Sinol Wooded Mountains

Place

Place Name:

Sinol Wooded Mountains

Biome:

Wooded Mountains

Size:

Unknown

Continent:

Unknown

Subcontinent

Unknown

Geography

The forested Sinol Mountain region lies in the eastern part of the continent and is bordered by lakes to the northwest, the start of a tundra to the north, plains and grass lands along the west, coastal regions to the east, and swamps and wetlands to the south. The foothills and mountain bases are covered by thick temperate forests while only the tallest peaks are exposed to the sun. Natural caves and tunnels spider through the entire range and have been extended by the reclusive Tanen clan to provide them access to every part of the region.

The region once was full of life and had been a zu'aan resort and retreat with cabins, spas, camp grounds, hiking trails, hunting trails, and guided cave exploration. The main paths had minimal makeshift fences to guide the explorers while allowing for actual freedom to go anywhere they want. A few tall towers were built to give a view above the trees and act as watch towers in case a search was needed for a missing individual, but otherwise were barely used for more than bird watching and a bit of privacy when away from the cabins.

When the Empire fell several of the zu'aan converted the resort into a permanent shelter in the hopes of being spared due to thinking they were secluded. Several of the unnecessary leisure buildings were either converted to homes or storage, or were dismantled to use the materials elsewhere. Some of the caves were outfitted to be last resort shelters, while completely unaware of the danger that lurked deeper in. When the Kin’toni arrived and began hunting and corralling zu'aan, they built their own settlements and destroyed the resort to drive their prey deeper into the region.

The different clans built villages and camps near the edges of the region to prevent their prey from escaping, while the zu'aan set up temporary camps and hides to journey between while on the run from their hunters. All the while deep within the mountains the Tanen constructed their massive hive home and burrowed tunnels in search of food. The eventual discovery of the Tanen first began with the slow disappearance of the cave hiding zu'aan, and the destruction of their shelters. The swarm then began attacking those zu'aan who lived on the move, leaving behind their makeshift settlements.

When the other clans discovered the existence of the swarm, they began destroying the forest in search of the nest. Before they could be discovered, the queen of the swarm sent out her clan to attack the other clans in a simultaneous strike at their settlements. This turned the region into the quiet, haunted place it currently is, with abandoned villages and camps falling into disrepair dotted all over the forested hills and mountains. More caves and tunnel entrances have appeared throughout the region as the Tanen continually hunt for more prey and potential new clan members to turn.

Only the old watchtowers have remained as a reminder that life once occurred in the woods.

Plants

The Sinol Mountains are home to a variety of trees, bushes, shrubs, vines, fungi, mosses, weeds, fruit, and flowers. When it was controlled as a resort and retreat for the Xerea Empire, the vegetation was meticulously maintain so that it only gave the appearance of being a wild forest and mountain range. Only the hunting trails were left alone so the area provided a challenge for the hunters while giving the animals a sense of normalcy. Even the caves were managed simply by preventing access to caves that were deemed likely dangerous and using wooden railings to prevent true exploration.

With the fall of the Xerea Empire came the desertion of the mentality to manage the wilderness of the mountain range. The vegetation exploded with unrestrained growth and took over much of the unoccupied portions of the resort. The zu'aan residents were forced to adjust to life amongst the reality of untamed lands or died and fed the very land they took for granted. The arrival of the kin’toni continued to push the reclamation of the region by nature by destroying the remnants of the resort and driving the zu'aan into the untamed areas.

Only with the appearance of the Tanen clan did the natural reclamation gain full sway over the region. One of the many trees that is common to the Sinol region is the nathuwyll. These pale deciduous trees have light green leaves and white bark with a green tinge to give a sickly appearance. At night they exhibit a slight bioluminescent glow that lights the nearby cluster of vegetation and turns the night view of the region into an anxiety inducing haunted visual. The Tanen use the sap from these trees as an ingredient in the paints they use to decorate their tunnels.

The Xerea Empire had used the lumber and sap in various underground mines to help with lighting the tunnels. Another interesting vegetation unique to the region is the dawlakah or the gaunu. The dawlakah is a flowering shrub or bush with a beautiful pure white flower surrounded by nine tapering pale green leaves. The main danger of the plant is an oil that can seep in through skin contact. This oil causes irritation and swelling in any part of the body it comes in contact with, and often can lead to death by asphyxiation if not immediately treated.

While left alone by many including the Tanen, this oil was once extracted for use by the imperial military before the fall of the empire. Due to the experiments that led to the creation of the kin’toni species, many of the clans are completely immune to the effects. Unaware of this fact, the zu'aan that attempted to hide in the mountains initially tried to use the oil as a coating in their weapons in the hopes of poisoning their attackers before they can be caught and drained.

Animals

The forests of the Sinol Mountain range is home to a myriad of different lifeforms. These animals have adapted to survive in the region despite the threat posed by the Tanen. Back when the region was a resort and retreat controlled by the Xerea Empire, the wildlife was rigorously managed and prevented by the recreational pastime of hunting. This kept the wildlife population just short of being endangered. When the Empire fell and regulation of the wildlife population abandoned in favour of pure survival in the face of a new threat.

The wildlife expanded slowly but steadily until they held more than half of the forests as their territories. Through the arrival of the kin’toni and the establishment of the clans’ villages and roaming zu'aan camps the animals retained their own territorial domains as they were only hunted out of necessity instead of for sport. Only the Tanen proved to be a real danger to the wildlife, as the voracious kin’toni clan did not distinguish what was their favoured prey until they happened upon the zu'aan and other kin’toni clans.

Now that the Tanen only hunt animals when there are no other desirable prey is within the region, the more predatory animals have begun to thrive. One of the largest of the natural predators in the region is the the ashutuk. This massive omnivore is distinguished by being twice as tall as the average zu'aan while standing on all fours and for its mottled grey fur. Nub tailed and with a extended snout, the ashutuk can look like a giant fluffy dog. However its powerful jaws, long sharp teeth, extended serrated claws.

And remarkable strength makes the ashutuk a terrifying creature to face as an enemy. Normally docile unless directly threatened or disturbed, they are easy to attack from cover and overpowered if attacked by a group against a lone bear. Before the fall of the Xerea Empire, eccentric wealthy people would often pay to have the cub of a ashutuk captured to raise as a pet. These domesticated ashutuk never grew to their full height or weight, and often lived only half as long as those that remained in the while.

Another predatory animal native to the region is the januraka or the jaw'aal. This medium sized bird of prey is recognised by the circle of red diamond markings on the back of its white feathered head. The rest of the bird is covered in dark grey plumage. It’s long hooked talons and beak is perfect for rending the flesh from their prey, while their long powerful wings allows the to remain hovering in the air for a while after they dive to get at a prey. This skill allows them to attack much larger prey than normal as well as protects them from being swarmed by the Tanen clan.

Place

Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown

Sinol Wooded Mountains

Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown

This article is written by Xoishtar. Copyright 2026 xoishtar. All rights reserved.