Oraniad Mountains
| Oraniad Mountains | |
|---|---|
| The Oraniads | |
| Information | |
| Plane | Theros |
| Colors |
 |
| Type | Mountain |
| Part of | Mortal Realm |
The Oraniad Mountains are a volcanic mountain range east of Oreskos, rising high into the heavens and steeped in divine mystery. Said to be closer to Nyx than anywhere else on Theros, these peaks are home to strange phenomena, forgotten shrines, and ancient secrets. Both awe-inspiring and treacherous, the Oraniads attract pilgrims, seekers, and fools in equal measure. From sacred sites like Nykthos to cursed volcanoes and elemental peaks, the mountains are as spiritually rich as they are physically perilous.
Description
The Oraniad Mountains stretch along the eastern edge of Oreskos, towering and ancient, cloaked in mystery and danger. While they lack the dark reputation of the Katachthons to the west, the Oraniads are no less perilous — home to supernatural phenomena, treacherous peaks, and divine secrets. Legends say these mountains rise closer to Nyx than anywhere else on Theros, and strange occurrences abound: shrines appear and vanish, mysterious creatures roam the slopes, and travelers glimpse wonders lost to memory or never meant for mortal eyes.[1]
The Oraniads are revered and feared alike, especially by those who seek communion with the gods. Many ancient altars and temples lie hidden in the range, their origins long forgotten. Among the peaks rise powerful volcanoes, both dormant and active, each tied to mythic forces or divine presence. Travelers must contend not only with natural hazards — avalanches, storms, and sudden cold — but with the mountains' mystical nature, which can disorient the senses and bend time and memory.[1]
Locations in the Oraniad Mountains
- Mount Carian - One of the tallest peaks in the Oraniads, Mount Carian is best known for housing Nykthos at its summit.[1]
- Nykthos
- The famed nexus between the mortal world and Nyx, built by the first Nyxborn of the same name. Situated high on a marble plain, the temple contains altars to every god, each one linked to its Nyx counterpart by towering pillars of divine light. Pilgrims who sleep at Nykthos often dream of the gods themselves and sometimes awaken with prophecies.[1][2]
- Nykthos
- The Empty Eye - A smooth-walled, extinct volcano with a gaping caldera on the western edge of the range. Said to conceal a passage to the Underworld, the Empty Eye has swallowed every expedition sent to explore it.[1]
- The Phoenix Stairs - A volcanic peak accessible by a strange natural staircase of hexagonal basalt columns. A phoenix guards its nest in the caldera, and while its feathers are worth a fortune, those who seek them are invariably cursed.[1]
- The Winter's Heart - A glacial volcano in the northern Oraniads, sheathed in eternal frost that freezes flesh on contact. At its center stands a glass statue offering a diamond crown — an artifact none have taken and lived. Even the gods avoid speaking of this place.[1]
References
- ↑ a b c d e f g Wizards RPG Team (2020), D&D Mythic Odysseys of Theros, Wizards of the Coast
- ↑ Trick Jarrett (September 24, 2013). "Checking Out Nykthos". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
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