So named because from afar the peaks of this mountain range seem to resemble the spine of a colossal creature. Some even believe that the mountains are in fact the fossilized remains of an ancient titan, though no one can quite agree on what a “Titan” is. Much of the mountain range is unforgiving and almost impassable, though a few routes of relative safety exist when the Tempest is not bearing down upon them. Wyverns and cyclops often battle for control of the peaks, hurtling boulders and blasts of lightning against cliffsides.
Local Legend: Strange beasts known as Chimerachs are said to make their homes here, and many young adventurers have set forth in an attempt to take one for a trophy. None have returned.
Typical Threats: Cyclops, wyverns, harpies, and vicious mountain goats, as well as Stormspawn and the occasional elementals frequent the area.
Typical Tempest Surges: Air and Ice
Closest other regions: Cloud-capped Isles to the Northeast, Hills of Iron to the Southwest
Origins in this Region: Death Watch, Hearthfire Gully, Tree of Eli’niwar, Wolves of the Spire
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Titan Spine Range
Region description: The primary ridgeline within the Titnspine mountains, hosting the largest mountains and splitting the region in twain. The majority of this locality is impassable, being harsh mountain sides and the most difficult to traverse peaks. The peaks host an assortment of creatures that call it home nonetheless, from winged demi-humans to wyverns, and the giant monsters that bicker with them over hunting grounds and territory.
Key locations:
- Hearthstone Gulley- See Origin.
- Wolves of the Spire – See Origin.
- Ogden’s Crown- a cluster of mountains in the Southern portion of the Range, just North of the Spire. This area is lorded over by a family of large One-eyed humanoids called the Raunt, who have a tentative agreement with the leaders of the Spire; they are a challenge for the strongest Wolves to fight. By sending those that aren’t ready for it, the Raunt get to eat those that die. The wolves will regularly send those that aren’t ready for the challenge at all, using it as an unofficial way to kill off the weak. The Raunt have a powerful cleric of Darkdreams in their family, and have never lost a member to the Wolve’s challenges.
- Mount Cathander- The Largest mountain in Titanspine mountains, located in the central portion of the Range. The Peak of this mountain is considered an ultimate challenge for many warriors that test their mettle against.
- Grishom’s Pass- A low-point in the range between the northern section and the central section, so named for a singular hermit that lives in a small hut within a cliffside.
- Fellow’s Fall – A low point in the range between the central section and the southern section, with steep cliff edges and thin rope-bridges spanning between them. This is the most common path the Death Watch use to make it to Raven’s Rest, and thus most repair and upkeep fall to them. Many have fallen, so many Raven stones are planted here to mark the resting places of those lost to fall.
Gates: There is a Gate located just outside Hearthstone Gulley, at the base of a stone-carved path of stairs heading up into the inviting town. The gate is centered on a small platform, with cobble stones surrounding it and vines growing on the walls around it.
There is a Gate located in the base of the Spire, in the depths of their tower, guarded and protected for the use of the Wolves.
Shadowfall Valley
Region description: In the shadow of the mountain range, hidden behind the peak of Mount Cathander, the lands are protected by the Tempest though they rarely get direct sunlight. The Shadowfall Valley hosts several small settlements where people survive with the few plants that can grow in the partial light, and support the mission of their guardians within the Death’s Watch.
Key locations:
- Death’s Watch – See Origin.
- Collan’s Hold- Located on the Western edge of the flat valley. This small settlement of 5 families work together, growing long furred goats and rams that are used as livestock between the other settlements nearby. The community is led by Malcolm Collan, an elderly human who’s family has helped keep the area alive for generations.
- Pinkers Place- Located on the northwestern edge of the flat valley. This sizable farm is built around a deep cavern, where they farm low-light agriculture above ground and no-light plants and mushrooms in the caverns they can safely reach below. A family of dwarves with rose quartz-like forehead stones run the farm.
- Thatch – Located on the Northern edge of the flat valley, bordering the Bowls of Artom This small keep nestled at the base of a mountain. The people that live here are a mix of clerics that rotate in from Death’s Watch, and a family of shroomish sylphs, the Aetings, that help cultivate and grow rare herbs that only flourish near the Bowls of Artom. From here is often the final civilization a adventurer’s see before leaving to mine the magical resources further East.
Gates: There is a Gate located in the center of the large valley in the center of the shadow of Mount Cathander. There is a small stone fence built around it, with pathways heading North and South towards the nearby settlements.
Raven’s Run
Region description: A vast range of shorter peaks and paths between them, as well as the ancient city hosted on its Easternmost edge. The locality boasts a near constant presence of ghouls and ghosts, souls long lost to the roar of the Tempest.
Key locations:
- Raven’s Rest- A vast expanse of ruins and remains from a long lost civilization. The frozen tops of ruins often shift and move, with tracks leaving their windows and doorways to each other, but no living presence has ever been found here. The area is marked as the ultimate goal of the Death Watch; to purge the darkness hidden somewhere in its depths where the frozen ghouls emerge from.
Baleful Peaks
Region description: A small range of short mountains, with deep canyons cut through them by the howling rage of the Tempest. Near constant streams of volatile Tempest magic have cut through the mountains, blasting upon the Titanspine Range and shooting over it. Nestled within the middle of these deep cut mountains lies a gargantuan tree, uprooted from its ground eons ago.
Key locations:
- Tree of Eli’newar – See Origin.
- Faye’s Funnel- A powerful vortex located between a pair of mountains on the southeast edge of the peaks, This vortex siphons magic from the Tempest outside, shooting it out into the mountains and forming tunnels of pure magic throughout the peaks
Bowls of Artom
Region description: A wide-spread range of short and tall peaked mountains, with several basins where the streams of Tempest from Baleful Peaks have landed, carving bowls and divots in the land. The bowls left behind, when not bombarded by the Tempest stream or when landing has altered path, are known to house monstrous altered beasts and valuable magical resources.
Key locations:
- Baltik- the largest bowl in the West of the range. The minerals mined here have been revered for their health invigorating properties. The Tempest magic shot over the mountain hasn’t landed here in hundreds of years.
- Aepic- The largest bowl in the North of the range. The minerals here have been revered for their benefits to soil. The Tempest magic lands here nearly ever surge, shot over the range from Baleful Peaks.
- Neurom- The largest bowl in the East of the range. This bowl has not been adventured to at all, and what beneficial resources in its depths are unknown as of yet. The Tempest appears to blast this bowl once or twice a year.
