Whiteout Mountains

written by Trip3of3 and wrensghost, art by Banzz

5/5 TERRITORIES OPEN.
NORTHERN TERRITORY - SOUTHERN TERRITORY - WESTERN TERRITORY - EASTERN TERRITORY - CENTRAL TERRITORY
territories in bold indicate claimed locations.

ACTIVITY INFORMATION

Edibles: Eagles, Goats, Evergreen Foliage, Winter Berries, Hares.

Primary Activity: Spelunking (+1)

Difficulty: Easy.

Stepping onto the mountains in the daylight is agony - the snow reflects, the ice blinds. It is difficult to see much of anything except the blue sky clinging to the rocky tops. Few plant life survives this far up, and finding prey is a little more difficult. Keep an eye out for the eagles that live amidst the mountain tops! They pack quite a punch.

Not many creatures choose to live in this rugged environment, but those that do often become as tough as the land itself. Vespers here are skilled at hunting the prey here because missing a meal could mean starvation. The inhabitants of the Whiteout Mountains are usually solitary; the population consists mostly of loners and rogues who want to avoid the ties of civilization. It's rare for a mating pair to choose this region as the ideal location to start a family.

In the cold, desolate environment of the Whiteout Mountains, Vespers will do whatever they can to keep track of their location. Getting lost in these harsh conditions is virtually a death sentence, but there are several landmarks that help all creatures find their way around the mountains. Although some Vespers traveling to the mountains in search of materials, most come for the Shrine of Somnis. The landmarks here help Vespers make their way to and from the shrine safely, but if a Vesper gets lost, they're on their own.

LANDMARKS

Shrine of Somnis: An important check point for any on a pilgrimage, and a regularly visited spot by the locals. Small and modest, considering it is the shrine meant for worship of the world creator Somnis. A simple stone table carved into the side of Whiteout's tallest mountain, it is decorated with the stumps of several burnt out candles, their flames shielded from the wind by the cliff sides. Atticans of long ago carved a simple, unpainted likeness of Somnis herself into the wall. Visitors from all over have left small offerings in the shallow stone bowl atop the table, from dried herbs to baked goods, to crafts made by Her loyal followers and the kills of those who hunt in Her name.

Whiteout Point: The only calm area in the Whiteout Mountain ridge as it rarely encounters the blizzards that plague the surrounding area, Whiteout Point is largely vacant throughout the year, but makes space for hundreds of Atticans during the annual Somnis's Spectacle. Vespers, Birdfolk and more bury their wishes for the future in the snow, converse with one another, and play games under calm air and rippling green lights rumored to have trailed from Somnis's wings during her flight.

Wayfarer's Warning: Traversing through the mountains on the Northern end is a task, and many old roads are barricaded by boulders thrown by avalanches. Past the Halfwaystone of the mountains, the path turns narrow and icy, ancient steps slick with snow. To one side is a sheer cliff, and the trail itself is scarcely wide enough for two to walk in any kind of comfort. Still, it is a necessary trial to reach Somnis's Shrine.

Untourn Cave: A popular place for spelunking, Untorun Cave is littered with all types of gems and other valuable minerals. It not only serves as shelter from the cold and wind outside, but a Vesper might leave the cave a little richer. The entrance is a rather small opening gored into the side of a mountain, so it's easy to miss if one doesn't know where to look. It's not uncommon for visitors of the cave to come across a Vesper taking shelter for the night on their way to the Shrine of Somnis. Maybe a last minute offering would be nice?

The Halfway Stone: A large stone sits halfway between the base of the Whiteout Mountains and the shrine, along the mountain side of The Path. This marker proves essential to all creatures traveling to the Shrine of Somnis. It's so large, in fact, that some Vespers can see it from the edge of the Noca Pines on a clear day. The giant rock is adorned with ancient etchings that read something along the lines of "Ahead is the Shrine of the Great God, yet many dangers lie." It's believed that Vespers long ago were responsible and that they also carved out a huge cavern in the mountain at The Halfway Stone so travelers could take shelter if necessary.

QUEST BOARD

quests must meet Vesper-End submission guidelines. completed pieces may be submitted to the misc. quests folder. each quest can only be completed once per vesper. reward may vary depending on effort put into piece.

As you lay in the grass, observing the beauty of the snow-covered Whiteout Mountains, you notice a dark blur approaching you. When you get up to investigate, you realize that it's another Vesper—he's shivering from the snow clinging to his coat and is clearly exhausted, but the panic in his eyes is evident. He slows to a stop in front of you and pants, "Oh, thank Somnis you're here! My friend…he went exploring a few days ago but he hasn't come back…I've been looking for him since. Please, will you help me? I-I can pay you...I've got some coin!"

Depict your Vesper searching for the missing traveler in the Whiteout Mountains. You may choose to include the NPC Vesper described above in your submission, but you are not required to do so. Submission must meet our Submission Guidelines.

Once you have completed this Region Quest, please visit the Quest Board and reply to this comment.