Djes-Val: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:07, 14 April 2025

Djes-Val

Type	Scholarly City
Location	Eastern slopes of the Khargaath Range, western Sanctuary Vale
Realm	Terasil
Region	Sanctuary Vale
Subregion	Khargaath Range
Inhabitants	Duranthi
Significance	Primary academic center of Duranthi culture; site of layered archives
Controlled by	Council of Stone

Djes-Val is a highland city 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 is the foremost center for Duranthi scholarship. It is accessible via the Dul-Mar Deep Road and the overland Va-Djes Road.

Its proximity to the metaphysical influence of Varunel—the Ascendant Spirit of memory and continuity has long given Djes-Val a unique character. Local Duranthi are renowned for their exceptional recollection and precise historical retention, often said to be touched directly by Varunel's presence.

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.

History

Originally a refuge for scribes and record keepers, Djes-Val expanded into a full civic center after it was formalized by the Council of Stone and charged with safeguarding cultural memory and archival materials. Over time, guilds of scholars, translators, and historians established a permanent community centered on recordkeeping, research, and long-term study.

Districts

The Archives – Tiered vaults and record houses that preserve historical ledgers, legal texts, and personal documents.
Scholar’s Way – A wide corridor lined with study halls, small observatories, and research quarters.
Minthari Quarter – A partially subterranean complex for visiting Minthari scholars and residents.
Outer Ledges – Open platforms used for reflection and observation.

Culture and Society

Djes-Val is slow-paced, contemplative, and oriented toward the accumulation and safeguarding of knowledge.

Spiritual Significance

Though not a temple city, Djes-Val is considered a place of deep spiritual gravity due to its association with Varunel. Many residents regard their scholarly work as a form of devotion, preserving truth through precision.

Economy

Supplies are delivered from Alun-Tar, Va-Tar, and caravans from Dul-Val. In return, Djes-Val provides transcription, consultation, and access to its archives by appointment.

Defense and Military

Djes-Val is defended by a stonewarden garrison. The terrain naturally limits access, and signal routes connect the city to Enen-Zhal and other nearby outposts.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Settlement Infobox
+{{Settlements in the Sanctuary Vale Infobox
 |Name=Djes-Val
+|Image=[[File:Djes-Val.jpg|center|frameless]]
 |Type=Scholarly City
 |Location=Eastern slopes of the [[Khargaath Range]], western Sanctuary Vale
 |Realm=[[Terasil]]
-|Inhabitants=[[Orasian]]
+|Region=Sanctuary Vale
-|Significance=Primary academic center of Orasian culture; site of layered archives.
+|Subregion=Khargaath Range
+|Inhabitants=[[Duranthi]]
+|Significance=Primary academic center of Duranthi culture; site of layered archives
+|Controlled by=Council of Stone
 }}
-{{Settlement Sections
+{{Settlements in the Sanctuary Vale Sections
-|Introduction=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, tonal reflection, 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.
+|Introduction=Djes-Val is a highland city 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 is the foremost center for Duranthi scholarship. It is accessible via the Dul-Mar Deep Road and the overland Va-Djes Road.
-|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 above the mist line, while lower plazas catch early light and remain cooler throughout the cycle. The surrounding cliffs form natural sound barriers, giving Djes-Val its distinctive stillness. Fissures and fog basins nearby contribute to the subdued, layered atmosphere.
-|History=Originally a refuge for stone-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, spiritual tone practices, 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.
+Its proximity to the metaphysical influence of [[Varunel]]—the [[Ascendant Spirit]] of memory and continuity has long given Djes-Val a unique character. Local Duranthi are renowned for their exceptional recollection and precise historical retention, often said to be touched directly by Varunel's presence.
-|Districts=* Archive Rings – Tiered vaults and record houses that preserve historical tone-logs, civic texts, and spiritual accounts.
+|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.
-* Scholar's Way – A wide, gently sloped corridor lined with speaker halls, reflection cells, and inscribed stone markers.
+|History=Originally a refuge for scribes and record keepers, Djes-Val expanded into a full civic center after it was formalized by the [[Council of Stone]] and charged with safeguarding cultural memory and archival materials. Over time, guilds of scholars, translators, and historians established a permanent community centered on recordkeeping, research, and long-term study.
-* [[Minthari]] Quarter – A partially subterranean complex maintained by visiting and resident Minthari scholars.
+|Districts=* The Archives – Tiered vaults and record houses that preserve historical ledgers, legal texts, and personal documents.
-* Outer Ledges – Open platforms used for observation, gathering, and acoustic testing during tonal shifts.
+* Scholar’s Way – A wide corridor lined with study halls, small observatories, and research quarters.
-|Notable Locations=* The Stilltone Amphitheatre – A recessed stone forum where tonal concentration trials are performed in silence.
+* [[Minthari]] Quarter – A partially subterranean complex for visiting Minthari scholars and residents.
-* Vault of Echoed Days – A sealed chamber complex containing layered ancestral records and memory fragments.
+* Outer Ledges – Open platforms used for reflection and observation.
-* Gate of Unfinished Names – A ceremonial arch used for initiates departing on learning walks or echo pilgrimages.
+|Culture and Society=Djes-Val is slow-paced, contemplative, and oriented toward the accumulation and safeguarding of knowledge.
-|Culture and Society=Djes-Val is slow, precise, and attuned to the passage of time and tone. Residents speak rarely and with care, and memory is held communally through inscribed forms and breath-backed recounting. Scholars live in modest dwellings along the inner arcades, while visitors and initiates are quartered near the outer ledges. Silence is not enforced but expected; deviations from practice are corrected gently, through shared ritual.
+|Spiritual Significance=Though not a temple city, Djes-Val is considered a place of deep spiritual gravity due to its association with Varunel. Many residents regard their scholarly work as a form of devotion, preserving truth through precision.
-|Spiritual Significance=While not a temple city, Djes-Val maintains deep spiritual reverence through its dedication to continuity, restraint, and clarity of record. The Stilltone Trials—where students demonstrate controlled vocal silence across shifting conditions—are viewed as both academic and spiritual milestones. Many consider Djes-Val the “ear of the Vale,” receiving memory rather than proclaiming it.
+|Economy=Supplies are delivered from [[Alun-Tar]], [[Va-Tar]], and caravans from [[Dul-Val]]. In return, Djes-Val provides transcription, consultation, and access to its archives by appointment.
-|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 defended by a [[stonewarden]] garrison. The terrain naturally limits access, and signal routes connect the city to [[Enen-Zhal]] and other nearby outposts.
-|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, memory drift during echo surges, and rare tonal misalignment in the deeper archive zones. The outer cliffs also pose risks during mist-thick seasons. Cultural contamination or disruptive influence is quietly monitored and removed.
 }}
+[[Category:Council of Stone Holdings]][[category:Khargaath Range]]