MossyMorel
Merchant
Overview - The Funeran Pass is a stretch of icy, desolate terrain in the centre of the Middle Mountains, named so for their position on most maps of the Northern Kingdoms. The tallest peak is one of the highest points in known geography, and the weather is far from temperate.
Blizzards roll in regularly and without warning. The bone-biting winds often dislodge fresh-fallen snow on the mountainside, burying any hapless soul below in their own frozen tomb. It is a dangerous place, survived only by those hardy enough to outwit the elements.
The range is mostly unexplored. While some bravely strap ice grips to their shoes and head for the inclines armed with climbing picks, not many survive the journey, and those that are lucky enough to do so find very little of interest. As such, not a great deal is known about the mountains, besides reports of weather so harsh as to be described as 'sentient', and the occasional rumour of 'safe spots', where one might shelter from the weather.
Fauna - As joyless as life might seem among the snowdrifts, life does inhabit the mountainsides, scratching out an existence on the slopes and in the rivers. Otters, elk, and wolves are the most commonly spotted species, though white-furred bears and large, robust goats have also been seen. In the shallows of the rivers live greenback trouts and masu salmon, but in deeper waters of the lakes their numbers give way to white sturgeons and caridean shrimps.
Flora - Very little. The lower slopes are dominated by verdant oak woodland, but where the snows start, the trees end, and very little can find root amongst the barren slopes. Sparse alpine poppies cling to the rock alongside the various gnarled shrubs and patches of windswept grassland. Attempting to grow anything would likely be a futile task.
The Slopes - Settling at a much lower, more survivable temperature, the lower slopes of the mountains are carpeted in oak forests, teeming with life. Rabbits dart around the roots of the trees, toads croak by the riverside, deer move silently between the trunks. Birds set the forest ablaze with a roar of song each morning, and dancing fireflies bid the sun goodnight each evening. It's an ideal hunting ground, and the fertile plains that stretch out beyond the trees make for excellent farming country.
OOC Info - Temperatures can hit 11°C (51°F) at their highest, and -19°C (-2°F) at their lowest, with winds reaching up to 40kph and snowfall coming in thick and fast. If your character wanders into this terrain unprepared, it's a very feasible likelihood that they will die from exposure to the elements. Likewise, if your character covers themselves in furs but is inexperienced at climbing mountains, there is a very real possibility of them falling to their death. It's a dangerous place, so plan accordingly!
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