Flora and Fauna of the Hanno Mountain Range

Flora

Nila Tea Plant

The nila tea plant is a hardy flowering shrub that can only grow at high altitudes and has become abundant in Domína region farms due to their popularity across Tel Rialis. The tea brewed with these leaves is known for their calming effects and tangy taste. The tea leaves have become a prominent export from Malva the capital city of Domína.

Pothos Oro

This common plant acts more like a weed and a pest. The plant, though possessing delicate light green leaves with a golden hue, contains poisonous sap and is incredibly difficult to remove and/or kill. Though many travelers or new residents to the Hanno Mountain Range often fear this rapidly growing plant, many Domína residents have learned to utilize this plant as a means of self defense and in combat. Farmers and artificers alike have learned to extract the poisonous sap to apply to weapons and arrows for further damage. Others have used the plant to raid enemy agriculture, or plant near enemy homes as a danger and means to rid invaders from their territory.

Fauna

Hanno Cattle

The Hanno Cattle is the wild ancestor of the domesticated Hanno Ox. These wild cattle live in large herds all across the mountain ranges and typically meander through the mountains, grazing and maintaining meadows. To survive the rugged conditions of the mountains, they’ve adapted to have long, shaggy fur that protects them from the cold mountain climates, and sheds in the spring to adapt to warming weather. Their large horns are used for protection, and are notable for their slight curl at the end. However, their domesticated counterparts have much curlier horns, making this one of their more notable differences.

Tel Rialin Lynx

The Tel Rialian Lynx is a solitary big cat that is prominent in mountainous areas across Tel Rialis. They are considered a sacred species due to their relation to the god of life and death, Toron, and are generally revered and respected by Kaddite worshippers.

The Tel Rialian Lynx possesses pointed, tufted ears and a white and cream-colored coat covered in varied spots in light shades of brown. The lynx’s coat thickens in the winter, and a shedding process occurs in the summer for protection from the strong heat waves. The tip of the tail and ear tufts are umber brown.

Black Mountain Tortoises

Black mountain tortoises are native to the Hanno Mountain Ranges due to the more slightly heated and moist climates in the winter. The Hanno Mountains have lots of streams and water sources, including the large Melita Lake and waterfall, and many of the tortoises reside in small caves and crevices in the mountains. The tortoises’ diet mainly consists of long grasses, clover, and weeds.

The black mountain tortoise population is most dense in the region of Domína, and was part of the founders’ deciding factor in declaring it the region dedicated to the Kaddite god Miento. The tortoises are strictly forbidden to be poached or hunted, as they are deemed sacred animals of wisdom and knowledge in the region. A black mountain tortoise sighting is considered good luck, and a blessing of knowledge for the day.

Minka Parakeets

The Minka Parakeet is an invasive species of bird originating from the southern regions of Tel Rialis, including Ahumm and Malagra , and beyond.They first made their way to the northern regions of Tel Rialis due to wealthy aristocrats and royalty purchasing them as pets, but a handful escaped or were released into the wild, where their populations thrived. They are meant to live in warmer climates, but have begun to thrive in the colder climates of Domína due to their adaptability.

Though technically not originating from the Hanno Mountain Range, the Minka Parakeet population has not harmed or negatively impacted other species of plant and animals to any dramatic extent. Though they can occasionally steal berries and seeds from farmers, most locals enjoy their presence and value their appearances in the mountain villages .