Djes-Val
| Djes-Val | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Scholarly City |
| Location | Eastern slopes of the Khargaath Range, western Sanctuary Vale |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Inhabitants | Orasian |
| Significance | Primary academic center of Orasian culture; site of layered archives. |
| Controlled by | Council of Stone |
Djes-Val is a highland settlement located on the eastern face of the Khargaath Range, where stone cliffs descend into the western reaches of Sanctuary Vale. Sheltered by the impassable peaks of the Khargaath, Djes-Val has become the foremost center for Orasian scholarship and archival preservation. It is accessible via the Dul-Mar Deep Road and the overland Va-Djes Road, and serves as both an end point and a point of return for those who travel the Vale.
Geography
The city is carved into wide terraces along a natural rock face, with layered stone buildings rising in stepped arcs from the valley floor. The upper structures cling to ledges, while lower plazas catch early light and remain cooler. The surrounding cliffs form natural barriers, giving Djes-Val its distinctive stillness.
History
Originally a refuge for scribes and record keepers, Djes-Val grew into a full civic center after the stabilization of the Vale and Khargaath approach. The settlement was formalized by the Council of Stone and charged with safeguarding cultural memory and ancestral texts. Over time, guilds of scholars, interpreters, and field-historians rooted themselves here, forming a permanent community aligned with layered timekeeping and silent study.
Districts
- The Archives – Tiered vaults and record houses that preserve historical tone-logs, civic texts, and spiritual accounts.
- Scholar's Way – A wide, gently sloped corridor lined with speaker halls, reflection cells, and inscribed stone markers.
- Minthari Quarter – A partially subterranean complex maintained by visiting and resident Minthari scholars.
- Outer Ledges – Open platforms used for observation and philosphizing.
Notable Locations
- The Amphitheater – A recessed stone forum.
- Vault of Days – A sealed chamber complex containing layered ancestral records and memory fragments.
- Gate of Names – A ceremonial arch used for initiates departing on learning walks or echo pilgrimages.
Culture and Society
Djes-Val is slow, precise, and attuned to the passage of time. Scholars live in modest dwellings along the inner arcades, while visitors and initiates are quartered near the outer ledges.
Spiritual Significance
While not a temple city, Djes-Val maintains deep spiritual reverence through its dedication to continuity, restraint, and clarity of record. Many consider Djes-Val the “ear of the Vale,” receiving memory rather than proclaiming it.
Economy
Local trade is minimal and closely controlled. The settlement is supplied by deliveries from Alun-Tar, Va-Tar, and inbound caravans from Dul-Val. In return, Djes-Val offers transcription services, scroll copies, and analytical counsel. No market district exists; all exchange is logged through archival approval.
Defense and Military
Djes-Val is not a military site but maintains a signal connection to Enen-Zhal and a narrow garrison ring along its outer ledge. These guards, known as the Quiet Watch, are trained in non-lethal restraint and tone-block protocol. The terrain itself deters intrusion.
Dangers and Threats
Threats are mostly environmental: rockfall being the predominant issue. The outer cliffs also pose risks during mist-thick times.