Overview: The Altan Tepes Mountains form the eastern spine of Karameikos, rising sharply from the forested lowlands and stretching across the border into the Emirates of Ylaruam. These towering peaks serve as both a natural barrier and a defining geographic feature, separating the Grand Duchy from the desert lands beyond. The range is ancient, rugged, and largely unexplored, with only a few passes and trails offering access through its treacherous terrain. Historically, the mountains have been a source of isolation, protection, and mystery, shaping the development of nearby settlements such as Penhaligon and Highforge.
Appearance: The Altan Tepes are steep and imposing, with jagged ridgelines, sheer cliffs, and snow-capped summits visible year-round. The lower slopes are cloaked in dense pine forests and alpine meadows, while the higher elevations give way to barren rock and icy crags. Valleys and ravines cut through the range, often filled with mist or shadowed by towering peaks. The terrain is harsh and unforgiving, with loose scree, sudden drop-offs, and frequent rockslides. Ancient stone paths and weathered waystones mark the few known routes, often overgrown or partially collapsed. The mountains are visually dramatic, casting long shadows across the eastern frontier and dominating the skyline from miles away.
Ecology and Inhabitants: Wildlife in the Altan Tepes includes mountain goats, snow leopards, hawks, and hardy rodents adapted to the cold. Larger predators such as bears and dire wolves roam the lower forests, while giant eagles and wyverns are rumored to nest in the higher cliffs. The region is sparsely inhabited, with only a few dwarven outposts and hermit shelters scattered across the slopes. Humanoid activity is rare but not unheard of—goblin scouts and ogre bands occasionally descend from hidden caves to raid nearby settlements. The flora includes alpine herbs, frost-resistant shrubs, and rare mineral-rich mosses sought by alchemists and healers.
Territory and Boundaries: The Altan Tepes Mountains stretch from the northeastern edge of Karameikos to the border of Ylaruam, forming a continuous wall that defines the eastern frontier. To the west lie the Volga Hills and the Estate of Penhaligon, while the southern slopes descend toward the Highreach River and the coastal lowlands. The mountains are largely unclaimed, with only a few fortified passes and watchtowers maintained by Karameikan forces. The dwarves of Highforge maintain mining tunnels and trade routes through the lower ridges, while Penhaligon’s patrols monitor the western approaches for signs of incursion.
Resources and Utility: The mountains are rich in minerals, including iron, copper, and silver, though extraction is limited by terrain and security concerns. Dwarven miners operate in the lower slopes, producing high-quality ore and stone for trade. Herbalists and alchemists seek out rare mountain plants and crystalline formations used in potions and rituals. The region also offers strategic elevation for watchposts and signal towers, allowing early warning of movement across the border. However, the difficulty of access and the risk of ambush limit large-scale exploitation.
Threats and Hazards: Natural hazards include avalanches, rockslides, sudden storms, and freezing temperatures. The terrain itself poses constant danger, with narrow paths, unstable ledges, and hidden crevasses. Hostile creatures such as wyverns, ogres, and rogue elementals have been reported in the higher elevations. Bandits and exiles sometimes use the mountains as a refuge, complicating patrol efforts. Magical anomalies are rare but not unknown—certain peaks are said to interfere with divination and teleportation, and ancient ruins may contain lingering enchantments or traps.
Cultural and Strategic Value: To Karameikos, the Altan Tepes Mountains represent both a shield and a challenge. They protect the eastern frontier from invasion, but also isolate the region from potential trade and exploration. The mountains are steeped in Traladaran legend, often portrayed as the dwelling place of ancient spirits and forgotten heroes. Dwarves regard the range as a sacred and practical homeland, rich in stone and history. Strategically, the mountains serve as a natural defense line and a potential staging ground for border operations, though their inaccessibility limits their use.
Reputation: The Altan Tepes Mountains are respected and feared throughout Karameikos. Their reputation as a wild, untamed frontier deters casual travel, while drawing in adventurers, prospectors, and scholars seeking challenge or discovery. Locals speak of the mountains with reverence, warning of their dangers and marveling at their beauty. Among dwarves, the range is a symbol of endurance and craftsmanship. Among humans, it is a place of mystery and peril, often featured in tales of lost expeditions, hidden treasure, and ancient power.