Enen-Zhal
| Enen-Zhal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Frontier Fort and Waystation |
| Location | 20 miles southeast of Djes-Val, along the Va-Djes Road |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Inhabitants | Orasian |
| Controlled by | Council of Stone |
| Significance | Final fortified checkpoint before Djes-Val; trade and security outpost |
Enen-Zhal is a compact, stone-built fort located near the edge of the Khargaath slopes, 20 miles from Djes-Val. It functions as a final checkpoint and rest station for travelers, traders, and initiates making the crossing through Sanctuary Vale. Though small, the outpost maintains an active watch and limited trade quarter, balancing pragmatic defense with reverence for the knowledge-bound community beyond.
Geography
Set atop a low rise with wide visibility across the surrounding plain, Enen-Zhal is enclosed by high stone walls formed from layered local shale and iron-rich rock. A raised watch platform faces west toward the open path, while the eastern wall frames the descent toward Djes-Val’s misted ridges. The surrounding terrain is dry and windswept, with sparse fig growth and exposed fissures to the south.
History
Founded during the first stabilization of the Khargaath corridor, Enen-Zhal was originally a temporary watchpost that became permanent as passage through the Vale increased. Named for an old Orasian phrase meaning “last guarded threshold,” the fort has seen both moments of solemn peace and sudden tension—particularly during echo cycles and memory drift migrations.
Functions and Features
- Traders Court – A sheltered interior courtyard used for small-scale caravan resupply and handoff.
- Zhal Barracks – A compact stone structure housing the rotating Stonewarden garrison.
- Signal Tower– A high platform used to send signals to Djes-Val’s outer markers.
Culture and Ritual
While not a sacred site, Enen-Zhal observes silence at dawn and dusk, in recognition of its proximity to Djes-Val.Garrison members are trained in basic tonal etiquette, and messages bound for the scholars of Djes-Val are sealed within the inner stone vault.
Defenses and Watch
The outpost maintains a standing watch at all times, with narrow archways and limited ground entry. Its elevation and open sightlines allow for early warning against unexpected arrivals. The structure can be sealed within moments, and outer platforms are fitted with signal mounts and emergency flare niches.