Arastras Highlands
A tumultuous region prone to natural disasters. The five senses in Arastras: See: Mountains, forests, lakes/streams, snow; Hear: Wind, voices, birds, animals; Smell: Smoke, food, people, fresh air; Touch: Rocks, trees, rough grass, fur; Taste: Ale, fresh water, goat stew, roasted deer.
Geography
The Arastras Highlands are located in the country of Shotark, on the continent of Cheron, which is the Western Continent of Ayora. It’s isolated and wild. The terrain is mountainous, with streams running through. It's covered sparsely in coniferous forests. It's in the middle of the continent, northeast of the city of Ketra. The views are spectacular but dangerous, as there are frequent earthquakes and tremors, as well as rockslides.
Ecosystem
There is a wide variety of animal life that flourishes in the Arastras Highlands. This includes prey, such as deer, rabbit, and mountain goats, as well as predators, including mountain lions, bear, and wolves. The prey feed on the short, rough grass that grows in the highlands, and the predators feed on the prey. The humans that live in the highlands live in clans that often raid one another. The humans also hunt the prey and occasionally the predators.
Ecosystem Cycles
The bear hibernate for the winter, deep inside rocky, dry caves. They risk being trapped in their caves if a rockslide happens during hibernation but most don't sleep that deeply, waking when they sense the vibrations from high above. The wolves and mountain lions are active year-round but have a harder time hunting during the winter, making them more likely to interact with the humans in the area. The prey animals are also active year-round, making them available to hunt by both humans and predators. The humans hunt prey during the winter by setting traps.
Localized Phenomena
The constant earthquakes and landslides are taken for granted by the inhabitants but they're quite unusual in comparison with the rest of Ayora. It is said by the highlanders that these phenomena are due to the Old Gods being restless. There is talk amongst the Wise Women that the Old Gods are returning.
Climate
The Arastras Highlands are always colder than the rest of Shotark due to their elevation. In the winter, it is bitterly cold and windy. Spring and fall are rainy and windy. Summer is mild and short but busy for all life in the highlands.
Fauna & Flora
Bear, wolves, and mountain lions. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, and mountain goats. Humans. Coniferous trees, various shrubs, and rough grass. Short-blooming flowers. Heather.
Natural Resources
Wood from the forests, fish from the streams and lakes, game from the land, goats to be tamed, stone and metals from the earth.
History
The highlanders have lived in the Arastras Highlands for centuries. They've lived peacefully with the land but not so peacefully with each other. The highlanders war between clans and there are alliances made and broken every few years. The highlanders also occasionally raid nearby small towns.
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