Wikimi Mountains

Untitled by 摸鱼斋

In the greater topography of the southwest, the Wikimi Mountains are but a footnote compared to the allmighty Spine that sits above everything in the region, but they are undoubtably not a footnote in the terms of air.
-High Priest Cathar on an expedition east.

Geography

The geography of the Wikimi Mountains is not particularly special, much of the surrounding jungle resembles the area, though this holds a higher altitude. The defining feature of the region is not being different from the jungle, but having a very distinct difference from the Ashlands. From the top of the ridge, one can watch the jungles with flowing spring water guided back to the bay, while also seeing the cratered walls of the dark lowlands chalked with cinders.
Fed by the crystal clear waters of the South Bay Aquifer, the natural springs bubble upwards and create terraced ponds and brooks, slowly meandering its way through the ancient tropical forests. While some parts of the region have steep slopes, most keep to an easily walkable angle on the western side. The eastern side is slightly rougher with the presence of Ashwinds from the east. Though the waters seem abundant, the mountains sit at the easternmost point of the aquifer which, in addition to the material inside the water, creates a stale and not fully healthy concoction.

Localized Phenomena

With the Ashlands to the east, large amounts of sutt is swept up and brought into the region. If not for the Wikimi Mountains, the ash would likely extend deep within the forests. The eastern slopes of the mountains are speckled in ash, creating an almost dusty apearanced.

Fauna & Flora

Though it is commonly seen as a nuisance, likely because of its effects on water quality, the Ashwinds actually assist in the local ecosystem. While the rainshadow effect is widely understood to take effect east of The Spine, in some regards there is an ashshadow effect in the Wikimi Mountains, the eastern side using the added minerals and nutrients in the material to grow more prosperously, while the west's high elevation and lack of ash leaves it generally lacking. Nonetheless, tall trees coat both sides of the ridge, with thick waxy leaves. The east naturally holds more nutrients, but the generally gentle mountains allow for the nutrients to flow to both sides. The area is not that different from the rest of the jungle, but with noticeably more animal activity, likely because of the excess of nutrients and lack of human foot travel.

Natural Resources

The Wikimi Mountains are not by any means old in geologic time, being the creation of the eastern sitting Ashlands only fifty thousand years ago; It was the largest eruption in recent times. It built the foothills up with plumes of ash, volcanic rock, and magma. Eventually the rock sedimented and created a light, air rock dubbed Tuff. But it was not only ash that was carried in the explosion. It included thick chunks of sulphuric mineral, that in itself having great impurities of zinc and copper. This has spawned a large bronze market in the region, alongside of course the raw materials, tuff, and sulfur. Cattle-Bone is the main extractor of the region, as they call it their land, though the Greater Chanadar Republic argues that it is theirs. Nonetheless, it is extracted and shipped across South Saadour as a fine material, cheaper than the high prices the Kinship of the Forge.

Faith by Tarmo Juhola

History

The first generally recorded exploration of the mountains was on a surveying mission by High Priest Cathar]l(person:6553eb0c-59d1-4ad0-a67a-74f6d6984c2c) and a small group alongside him. A hired cartographer sketched the lands as they ventured east, as there was a clear lack of people within the [Wikimi Jungle, it made for free land which Cattle-Bone was happy to take. Once it was discovered that within the mountain was useable mineral, many became interested in extracting it . When the Greater Chanadar Republic spotted the many merchant caravans full of valuable ore, they found it unfair, thinking that Cattle-Bone had plenty of land, and that the mountains should be theirs to find commerce in. To the northern point of the mountains they set up secretive camps to extract out of the eyes of Cattle-Bone's government. Cattle-Bone was of course aware of the profits, but cared not as the repercussions of comportment where much higher than simply allowing them a percent.

Alternative Name(s)

Wellspring Mountains, Verdant Hills

Type

Mountain / Hill

Location under

Wikimi Jungle

Owning Organization

High Clergy of the Theocracy of Cathar

Contested By

• Greater Chanadar Republic