Gunung Puncak (ɡu.nuŋ pun.tʃak)
"From her seat upon Gunung Puncak, Oma Latu sees all that passes on the islands. She sees, and she judges, and she corrects."
Gunung Puncak is the highest point on the island of Ombi. It sits near the center of the island, and can be seen rising over the forests from all of Ombi. At the base of the mountain sits the town of Obimumu, once the capital of Kingdom of Ombi but now greatly diminished. As the city lost its importance, the entire region has become wrapped in an aura of exhaustion and malaise, and even the mountain itself seems to slump, lacking the power to stand as tall as it once did. Minor earthquakes and landslides have become common in recent decades, and some people believe that the entire mountain is sinking, and may take the entire island with it.
Notable Spirits
According to local lore, the goddess Oma Latu ascends the mountain each day as the sun rises, and once seated upon its peak can see everything done in the light of day. When she sees something she does not like, she sends her spirit into one of the people below to deliver a message, scolding and hectoring them for their behavior. Their only reprieve comes as night falls, when the ancient goddess returns to her home deep below the earth and rests until the sun rises again. This constant surveillance has led the people of Ombi to be extremely circumspect and courteous in daylight, and reserve any activities the goddess might not approve of for when they are not under her gaze.
Geography
Gunung Puncack is a dome-shaped mountain, with a wide, mostly flat summit of exposed rock. Deep valleys surround it, and the slope itself is gradual and easy to climb. Along the eastern side is a trail known as Oma Latu's path, which is generally known as the easiest way to climb the mountain.
The mountainside below the summit is heavily forested, with ancient trees that are both tall and broad. Logging was forbidden on the mountain by Oma Latu centuries ago - even carrying an axe while climbing is enough to earn her ire and an unstoppable lecture about respecting her and her mountain.
Despite the ease of the climb, ascending Gunung Puncak leaves those who climb it weary and aching. Some say that you leave your youth behind you as you climb, and can only reclaim it by descending again. Some people have even reported visible signs of age appearing as they go up the mountain, only to vanish again when they return to the foothills.
Geographic Details
Location: Southern RegionLatitude: 1.55 degrees South
Longitude: 16.64 degrees West
Elevation: 5,043 ft
Related Articles
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
'even the mountain itself seems to slump' I love this imagery. I actually love the idea that Oma Latu comes down and lectures people for hours if they do something wrong. That would definitely put me on the right path. XD
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales
The people are getting jaded to it, although the goddess's tendency to co-opt the body of whoever else happens to be there is hard to shake off. She's not a popular figure, but they can hardly help believing in her or thinking about her, so she has a solid base in the Dream (as long as she doesn't run everyone out of the area).