Vúrakesen Mountains

The Vúrakesen Mountains¹ is the main mountain range of western Dragonía, bordered by Vorran Peninsula to the west, Ilkigit Sea to the south, Jarrak Forest to the east, Ela'k Forest to the northeast and Klalaþan Sea to the northwest.
The Jaarels inhabit the vast cave network under the mountains.

Geography

The climate up in the mountains is among the most hostile in all of Dragonía, characterized by near constant thunderstorms due to clashing of the elements of Air and Light. Below the mountains is an extensive system of caves -both natural and carved by the jaarels living there- with underground lakes, rivers and chasms.
Some parts of the caves, particularly to the south, were flooded long ago after the area was depopulated by a plague and the complex system of dams and drains fell into disrepair.

Fauna & Flora

The surface of the Vúrakesen Mountains is mostly barren, especially at higher altitudes where only the hardiest of plants survive, although some creatures such as mountain goats and Jerns (carnivorous ungulates) roam the foothills and valleys.
The wildlife is much more varied beneath the surface, and varies greatly from one part of the caves to another. Insects, arthropods, blind fishes and amphibians (including giant salamanders) are common, along with mammals such as bats, Dúgrabs (distant carnivorous relatives of flying squirrels) and even blind cave birds, collectively known as Artas.
Numerous species of mushrooms are found in the caves as well, some of which are luminescent such as töx mushrooms, which the jaarels crush into a paste and apply to walls as a source of light for their settlements.