Mountain Features
Today is the final day of Mountain Week, and that means that today’s Top Ten will be about everyone’s favorite terrain feature with extreme elevation. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we get a pretty good view of several mountains each and every day, and it’s easy to take for granted the mystery and majesty that mountains can inspire. And beyond simply looking at mountains, actually going out and getting on one can provide some truly breathtaking views. There’s a lot more to mountains than just being big, pointy hills, and today’s article provides 10 features a mountain might have to draw your players onto it.
1. Treacherous Pass. The mountain holds a very convenient pass, which cuts across the terrain and allows access across a mountain range that is otherwise all but impassable, requiring a great deal of time to go around. Unfortunately, while the pass is crossable, it is very dangerous, leading many to think twice before using it. The pass may be plagued by monsters, bandits, or some other foes, or may simply be prone to dangerous and sudden weather.
2. Contested Mines. The mountain holds rich deposits of one or more precious metals, such as gold or silver. One or more mines have been dug into the mountain in order to liberate these buried treasures, but with this much wealth on the line, there are many who would like the mines for themselves, and at least two different groups claim the land for their own. The dispute has broken out into bloodshed more than once in the past, and is likely to do so again at any time.
3. Famous Sage. A well-known spiritual figure has made a small home for herself near the top of the mountain, retreating into a quiet life away from the world. This sage may run a school, monastery, or similar place of teaching, and actively encourage growth and learning in those willing to overcome the necessary trials to reach her, or she may simply live as a hermit, alone in a cave, and require coaxing in order to share her knowledge with visitors.
4. Exotic Wildlife. The mountain’s heights include rare plant or animal life that cannot be found anywhere else in the region. This could be desirable wildlife, such as herbs with useful and unusual alchemical or magical properties, or rare animals prized as pets, or for other purposes. Alternatively, this exotic wildlife could be a dangerous threat, such as an ancient red dragon that is highly territorial of its mountain lair.
5. Ancient Watchtower. Built high on the mountain peak is a simple stone tower, which has stood there for hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of years. Although weather-worn, it is sturdy, and still quite serviceable. In addition to providing an impressive view (including a view of at least one other such ancient watchtower, although some in the chain may not have fared as well throughout the years), the watchtower also boasts a large brazier, designed to be lit as a warning signal to the other watchtowers on the line.
6. Isolated Fort. This mountain sits on an important strategic location, and bears a fort in order to protect that location. While the fort is sturdy, its remoteness, and the relative stability of the region, means that there aren’t very many troops garrisoned there at any given time, leaving the place potentially vulnerable to a surprise attack.
7. Holy Site. The mountain is home to a site or location of some religious significance, such as the place where a deity, saint, or other important religious figure performed an action of significance, or a particularly special shrine or temple. Pilgrims of the faith in question travel from great distances in order to visit this holy site, leading to a regular stream of individuals up and down the mountain. Depending on the nature of the holy site, there may be rumors and legends of special gifts that are bestowed upon those who pray there.
8. Unusual Stone Formation. The mountain bears a remarkable rock structure, noteworthy for its size and its resemblance to something in particular. The rock structure may be man-made, such as carving a massive bust or statue of an important figure into the side of the mountain, or it may be completely natural. Besides serving as a useful landmark (and possibly a tourist attraction), the unusual stone formation may also have mystical properties, or even be a dungeon in and of itself.
9. Hot Springs. The mountain has one or more hot springs, which, in addition to being soothing and relaxing, are also rumored to have special properties. Most magical hot springs are known for their healing powers, but these particular hot springs could have different properties, such as strengthening those who bathe in them, rendering them resistant to cold and fire, or even restoring them to their youth. Such valuable waters will not be left unattended, however, and while it may simply be a matter of paying a small fee to the owner of a bathhouse built around them, accessing the springs might just as easily involve fighting one’s way through a clan of cave-dwelling monstrous humanoids.
10. Beautiful View. Sometimes, the simplest answer is the best, and a mountain’s most important feature might simply be a breathtaking view. While simply being able to see a great distance from a mountain’s peak is rarely something to dismiss, there may be particular features near the mountain that make the view even more spectacular, such as crystal-clear lakes, particularly gorgeous sunsets, or even more exotic, fantastic features.