The Cloudrend Mountains
"Where Dwarfish sleep and dragons creep." -Dwarfish Tavern Song
The Cloudrend Mountains form the jagged crown of northern Everwealth, a ring of peaks that claw at the heavens and vanish into a veil of shifting fog. From afar they look like the ribs of a dead god, mist-draped and eternal. Up close they are crueler, their cliffs sharp enough to flay the sky, their valleys filled with the echoes of stone breaking and storms being born. The Dwarfish call these peaks home, or at least the nearest thing to it that the world still allows. Here the air tastes of moss and frost, the wind never sleeps, and the clouds themselves seem to breathe. The Cloudrend is not a range one conquers, it is a range one survives, and survival is a kind of worship. It was in these peaks that the First Travelers built again after exile, their old plains and fortresses swallowed by The Great Schism. In the Cloudrend’s bowl they raised Newspire, a city that clings to the cliffs like a scar that refused to heal. But beyond its walls the mountains remain untamed. Whole valleys lie buried under centuries of overgrowth, avalanche depending on the season, and the constant shadow of war, the high ridges are haunted by winged shadows and the restless bones of the fallen. The wind carries voices in its scream, sometimes laughter, sometimes prayer. Travelers learn not to answer. To the lowlands, the Cloudrend is a wall, a promise that nothing from beyond can reach them. To those within, it is a proving ground, a place that gives no mercy yet demands reverence. Emerald valleys bloom only for a heartbeat before the snows reclaim them. The fog rolls down without warning, thick and soundless, and in that gray weight wanderers swear they see lights dancing or shapes following just beyond sight. Some say the mountain keeps the memories of the dead, whispering them back to any who linger too long For all its peril, beauty endures here, stark and brilliant. Ice-veined waterfalls gleam like shattered mirrors, and when the sun does pierce the fog it paints the peaks in silver. Beneath those peaks run rivers of ore and fire, feeding the Dwarfish forges, while the ridges above them watch in silence. The Cloudrend does not welcome you, but it keeps what it takes. When you die here, your bones do not rest, they join the song of the stone.
Geography
The Cloudrend Mountains stretch across Everwealth’s northern border, their peaks reaching far into the sky. These ancient highlands are a marvel of natural design, with rolling green slopes near the base transitioning to jagged cliffs and misty summits. At the heart lies The Dwarfish Bowl, a vast natural basin ringed by soaring ridges, resembling a fortress hewn by gods. Streams and waterfalls cascade down emerald ravines, carving paths into moss-laden valleys, while deep lochs and shimmering glacial lakes dot the terrain. The mist, ever-present and luminous under moonlight, gives the peaks a mystical aura, blending their majesty with a sense of foreboding.
Ecosystem
The Cloudrend’s ecosystem is a delicate yet dangerous balance. Hardy flora such as Frostroot and Emerald Heather cling to life along rocky outcrops, while ancient oaks, their roots gnarled like old hands, cling to the lower slopes. Wildlife thrives in this harsh terrain, red stags with antlers that shimmer faintly in the moonlight roam the foothills, while frost-hardened rams, called Skyhorns, scale impossible heights. Predators like dire wolves and wyverns stalk the slopes, while deep within the mountain caves, bioluminescent fungi illuminate colonies of blind cave creatures, feeding off the mountain's mineral-rich springs.
Ecosystem Cycles
Each season brings dramatic shifts to the Cloudrend. Spring coats the valleys in bursts of green and lilac, while icy rivers roar to life with the thaw. Summer sees grazing herds and their predators descend to the lower slopes, and the Dwarfish open their mountain markets to trade goods gleaned during the milder months. Autumn transforms the foothills into fiery hues of orange and red, with fog rolling in heavier than ever, muting the colors. Winter, however, is the mountain’s true master, howling winds and heavy snows silence all but the hardiest creatures and those who call its caves home.
Localized Phenomena
The Fog of Memory, as locals call it, drifts through the mountains like a sentient force, known for disorienting travelers and conjuring fleeting visions of the past. The Cairn Lights, pale green and blue orbs, hover over ancient burial sites at twilight, believed to guide spirits home. The mountains also hum faintly at night, an eerie vibration caused by wind cutting through deep, ancient fissures. Dwarfish lore claims these sounds are the voices of ancestors, whispering their grievances or approval to those who would listen.
Climate
The Cloudrend Mountains are unforgiving, with icy winds and sudden storms even in the height of summer. The valleys and lower ridges enjoy fleeting warmth during the midsummer months, but temperatures plummet quickly as one ascends. Snow is a near-constant feature, layering the peaks in perpetual white. The mists, however, are the mountain’s signature feature, cool, damp, and nearly impenetrable, they mask paths and landmarks alike, turning even familiar routes treacherous.
Fauna & Flora
Flora:
- Frostroot: A magickal herb used for salves, found in frozen soil pockets.
- Emerald Heather: Known for its bright green blooms and use in dyes.
- Ironbark Trees: Trees with bark so dense it can dull axes.
- Skyhorn Rams: Hardy mountain goats prized for their magick-infused horns.
- Silver Stags: Majestic deer, said to bring good fortune if sighted.
- Frost Dragons: Stark white species' of Dragons, notorious for ambushing travelers in the mist, sometimes which they create to lure-in their prey.
Natural Resources
The Cloudrend holds vast deposits of iron, mithril, and precious gemstones, with veins of gold running deep in its heart. The Dwarfish mines yield durable stone for construction and rare minerals coveted by magickal artisans. Snowmelt streams provide fresh water, while the valleys’ limited soil produces hardy crops like barley and mountain flax.
History
The Cloudrend predates the recorded history of Everwealth, its peaks revered by ancient peoples as sacred thresholds to the heavens. During the Fall, these mountains were thrust even higher, forming jagged layers that resembled shattered dreams. The Dwarfish claimed the central bowl shortly after, fortifying the basin with a ring of aeries, wind-keeps, and sky-bridges, while driving mines and vaults beneath where needed. Through the Great Schism, the Cloudrend stood as an unyielding line of defense, though many of its paths are littered with the remnants of those who sought its shelter and failed.
Tourism
While the Cloudrend’s breathtaking views attract scholars and adventurers alike, the mountains’ dangers deter all but the bravest. Escorted walks along the sky-bridges and cliff lookouts are occasionally permitted, and visiting scholars may be granted supervised access to a single demonstration gallery or a ceremonial Echo Hall, but working mines remain closed. For the daring, expeditions to the highest peaks or the ruins of The Shattered Watchtower offer the chance to uncover treasures, or disappear forever in the mist.
Alternative Name(s)
'The Peaks of Mourning', 'The Veiled Highlands', 'Stone’s Crown'.
Inhabiting Species
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