Planet:Koldenwelt/Old/Everwinter Highlands

The Everwinter Highlands are a large Highland region in the Western Forests of Koldenwalt.

The Everwinter Highlands are a cold and harsh place to live. The average winter highs are usually 20 below, oftentimes more. Winter storms can develop in mere minutes, and can grow cold enough to freeze blood. Everything that lives in the Highlands bows to the winter, regardless of what it is or where it lives. The Nobi are no different.

The Highlands are a volcanic region as well, lifted up by mighty tectonic plates colliding deep below them, and in places ripped apart when plates have started to pull apart again. They are known for the volcanos and earthquakes, which are very common.

The Highlands have large amounts of resources like coal, oil, lumber, helium, hydrogen, and many other minerals and fuel sources. The Nobi have only tapped into the volcanic energies and the helium/hydrogen deposits, with some oil wells for lamps. Besides that, they have only a minimal lumber industry, they prefer stone to wood. They do have many mines for coal to help power their machines and forges, though the volcanic heat is used more often.

Creatures of the Highlands
The Highlands are home to a diverse number of creatures, all of which have adapted to better live in their harsh environment.
 * Cave Lions- Massive predators, they are the dominant life forms of the Highlands. At 7ft tall, 12ft long, and over 300lbs, they are by far the largest of the felines in the highlands. They are not the biggest creatures there, but they work in prides with 3 females for each male, on average, and can take out almost anything they come across. They are, however, very intelligent, and can be tamed and trained in the arts of war, if you know how to do it.
 * Cave Bears- At a whopping 14ft at the shoulder, and 16ft long, Cave Bears are the largest and most dangerous creatures in the Highlands, but they aren't all that smart. They are omnivorous, and are only a threat in fall and winter, during spring and summer they are herbivores and fish eaters.
 * Snow Leopards- 6ft long, 3ft tall, and very agile, they are a common sight in the Highlands, and are considered a sign of good luck.
 * Snow Rabbits- A larger species of rabbit, they have 2ft long ears, are pale white in winter and brown in summer, and are a main source of food for many creatures of the Highlands. They can also lead you to water, always, and are a good indication of how safe an area is (if they run, you run).
 * Highlanders- A species of small horse that rarely gets over 5 ft tall, but have great stamina and resistance to cold temperatures.
 * Clydesdale- A species of large horse that the Nobi brought with them to the Highlands. They have done well in the highlands, with their thick fur and slow metabolism.
 * Winter Wolves- Winter Wolves are generally larger then other species of wolf, at 9ft long and 4ft tall. They are very dangerous, and are known to carry the Vyre without any ill affects to themselves.
 * Winter Deer- Winter deer are common, and are a main food source for all the creatures in the highlands. They have a white winter coat with a brown/gray summer coat, and the males have large pointed antlers for defense and to fight for mates.
 * Ice Goat- Ice Goats are normal goats, but they can grow back limbs and feet if they are injured or removed.
 * Mammoth- Mammoth are the largest herbivores in the Highlands. They live in large herds and can be tamed. Used as a pack animal by the Nobi.
 * Longhorn Cattle- Brought in by the Nobi, they have shrunk a little, but retained their horns as a means of defense. They weigh in at 300-400lbs, and are a very good food source, if you can get past the horns.
 * Winter Bison- Winter Bison are common and are a main foodsource for all creatures of the Highlands. They, like the Snow Rabbit, are a good indication of how safe an area is, if they run, you run faster.
 * Drani- A reptilian creature that resembles Triceratops, they are gentle giants, used often at pack animals and sometimes as a food source. They are feared by most creatures in the Highlands for their dangerous horns, of which they have 5. 3 on their head, and then another 2 on their tail.
 * Smaller Mammals- like mice and rabbits and other tiny rodents and small felines and canines.
 * Warner Eagles- With a 12ft wingspan and a taste for anything they can eat, Warner Eagles are a major threat to anything below them, from Nobi sized down. They have also been seen to hunt and kill Cave Lions and Cave Bears, but that is a rare thing.
 * Smaller Avian Lifeforms- anything else that flys. Some smaller hawks and falcons, as well as songbirds and other small omnivorous or herbivorous birds.
 * Fish- There are many types of coldwater fishes in the Highlands, and all of them can be used for food. They range in size from 10ft long to only a few inches long.

Plants of the Highlands
8many other vines and vine plants- Everything from grapes to ivy.
 * Black Firs- A large pine tree that has exceptionally dark needles, hence the name.
 * Green Pines- With long, soft, bright green needles, Green Pines are loved by the Nobi because they remind them of their lost homeland.
 * Homely Pines- Called that because they have a large sheltering space beneath their lower branches. Many people have been saved from the winters cold curse by the sheltering boughs of a Homely Pine.
 * Bonsai Trees- the only difference between them and normal trees is that they are short and straggly. They can be any species of tree.
 * Lichens- found all over the Highlands, they are rich in minerals.
 * Various other pines- there are 23 other species of pine tree in the Highlands.
 * Deciduous Trees- there are 12 species of deciduous trees in the highlands, including apple, pear, cherry-blossom, and black oak trees. Some other kinds of smaller trees as well.
 * Steppe Grasses- 43 different kinds of grass make up the steppes and grasslands of the Highlands. Everything from the 7ft tall species to the 3 inch tall ones.
 * Bamboo- Bamboo is found in the Highlands. There is the Giant Bamboo, which can grow to be 80ft tall and 1ft around at the base, Lucky Bamboo, which grows near and in water and rarely gets over 8ft tall, and Weed Bamboo, which grows to be 20ft tall and can grow almost anywhere, hence the name "weed" bamboo.
 * HinNat Flower- Hin meaning Winter, Nat meaning Death. HinNat flowers are Winter Death, they are very poisonous to eat, but if treated properly they can be used in many healing potions and medicines. When used in medicines, they are called HinRut (Rut meaning Health) flowers.
 * Many other flowers- there are 47 known flowers in the Highlands. Everything from wildflowers to herbal flowers to the Cherry Blossom Flowers.
 * RutOpin Bush- Rut meaning Health, Opin meaning Energy. RutOpin bushes have small black berries that are very good for you to eat. They give you energy and speed up your healing process.
 * Many other Bushes- 31 different bushes can be found in the highlands, from coniferous bushes to hazel and pepper bushes.
 * NatNit Vines- Nat meaning Death, Nit meaning Bite. NatNit vines have dangerous biting mouths on the ends, hidden as simple flower buds, until you get to close. Then they bite into you and poison you and then eat you slowly. Very nasty way to go, but the vines are a pain to kill.

Environments of the Highlands

 * Glaciar- Glaciers are massive rivers of ice, and house Ice Goats and Warner Eagles for the most part.
 * Tundra- Tundra can be found all across the highlands, and houses all sorts of smaller mammals and avians.
 * Mountain- Mountain Terrain is common, and houses most of the larger creatures of the Highlands.
 * Coniferous Forest- Thick forests of pine trees, they house many kinds of creatures, and are the most diverse of the environments in the highlands.
 * Steppes- Vast plains that house all sorts of grazers, most notably the Mammoth and Drani.
 * Deciduous Forest- Rare in the highlands, there are few places warm enough for deciduous forests. They house just about everything you can imagine.
 * Wasteland- Wasteland is found around recently erupted volcanos, areas where glaciers once stood, and in areas devastated by war. They house few creatures, and fewer plants. Mostly lichens.

Geographical Locations
The Highlands are large and vary greatly in terrain. Everything from vast grasslands to mighty mountains to forests of bamboo to cold glaciers can be found here.

The Southern Mountains
The Southern Mountain Ranges are mostly glaciers and wastelands, due to the truly freezing temperatures there.