Tågbaf Mountains
Dividing the New Kingdoms from the Frontier Lands the Tågbaf Mountains stretch from the Esas Ocean in the south to the Flottishäv Sea in the north. Its highest peaks reaching over 15,000 feet with a few reaching nearly 16,000 feet, the range runs nearly 3000 miles roughly south to north curving to the west in the northern reaches. Filled with many dangerous creatures there are no paths leading from east to west forcing travelers from the New Kingdoms to either travel around the southernmost reaches of travel by water around the south. Despite these dangers numerous dwarven enclaves ranging from major strongholds of 800 to 1000 inhabitants to minor single family enclaves with 10 to 20 inhabitants can be found scattered throughout the range.
Ecosystem
The mountains are marked by numerous different ecosystems, both from the northern to the southern reaches, and from the lowlands to the highlands. The habitats range from meadows, bogs, woodland (deciduous and coniferous) areas to soil-less scree and moraines, and rock faces and ridges. The ecosystems have one commonality the organisms are all hardy able to withstand highly variable temperatures. Deciduous trees are found in the lower reaches giving way to evergreens in the upper reaches, with many of the peaks being bare of vegetation covered in permanent snow fields. Most of the fauna falls into two categories, migratory animals, who move up and down the mountains as the seasons change, and animals that hibernate when the freezing cold of winter sets in. There are still many animals that adapt to the changing seasons. Growing thicker winter coats even changing color.
Fauna & Flora
In the lower elevations can be found deciduous trees, the chief deciduous trees are oak, beech, ash and sycamore maple. These do not reach exactly to the same elevation, nor are they often found growing together; but their upper limit corresponds accurately enough to the change from a temperate to a colder climate that is further proved by a change in the presence of wild herbaceous vegetation. This limit usually lies about 3,900 ft above the sea on the northern reaches, but on the southern reaches it often rises to 4,900 ft, sometimes even to 5,600 ft.
Above the deciduous trees, there is often a band of short pine trees, which is in turn superseded by Tågrosen, dwarf shrubs, typically Rhododendrons. Although the Tågrose prefers acidic soil, the plants are found throughout the region. Above the tree line is the area defined as "tågbinus" where in the tågbine meadow plants are found that have adapted well to harsh conditions of cold temperatures, aridity, and high altitudes. The tågbine area fluctuates greatly because of regional fluctuations in tree lines. Tågbine plants grow in abundance in areas such as the meadows above the tree line. On the highest rocky ledges the spring flowers bloom in the summer.
At these higher altitudes, the plants tend to form isolated cushions. In the Tågbaf mountains, several species of flowering plants have been recorded above 13,000 ft. A flower, commonly known as the King of the Tågbafs, is the most elusive of the tågbine flowers, growing on rocky ridges at 8,530 to 12,300 ft. Perhaps the best known of the tågbine plants is Edelweiss which grows in rocky areas and can be found at altitudes as low as 3,900 ft and as high as 11,200 ft. The plants that grow at the highest altitudes have adapted to conditions by specialization such as growing in rock screes that give protection from winds.
A preponderance of rainfall in the western half of the chain produces a marked difference in the flora of the range. The lower mountains in the extreme west are wooded, but the extent of forest declines as one moves eastwards. Also moving from west to east, there is a change in the composition of the flora, with the change becoming most evident as one passes the center of the mountain chain. In addition more dangerous flora can be found throughout the range, including mindslaver mold, moonflowers, and xtabays.
The Tågbaf mountains are a habitat for many species of wildlife, ranging from the tiniest snow fleas to brown bears, many of which have made adaptations to the harsh cold conditions and high altitudes. The largest mammal to live in the highest altitudes are the tågbin ibex, which have been sighted as high as 9,800 ft. The ibex live in caves and descend to eat the succulent tågbine grasses. Chamois are smaller than ibex and found throughout the mountains, living above the tree line and are common in the entire range. The Tågbaf mountains are also home to brown bears who both hunt the many animals of the range and browse much of the fruits produced. Dire lions still prowl the southern hills, their smaller cousins long since having gone extinct. Among the more dangerous fauna basilisks, dragon horses, perytons, and yrthaks prowl the mountains with gnoph-kehs, frost worms, and glacier toads relegated to the northern reaches and higher elevations. The lower parts also hold their dangers with amphisbaenas, aurumvorax, bulettes, chimeras, clawbats, gorgons, griffons, hippogriffs, leucrottas, and sirens found in the Tågbaf foothills. The warmer foothills to the south are also home to behirs, chickcharney, chupacabras, manticores, and the occasional phoenix.
Many rodents such as voles live underground. Marmots live almost exclusively above the tree line as high as 8,900 ft. They hibernate in large groups to provide warmth, and can be found in all areas of the mountains, in large colonies they build beneath the alpine pastures. Golden eagles and bearded vultures are the largest birds to be found in the mountains; they nest high on rocky ledges and can be found at altitudes of 7,900 ft. In addition, thunderbirds and giant eagles can be found throughout the range with rocs sometimes spotted in the southernmost reaches. The alpine “Utu” butterfly has adapted to alpine conditions and are often spotted throughout.
Reptiles such as adders and vipers live up to the snow line; because they cannot bear the cold temperatures they hibernate underground and soak up the warmth on rocky ledges. The high-altitude Tågbine salamanders have adapted to living above the snow line by giving birth to fully developed young rather than laying eggs. Brown trout can be found in the streams up to the snow line. Mollusks such as the wood snail live up the snow line.
A number of species of moths live in the Tågbaf mountains. Blue butterflies can commonly be seen drinking from the snow melt; some species of blues fly as high as 5,900 ft. The butterflies tend to be large, such as those from the swallowtail family, with a habitat that ranges to 5,900 ft. Several species of beetles have habitats up to the snow line. Spiders, such as the large wolf spider, live above the snow line and can be seen as high as 1,300 ft. Scorpions can be found in the southern ranges. Along with their mundane cousins giant ants, fire beetles, giant and scarlet spiders are found in the mountains. Phase spiders, while rare, are spotted from time to time in the warmer lowland parts.
Emkrahs, mimics, spawning cankers, weaverworms (in the lowlands) and irlgaunts can be found stalking the mountains along with giant amoebas, carnivorous blobs, and magma oozes, the latter relegated to the southern parts and occasional volcanic areas. Bands of dragonkin, are found far and wide as are flame drakes with their cold loving cousins, frost drakes dwelling in the northern reaches and higher altitudes. Although rarely spotted true dragons such as umbral dragons, silver dragons, and magma dragons, are seen everywhere in the range with spine dragons and wyverns haunting the lower reaches of the mountains. In the northern parts of the mountains as well as above the frost line white dragons along with ice linnorms can be found and ice & crag linnorms claimterritory in the colder lowlands. In the southern ranges and the not infrequent volcanic regions red dragons are sometimes seen. Copper dragons have long been spotted in the southern lowlands of the range. Giants also roam the mountains such as the one-eyed cyclops and cloud giants. Smaller giants such as athachs, hill giants, ogres, and thawns are relegated to the foothills by their larger cousins, and often raid the lowlands sometimes in the company of the many orc tribes. The colder northern parts are home to frost giants, rune giants, and trolls (including ice & mountain) and ettins in the lowlands, with storm giants and fire giants dwelling in the warmer parts. Fey also abound on the mountains with ankou, lurkers in light, redcaps, skin stealers, spring-heeled jacks, and thrasfyr found the length of the range while huldras lurk in the colder reaches and pugwampi in the warmer lowlands. Orcs, as mentioned before, are prevalent throughout the mountains often sending raiding bands or even small armies into the lowlands to the east and west. Bugbear, strix, and tengu tribes are also frequently seen in the Tågbafs though not nearly as common as orcs. Much less common are the doppelgangers, gargoyles, lamia matriarchs, minotaurs, skulks, stygira and soucouyants bands sometimes encountered. The rare calikang is spotted in the southern hills, and in the most glacial parts yetis are rumored to be found.
Above the deciduous trees, there is often a band of short pine trees, which is in turn superseded by Tågrosen, dwarf shrubs, typically Rhododendrons. Although the Tågrose prefers acidic soil, the plants are found throughout the region. Above the tree line is the area defined as "tågbinus" where in the tågbine meadow plants are found that have adapted well to harsh conditions of cold temperatures, aridity, and high altitudes. The tågbine area fluctuates greatly because of regional fluctuations in tree lines. Tågbine plants grow in abundance in areas such as the meadows above the tree line. On the highest rocky ledges the spring flowers bloom in the summer.
At these higher altitudes, the plants tend to form isolated cushions. In the Tågbaf mountains, several species of flowering plants have been recorded above 13,000 ft. A flower, commonly known as the King of the Tågbafs, is the most elusive of the tågbine flowers, growing on rocky ridges at 8,530 to 12,300 ft. Perhaps the best known of the tågbine plants is Edelweiss which grows in rocky areas and can be found at altitudes as low as 3,900 ft and as high as 11,200 ft. The plants that grow at the highest altitudes have adapted to conditions by specialization such as growing in rock screes that give protection from winds.
A preponderance of rainfall in the western half of the chain produces a marked difference in the flora of the range. The lower mountains in the extreme west are wooded, but the extent of forest declines as one moves eastwards. Also moving from west to east, there is a change in the composition of the flora, with the change becoming most evident as one passes the center of the mountain chain. In addition more dangerous flora can be found throughout the range, including mindslaver mold, moonflowers, and xtabays.
The Tågbaf mountains are a habitat for many species of wildlife, ranging from the tiniest snow fleas to brown bears, many of which have made adaptations to the harsh cold conditions and high altitudes. The largest mammal to live in the highest altitudes are the tågbin ibex, which have been sighted as high as 9,800 ft. The ibex live in caves and descend to eat the succulent tågbine grasses. Chamois are smaller than ibex and found throughout the mountains, living above the tree line and are common in the entire range. The Tågbaf mountains are also home to brown bears who both hunt the many animals of the range and browse much of the fruits produced. Dire lions still prowl the southern hills, their smaller cousins long since having gone extinct. Among the more dangerous fauna basilisks, dragon horses, perytons, and yrthaks prowl the mountains with gnoph-kehs, frost worms, and glacier toads relegated to the northern reaches and higher elevations. The lower parts also hold their dangers with amphisbaenas, aurumvorax, bulettes, chimeras, clawbats, gorgons, griffons, hippogriffs, leucrottas, and sirens found in the Tågbaf foothills. The warmer foothills to the south are also home to behirs, chickcharney, chupacabras, manticores, and the occasional phoenix.
Many rodents such as voles live underground. Marmots live almost exclusively above the tree line as high as 8,900 ft. They hibernate in large groups to provide warmth, and can be found in all areas of the mountains, in large colonies they build beneath the alpine pastures. Golden eagles and bearded vultures are the largest birds to be found in the mountains; they nest high on rocky ledges and can be found at altitudes of 7,900 ft. In addition, thunderbirds and giant eagles can be found throughout the range with rocs sometimes spotted in the southernmost reaches. The alpine “Utu” butterfly has adapted to alpine conditions and are often spotted throughout.
Reptiles such as adders and vipers live up to the snow line; because they cannot bear the cold temperatures they hibernate underground and soak up the warmth on rocky ledges. The high-altitude Tågbine salamanders have adapted to living above the snow line by giving birth to fully developed young rather than laying eggs. Brown trout can be found in the streams up to the snow line. Mollusks such as the wood snail live up the snow line.
A number of species of moths live in the Tågbaf mountains. Blue butterflies can commonly be seen drinking from the snow melt; some species of blues fly as high as 5,900 ft. The butterflies tend to be large, such as those from the swallowtail family, with a habitat that ranges to 5,900 ft. Several species of beetles have habitats up to the snow line. Spiders, such as the large wolf spider, live above the snow line and can be seen as high as 1,300 ft. Scorpions can be found in the southern ranges. Along with their mundane cousins giant ants, fire beetles, giant and scarlet spiders are found in the mountains. Phase spiders, while rare, are spotted from time to time in the warmer lowland parts.
Emkrahs, mimics, spawning cankers, weaverworms (in the lowlands) and irlgaunts can be found stalking the mountains along with giant amoebas, carnivorous blobs, and magma oozes, the latter relegated to the southern parts and occasional volcanic areas. Bands of dragonkin, are found far and wide as are flame drakes with their cold loving cousins, frost drakes dwelling in the northern reaches and higher altitudes. Although rarely spotted true dragons such as umbral dragons, silver dragons, and magma dragons, are seen everywhere in the range with spine dragons and wyverns haunting the lower reaches of the mountains. In the northern parts of the mountains as well as above the frost line white dragons along with ice linnorms can be found and ice & crag linnorms claimterritory in the colder lowlands. In the southern ranges and the not infrequent volcanic regions red dragons are sometimes seen. Copper dragons have long been spotted in the southern lowlands of the range. Giants also roam the mountains such as the one-eyed cyclops and cloud giants. Smaller giants such as athachs, hill giants, ogres, and thawns are relegated to the foothills by their larger cousins, and often raid the lowlands sometimes in the company of the many orc tribes. The colder northern parts are home to frost giants, rune giants, and trolls (including ice & mountain) and ettins in the lowlands, with storm giants and fire giants dwelling in the warmer parts. Fey also abound on the mountains with ankou, lurkers in light, redcaps, skin stealers, spring-heeled jacks, and thrasfyr found the length of the range while huldras lurk in the colder reaches and pugwampi in the warmer lowlands. Orcs, as mentioned before, are prevalent throughout the mountains often sending raiding bands or even small armies into the lowlands to the east and west. Bugbear, strix, and tengu tribes are also frequently seen in the Tågbafs though not nearly as common as orcs. Much less common are the doppelgangers, gargoyles, lamia matriarchs, minotaurs, skulks, stygira and soucouyants bands sometimes encountered. The rare calikang is spotted in the southern hills, and in the most glacial parts yetis are rumored to be found.
Natural Resources
There are numerous deposits of iron throughout the range and the dwarves have long mined copper, gold, and mithral in the higher reaches. Coal deposits are found throughout the range with anthracite found in the highest ranges, bituminous in the lower ranges and lignite scattered throughout the foothills. Crystals, such as cinnabar, amethyst, and quartz, are found throughout much of the Tågbine region. Limestone and marble are quarried from the southern reaches while granite can be found throughout the range. Hot springs are found throughout the upper elevations, while the lower reaches are homes to many cold springs.
History
The earliest records of the mountains comes from the elves of the New Kingdoms, and the dwarves that dwell in the mountains. Dwarves, orcs, giants, trolls, and dragons have dwelt in the mountains since earliest recorded history along with bugbears, gargoyles, minotaurs, and assorted fey along with numerous other creatures The dwarves have delved the depths of the mountains for metal and gems since time immemorial and have no records of coming from elsewhere. However, since the oldest dwarven settlements are abandoned and dwarven settlements tend to keep history only to the founding of the settlement it’s likely any such records are long lost. The eves have traded with the dwarves and fought marauders from the mountains since the founding of their kingdoms millennia ago.
Things have pretty much remained the same until the arrival of humans and halflings in the New Kingdoms. After the settlement of the New Kingdoms by humans While at first humans merely traded with the dwarves and fought the frequent raiders from the mountains, but after the kingdoms were largely settled human and some halfling prospectors began braving the lower peaks looking for the treasures of the mountains. This prompted an increase in raids by the giants and humanoids of the mountains as humans began encroaching on territory they long considered theirs. Occasionally a powerful and/or charismatic leader would arise amongst the orcs and giants who would organize several tribes and launch a war on the lowlands. Eventually the humans began to drive the giants and humanoids into the deeper mountains by sheer attrition. The orcs however, able to outbreed humans, remain a constant threat to the New Kingdoms.
When settlement began in the Frontier Lands, they found much the same thing in the Tågbaf Mountains, dwarves orc, giants and other creatures. In addition, new being appeared, the first gnomes were discovered living in small settlements of the Tågbaf foothills. When the humans, elves, and halflings began to carve out kingdoms they faced near annual raids from orcs and giants from the mountains. Most notable was the war of 678 when an army or orc and giants led by the fire giant king Günnar descended on the kingdoms of Tatidär, Hofkastel and Ethfamen. Ethfamen managed to repel the invaders with minimal trouble, but Tatidär and Hofkastel were nearly overrun, suffering great losses and massive damage before they managed to repel the invaders.
In 687 the mysterious Fetchlings established a community along the Ammihilt river in the Tågbaf foothills ostensibly for trading though sosme speculate that the community, named Amiriya, is a foothold for a future invasion from the plane of shadow. Since then things have been relatively calm with just the normal summer raids from the mountains.
Things have pretty much remained the same until the arrival of humans and halflings in the New Kingdoms. After the settlement of the New Kingdoms by humans While at first humans merely traded with the dwarves and fought the frequent raiders from the mountains, but after the kingdoms were largely settled human and some halfling prospectors began braving the lower peaks looking for the treasures of the mountains. This prompted an increase in raids by the giants and humanoids of the mountains as humans began encroaching on territory they long considered theirs. Occasionally a powerful and/or charismatic leader would arise amongst the orcs and giants who would organize several tribes and launch a war on the lowlands. Eventually the humans began to drive the giants and humanoids into the deeper mountains by sheer attrition. The orcs however, able to outbreed humans, remain a constant threat to the New Kingdoms.
When settlement began in the Frontier Lands, they found much the same thing in the Tågbaf Mountains, dwarves orc, giants and other creatures. In addition, new being appeared, the first gnomes were discovered living in small settlements of the Tågbaf foothills. When the humans, elves, and halflings began to carve out kingdoms they faced near annual raids from orcs and giants from the mountains. Most notable was the war of 678 when an army or orc and giants led by the fire giant king Günnar descended on the kingdoms of Tatidär, Hofkastel and Ethfamen. Ethfamen managed to repel the invaders with minimal trouble, but Tatidär and Hofkastel were nearly overrun, suffering great losses and massive damage before they managed to repel the invaders.
In 687 the mysterious Fetchlings established a community along the Ammihilt river in the Tågbaf foothills ostensibly for trading though sosme speculate that the community, named Amiriya, is a foothold for a future invasion from the plane of shadow. Since then things have been relatively calm with just the normal summer raids from the mountains.
Type
Mountain Range
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