Lore24 Apr 17: The Flute Mountains

The Flute Mountains lay to the west of the former Ippur Empire, and are sparsely inhabited by nomadic tribes. The mountains are home to a unique geological formation: mile-long tunnels crisscross the peaks, from small ones, whose diameter is barely a span, to ones so gigantic that ten men standing on each others’ shoulders wouldn’t be able to reach the ceiling. Some of these tunnels also end in strange chimney-like formations, not unlike the tubular corals that live in the seas.

The mountains get their name from the otherworldly noises the wind makes when moving through the tubes. It is said that anyone who stays up for a whole night listening to it, inevitably goes mad. How the nomads manage to stay sane is anyone’s guess, but the most popular theory is that they stuff cotton in their ears before the night falls.

The place is also popular with musicians, after the legendary piper Amal-Nur allegedly gained magical powers by deciphering the music of the mountains. It is held that those who manage to listen to just enough, gain incredible talent with all wind instruments, and only go slightly mad.

As for the mountains’ origins, many believe that some sort of indescribable intelligence from beyond the stars, or maybe a demon of terrible power is trapped under the peaks, being unable to do anything but let out their maddening cries.

Image by Les Smith

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