Aráinia Mountains
| Aráinia Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Image |  Painting of the Aráinia Mountains from Aráinia |
| Location |  Aráinia Mountains in red |
| Region(s) | Aráinia |
| Climate | Warm, dry summers and wet winters, with heavy snow at high elevations |
| Inhabitants | Gehasha • Barugoar |
Introduction
The Aráinia Mountains are a mountain range in northern Méniail that encloses the region of Aráinia. The range forms a teardrop-shaped ring that reaches the sea on both sides, separating Aráinia from Gosterra to the west, Khamria to the south and Orinilure to the east. It is the homeland of the Gehasha, who live in settlements built into its cliffs.
Etymology
The range takes its name from the region of Aráinia, whose name comes from the Gehashan arraanyaa, "valley".
Geography
The range rises from the north coast in the west, curves south around Aráinia, and returns north to the coast in the east. Its inner slopes fall in sheer cliffs to the valley floors, and streams and waterfalls descend from them into the valleys. The outer slopes fall more gradually toward Gosterra, northern Khamria and Orinilure.
Within the ring, the Malcèr, Arcis and Oimind ranges divide Aráinia into separate valleys. These interior ranges are not part of the Aráinia Mountains.
Geology
The Aráinia Mountains are a high range of granite. Their inner walls form sheer cliffs and bare rock faces above the valley floors, and the highest peaks carry snow for much of the year.
Climate
Summers in the range are warm and dry, and winters are wet, with heavy snow at high elevations. The outer slopes facing northern Khamria are considerably drier than the inner slopes.
Settlements
The Gehasha live in cities, towns and villages built into the cliff faces of the range and reached by flight; some have stairs or rope ways for Barugoar visitors. Sharuya, Aqinya and Zhuna are Gehasha cities in the range itself.
Barugoar mining towns lie in the foothills, particularly in the southern valleys.
Economy
Gold and silver are mined in the foothills of the range. Silver has been mined there since the 500s ME. Gold was found in the 850s ME, and the rush that followed brought rapid growth to the southern valleys. Prospectors pushed into Gehasha lands, leading to disputes over mining. Timber is cut on the forested slopes, and livestock are grazed on the lower slopes. Little trade crosses the range itself.
Flora and Fauna
Conifer forests cover the slopes of the range, giving way to oak woodland and orchards in the foothills and valleys below. The highest peaks are bare rock and snow.
Cultural Significance
According to Barugoar tradition, the range was formed by the tears of Yairan, the Primordial Spirit of earth, who wept over the earth during the Great Erosion. Where the tears fell, the land sank into sheltered valleys, and the stone rose around them to protect them. The name of the Barugoar refers to the ring of the mountains, within which the first settlers made their home.
See Also