[mess-oh-ray-muhs]
Overview:
The Mesoramus Range, the central expanse of the Greater Ramus Range, forms a formidable natural border along the southern edge of the Shattered Kingdoms. At its heart lies Zeel’Croi, the remnants of a once-great dwarven kingdom, its halls now ruins overtaken by darkness. The aftermath of the Age of Darkness (AoD) saw demons fleeing into the mountains, where they overwhelmed and claimed the kingdom for themselves. Despite the threat they pose, these demonic forces have rarely ventured beyond the confines of the Mesoramus Range, leaving the region a mystery-laden danger zone further cementing it as an impassable barrier.
Description:
This section of the Greater Ramus Range is broader and more rugged than its western counterpart, the Protoramus Range. Its towering peaks and jagged ridges create a stark and dramatic landscape that sharply contrasts with its surroundings. To the north, the slopes descend more gently into the Shattered Kingdoms, providing fertile foothills and highlands, while to the south, the terrain plunges steeply into the lands below, forming a near-impenetrable wall of stone.
The range’s interior is a labyrinth of rugged cliffs, hidden valleys, and craggy outcrops. It bears the enduring marks of dwarven craftsmanship, with extensive tunnels, mines, and fortifications carved into its depths during their age of prominence. These structures, once vibrant with life and industry, now stand as ghostly remnants of the dwarves who once thrived here.
History:
The Mesoramus Range has long been an imposing feature of Siar’Morrin’s geography, shaping the histories of the realms it borders. The dwarves, drawn to its depths in ages past, carved out a magnificent kingdom that stood as a beacon of strength and craftsmanship. However, this kingdom met a grim end during the final days of the Age of Darkness. Fleeing demonic hordes, desperate for sanctuary after the Rift was sealed, poured into the mountains and unleashed chaos upon the unsuspecting dwarves.
The once-thriving kingdom was decimated, its halls now a crumbling labyrinth haunted by demons and shadowed by despair. Few records of this catastrophe remain, but stories of the dwarves’ last stand have endured as cautionary tales, discouraging explorers and treasure hunters from venturing too close.
Significance:
In modern times, the Mesoramus Range serves as more than just a physical barrier; it is a formidable divide that shapes the geography, politics, and security of the surrounding regions. Its treacherous interior and sheer southern slopes make passage perilous, funneling travel and trade into controlled choke points like Mesokini and Neodoulas. Attempting to traverse the range or detour through the North Road Barrens is a gamble few are willing to take.
Compounding this natural challenge is the ominous presence of the demonic host within the heart of the range. Though seemingly contained for now, their lurking threat casts a long shadow over neighboring territories. New Birania remains particularly vigilant, viewing the Mesoramus as both a potential front line and a harbinger of greater dangers yet to come.
Notable Features:
- Sanctum of the Balancekeepers: Nestled high in the Western slopes, this hidden monastery serves as headquarters for the zealous Balancekeepers of Mesokini.
- Zeel’Croi: Once the heart of a thriving dwarven civilization, Zeel’Croi now stands as a decaying testament to its former glory. After its fall to demonic forces during the Age of Darkness, it became a labyrinth of danger, inhabited by creatures of shadow.
- Braxus Tower: Located at the southernmost edge of the Mesoramus Range, Braxus Tower is a solitary sentinel overlooking the lands below. Built eons ago, during the Age of War, the tower was designed as a strategic lookout and defensive structure. Its elevation provides an unparalleled view over New Birania.
Local Legends or Stories:
Whispers speak of a grim purpose behind the relative quiet of the demons inhabiting Zeel’Croi. According to ancient tales, the demonic forces that decimated the dwarven city have been lying in wait, not out of defeat but preparation. It is said they are amassing their strength and biding their time for an unknown signal or celestial event that will trigger their resurgence. When that day comes, they will pour forth from the mountain depths like a tide of shadow, bringing devastation to the surrounding lands.
Another story tells the dark secrets of the Sanctum of the Balancekeepers. Some say the sanctum’s remote location was chosen not only for its symbolism but for the grim practices carried out within its halls. According to legend, the sanctum doubles as a secret prison for those deemed to be sinners by the Balancekeepers. Stories of wails carried by the mountain winds only add to the grim mystery.
Lastly, the long abandoned Braxus Tower, is rumored to house a fearsome prisoner, a monstrous, immortal minotaur sealed within its ancient walls. Legends claim that this beast was a warrior of unmatched skill and ferocity during the bloody Age of War. Eventually, in a brutal contest of strength the beast was bested by Krenos himself and imprisoned within the magically empowered walls of the tower. To this day, travellers claim to hear distant, guttural roars emanating from the tower on stormy nights.
Visitors’ Experience:
The Mesoramus Range is as perilous as it is awe-inspiring. Travelers should be prepared for rugged terrain, steep inclines, and unpredictable weather, with sudden storms and bitter winds common at higher altitudes. The northern slopes offer gentler paths but are still fraught with danger, from unstable ground to encounters with wildlife, or worse. The southern slopes, far steeper and less traversed, are not for the faint of heart, as they plunge sharply toward the lands below. Those who venture too close to Zeel’Croi or Braxus Tower should expect an eerie and oppressive atmosphere, while the remote Sanctum of the Balancekeepers may grant solitude and reflection—but not necessarily peace. Only the well-prepared and cautious should explore these mountains.