Tarsuun Pass
| Tarsuun Pass | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Southern Sanctuary Vale |
| Realm | Terasil |
| Borders On | Khargaath Range • Terraces of Mist • Sanctuary Vale |
| Settlements | Dul-Val |
The Tarsuun Pass is a narrow, highland corridor marking the southern gateway into Sanctuary Vale. Positioned between the lower slopes of the Khargaath Range and the fog-draped Terraces of Mist, it serves as both a geographic threshold and a culturally charged boundary. Measuring approximately 30 miles in length and between 5 and 10 miles in width, the pass is one of the few viable overland routes into the vale.
Geography
Tarsuun Pass is defined by layered stone terraces, fractured cliffs, and mineral springs that rise and vanish with the seasons. The terrain transitions from the mist-saturated ridges of the southern highlands into the structured stonework and cultivated slopes of the Sanctuary interior. Natural basalt formations along the path have been shaped by Orasian stone-tenders into resonance markers, creating a ceremonial rhythm for those who enter or leave the vale.
The pass gradually narrows as it approaches Dul-Val, whose fortified terraces and basalt forges overlook its final ascent into the valley proper.
Historical Significance
The Tarsuun Pass has long served as the principal land route into Sanctuary Vale. According to Orasian civic records, the pass was first marked with echo-steles during the Era of Isolation to guide returning pilgrims and to delineate sacred boundary space. During the Great Erosion, the pass was a critical entry point for Orasian communities retreating from fractured highlands and unstable settlements.
Throughout history, control of the pass has been synonymous with Orasian self-governance. In times of external threat, the Council of Stone ordered its sealing through layered resonance barriers—carved stone gates harmonically locked with osia patterns. These closures were not only physical defenses but spiritual declarations, signaling a period of inward retreat and civic renewal.
Cultural Significance
The Tarsuun Pass is a site of ritual observance as much as practical travel. Oath-bearers, pilgrims, and stonewardens often pause at specific carved thresholds known as *the Kelridan Gates* to offer a moment of stillness before proceeding.
The act of entering Sanctuary Vale via Tarsuun is considered a crossing into ancestral space. For Orasians born beyond the vale, the return journey is marked by a rite of echo alignment performed in Dul-Val. These traditions reinforce the belief that the pass is not merely a route, but a test of harmony between the self and the land.
Strategic Importance
Though most Orasian travel and trade occurs through the Deep Roads, the Tarsuun Pass remains vital for ceremonial processions, surface-based resource movement, and overland communication. Dul-Val, positioned at the northern mouth of the pass, functions as both a guardian settlement and resonance forge complex, with stationed Stonewardens trained to respond to seismic threats or unauthorized crossings.