Svarog Mountains (Svah-rogg Mountains)

Prompt: "Describe a geographical feature that acts as a dividing line between nations or geographical environments" The Svarog mountains were named by the nearby Varangian peoples as such because Svarog was a god associated with eagles, sky, and being father of the gods was Svarog. This god was intimidating and could not/should not be crossed. Just like this mountain range. At more than 10 kilometers high, it is the largest mountain range on Gi'ardi. The moutains cast such a long shadow that sunset in nearby human settlements is experienced between noon and 15 o'clock each day in the warm months, let alone the cold ones. The rain shadow effect makes the humans' side very fertile, even if it is a bit chilly earlier in the year. It was once home to the Varangians, but when they fell into civil in-fighting and mass deforestation, the Empyreans took it upon themselves to make a forest spring up practically overnight, destroying the human settlements in the region. The forested parts are largely left alone now. The tundra is claimed by Zewhal, who mine the region for natural resources they can exploit. The fields are partly Zewhalish and partly Karanyan. On the Empyrean side, it's a different story. Originally, the four cities of Tuaiscirt Anam were founded as centers of innovation by the Empyreans, and they were built high into the clouds, lit by crystals and mutated fireflies and dragonflies so bright that it didn't matter that they did not get their sunlight until after noon. The nymphs might even hazard to describe the cities as multicultural in nature, considering that with such a height in buildings, even flighted Empyreans liked to take a ride on a giant insect in lieu of flying sometimes. This all changed, though, when the Fomorians attacked. Some would describe them as "dark elves" or "dark nymphs." Others would say they are perfectly normal Empyreans with a twisted agenda, completely ignoring the fact that "twisted" is a subjective term. But, regardless, the Fomorians were hellbent on driving the nymphs, gnomes, and other generally good Empyreans out of Tuaiscirt Anam, claiming that this continent was theirs for the taking and the keeping. No one knows exactly what Tuaiscirt Anam looks like now, but it is mourned in song and ceremony as a lost home. The Empyreans consider themselves to be in diaspora because of this terrible incident, and they, as a courtesy to the humans that they are supposed to be protecting and vice versa, make sure no one crosses the mountains. Trade has to go through Bharata or the sea below it now, if one wants to go east. This situation proved advantageous to Karanya, though: they use their historical connection to Kachatar, dating back to the Morandi voyages, to bring goods to and from the region, and they use this status as a means to keep the unwieldy Federated States of Hanssia at bay, and subsequently Zewhal and Aquitanias.

Type

Mountain Range

Included Locations