The Cloud Peaks were a range of mountains in West Faerûn, and they marked the northern border of Amn.[3][1] Sportsmen and -women who could afford the cost would use the cliffs of the range for rock climbing.[4]
Geography
While a small mountain range, the Cloud Peaks were very tall. The tallest mountain in the range, Mount Speartop, had an elevation of 14,500 feet above sea level.[5]
Many steep ravines and sudden drops lay along the paths, and the winds were dangerous. The mountains were snow-covered most of the year and quite cool.[4]
Fauna
Many sheep and goats roamed the foothills of the Cloud Peaks, grazing.[4]
Production
The mountains were thoroughly mined for iron, gems, and precious metals.[1] The town of Crimmor processed a good portion of the ore and gems coming from the Peaks before shipping them to Athkatla.[5]
Inhabitants
Tribes of ogres and hill giants lived here. A family of cloud giants lived here also until they were eliminated in 1342 DR.[2] Both remorhazes and white dragons inhabited these mountains as well.[1]
One such white dragon was named Icehaupt. He lived on Mount Speartop but preferred to never leave his lair.[6][4][7]
Until 1369 DR, an ancient red dragon also lived in the mountains, but it was slain by the blue dragon Araugauthos, who then returned to her own lair.[8]
Trails and Byways
The Trade Way goes through Fang Pass in this mountain range.[1]
Notable Locations
- Citadel of Amnur
- This outpost was one of two built to defend against orcs in the north.[9]
- Citadel of Rashturl
- This outpost was one of two built to defend against orcs in the north.[9]
- The Fangs
- This pair of steep crags guarded the way to the Sword Coast region.[9][4][1]
- The Hamlar Hills
- These lightly forested foothills are used by farmers for grazing their animals.[4]
- The Mountain of Skulls
- This well-hidden cave is a temple to Bane and later Cyric.[7]
- Mount Speartop (14,500')
- The tallest peak in the range, this peak was rumored to be the resting place of several massive, sleeping dragons.[2]
- The Ridge
- This was an exposed stretch of fault line nearly 280 feet tall in the eastern portion of the mountains.[10][7]
Appendix
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 4. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
- ↑ Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 3. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Two: Amn”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 26. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
- ↑ Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 17. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Two: Amn”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 27. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book Two: Amn”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 30. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
- ↑ Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 18. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.