Galdros
Galdros, the Realm of the Highlands, is a land of towering cliffs, endless plateaus, and deep, hidden valleys, where the wind never rests and the stone never yields. Unlike the craggy mountains of Terasil or the fertile meadows of Vaelthar, Galdros is a rugged, untamed landscape, where winds howl through narrow passes and storms carve deep scars into the rock.
It is a land of freedom and resilience, where those who wander its heights must be as unyielding as the cliffs themselves.
Geography
Galdros is shaped by the constant interplay of earth and air, with windswept peaks, sheer cliffs, and rolling highland plains defining its landscape.
- The Skyward Cliffs – Towering natural stone formations, shaped by wind and time, reaching high into the sky like ancient sentinels. - The Howling Pass – A deep ravine where the wind screams like a living thing, shifting travelers’ voices into eerie echoes. - The Thunderplateaus – Vast, elevated plains where storms gather, unleashing lightning that splits stone and shakes the ground. - The Mistvale Depths – Hidden valleys where fog lingers, masking ancient pathways and forgotten ruins. - The Stormreach Spires – Jagged peaks constantly buffeted by the elements, where only the strongest creatures can endure.
Climate & Atmosphere
Galdros experiences constant wind and extreme weather, making it one of the most unpredictable realms in Adaris.
- Powerful Winds – The highlands are never still, with gales strong enough to strip trees bare and wear stone smooth. - Sudden Storms – The sky is often clear, but storms form in an instant, bringing lightning and torrential rains to the plateaus. - Cold Nights, Harsh Days – The exposed highlands face blistering sun in the day and biting winds at night. - Rare, Hidden Springs – Deep within ravines and caves, fresh water flows, supplying the hardiest of life.
The Spirit of Galdros
Draevathis, known as the Wild Stone, is the Ascended Spirit of Galdros, embodying the raw, untamed power of wind and stone.
- He is the force that carves cliffs, splits the sky with thunder, and shapes the land without hesitation. - Unlike the patient erosion of Varethor or the gentle shaping of Vaelora, Draevathis is a spirit of relentless movement and raw power. - Some say he takes the form of a massive, craggy titan, standing against the storms, while others believe he is the wind itself, shifting between the peaks.
Mythology & Legends
- The Trial of Winds – It is said that only those who endure a night atop the Stormreach Spires will be blessed with Draevathis’ strength. - The Voice of the Cliffs – Some claim that when the wind is right, the cliffs will speak in echoes, revealing secrets from ages past. - The Skyborne Stones – Legend tells of boulders that defy gravity, floating above the highlands, said to be touched by Draevathis himself.
Connection to Other Realms
Galdros stands between the mountains, the sky, and the open plains, serving as a crossroads of elemental forces.
- To the Peaks of Terasil – The rugged mountains fade into rolling plateaus, marking the transition between sheer cliffs and towering summits. - To the Open Plains of Vaelthar – The highlands slowly level out, their grassy meadows stretching toward the horizon. - To the Winds of Aetheris – The highest peaks of Galdros reach toward the Tempest Realm, where the wind and sky grow wild and untamed.
Influence on Adaris
Galdros is revered by wanderers, warriors, and those who seek the strength of stone and wind.
- Nomads and highland tribes see Draevathis as a guide, a force that tests their strength but rewards those who endure. - Monasteries and wayfarers’ shrines are often built on the cliff edges, where the wind carries prayers to the heavens. - Travelers in Adaris say that if you stand atop a Galdros peak during a storm, you will never fear the wind again.
"The Wind Carves the Strong, the Stone Endures the Rest"
A common saying among those who walk the highlands, reminding all that strength is shaped by adversity, and only the unyielding stand tall.