Stonetalon Mountains
The Stonetalon Mountains are a small mountain range in Free Cities of Marlock. The largest peak in the range is Stonetalon Peak.
Geography
Situated about a half-days travel southeast (on foot) from New Carydam, the Stonetalons are a formidable part of the landscape. Known for a kind of desolate beauty, the Stonetalons are an integral aspect of Carydamian identity.
Clayskin Lake lies within the Stonetalon valley, but few would call it a freshwater lake.
Ecosystem
It is impossible to document the ecosystem of the Stonetalons without mentioning the effects of industry and trade on its cycles. While the Stonetalons have always been a hard, bleak place, their current depleted and exhausted state is a key indication of the ways in which local flora and fauna have changed due to exploitation and extraction.
Perhaps the most poignant reminder of this is Clayskin Lake. This once bright blue lake has turned gray and orange, presumably due to skeinshale residue and mining operation runoff. Within a generation, the fish and wildlife abundant around the lake died off. There are now whispers of other things living in the water.
Localized Phenomena
There are rumors of the extensive tunnels of the Stonetalons extending even to some locations within New Carydam.
Natural Resources
Stonetalon Crag was the most abundant source of skeinshale known to exist. The [Skeinshale Mine Explosion changed that significantly. There is still skeinshale available in the Stonetalons, but at a much reduced prevalence.
History
The first known venture to Stonetalon Crag is documented in 802 AC. The ruins and anthropological research indicates this area as inhabited from at least the late Unknown Era.
The discovery of skeinshale in 812 AC resulting in a mining boom. Settlements sprung up all over the Stonetalons--with the community that became New Carydam being the largest and most important. Mining concerns flooded the area and established countless tunnels into the Stonetalons. Mining hit its operation peak between 910 and 950. The Skeinshale Mine Explosion put a significant damper on mining endeavors. As of 1080 AC the output of the Stonetalons is a mere whisper of what it once was.
Currently (1080 AC), there are as many miners roaming the mostly abandoned tunnels of the Stonetalons as there are treasure seekers. In the wake of the mine explosion, several adventurous entrepreneurs undertook expeditions to the mines of the region to discover what treasures may still be in those works, and, failing that, what could be salvaged from the ruins. This has given rise to a growing industry of "reclaim" operators. It is incredibly dangerous work.
Alternative Name(s)
Skeinpeaks
Type
Mountain / Hill
Location under
Included Locations
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