Devil's Range
Overview
The Devil's Range, also known as the Southern Wyranth Mountains, was described in A History of Rislandia as "the volcanic mountain range that dominates central Wyranth." Running roughly east-west across the Wyranth Empire's heartland, the range stood as the most geologically active region on the Iberanth Peninsula. Its dramatic terrain, mineral abundance, and natural defensive character made it one of the most strategically significant geographic features in the known world.
Description
The Devil's Range was characterized by volcanic peaks, expansive lava fields, rocky slopes, and deep valleys. The climate throughout the range was hot and dry, punctuated by occasional volcanic activity. Volcanic eruptions, while rare, still occurred. Hot springs, geysers, and sulfur vents were common features across the range, and the mountains were reported to glow red at night from exposed lava flows and geothermal vents, lending the range its forbidding name.
The range contained several notable sub-locations and features, including Devil's Mountain, the Lava Fields, the Sulfur Mines, the Crystal Veins, the Hot Springs, and the Sulfur Works.
Resources and Industry
The Devil's Range was the primary industrial heartland of the Wyranth Empire in terms of raw material extraction. Mining operations throughout the range yielded iron, copper, sulfur, and crystals. Geothermal energy was also harnessed as a primary industry. According to A History of Rislandia, the range served as the principal source of sulfur for the Wyranth Empire, with the Sulfur Works operating as a key production facility. The mineral wealth drawn from the Devil's Range was understood to directly fuel the Wyranth military and its ongoing war-making capacity.
Strategic Significance
Beyond its economic value, the Devil's Range provided the Wyranth Empire with a formidable natural defense against invasion from the north. The volcanic terrain, extreme heat, sulfur vents, and unpredictable geological activity made large-scale military movement through the range exceptionally hazardous for any hostile force unfamiliar with its geography.