Mount Gyber Aetna

Overview

Aetna (Αἴτνη) is a highly active volcano with many links to the legends of the area. It is an extremely dangerous area because of this. It has many names and several characteristics that make it one of the most significant places on the Continent.
It is mainly known as Mount Aetna, and is known as the 'chimney of the forge of Vulcan himself', which is rumored to be one of it's uses. It is considered sacred ground by Dwarves, Cyclopes, some Orders of Paladins, and also followers of Hephaestus, Typhon, and Persephone. The area is a virtual hub of religious activity - both good and evil.

The Forges of Hephaestus

The Original Forges of Hephaestus are said to be below this Mountain. With the formation of the entire Continent it is said that Hephaestus and Poseidon have systematically moved elements of their family, and centers of power to the Atlantean shores. Some are said to be 'transportable' being present on the Continent for the most part, but occasionally transporting to other parts of the world for extended periods of time. Aetna is rumored to be one such moving landmark.

Magical Realm of Morgana La Fay

The Mountain as Mount Aetna/Gyber, becomes Mount Gibel in the local Cyclopean Dialect, and is known as such among some Paladin Orders as the site of Morgana La Fay's Castle. The entrance into her underground 'world' or castle is through caves on the side of the Mountain that are said to contain grottoes through which the seeker can gain entrance into the Realm of Phantasamorgiana. One such grotto was the "Grotta del Gel", or The Ice Grotto due to the continuous presence of ice in the deepest part of the cave.

Morgana La Fey is said to be the avatar of the Goddess Persephone, and that the Mountain acts as one of her entrances into the Underworld when she is forced to return to Hades. One can therefore find references to Persephone and extensive temples to her throughout the area - but this rumor has not been confirmed.

The Orichalcum City of Aetna

The area is also a gateway into a part of the Realm of Elemental Fire, but the gateway acts as a trading point between the planes. This City is called the City of Fire (Aetna - which can mean 'I burn'). This is a prime material form of the City of Brass that the Efreeti run on the Plane of Elemental Fire, but in this case it is a physical city below the volcano that is inhabited by ΑΙΤΝΑΙΩΝ - the People of Aetna. On their coins and in most references to the city they simply refer to it as AITN, and as such their people are known as Ettins.

The Ettins of Aetna are two headed giants - each head has one eye and they are said to be forms of Cyclopes. In all other regards they are the same as Ettins in the standard Monster Manuals. They are larger and stronger than Cyclops, but lack the fire resistance that their smaller cousins possess. Just like Cyclops however they still hunger for human flesh - and it is said their name is linked to 'Eating' as this is all they tend to focus on when not working.

The Prison of Typhon

The Prison of Typhon - the Scourge of the Gods is also in this area. Typhon (Τυφῶν) was defeated by Zeus - but only at great cost. Where he lay is marked by the Great Cenotaph. This lies atop the Mountain bearing a Pentaktys Reversed Seal as an inscription -

"This

is the

barrow of

Typhoeus-on

son of Earth, who lashed

Father Zeus's skies with

stones, and the Fire

of Heaven

burnt him

up".

The sources of the heat are said to have all been collected in one place by Hephaestus in his efforts to maximise the power of his forge. Therefore he built his furnaces coupled with their connection to the Realm of Elemental Fire resulting in an ideal connection for the Ettin Home City and presence of Cyclops atop Typhon's ever smoldering remains. The resulting chasms make it easier for Persephone. Typhon's heat is so great that it turns the earth itself into a molten stream. the rumblings in the area and the earthquakes are also said to be due to Typhon being present below it all.

Fauna & Flora

Flora

The entire area is largely forested with large larch pine - many of these are over 18 metres (60 feet) in height. On the Southern side beech trees also grow in abundance. The North Eastern and North Western slopes have birch trees.

Fauna

The animals attracted by the woodlands include the great spotted woodpecker, blackbirds, tomtits, and the cuckoo in summer.
The other inhabitants include the rabbits, hares, foxes, field mice, porcupines, and hedgehogs.