Here to Stay

As the months turned to years, more explorers found themselves trapped in the Valley. Those sent to recover the lost missions soon found themselves joining the settlers, who were becoming accustomed to their new lot in life. Scholars in the Valley estimate that just shy of eight hundred people entered the Valley in those early years.

The lodge had grown into a village, and then into a town; Mistwall. Settlers continued exploring the Valley, finding plenty of fertile land for farming. A new village on the Ovuri river was settled, marking the founding of Kyrepolis.

By now, children were being born and raised who knew nothing of life beyond the Valley, of their parents' homes. In time, they had children, who had little interest in leaving the Valley; those who were inclined to leave rarely survived to have offspring.

The dream of escape became more distant as the centuries passed. Folks of the Valley were content, and many newcomers found a new home for themselves in this strange, isolated realm.

What Came Before

Even though the current story of the Valley began under a thousand years ago, there are remnants of older settlement and civilisations. The most prominent of these is the Wall which keeps the Mist at bay. Its age and origins are unknown, but it has yet to show signs of wear.

There are ancient temples and shrines dotted across the Valley, built to worship unknown gods by unknown supplicants. Wandering between all these relics are dangerous monsters. They descend from the mountains, emerge from the forests, harassing farmers and trade routes throughout the Valley. These beasts keep inhabitants alert, and adventurers in a job.

None of these ancient sites or monsters have yet to yield truths about the Valley and its nature. Many wonder why it keeps people trapped inside, and what happened to those who came before. There is speculation that some truths have been discovered and kept secret, that sharing it would be dangerous to the integrity and relative peace of the Valley.

Recent Calamities

The worst disaster in living memory is the destruction of Myrn, a once important town offering refuge for traders traveling between Kyrepolis and Archaven. Nearly 60 years ago, an earthquake racked through the Valley. Most settlements endured, with only minor damage. However, Myrn was all but consumed by a vast chasm which tore through its centre.

The chasm gave rise to a vast earth titan, and numerous smaller elemental creatures. Though the titan was short lived, crumbling under its own weight, the damage was done. Thousands died, few escaped. The city is now a ruined graveyard, a stark reminder that the balance of life in the Valley is fragile. Nobody knows what caused the catastrophe, but many fear it could happen again at any time.

Elemental creatures still lurk in the scarred ground, the tormented spirits of the dead haunt their homes, lamenting their suffering. The calamity all but cut off Archaven from the rest of the Valley. The town and college are now served by temperamental airships, which glide silently over the Ruins of Myrn.

New Heroes

The destruction of Myrn alerted the Valley to the need for quick responders. Many citizens called for capable warriors and mages who could keep the monsters of the Valley at bay. Adventurer guilds were founded, and granted authority to act as needed to protect the Valley.

Many were over zealous, and bit off more than they could chew, and met sticky ends. But some, with wily patrons, have done well, even turning a profit from adventuring in the Valley.

Your calling has brought you to one such guild. Perhaps you were raised with tales of these new heroes, and wanted to become one. Perhaps the promise of riches appeals to you, enough to risk your life in the pursuit of coin. Are you native to the Valley, or have you made a new home for yourself here from beyond the Mist?

Regardless of your origin, your allegiance is now with your guild, with your companions. The Valley needs heroes.

The Mist

One of the many obstacles making it difficult to leave the Valley is the Mist. Beyond the borders of Mistwall, the Mist has obscured travel and sight Eastwards for ever since the first explorers passed the Wall.

The Mist is known to be home to horrific monsters, kept at bay by the Grey Wardens of Mistwall. On rare occasions, these daring guardians venture out into the Mist to find out where it ends, or to hunt monsters which return time and time again. Few make it back from these expeditions.

Despite this danger, and its determination in keeping people in the Valley, the Mist seems all to eager to let people travel Westwards through it. Lost travelers often find themselves at the gates of Mistwall. Sometimes they were looking for a route through to Amers, sometimes they were intent on finding the fabled Valley. Either way, the Mist ensures they stay confined to their new home.

Attempts have been made to fly over the Mist, however it rises up to meet those who would try, pulling them back down to their demise. Even brave tunnelers have found their efforts thwarted, their tunnels veering off as the Mist blinds them underground. Some scholars suspect the Mist is, in some ineffable way, sentient. Others ascribe these phenomena to monsters that manipulate the Mist. Either way; it is best avoided.

Airships

Following the calamity at Myrn, Archaven found itself cut off from the rest of the Valley. It was possible to skirt the boundaries of the ruins, but to do so with cargo proved difficult.

Though they were already being developed and planned, this spurred the creation of the first airship in the Valley, named New Hope. It completed its first voyage forty years ago. Since then five further airships have been constructed, although the Miraposa was lost when it crashed during a storm, and the New Hope is showing signs of wear.

The ships are small, and move slowly unless in favourable winds. They can only achieve altitudes of up to 300 feet above ground. Whilst this is enough to glide over Myrn, airships have yet to become a viable means of escaping the Valley. With most people now content to remain, there isn't much demand for airships as an escape.

The arcane technology behind the airships is a closely guarded secret, with only a select few Deans permitted to work on it. Though the large gemstones which keep the ships aloft are visible, the methods of their enchantment are where the cleverness lies.

These gemstones are difficult to come by, which makes developing the airships a delicate art. For each ship that sails today, several prototypes failed, their parts mostly salvaged for the next attempt.

Ovuri River

The Ovuri river is the lifeblood of the Valley. It runs Eastwards, eventually flowing into the Red Bay. Attempts have been made to sail out of the Valley on the river, but the Mist doesn't ignore boats.

Fishing in the river provides a good portion of food in the Valley, especially between Kyrepolis and Myrn. Trade flows easily downriver to Mistwall, supplying them with food and fish, in exchange for arms and ale.

Though the people of the Valley have little need for a proper navy, Kyrepolis is home to several modest frigates which patrol the Ovuri, protecting trade from raiders and monsters in equal measure. Whilst the main course of the river is kept safe, its many tributaries are beyond the reach of these vessels.

Those who dare to sail up those streams are often met with carnivorous river monsters, opportunistic pirates, or other unnatural phenomena. However, it is up these tributaries that many of the ancient structures and relics of the Valley are found. As such, many scholars to believe that the civilisation which dwelt here before used the Ovuri as their main means of travel, and that it was an important aspect of their culture.

The river waters run cold, but that doesn't stop new recruits in the Grey Wardens from proving their mettle by swimming laps across the river. The first to leave the icy waters traditionally buys the first round of warming ale at the tavern.

Blackroot Forest

Whilst the North bank of the Ovuri is dotted with towns, farms, and culture, the Southern bank has all but evaded such development. At the heart of the Valley sits Blackroot Forest, a dense and dark stretch of woodland. It is inhabited by all manner of denizens, from trouble making goblins to vengeful wraiths, remnants of the ancient civilisation which once roamed the Valley. Their temples and shrines lie overgrown in Blackwood's depths. Some say they still hold great treasure.

Hunters and explorers frequently venture into the borders of Blackroot, seeking rare game or monstrous trophies. Druids dare to delve in search of rare herbs and ingredients. However, few venture too deep, lest they disturb the forest's denizens. Even knowing the dangers, people go missing often enough that Blackroot's reputation has been well maintained over the centuries.

The Eastern reaches of the forest are tamer, and lumber
12345yards dot the forest boundary. However, this is only
1234567possible thanks to the Grey Wardens, who keep
123456789122222222222the dangers at bay.

From the walls of Kyrepolis, strange floating lights can be seen in Blackroot, across the river. These wisps even whisper at passing boats, luring sailors in. Every so often, an idealist will follow them, believing the forest can be healed, that the wisps hold the answers.

Blackroot Forest cares little for idealism.

Felldeep Caverns

The large cave mouth at Felldeep provided the perfect location for stone quarries to help build Kyrepolis. Vast tracts of the mountain side were pulled away and used to build anything from palaces to brothels. As the quarries expanded, they revealed more precious minerals; gold, silver, iron, all the necessities to support civilisation.

However, they also revealed vast, sprawling cave systems that burrowed deep into the ground. These caves and passageways led to a network of linked tunnels, and even some long disused mines. Nobody quite knows the extent of Felldeep, though many have tried to chart it.

Today, access to Felldeep is strictly controlled by the Ducal guard. Some feared that the incessant digging and exploration was what caused the catastrophe at Myrn, that some prospectors disturbed something, perhaps even wounded the large titan that briefly woke. Fearing a repeat, the mines were all but shut.

Permits to dig and explore are hard to come by, and terribly expensive. Adventuring guilds have special dispensation to rappel down into Felldeep's chasms, in search of treasure, answers, and more sources of wealth.

Such is the importance of Felldeep, that it has even given rise to a small religious sect, who believe the entrance to be the mouth of some colossal beast. Despite the guards' best efforts to dissuade them, these cultists can often be seen tossing offerings into the cavern, in strangely energetic rituals.

Nurgolos Thal

To the far West of the Valley, one of the realms oldest known denizens dwells in the depths of a vast mountain. When travelers first came to the Valley, and settled the banks of the Ovuri, they did not suspect they were becoming neighbours with the mighty Nurgolos Thal, an ancient red dragon.

It wasn't until the walls of Kyrepolis were raised that Nurgolos Thal's attention was drawn. One night, angry at these incorrigible peasants, Thal left their mountain lair, and burned many farms and villages to the ground, wreaking havoc. He snatched what gold was beginning to emerge from Felldeep, and retreated to his lair, warning the settlers that they had best prepare the next tribute.

Every few years, Thal would emerge, demanding his tribute of gold, and the continuing supplication of the small folk who lived in his domain. Thal became part of life in the Valley, another
125threat to be adapted to, another compromise.

After a century of exploitation, heroes arose, worthy of challenging Nurgolos Thal. Thirteen warriors, the best ever raised in the Valley, rode to his mountain lair. Though they were never seen again, Thal never returned to harass the Valley. The dragon has been seen, on rare occasions, circling their mountain, but whatever the thirteen did had had a lasting effect.

They came to be known as the Tamers of Thal, and many aspiring adventurers drink to their memory to this day.

Runeshade Tower

One of the newest points of intrigue in the Valley is Runeshade Tower, not far from the Ruins of Myrn. It was built as a watch tower for the town, to help warn against encroaching threats from the mountain, or Blackroot Forest. Experimental enchantments were places on it by the Deans of Archaven, in order to heighten the senses of its guards. Unfortunately, it was not much help in stopping the calamity that eventually destroyed Myrn.

Not having anything to defend, the guards abandoned the tower, and it fell into disrepair. It has been used, on occasion, as an emergency makeshift docking port for airships, though the risks in attempting to dock an airship there often outweigh the peril the ship originally found itself in.

Recently, the tower seems to have acquired a new resident. First, rumours spread through the various crime syndicates that some smugglers had been killed trying to use the tower to stash contraband. Then lights were spotted in the windows. Attempts to parlay with the tower's resident have been futile. The enchantments which once enhanced the guards and their defenses now make evicting this resident a daunting task.

Their intentions are not yet known, though rumours abound. Some think it's an expelled student from Archaven, others claim it's an exiled king from a far away country in the Western Realms. Friend or foe, one thing is certain; they value their privacy.

Airships

Recent inventions that allow travel via flight. Though limited in speed and altitude, the five airships currently in service ferry people and goods between Archaven and Kyrepolis.

Archaven

A town inspired by Elven design, Archaven is the home of the Halls of Erudition. Most of its inhabitants are skilled artisans supplying the Halls with materials and equipment. The town is governed by Chancellor Rolen, and the Chamber of Deans.

Blackroot Forest

A sprawling forest to the South of the Ovuri river, Blackroot has resisted settlement and civilisation since the Valley was first discovered. It is home to numerous monsters and beasts, and stories of the horrors within are plentiful.

Chamber of Deans

Governing both the Halls of Erudition, and Archaven as a whole, the Chamber of Deans consists of some twenty researchers and arcanists. They strive to make life in the Valley more progressive, as well as boosting their own egos.

Cloudreach

Cloudreach is a small collection of villages and communes nestled in the karsts North of Kyrepolis. Its inhabitants live simple, peaceful lives, accompanied by the peaceful Lyndworms native to the region.

Felldeep Caverns

This vast network of caverns provides both bountiful raw materials, as well as the potential for dangerous dungeoneering. Admittance is tightly controlled, amid fears that careless explorers could wake something unpleasant.

Grey Wardens

The Grey Wardens are a regiment of highly trained warriors and rangers, whose mission is to defend the Valley from the Mist. The most elite of these, known as Mistwalkers, go on expeditions into the Mist, putting themselves at risk to hunt monsters or recover stragglers. They are led by High Commander Singer.

Halls of Erudition

Located in Archaven, this exclusive college teaches a range of subjects, from arcana to mathematics and literature. There are only ever a few dozen students at a time, taught by the Chamber of Deans.

Kyrepolis

The de facto capital of the Valley is home to the majority its inhabitants. The city is widely considered a good place to live, though criminal syndicates hold a lot of sway over markets and trade. Vale Duke Hermun II rules Kyrepolis and the Valley from the Azure Dome.

Mistwall

The first town settled in the Valley, Mistwall sits just within the Wall. It is home to the Grey Wardens, who govern the town and defend the realm from the monsters in the mist. Most of the citizens in Mistwall live to serve the Grey Wardens either directly or indirectly.

Mistwalkers

A specialist group of Grey Wardens who venture out into the Mist, hunting for monsters and stragglers. They often find many of the former, and few of the latter.

Myrn

Myrn was once an important town in the Valley, acting as a mid point between Archaven and Kyrepolis. It was destroyed nearly sixty years ago by a catastrophic earthquake, and a crumbling titan. Now only the desperate call the ruins home.

Nurgolos Thal

This ancient red dragon once dominated the Valley, demanding tribute from the young city of Kyrepolis. However, Nurgolos Thal has not been seen (at least reliably) ever since the Tamers of Thal were sent to challenge his rule, giving their lives in the process.

Ovuri River

Proiding fish and fresh water, the Ovuri flows East through the Valley. Its many tributaries lead to ancient relics of a long dead civilisation, who's secrets have yet to be unconvered.

Runeshade Tower

A former watch tower of Myrn, Runeshade is home to some new unknown entity, who isn't fond of visitors. It was imbued with arcane enchantments during construction.

The Mist

The Mist is a strange unnatural phenomenon which makes it all but impossible for those in the Valley to leave, and return to Amers. It seems content to let people in, a behaviour which has yet to be understood.

The Wall

Built long before settlers found the Valley one thousand years ago, the Wall has stood pristine for many thousands of years. It keeps the Mist at bay, and the Grey Wardens manning it repel the monsters of the Mist from atop the battlements.