During my first visit to the Rathe Mountains, I stopped by a gypsy camp to stock up on supplies.  Upon mentioning I was on my way to Lake Rathetear, the gypsies told me a fantastic tale about a cyclops who roamed the forest near the edge of the lake.

"Cyclopses in the Rathe Mountains?" I asked, unaware they were traveled this far from the Karanas.

Well I soon learned that this was no ordinary giant.  The beast they spoke of was "Little Eddie," a cyclops that the residents of the Rathe Mountains had adopted and given safe haven in their hills.

"Little Eddie" apparently loved all beings of Norrath, and was therefore cast away by his murderous relatives in the Karanas.  He came to the Rathe Mountains many years ago, where he was given shelter by the gypsies and later accepted by the Paladins, Barbarians, even the Trolls and Ogres that live in and protect the area.  They had raised him as their own child, and until this day remains part of the close-knit family of the Rathe inhabitants..

A few days into my journey, I met Eddie as he appeared along the road to Lake Rathetear.  Although intimidating at first, I soon discovered that he was no more than a child, eager to find a new playmate.  Apparently he felt I was that new playmate, for he picked me up with his house-sized hands and held me in front of his glistening eye.

"YOU EDEE FREND?" he asked, eyebrows curving into a dubious frown.

Shivering, I replied, "Uh... yes?."

He then lifted me above his head, speeding  through the hills and dodging between trees.  His giggles could be heard clear across the Rathean valleys, muffled only by my cheers and laughter. =)