Gre’aa Escarpment
Pronunciation: gray-AH
Map Index: E-3, E-4
Location: North central Beorlan
Geography: The imposing Gre’aa Escarpment stands as a formidable natural boundary between the continents of Aorlan to the north and Beorlan to the south. These sheer rock cliffs demarcate the abrupt vertical transition from the upper realm of Taa to the lower realms of Palanlad and Vhoon. The imposing bedrock faces of the escarpment drop between 400 to 750 feet, making travel extremely difficult between north and south in this area. The escarpment's visage and geology varies dramatically along its length. On the western Palanlad side, the rock emerges from the ground as a light white quartzite sandstone that contains occasional narrow bands of light gray sandstone. The hard resistant rocks in this area contain few fractures, making this part of the great escarpment very stable. The rocks on the eastern Vhoon side of the escarpment, composed of softer and more highly fractured brown colored sandstone, are much more unstabile and are subject to occasional rockslides.
In its contemporary state, the escarpment stands stable, no longer subject to the cataclysmic uplift and the violent earthquakes that birthed it.
Primary Population: Herukh
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: The weather along Gre’aa’s long expanse holds a temperate character, with winters full of cool weather punctuated by sporadic cold spells. From late fall to mid spring the area is dampened by periodic rainfall. By late spring into the summer, the temperature steadily rises until the days become hot while rainfall becomes more infrequent. High winds present hazards to travelers year-round.
Wildlife: Despite the sudden fury and brutal repositioning of the geologic layers, the land slowly healed itself and life flourishes once again. The rocks of the cliff faces host a variety of cliff dwelling birds, including rock doves and falcons. Small lizards seek out insect attempting to hide in rock crevices.
Humanoids: The Herukh people, masters of the Gre’aa escarpment’s hidden secrets, have clandestine trails that wind through its dangers. These narrow paths, shrouded in secrecy, lead to their concealed settlements within hand-carved tunnels etched into the escarpment's rugged face.
Monsters: The cliff face contains few creatures that present a hazard to humanoids.
History: The escarpment’s origin lies rooted in the sudden violent chaos of the Great Cataclysm. Prior to this time, Taa and Talathtarr were a part of the plains of Palanlad. As the very land convulsed in an epic seismic frenzy, Taa's landscape rose precipitously over months. These titanic earthquakes sculpted the rugged Gre’aa Escarpment, leaving only a singular accessible passage in the escarpment area.
Today: A relic of a brutal ancient upheaval, the Gre’aa Escarpment weaves geology, history, and life together in a tapestry of formidable beauty, imposing challenges, and hidden mysteries. The escarpment presents a treacherous terrain that greatly inhibits north-south travel. Only a single known passage exists between the upper and lower landscapes. This very steep trail, narrow and hazardous in many places should not undertaken lightly. Egress elsewhere can only be safely accomplished by those skilled in technical climbing who dare challenge its steep, unforgiving contours.
Map Index: E-3, E-4
Location: North central Beorlan
Geography: The imposing Gre’aa Escarpment stands as a formidable natural boundary between the continents of Aorlan to the north and Beorlan to the south. These sheer rock cliffs demarcate the abrupt vertical transition from the upper realm of Taa to the lower realms of Palanlad and Vhoon. The imposing bedrock faces of the escarpment drop between 400 to 750 feet, making travel extremely difficult between north and south in this area. The escarpment's visage and geology varies dramatically along its length. On the western Palanlad side, the rock emerges from the ground as a light white quartzite sandstone that contains occasional narrow bands of light gray sandstone. The hard resistant rocks in this area contain few fractures, making this part of the great escarpment very stable. The rocks on the eastern Vhoon side of the escarpment, composed of softer and more highly fractured brown colored sandstone, are much more unstabile and are subject to occasional rockslides.
In its contemporary state, the escarpment stands stable, no longer subject to the cataclysmic uplift and the violent earthquakes that birthed it.
Primary Population: Herukh
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: The weather along Gre’aa’s long expanse holds a temperate character, with winters full of cool weather punctuated by sporadic cold spells. From late fall to mid spring the area is dampened by periodic rainfall. By late spring into the summer, the temperature steadily rises until the days become hot while rainfall becomes more infrequent. High winds present hazards to travelers year-round.
Wildlife: Despite the sudden fury and brutal repositioning of the geologic layers, the land slowly healed itself and life flourishes once again. The rocks of the cliff faces host a variety of cliff dwelling birds, including rock doves and falcons. Small lizards seek out insect attempting to hide in rock crevices.
Humanoids: The Herukh people, masters of the Gre’aa escarpment’s hidden secrets, have clandestine trails that wind through its dangers. These narrow paths, shrouded in secrecy, lead to their concealed settlements within hand-carved tunnels etched into the escarpment's rugged face.
Monsters: The cliff face contains few creatures that present a hazard to humanoids.
History: The escarpment’s origin lies rooted in the sudden violent chaos of the Great Cataclysm. Prior to this time, Taa and Talathtarr were a part of the plains of Palanlad. As the very land convulsed in an epic seismic frenzy, Taa's landscape rose precipitously over months. These titanic earthquakes sculpted the rugged Gre’aa Escarpment, leaving only a singular accessible passage in the escarpment area.
Today: A relic of a brutal ancient upheaval, the Gre’aa Escarpment weaves geology, history, and life together in a tapestry of formidable beauty, imposing challenges, and hidden mysteries. The escarpment presents a treacherous terrain that greatly inhibits north-south travel. Only a single known passage exists between the upper and lower landscapes. This very steep trail, narrow and hazardous in many places should not undertaken lightly. Egress elsewhere can only be safely accomplished by those skilled in technical climbing who dare challenge its steep, unforgiving contours.