The Stonejaw Mountains

"The South’s Unbroken Teeth."

Rising like the jagged maw of an ancient colossus, the Stonejaw Mountains carve a defiant scar along Everwealth’s southern border, standing as a formidable divide between the war-weary plains of Kathar and the lands beyond. These mountains stretch from Twinpeak in the east, all the way to the Laughing Sea in the west, their final, crumbling remnants forming several treacherous islands where their last peaks sink beneath the waves. At the heart of this range lies its most striking feature, the Maw, a massive, stone-ridged valley that resembles a gaping jaw, with Greatshadow nestled within its depths, as if cradled in the crushing grip of ancient fangs. It is from this feature that the range derives its name, Stonejaw, a moniker as fitting as it is foreboding. More than just a towering natural barrier, Stonejaw is a land of extremes, where sheer cliffs, narrow winding passes, and sudden rockslides make passage treacherous. The Battlement Cliffs, a notorious stretch of sharp, unstable rock formations at the mountains’ base, create an additional obstacle for those attempting to navigate its deadly slopes. The climate shifts dramatically as one ventures deeper, southern Everwealth’s fertile lowlands give way to dry, crumbling ridges, and further still, the arid winds of Kathar’s encroaching savannahs shape the land into something altogether harsher. In this land of broken peaks and dust-choked air, the mountains stand as both Everwealth’s last great southern wall and a place of myth, hardship, and opportunity.

Geography

The Stonejaw Mountains form the southernmost natural barrier of Everwealth, running from Twinpeak’s eastern edge, across Kathar’s northern border, and tapering off into the Laughing Sea, where their fractured peaks form a series of small, inhospitable islands. The Maw, a deep valley at the range’s center, holds the fortress-city of Greatshadow, a dark, ancient stronghold nestled between towering cliffs that resemble colossal stone teeth. The base of the range is lined with the Battlement Cliffs, a hazardous stretch of rock formations notorious for sudden collapses and jagged, impassable terrain. To the north, southern Everwealth’s fertile lands struggle against the mountains’ shadow, forcing settlements to cling to thin valleys and winding river-fed basins. To the south, the mountains begin to break apart into dusty hills and craggy outcrops, marking the gradual shift toward Kathar’s arid savannahs, where the heat grows fiercer, and the land grows crueler.

Ecosystem

The Stonejaw Mountains are an ecosystem of unyielding stone, scarce vegetation, and fierce, adapted wildlife, where survival is dictated by resilience and adaptation. Unlike the fertile lands of central Everwealth, life here is harsh and unkind, with limited rainfall, extreme temperatures, and unforgiving terrain shaping the region’s inhabitants. Southern Everwealth’s temperate climate fades as the mountains rise, giving way to arid conditions that worsen toward the Kathar border. The mountains experience violent weather shifts, from intense midday heat that bakes the rocks to sudden, frigid nights where frost clings to the higher elevations. When storms break across the range, they are fierce and unpredictable, sometimes striking the higher peaks with arcs of lightning, but leaving the lower valleys dry and untouched. Wind howls through the Maw, and dust storms from Kathar’s northern plains occasionally creep into the foothills, choking the air and forcing both man and beast to seek shelter. Despite its unforgiving climate, the Stonejaw Mountains host a tenacious, well-adapted ecosystem. Creatures that make their home here must endure weeks without water, subsist on sparse, thorny vegetation, and navigate the treacherous terrain where a single misstep could mean death. Some animals burrow into the mountainside, avoiding the worst of the heat, while others cling to the shade of narrow rock crevices or hunt beneath the twilight sun. Predation is fierce, and many creatures are nocturnal to avoid the oppressive heat of the day. The northern stretches, where Everwealth’s last rivers brush against the mountains, support tough grasses and hardy shrubs, but the further south one ventures, the more lifeless the stone becomes, until all that remains is a dust-choked wasteland of skeletal ridges and dry, cracked earth. The ecosystem does not welcome outsiders, it barely sustains those who have called it home for generations.

Ecosystem Cycles

The Stonejaw Mountains are a land of extremes, where seasons do not bring renewal, but rather a shift in hardship. Unlike the fertile valleys of central Everwealth or the damp forests of the Grandgleam, the arid, jagged landscape of the Stonejaw is shaped by scarcity, and the ebb and flow of life is dictated by survival, not abundance.
Summer in the Stonejaw is unforgiving, as blistering winds roll in from the Katharan savannahs, baking the exposed rock and sending temperatures soaring. The rivers and springs that cut through the range shrink to mere trickles, forcing wildlife to migrate toward the few remaining water sources, an opportunity for both predators and desperate travelers. Creatures such as ridge stalkers and basilisk vipers grow bolder in these months, taking risks in their hunger, while Katharan nomads and Everwealthy scouts make their dangerous crossings through the passes before the heat becomes unbearable. Autumn offers a brief reprieve, cooling the air just enough for migratory beasts to return. Herds of mountain goats and rock deer descend from their hidden crags, reclaiming the few fertile meadows that dot the lower ranges. This is also the time when bandits, smugglers, and treasure seekers emerge, hoping to evade border patrols by using the shifting paths of the Stonejaw before winter makes the crossings treacherous once more. Winter in the Stonejaw is a howling nightmare, as violent storms crash against the peaks. Blizzards from the Laughing Sea meet the arid Katharan winds, creating sudden, unpredictable snowfalls that blanket one pass while leaving another untouched. The mountains become a graveyard, as loose rock, hidden crevasses, and sheer cliffs collapse under the weight of ice and snow. Those who do not know the terrain do not last long, and even seasoned guides fear the ghostly winds that whistle through the Maw, carrying with them whispers of the dead. Spring is when the mountains awaken, but not with warmth, only with violence. The thawing ice sends deadly avalanches crashing down, reshaping the landscape and wiping out any settlements built too precariously along the cliffs. Freshwater springs burst forth from cracks in the stone, but they are often short-lived, claimed by the dry rock before summer’s thirst returns. This is the time when miners and stonecutters press their luck, digging into the jagged depths before the heat drives them back. It is also the time when basilisk vipers begin their breeding season, making the caves and tunnels twice as dangerous as before.
The Stonejaw Mountains do not follow the gentle rhythms of the land below. They do not offer seasons of prosperity, only a constant, shifting battle against nature itself. It is not a land that welcomes life. It is a land that challenges it to endure.

Localized Phenomena

• The Maw’s Cry - The great stone maw at the center of the Stonejaw Mountains, where Greatshadow is nestled, is infamous for the eerie howling winds that rush through its jagged formations. On stormy nights, the wind reverberates through the cliffs, creating an unsettling, almost human-like wail. Some believe it to be the voices of the mountain’s dead, while others dismiss it as a trick of the rock formations, though few dare to sleep near it.

• Shattered Sky Storms - Due to the collision of warm Kathari winds and cold oceanic air from the Laughing Sea, the Stonejaw Mountains experience sudden, violent lightning storms. These storms, known as Shattered Sky Storms, strike without warning, their lightning bolts dancing across the peaks for hours at a time. Some claim the mountains themselves absorb the power, with certain stones humming or crackling with static energy for days afterward.

• The Sinking Paths - With the unstable rock formations of the Stonejaw, entire paths and trails can collapse without warning, swallowed by deep, hidden caverns or sudden rockslides. Even well-traveled routes can vanish overnight, and only those familiar with the land know how to navigate the ever-changing terrain.

• Ghost Veins - Some of the deepest mines in the Stonejaw have tunnels lined with a strange, luminescent mineral that gives off a faint glow in the darkness. This eerie glow, referred to as Ghost Veins, is said to mark places of great danger, with many miners reporting shadows moving where no light should be. Some believe these veins hold traces of ancient magicks, while others whisper that they mark burial sites from long-forgotten wars.

Climate

The Stonejaw Mountains experience harsh temperature extremes, with scorching summers and bitter winters that make survival an ongoing battle. The higher elevations remain frigid year-round, with howling winds and frequent rockslides, while the lower slopes grow dry and arid, their foothills reflecting the encroaching climate of Kathar. Rain is infrequent but arrives in violent downpours, often triggering flash floods and mudslides that reshape the mountains’ precarious terrain. Despite this, the northern reaches, where Everwealth’s rivers still hold sway, offer seasonal fertility, giving rise to hardy shrubs, sparse woodlands, and tough mountain flora. But venture too far southward, and the landscape becomes bone-dry, cracked, and wind-scoured, offering only dust, rock, and the bones of those who failed to endure its wrath.

Fauna & Flora

Vegetation in the Stonejaw Mountains is as rugged and unrelenting as the land itself. Unlike the rich forests of Everwealth’s interior, the arid southern peaks and valleys of Stonejaw support only the hardiest of plants, each with its own adaptations for survival in the harsh, unpredictable climate.

• Ironbark Shrubs - Found clinging to the lower ridges and mountain passes, these low-growing, spiny shrubs boast thick, iron-gray bark, which protects them from both the elements and grazing wildlife. The small, waxy leaves help retain moisture, while their deep roots tap into underground water pockets.

• Ashen Thistle - A thorn-covered plant that thrives in the scorched foothills, its gray-green needles giving it a ghostly appearance. When burned, it releases a pungent smoke that repels insects, making it valuable to local travelers.

• Stormvine - This twisting, brittle vine is found coiled around boulders and rocky outcrops, capable of drawing moisture from the air itself. Its pale blue flowers only bloom after lightning strikes, often marking storm-ravaged areas.

• Mawthistle - A plant native to the Maw, its thick, jagged leaves are said to resemble the stone "teeth" of the mountains. Though bitter and tough, it is sometimes used in alchemical poultices to numb pain.

• Sunburst Moss - A rare golden-hued moss that grows in shadowed crevices, feeding off the minerals in the rock rather than sunlight. It is valued by herbalists and alchemists for its ability to preserve flesh and slow decay.

• Most of the Stonejaw Mountains are barren, dry, and devoid of greenery, but where life clings to the stone, it does so with unyielding determination, much like those who dwell within its peaks.

Natural Resources

Though treacherous, the Stonejaw Mountains are rich in valuable minerals and materials, drawing miners, blacksmiths, and treasure seekers despite the dangers. Iron, coal, and rare gemstones are among the region’s most sought-after resources, alongside high-quality stone and clay.

• Blackvein Iron - A dense, superior iron ore found deep within the Maw, known for its exceptional durability.

• Stormglass Quartz - A rare, shimmering mineral that captures lightning’s glow, often used in arcane forgeries and high-value crafts.

• Ashen Clay - A dark, compact clay harvested from the Battlement Cliffs, ideal for reinforced brickwork and fine ceramics.

• Mire-Iron - Found in the lower, swamp-fed veins, a strange ore that resists corrosion and decay, often sought by master weapon smiths.

History

The Stonejaw Mountains have stood as Everwealth’s southernmost defense since the Schism rewrote history, their unbreakable ridges and sheer cliffs to the day acting as a natural fortress against Kathar’s encroachments. In times of war, these mountains have repelled armies, shattered sieges, and forced invaders into doomed mountain crossings, where Everwealth’s defenders hold the advantage. Yet, the mountains are more than just a battleground, they are a land of myth, a place where many have tried to carve civilization into its ridges, only to fail against the cruelty of stone and time. The Maw, where Greatshadow now resides, was once rumored to be the resting place of a fallen god, its valley formed when a divine beast was slain, its body turning to stone. Whether truth or legend, the mountain-city’s presence only adds to the region’s ominous reputation.

Tourism

Few outsiders willingly venture into the Stonejaw Mountains, and those who do are often driven by desperation, duty, or an ill-fated sense of adventure. Unlike the majestic peaks of the Cloudrend or the haunted beauty of the Woodswatch Mountains, the Stonejaw is a land of peril, offering little comfort to those unprepared for its rugged, arid expanse. The paths through the range are treacherous and winding, with loose stone and sheer cliffs that have claimed the lives of countless wanderers. However, for those who brave its harshness, the Stonejaw Mountains hold wonders unseen elsewhere in Everwealth. Explorers and scholars seek the hidden ruins buried within the great stone Maw, where ancient carvings speak of civilizations long forgotten. Hunters venture into the lower valleys, hoping to track the elusive ridge stalkers or harvest the famed basilisk viper venom, a prize coveted by alchemists and assassins alike. Some risk the climb simply for the breathtaking views, as the peaks offer an unparalleled vantage of the southern frontier, stretching from the Amber Hills to the Orclands beyond. More often than not, however, those who come to the Stonejaw Mountains do not come seeking leisure, but work and opportunity. Dwarfish engineers, Everwealthy laborers, and merchant caravans press through the mountain passes to supply settlements along the Katharan border, ensuring the flow of stone, iron, and rare minerals never ceases. Even the occasional bard or scholar, drawn by the whispers of forgotten lore, makes the journey, though many are never heard from again. For the common traveler, the Stonejaw Mountains hold no warmth, no hospitality, and no welcome. It is a land where only the strong, the determined, or the truly foolish find reason to linger.

Alternative Name(s)

'The Maw of the South', 'The Stone Fangs', 'The Jagged Divide'.

Owning Organization

The Monarchy