The Barrier Peaks are the northern extension of the great Crystalmist Mountains, stretching
north as far as the Bramblewood Forest. The range separates the Baklunish lands to
the northwest from those populated by Oeridian-Suloise descendents to the southeast. Hidden deep within the mountains is
the Valley of the Mage. Several dwarven communities are known to call these
mountains home. The Barrier Peaks are also infamous for harbouring hostile humanoids and strange monsters, including
the occasional red dragon.
The Clatspurs form a small northern arm of the Yatil Mountains, enfolding the estern side of
Perrenland. The Clatspurs are more a dissected plateau than true mountains, and
navigation amongst the clifftops and steep-sided valleys is treacherous. There is a broad pass between the Clatspurs and
the Yatils, through which the Velverdyva River flows from Perrenland past the
City of Highfolk to Veluna. The plateau
holds a few Perren towns and some gnomish communities. Not much is known about the interior regions.
The Corusk Mountains form the spine of the peninsula holding the barbarian lands, meeting the
Griff Mountains at the Hraak Pass which links Stonefist and
the land of the Frost Barbarians. One long and dangerous high pass through
the range proper is known, connecting the lands of the Ice Barbarians
and Snow Barbarians. The foothills are inhabited by humans but
the higher peaks are home to humanoids and monsters of all types. The weather is too cold even for dwarves, but suits
some giants and white dragons. The range is believe to be full of mines and tunnels,
linked together and forming a vast subterranean underworld. Being so far north, the climate on the mountains is always
intensely cold and many glaciers creep down to the Icy Sea where they calve icebergs.
This impressive range contains the tallest peaks in The Demesnes, easily topping 7000 metres. These permanently snowcapped
summits cover hundreds of miles of terrain, separating the civilised lands of Geoff,
Sterich, and The Yeomanry from the
Dry Steppes. Several glaciers exist in the central ranges, some giving rise to the Davish
River which flows through Sterich. The Crystalmists are hostile territory, with severe weather and the
threat of numerous monsters including both red and white dragons. Dwarves live among some of the lesser peaks and foothills,
and the legendary Halls of Darnak are thought to be hidden somewhere within the range
by most dwarven scholars, though others prefer the Barrier Peaks, Jotens or
even the Sulhaut Mountains. One tortuous and dangerous pass through the mountains is known,
connecting Sterich to the Dry Steppes, but it is rarely travelled.
The Drachensgrab is a small group of mountains in the middle of The Pomarj. Despite
its small extent, the central peaks tower thousands of metres high. The mountains are well known to be rich in minerals,
precious metals, and gems, but have become almost inaccessible to humans and dwarves with the humanoid invasion of
The Pomarj. Many productive mines have been lost and now harbour orcs, goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears, and worse. Some
monsters were known to live amongst the higher peaks, and they have probably multiplied without human presence. The
mountains are said to be cursed, and that tragedy will befall all who quarry them. Additionally, legends tell of some
powerful beings which lie in rest under the mountains and who will arise in anger if ever disturbed
A small range, the Glorioles mark the current border between the Great Kingdom
and Sunndi. Border forts from both countries dot the ranges and recently some
battles have been fought in the mountains. A good number of dwarves live in the mountains. Upset at the disturbances,
most have sided with Sunndi in the conflict and fight alongside the humans in an effort to restore peace to the Glorioles.
Some small tribes of humanoids can also be found in the range, keeping low but emerging to loot battlefields and weary
troops.
As the name suggests, the Griff Mountains are home to a good number of griffons and hippogriffs, as well as other more
exotic monsters. The range separates the civilised portions of The Demesnes from the barbarian lands to the northeast,
and connects with the Rakers to the south and the Corusk Mountains to the
northeast. It is a vast and impenetrable chain of high peaks and permanent snowcaps. Only two passes through narrower
sections are known, one connecting Tenh to Stonefist,
and the other joining Stonefist and the land of the
Frost Barbarians. Both are seldom-travelled and fraught with danger from
the climate and monsters. Rumours exist of a tiny princedom sequestered in the centre of the mountains, rich in precious
metals and gems, but no evidence has ever been produced. Some dwarves do live amongst the lower flanking peaks, but none
are known to inhabit the hostile central regions.
The Hellfurnaces are the southern arm of the Crystalmist Mountains, but have quite a different
character since they are volcanically active. The range separates the
Hold of the Sea Princes from the Sea of Dust.
Most eruptions are closer to the Sea of Dust, so inhabited lands are seldom affected.
All sorts of monsters make their homes in these mountains, especially those who love heat and fire, such as red dragons
and fire giants. The mountains of the Hellfurnaces are said to be riddled with underground passages,
extending scores or even hundreds of miles in all directions. Some are rumoured to be inhabited by dark elves, and other
stories mention even more unspeakable denizens. There are even stranger rumours of a natural gateway to the
Plane of Elemental Fire hidden near a volcano. No dwarves or humans are known to live in
the Hellfurnaces and few dare venture in to explore. There are supposedly passes through the range to the Sea of Dust,
assumed to have been used by the ancient Suloise, but none are known to modern mapmakers.
The Jotens are an eastward spur of the great Crystalmist Mountains, marking the boundary
between Sterich and The Yeomanry. These
are relatively populous for tall mountains, with several dwarven towns and a considerable number of giants living
amongst the peaks. Being tall and broad, and with an easy route around them, no passes through the range are known to
humans. Humanoid and monster populations are low due to the number of other inhabitants, but not zero.
The Lortmil Mountains are old and weathered, making this range lower and more hospitable than many others. Surrounded
by civilised nations, it contains fewer monsters and sees more travel and mining than any other major mountain range in
The Demesnes. It is the home to many dwarven communities and a good number of highland human settlements, mostly
belonging to Gran March, the Duchy of Ulek,
and the County of Ulek. The many foothills around the range are populated by
gnomes and halflings, and even a few elves in Celene. Several passes cross the
mountains and traffic is not uncommon, though a few trade caravans are lost each year.
The southern spur of the Griff Mountains, the Rakers is a tall, jagged range separating
The Pale from Ratik and the
Bone March. A seldom-used pass connects The Pale
and Ratik - it is dangerous since the mountains are infested with humanoids and
monsters, including giants and red dragons. Despite this, numerous dwarves also live among the peaks.
This is the range of mountains running between the Dry Steppes and the
Sea of Dust. It connects to the Crystalmist Mountains, forming
a solid barrier around the Sea of Dust. A handful of passes are thought to exist, but there is little reason for anyone
to travel across this range. There are certainly monsters and dragons to be found, and possibly dark elves.
The Ulsprues are a small arm of the Crystalmist Mountains extending north from near where they
join the Barrier Peaks, and separating the Dry Steppes from
the lands of Ull. A relatively minor range, the Ulsprues are still nearly 100 kilometres
across and nearly 300 kilometres long, creating a spacious home for monsters and some rumoured dwarven outposts.
Like the Barrier Peaks, the Yatil Mountains form a natural border to the Baklunish lands to the
west. In this case, however, the lands to the northeast are Flan rather than Oeridian. This broad range rivals the
Crystalmists for height in some places and contains much icy terrain. A narrow pass between
Ket and Perrenland is much-used as a trade
route and is relatively safe for travellers. Away from this region humanoids and monsters abound, however. Some doughty
dwarves make their homes in the Yatils, which are rich with minerals and ores. The mountains are said to be full of
labyrinthine cave systems, perhaps inhabited by dark elves or other sinister races.