Rasu Ilu (ˈrɑ.su ˈi.lu)

Rasu Ilu is the largest mountain on the island of Menâme. It is a volcano, and in old texts bore the name Rasu Šūtu, or the Mountain of Smoke. The new name, Rasu Ilu, translates to Mountain of the Spirits. Rasu Ilu is famous in the Telmun Islands as the gateway to the realm of the Ilu, a group of mischevious spirits that are part of the Anunnaki pantheon.

The mountain is reportedly honeycombed with tunnels, some formed by lava, and some formed by the spirits. These tunnels wind throughout the bulk of Rasu Ilu, and many of them do not reside fully in the physical realm. Instead, they pass in and out of The Dream, connecting to places that only exist in the realm of the imagination. The Ilu do not guard the tunnels, and anyone looking to access The Dream can attempt to find their way in through the labyrinth. However, the Ilu do enjoy playing tricks on mortals, and will take the opportunity to mislead and deceive any visitors for their own entertainments. These spirits are masters of illusion, and will sometimes create elaborate mirages to fool explorers, before allowing the fantasy to collapse when the mortals are hopelessly lost in the dark bowels of Rasu Ilu.

Geography

Rasu Ilu has a gentle slope rising to a central dome at the peak. Ascending the mountain is easy but not safe, as there are sinkholes and hidden pitfalls all along the mountainside. Some believe that the Ilu will deliberately collapse portions of the tunnels when people pass over them, as a fun prank on the mortals. While the volcano has not erupted in over nine hundred years, smoke still issues from several fissures in the sides of Rasu Ilu, which the Ilu have been known to use in crafting their illusions.

Alternative Name(s)

Rasu Šūtu

Type

Mountain / Hill

Location under

Menâme

Owning Organization

Telmunic Empire

Geographic Details

Location: Southeastern Region
Latitude: 5.02 degrees North
Longitude: 53.99 degrees East
Elevation: 3,807 ft