Beast of the Peaks

It is there where the mountains touch the sky lies a beast who rules over them from his den that feasts upon all who dares enter his domain so none will be able to touch the sky. For the beast, itself came from the stars and was banished from them for a crime so great none dared spoke of it and waits to be accepted by them once more and will allow no one else to take its place. - Old Story Teller

Summary

The Beast of the Peaks is a tale of warning to all who thought that they could climb to the top of the White Caps. Which is said to be massive that swallow men whole and its hide cannot be pierced by any weapon as they shatter upon striking it. According to the tale the beast was said to be one of the great stars of the sky but was cast down from them due to a terrible crime it had committed as was doomed to walk the earth until it redeemed itself. But instead, it chooses to climb the tallest peak to reach the heavens once more and earn its place among them. But it was denied its palace again and again as it attempted to climb to the stars one more as it was struck downtime and time again. Only for it to give up and make its home on top of the mountain waiting for the time it is granted is a place once more. All the while feasting on all who dare come across his den believing that they were trying to steal his place amongst the heavens. Devouring them whole and leaving nothing left of them as it let out a terrible roar to the mountains below that could cause avalanches to punish all those dared think of climbing up to the peak. It is said you can hear the beast's roar being carried on the howling winds of the mountains as it cursed the heavens that placed it there and warned all those done below to stay away.

Historical Basis

There is no actual evidence of anything ever living on top of the mountains though none can deny either as it is impossible to survive so high up in the mountains, to begin with. Though the actual date of this story is unknown as the tribes of the mountain pass down their history through oral interpretation making it impossible to find out who started it. But many who have heard this tale believe that the beast itself is a Mountain Drake, one of the most dangerous animals that live on the The Spine as their size and their indifference to make any living things they come across as their next meal seems to fit the story well as they are known to be territorial.

Spread

It is a common tale that has spread across to all of the Mountain Kin of the The Spine as tale of warning to them with the tale itself being heard by those from the low lands who often have business in the mountains.

Variations & Mutation

Though most of the tribes of the mountain believe in this beast some see the beast as a guardian of the heavens rather than an outcast believe he is there to stop anyone unworthy was reaching the stars and corrupting them with their taint by devouring them.

Cultural Reception

The Mountain Kin of the The Spine take this tale to heart as they long since feared the danger that live on the mountains and dare not go where danger is certain. Those who are foolish enough though will try their luck as such places. But the tale of a great beast that no one can kill ensures that they do not go up to the top of the mountains to meet their demise. As it is said that the cold itself can take one's breath away in only a few moments and turn their flash into the ice itself.