Pyrene Mountain

Overview

The Pyrene Mountain stands as Silver - White bastion above the City of Tartessos, reminding the City of it's source of wealth and providing protection from the Dark Ash of the Western Reach. The Pyrene Mountain is also recognised as the main source of Mithril in the Principality of Gadeira.

Mythological Origins

The area is recognised by the Priesthood of Artemis as being the location where Artemis and Hephaestus jointly created the metal Mithril. The heat generated is said to have buckled the Earth itself causing the Mountain of Pyr (Fire) to form.

Hercules passed through the area on the way to taking the Cattle from Geryon, and stayed at the House of Betryx in Tartessos. Whilst there he became drunk and raped his host's daughter Princess Pyrene. The daughter gave birth to a serpent, and fled to the woods beneath the mountain as she feared her father's wrath. Alone in the forest she tells her story to the trees, and the noise that she makes attracts the attention of wild beasts in the area that proceed to rip her apart.

After succeeding in taking the Cattle, Hercules passed through the area and found her body. Hercules filled with grief and remorse lays her to rest and now sober, in grief and remorse lay Pyrene to rest, and shouted her name into the surroundings, forcing the entire area to resound with her name forever. The mountain is now called Pyrene, and those entering the Oracular caves below the mount will hear her name echoing throughout the complex continuously.

Geography

The ancient rocks consisting of slates, and limestones of the immediate area were transformed into marble (transformed through the tremendous pressures and enormous heat wrought by Artemis and Hephaestus in creating Mithril beneath the area where the Mountain now stands), and granites constitute a large part of the circumference of the mountain.
The Mountain has many of the characteristics of a Volcano - yet it has had no volcanic activity - and no crater. It is formed as if part of an entire folded 

Drainage

The hydrographic system of the mountain is critical to the local population and consists of a series of  valleys that descend from the peak and its passes. They flow into the Tartessos River flood plain and then flow down through the countryside of the peninsula towards the Bow Reach Harbor. These miniature valleys produce short, but torrential streams and rivers which drop sharply over short distances f and flow into the Tartessos itself - hence its name ' the Flooding Flow;. Uniquely the river also flows from the mountain in Westerly direction, towards the West Coast through the Dark Ash Plains. The Mountain acts as the source of a bi-directional river.


The flow of the river varies greatly lying on the Southern side of the mountain and is affected by the local climate dramatically. The variance in the height of the river waters between Summer and Winter is however very noticeable with the Spring height of the waters allowing for the floating of timbers down i as well as the increased irrigation of the plains below from the Snow Melt. 

Ecosystem

The area is covered in pine trees, oaks, and Chestnut trees are home to the Grey Squirrels in the area. Deer attract Wolves and Tigers, into the area, but the Moon bears are attracted by the presence of bees and undergrowth.

Localized Phenomena

The Contrafluence

Normally two rivers that flow together form a Confluence, however the magical nature of the area becomes obvious when one views a Contrafluence - in which the two rivers flow apart from one another. On a map it appears to be one river that cuts the peninsula in half and gives one the impression that a boat can navigate across the peninsula much like a canal - however, this is not the case. In this case a single spring at the base of the mountain issues forth from beneath it - with waters flowing to the East and to the West. 

Natural resources

The metallic ores of the Pyrene Mountain are of great importance to the local economies. It's river system produces an ongoing alluvial source of Mithril and Silver, as well as traces of Gold and even some Admant. Most of the Mithril flows down past Tartessos. 

Pyre Ophidian Oracle

Deep within the mountain lies a spring that bubbles to the surface, however along with it is an Ophidian (Snake) that is the Daughter of Hercules. The Herculean Ophidian pronounces Oracles only on a 13 yearly cycle - in the Year of Mithril. This year, it has proclaimed the loss of the Moon and the gaining of a Sun. But has refused to confirm if it is a Sun or a Son. The Chamber is guarded by a group of Cyclopes who will give passage to those who pay with magical items to enter into the Oracle Chamber. 

Fauna & Flora

Notable Flora

The area is covered in pine trees, the area being a semi-temperate forest area. The area has a mixture of black, scarlet, and white oaks, along with Chestnut trees. Hickory trees, Black birch, Aspen, Pitch pine, Sassafras, and Yellow Birch trees are prominent in the area. This produces a strong timber industry that uses the river to float the lumber down to the city.
Undergrowth in the area contains Blueberry, Blackberry, and Huckleberry.

Notable Fauna

The area has the following natural fauna in the forest and in the foothills of the mountain, including Moon bears, Grey Squirrels, Deer, Wolves, and Tigers. The birdlife in the area includes turtle doves, cuckoos, partridges, and pheasants.
Fantastical Fauna inside the mountain include Firekits minor fire (8HD) elementals, and a group of Cyclopes who guard the area - allowing those who pay with magical items to get into the Oracle Chamber. The Chamber itself is sealed and only opens once every 13 years during the Month of Artemon.

Natural Resources

As noted the area is rich in high-end lumber, marbles, furs from squirrels, bears and beavers, as well as extensive alluvial mines of Mithril, Silver and Gold. 

Pyrene Mountain - Mithril Mount

Alternative Name(s)

Mithril Mountain, Geryon's Horn

Type

Mountain / Hill

Location under

Western Reach

Owner/Ruler

Lord Arganthonios, Mithrilthon

Owning Organization

Atlantean Royal Family

Contested By

• Cult of Geryon