Astralith Range

Overview

The Astralith Range is a mountain range located to the west of the Minthal Valley, forming a natural boundary between the Anvil Range and the outer reaches of Terasil. The mountains are known for their reflective black stone, which absorbs light and creates a shadowy landscape. Once part of a singular horseshoe-shaped massif, erosion and tectonic shifts split the mountains, creating the Minthal Valley and isolating the Western Minthari from their kin in the Anvil Range.

The city of Minthsen is the seat of the western Minthari power, while Minthset, a fortified outpost in the northern range, serves as their first line of defense.

Etymology

The name Astralith comes from ancient Minthari script, meaning "Sky Stone" or "Star-Forged Mountain." The reflective properties of its obsidian-like peaks give rise to legends of celestial origins, with some Minthari believing the mountains were shaped by forces beyond the mortal realm.

Geography

The Astralith Range consists of sheer, reflective black peaks, deep caverns, and subterranean Minthari settlements. The range is steeped in perpetual shadow, with the stone absorbing most sunlight, leaving its slopes cool and dim even at midday.

Major Peaks

Mount Minthros – The tallest peak, considered sacred by the Western Minthari.
Onyx Spire – A sharp, glass-like pinnacle, home to mystic sanctuaries.
Veilstone Crest – A shrouded summit, where fog and shadow never fully dissipate.

Minthal Valley and Isolation

The Minthal Valley, once a part of the Astralith and Anvil massifs, was shaped by erosion over millennia, creating a natural divide between the Western and Anvil Minthari. The Western Minthari rarely cross the valley, preferring to stay underground, which has led to the evolution of distinct customs, traditions, and beliefs.

Geology

The Astralith Range is geologically unique, containing arcane minerals and reflective rock formations.

Mineral Deposits

Onyx Shale – A dark, mirror-like stone used in ritual architecture.
Starcore Ore – A mystical metal that is highly attuned to geomantic energy.
Obsidian Veins – One of the largest sources of natural obsidian in Terasil, used for weaponry and sacred carvings.

Settlements

The Western Minthari strongholds remain hidden within the deep recesses of the Astralith Range, connected by tunnels and underground roads.

Minthsen – The capital of the Western Minthari, built within the volcanic core of the range. Its black stone halls and subterranean forges define its grandeur.
Minthset – A northern outpost, serving as the guardian of the northern Astralith Range, where Minthari warriors and sentinels patrol.

Mining and Engineering

TBD

Climate

The Astralith Range is colder and more shadowed than the Anvil Range, with minimal sunlight exposure due to its reflective black stone.

Lower Slopes: Cool and dim, with occasional fog banks rolling through the valleys.
Higher Elevations: Cold and still, with frequent cloud cover shrouding the peaks.
Underground Climate: Stable, slightly humid, maintained through geomantic heat sources.

Ecology

The shadowy landscape of the Astralith Range has led to the evolution of bioluminescent flora and creatures adapted to darkness.

Flora

The vegetation in the Astralith Range consists mostly of shadow-adapted plants that thrive in low-light environments.

Minthryl Moss – A glowing blue lichen, illuminating Western Minthari tunnels.
Thulkar Root – A deep-growing root that absorbs geothermal warmth, used in medicinal brews.
Obsidian Fungal Groves – A bioluminescent fungus that grows in clusters within lava tubes, providing natural light.

Fauna

The wildlife of the Astralith Range is adapted to minimal sunlight, using camouflage and nocturnal vision.

Minthrak Drake – A black-scaled, wingless reptile that lurks in volcanic caves, feeding on mineral-rich stone.
Zaruth Stalker – A shadowy feline predator known for its ability to vanish into the darkness.
Onyx Talon Hawk – A dark-feathered raptor that soars silently through the mist.
Khazril Burrower – A massive, stone-armored creature that expands Western Minthari tunnels.

Cultural Significance

The Astralith Range holds deep spiritual meaning for the Western Minthari.

Sacred Sites

Minthkar’s Abyss – A bottomless chasm where Minthari geomancers meditate on the depths of the earth’s power.
Min’Zarith Forge – A legendary underground smithy, said to create weapons of celestial origin.

Festivals and Traditions

Minthrak’Un – A solstice festival marking the longest night, where geomancers invoke the spirits of the stone.
Min’Shalar Rite – A sacred forging ritual where a weapon is crafted and attuned to its wielder’s soul.