Astrathal Range
| Astrathal Range | |
|---|---|
| Image |  |
| Location | West of the Minthal Valley |
| Realm | Minthal |
| Region | Orethil |
| Subregion | SW Continent |
| Highest Peak | Mount Minthros |
| Climate | Cold and arid; extreme weather variations |
| Inhabitants | Minthari • Rhagoa |
Introduction
The Astrathal Range is a Mountain Ranges of Terasil located to the west of the Minthal Valley, forming a natural boundary between the Minthal Range and the outer reaches of Terasil. The mountains are known for their reflective black stone, which absorbs light and creates a shadowy landscape. Once part of a singular horseshoe-shaped massif, erosion and tectonic shifts split the mountains, creating the Minthal Valley and isolating the Western Minthari from their kin in the eastern Minthal Range.
The city of Minthsen is the seat of Western Minthari power, while Minthset, a fortified outpost in the northern range, serves as their first line of defense.
Etymology
The name "Astrathal" originates from a Minthari word, meaning "Star Stone." The reflective properties of its obsidian-like peaks give rise to legends of celestial origins, with some Minthari believing the mountains were shaped by forces beyond the mortal realm.
Geography
The Astrathal Range consists of sheer, reflective black peaks, deep caverns, and subterranean Minthari settlements. The range is steeped in perpetual shadow, with the stone absorbing most sunlight, leaving its slopes cool and dim even at midday.
Major Peaks
Mount Minthros is the tallest peak, considered sacred by the Western Minthari.
Minthal Valley and Isolation
The Minthal Valley, once a part of the Astralith and Minthal massifs, was shaped by erosion over millennia, creating a natural divide between the Western and Eastern Minthari. Due to their subterranean lifestyle, the Western Minthari rarely cross the valley, leading to the evolution of distinct customs, traditions, and beliefs.
Geology
The Astrathal Range is geologically unique, containing some of the largest sources of natural obsidian in Terasil, used for weaponry and sacred carvings.
Climate
The Astrathal Range is colder and more shadowed than the Minthal Range, with minimal sunlight exposure due to its reflective black stone. The lower Slopes are cool and dim, with occasional fog banks rolling through the valleys. Higher Elevations are cold and still, with frequent cloud cover shrouding the peaks.
The underground climate is stable year round and comfortable albeit slightly humid..
Settlements
The Western Minthari strongholds remain hidden within the deep recesses of the Astrathal Range, connected by tunnels and underground roads.
Minthsen is the capital of the Western Minthari, built within the volcanic core of the range. Its black stone halls and subterranean forges define its grandeur. Minthset is a populated northern outpost, serving as the guardian of the northern Astrathal Range, where Minthari sentinels patrol.
Economy
The Astrathal Range is the economic and industrial heart of the Western Minthari, specializing in mining, engineering, and the crafting of obsidian weaponry.
Flora and Fauna
Flora
The vegetation in the Astrathal Range consists mostly of shadow-adapted plants that thrive in low-light environments.
Fauna
The wildlife of the Astrathal Range is adapted to minimal sunlight, using camouflage and nocturnal vision.
Cultural Significance
The Astrathal Range holds deep spiritual meaning for the Western Minthari, who view the mountains as both a protector and a trial of resilience.