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The Cloudhills

The Cloudhills are the eastern tail of the overarching Northern Peaks mountain range. Though neither the tallest nor coldest parts of the range, the Cloudhills are known for their mild summers and extensive wildflower cover. Few multi-house villages exist in the region, but small single-family houses can be seen dotting the valleys.

Geography

Physical Features

Being the eastern range of the Northern Peaks, the Cloudhills exhibits few high elevations, but rather an extensive and long geolithic barrier to the surrounding regions. The rock that makes up the mountains is primarily composed of granite and other igneous rocks. However, the region is not volcanically active, and hasn't been for millions of years.

Running between the two major divisions of the mountain range lies the Varnen River. The water levels rise and fall with the seasons, being at it's highest in mid-spring. Several small streams connect to the Varnen River, which flows to the east to dump into the Haoling Lake of the Quanspring capital. The water flows further south in the following Haoling River, ending in the Qingyao Lake beside the Cerulean Palace of Quanspring.

The expanse of the Cloudhills are a result of tectonic forces, with the Varnen River gradually carving out the valleys at the lowest elevation. In its recorded history, glaciers have never been spotted at any point in the mountain range or the surrounding area.

Climate

The Cloudhills are relatively mild all year in terms of weather and temperature conditions. The spring sees moderate snowmelt, resulting in temporary streams flowing from the peaks to the lower valleys. Late spring is heralded by the arrival of the famous wildflower fields and birdsong. Summer results in raised temperatures and few rainstorms due to the enclosed nature of the mountains. Autumn is characterized by a steady drop in temperature, the gildening of deciduous trees, and native long grasses drying up. Nonnative grass will remain green until first frost. Winter is known for its heavy snowfall but manageable temperatures. The month of January is when the temperatures drop to their lowest, freezing the valley rivers in their entirety for the better part of the month. The rivers see a thaw typically around mid-late February, with a full icebreak by early March.

The temperature range of the region is typically steady, though the rainfall can vary from year to year. Yearly rainfall is about 100-140in (2,540-3,556mm) per year, depending on the amount of snowmelt from the spring months. Summer highs are few, but can reach up to 88f/31c. Winter low temperatures are usually around 9f/-12c, but can reach as low as -10f/-23c. In the result of a colder than average winter, the river thaw may be delayed by a period of 1-3 weeks, depending on the following season's sunshine.

Ecology

Flora

The region of the Cloudhills offers little in terms of viable space for plants to grow. Common flora include long grasses, wildflowers, short bushes. Trees like aspen grow well in the lower half of the valley, while conifers like pine grow sparsely among thicker groundcover bushes. At the peak of the mountains, only flowers such as white winter jasmine are capable of growing, and only during the summer months. The stems of the plant remain dormant in colder temperatures.

The native groundcover plants tend to develop quickly, growing from seed to full bloom in a period of about 3.5 months. Most plants continue to grow and flower until the temperature drops below the growth threshold, in which they brown and enter a dormant state until the warmth threshold of spring arrives again. Most plants in the Cloudhills are perennials, growing back year after year. The exception to this are the various low growing wildflower species, which are annuals and live no longer than the year they grow in.

Fauna

The native fauna of the mountains and valleys are debated within the academic communities. Species such as the ibex and river trout are considered native, but it's believed that other species like the woolen buckdeer and silver bullhead were introduced centuries ago by unknown means. Other true native fauna include various species of moth, rodents, prey and songbird, small guppy-like fish, and amphibians. There exists no small or medium sized predators in the region, with most predation occuring from the few big cats and oversized eagles that inhabit the area. It is believed that predators below the size of the current big cats are outcompeted, hunted, or cannot withstand the weather conditions, and as such cannot exist long-term in the region.

Society

Inhabitants

The region is inhabited by felid and ursine peoples, though there are few populations of other species scattered about. Generally, the villages are segregated by species not for social reasons, but simply from little to no movement of families beyond historical farmsteads.

Though lacking a proper census to give an accurate count, it's believed there are about 6,500 felid inhabitants, 2,000 ursine inhabitants, and 700 residents of unreported species. It is estimated that the majority of those unreported are canid.

Culture

Though separated by vast expanses of long grass and rivers, the peoples of the Cloudhills region have a similar culture throughout. Exact days vary, but most observe holidays of fertility and new life in the spring, a celebration of the lands in the summer, a great gathering and feast after the harvest of autumn, and a winter solstice festival on the longest night of the cold season. Villages may have additional holidays throughout the year as dependent on their local traditions and beliefs.

Those from the valleys are said to be hard workers who appreciate the small joys. The number of communities with a singular leader are few in number, with most villages and broader communities living a more cooperative lifestyle and governance. It is said that vast displays of weath are frowned upon, and most have a limited number of possessions. This doesn't stop the building of large mansions in the tranquil landscape, but those who do will find themselves without the help of the locals for as long as they reside there.

Work and Supply

The people in the area are mostly self sufficient, growing their own crops and tending to their own animals in the field. Their diets consist of grains, bread, cheese, meat, and stew. Available proteins are sourced from river fishing, animal milk, slaughtering, or trapping. A growing number of communities find themselves hunting the growing population of buckdeer, of which are outcompeting and slowly driving out the native ibex. Sheep can be found on various homesteads and their meat is consumed by occasion, but the value of sheepwool is considered higher than the value of mutton.

Trading among the villages is common, and wagons of goods can be found along the roads which span the length of the river. Trading is less of dispersal of excess and more of a community effort to share resources. Those who give more to others will find many allies in their time of need. That's not to say artisan goods aren't exchanged for other well crafted goods or services, but that it isn't a focus for these people and their way of living.

Religion and Belief

There exists no native system of belief in the Cloudhills that focuses on a monotheistic religion. Instead, their way of belief surrounds the natural world and finding spirituality within.