The Old Crystols Mountains have longenjoyed a reputation of potential wealth as well as of certain danger, though the latter  has  had  little  effect  in  deterring adventurous souls. Populated largely by
dwarves  who  mine  for  gems  and  valuable ores, the Old Crystols are crossed by  trade  routes  that  thread  their  way through the passes and into the lands beyond. In the cities that flourish on
either side of the range, the dwarves trade  gold  and  jewels  for  spices,  expensive  clothing,  and  certain  other  civilized comforts they do not choose to produce themselves.
Elves are found in the valleys of the range  itself,  hunting  the  plentiful  game and fishing its streams. Though considered  an  unspoiled  wilderness,  the  mountains  are  prowled  by  dangerous  foes,
and it is not unknown for small caravans to disappear in its forests  victims of roving bands of orcs and bandits. Outside the range, the two most important  trade  centers  are  the  citystates  of  Untala  and  Strafferburg. About 50 years ago, each tried to lay claim to the mountain trade routes and their  wealth.  War  followed  and  disrupted all travel through the mountains,  depopulating  the  region:  The dwarves  shut  themselves  away  in  their mines,  refusing  to  produce  gold  for  any conqueror  and  preferring  to  disappear from sight. The elves suffered to a lesser degree, but they were still forced to
defend  their  lands  against  wandering freebooters, adding to the loss of life.
All was in chaos until a force of druids united and, with the aid of their combined magical powers, put a stop to the fighting. Treaties were drawn up and signed, and for the last fifty years there has been peace. Even now it is still unlawful  to  draw  a  weapon  along  the trade  routes  except  for  food  or  defense. At  the  same  time,  a  brotherhood  of rangers was formed, sworn to watch the trails, keep them open, and generally guard  the  peace.
One  of  the  ways  peace  is  preserved  is through  communication. Realizing this, the two city governments agreed that they should have some reliable system of keeping in touch despite their great separation. The most successful of the methods tried was the establishment of a series of signal towers built upon mountain peaks, each about eight miles apart.  Though  the  cities  are  separated by  fifty-five  miles  of  rough  country,  each can now know the latest news in as little as an hour, the time it takes transmit on a clear day. Truly a miracle of  modern  technology!
Through the use of a flashing mirror and a signal code, each city keeps the other informed on current events, especially the price of gold and other precious metals. The prices are now competitive but fair, and each city has an equal chance  of  attracting  the  dwarven  trade.  As expected, official observers and spies ensure that all the information  transmitted  is  the  truth.
The eight mountain towers are maintained by the druids’ Grand Council and by  local  dwarves  and  townspeople  along the trails. Money for the towers’ upkeep is provided by the city-states of Untala and  Strafferburg.  Business  has  been good in the last few years - so good that the two cities decided to extend the signal  system  beyond  the  daylight hours. After some negotiations, it was decided  to  modify  the  system  with  the addition of a shuttered box with a continual  light  spell placed inside it. When the shutters open and close, the brilliant light can be seen for miles in the clear night air.