Whistling Mountains

If you listen closely, the mountains will whistle at you. That's why they're called the Whistling Mountains, child. We know the truth. As the caretakers of these mountains, it is our duty to make sure the mountains have carved whistles put in trees. To ward off the gods that lay beneath the surface.

— A Monk of the Old Ones teaching a young novice about the land they were sworn to protect.

The Whistling Mountains are a testament to the perserverance of humanity and a reminder of the unspeakable horrors that live below. Most don't know why there are innumerable wooden whistles hanging in the trees, save for the few who keep the horrors at bay. Once upon a time they say that the mountains had three goddesses overseeing the area. Then, one day the three of them fought for the right to rule over the mountains. The humans who call this place home banded together, tricked the three goddesses and sealed them away under the mountains. The unchartable cave system that runs throughout the entirety of the mountain range is said to be riddled with shrines to these goddesses stained with dark offerings. The point of many of these altars is to try and restore the goddesses to their full power. Many have tried, and just as many have failed to release them. Carvings of these goddesses can be seen throughout the cave system. The deeper you go, the more grotesque and monstrous these carvings become. Revealing the true form of the goddesses known as the Matrons of the Void. The names of these goddesses evoke fear and ritualistic blessings.

Matrons of the Void by Leashea via Midjourney

The Matrons of the Void are names Seraphyx, Vermilthra and Nexara and each of them are terrifying in their own right.