Blackfeather Woods
South of the Greatwater Lake and west of Sleepy Fox Hollow is Blackfeather Woods. The forest stands alone in Kintla Flatlands, a dark, foreboding fortress made of gnarled trees with a thick and dark canopy. The forest is shrouded underneath the canopy, and little light filters in through the leaves, adding to the forest's already gloomy appearance. Crows and ravens inhabit the treetops, fighting a never-ending war, while the lupine inhabitants of the forest stride with confidence in the darkness. To the east is a swamp that makes up the eastern border of the Woods and the pack's territory, Namira's Mire is the name given to it, after a goddess of decay and repulsive creatures. Territory description by Meldresi.
Blacktail Deer Plateau
The Plateau is named for its resident herd of blacktail deer, which can be seen on the outskirts of the territory as well as near the stream that runs through the land. Forested in dark pine and silver birch, the woodland thins as it nears the sheer drop of the edges, making for a wondrous and dizzying view of the flatlands below. Small footpaths lead one into the tall Kintla grasses, even going so far as to empty near Whitefish River. Blacktail Deer Plateau is lovely in its simplicity, and standing upon the stream-bank at dawn as the light slowly filters in golden shafts through the quiet forest is a deep pleasure indeed. Territory description by Lasher.
Included Areas
The Door: Veiled by a tangle of roots, vines and other wild foliage, the entrance to this behemoth of a cave is often overlooked by the average eye. Upon closer inspection, the edges of this natural curtain can be brushed aside to reveal a grand entrance of granite lined by soft green mosses from floor to ceiling. A large, domed skylight illuminates this atrium and a large pool of water acts as a mirror for the sky. To move deeper into this cave is to venture into the twilight zone. Plant life thins as the temperature evens out and access to light becomes limited. Venture further and one is plunged into darkness with no guarantee of a safe return. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Fairspell Meadow
Just an ordinary meadow, really.... nothing overly dramatic. Full of tall grasses and scattered through with wildflowers, there isn't much of use as far as plant life, but it is pretty enough. The real prize comes in summer, though, when the berry bushes bloom, though they are relatively few in number since a tornado swept through the area and uprooted many of them. Caution is needed still, as other creatures fond of berries also haunt the location around this time, and bears aren't known for sharing well. Territory description written by Colt.
Firestone Hot Springs
Heated by an underground pocket of magma, this scattering of pools is quite literally, a hot spot. Year round the waters are warm, giving off steam and providing a natural spa for weary travelers looking to relax. If one can get past the sulfuric smell of rotten eggs, the area is actually quite nice. Patches of grass and flat rocks weave between each spring like warm, therapeutic steppingstones. The multitude of pools provide the right amount of privacy for numerous guests, and are individually large enough to entertain small parties. Territory description by Iqniq.
Greatwater Lake
A massive lake set in the heart of the Kintla flatlands, this water source is nearly impossible to miss. Spanning miles in either direction, this lake is surrounded by beautiful trees, vast wildlife, and is made even more magnificent by the breathtaking backdrop provided by the Sunspire mountain range in the distance. This lake is fed by multiple rivers and streams which allows this reservoir to maintain a consistent water level year round. Unfortunately, due to it’s size, Greatwater Lake is unlikely to fully freeze over during the winter months. Risking the ice is ill advised. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Hoshor Plains
Guarded to the northeast by the towering Sunspire Mountain range lays a vast steppe that extends for miles in every direction. A carpet of golden grass, higher in some places than others, covers miles of flat land and the occasional hill from Greatwater Lake to the verges of Blacktail Deer Plateau. Bathed by the nourishing Whitefish River, the grassland is home to thousands of bison. Territory description written by Rakharo.
Lion's Head Mesa
Rising up from the arid plains, a large mountain mars an otherwise flat landscape. With it's distinctly flat top, the mountain hardly breaches even low-lying clouds but is still nevertheless impressive. The sides are sharply sloped and made up of dangerously unstable rock, daring only the hardiest of creatures to attempt to venture to the summit. Dry grasses and spindly trees surround it, with only a few small lakes (that tend to dry up in the summer) to quench ones thirst. Territory description written by Atreyu.
Meadowlark Prairie
Dominated by the brightly colored meadowlarks, this location has no shortage of melodies and color, for most of the birds are vibrant red and yellow. The noise of birdsong is only quieted when the winter months draw near and the tall, flat grassland goes dark and dormant. Typically green and full of life, no tree or shrub blemishes this oasis, with spacious grasses appearing as though a sea, "waving" and rippling in the winds that cut between the Sunspire Mountains. The length of greenery here is tall, swallowing up most predators from view within its center. Only the outer edges provide a shorter cut of vegetation, more suited to smaller types wishing to hunt the plethora of herd animals that come to feed. Territory description written by Aasivak.
Otter Creek
Otter Creek is a narrow, meandering creek, birthed from a cold mountain spring that hides between the jagged stones of Sawtooth Spire. It is flanked by thick tangles of alder which hang over the stream bed, providing shade and keeping the water cold as it flows toward Greatwater Lake. The creek may not look like much, but trout love cold water and some plump fish can be found hiding in the shadows of rocks and beneath the undercut banks. The otter know this, and it is their strong presence here that gave the creek its name. One need not look hard to see the otter trails, weaving between the alders, and it is not uncommon to see them fishing and playing. Territory description written by Luke.
Panther Park
A vast coniferous forest hugging the space between Greatwater Lake and the northern mountains. This wood is thick and wild, providing home for many a creature and the predators who prey upon them. This forest is most notably a hunting grounds for lone mountain lions who crawl down from the nearby ranges to seek an easy kill. They’re particularly feral in these parts as they’re competing with other hunters and are very determined to claim this area for themselves. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Phantom Hollow
Isolated from the rest of the Heartwood by a bend in the river, this part of the wood is distinctly colder, darker and quieter than its counterpart. A thin layer of fog weaves through the trees come morning, only to dissipate slowly as the day goes on. Here, thick layers of moss hang from the branches of tangled, barren trees and a covering of crumbling, graying leaves line the forest floor. Most noticeable is the absence of life. The stillness. The crunch of a twig underfoot seems to echo in the silence. The rolling of rocks, a sin. At times, even to breathe feels to forsake the forest. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Serpent Lake
This stream fed lake has a rock bottom and shoreline, not unlike the waterfall which shares its name. While snakes like the stone ledges here too, the darkest depths of the lake are rumored to hide a different kind of serpent: a massive, wolf-swallowing water dragon, with a long eel-like body and whale-like fins, and three rows of teeth on each jaw. Of course, these are just rumors. For those who do not dare to swim out too far, the rocks in the shallows are abundant in a tasty snack food: crayfish; and pronghorn from the steppes frequent the lake. Territory description written by Luke.
Included Areas
Serpent's Stairway: On the eastern edge of the Shy Deer Steppes is a surprising respite from the the dry heat: a vast tiered waterfall system known as the Serpent's Stairway, so called because the rocky ledges surrounding the water are exceptionally warm and a preferred spot for snakes (or wolves) to sun themselves. On each of the stair's landings is a mid-deep pool filled with temperate water - cold enough to quench a thirst and warm enough for a relaxing swim.
Sheepeater Cliff
The face of Sheepeater Cliff is steep and jagged, and although the bighorns that live here can navigate it with ease, a smart wolf would know not to follow them. Good hunting can be had at the top of the cliff, where the terrain is rugged but rolling. The ground here is strewn with rocks and boulders and carpeted by grass. But wolves are not the only predators hunting here. The first to discover this cliff named it for the sheep corpses that decorated its foot, but the tale begins in the sky above it. Golden eagles are common here, and although the behavior is appreciably rare, the great birds have been known to sink their talons into sheep loitering on the cliff, yanking them free from their perch and letting them fall to their deaths, and onto the eagle's dinner plate. Territory description written by Luke.
Shy Deer Steppes
At first glance, the Shy Deer Steppes appear barren and unwelcoming, a dry, sandy stretch dotted with sagebrush and grasses, but a closer inspection reveals a world of life among the sparse vegetation. Antelope (the 'shy deer') are common here, along with cottontails and gophers, and a more adventurous palate will find an abundance of snakes and lizards. Wolves must be wary of prowling mountain lions, and flocks of vultures will challenge for control over any carcass. Territory description written by Jaws.
Wild Berry Meadow
A forgotten treasure that has long been stashed away in the open plains to thrive in thickness and beauty. The meadow itself radiates a feeling of security and comfort, while creatures small through large gather around to enjoy a day of munching on the abundant of rich berries that blossom in the field. Even through the harshest of conditions this land flourishes providing much needed nourishment throughout winter and a good snack for those who are passing by. Territory description written by Adelina.
Whitefish River
Whitefish River is a long, winding river that travels across a large portion of the flatlands before feeding into Greatwater Lake. It has fast running shallows in some areas, quiet pools in others. It is plentiful in numerous species of fish, the most prevalent being the whitefish or chub, which are among the easiest fish to catch. With the shoreline alternating between forested and open areas, attracting many types small and large game, the river provides ample opportunity for a hungry wolf to find a meal. Territory description written by Luke.
Included Areas
Quartz Cavern: Along the sweeping banks of Whitefish River, recessed into a hill, lives a deep cavern of stories untold. Most wolves have been known to make short exploration of his cavern for what lies within — the bones of what was once a family of ursine creatures, and the indecision whether or not more live deeper within. This extensive, enclosed cavern is flecked and littered with exposed quartz, giving it a bizarre, prism-esque design when sunlight pours in just right. What lies in the far nooks and crannies of this cavern is anyone's guess, but it hold the potential for imagination to run free. Territory description written by Mordecai.
Whitewater Gorge
Carved by years upon years of flowing water, wind, and other natural elements, this gorge dips beneath the natural level of the earth to forge a ravine of rock through this otherwise flat region. At its rim, the canyon’s width is variable in size. In some locations, the gap is narrow enough to leap across. In others, no wolf would stand a chance. For those daring enough to try, natural ledges have been etched into the canyon walls. Scaling them is risky at best. To slip is to plummet into the waters below. While generally swift moving and difficult to manage, the rapids within this river have been known to shift from year to year as bottom sediment settles in different locations along the riverbed. There’s no way of knowing what lies just beyond the river bend or at the bottom of the gorge. Territory description by Iqniq.
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