Mount Etna
Famous and feared, the 11,000 feet high volcano dominates the eastern shore of Sicily, visible to all sailors brave enough to be crossing the Strait of Messina. The volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Mythic Europe and has been for quite some time. Pliny the Elder visited the mountain and described its eruption and threatening flare. Though it was not this volcano that took the scholar's life. The light and ashfall that awestruck Pliny can still be observed in 1220. Though with some risk. At intervals, the mountain experiences major eruptions that result in streams of molten lava cascading down its slopes. On the flanks of the volcano, one can find numerous frozen lava rivers and boulders thrown by past eruptions. Extraordinarily grand eruptions happen only once in a few centuries, unleashing colossal geysers of lava soaring thousands of feet skyward. The volcano's most recent eruption took place in the year 1194, and if your saga follows real history, the next eruption is slated for 1222.
The volcano has a magical aura of 5. The lower slopes are a verdant cloak of life, adorned with lush forests, vineyards, and orchards. A few villages are nestled in these fertile foothills, providing a picturesque contrast to the volcanic might above. Ascending the mountain the rugged, dark rocky terrain takes over. Evidence of thousands of previous eruptions.
At the summit of the mountain is called Mongibello, in it are the two main craters named Bocca Nova, and Voragine. There are many legends and myths associated with each of these. The Elymians, the Sicanians, and the Sicels people worshiped the mountain as a fire god, a practice that would be followed by many other people. The Roman and Greek people believed that Mulciber (“he who placates the fire”) Vulcan or Hephaestus had his forge here. It was under Mount Etna, that Zeus imprisoned the monstrous storm-titan that put all the other gods to flight, Typhon. The monster attempting to break free is what causes the eruptions. The trees of the forest on Mount Etna western slope, called Lucus Jovis, still bear the mark of the other titans – flung from Mount Olympus into Tartarus. The skins and heads of the Titans remained fixed to the trunks of the trees, in terrifying expressions. The forest has a magical aura of 3.
Most interesting to House Criamon, the craters of Etna is where Empedocles died – or vanished into the Hypostasis, depending on interpretation. Empedocles was a famous Gentle-Gifted (indeed, very likely the first) elementalists whose philosophy House Criamon’s is based upon. During his life he gathered followers around him. His final lesson, or greatest ritual, took place at the edge of the volcano's crater. Sources differ on exactly what took place that day and what Empedocles motifs were. Sceptics and critics say Empedocles threw himself into it, so that the people would believe his body had vanished and he had turned into an immortal god. Or to prove his immortality. Criamon rejects both these explanations. The satirist Lucian of Samosata claims that Empedocles wasn't incinerated, but an eruption carried him into the heavens. Although a bit singed by the ordeal, Empedocles survived and still lives on the Moon, surviving by feeding on dew. This House Criamon, generally agrees, is closer to the truth. The spot of Empedocles suicide is easily spotted for those who know what to look for. There lies a lone bronze sandal, seemingly undisturbed by the intense heat and the many eruptions. This sandal cannot be moved, and there is a small magical aura of 10 around it and serves as a passage to the Magic Realm – the Twilight Void province of Ignem, in particular. Though this is not widely known. This entrance might be what Empedocles used to escape the cycle of rebirth, or the gate to Typhon’s prison.
Adranus, the volcano’s genius loci, slumbering under the mountain, only waking from time to time to remind the humans why he used to be worshiped as a god. It's unlikely that he is to enter any partnership with any human – particularly anyone with the Gift. Adranus is singularly unhelpful to all who dares disturb his sleep. More likely to answer with fire than words. Adranus is described in more detail in Realms of Power: Magic p.111.
The Roman Tribunal has no official agreement with Adranus. Yet there is a few vis sources upon the mountain, Ignem, Auram and Vim can all be collected. The ever-starving Tribunal poverty is soon going to force them into conflict with Adranus. Individual magi have already contacted it. House Criamon, Tytalus and Verditius in particular. Criamon's interest in the site is due to Empedocles, though the Path of Strife also uses a local ruin as an initiation site. House Verditius are still convinced that one of Vulcan’s smithies with his creations could be found under the mountain. Their searches have been unsuccessful, as Adranus is a fierce protector. The Tytalii are interested in the mountain connection to the titans. The founders of both later houses were trained not far from the volcano, Corsica and outside Naples respectively. It’s quite possible that the site was significant to some part of their life, though there isn't any evidence that suggests this. Some suggest that it was here that bindings of Typhon were undone, and a pact forged with it. A suggested explanation for what took place during the Sundering.
Story Seed: In the footsteps of Empedocles
It’s plausible that Empedocles really performed some ritual to escape the circle of rebirth at Etna. Perhaps harnessing the power of Adranus to burn a hole in the very firmament of the cosmos. If so, his sandal might be an intentional aid left for his followers. Sadly, they didn't understand this if so, but the gate remains open. Could this be a first step towards solving the Enigma? It's also possible that Empedocles’ ritual botched, and so the tear into the Magical Realm opened – much akin to what is suspected happened with Atlantis. Either way it's possible that Empedocles could still be found within the Twilight Void. Still wandering in the province of Ignem. If so, he could in theory be brought back. Because of the qualities of the Magical Realm, he hasn't aged and could be safely led back into the mundane world, if convinced this was for the best. Hermetic Magi might not be the only people seeking this solution.
Story Seed: Etna the Great Prison
Mount Etna is said to have been placed over several giants and titans to forever trap them because of the Titanomachy and Gigantomachy. Most notably Typhon himself. Enceladus, whom Athena defeated, is yet another prisoner. Hundred-Handed Briareos, first to use armour and most prominent of the Hecatoncheires, is another prisoner. Adranus might be another of these prisoners. Alpos was slain by Bacchus’ Thyrsus, and it is possible his corpse was stored under Etna as well. The Cyclopes, who used to live on Sicily, but have all vanished but one, could be former prisoners as well. It's likely that “under Etna '' isn't to be taken too literally, Tartarus is probably located within the Magical Realm, but it's plausible that the still bubbling crater of Etna is one of its antechambers. Magi might want to imprison another being here or let some of the others mentioned loose.