The Highlands

A lush, grassy mountain that is the only forested area of the mountains, and is home to a multitude of both predators and prey. It borders the Valerian Valley and sits close to the Crest of the Plains. It is a tempting bit of land to both EagleClan and the Bloodhides, and will probably be claimed by one or the other at some point soon – though likely this claim will be marked in blood...

## Official Description

*Closest to the Crest of the Plains lies a multi-ridged, plateaued mountain known as the Highlands. Such a territory is riddled with ledges and narrow entries into caves on the grassy covered slope. The eventual slope ends alongside the Valerian Valley. The Highlands, from a distance, can be recognized for its ridges and the abundance of evergreens species which reside upon the mountain. White pines, firs, spruces, hemlocks and juniper bushes are all entangled in the dense ecosystem of the Highlands. Some less available herbs and medicinal plants are foraged for here. Due to being the only densely-forested area of the mountain region, it is rife with deer, rodents, robins, hares, owls, and other rumored predators....*

## History

### First Leaf-fall

A patrol consisting of Ermineflight, Runningwolf, Drizzlemask, Rookflight, and Peapaw is sent to the Highlands for a preliminary investigation, to see if the area can be settled. They arrive the same day they leave camp and begin their climb.

Drizzlemask and Rookflight dare each other to a race and run ahead of the others. Lagging behind, Runningwolf, Ermineflight, and Peapaw discuss the Bloodhides and their encounter with Erebos and Vesper earlier that day. Blazestar reappears and makes a final comment about letting the Bloodhides take their prey so that a fight didn’t break out, before taking her leave and returning to camp.

Ending their race, Rookflight and Drizzlemask rest up and flirt a little while the others catch up with them. Ermineflight arrives first and scolds them for running ahead without concern for dangers. Drizzlemask suggests they go to the top to get a better view of the Highlands, while Peapaw asks hopefully if they can hunt when they get there. Runningwolf suggests that some of them hunt now, while the others go up to the top, and they reconvene once the hunters have caught enough prey for them all. Ermineflight agrees and orders Drizzlemask to come to the top with her, while Runningwolf, Rookflight, and Peapaw hunt.

While Rookflight, Peapaw, and Runningwolf catch two mice, a bluebird, and a thrush respectively, Ermineflight and Drizzlemask reach the top, where Drizzlemask sights a big pine that they could sleep beneath. Ermineflight and Drizzlemask set up some temporary nests and mark the area to ward off predators, as the hunting patrol returns with their prey. Rookflight and Drizzlemask share the two mice, while Ermineflight takes the bluebird and Runningwolf and Peapaw share the thrush as they discuss their plans for the next day. They agree to leave at dawn and take a longer path down to get a better look at the area, ideally reaching the base of the Highlands by sunhigh.

Ermineflight keeps watch for a little while, but when Runningwolf fails to fall asleep, he returns to join her on sentry duty. They talk for a little while before Ermineflight goes to her nest, and Runningwolf sits to keep watch but falls asleep soon after. The next day, the group begins their descent down the mountain.