# Landmark: Arag'Mar (Gold Peak) > [!map] View on Map > [Open Interactive Map →](https://hawksrepos.github.io/elvensong-map/?location=Arag'Mar) The highest peak in Edaria and once the centre of power on the continent, historically known as the Mountain of Blessings or the Gold Peak. ## Overview Arag'Mar is the highest peak in Edaria at almost **5000 metres tall**, towering over the surrounding farmlands and fields. It is somewhat of a geographical oddity, being so massive and yet completely disconnected from either the Andaganges or Brown Mountain ranges. This mountain was once the centre of power on the continent, fought over and settled by a multitude of cultures and races over the early ages of Gryth. ## Historical Significance ### The Ascension & Eldari Empire [[City - Gold City]], located at the base of the mountain, was the epicentre of **The Ascension**, during which the Eldari dynasty of Sun Elves claimed all Edaria as their dominion, granted to them through the power of **Milith and Elvarion**, the elven deities of the Moon and Sun respectively. This act marked the end of the **Age of Kings** and kickstarted a violent new age marked by war and conquest, forever changing the perception of the High Elves amongst many races. ### Human Conquest Humans, who bore the largest brunt of the Eldari Empire's bloodthirsty extermination and subjugation campaigns, eventually overthrew and destroyed the Eldari bloodline, claiming Arag'Mar and Gold City as the centre of all human civilization. ## The Great Mines The mountain contained at one point the **greatest concentration of rare metals in the known world**, with extremely lucrative dwarven mines extracting a previously unheard-of level of riches. These great treasures enriched central Edaria to the point of economic supremacy. ### Under the Eldari Empire The mountain's mines were expanded into truly enormous networks of intense extraction and refinement, using **dwarven slaves from the Stone tribe lines**. ### Depletion Around **fifty years before the breakout of the Sunrise Wars**, the mountain began to show its first signs of depletion, as mining records show a negative overall yield on the previous year's haul. Many modern historians theorize that even without the spark of violent uprising, the lavish Eldari Empire would have collapsed under its own economic weight. ## Decline of Importance ### Discovery of New Sources In the **Free Age** following the deposing of the Eldari Emperor, the deep jungles of Q'Shar and the mist covered valleys of Ganath were finally penetrated, bringing the discovery of many new sources of gold and rare metals. By the end of this age, Arag'Mar was just one of many, rather than being alone in its own league. ### Loss of Supremacy During the **Age of Discovery**, two major events diminished Arag'Mar's legacy: 1. **Discovery of Higher Peaks** - Three peaks higher than Arag'Mar were discovered in the harsh and mysterious land of Sckyemount in Western Ganath. The highest of these peaks was over 8000 metres tall, officially demoting the golden mountain to only the **fourth highest peak on Gryth**. 2. **Rise of Trading Companies** - The rise of trading companies that rely heavily on fast ocean trade between continents made port cities the new hub centres for trade and economy. Without easy access to the ocean, knowledge of the interior of continents became much less important. ## Current Status The mountain still stands to this day, draped in dark history and with an uncertain future. To those in [[Region - Eddaland]], the newly reformed country in which the mountain is located, it is still a sight to behold, but beyond the country's borders interest in its riches have certainly waned. Stories of its riches and monumental status are often told in the past tense. ## Related Locations - **[[City - Gold City]]** - Ancient city at the base of the mountain - **[[Region - Eddaland]]** - Current nation containing the mountain