Harun’tal, The Haunted Hills
Pronunciation: hair-un-TALL
Map Index: E3, E4
Location: North central Beorlan
Geography: Located in north central Beorlan, the hills of Harun’tal stand as tall sentinels in the midst of a subtropical savanna. These enigmatic conical hills rise mysteriously up from broad smooth rolling plains. The origin of these peculiar landforms remains shrouded in mystery, their creation defying explanation. The shape of the hills evokes speculation that they might be ancient burial mounds from a forgotten age while legends say that these hills were built by giants, but no trace of any giants has yet to be found. Many tomb raiders have dug into these hills but so far none have unearthed either bones or treasure. Covered in lush grass, these hills are curiously devoid of trees on their slopes, although trees sometimes grow right up to the base of the hills.
Due to old tales and legends, outsiders seek to avoid the hills, their fears ignited by stories of evil haunting spirits that emerge from the hills after dusk. Tales abound of those who dared to spend a night among the hills, fleeing in terror from bone chilling otherworldly encounters. Yet, the Ranfaroth, a race of centaurs, view the hills with reverence, considering them sacred.
Primary Population: Ranfaroth
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: Harun’tal's climate paints a backdrop of contrasts. The winter months usher in a comfortably cooler period with abundant rainfall falling over the land, providing the soils much needed moisture after a long dry summer. Yet as spring comes the rains come less frequently, and by summer, the land is subjected to oppressive heat and infrequent scarce rainfall. These fertile grass coverd plains are only capable of supporting trees in areas where the groundwater lies close enough to the surface that thirsty tree roots are able find it.
Wildlife: The hills of Harun’tal harbor a diverse array of wildlife that thrives in this subtropical savanna. Vibrant birds with exotic plumage dart through the air, while elusive small mammals navigate the underbrush. The Ranfaroth centaurs share this land harmoniously with these creatures, forging a unique connection with nature.
Humanoids: Living a nomadic life across the surrounding plains of Palanlad, the Ranfaroth tribes converge upon Harun’tal each mid-summer. This weeklong celebration is both a reunion and a competition of skill, where tribes gather in their traditional locations to prepare. Games test prowess, culminating in the selection of each tribe’s new tribal leader. This is then followed by an all-night meeting in a great yurt where the new tribal chiefs convene the Great Council to deliberate upon the new year's challenges.
Monsters: With the Ranfaroth tribes gathering in this location each year, most evil creatures steer well clear of this location. Those that don't will be dealt with as soon and the tribes return.
History: As the Great Cataclysm rocked the world, the hills of Harun’tal were spared the violent changes wrought elsewhere. Massive earthquakes struck the land hard but did little to harm the hills, and few magical chaos storms made their way into this area. While scars of upheaval marked the landscape in distant areas, the hills endured, preserving their enigmatic charm and continuing to serve as a meeting ground.
Today: The hills cast a mysterious presence as they overlook the gently rolling plains of Palanlad. Their enigmatic conical shape is unique in all of Raios. To this day, no one understands why trees refuse to grow on these hills.
Map Index: E3, E4
Location: North central Beorlan
Geography: Located in north central Beorlan, the hills of Harun’tal stand as tall sentinels in the midst of a subtropical savanna. These enigmatic conical hills rise mysteriously up from broad smooth rolling plains. The origin of these peculiar landforms remains shrouded in mystery, their creation defying explanation. The shape of the hills evokes speculation that they might be ancient burial mounds from a forgotten age while legends say that these hills were built by giants, but no trace of any giants has yet to be found. Many tomb raiders have dug into these hills but so far none have unearthed either bones or treasure. Covered in lush grass, these hills are curiously devoid of trees on their slopes, although trees sometimes grow right up to the base of the hills.
Due to old tales and legends, outsiders seek to avoid the hills, their fears ignited by stories of evil haunting spirits that emerge from the hills after dusk. Tales abound of those who dared to spend a night among the hills, fleeing in terror from bone chilling otherworldly encounters. Yet, the Ranfaroth, a race of centaurs, view the hills with reverence, considering them sacred.
Primary Population: Ranfaroth
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: Harun’tal's climate paints a backdrop of contrasts. The winter months usher in a comfortably cooler period with abundant rainfall falling over the land, providing the soils much needed moisture after a long dry summer. Yet as spring comes the rains come less frequently, and by summer, the land is subjected to oppressive heat and infrequent scarce rainfall. These fertile grass coverd plains are only capable of supporting trees in areas where the groundwater lies close enough to the surface that thirsty tree roots are able find it.
Wildlife: The hills of Harun’tal harbor a diverse array of wildlife that thrives in this subtropical savanna. Vibrant birds with exotic plumage dart through the air, while elusive small mammals navigate the underbrush. The Ranfaroth centaurs share this land harmoniously with these creatures, forging a unique connection with nature.
Humanoids: Living a nomadic life across the surrounding plains of Palanlad, the Ranfaroth tribes converge upon Harun’tal each mid-summer. This weeklong celebration is both a reunion and a competition of skill, where tribes gather in their traditional locations to prepare. Games test prowess, culminating in the selection of each tribe’s new tribal leader. This is then followed by an all-night meeting in a great yurt where the new tribal chiefs convene the Great Council to deliberate upon the new year's challenges.
Monsters: With the Ranfaroth tribes gathering in this location each year, most evil creatures steer well clear of this location. Those that don't will be dealt with as soon and the tribes return.
History: As the Great Cataclysm rocked the world, the hills of Harun’tal were spared the violent changes wrought elsewhere. Massive earthquakes struck the land hard but did little to harm the hills, and few magical chaos storms made their way into this area. While scars of upheaval marked the landscape in distant areas, the hills endured, preserving their enigmatic charm and continuing to serve as a meeting ground.
Today: The hills cast a mysterious presence as they overlook the gently rolling plains of Palanlad. Their enigmatic conical shape is unique in all of Raios. To this day, no one understands why trees refuse to grow on these hills.