Mountain of Iron
Hidden in the far north, in the peaks of the Ulhai Shan, is the legendary Mountain of Iron. It has only a small place in human stories. Most people believe the mountain is a myth, a fanciful tale to embellish the epics of heroes. it figures prominently in dwarven legends, and they do not treat it as a myth. For them, the Mountain of Iron is a long lost treasure, one of the great natural wonders of the world.
The Mountain of Iron is a low, rugged peak, unspectacular when seen from a distance. Many travelers have seen it on the horizon and failed to recognize it for the wonder it truly is. Trees grow on its slopes and snow blankets it in wintertime. in short, it looks like any other mountain.
However, those who come within a mile of its slopes know it is much more than an ordinary peak. The Mountain of Iron contains a tremendous concentration of natural lodestone. It has enormous magnetic properties. According to the legends, weapons are pulled from men’s grasp, horseshoes torn from hooves, and armored men are even dragged across the ground. Bones encased in rusty armor, lone adventurers pinned to the ground, dot the slopes.
The mountain’s location has remained a mystery for a number of reasons. Its peculiar properties have prevented more than one explorer from reporting his find. The mountain is far from settied lands and traveled routes. Finally, a large population of gnolls live in the mountains of the region. They hold the mountain to be a powerful god and offer sacrifices to it. The preferred sacrifice is an enemy taken in battle, thus accounting for more curious adventurers. Even those who get back can seldom give accurate directions for finding the mountain again.
Of course, all these failures and hazards have not discouraged adventurers from trying, particularly dwarves. This is especially true of the Siremun of the Firepeaks, who dwell closest to this region. It seems there is always one among them searching for the lost Mountain of Iron.
