Saharan Atlas Mountains
The Saharan Atlas Mountains are a range of mountains situated to the northern & western end of the Sahara.
Geography
The Saharan Atlas mountains stretch from near the Atlantic to as far as modern Tunisia. It is part of a vast plateau in the region and much of the stone at the edges are sandstone some harder stones, including marble, ores & gemstones are found in it's range. A couple of rivers flow in the wet season down into wadis that help feed plants, and can be used by animals during this period.
Ecosystem
A few hardier animals live in these mountains, and some desert plants. Despite being a mountain range, it has some arable land to the north towards the sea, and primarily desert to the south. Since it is on or near the equator the mountains have little rainfall but more compared to the Sahara desert and some water makes its way from the sea by cloud formations. Shorter spring periods bring this moisture inland and allows it to fall, along with cold nights when the temperature drops. During the longer summer periods it can get to very high heats that only the hardier plants & animals can make use of the region.
Ecosystem Cycles
Spring & summer is the main cycles here, with the summer being longer than the spring. During the spring period, water is more freely available in the region so most plants & animals are adapted to quickly find & store this source fast, and many mate / reproduce in time for this to help their young survive. During the summer, when water is scarcer most plants & animals rely on other sources to get fluids. Most plants die back somewhat during this time to conserve their resources, and animals will try to find food & water by migrating to known water sources, as well as most living on what they can scavenge or kill during the summer months.
Localized Phenomena
Desert storms regularly hit the mountains, though the outer region breaks apart the worst of these allowing some safety deeper in. At the same time, the odd storm passes from the Atlantic or Mediterranean into it, bringing short lived thunder storms.
Hidden close to the eastern mountain range there is a ruined temple of Baal that is cursed or believed to be. It was damaged by storms, and said that a black dragon called Leviathan attacked it after items that were created & hoarded by her was taken there. At the same time brigands, bandits, outlaws, and cultists are a rare but present danger here as well.
Old mines are found here originally mined by the Phoenicians out of Carthage, and handed over to a clan of elves called the Snow Clan based out of southern Britain. Rumour has it there is stockpiles of goods, ores, gemstones, and other treasure is buried in the abandoned shafts of the mines. These same mines also are rumoured to contain remnants of the elves, who are also rumoured to be seen or encountered in the surrounding region.
Another rumour lately is that Yuan-Ti has been spotted scouting the region and it is unknown if they have been there all along & only emerging now, or arrived recently.
Fauna & Flora
Ibex like deer, Saharan snakes, big eared mice, beetles, and hawks are common. Local forms of goats also found along with jackals. A number of other creatures are rumoured to have been encountered here, such as Jackalweres, Yuan-Ti, Genasi, Jinn, Aarakocra, Ankheg, Basilisks, Camels, Cockatrice, Dragonnel, Elementals, Scorpions & spiders of different sizes, Hyenas, Lamia, Lions, Lizards, Radiant Idols, Rhinos, Sabre Tooth Tigers, Thri-Kreen, and Vultures.
Plants such as date palms, orange trees, and desert grasses are common, along with types of thorn bushes and other succulents. Most are adapted to surviving the harsh conditions & periods of drought.
Natural Resources
The mountains are a source of metal ores, and gemstones. Indeed there used to be mines here, though with the conditions here it can be hard to survive long without having local knowledge. Trade routes still exist here going between many towns & cities especially on the coast going inland, and the Bedouins can be tapped for knowledge of old ruins & other interesting resources tucked away here.
History
The Atlas Mountains are a major part of the local mountain system / plateau. A safer haven for life than most of the surrounding regions, it has had life here dating back millions of years. Many local sapient species has made use of the plateau in general, for farming, mining and travel.
Little has been discovered about the region as the climate, and terrain, can be very harsh to all but to those used to living or regularly traveling through the region. It is likely there have been a number of historical finds waiting to be found hidden away here.
"I've been there the once, many years ago. Harsh, that's all I will say. Was in Carthage for business and they took us out to show us the eastern end of the mountains. Spectacular to look at. a sea of sand all around and the bedrock of the mountains jutting out higher up, or at least it looked that way to us. Hard to believe anything can survive there. Though they refused to take us near it due to outlaws in the region."
Burgomaster Ewald Odila.
Type
Mountain Range
Location under
Included Locations
Comments