Nolrë Mountains

The vast Nolrë mountain range can be found towards the north of the Kahn Desert, situated in the northern regions of Verh'Un. The mountain climate is difficult to cross, home to many cliffs, valleys, peaks, streams of water, small lakes, forests and plains. It’s a comfortable land to call home, protected by it's natural walls, but not unknown to danger.

Before the Exodus of Giants, the massive humanoids made the peaks their primary home, competing with the many dragons that favored the vertical landscape. Even after the departure, dragons still remain, and many wild creatures and monstrosities have found a place in the rich nature and steep environment.

## Inhabitants

The main inhabitants of the Nolrë Mountains are the many clans of Mountain Dwarves. Their keeps and strongholds deep within the mountains hold steady against those that oppose them.

Most dwarven clans are allied or friendly to one another, the dwarves having established themselves as a powerful force within the continent. Strife and conflict between the dwarves is not unheard of, but exceedingly rare in the face of a common threat. Despite the alliances, each and every dwarven stronghold is a sovereign of it's own, ruled by none but the king of the settlement. Smaller settlements dotted around the dwarven keeps favor the protection of the dwarves in exchange of some of their resources.

Most dwarves wield a passive attitude in the war. They favor defending against the Kahniran invaders, utilizing the natural advantages of the mountains. They aim to outlive the Kahniran Empire and simply wait out this war. The desert sands are of no interest to them.

### Non-Dwarf Settlements

It is not uncommon for Gnomes, Humans or Goliath to be found within the mountains, as well as Goblins, Bugbears, Orcs and a few Giants. Most dwarves tend to stay out of their way, remaining distant from the meddle of the surface world, though both trade and conflict are rather common.

The Mountain Dwarves are generally accepting of other races, enjoying their quirks and the tales they bring, but they are strict and direct in the laws they enforce within the lands, and expect those that live within to heed them well.

## Kahniran War

On the 2nd year of the Third Era 97 years ago, the Kahniran Empire declared war on the dwarves of the Nolrë Mountains. They demanded the dwarves allow the annexation of the mountains bordering the savanna's, while the Kahniran military started taking prisoners, turning them into slaves for their empire. The first conflicts were long and bloody, thousands of soldiers laying siege against the first dwarven strongholds.

The Mountain Dwarves never faltered. Their keeps high in the mountains stood against waves of attacks, and the first did come close to falling to the desert people, but reinforcements from almost every other dwarven king drove back the Kahniran forces quickly. Ever since that day, the keeps have always stood strong.

The war has a heavy toll on the surrounding area, however. Even though the Kahniran Empire is distracted by war fronts on all other sides, the war is officially still ongoing for 97 years. Raids into the mountains is common, surrounding villages suffering greatly as people are captured as slaves and resources are stolen. The dwarves have been pushed back in their defensive keeps and strongholds.

Dwarven armies did attempt to strike back against the desert empire in some occassions, but could never defeat the incredibly superior numbers on the field of sand and dunes, in the searing heat of the sun. The war seems to go on forever, all participants always on edge.

## Ancient History

In the First era, both Giants and Dragons made their home within the Nolrë Mountains. The dwarves were scattered far and wide, ever cautious to not anger their competition.

The Giants constructed massive keeps and castles atop the mountain peaks, some of which still standing to this day. Most ravaged and crumbling, they remain a testament to the Giant's massive size and strength. After the Exodus of Giants, most departed, though some still remain.

## Arachnavólus

The Arachnavólus are large flying spiders that inhabit certain regions of the Nolrë Mountains. They live on the edge of the tree line, can grow up to 20ft in length and are capable of wing-sustained flight. They are passive creatures, however, attacking only when provoked. It is rumored a faction of humans train them as mounts.