The Great Barrier Mountains

Where

The Great Barrier Mountains is a range across the Northern part of the Central Continent. The mountains are considered impassable, the highest any have been able to go without being lost has been marked Hiker's Point and corresponds along the range with the place that life is no longer seen on the mountain, no grass, trees, or Rune Butterflies. While considered the Northernmost point of the continent, myths hold that it actually cuts the continent in half, creating a divide between human and Fae/Demon settlements.

Weather

Weather is considered one of the largest barriers to life on the Barrier Mountains. Due to its location on the Northernmost* border of the continent, the base of the mountain reaches the highest temperatures recorded throughout the continent. Contrary to the heat observed in the Lonthan Desert, however, which is dry, the heat along the barrier mountains is humid. It rarely rains on the Barrier Mountains, but the humidity levels are such that the ground throughout the Mountain is soft and moist, prone to mudslides. It is believed that the humidity levels are part of the reason that life stops ar the Hiker's Point, the degree to which the mountain rises along this point makes it such that, in combination with the moisture of the ground, makes it near impossible for plant life to take root.  The humidity and heat also cause a phenomenon where the sweat on a hiker or traveler is unable to evaporate, causing a steaming-like phenomenon in the individual. This phenomenon has been observed in animals and humans along the mountain ridge and down along the base, where the humidity lessens and it begins again to rain. This occurance has been coined Water Skin**.

Life on the Barrier Mountains

While most of the mountain is inhospitable and impassable, there are a marked few things able to live on the Barrier Mountains Two main outliers are:

• Barrier Butterfly - Seen largely near Hiker's Point, though there are reports of people seeing the butterfly go beyond Hiker's Point, though no records made by researchers.
• Hillard Tree - This tree is the most common tree that grows on the Barrier Mountains and does not grow elsewhere. When other trees stop growing on the mountain, the Hillard tree can often still be found. The point Hillard Trees stop growing is the point considered unsafe for humans to pass, trained individuals only going between the tree line and the Hiker's Point.

These butterflies and trees are considered to be specially adapted to live on the Barrier Mountains, but even they cannot survive even halfway up the mountain range.  There are some settlements that are placed on or along the Barrier Mountains, though these are by far considered oddities. Most notably is the town of Choque in Eastern Atta, which is located halfway between the base and the Hillard Tree Line on the Barrier Mountains. Rumor has it that the Silver Tongue gift can still be found in this town - though researchers and temple officials are quick to point out that there are no records of such. There are also rumors that of any settlement within the central countries, Choque is the most likely to contain fae blood. Many eccentric individuals travel to Choque each year to try to climb the Barrier Mountains.

Myths

The myth of the raising of the Great Barrier Mountains is well recorded, a tale of epic battles between the races of the world, and to end the war the Mountains range was raised. The Cardinal Soul who raised the Mountains themselves is often debated, though the effect upon the People's Soul is always agreed upon.

Symbols

• The Great Barrier Mountains appear in symbols throughout the continent, the most notable of which is the Barrier Cluster, a custer of stars that rise into the sky at new years.
• A second symbol commonly seen is on those whose patron souls are the People's Soul, they often mark with makup or coal or rune ink a scar down their bodies lengthwise during the fifth day of the Festival of the Barrier Cluster.
• There is a common Rune that indicated the Great Barrier Mountains that appears commonly throughout the continent and is used often in art, pottery, and fabric patterns.

Type

Mountain Range