Territory (Damasca)

Perched between frozen, towering mountains, steppes, and an arid desert, Damasca is known for its cool to hot summers, long frigid winters, and its scant precipitation. The Damascan live in a constant fight for survival due to the erratic temperatures that plague their lands. Rainfall is rare and usually only occurs during the summer months in the form of thunderstorms. The amount and timing varies from year to year, but more precipitation usually occurs in the northern, elevated parts of Damasca.

A remarkable feature of Damasca’s climate is the number of clear, sunny days. Yet severe weather such as sandstorms or hailstorms can develop quite suddenly. Heavy snow mainly occurs in the mountain regions, while fierce blizzards sweep across the steppes.

## Biomes

Steppe, Taiga, Rock Canyons, Hills, Deltas, Snow-Capped Mountains, Plateaus, Deserts, Mountains, Forests, Jagged Gorges, Lakes/Basins, Meadows, Extinct Volcanoes, Marshlands, Hot Springs, and Turbulent Rivers

## Landmarks

### Main Den (Duskveil)

* Beneath the volcanic craters of the Ash Cauldron sits the main communal den that branches off into small caverns that canvass the cliff-sides with stalactites hanging from their ceiling and walls. The close proximity to the Azim Hotsprings leaves the smell of sulfur in the air.

### Winter Den (Dawncrest)

* Underneath the gleaming Sunspires lies the Winter hideout. Eroded after years and years of the Syldra river running through its depth Dawncrest houses a remarkable network of underground tunnels and chambers that the Damascan use as a hideout during the winter months. Dawncrest also has a main joint den that branches off into separate chambers.

#### Other Landmarks

* ***Idris Spine.*** Untamed, rugged, and desolate the Idris spine curls around northern Damasca. The towering white mountains are the highest mountaintops in the packlands. When a Damascan passes the horde journeys here and lays the deceased under the watchful, open sky. Leaving the remain's so that they are given back to nature.
* ***The Shroud.*** A dense wetland with forests and tangled groves. Various species of birds use the Shroud as a nesting and breeding ground. While also providing a migratory stopover site for herds. It's a perfect place to teach or train Damascan wolves on how to hunt or steal due to the tricky terrain.
* ***Feywood.*** A woodland on the northern side of Damasca. The combination of thick mist and regular snowfall is enough to keep the hardiest Damascan on their toes. Many of the trees have stood for several thousands of years, some have even begun to petrify.
* ***Serune Basin.*** A cold, sunken forest lake located within the Feywood. Submerged trunks loom high above water creating a haunting appearance. The lakeside was created after a torrential storm swept across the valley, flooding the gorge. The Damascans have likened the image as wolf fangs piercing the water.
* ***Arusian Steppes.*** A windswept expanse of grassland that stretches across the far reaches of Damasca. You can see the beauty of the steppe as the perennial grass sways like an inland green sea. Usually hundreds of herding prey graze and pass through the steppes to get to warmer lands. Although there is not much water on the vast expanse one can find small lakes and wetlands.
* ***The Sunspires.*** These sun drenched peaks extend from the Paglth’an in south western Damasca separating the Lhusa desert from the Arusian Steppes. The spires serve as nesting grounds to the sacred golden eagles that have lived within the Damasca territory for centuries. If you venture further up the rugged mountains you can see the nests built in the rocky crags. It is not uncommon to see younger wolves attempting to form bonds with the eagles despite the steep steps.
* ***Paglth'an.*** Intensely hot and dry the barren sandstone cliffs of the Paglth'an look strikingly flame-like in the fading daylight. A treasure trove of fossilized bones litters the deep red soil beneath them.
* ***Lhusa Desert.*** This enormous sandy desert covers the entire Southwestern half of Damasca. To the east, one can find the location of the winter den. With its unpredictable sandstorms and intense heat this desert wasteland stands as a natural blockade into the pack lands.
* ***Syldra River.*** Ancient and deep this glittering river winds through the lower half of the Damascan territory. Running underneath the Sunspires, the Syldra feeds into a waterfall and out the packlands. Caution is advised when treading in the waters for the river can turn swift and turbulent. Several species of fish can be seen swimming within its depths.
* ***The Ash Cauldrons.*** Once lit with molten embers and ash these volcanoes now lie dormant in the northern edge of Damasca. This rugged terrain is not welcoming to adventurers or explorers. Though it does little to deter the stubborn Damascans.
* ***Starfall Hillock.*** A ceremonial gathering spot for weddings and several of the pack's celebrations. Situated between the diverging paths of the Syldra, The Starfall Hillock overlooks a crown of pines and blue mist beds.
* ***Azim Springs.*** Due to the presence of the Ash Cauldrons several pools of natural hot springs dot the area beneath the volcanic pinnacles. A past-time of the Damascans is to sit in the pools while watching the stars in the night sky.
* ***Singing Sands.*** Stretching as far as the eye can see sits the Singing Sands. Walking upon these dunes emits a whispering sound as the sand slides. Some of the more superstitious Damascans believe the whispers belong to ghosts.
* ***The Farreach.*** The Farreach isn't easily reached due to its harsh conditions, the continuous falling snow and ice keep it isolated from most Damascans. The slumbering forest is canvassed with thick deep, snow and a sea of fluffy mounds. Herds of reindeer tread these silent woods.