Birith Mountains

The Birith Mountains, also called the Eastern Ore Mountains due to the aboundance of minerals within the confines are a mountain range in the southeast of Hadašham. It consists of several massifs with easy-to-pass gaps between. Running four hundred miles from the southwest to the northeast until joining the Zabirath at the Gate of Hadašham, it is the second longest mountain chain in the Subcontinent, and the longest entirely within it. Because of this, the hills have an altering effect upon the climate of the interior. Most rain fells there during the winter as snow when the strong southern winds are capable of pushing the vapour-filled clouds over the ridges. Otherwise the dominant western wind waters land more to the west, or to the south, reaching the region as a resfreshing, dry breeze. In the summer the monsoonical northern winds prevail that create a hot, dry weather all around without the beneficial moderating effects of the ocean.

Being relatively low compared to other ridges, only the Biriths' highest peaks tower above two thousand yards of height. Some of the higher areas comprise densely forested wilderness, but most of the area stands under human cultivation. Wildlife is rare, confined upon small species like rabbits, squirrels. Only the northwestern areas around the huge imperial estate of Hal-Arath offer larger game like deer, hog or bear.

Farmlands, pasturages and charcoal have all been much-needed resources, so generations of foresters chopped wood that was turned into precious fuel by the burners to power the great many forges around. The Biriths are the industrial hearthland of Hadašham, thats why the repeated Aharganite incursions found such stubborn a resistance from the local forces.

Parts of the area were conquered during the initial years of the settlement with the entire seaboard under the control of Tir-Našadar within two decades. Direct rule was restricted to the coastal cities inhabitated by Dabrakhami immigrants, while the inner tribes were either turned into either clients or allies. Assimilation required another century or two to happen. This area was later known as Hadašham proper, as this was the first region upon which the name was bestowed. Apart from increasing urbanisation nothing really changed in the region ever since. In the times of the Pentarchy the inner, northwards looking edge of the ridges served as the border between the Court of the Freelands and the Court of Hadašham proper.

For around a century, the hills also served as a border between the Hadašhim Empire and the Aharganite Kingdom. Ironically, only during the last years did a significant Aharganite force cross them to invade the remaining seaboard territories, which expedition quickly turned into a nightmare and led to the hadašhim reconquest of the entire Freelands, as well to a humilating, crippling defeat for Ahargan.