Empyrean Spires
The Empyrean Spires is a frontier plateau in southeastern Fea. Only discovered by the civilized races of Valine some 40 years ago, the abundance of precious minerals, particularly silver found in the area has resulted in something of a “silver rush”, with prospectors of all races flooding into the area.
Covering an area of nearly 1,000,000 square miles, the Empyrean Spires sits at around 14,000 feet and is surrounded on all sides by mountains that climb as high as 30,000 feet. Thus it lay undiscovered for most of the history of the world. A small group of dwarves fleeing from the goblin invasion of their homeland, an underground city known as The Sanctuary, barely survived a harrowing flight north into the mountains and discovered this extensive area hidden within the peaks. Taking refuge in a cave, they discovered the cave was abundant in silver deposits.
The dwarves eventually headed south once more, though most died during the journey through the treacherous mountains. Safe passage to and from the area was difficult to find. A lone survivor made it out of the mountains, his name was Pascal Gaither. Gaither gathered supplies and support and returned to the Spires to gain his fortune.
As is the way with such things, word of such riches came out and explorers in search of their fortune came to the area. The vast extent of the resources in the Spires slowly became apparent and eventually more ways into the area were discovered and independent prospectors, parties and, eventually, organized groups set up a frontier society based on mining. Mining meant a need for labor and a secondary economy of slavery soon followed as the mining operations became extensive.
Less than 10 years after Pascal Gaither had emerged from the Empyrean Spires, the population had grown to almost 30,000 people. Many live in the wilderness or in small camps around minor claims, but five major population centers have sprung up, each controlled by a different mining syndicate. Though still lawless and difficult to control, operations and interests in the area grew into the need for some form of administrative structure to the region.
The five major syndicates set up a loose council to deal with disputes over mining operations in the region. Though often in conflict with each other, a peace is held by mutual self-interest. Each of the cities controlled by a syndicate has its own laws or lack thereof, but contracts and agreements are upheld between the companies and individuals can appeal to the council for rulings on mining disputes.
Though heavy silver deposits have been discovered in the Spires, gemstones, gold, platinum and ore deposits have all been found to be abundant. Many individuals have found riches, many have died. Some have become extraordinarily rich.
The climate of the Spires is extremely harsh. Its high altitude means that temperatures are a bitter, deadly cold most of the time. Death by exposure is extremely common but the pull of riches remains strong. The influx of materials from the Spires is spreading south throughout Valine and the new resources are beginning to have an effect in advancing civilization throughout the northern hemisphere of Valine.
There are three main entrances into the Empyrean Spires. Gaither's Pass to the south was where the dwarves stumbled into the area. It is a difficult journey from the south, but the shortest route through the mountains into the region. To the east an easier route was found known as Prospect Heights. This is the most widely travelled route and the safest way into the region. At the northwest corner of the Empyrean Spires is Halfling's Bane, a series of tunnels beneath the Spires. Thought once to be an appealing route due to its avoidance of the outside climate, an early group of halflings was slaughtered by denizens of the deep tunnels, giving the route its name. The tunnels are seldom used by any and few of those who try make it through in either direction. While other passes exist, they tend to only be used by small groups as bringing in supplies by those routes in nigh on impossible and the more travelled Gaither's Pass and Prospect Heights become, the easier the road is made.
Recently as more delving is done, signs of an ancient and long abandoned civilization beneath the Spires have emerged. Wildlife in areas of the spires is surprisingly abundant given the harsh conditions, especially in the areas where volcanic springs are more abundant.
The five syndicates are now both rich and firmly established in the Spires and, though the land remains a lawless and dangerous frontier, every season brings more structure and more civilization. The cities are growing, more trade and guilds are establishing themselves and, though still quite isolated, the Empyrean Spires is moving towards becoming its own entity with influence over the south of Fea due to their vast resources and demand for what they provide.
Geography
A massive plateau in the southeast of Fea, surrounded on all sides by massive mountains. The valley contains active volcanoes, hot springs, large freshwater lakes, forests, stretches of tundra and hills dwarfed by the surrounding mountains, yet the hills and mountains are rich in mineral wealth.
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