The Cloudrend Mountains
"Where Dwarfish sleep and dragons creep." -Dwarfish Tavern Song
The Cloudrend Mountains are the jagged crown of northern Everwealth, a ring of peaks that claw at the heavens and vanish into a permanent veil of fog. From a distance, they seem carved from the bones of the world, mist-draped giants brooding over the land. Up close, they are a labyrinth of stone, ice, and peril. Here, the earth rises in broken layers, forming the vast bowl at their heart where the Dwarfish carve their cities deep into the rock, safe from the storms that scream across the heights. The ridges above are a graveyard of fallen paths, shattered watchtowers, and whispering cairns, their silence broken only by the howl of the wind, or the deep, guttural roar of something old and winged moving through the clouds. In the shadow of the Cloudrend Mountains, beauty and death walk hand in hand. Emerald valleys glimmer for a few short months, and then the snows return, swallowing all. The fog rolls in without warning, thick as wool, and in that shifting gray, travelers see things they should not: cairn lights floating like ghostly guides, or shadows that stalk just out of sight. The Cloudrend does not welcome you. It waits. It waits for your breath to grow ragged, for your hands to numb, for your steps to falter on the scree. And when it claims you, your bones will be ground into the same rock that guards the riches beneath, gold, mithril, gems, and the unbroken pride of the Dwarfish who have made this merciless range their home. To the lowlands it is a wall, a boundary. To those who enter, it is a test: survive the dragons in the mist, the storms that bury, the stones that collapse without sound. Those who pass through the Cloudrend return changed, carrying the mountain’s silence in their eyes forever.
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 it as a stronghold and transforming its depths into sprawling cities and mines. 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. Guided tours of the Frostvein Mines or the Stone Echo Halls, where ancient Dwarfish carvings tell the story of their people, are popular among those who prefer safer endeavors. 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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