The Appalachian Mountains run through the area, spanning from the far west to the east coast of the lands. The mountains here turn sharply up, reaching at their peak 820 meters. On the northern face of this mountain rock, slides have exposed faults and turned the once-lush forest into nothing more than a rocky cliff. Following the huge forest fire in 2008, this same side of the mountain has turned ash gray and black, covered in soot and dead trees. The Southern side is more fertile, and is densely-forested, home to a multitude of flora and fauna. The northwestern part of the mountain has many jagged cliffs sharp slopes, achieving its maximum height some distance west.
Halcyon Mountain declines sharply into the forlorn shore of Serene Sands. Located in the southwestern border where land meets the sea, the journey to reach the beach can be difficult due to the craggy ravines that ring the northern part of the area. It is quiet here, save for the gentle lapping of the waves, as the immensity of the mountain blocks out most extraneous noise, keeping the beach serene and tranquil from the goings-on outside. It is quite easy for someone to miss a call from this locale, shielded from interruption, left alone to enjoy the sanctity of the calm waves. During the low tide, many caves hidden deep within the face of the rock become accessible. The series of caves harbour some of the best preserved documents, hand-made trinkets and odd knick-knacks possessed by the pack. Several small and scattered islands become visible a short ways off-shore, under-water hills peaking up from beneath the sea to greet the denizens of the beach. The crowns of these hills are smoothed and slippery rock, making them dangerous to tread upon, and thus a hazard to the curious who would dare to try.
Deep in the heart of mountains, resting between two of the larger peaks, lies a set of interconnected caverns that have stood the test of time. There are multiple entrances, some barely large enough for a rabbit, but the most prominent ones are two gaping holes on the rock face nearly fifteen feet high. Just within the mouth of the cave all light disappears and the darkness is absolute. If lit artificially, however, the stone is a pale golden-yellow, rough with crumbling rocks The caves continue on for miles, up as well as down, and it is easy to get lost in the labyrinth. During strong winds, a shrill howl sounds through each of the caves, amongst all the tiny cracks and gaping holes, giving the Howling Caverns its name.
A similar labyrinth can be found in the Stellarton Mines, on the far western end of the mountain. Humans gouged deep into the mountain, creating long and deep tunnels that were in use until the virus struck. Although most of the mine shafts are horizontal, there are a few instances of sharp vertical drops that required the use of elevators--elevators which have long since ceased being used. Of course, there is no natural light in the deeper parts of the mine either. Even with light though, canines are advised to tread very carefully, as a fall into a vertical mineshaft is certain doom -- if the fall itself isn't fatal, there isn't a way back up and out of the mines.
The Pictou River runs over Halcyon Mountain, cold and fresh water springing forth from deep within it. During the course of its downstream travel, the river meets a rather sharp cliff face and falls well over fifty feet into a deep pool below, continuing downstream a short way before doing the very same thing. This pattern is repeated four times down the stretch of the mountain, with rolling and rocky cliffs on either side of the waterfall the whole way down. The lowest waterfall is the only one that is safe to jump, as the drop is a mere ten feet and the pool at the bottom is the largest, but the rest are no less picturesque for their danger.
At the foot of Halcyon Mountain are what the wolves of the surrounding areas have dubbed "the foothills," or more precisely, Phosphagos Foothills. A series of hillocks lines the base of the mountain, the inclines of each grassy knoll diminishing the further it rests from the base of the great rise. The plant life is fairly uniform in the foothills, tall grasses and small flowers mark the beginning of the ascent up the territory's only mountain range. In the evening, the foothills are overshadowed by the tall trees and mountain itself, thus casting long shadows across the area. Dubbed the 'light-eating' foothills, its name is a rough translation, combining the words 'phos:' light, and 'phago:' I eat.