Zorinos Mountains

This range of mountains in the Channel Lakes region falls off into rough hills toward its southwest. It is split by the Upper Sangre River, a gap that was widened when the river was modified as part of Alcaldar’s Channel Lakes system. The excavation done to widen and smooth the river’s channel coincidentally uncovered silver in the rock. In addition, streams on the southeast side of the mountains deposited gold in Lake Aur. However, neither of these valuable minerals is being mined at the present time.
An unexpected feature of the mountains was their inhabitation by a large clan of dwarves. After a brief period when it appeared conflict might be inevitable, the Alcaldrich came to an accommodation with the dwarves that permitted the excavation necessary to create the Channel Lakes system, so long as the humans otherwise left the mountains alone. In particular, mining was prohibited anywhere in the mountains proper. (The hills to the west, at least, are not subject to the restrictions.)
So far, the empire has honored its agreement with the dwarves, despite its suspicions that large veins of gold and silver must be contained in the mountains. Panning for gold is permitted, but Alcaldrich authorities swiftly punish anyone they discover trying to prospect. That being said, frustration with these restrictions waxes and wanes over the decades, and at the moment it seems to be on the upswing again.
The wild foothills of the mountains between the Odraga River and the Upper Sangre are the habitat of many dangerous beasts but have also been found to have some of the valuable metals the prospectors covet. As long as the miners stay away from the mountains proper and don’t let their mines wander in that direction, the dwarves have raised no objection — so far.

Type

Mountain Range