Clouded Crags

The Clouded Crags rise sharply in the northeastern reaches of Teros Major, their jagged peaks often shrouded in persistent mist that clings to the rocky slopes. The terrain is rugged and dramatic, with steep cliffs and deep valleys, shaped by ancient, unrelenting forces. The mountains are known for their dark, weathered stone and treacherous paths, where sheer drops and narrow ridges make navigation dangerous. Though snow is rare, the higher elevations bring cooler air, and the ever-present mist reduces visibility, making the terrain even more perilous. The Crags were once home to Norran cities, now lost or destroyed.

Vegetation in the Clouded Crags is sparse but hardy, with plants adapted to cling to life in the rocky soil. The Sirathin conifer tree, with its spiky needles, grows in scattered groves on the lower slopes. Malofan, a thorny shrub, thrives in these dry and exposed conditions, its bark harvested for infusing beverages with a smoky warmth. Nifrin grass, with its pale yellow stems, is common, adding its sweet, warming flavor to local cuisine and herbal remedies. At the highest elevations, the resilient Silverhorn conifer takes root, its wide, sweeping branches providing rare shade and shelter in the otherwise barren peaks.
Further down the slopes, in more sheltered areas, Crommis trees can be found. These small fruit-bearing trees with golden leaves are valued for their edible fruits and sap, which is used as an antidote to poisons. Firevine, with its bright orange flowers, clings to the steep cliffs and rocky outcrops, its oils used in perfumes. In addition, Pirthingallam moss grows near the mountain streams that trickle from the higher peaks, often gathered by locals for crafting and medicinal purposes.
While plant life is sparse, the Clouded Crags are teeming with dangerous creatures.
Predatory birds such as Alyrros and vultures soar on the updrafts, scanning the rocky slopes for prey. The rivers that flow from the Clouded Crags feed the dangerous Festermere swamps to the west, and the base of the range blends into the rolling hills and arid plains of the Challan Peninsula to the north.
Roaming the high crags, the terrifying Linsarr is another deadly predator. This terrifying beast is known for its intelligence, stealth, and ferocity. Stalking prey silently through the steep mountains, it strikes with precision, its razor-sharp claws tearing through even the toughest hides. The Linsarr’s ability to navigate the jagged peaks makes it a master of ambushes, and stories of its brutal hunts echo through the mountain settlements.
Also inhabiting the Clouded Crags are packs of Moggrins, small but vicious winged creatures that hunt in groups. With their leathery wings and grotesque, troll-like bodies, Moggrins are notorious for their nocturnal attacks, using their speed and pack tactics to overwhelm their prey. Their eerie, echoing cries fill the night, striking fear into those who dare travel through the mountains after dark.
Beneath the surface of the Clouded Crags, hidden deep within the cave systems, lurks the nightmarish Silentmaw. This massive, blind predator relies on its acute sensitivity to vibrations to detect prey in the darkness. With rows of razor-sharp teeth and prehensile tentacles, the Silentmaw is a relentless hunter, navigating the cave walls and ceilings with terrifying ease. Its lairs are avoided by locals, who tell grim tales of entire mining parties disappearing without a trace.
Among the dark caverns, the Hollow One, also known as the Feeder in the Caves, lurks. This nightmarish creature is rarely seen, but its presence is known by the remains it leaves behind—hollowed-out husks of those unfortunate enough to cross its path. The Hollow One is a being of pure hunger, driven by an insatiable need to consume. It moves silently through the labyrinthine cave systems, its appearance heralded by an unnatural chill that spreads through the stone itself. The locals avoid these deep caves, whispering that the Hollow One is a remnant of some ancient, malevolent force that once ruled the Crags.
The deep caverns are also home to Goltarax, a giant golem of rock and crystal.
Despite the dangers, the Clouded Crags possess a stark, untamed beauty. From their jagged summits to the mist-shrouded valleys, these mountains are a place of peril, where only the hardiest creatures and plants can survive, and where mystery and danger lie in every shadow.

Type

Mountain Range

Location under

Teros Major