Vashnar Mountains

From their northern boundary west of the Black Forest to their southern terminus west of Jaru span the expansive Vashnar Mountains, the spine of Sapience. The Vashnars are arguably the highest mountain range in the known world, by virtue of the Pillars of Heaven.

Northern Vashnars

The Northern Vashnars are bleak indeed, their barren crags scoured of anything of interest. A path here winds and twists its way west toward the shores of the Sapphire Ocean, and eventually the island city of Mhaldor. At the foot of the Northern Vashnars, in a cave within Yggdrasil lies the Flame of Yggdrasil. Xhaiden Dale was discovered in the year 427AF, nestled in a valley along the pathway leading west towards the coast.

Central Vashnars

Bighorn sheep dwell in the Central Vashnars as well as territorial mountain lions, the nightmare of every newbie who has ventured up into these lofty peaks. A Temple of Phaestus is in the foothills. A cleric, Jerh'mias, and Dia'gia, the neophyte, can be found in the halls and are happy to discuss the Smith with anyone who stops by.

Also of note is the reclusive wizard Hycanthus, esteemed Conclave member. Alp, the Nightmare Siren makes her home here as well. Upon one of the highest peaks, one may find the Temple of the Sky, the Vashnarian temple of Vastar, the Skylord.

A western pass through these perilous crags, discovered by Haidion, the Wanderer, leads to the vast blanket of redwoods known as the Aalen Forest, while another pass leads down into the lush Dun Valley. Atop this central section of the Vashnars are seated the Pillars of Heaven, upon which sits the Garden of the Gods.

Southern Vashnars

The Southern Vashnars are home to the city of Cyrene, Heart of the Vashnars, as well as the artist colony of Caer Witrin. They also form the cradle in which the Actar Valley is nestled. On the southwest side of the southern Vashnars may be found a river of ice which leads to the Aeraithian Falls, while to the northwest is the Atavian village of Genji.

It is in the Southern Vashnars that the highest peak in the Vashnar range, Mount Nicator, which also serves as the gateway to the airborne island of Erymanthus. Also of note is the lesser mountain, Mount Karnoth, which still stands out impressively from the surrounding peaks. The Southern Vashnars play host to a wide variety of wildlife. Mountain grizzlies and mountain drakes prowl here, preying on the bighorn sheep that are so common throughout the entirety of the Vashnar range, as does Grimlath, one of the last snow-tigers. In the firmament may be found Vashnarian condors and, even higher up, dragons may occasionally be seen to bank and turn in the sky above.