The Mountain
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<tr><td>2 </td><td>'''Karnet''' Wall-Builder</td></tr> | <tr><td>2 </td><td>'''Karnet''' Wall-Builder</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td>3 </td><td>'''Teallack''' Pass-Foil</td></tr> | <tr><td>3 </td><td>'''Teallack''' Pass-Foil</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>4 </td><td>'''Helveyn''' Stands-Sentinel</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>5 </td><td>'''Bennavis''' Hard-Won</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>6 </td><td>'''Never-Moved'''</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>7 </td><td>'''Makdewi''' Last-Reach</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>8 </td><td>'''Skavel''' Snap-Rope</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>9 </td><td>'''Fauer''' Sword-Breaker</td></tr> | ||
<tr><td> | <tr><td>10 </td><td>'''Krauchin''' Sets-Askew</td></tr> | ||
</table></div> | </table></div> | ||
The Mountain is often also used to represent the end of a quest; the object, achievement, or outcome desired by the ritualist to reach which requires great effort, strife, and toil. | The Mountain is often also used to represent the end of a quest; the object, achievement, or outcome desired by the ritualist to reach which requires great effort, strife, and toil. | ||
Latest revision as of 11:33, 10 September 2025
The Law
Things are Not Easy
The Constellation
The Mountain is formed of ten stars and appears low to the horizon. Whilst the ‘peak’ is visible throughout the year, the constellation is partially obscured during the winter months, only completely rising in to view during the late spring and summer.
Following the Summer Solstice 387YE. Astronomancers across the Empire became aware of the names and titles of the individual stars that make up the Mountain. It seems likely that a coven performed a divinatory ritual during the Solstice to commune with the constellation, and that one of the side effects was the wider revelation of these names. Where these names come from, and what they mean for a wider understanding of astronomancy, is unclear but a matter of some discussion.
Symbolism
In Urizen there is a saying – "you can only go around the mountain". The Mountain represents obstacles, delays, and difficulties; things that must be worked around or problems that have no easy solution. The Mountain can represent a puzzle, an intractable trial, or an impossible decision; but whatever it is, you cannot ignore it – you can only go around it.
The Mountain can also mean great reward in return for great toil – such as those who work in mines in such mountains. The Mountain tells us there is no easy life or free lunch - anything worth having is worth fighting for.
Invoking the Mountain in magic
The Mountain is invoked where a ritualist wishes to represent or call on a great obstacle or hindrance to forward progress. Before a battle, the opposing force might be represented by the Mountain; equally the Mountain is often used in curses to represent great difficulty or struggle for the target of the curse.
| # | Name |
| 1 | Lomont Task-Binder |
| 2 | Karnet Wall-Builder |
| 3 | Teallack Pass-Foil |
| 4 | Helveyn Stands-Sentinel |
| 5 | Bennavis Hard-Won |
| 6 | Never-Moved |
| 7 | Makdewi Last-Reach |
| 8 | Skavel Snap-Rope |
| 9 | Fauer Sword-Breaker |
| 10 | Krauchin Sets-Askew |
The Mountain is often also used to represent the end of a quest; the object, achievement, or outcome desired by the ritualist to reach which requires great effort, strife, and toil.
Tulpas of the Mountain
Tulpas of the Mountain take many forms but are often known to appear near bridges, crossroads, or gates. There they will demand any who pass to answer a riddle or perform a small task; only those who succeed will be permitted to pass without further harassment. They do not appear to take any pleasure in their task, regarding it instead as a duty.
Stars of the Mountain
Ten stars make up the Mountain. As of Summer 387YE, these names and titles are known to Imperial astronomancers. They might be evoked specifically during rituals that draw on the power of the constellation.
Alignment
Ritualists who come close to the Mountain in ritual report that they are often overwhelmed by a feeling of immobility and obstreperousness. They become awkward, uncommunicative, unfriendly and wilfully difficult.
| The Chain (Things hold together) | The Chalice (Things heal; things apart come together) | The Claw (Things bleed) |
| The Door (Things move and change) | The Drowned Man (Things end) | The Fountain (Things live) |
| The Great Wyrm (Things change and transform) | The Key (Things are revealed) | The Lock (Things can be hidden) |
| The Mountain (Things are not easy) | The Oak (Things endure) | The Phoenix (Things learn) |
| The Spider (Things are watched by a hidden eye) | The Stallion (Things procreate) | The Stork (Things matter) |
| The Web (Things are connected) | The Three Sisters (Things are connected by blood) | The Wanderer (Things are not what you think or Things go awry) |