Gray Mountains, Eastlands

THE GRAY MOUNTAINS

The Gray Mountains refer to both a mountain range and a province. Lying in the far northern part of the eastlands, the Gray Mountains are a harsh environment, but a mecca for winter sports enthusiasts, who use the Great Underground Highway system to flock to the ski resort called Grayslopes. The melting glaciers form many fresh water streams which flow into the surrounding valleys, the most popular being the Flathead Fjord, which divided the range from the Flathead Mountains in the south.

The Gray Mountains Province, whose capital is Frostham, is noted for several tourist attractions: the hot springs, Grayslopes, and the frozen surfaces of Lake Dinge and Mirror Lake, near a vacation chalet designed by Frank Lloyd Flathead. Also of note is the Gray Mountains Asylum, the Frostham Museum of Modern Arts and Sciences, and the remains of the Frobozz Magic Snowmaking Equipment Company factories (which were destroyed with the rest of the Frobozz Company in the Great Diffusion of 1247).

Local matters are settled entirely by a tyrannical governer in Frostham who is chosen once a month by lottery (see the 'Frostham' entry for more information). The "Fire and Ice Province" has chosen the Frobizzan Moss for its official flower, and its motto, "Mekie zimbuz," translates to "Maybe tomorrow."

Travel to the remote area had once been incredibly difficult, just before 873 GUE, was made much simpler by the completion of the Great Underground Highway's eastern branch. (In 873, tolls could run as high as Zm3 depending on the point of departure.)

While somewhat overrated as a tourist spot, the active hot springs keep the temperature of the underground caverns in the region at a uniform ideal temperature. However, up on the surface, the temperature is nearly always below freezing, with frequent blizzards. Popular places of lodging include the Ski Pole Inn and the Come-On Inn, while famous places for dining include the Glacier Room and the Rotgut. The snow-making equipment at the Gray Mountains always provides optimal snowburrowing conditions. (Before the mid-tenth century, snowburrowers rented around Zm6 per week, but tourists were recommended to spend an extra Zm1.50 for a service contract.)

873 GUE STATISTICS
Population: 18,370
Land Area: 13,441 square bloits (larger than Antharia and the Greater Borphee Provinces together)

HISTORY OF THE GRAY MOUNTAINS
There remains little history on the formation of the Gray Mountains Province other than those who settled there when Pseudo-Duncanthrax had conquered the Eastlands in 666 GUE. One of the oldest built structures was the Gray Mountains Asylum in 680. During 881, troops of the royal army of Quendor were garrisoned in the Gray Mountains. 882 saw the migration of thousands of Frigid River Valley natives who were seeking refugee from both the Curse of Megaboz as well as the First Inquisition. Starting in that very year and following the collapse of the Empire in 883, the Gray Mountains were flooded with massive hordes of ogres, trolls and orcs that had once been held back by the royal army. It was only the campaigns of Syovar the Strong that protected these lands.

The Gray Mountains was the first region to slip into oblivion due to the curse of the Nemesis in the mid-tenth century. The region was plagued by magical storms and fires, and the natives were consumed with hauntings and hallucinations. The inhabitants of Frostham complained of horrible screams and an inescapable stench that pervaded the area. This prompted Syovar to the Strong to declare the Gray Mountains among the Forbidden Lands between 945~949 and bar all access to the province under pain of death.

TRIVIA
The Gray Mountains suffered from a crippling shortage of Enchanters in 957 (and due the weather conditions, was probably a constant issue).