Taldruon Plateau
Pronunciation: TAL-drew-on
Map Index: F-3
Location: Central Beorlan, in the plains of Taldrinor.
Geography: The Taldruon Plateau consists of five large flat-topped mesas, all nearly the same height, that lie in close proximity to each other. Rising abruptly up from the surrounding grassy plains, these mesas were once all connected, but had these connections severed by the titanic forces unleased by the Great Cataclysm. Accessing the upper part of the mesas varies in difficulty, but all have at least one primitive narrow path that allows access to the top without climbing.
Primary Population: Ranfaroth
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: A subtropical climate prevails leaving the plains with mild winters that have moderate amounts of rainfall. Summers are hot and dry, with only rare thunderstorms to provide moisture. Summertime drought brings stress as there are no water sources on the tops of the mesas.
Wildlife: Scattered drought resistant shrubs and grasses grow atop the mesas.
The mesas provide nesting sites for eagles, falcons, and vultures.
Humanoids: The Ranfaroth hold the mesas of the Taldruon Plateau as places of special importance. Tribal legends refer to these mesas as the birthplace of the Ranfaroth, at a time before they were fully formed and had only two legs. Accordingly, each of the five large mesas contains a special shrine on top that has been in place since before the Great Cataclysm. Large numbers of Ranfaroth ride patrols and keep watch over the area surrounding the Taldruon Plateau to prevent their enemies, the Turoch, from entering any of the sacred places.
Monsters: Rocs, Griffons, and giant eagles inhabit the upper part of the plateau. They mostly have an accommodation with the Ranfaroth and both sides take measures that limit contact and possible conflict.
History: The Great Cataclysm had a physical impact on the terrain of the Taldruon Plateau. Great earthquakes wracked the land, fracturing the bedrock. This led to great rockslides and structural collapses resulting in the permanent separation of the plateau into five major mesas.
Today: The plateau consists primarily of five large mesas and a few small buttes that at one time were all joined together. The following are the names of the mesas and their translation from Ranfari to common:
Tepasi Heluta (Mesa of the Golden Stone) – The largest mesa of the group contains a large cave on an outward facing slope that the Ranfaroth revere as their birthplace. The walls of the cave contain pictograms inscribed in red ochre that tells the history of the Ranfaroth. Legends say that the cave is so old that the Ranfaroth lived there before their transformation from human into centaur. A large shrine with a very large rune covered glittering golden standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say that the rock has been standing there for thousands of years prior to the emergence of the Ranfaroth race.
Tepasi Adamanta (Mesa of the Gray Steel) – The smallest mesa in the group. A large shrine with a large gray metal standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say it might be composed of high grade adamantine ore.
Tepasi Lunsuta (Mesa of the Sky Stone) – This mesa connects with Tepasi Ferruta via a very sturdy rope bridge. A large shrine with a pitted dark gray metal standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say it might be a meteorite that fell from the sky. No one knows its exact origin or how it came to be where it is.
Tepasi Ferruta (Mesa of the Iron Stone) – This mesa connects with Tepasi Lunsuta via a very sturdy rope bridge. A large shrine with a pitted rust covered iron standing stone sits atop the mesa. No one knows its origin or how it came to be where it is.
Tepasi Moruta (Mesa of the Black Stone) - A large shrine with a large rune covered black standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say that the rock has been there for many thousands of years and the runes are in an unknown language. Tales persist that ancient secret treasure lies buried somewhere atop this mesa.
Map Index: F-3
Location: Central Beorlan, in the plains of Taldrinor.
Geography: The Taldruon Plateau consists of five large flat-topped mesas, all nearly the same height, that lie in close proximity to each other. Rising abruptly up from the surrounding grassy plains, these mesas were once all connected, but had these connections severed by the titanic forces unleased by the Great Cataclysm. Accessing the upper part of the mesas varies in difficulty, but all have at least one primitive narrow path that allows access to the top without climbing.
Primary Population: Ranfaroth
Secondary Population: None
Minor Population: None
Climate: A subtropical climate prevails leaving the plains with mild winters that have moderate amounts of rainfall. Summers are hot and dry, with only rare thunderstorms to provide moisture. Summertime drought brings stress as there are no water sources on the tops of the mesas.
Wildlife: Scattered drought resistant shrubs and grasses grow atop the mesas.
The mesas provide nesting sites for eagles, falcons, and vultures.
Humanoids: The Ranfaroth hold the mesas of the Taldruon Plateau as places of special importance. Tribal legends refer to these mesas as the birthplace of the Ranfaroth, at a time before they were fully formed and had only two legs. Accordingly, each of the five large mesas contains a special shrine on top that has been in place since before the Great Cataclysm. Large numbers of Ranfaroth ride patrols and keep watch over the area surrounding the Taldruon Plateau to prevent their enemies, the Turoch, from entering any of the sacred places.
Monsters: Rocs, Griffons, and giant eagles inhabit the upper part of the plateau. They mostly have an accommodation with the Ranfaroth and both sides take measures that limit contact and possible conflict.
History: The Great Cataclysm had a physical impact on the terrain of the Taldruon Plateau. Great earthquakes wracked the land, fracturing the bedrock. This led to great rockslides and structural collapses resulting in the permanent separation of the plateau into five major mesas.
Today: The plateau consists primarily of five large mesas and a few small buttes that at one time were all joined together. The following are the names of the mesas and their translation from Ranfari to common:
Tepasi Heluta (Mesa of the Golden Stone) – The largest mesa of the group contains a large cave on an outward facing slope that the Ranfaroth revere as their birthplace. The walls of the cave contain pictograms inscribed in red ochre that tells the history of the Ranfaroth. Legends say that the cave is so old that the Ranfaroth lived there before their transformation from human into centaur. A large shrine with a very large rune covered glittering golden standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say that the rock has been standing there for thousands of years prior to the emergence of the Ranfaroth race.
Tepasi Adamanta (Mesa of the Gray Steel) – The smallest mesa in the group. A large shrine with a large gray metal standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say it might be composed of high grade adamantine ore.
Tepasi Lunsuta (Mesa of the Sky Stone) – This mesa connects with Tepasi Ferruta via a very sturdy rope bridge. A large shrine with a pitted dark gray metal standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say it might be a meteorite that fell from the sky. No one knows its exact origin or how it came to be where it is.
Tepasi Ferruta (Mesa of the Iron Stone) – This mesa connects with Tepasi Lunsuta via a very sturdy rope bridge. A large shrine with a pitted rust covered iron standing stone sits atop the mesa. No one knows its origin or how it came to be where it is.
Tepasi Moruta (Mesa of the Black Stone) - A large shrine with a large rune covered black standing stone sits atop the mesa. Rumors say that the rock has been there for many thousands of years and the runes are in an unknown language. Tales persist that ancient secret treasure lies buried somewhere atop this mesa.