The Darkreach mountains are one of the regions with a very small population compared to its size. Most inhabitants are dangerous creatures, often more primal and living off instinct rather than intelligence and logic. Human and humanoid settlements are rare and often hidden, but have become more common within recent years. Such homes are usually made inside caves or mountain walls, or simple wooden huts, often protected by magic against both the climate and predatory animals. The wild, unpredictable magic here leaves the Darkreach mountains with many interesting and mythical locations, often sought out by travelers and adventurers.

Moonfront

In the eastern parts of the mountains lies a mystical clearing only accessible through a long, dark tunnel - any attempts at both entering or leaving any other way will cause the mountain around you to wrap around your feet with an unbreakable strong grip, only letting go if you try to walk back again. Inside, you will always be met by the exact same view. No matter the time of day elsewhere in Aymenia, Moonfront is always basking in the silver glow of a perfectly full moon, the air still and chilly in a way that almost feels sacred. At its center lies the Lunar Veil - a shallow, perfectly still pool with water clearer than glass. The pond holds an unknown, ancient power, capable of bringing you answers to questions otherwise impossible to answer. Travelers may approach and, once in their life, pose a single precisely phrased question. The water does not speak, but instead warps your reflection into a vision - a symbolic or literal glimpse into the answer, shown rather than told. But beware, more times than not, people find themselves heavily burdened by their answers, possessing knowledge they never should have received.

Nythalona pass

The Nythalona pass is an infamous route through the Darkreach mountains, and is geographically the shortest and fastest way to travel between Isakra and the mainland. You won’t find the usual dangers of the mountains here, the path free of hostile creatures as well as unstable terrain. Despite this, it is heavily advised to never take the Nythalona pass through the mountains.

Long ago, it was here that Isareth, a demigod son of Astreus, fell in a battle that no one fully remembers. His death unleashed divine magic that bled into the mountains, causing the time within to move at an irregular but always significantly slower rate. A few days inside the pass can be years or even decades to the world outside - certain people using it as an escape or to restart their lives in a world where no one longer knows of them. Stories sing of Isareth’s tragedy, of how the mountains mourn yet honor him, clinging onto the memory with a sadness so deep it warped the very sense of time.

Evergrave

Serving as a home to the souls that spent their lives in the Darkreach mountains, Evergrave is a rip in the borders of Hellreach, which was damaged back in 3561 when the current Guardian of Hellreach unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the god, Vex. What was once a town before the attack now lies in ruins reclaimed by nature, leaving overgrown old walls and fallen temples covered by moss and grass. At first glance, it may seem like any old forgotten town of Aymenia, but those with a strong attunement to magic may notice the presence of the ghostly inhabitants.

Extending the borders of Alverton, creatures and beings of the Darkreach mountains who desire that afterlife are often drawn to Evergrave instead of the usual Hellreach - though unlike in Hellreach, the souls of Evergrave cannot be seen by the average person's eyes. The rip is a proper extension of the borders and Evergrave follows the same rules for afterlife as Alverton - living in a ghostly state until your soul is at peace and you slowly fade out of existence - though there is no way for the souls to travel between the two. For creatures and animals who are very drawn to the sun, the ghostly afterlife of Evergrave can be a desirable option when the dark, underground Alverton is not. For this reason, creatures from outside the Darkreach mountains with a desire for a longer afterlife might move there to gain access to Evergrave, as the limited time in the gardens of solitude is deemed far too short by many.