Rathe Mountains

Ogre legends claim that each of the twelve peaks in this range sprung forth from the very spot where a member of the Rathe Council was slain by the ogre hero, Murdunk, after he invaded the Plane of Earth.

The Rathe Mountains are located just beyond the jungle of the Feerott. Peaks of granite, covered with grass and pines, tower above the lush wilderness. Adventurers are often advised to avoid the steep slopes of the mountainsides when traveling in haste, for many have lost their step and fallen to their death.

Many creatures call this place home – those natural to this region and many immigrants. Among the native inhabitants are the grizzly and kodiak bears who have roamed these mountains for countless decades. Lizardmen outcast from the rumored Lost Temple of Cazic-Thule (thought to be in the Feerott swamp) have taken shelter here, constructing small, simple tents of animal hides and carving massive obelisks out of entire trees in honor of their culture and deity.

An ancient druid circle not unlike those found throughout the rest of Norrath, stands atop a high plateau. It is a welcome spot for many adventurers fortunate enough to have gained the favor of a druidic priest. A few druid settlers and protectors can be found in this region, warding away the abominations of undead that represent the venomous shadow of corruption lurking within every corner of Norrath.

Several ruins and lone towers dot the terrain, signaling a gruesome event that occurred in recent eras past. The most mysterious of these ruins appear to be arms of stone that reach out from the mountains themselves. There are many stories surrounding this intriguing phenomenon – the most prominent being that they are the arms of the earth itself reaching out in its anguish as the Rathe Council was being slaughtered by Murdunk's army.

The book is written in Koada'Dal *\aITEM 1963121826 -733412727:Through the Rathe Mountains\/a is a stack of books, and no longer offered for sale or reward

In this book, we follow the adventures of Gerren from his outpost on Lake Rathetear through the Rathe Mountains which have been taken by the Rallosian Army.

Gerren dressed simply. His task would require stealth and speed, for the aviaks reported bands of ogres patrolling the familiar paths through the Rathe Mountains. If Gerren were to break through their lines, he would need to blaze his own trail. And Gerren definitely needed to make his way through—he and fellow Guardsman Ilkalla had been at the Qeynos' outpost on Lake Rathetear for several months while the Rallosian Army crept closer. Now, the Rallosians were building an enormous barge to carry them across the water.

Ilkalla pressed a dried gnoll's foot into Gerren's hand. "For luck," she said. "I don't know why, but we've always had that in our family; I want you to carry it with you on this journey." Neither of them said it, but they both knew it was true: the likelihood of his making it through was the equivalent of the aviaks and centaurs holding the Rallosians off. They did not expect to see each other again. After a quick meal, Gerren took a little-traveled way up the face of the slope along the edge of the Lake.

"I can see now why this is travelled so infrequently," Gerren muttered, pausing for a moment to catch his breath. The rocky mountain face was so steep that in some points, Gerren would need to retrace his steps to consider the options from several angles. Once, a slice of rock upon which he was perched gave way and he slid down quite a distance before being able to stop himself.

Three-quarters of the way up was a cleft in the rocks through which this path passed. The splintered boulders forming the opening folded over on the side facing the Lake, making it impossible to peer around. Gerren knew that if the Rallosians were already on the pathway beyond the rocks, he was doomed. There was no quick escape route. He unsheathed his knife and the gnoll's foot Ilkalla had given him tumbled out, bouncing off the rocks down the face of the mountain.

"There goes the lucky gnoll's foot," Gerren thought, with a smile. Somehow, the idea that the foot of a dead creature could be lucky was amusing. He slipped through the cleft and found the way clear. Tension released in his neck, although he was still wary as he felt his way to another cluster of granite boulders marking another turn in the path.