingas well as a line of defense versus the evil creatures that roam into the mountains.

 

THE SCAR:  Created during the Awakening.  As the surge of magic ripped the lands apart once again, the ground crumbled and opened up; while giant masses of earth were torn asunder and lifted to the sky.  The Scar is a great rift in the face of the land.  It reaches deep into the bowels of Verith past the first world and beyond.  Many Great Cendrum beasts come from here, and such creatures that come to torment and rule often plague the surrounding lands. Those floating islands gently float above the scar in a slow rhythmic pattern.  Magic does not work normally on the floating islands as the ancient magic’s have been embedded into the land and hold sway with their magic weave.  The beasts that make homes on these floating lands continually vie for control of air in the region.  Cloud giants, dragons, hippogriffs, Pegasus, and other flying beasts are common here.

 

GREY CLAW MOUNTAINS: These are the lower chain of peaks in the Atros area.  They are ruled over by the Grey Dragon Durogar.  The citizens often bring him wine and sheep as offerings of peace and goodwill.  So far, he has accepted them and kept the area free from any great plagues of terror.  Because of this, Atros has banned all hunting in the mountains without express permission from the King’s Council.

 

GRIFFON / OPAL PASS:  These two passes are the only trade routes into Atros for the human and elvish contingents that live there.  The dwarves trade with all the small villages for beer and gold.  While some villagers farm the passes, they are mostly populated by tired patrols.

 

THE GREAT CHURL PEAKS:  The second largest expanse of mountains on Verith. Constant rain, windstorms, lightning storms, and blizzards mixed with all manner of hideous creatures makes the Churl peaks one of the nastiest places to be caught unprepared, by far the worst weather on Verith; also known for its many false canyons and the Cendrum creatures that lie in wait.  The Temple of Amra, teacher of mysteries is located deep in the center of the Churls along the Pass of Evil-Eyes keeping its secrets hidden to all but the bravest adventurers.

 

PASS OF THE EVIL-EYES:  This pass is almost impossible to find unless you have plenty of luck or a highly skilled guide that has been on the path before.  Those that know its secrets are usually unwilling to part with them.  The pass connects the Vale of Eyes with the outside world.  Many false canyons and trails lead off the main path, some longer than the true path.  The false routes are all wrought with danger.

 

VALE OF VAR-CON NEIR: This pass allows access to the Striped Forest and the Sunara.  It is guarded well by the Clans of Var-Con.  They are wary of all foreigners.  It is part of their sacred trust to test all who seek the Temple of Amra’s wisdom.

 

SEAWALL MOUNTAINS:  The Seawall Mountains get their name from the fact that they protect the rimward edge of the Forest of Tears from the Illmeran Ocean.  They also form a protective wall for Vermon’s hold.  Patrolled by both Eladrin and man, these mountains are safe and a good place to learn the arts of mountaineering.

 

PEAKS OF THE WHYTE ELF: this small section of low mountains is home to the fabled Fey High Crown of Neranvel.  It is a place of wild magic and magical gateways to other lands.  The elves and Eladrin here protect these peaks as holy ground and no visitors have ever been inside the golden gates of the Inner City of Shaerlis.  A great tree in the form of Assune rises from a lake of Uvast in the center of the mountain cluster.

 

LESSER KALINS:  The lessor Kalins are located mainly in the lower part of the Forest of Tears and along the borders of the Amrol-Dan.  Heavily forested with thickets and thorns, trees almost have a hard time growing amid all the treacherous undergrowth.  Some also call this area the Wyldes.  For it is the home of the Bloodseeker Gnoll Tribe, terrible headhunters whose savage deeds make this forested mountain range a feared place even for the Cendrum hordes.

 

GREATER KALINS:  The Greater Kalins divide much of what was once the Ruathyn Empire.  They separate The Borderlands of Zurish, the Farakeen, the Wyrmscale Tundra, and Melanbendoor.  These peaks are noted for their bright orange hue and the eye tyrants that rule region.  Giants, ogres, trolls, and other great monsters call these jagged peaks home.  The run all the way coreward to the Eye of Iccendria; this causes these mountains to be a major highway for the advancement of the Cendrum hordes.  They are the largest chain of mountains remaining on Verith.

 

GROANING PEAKS:  These Mountains encompass those just corewards of Akjahl Avorim and the Lost Valley. The form the coreward wall of the Valusian Gap. Giants abound here along with Wyverns who roost in the hot summer months.  Undead roam the crevasses and valleys of the rimward region while dragons proliferate towards the core.

 

CRATER OF THE FALLEN MOON: This is a very unique chain of mountains on Verith, created over in the third age when the fifth moon fell from the sky and shook the very foundations of Verith. Upon impact, it shattered and splinters of the moon covered the land.  The pressure of the crash forced giant unnatural spires and jagged peaks to erupt from the ground, and form the craters boundary.  The metal from the moon and its magical properties caused a strange phenomenon. The area goes through strange phases where magic will work and then were it will not; sometimes wild-magic is all that will function.  The Black Dwarves of Melanbendoor mine the moon ore and make a special armor from it as well as beautiful artifacts of legend.  Very few travelers have ever reported on these findings have been attained through trade with the rare Black Dwarven Caravans. They number over two score carts in number and are accompanied by a heavy regiment of guards both dwarvish and ranged support from the Sune elves.  These caravans travel the lands about once a century and trade their crafted items for gold and gems.  Bandits rarely attempt to ambush these caravans.  The magical properties of the fallen moon protect its inhabitants.  The upper peaks of the moon were shattered upon impact with the land and great crevasses and trenches formed that became home to many creatures.  Those that fly and those that slither, they were massive in strength and size, many receiving the same effects that the dwarves did.  The very ground around them changed them over the years to the strange beasts that are found there today.

 

BRAX PEAKS:  This range runs from the Fortress of the Purple Fist in Dorovar down into the lands of Gvensestla.  It is home to numerous species of Awakend beasts.  Kenku, Griffons, hippogriffs and other avian creatures roost here in the high peaks.  The feed off of the weak creatures of the ground.

 

VALE OF KARNYA: This small valley lies in the Spine between Alfarn and Sunara.

 

GOL-MIDRAN PEAKS: The coreward border of the slaving empire of Sargothia.  The scattered peaks are littered with graves of escaped slaves and broken down caravans that have been pillaged by the many bandit clans.  The Greyling Pits sit at the tip of Azuth Sound.  This is a great salt mine where many of the Sargothian slaves spend their horrid last days.

 

There are other smaller ranges of peaks that may have local names.  Many of the Dwarvish names for the peaks were lost in ages past and after the Fall of the 3rd Age the original peaks of the Tor-Jastum were destroyed.  Those peaks that still survive today are a result of the many cataclysms and sundering that Verith has undergone.