Kale Mountains
The Kale Mountains are a large, high range of mountains that somewhat divide the Isle of Melas, effectively isolating the northeastern quarter of the island.
The northernmost point of the range begins at the edge of Kosi Bay, hugging the western shore of the Gulf of Odach and continuing in a southeasterly direction. The Zerias River begins at this point and bisects the entire mountain range. The height and bulk of the mountain range increases as it extends to the southeast, culminating in its highest peaks, The Three Daughters near the split off of the Paradon River. The mountains decline in size as they become rolling foothills just south of the Orizon Gulf, and disappear completely at the split of the Zerias into the Green and Red Zerias Rivers.
Passes through the mountains are few, and those that exist are generally treacherous. According to legend, the path the original settlers took began just east of the current village of Lydon, but it seems to have been covered in rockslides for many centuries. A larger pathway through the mountains can be found by sailing up the Paradon River to the split, but changes in altitude, topological shifts and dangers from local flora and fauna make the trip inadvisable and risky. There have been few, if any, expeditions from one side to the other over the years, and water routes from the south and west have their own hazards.
The tallest peak is Mount Esmelda, topping off at app. 20,200 feet. The next tallest mountains are in close proximity, Mount Osmodia at 17,900 feet and Mount Usmary at 17,200 feet. Together, the three mountains form what is known as The Three Daughters. Other notable peaks are Mount Ichtara in the northwestern corner, thought to be the final separation point of Biera and Layna, brother and sister founders of Melas, and Mount Zed, a large mountain to the southeast that holds a dwarven settlement.
The northernmost point of the range begins at the edge of Kosi Bay, hugging the western shore of the Gulf of Odach and continuing in a southeasterly direction. The Zerias River begins at this point and bisects the entire mountain range. The height and bulk of the mountain range increases as it extends to the southeast, culminating in its highest peaks, The Three Daughters near the split off of the Paradon River. The mountains decline in size as they become rolling foothills just south of the Orizon Gulf, and disappear completely at the split of the Zerias into the Green and Red Zerias Rivers.
Passes through the mountains are few, and those that exist are generally treacherous. According to legend, the path the original settlers took began just east of the current village of Lydon, but it seems to have been covered in rockslides for many centuries. A larger pathway through the mountains can be found by sailing up the Paradon River to the split, but changes in altitude, topological shifts and dangers from local flora and fauna make the trip inadvisable and risky. There have been few, if any, expeditions from one side to the other over the years, and water routes from the south and west have their own hazards.
The tallest peak is Mount Esmelda, topping off at app. 20,200 feet. The next tallest mountains are in close proximity, Mount Osmodia at 17,900 feet and Mount Usmary at 17,200 feet. Together, the three mountains form what is known as The Three Daughters. Other notable peaks are Mount Ichtara in the northwestern corner, thought to be the final separation point of Biera and Layna, brother and sister founders of Melas, and Mount Zed, a large mountain to the southeast that holds a dwarven settlement.
Geography
The mountains are generally comprised of quartzite and granite, with a few exceptions. A glacier periodically makes up the northern face of several peaks in the northeastern section, but it disappears from year to year depending on the local climate.
Ecosystem
While most of the top 1/3 of the mountain peaks are barren rock faces, at lower altitudes there exists a thriving mountainous ecosystem. Generally the fauna of these are areas are wild and hardy, surviving in wild swings of temperature, treacherous terrain, scarce food and hungry predators.
Localized Phenomena
Periodic localized storm systems flash throughout the various peaks, and it can seem as if the mountains are warring against each other. Blizzards can move from peak to peak and sometimes will spill into the settlements down into the foothills, as can hail, rain and lightning storms. Rarely do these storm systems spread into the valleys on either side of the mountains, they seem to be contained within the higher altitude topography.
Fauna & Flora
While a menagerie of fanciful creatures are said to inhabit The Three Daughters specifically, more mundane mountain inhabitants are known to exist in the smaller mountains spreading to both coasts.
Giant varieties of deer, elk, goats and bears make up the bulk of sightings and have produced physical evidence of their existence (as well as occasional forays into the valley villages). Rock wolves have been seen from time to time, and other, giant versions of standard forest and woodland fair are rumored to exist.
The waters of the Zerias River flow fast and furious, but those who fish the Paradon River as it flows out of the Kales report good bounties of trout, salmon and other freshwater delicacies at certain times of year. Sometimes they have to battle cave bears for their share, however.
Giant varieties of deer, elk, goats and bears make up the bulk of sightings and have produced physical evidence of their existence (as well as occasional forays into the valley villages). Rock wolves have been seen from time to time, and other, giant versions of standard forest and woodland fair are rumored to exist.
The waters of the Zerias River flow fast and furious, but those who fish the Paradon River as it flows out of the Kales report good bounties of trout, salmon and other freshwater delicacies at certain times of year. Sometimes they have to battle cave bears for their share, however.
Natural Resources
The dwarves of Mount Zed mine for many different exotic minerals, but do a profitable trade in copper, tin, bronze and iron. Similar excavations have been attempted from time to time in the areas that are at least partially accessible, but most veins run out quickly, and transportation logistics are difficult and costly.
History
The impassibility of the entirety of the Kale Mountains is one of legend, and although a number of expeditions have set forth from either side, none have ever made it through to the other side.
In the earliest days of human settlements, when Biera and his sister, Layna arrived on the northern shores at Kosi Bay, the humans were a united clan. After the siblings betrayed one another and Layna took half the group through the mountains to the other side, there has been no recorded contact between either group. While it would seem water travel along the northern or eastern coasts would provide communication and access, sea conditions and the outer edges of the Kale Mountains continue to be a barrier.
In the earliest days of human settlements, when Biera and his sister, Layna arrived on the northern shores at Kosi Bay, the humans were a united clan. After the siblings betrayed one another and Layna took half the group through the mountains to the other side, there has been no recorded contact between either group. While it would seem water travel along the northern or eastern coasts would provide communication and access, sea conditions and the outer edges of the Kale Mountains continue to be a barrier.
Alternative Name(s)
Daervarean Peaks (Dwarven)
Type
Mountain Range
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