Hephaestan Ridge

The Hephaestan Ridge is a mountain range on the extreme southeastern edge of Belcantas. It is a harsh, uninhabitable volcanic range subject to many earthquakes and eruptions, due to its proximity to the Elemental Plane of Fire. The land is technically claimed by the Dreibach Empire, but no known sentient populations live in the Hephaestan Ridge.

Geography

The Hephaestan Ridge is a steep mountain range formed by the collision of the Elemental Plane of Fire and the Material Plane. An estimated one-third to one-half of the mountains in the range are active volcanoes. The cliffs at the western edge of the range descend directly into the Endless Magma, a lake of lava at the edge of the Elemental Plane of Fire.

Ecosystem

The southern portions of the Ridge sustain some hardy life forms due to the moisture from fog and storms coming off the extreme southern coast. In most of the Ridge, biological life is impossible. Some elemental creatures of fire, such as sparks and motes, call the mountains home.

Climate

Temperatures within the Hephaestan Ridge tend to be extreme. When skies are clear, the sun burns hot, and the geothermal activity from the vents below heats up the atmosphere significantly. When the air is clouded with ash, temperatures plummet. It is also among the most arid places known on the Material Plane; much of the Hephaestan Ridge has never seen any rainfall.

Type

Mountain Range

Location under

Dreibach

Owning Organization

Dreibach Empire

Inhabiting Species

• Purple Worm