Northern Wall Mountains
The Kyodai and Kabe sano Kita, more commonly known as the Great Wall of the North, were also called the Northern Wall Mountains. They were unforgiving mountains that marked Rokugan’s northern border. It was also known colloquially as the Mountains of Exile in the Unicorn territory. Following the Fall of the Kami, those who were not willing to obey the Kami were obliged to leave through the northern mountains. It later served as the destination for any whom the Emperor would sentence to permanent banishment, leaving through Exile’s Road.
The Great Wall of the North was home to an incredible variety of animals, including the commonly encountered brown and black bears, cougars, badgers, tigers, mountain goats, rabbits, fox, and deer. The lower slopes and foothills were covered with a thick canopy of conifers intermingled with oak, maple, and elm trees. These mountains were tectonically active, with several active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. There were only two known passes, one was guarded by the Unicorn Clan, Sorrow’s Path, while the other was guarded by the Badger Clan, the Path of Woe.
Names
This vast mountain range was known by both names depending upon the area or historical record. It dominated the entirety of the Dragon Clan provinces (who refered to their own portion of the range as the Dragon Mountains), as well as those of the Badger Clan, and occupied portions of the Ox and Phoenix Clan holdings as well. The mountains of this range were higher than the Spine of the World, and generally colder as well. Beyond the Great Wall were vast steppes, occupied mainly by the various Yobanjin tribes who fled the Empire at its formation. North and west of that laid the vast desert known only as the Burning Sands. The Dragon and Phoenix, maintained a steady northern vigil there. The Northern Towers of Flame were built in the Dragon Mountains as defense against yobanjin attacks.