Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest

Place

Place Name:

Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest

Biome:

Upper Montane Forest

Size:

1200 km2

Continent:

Unknown

Subcontinent

Unknown

Geography

Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest is a medium sized northern region in Taerel. It is covered by tall evergreen trees that block most of the sunlight and catch most of the snow that constantly rains down. Almost all water is caught in a permanent freeze that never thaws. The land is quite uneven beneath the layer of conifers, and the region has its own mountain range. The Morazova Mountains are a small mountain range comprised of several flat peaked mountains located in the northern part of Enthatan. These snow-capped peaks are the only major discernible landmark in the region that weary travellers can use to monitor their direction.

These mountains are also home to a large host of very dangerous predators. The Morazova range provides the region with its water supply. While all the rivers and lakes are frozen on the surface, the water beneath still flows. All the water originates from the bowels of these mountains. These mountains also separate the region from many of the zu’aan cities to the north. The Icefold is an area in central Enthatan where what once was a swamp has frozen over completely. The mud and shallow ponds have become nothing but brown coloured ice. The smell and appearance, as well as most of the animals are no longer present.

The Icefold was chosen by the Yogoru kin’toni clan to be the location of their stronghold, Aelaka. This is because beneath the ground in the fold is an endless supply of fresh water, which comes hand in hand with fish. The marsh is also extremely difficult to navigate as much of the surface is slippery ice hidden beneath a layer of snow. This means that for any opposing kin’toni or zu’aan would have to trek across this treacherous landscape to even attempt to find the hidden entrance of Aelaka. Aelaka is the underground stronghold where the Yogoru kin’toni clan is based.

The stronghold is accessible via a tunnel that is barely large enough to fit one kin’toni inside. From the surface this tunnel is almost impossible to find. The entrance is located beneath the roots of the one the large conifer trees. It is covered in snow at all times. The Yogoru also have another hidden entrance that leads to a hidden underwater cave. They do not use this entrance often, as to reach the cave they have to hold their breaths and swim down a freezing cold underwater river to their destination. This river is also completely dark, and the current is very strong.

The stronghold itself is about the size of a football field. The ceiling is cramped in most places and there is little furniture or other comforts inside. Aelaka was built to contain all the necessities for survival and nothing more, as the Yogoru kin’toni do not believe in comforts. There is a weapons forge within the stronghold, as well as several fireplaces. The Yogoru sleep on furs and wool that their either stole or took from animals they hunted.

Plants

All the plant life in Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest has adapted to the harsh conditions of the region. All the plants here can survive extreme cold, and strong winds. Northern Taerel also gets less sunlight than the other parts, further limiting the plant growth. Water can also only be found deep beneath the earth in the underground rivers.

Abasi conifers

Abasi conifers are the predominant species of tree that populate Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest. They are very hardy and can resist the strong winds and snow dumps of the region. Their leaves are thin and hard and resemble pine needles. The tips of these leaves are red and sharp. These trees can grow up to thirty metres tall and their trunks continue to grow thicker throughout their lifespan. Their bark is coloured light brown, and sometimes changes to black during the colder seasons. Their roots reach down extremely deep into the earth and are able to draw enough water from melted snow, and underground rivers to survive.

Abasi Conifers hardiness and fast paced seed spreading has lead to them covering almost all the surface of Ny'qua. The trees are sometimes use for their wood by the local Yogoru kin’toni clan. However, these trees are extremely difficult to cut down and so the Yogoru only cut them when necessary for firewood and weapons.

Melitos

Melitos are a species of flowering plant that are native and unique to Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest. These plants are small prefer to hide in caverns or beneath rocky outcrops out of the wind and snow. They are most commonly found in the Morazova Mountains but can be found in other places throughout the region. The plants themselves are grey and white with no leaves. They usually grow no bigger than a kin’toni hand. Each plant grows up to two flowers which are coloured white as per their name. These flowers can provide a source of water to local wildlife as the plants formulate moisture inside their petals.

The nectar is also extremely useful for healing cuts and scrapes. This is what the local Yogoru kin’toni clan use them for, and often send parties into the Morazova ranges to search for them.

Ny'qua mushrooms

Ny'qua mushrooms are a species of mushroom that are native and unique to Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest. They grow on top of snow and can spawn almost anywhere. The mushrooms themselves are small and have hardened tops that can protect the core from the environment. These tops are coloured white, and sometimes have blue and grey dots along them. Their spores are spread easily by the strong winds in the region and since there is plenty of snow for them to grow on their population his skyrocketed. Ny'qua mushrooms even sometimes grow on top of trees where snow has come to rest.

They can be eaten by the local wildlife, although they are not especially nutritious, and any animal would have to eat a lot of them to eat their fill.

Animals

The wildlife in Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest are generally nocturnal creatures. The region is cold and unforgiving and thus the creatures that live here are hardy and tough. Water is difficult to find and many of the local wildlife have clever ways of finding enough water to get by. The Morazova Mountains are known to have plenty of water but are also home to a host of dangerous predators.

Ishvars

Ishvars are a species of mammal native and unique to Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest. They are small creatures that have strong hind legs. They use these legs to propel themselves around the landscape with a series of quick jumps. Their have a thick outer coat of grey fur which serves to keep them warm in the freezing cold of their homeland. ishvars can be found all over Ny'qua. During the day they forage for mushrooms to eat, and at night the dig small temporary burrows into the ground to hide out the night in. The can be eaten by the local Yogoru kin’toni clan, who often hunt them when they are running low on zu’aan blood.

Kartenis

Kartenis are a species of nocturnal bird that are native and unique to Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest. During the day they live in nests built amongst the protective branches of the native abasi conifers. Their nests are made mostly from leaf litter and sticks found both on the ground and in the trees. They stay here resting until nightfall. At night, these birds come out and search for food. They can feed on small plants and Ny'qua Mushrooms. However, they mainly feed on small creatures or eggs that they can find undefended during the night.

Kartenis also like to scavenge on carcasses of larger animals that have already been killed by something else. These birds are grey in colour and have short black beaks that can grip onto flesh with force.

Ashino

Ashino are the apex predators of Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest. These creatures live in the Morazova Mountains and rarely stray from their domain. They are able to scale vertical surfaces with incredible speed and ease. Their shaggy white fur protects them from the cold and helps them blend into the landscape. Ashino are predominately nocturnal and during the day the tend to hide in the caves that line the mountains. Generally, they prefer the caves that are higher up the mountains and will often fight amongst themselves for the best spots. Ashino are humanoid creatures and walk upright unless climbing.

They can sprint quickly but prefer to ambush their prey. They often scale cliffs to attack their victims from an angle that the prey would never assume it would be possible to attack from. Ashino can grow up to three metres in height, and their large hands can grow big enough to encompass an entire kin’toni. Often the ashino will crush the skulls of their prey, earning them the title ‘skullcrushers’ from the local Yogoru kin’toni clan. If woken up during the day they will attack the disturbance with a vengeance.

Historical Timeline of Ages

Age Name	Dates	Controller
Stone Age	Before 1E 0	Unknown
Copper Age	1E 1–1E 2200	Unknown
Bronze Age	1E 2200–1E 4400	Unknown
Iron Age	2E 0–2E 700	Unknown
Ancient Age	2E 700–2E 2200	Unknown
Middle Age	3E 0–3E 2050	Unknown
Early Modern Age	3E 2050–3E 2600	Unknown
Industrial Age	3E 2600–3E 2700	Unknown
Machine Age	3E 2700–3E 2800	Unknown
Atomic Age	3E 2800–3E 2850	Unknown
Space Age	3E 2850–3E 2875	Unknown
Information Age	3E 2875–3E 2900	Unknown
Genetic Age	3E 2950–3E 3000	Unknown
Awakening Age	3E 3000–3E 3415	Unknown
Twilight Age	4E 0–4E 500	Yogoru Kin'toni Clan

Place

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Ny'qua Upper Montane Forest

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This article is written by tytarys. Copyright 2026 tytarys. All rights reserved.