Locations: the Sky Mountains - The Known World

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Prince_Staghorn #1 · Jun 2nd, 2016 · · ·

The highest, most extensive mountain range in the entire world, the Sky Mountains form the northeastern border of the Crystalline Raj, separating it from Manechuria.

These mountains have a long history, and most of it is full of strange tales. It is here where the Plateau of Leng rises, here where the Shantaks roost, here where the wind wails from the peaks of Unknown Kadath, which no one has seen. This is the place where the camel scholar Abdul Alhazred wrote the Al Azif, better known as the Necronomicon, and where the ancient city of Sarnath once stood before the Doom came to it. This is the haunt of the Night-Gaunt and Byakhee, and this is where it is said the old gods once roamed.

Th Sky Mountains, despite the range they cover, are sparsely populated, and ruins are more common than actual cities, though even those are rare...

Through all the land of Mnar and the lands adjacent spread tales of those who had fled from Sarnath, and caravans sought that accursed city and its precious metals no more. It was long ere any traveler went thither, and even then only the brave and adventurous ponies of distant Falona dared make that journey. These ponies indeed went to the lake to view Sarnath; but though they found the vast still lake itself, and the grey rock Akurion which rears high above it, they beheld not the wonder and the pride of the land of Mnar.
Where once had risen walls of 300 cubits and towers yet higher, now stretched only the marshy shore, and where once had dwelt thousands of beings now crawled only green water lizards. Not even the precious mines of metal remained...
...for DOOM had come to Sarnath.

Of the towns and cities that exist here, a few have gained some notoriety, as have many other specific sites.

Ulthar lies at the foothills, near Saddle Arabia, along the banks of the river Skai. This is a simple trading-town, unremarkable... save for the fact it is overrun with cats. In Ulthar, a law exists that none may ever kill a cat, and the Ulthar-folk believe the cats to protect them, and it is believed that the cats themselves will take vengeance if the sacred law is broken.

Celephaïs is a coastal trading town within the valley of Ooth-Nargai, and important landmarks include the turquoise temple of Nath-Horthath and the Street of Pillars. Nearby rises snow-capped Mount Aran, whose lower slopes are replete with ginkgo trees.

The city of Dylath-Leen lies at the base of the Plateau of Leng. It is built mostly of basalt, and its streets are both dark and uninviting.

Sarkomand is an abandoned city, and prior to their migration, was the main center of YiTish trade.

Serannian Is a cloud-city which neighbors Celephaïs, and is its main trading partner.

It is said that occasionally the old gods come to dance on the lower peaks of the mountains, and it is because of this that the mountain Hatheg-Kla has gained its fame. A single mountain rising north of the village of Hatheg (which itself is north of Ulthar), Hatheg-Kla is a forbidding peak, but to one scholar, Barzai the Wise, it presented a challenge. Barzai had studied the old manuscripts, and desired to look upon the faces of the gods, and so sought to climb Hatheg-Kla. Taking the priest Atal (of Ulthar) with him, he began his journey and climbed the mountain, facing chasms, cliffs, falling stones, cold, and snow. In time, the air grew thin, but they still continued, though Atal believed this was all folly. Barzai, however, saw thick clouds approaching the mountain, and so eagerly climbed higher. The clouds thickened, and Atal lost sight of Barzai, but heard and recorded his words:

I have heard the gods! Their voices are known to Barzai the Prophet! The mists are thin and the moon is bright, and I shall see the gods dancing wildly on Hatheg-Kla! The Wisdom of Barzai hath made him greater than the earth's gods, who spurn the sight of mortals!

But here Atal felt a change, as if the laws which all things follow were changing, for though the path was steeper than ever, the climb was increasingly easy, and the light of the moon had failed. Barzai was still screaming how at last he would behold the gods... and then there was an unearthly laughter, and Barzai screamed in fear.

The other gods! The gods of the outer hells! Look away! Go back! Do not see! Merciful gods, I AM FALLING INTO THE SKY!!!

Barzai's body was never found... but his skull adorns a ring on the finger of Azathoth, the Blind Leader of the Draconequi.

Under the mountains is a vast cave network known as the Vaults of Zin, which leads to the Tower of Koth, which rises near the Plateu of Leng.

The Plateau of Leng is near the center of the vast mountain range. Here is the center of YiTish trade

From their market-cities, these apes control all trade throughout the mountains. However, none are allowed to enter their capital city.

Most famous of the mountains is Kadath. The peak is eternally wreathed in clouds, and none have ever climbed it. Here, it is said, is where the old gods made their final abode, and none dare climb it, remembering the tale of Barzai the Wise.

Listen, little pony... just don't climb that mountain. You'll live a lot longer.- Discord, being 100% serious

Comrade Bagel Muffin