The Omlarandin Mountains were a mountain range in Tethyr and Erlkazar,[2] known for its richness in omlar gems, which had a variety of magical uses.[1]
Etymology[]
The name "omlarandin" is a corruption of Dwarvish olaramorndin, which means "magical peaks".[3]
Geography[]
The Omlarandin Mountains were a cluster of lightly forested mountains located in the highlands in the east of Tethyr. They were the smallest grouping of mountains that were part of the greater Iltkazar Range and—with only a few exceptions—were little higher than the foothills around them.[3][4]
The Omlarandins were most famous for being the only known source of omlar gems in Faerûn, though only a few were ever discovered in a given century.[3]
One notable rock formation in the mountains was called Orators' Crag, due to its strange acoustics. Anyone whispering from the small outcropping in the cliff could be heard within the tiny valley below. The crag overlooked the upper waters of the Idolflow river.[3]
The Levast River also had its headwaters in the northern reaches of the mountains.[5]
Inhabitants[]
The Omlarandins were the most populated mountains in Tethyr after the fall of Iltkazar.[3] Mountain giants and alaghi can be found there.[6]
Bleucorundum, the "Sapphire Sentinel", a very old male sapphire dragon, guarded over the Sleeping Legion of the Knights of the Crescent Moon, in a secret location in the heart of the mountains.[7]
Monsters[]
As late as 1372 DR, the mountains were inhabited by wyverns and displacer beasts.[1] The latter were dubbed "Omlarcats", and in 1370 DR it was said that there were more displacer beasts in the Omlarandins than anywhere else in Faerûn. Though they caused problems with the shepherds of Saradush by stealing from their herds, the Omlarcats were only dangerous during their mating season, which fell in autumn each year, and the following spring when their young were born.[3]
Trails & Byways[]
The trail from Saradush to Tibold passed through the mountains and was known as Borthun's Walk, after the famous dwarven explorer Borthun the Walker. The trail was generally considered safe; however, in the 1370s, wyverns nesting north of the trail began causing problems.[3]
By 1370 DR, the Twisted Rune had placed a magical gate in the area to allow for instantaneous movement to other locations.[8]
Notable Locations[]
- Chapel of the Blooded Moon
- This buried ancient chapel was where the Sleeping Legion of the Knights of the Crescent Moon waited to be called upon to defend Tethyr against beholders again.[7] The tunnels beneath the Chapel included an entrance into Deep Shanatar.[9]
- Earthsky Pass
- This was a steeply sloped valley in the center of the mountains.[6]
History[]
Around −2400 DR, the armies of the Tavihr Dynasty of Calimshan established garrisons in the region of these mountains south of the River Ith.[10]
Appendix[]
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 157. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Three: Erlkazar & Folk of Intrigue”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book One: Tethyr”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (July/August 1998). “Sleep of Ages”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dungeon #69 (Wizards of the Coast) (69)., p. 53.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (July/August 1998). “Sleep of Ages”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dungeon #69 (Wizards of the Coast) (69)., p. 54.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Eric L. Boyd (July/August 1998). “Sleep of Ages”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dungeon #69 (Wizards of the Coast) (69)., p. 55.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Eric L. Boyd (July/August 1998). “Sleep of Ages”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dungeon #69 (Wizards of the Coast) (69)., p. 69.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Three: Erlkazar & Folk of Intrigue”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (July/August 1998). “Sleep of Ages”. In Christopher Perkins ed. Dungeon #69 (Wizards of the Coast) (69)., p. 56.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.