Mazissage Mountains
| Mazissage Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Image |  The Mazissage Mountains are often shrouded in mist. |
| Location |  Mazissage Mountains in red |
| Region(s) | Khamria • Balúrail • Gosterra |
| SubRegion(s) | Eastern Highlands • Baviare Vale • Southern Gosterra |
| Highest Peak | Mount Sabem |
| Climate | Cold and wet, with near-constant mist and long, snowy winters |
| Inhabitants | Arânzeni |
Introduction
The Mazissage Mountains are a mountain range in southwestern Méniail. They run south from the north coast along the eastern edge of Balúrail, then turn east along the south coast of Khamria and descend into the sea, separating Balúrail from Gosterra and Khamria. The range is known for its near-constant mist and is the home of Dañi, the Ascendant Spirit of mist and fog.
Etymology
The name is an old rendering of the Bintzaila makkatzak, "wild fruit" or "uncultivated fruit".
Geography
The northern section of the range runs south from the coast along the border between Balúrail and Khamria, with Gosterra at its northern end. The southern section turns east along the south coast of Khamria, bounds the tail of the Domain of Yairan, and descends directly into the sea. In Khamria the range forms the southern edge of Lurțilia and meets the Ilergierze Mountains at Lepigisțil. On the Balúrail side it falls away into the forested foothills of the Eastern Highlands, including the Sirilquito Hills.
The highest peak is Mount Sabem, 12,470 ft (3,800 m), at the northeastern corner of Gurverde, where Balúrail meets Gosterra. Mount Burite and Mount Aléu also stand on the Balúrail side.
Many rivers rise in the range. The Rona, Raldo and Nagua flow down the western slopes into Lake Arrerem, and the Ingur River rises on the eastern slopes and flows east across Lurțilia to Lake Ingur.
Passes
The main pass carries the road from Issisdo in Gostiria to Lepigisțil, which overlooks the Tulclurius Pass into the Baviare Vale. It is the only established road between Balúrail and Khamria, and bandits make it dangerous. A second pass runs by the House of Dañi. Several other passes, unnamed, can be crossed on foot with difficulty. There is no crossing between Balúrail and Gosterra; travel between them goes by sea.
Beneath the eastern side of the range, the Lav-Lep Deep Road ends at Binzic Station, and the remaining distance to Lepigisțil is travelled overland.
Geology
The Mazissage Mountains are an old range of granite and slate. Their peaks remain high and steep, with bare rock above the tree line.
Climate
The western slopes, facing Balúrail, are much wetter than the eastern. Winds off the ocean bring heavy rain and near-constant mist and fog to that side. The eastern slopes, facing Khamria, lie in a rain shadow and are drier, though mist often drifts east as far as Lepigisțil. Winters are long and snowy throughout the range.
Settlements
There are no towns in the range. The Arânzeni hold its eastern side with fortified posts and Deep Road stations, among them Lainoate, high in the eastern Mazissage, and Lainer Station and Binzic Station on the Lav-Lep Deep Road. Lepigisțil stands at its edge, where the range meets the Ilergierze Mountains. Arânzeni of the southern Barerte Tribes live in the eastern foothills behind Gostiria.
The House of Dañi stands high in the range on the border between Balúrail and Khamria, and disciples of the Path of Dañi live and train there. There is no permanent settlement on the Balúrail slopes.
Economy
The range supports little economic activity. Some timber is cut on the lower western slopes, and stone is quarried near Lepigisțil.
Flora and Fauna
The western slopes carry forests of Balúrail Spruce and Balúrail Pine, which thin toward the tree line. Allia grows on the higher slopes and Bagava on the alpine slopes below the peaks. Ferns and mosses are common in the mist. The forests of the foothills are home to the Inderso, Preguio, Gouvie and Pallas.
The eastern slopes are drier and more sparsely wooded. Herds of Slameoth graze in Lurțilia below the range.
Cultural Significance
The House of Dañi, the home of Dañi, stands high in the range on the border between Balúrail and Khamria. Dañi is said to have formed in the Mazissage Mountains, and her cult is strongest there. The house is the main center of the Path of Dañi.
See Also