Claws of the Clouds Mountains

Lore & Background

The Claws of the Clouds Mountains are a formidable spine of rock and ice that has carved the history of Pyrrhia. For centuries, the SkyWings have made their homes in these peaks, building their palaces and fortresses among the crags and clouds. The mountains are riddled with caves, some natural and some carved by dragon claws, serving as shelters, treasure hoards, and secret passages. The highest peaks are perpetually covered in snow, and the winds howl like starving wolves, making flight treacherous for all but the most skilled SkyWings.

The range is not just a physical barrier but a symbolic one, representing the division between the sky and the earth. The MudWings, who live in the lowlands to the east, rarely venture into these heights, and the SkyWings have long used the mountains as a defensive wall against invasion. During the War of SandWing Succession, the Claws of the Clouds were a key battleground, with SkyWing forces launching raids from their mountain strongholds. The mountains also hold ancient secrets, including hidden entrances to the lost kingdom of the NightWings and the mysterious caves where the dragonets of destiny once sought refuge.

In Their Own Story

The wind screamed through the jagged peaks, tearing at Peril's scales as she perched on a narrow ledge. Below, the world fell away into a sea of clouds, the Mud Kingdom a distant green haze. She could see the entire range from here—the sharp ridges, the glinting ice, the dark mouths of caves that held who-knew-what. Somewhere in these mountains, Clay was waiting, and she would find him, even if she had to climb every peak. The cold bit at her, but her firescales kept her warm, a strange comfort in this frozen place. She spread her wings, feeling the updraft lift her, and dove into the mist, the Claws of the Clouds closing around her like a guardian's embrace.

Reader's Guide

The Claws of the Clouds Mountains stretch across central Pyrrhia, a massive range of granite and limestone peaks that rise sharply from the plains. The climate varies dramatically with altitude: the lower slopes are forested and temperate, while the higher elevations are perpetually cold, with snow and ice covering the tallest summits year-round. The air is thin and the winds are strong, making flight challenging for dragons not accustomed to the heights.

The SkyWings are the primary inhabitants, building their eyries and palaces on the cliffs and in the caves. Notable landmarks include the SkyWing Palace, carved into the face of a massive peak, and the many hidden caves used for shelter and storage. Travelers should beware of sudden storms that can blind even the most experienced flier, and of the territorial SkyWings who guard their domain with sharp talons and hotter tempers.

Did You Know?

• The highest peak in the Claws of the Clouds is said to be so tall that it pierces the clouds, and only the strongest SkyWings can reach its summit.
• Many of the caves in the mountains were used as hiding places during the War of SandWing Succession, including by the dragonets of destiny.
• The mountains are home to unique flora and fauna, including hardy alpine plants and small prey animals that have adapted to the cold.
• Some legends claim that the Claws of the Clouds were formed when the ancient dragon spirits clawed the earth in a great battle.