Minthal Range
| Minthal Range | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Eastern Border of Terasil |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Region | Minthal |
| Highest Peak | Mount Atal |
| Climate | Arid and temperate; cooler at higher elevations |
| Inhabitants | Minthari |
The Minthal Range is a formidable Mountain Ranges of Terasil located to the east of the Citadel Mountains in the realm of Terasil. Once forming a singular horseshoe-shaped massif, erosion and time eventually divided the range, creating the Minthal Valley, which now separates the Minthal Range from the Astrathal Range.
The Minthal Range is the heart of Minthari civilization, housing their capital, Minthal, as well as major settlements such as Minthara and Minthek. The range is rich in minerals and Minthal Range tunnel networks, making it a major hub of metalworking and engineering. Due to their mostly underground nature, the Minthari of the Minthal Range rarely cross the Minthal Valley, leading to a gradual cultural divergence from their counterparts in the Astrathal Range.
Etymology
The name "Minthal Range" comes from its association with metalworking and mining, which define the Minthari way of life.
Geography
The Minthal Range runs north to south, situated between multiple distinct regions:
- West – The Minthal Valley, a vast rift that separates the Minthal Range from the Astrathal Range beyond. The valley acts as both a trade corridor and a cultural divide between different Minthari groups.
- East – The realm of Delmora, where numerous rivers originate in the high peaks of the Minthal Range before flowing eastward into fertile lowlands. These rivers provide freshwater sources for Minthari settlements and serve as natural trade routes.
- South – The realm of Orrakar, where Terasil’s rocky plateaus and deep ravines intersect, creating a jagged, arid landscape shaped by erosion and tectonic activity. The Minthal Range marks the northernmost boundary of this rugged terrain.
- North – The range extends towards the Tearfall Range and the border of Norvaskr.
Major Peaks
- The highest peak in the Minthal Range is Mount Atal (15,000 feet), a sacred landmark among the Minthari.
Geology
The Minthal Range is one of the richest mineral regions in Adaris, supplying the Minthari with the resources needed to sustain their subterranean civilization
Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the mountains contain lava tubes, collapsed calderas, and vast underground caverns filled with ore
Settlements
The Minthal Range is home to key Minthari settlements, each playing a role in commerce, mining, and governance.
- Minthal – The capital of the Minthari, located within the deepest cavern of the range.
Economy
Mining and metallurgy
- The Minthal Range is the primary source of iron, copper, silver, and gold in Terasil.
- The Minthari forges produce highly sought-after weapons, tools, and armor, known for their exceptional durability and craftsmanship.
- Smelting Guilds oversee metal purification, ensuring only the highest quality ores are used in Minthari metallurgy.
Trade and commerce
- Despite their isolation, the Minthari maintain trade with surface-dwelling merchants, exchanging refined metals for supplies they cannot easily produce underground, such as grains, textiles, and alchemical reagents.
- The Minthal Valley serves as a trade corridor, allowing limited commerce between the Minthal Range and the Astrathal Range.
- The rivers flowing eastward into Delmora provide a crucial link to river-based trade, allowing Minthari goods to reach wider markets.
Subterranean agriculture
- The Minthari rely on cavern farming, cultivating hardy crops such as mushrooms, edible mosses, and lichen-fed livestock.
- Aquifers and geothermal wells provide reliable sources of water, crucial for both daily survival and industrial use.
Flora and Fauna
The region’s flora consists of resilient, mineral-hardened plants, many of which rely on deep roots, geothermal heat, or symbiotic relationships with the rock itself to survive. The fauna of the Minthal Range is just as tenacious and specialized, with burrowing serpents, cliff-dwelling predators, and subterranean beasts dominating the ecosystem.
Cultural Significance
The Minthal Range is sacred to the Minthari, shaping their myths, traditions, and rituals. The mountains and tunnels serve as the foundation of Minthari heritage, with deep spiritual and historical significance.