Tolach Naelath

The Tolach Naelath are a mountain range in central western Dlynaeth, close to the western coast. They run for approximately 300km in a north to south direction. Much of the rock of the mountains is granite or closely related to granite.

Water

Glacier valleys can be found on both sides of the mountains, with glacial lakes being more common the eastern side as the mountains slope gently down into hills.
Eight major rivers run down from the Tolach Naelath. Two of those that run from the western slopes straight to the sea are by far the widest and most influential as the vast majority of the rains fall on that side. The northernmost of these two rivers is the Kynfesdal, which among other places, runs past Chaem and powers the paper mill there. The southern, shorter, river is the Senu, which runs through Medloth and into the great harbour there.

Flora and Fauna

Above the tree line are many beautiful meadows with grasslands, mountian flowers and shrubs such as junipers. Going further down one will find pine forests which gradually descend into decidious forest with rowans, chestnuts, olive trees, fig trees, almond trees and various types of oaks. Birds abound in the mountains, including many migratory species. Large animals include wild pigs, deer, goats and lynxes. Foxes, rabbits and hares are also very common.
The mountain range is also one of the few habitats of the rare Naef Hare; a highly magical species that can generally only be found in the snowy areas. They travel along with the rising and falling snow line every year and catching a glimpse of one is considered lucky. Although the Tolach Naelath is not the only mountain range in Dlynaeth where these creatures can be found, they are nonetheless considered a symbol for them and imagery of them is often used in clothing, tapestries and pottery that are made by the mountain folk.

Economic activity

As a unique feature in the Tyldamin landscape, the mountain range sees quite a bit of work and trades that flourish here especially.

Herding folk

As the Tolach Naelath catch a good deal of rain from the western winds coming from the sea, they are a highly fertile area. The western slopes are therefore rich in pastoral districts and there are many herders with flocks of goats or sheep. Many excellent yoghurts and cheeses are produced in these areas, as well as good cloth - some of the wool is also traded down the rivers to be spun into yarn or cloth elsewhere. Herding folk often originate from the small mountain villages who are filled with folk who pursue these crafts.

Stonecutters

The mountains are also an important source of building materials for the whole region. There are several quarries dotted throughout the range, especially near the rivers. With the hot, dry summers stone is generally preferred over wood for building and the stonecutters make a good trade. Concerns over the rising demand are appearing though, as the stonecutters fear that they will overexploit the land if they bring in more people, animals and materials to meet those demands.

Type

Mountain Range

Owning Organization

Tyldamin

Magic

Though the systemic presence of magic within a certain ecosystem is still but poorly understood, it is clear to researchers that the Tolach Naelath has three main magical niches or "aura's". Though significantly less magical than the Kynfesan Mountains and without any magic-rich areas, the Tolach Naelath still appear to have a slightly higher level of magic than most of the surrounding area.
Generally speaking, the western slopes, the heights above the vegetation line, and the eastern slopes have separate magical aura's. There is some arguing that within these aura's there are sufficient differences to justify for defining them separately or as subdivisions but no consensus has been reached on the topic so far. The aura of the western slope appears to be similar to some of the aura's on the western slopes of the Kynfesan, whereas that of the mountaintops is highly similar to that on the mountaintops at the very tailend of the Kynfesan — those that lie in or near Satifúl and Methedin. The aura of the eastern slopes so far appears to completely unique to the Tolach Naelath.

Magical beings

Even a few magical species occur within the Tolach Naelath, of which the Naef Hare is by far the most famous. The Naef Hare is thought be connected to the boundary zone between the aura of the mountaintops and the other. It is speculated that this is part of what causes it to travel along with the snowline. The others are predominantly plant species, valued mostly for their use as highly effective spell components.