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Snowforest Taiga Territories - WOLF - March 13, 2015
Bitterroot Valley
An open valley knocks on the door of the Sleeping Dragon, offering a beautiful carpeting of bitterroot the color of vivid fuchsia every spring and summer. The low-growing perennial can only be found here where the soil is dry and rife with open shrubland, dotting the rocky terrain with sprinkles of color. Only when the loamy soil touches the banks of Qeya River does if offer much else, opening back into vast grassland. Migrational herds use the plains every season, making deep ruts of permanent game trails. Rumor has it that the location was once ravaged by fire long, long ago. Territory description written by Aasivak.
Broken Boulder
In a clear section of The Bracken Woods, the grassy terrain breaks into a rockier patch. At the center, a massive boulder seems to have inexplicably cracked into two, the halves leaning against each other at the top. Some might consider it a rare curiosity, and then meander on their way— but those interested in sating their curiosity would discover a dark entrance hidden beneath the broken boulder's halves. Those brave enough to venture into the darkness would find a small network of caverns, suitable for dens but not large enough to be used for much else. Above ground, the area surrounding the boulder boasts grassy plains, shade from the Bracken Woods' trees, and a small creek. Territory description written by Magpie.
Dawnlark Plains
A light dusting of snow covers these dry grasses and rocky hills throughout the spring and summer months only to fall beneath a sheet of snow come early fall and straight on through winter. These plains are rather barren, but herds of elk and deer have been known to migrate through this area with the changing of the seasons. Rabbits have their burrows. Voles scurry across the grasses. Quail are plentiful but hard to spot. Life hides within this terrain for those looking to find it. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Duskfire Glacier
A rugged glacier located between two mountain peaks is the main provider of Duskfire's lands. A lake of meltwater was formed years and years ago at the bottom of Duskfire Glacier. Each time the temperature rises in the summer more ice melts and gathers into a meltwater lake, while in the winter the water lowers. In harsh winters this lake even tends to freeze over. This water source brings life to the pine and maple woods around it, and provides a fresh water drinking source to all the animals inhabiting the forest.
Included Areas
Duskfire Plane: An ancient lake now frozen over and solid, this area is quite literally a solid block of ice covering a large spread of land. Tucked just north of a couple nearby mountains, any snowfall or snowmelt merely replaces and adds a fresh, slick layer of snow or ice to what already exists. Alive and moving, occasionally these sheets of ice will crack, causing deep ravines to form within the otherwise smooth plane. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Polaris Icefield: Known for its glorious nights where the skies are painted with dazzling auroras, this field of ice and snow is a sight to behold no matter the time of day. In reality, this land is a slow moving glacier that creeps down into the Silver Moraine as it grows, only to shrink back north when the temperatures warm. This movement has left the land bumpy and rugged, making for slippery slopes when those edges free over and smooth, or easy traveling. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Greyfall Caverns: A system of caves that runs through the mountain, characterized by the underground rivulets that run through as well. The largest cavern boasts a large, indoor waterfall that mists the air, and an opening that allows sunlight to filter in results in colorful displays on sunny days. Territory description written by Colt.
Felltree Marsh
In the wake of a massive, violent tornado, a section of a once-tall forest has been flattened and flooded. A variety of birds have taken residence, though the area isn't quite habitable for other species— large tree trunks and a tangle of branches float in a mixture of mud and pools of standing water. Explore at one's own risk. Territory description written by Magpie.
Firefly Ravine
A deep gorge separates the taiga from the coast, through which a rapid river rushes. Though there is only a little land at the bottom, it is teeming with flora and attracts a wide variety of insects and amphibians. Most notable are the fireflies that inhabit the ravine in the summer, lending it an ethereal glow each and every evening.
Frostfire Ridge
Nestled between a dormant volcano and a glacier, this ridge is quite literally torn between hot and cold. Here, the soil fights to maintain a constant temperature and landscape struggles to find a natural balance. Rich evergreens and thriving forests cloak the eastern half of this ridge only to fade into rockier, grassier terrains as one travels west. The contrast gives this ridge a dual face and something of a split personality. Despite this, none can deny the magnificent views from the top that overlooks a vast majority of the taiga. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Herbalists' Cache
A somewhat average and unassuming forest with a floor of pine needles and cones that drop from the coniferous trees. The thick foliage above gives the woods an enchanting ambience at both dawn and dusk, though the real draw of the territory is the vast array of herbaceous plants, berries and mushrooms it offers — if you know where to look. Hidden among the undergrowth and bushes, or tucked away in fallen logs and on the side of trees, a variety of plants, fruits and fungi can be found that are useful for healers, naturalists, and the simply curious alike. Territory description written by Atreyu.
Kildeer Rest
This quiet, sweeping grass field is broken only by the scattered presence of small rock formations; some no more than a seemingly out of place boulder. It is a sanctuary for rodents such as mice and ground squirrels, as it has a noticeably sparse predator population aside from a few small hawks and occasional canid. Rabbits and many species of songbird also rest easy here, including the distracting killdeer, which will attempt to lure away any fox, coyote or wolf that wanders too close to its nest by acting like it has a broken wing and chirping frantically. Territory description written by Luke.
Larksong Grotto
Snuggled deep between the taiga's icy peaks lies Larksong Grotto. The icy cold that mars the rest of the land seems unable to reach this little forest, for it thrives with green in the warmer months. In the very center of the land sits a pool of fresh water, ever filled by the rain and melting snow that drips down from the glaciers above. The grotto is accessible only by a treacherous staircase of steep ledges and outcroppings, traversed only by the bold or foolhardy. This being the case, the grotto is inhabited mainly by the only only creatures able to safely visit this gem beneath the crags - the songbirds for which the grotto is named. Territory description written by Finley.
Nova Peak
A steep, ridged peak with sloping tails to the north and south, peppered with persistent evergreens and kissed by frost for most of the year. A thin trickle of melt dribbles down the eastern face, gathering speed and volume as it disappears into the tall, thick forests reaching up from the foothills. There are few paths to the top, none of them safe. A forest fire on the north side of the mountain left the forest there scorched, but the lost trees are rapidly being replaced by new pines.
Permafrost Hollows
Connected to the northern mountain range via the massive ice sheet of Duskfire, this peak pokes out of the ice in the manner of a newly sprouted horn, or a monster's baby tooth. It reaches a staggering 7000 feet in height above the surface of the ice, which makes wanderers wonder what is hidden below. Near the base of the mountain, hidden among dangerous stacks of ice, are naturally forming tunnels and caverns. Territory description written by Tryphon.
Phoenix Maplewood
The Phoenix Maplewood, like its titular bird, rose from the ashes of a fire that swept through the area many years ago, burning all in its wake. The once charred, blackened lands have sprouted into a lush, green forest, composed of maples and birches with the ground densely covered in ferns and other plants. A treat for the wolves, the maples bear a sweet sap while the birch have a wintergreen taste. In addition, the forest is broken by open swaths where multitudes of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries grow, offering yet another tasty snack. In the fall, there is no place more beautiful than a deciduous forest such as this that blooms into an array of reds, oranges, and yellows. Territory description written by Jaws.
Included Areas
Feller's Pond: Feller's Pond is an expansive beaver pond, built and maintained by many generations of the same beaver family along the Whitebark Stream. Tortoises are plentiful here, finding the many logs along the banks and occasional one floating through the pond an irresistible spot to sun bathe. Ducks and geese favor it as a nesting ground, while herons and kingfishers attempt to put dent in the local trout population. During the night, bats rule the skies here, feeding on the many flies that surround the pond. Territory description written by Jaws.
Qeya River
Always frigid and cold, this river is not the friendliest for swimming. If hypothermia doesn’t set in, it’s very easy to become trapped beneath one of the frozen blocks of ice floating down the stream. Unfortunately, this is one of the few sources of water scattered about the north, making this river a dangerous, yet popular location for anyone looking to quench their thirst. Careful! The rocks are slippery and there’s no telling whether that patch of snow is over land or thin ice. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Redtail Rise
Jutting out of the taiga is very small, isolated little chain of mountains whose tops form a broad ridge. Near the foothills, the untamed slopes are challenging and steep, with worn paths being the safest way up, but gradually the terrain flattens into a gentle incline. The majority of the slope is covered in a mixture of grass and deciduous forest, and a tumultuous stream feeds from the mountain's interior dissected the eastern face into north and south halves. A great fire years ago still marks much of the territory, with some parts still quite charred, but new life is emerging, and the rise is slowly returning to its former glory. Territory description written by Avicus.
Silver Moraine
Long ago, a glacier once stretched to encompass this patch of earth. It has since receded, leaving in its wake a trail of upturned soil and rock. Jagged groves are all that remain, forming a valley of subtle ridges and ruts along the bed of this former river of ice. Rocky and barren, this path has not yet recovered enough to host anymore life than the evergreens that line its edges. For now, this area remains a natural road leading into the northern territories. Territory description written by Iqniq.
Sleeping Dragon
The Sleeping Dragon was once a docile beast, but years of occasionally releasing a small plume of smoke or a cough of ash culminated in a volcanic eruption. Albeit small, it caused widespread damage to the rich vegetation that once swathed the mountainside. The largely barren landscape is dotted with promising signs of regrowth but there is still a long way to go. Sleeping Dragon's most attractive features are the geyser field embracing the base and the natural salt licks that still draws nearby deer by the dozens.
Sunset Valley
Nestled north of Duskfire Glacier, this broad valley has been carved out centuries ago from the glacier's original path into the Teekon Wilds. Sunken and sweeping slopes easily welcome in visitors, there the interior of the valley has been populated over decades of seasons past with deciduous forestry and wildlife alike. Runoff from the icefields have worn away parts of the terrain, lending to the area a number of water sources and in turn, adding to the undergrowth and vibrancy of foliage in the warmer seasons. Territory description written by Mordecai.
The Bracken Woods
In the northeast corner of Snowforest Taiga, a massive forest spans nearly 100 miles (161 kilometers) across, and an indeterminate length northward. It is a tangled mixture of conifers and deciduous trees, its floor covered in bracken and thorny bushes. It is not a threatening place, but neither is it welcoming; it stands as a barrier against the unknown north. Territory description written by Magpie.
The Tangle
The Tangle is a wholly unpleasant territory, stretching several miles west of Nova Peak and several times that distance north and south. It is a natural minefield of rock, spiny shrubbery, and sharp drops, blanketed by hardy grasses and watched over by warped, witch-like trees. It is a danger to cross from any direction, promising a fall to anyone that does not watch their step.
Whitebark Stream
This winding stream boasts cold, clear water and a stony bottom. It is densely populated by trout and crayfish, which can be found under almost every rock. In most places the stream has a moderate current, but there are a few narrow stretches that churn into rapids. The shores are shrouded by white-barked aspens and birch, giving the stream its name. It is these trees that attract beavers to one of the quieter stretches of the stream. Territory description written by Jaws.