Snake Mountain (television)



Snake Mountain is a location in the He-Man series, located on the fictional planet of Eternia. It is located on the Dark Hemisphere of Eternia and is home to the villainous, skull-faced Skeletor. It is later revealed to have once been home to the Snake Men. Its defining feature is its snake-like shape, hence the name.

Introduction into the franchise
Snake Mountain was not introduced until a way into the MOTU franchise. Previously, Skeletor's hideout had been described as "amongst the catacombs deep under Eternia", while the bible for the Filmation series listed his base as being Point Dread, located in the middle of the ocean.

History of Snake Mountain
(Note: as with much of the line's material, its details varied in different sources. The below description is assembled using several different versions, and may vary in some different sources.)

Preternia
Long ago in Eternia's past, a race known as the Zodakkians flourished. They were an advanced civilization of powerful wizards and scientists. The most powerful of these were appointed King and Queen. During their time on Eternia, some of the Zodakkians became evil and were exiled to the dark side of Eternia, to the Banshee Jungle. Over the generations the blood of the Zodakkians became diluted by other blood and few "pure-blood" Zodakkians were left. These peoples became known as the Eternians.

One day a race of Snake-Men, led by King Hiss, arrived from a far-off planet and attacked Eternia. Upon discovering the Banshee Jungle, Hiss ordered his men to build a fortress at the summit of a great mountain. Around the mountain, the Snake-Men carved the body of a huge snake, and the mountain became known as Snake Mountain. Hiss and his men made many assaults on Eternia, and for many years the Eternians fought against the Snake-Men. The few remaining Zodakkians and the Eternians combined their magic and succeeded in sending Hiss and his army into the White Void, a timeless dimension of eternal suffering. King Hiss swore he would take revenge on the people of Eternia.

Modern era
Decades passed by and the threat of Snake Mountain decreased, until the arrival of the Evil Horde. The leader of the squadron sent to take over Eternia was named Hordak. He, and his protégé Skeletor, let an assault force against King Randor while using Snake Mountain as a base. Eventually the Evil Horde was defeated and left Eternia to return to Horde World. For his betrayal they left Skeletor on Eternia to fend for himself. Taking over Snake Mountain himself, Skeletor began recruiting people for his army. Over the years Skeletor met a woman called Evil-Lyn. He tutored her in the practice of dark magic, and they both became very powerful. Skeletor, with Evil-Lyn as his protégée, began to amass a great army. Soon their army was vast and they began their own assault on Eternia.

1980s cartoon
In the original 1980's Filmation series the mountain is in the shape of a snake coiled around a mountain with its mouth open as if to strike. Lava flows between the two peaks, and fog forms at its base.

New Adventures of He-Man
Snake Mountain appears in the first episode only, looking very similar to the Filmation version.

2002 cartoon
In the 2002 series the mountain looked more like a snake carved from the rock, lava flowing out of its open mouth, though it is later revealed that Snake Mountain is actually the petrified body of Serpos, the god of the Snake-Men.

1987 film
Only one mention of Snake Mountain is made in the 1987 motion picture.

Toy
The 1980s toy version of Snake Mountain looks little like its Filmation appearance. It is a purple mountain, with its most notable feature being a demon-like face on one side. There is a trap-door inside the gate, which is operated by a switch underneath. The 2002 toy-line did not release a Snake Mountain toy.