Stone Mountains
The Stone Mountains, or Kameny Gory in Junnharic, are a large range of mountains in the far western regions of The Junn Steppe. Located on the north side of the Caldar River and beginning roughly 125 miles west of the furthest extent of the Kingdom of Cobal, this range of mountains runs northwest for more than 400 miles and is more than 100 miles deep (north-to-south). It is a high, rugged range with peaks reaching as high as 18,000 feet and for many hundreds of square miles, is nearly entirely impassable during the winter season.
The Stone Mountains are particularly infamous for its populations of Orcs, Ogres and Trolls that occassionally wander down out of the heights and attack lands and settlements to the east.
Geography
Steep and rugged peaks make the Stone Mountain range particularly challenging to traverse in even the best weather seasons and all but impossible to cross in winter. There is one wagon-passable pass through the center of the range, called the Gold Road, that allows traffic from the western frontiers of Cobal to trade and travel to the vast southern Junn Steppe.
Natural Resources
The central portions of the extensive range, specifically the region around the Gold Road, is known to have significant deposits of gold. This naturally occuring source of wealth is countered by a very real threat of attack by Orcs and Trolls, however. Other mineral resources found within the range include copper, tin, iron and a particularly fine grade of clay that has been fired to produce a highly sought after ceramic that is much in demand amongst alchemists and potioners.
Tourism
In the eastern extremes of the Stone Mountain range, just east of the Junn Harr settlement of Zimnii Gorod, is a high, clear pass across the rugged range called the Gold Road (zolota doroga in Junnharic). This pass allows the crossing of the range by wagons and carts (with some difficulty) but is notoriously dangerous because of the possibility of Orc and Troll encounters. The eastern regions of the Stone Mountains are frequently plagued with roving bands of Orcs and Trolls.
The road is so named because ample evidence exists of significant gold deposits in the rugged terrain along the route, but the threat of orc and troll attacks keeps the vast majority of prospectors and treasure hunters away. Along the western slope of this pass are several established and well-used campsites laid out in the traditional Junn Harr-style with ample sources of fresh water and fodder for livestock and horses. Once over the road's peak, the eastern slope holds the Village of Stone Square, a Caldarian-speaking, fortified community of several hundred hardy and hard-working folks hoping to profit from the mineral wealth of the area and the increasing trade traffic between east and west.
Alternative Name(s)
Kameny Gory (Junnharic)
Type
Mountain Range
Location under
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