The Linked Mountains

Summary

The Linked Mountains are a loose myth of Fahiamel referring to the Gaverian Mountains on the Northeast coasts of the Icelands. The myth states that there is a strange phenomenon occurring within those mountains that makes them dangerous to enter or merely be around, and this is because of historical events that happened there and a generally high disappearance rate there, as well as the popular poems surrounding them. There are many theories: the difficult landscape hosts dangerous creatures, the landscape itself is deadly, there is a magical disturbance, there is a killer or mad sorcerer, it is a divine plain, or just about any other conceivable justification from demons to dream-eating beasts. Creatures or humanoids with danger sense also feel uneasy near these mountains, though this could easily be attributed to the generally unlivable conditions.

Historical Basis

Notable events in ancient and modern history make the dangerous stigma attached to the Gaverian Mountains difficult to denounce. No drawings have been retrieved by anyone or anything that entered the Mountains, but there have been countless survivors of the mountains. In fact, countless people have entered the mountains to investigate and came out unharmed and unimpressed, explaining that there is nothing paranormal or magical about the area and that the dangerous natural landscape is the only reason for the disappearances. However, some who enter the mountains and make it out claim that there were strange floating lights in odd shapes during sunrise and sunset, and that there is no real explanation for them. There are also claims of strange noises coming from inside of the mountain or hill walls, and suspicions of life within. Because of how many explorers in the mountains have made these two claims, they are considered to be true by most. This was the cause of a large-scale mining expedition funded by Margrave Plious Gillwant involving exploration into the outer mountains of Gaverian. The expedition seemed insignificant for about a month until an event the Margrave named the Bhinlo Rek'Iynve (Unprompted Punishment) occurred. There is no way to confirm that the journals recovered from Plious are accurate, but they describe the events that supposedly led to the disappearance of the entire expedition crew. The empty site was discovered when a connected investor to the project, Nivan Xedrat, reported Plious for fraud after they stopped receiving updates or reports.
The town of Lugville hired and sent a deputized mercenary group to bring Plious in, only to discover a site of machinery and progress and not a single person to be found. The only books that were at the site were Plious' journals and some diaries, most of the crew's personal belongings were still at their homes as they probably planned to return. The diaries were of a Firbolg named Lifewave, a Kenku named Secid, a gnome named Hivan Neon, and a Goliath named Green Goavite. They described their lives in some detail and are currently being held as evidence in the Lugville follier. Plious' journals, on the other hand, detailed a great deal organized into progress reports and personal daily logs. These papers claimed that the expedition began on 101X, I, 110 (Mirl), and on 101X, II, 104 (Traus) members of the crew began to return bearing strange resemblances to trees, their bodies morphing unusually and quickly. They attempted to identify the disease but had no luck. Plious refused to call in a cleric and falsely informed the crew that this was anticipated and that the effects would go away in a month to keep them focused. There was suspicion of Plious among his crew of 13, but he managed to keep them in line for as long as it mattered. Plious' journals describe that the crew began to weaken to the point of death on the third day, and eventually their corpses would morph into large birch and evergreen trees in only hours. He began to see his skin show similar effects as the others had experienced, his skin began turning bark-like and leaves would sprout from his hair and armpits. The journals were abandoned after his condition worsened, and he began fleeing towards the town of Lugville in search of a priest or cleric. The journals were brought to Triyavil's Historical Committee, which had the journals restored and replicated to be released to the public. Copies can be bought or traded for in most libraries.
Other events are smaller but equally undeniable, including the Hunter's Tresspass in 84X, the Tr'van (Dead Orcs) incident in 4E, and the Gicare Shimate (Demon Shaman) myths of 26-13E. The first recorded incident was a mission person report from Gaveia (Old Capital of the Icelands) for Guard Committee Chief Brant Q'qin when he went to the mountains with a squadron of missing but unrecorded people to retrieve a lost artifact they believed was being held there, Avion's Cap.

Spread

The Mountains are feared by most of Fahiamel, but not often recognized outside of the continent as the phenomenon is scarcely mentioned there. All races recognize the site as dangerous and cursed, but some of the more superstitious groups have avoided it in greater extremes while others set up communities nearby to research or observe it.

Variations & Mutation

The myth of the Linked Mountains is relatively similar through all variations, though they used to be referred to as the Oburak (Disappearing Mountain). In ancient urban legend and tribal myths, the area is sometimes referenced by obscure names in Undercommon meaning something along the lines of "dangerous mountain". One alternate form of the myth that believes it is a Deity's personal stomping grounds, and he traps or kills anyone who enters. They call the area "Avion's Potan" (Avion's Garden), and typically people who believe in this variation are radical followers of Avion.

Cultural Reception

Nearly all cultures and races in Fahiamel accept this myth to be true, but it has no significance outside of literature and superstition. Religiots, groups of people who believe that Godhood should not be worshipped as any mortal can attain it, often denounce the myth. Proud races or fast-breeding races like Orcs tend not to believe as faithfully and often attempt to use it to their advantage in warfare.

In Literature

These mountains are not often used in literature unless it is a story taking place in the real world, often works of fiction. That said, countless epics and poems about the area's mystery and beauty have been written. The most notable poems were written by the three authors Javilio OtOrene (Another World), Undrean Biler (Truer Prisons), and Sunburn (Hole).