Highlands of Meador
The Highlands of Meador are a region located south of Meador mainly near the bed of the largest river in the region as well as the valleys carved into the sandstone by the smaller streams and rivers feeding into it, leaving stunning rock formations standing. On top of one of the rock formations near Meador, the Eagle's Nest, seat of House Meados, is located.
The region is considered a part of the South Mountains, even though it is geologically entirely different. Unlike the rest of the South Mountains, the Highlands were not formed by tectonic shifts but rather carved out of the sandstone by the rivers and streams of the region. Erosion and rockfalls have formed the steep cliffs and tall, surreal-looking rock formations that make the Highlands unique.
The region is widely known for its raw, natural beauty. Hikers tend to go there to enjoy stunning views and untouched nature, and adventurous climbers like to scale the cliffs. The locals have occasionally used the steep walls and narrow canyons to evade attacking armies. Using the cliffs as natural fortifications, a few holdfasts have been built on top of the rock formations.
Still, as beautiful as this landscape is, it can also be a dangerous place. Since it was carved out of a sandstone plateau, it is possible to accidentally end up at the edge of a vertical cliff when approaching the Highlands from the south, west or east. Additionally, boulders might break off the cliffs at any time due to erosion, especially when it is particularly hot or cold.
Due to weather and other influences, the relatively soft sandstone is constantly eroding. The most notable factor is water, in the form of rivers and streams, rain and melting snow, which washes away the stone and seeps into the crevaces of the stone, expanding when it heats or freezes and, in extreme cases, dislodging boulders the size of houses.
The region is considered a part of the South Mountains, even though it is geologically entirely different. Unlike the rest of the South Mountains, the Highlands were not formed by tectonic shifts but rather carved out of the sandstone by the rivers and streams of the region. Erosion and rockfalls have formed the steep cliffs and tall, surreal-looking rock formations that make the Highlands unique.
The region is widely known for its raw, natural beauty. Hikers tend to go there to enjoy stunning views and untouched nature, and adventurous climbers like to scale the cliffs. The locals have occasionally used the steep walls and narrow canyons to evade attacking armies. Using the cliffs as natural fortifications, a few holdfasts have been built on top of the rock formations.
Still, as beautiful as this landscape is, it can also be a dangerous place. Since it was carved out of a sandstone plateau, it is possible to accidentally end up at the edge of a vertical cliff when approaching the Highlands from the south, west or east. Additionally, boulders might break off the cliffs at any time due to erosion, especially when it is particularly hot or cold.
Due to weather and other influences, the relatively soft sandstone is constantly eroding. The most notable factor is water, in the form of rivers and streams, rain and melting snow, which washes away the stone and seeps into the crevaces of the stone, expanding when it heats or freezes and, in extreme cases, dislodging boulders the size of houses.
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