Cyclops Peak: History and Rumors

Little of nature survives around Cyclops Peak. Animals seem to understand that the land around the mountain can change in an instant; thus, they no longer visit. Though, less-enlightened creatures have been seen roaming its base.

Few know of the truth, but hidden against the dark-colored rocks that form the peak of Cyclops, a tribe of giants have built a temple to Grannoch into the side of the mountain. Even fewer know exactly what goes on in and around this temple. The giants defend the area vigorously, letting none pass and few escape to tell. Nonetheless, rumors and tales seem to have survived and are told with skepticism and amusing smiles.

One tale that has a curious note is the tale of the Water Ladder. A group of wandering halflings staggered into the Traveler's Last Hope, half starved and exhausted. Apparently, they had been sailing around the coast and moved into a little bay near Cyclops Peak.

They were astounded by what they saw there. They saw a place where water did not fall - it floated, rising and swirling from the sea slowly upwards to the top of the mountain. They approached closer in their little boat. Suddenly, giants appeared upon the ridge high above them, tossing huge boulders at the little boat.

Panicked and unable to row back, the boat was smashed into pieces as a boulder struck it, and the halflings had to swim for their lives. They escaped the bombardment of boulders and now tell the tale to anyone who wants to hear it. Many discard the tale and few are inclined to adventure up into the mountain, knowing full well that few return from it.

Of course, there are those in this world that go in search of places like this, and some have been known to make their home there. The few adventurers daring to make their way up the peak have reported deep crevices and cave entrances. Though, few have been foolhardy enough to venture in, or if they did, certainly didn't return to report on it.