Introduction:
- The Azrath Peaks is one of the largest, longest-running mountain ranges on all of Uulek’Dorr, and to this day is one of the wildest and most dangerous places. While most civilizations outside of the mountains believe that it lies mostly unexplored, there are several other races that call the peaks home. There is a society known as Drakonis that is composed mostly of Dragonborn, Half-dragons, Dragonkin, Kobolds, Spellscales and Grey-skinned Lizardfolk. They have lived in the Azrath Peaks for many generations, and some scholars have even suggested that there were others that once existed where Drakonis does now.
- Another civilization that exists within the Azrath Peaks is the Dwarven Clan of Elderforge. They are probably the most extensive and powerful dwarven society on Uulek’Dorr, and have been for time out of mind. Since the War of the Damned, they have continued to advance their society across the mountain range both above and below. Their name stems from a supposedly legendary Forge known as Elderforge, which legends speak of as a gift from the Dwarven God of Creation. There is nothing like it in the rest of the world, and it is said that the Elderforge was a key component in the victory against Acruthan, The Abandoned.
- Both Drakonis and Elderforge have made contact with other nations outside of the mountains in the form of trade. Much of the materials that are mined (especially silver and gemstones) in the mountains are traded with the other civilizations surrounding the mountains. For example, Elderforge has recently formed a Trade Pact with the Free Peoples of Varenguay and the Great Houses to support their new governance after their successful revolution against the Zebetian Empire. Thus, the Elderforge Dwarves and the Great Houses of Varenguay are building a united trust with one another, and relations are peaceful. In exchange for this Trade Pact, the Elderforge dwarves have created small colonies in the lands of Varenguay to farm and send food to the mountains, enhancing the dwarven holds and fortresses in the mountains. Another example is the Drakonis’ Information and Education Pact that was forged with the Adyrin Empire to the southwest of the mountains. This pact allows for research groups to be sent from the Adyrin Empire to the nation of Drakonis to study the history of the region and to assist with burial digs that are scattered throughout the mountains. So, expeditions will be formed by the pact to allow the coordinator effort to fully document the history of the mountain range and those that came before.
Geography:
- While much of the mountain range can be easily described has being comprised of mostly mountains, there are many river valleys, Glacial valleys, canyons, ravines, chasms, cliffs, lakes, tarns, waterfalls, and so forth that are mostly hidden behind the ever-white teeth of the peaks.
- Some of the larger glacial valleys are home to large expanses of forest and meadows, most of which have endemic (only grows there) plant species. Some of these valleys are also home to the great Drakonis cities and Elderforge Dwarven Holds.
- There are also several locations within the mountains where wild magic continues to linger as a result of great battles that occurred against Acruthan, the Abandoned and his cult. These areas are generally avoided by both Drakonis and Elderforge, at least from a settling perspective. In these regions, which are mostly valleys or lakes, the wild magic has even affected the land, sometimes causing chunks of broken land to levitate uncontrollably off the ground, or cause rivers to flow with different, deeper colors of strange liquids.
- In some of the great chasms, canyons and rifts, there are tribes of goblinkin and orckin that have made home in their seemingly endless depths. These areas have been meticulously designed by these races and monstrosities to the point where they seem maze-like, and there’s no telling where each tunnel leads and what secrets have been discovered.
- There are several most noteworthy singular Peaks that stand out within the mountains. Considering that much of this range was created by volcanic action (thanks to the Abyss of Varenguay to the north), there are several towering dormant, or near-dormant volcanoes that have their own legends and myths created by the Drakonis or Elderforge. Some of these great peaks are even home to tribes, holds, or even societies of giants or dragons. Thus, those that are occupied by said legendary creatures are often avoided.
- Between the great valleys carved by natural glaciers or supernatural events are mountain passes where, depending on the location, outposts have been constructed to keep an ever-vigilant watch over the wilder-untamed regions of the Azrath Peaks
Carefully Guarded Secret: The Valridian Redylian
- Something that has remained a secret in these mountains is the existence of a race known as the Valridian Redylian. During the War of the Damned, this species had stepped into Zycore through a portal to another world. They were instrumental in Acruthan’s defeat, providing tremendous support with their Psychic and martial capabilities. However, since much of the past civilizations had been destroyed or separated during the war, an incredible power struggle erupted across Uulek’dorr. During this time, The Zebetian Empire was formed and began to use the Rift of Incarnum (The large slash in the land from the North coast to the south coast) to rapidly develop their society. Soon, other weaker civilizations that were damaged or all but destroyed by Acruthan were conquered by the Zebetian Empire. Unfortunately, it was during this new development of the Zebetians that the Valridian Redylian were targeted heavily. It was the Zebetians goal to make sure that such a power race did not oppose them. So, the Valridian Redylian were hunted to near extinction, their cities destroyed and survivors taken for experimentation. Thus, the rise of a unified front against the Zebetian Empire by the growing Adyrin Empire, Drakonis, and Elderforge caused the continual advancement of the Zebetians to be halted and the preservation of the Valridian-Redylian. So, over the course of several generations, a pact was formed to ensure that these three nations (Adyrin, Elderforge, and Drakonis) protected and completed erased from regional history the existence of the Valridian-Redylian
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