Sanctuary Vale: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:21, 6 April 2025

Sanctuary Vale

Location	Between the Citadel Mountains and the Khargaath Range
Realm	Terasil
Borders On	Khargaath Range • Citadel Mountains
Settlements	Kar-Thal

Sanctuary Vale is a vast highland basin located in central Terasil, spanning approximately 185 miles north to south and 75 miles east to west. Positioned between the circular massif of the Citadel Mountains to the east and the jagged volcanic ridges of the Khargaath Range to the west, the vale is among the most geologically and culturally significant regions in the realm. It serves as the spiritual and ancestral heartland of the Duranthi, containing their largest civic settlements, ritual centers, and archival enclaves.

Access

Access to Sanctuary Vale is possible via multiple overland passes and subterranean routes:

Tarsuun Pass — The primary overland route into the vale from the south, monitored and ritually sealed during times of political or spiritual unrest.
Hollowgate Descent — A branch of the Deep Roads connecting the vale to Minthari settlements and external trade routes.
The Fractured Wedge — A northeastern corridor of unstable terrain, largely avoided on the surface, but tunneled beneath by Deep Road arteries linking the vale to the Astralith Range.

Historical Significance

During the Great Erosion, Sanctuary Vale became a refuge for retreating populations or Orasians.

Upon arrival of the ascendant spirits to Orethil, the Spirit Varunel—guardian of memory and history—first rooted her domain in the Khargaath Range near modern Djes-Val, shaping the region’s enduring role as a sanctuary of preserved knowledge and ancestral continuity.

Sanctuary Vale played a defining role in the development of Duranthi culture. According to preserved stone-records, the first permanent settlements arose here during the early days of The Great Migration, shielded by the surrounding mountains. The vale’s defensibility and mineral stability enabled early human lineages—eventually the Duranthi—to cultivate memory-based spiritual practices rooted in ancestral attunement.

Cultural Significance

Sanctuary Vale is considered the living archive of Duranthi tradition. Every settlement serves a ritual function: from governance in Kar-Thal to transcription in Djes-Val and guardianship in Dul-Val. Pilgrimage and seasonal rituals often trace established echo-paths, with each stone cairn or carved threshold serving as an anchor point in a wider mnemonic landscape. The entire vale is treated as a layered space, recording spiritual, historical, and social continuity in physical form.

Climate

The region maintains a temperate to semi-arid climate, influenced by the surrounding elevations. Mist accumulates seasonally in lower basins, and subtle seismic vibrations are commonly noted.

Flora and Fauna

The highland savanna of Sanctuary Vale supports a distinct ecosystem adapted to its mineral-rich soil, mist cycles, and exposed stone formations. Native plants such as Vale Grass and Kire Shrubs mark ground stability and are used in traditional Duranthi fieldwork, while sparse tree species like Pyr and Spring Figs serve both ecological and ceremonial functions. Local fauna include the heavy-plated Slateback Behemoth, often viewed as a symbol of endurance, and Pierrooks—tall, sharp-voiced birds whose calls reflect subtle shifts in air pressure. Smaller life, like the elusive Vale Cats and spiral-burrowing Dust Beetles, are closely observed and often tied to spiritual interpretations of balance, movement, and hidden depth.

Notable features

Kar-Thal – Principal Duranthi city and ceremonial capital.
Djes-Val – Highland archive settlement focused on academic stewardship and preserving history.
Dul-Val – Ritual threshold settlement safeguarding the Tarsuun Pass.
Mar-Thal – Eastern military-administrative city near the Fractured Wedge.

Representation in Media

Art

Sanctuary Vale has inspired generations of Duranthi stonecarvers, painters, and artisans. Most works focus on the land’s shape and spiritual stillness rather than literal depiction. One of the most widely recognized pieces is the mural series Cycle Without Break, displayed in Mar-Thal’s outer archive halls. Composed entirely from pigment-infused stone dust, the mural depicts the layers of the vale’s mountains from an internal, subterranean perspective.

Another notable work is Sanctum in Pressure, a chiseled triptych in tonal relief found in Dul-Val, carved directly into a living basalt wall. The piece depicts three moments in the vale’s memory: the arrival of the Orasians, the sealing of the Tarsuun Pass, and the echoing silence left after the Great Erosion.

Literature / Poetry

The vale features prominently in foundational Duranthi texts, most notably in Our Sanctuary: A Duranthi History by Jek-Karun, which poetically recounts the creation of the valley by Oras and the spiritual formation of the Duranthi people within it.

Short-form poetic inscriptions known as *stone-verses* are common throughout the vale, typically left at echo-hollows or resonance posts. Many are unsigned, passed down through oral and tonal memory. One of the most cited:

“Carve no summit / Sing no end / This hollow holds / What waits to mend.”

These verses are preserved by Lorewardens and often recited during Cycle Day observances.

Songs

While Duranthi music is typically non-lyrical and harmonic in form, several resonance compositions are attributed to Sanctuary Vale. One of the oldest is Descent to Hollowflow, a tonal progression originally performed using mineral chimes suspended in Zarkesh Hollow. It mimics the descending rhythm of a subterranean journey into Sanctuary Vale and is considered a rite of passage for apprentice resonance-keepers.

Another widely practiced form is the Echo-Retreat Cycle—a communal sequence of tones sung into canyon chambers at dawn. Though subtle and slow, the overlapping harmonics form a kind of auditory map of the vale’s inner resonance fields, varying slightly based on time of year and humidity.

These artistic traditions serve not only as cultural expression, but as aural and visual extensions of the vale’s memory—reflecting the Duranthi belief that art is not to depict, but to preserve.

Map

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Leaflet

Bibliography

Our Sanctuary: An Orasian History by Jek-Karun

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Valley Infobox
+{{Regions of Terasil Infobox
 |Name=Sanctuary Vale
+|Image=[[File:Terasil - Santuary Vale 01.jpg|center|frameless]]
 |Location=Between the [[Citadel Mountains]] and the [[Khargaath Range]]
 |Realm=[[Terasil]]
 |Borders on=Khargaath Range, Citadel Mountains
+|Settlements=Kar-Thal
 }}
-{{Valley Sections
+{{Regions of Terasil Sections
-|Introduction=Sanctuary Vale is a vast highland basin located in central Terasil, spanning approximately 185 miles north to south and 75 miles east to west. Positioned between the circular massif of the Citadel Mountains to the east and the jagged volcanic formations of the Khargaath Range to the west, the vale is among the most geologically and culturally significant regions in the realm. It is the historical and spiritual homeland of the [[Orasians]], containing their largest settlements and ceremonial centers.
+|Introduction=Sanctuary Vale is a vast highland basin located in central [[Terasil]], spanning approximately 185 miles north to south and 75 miles east to west. Positioned between the circular massif of the [[Citadel Mountains]] to the east and the jagged volcanic ridges of the [[Khargaath Range]] to the west, the vale is among the most geologically and culturally significant regions in the realm. It serves as the spiritual and ancestral heartland of the [[Duranthi]], containing their largest civic settlements, ritual centers, and archival enclaves.
-|Access=Access to Sanctuary Vale is possible via several guarded overland passes and subterranean routes.
+|Access=Access to Sanctuary Vale is possible via multiple overland passes and subterranean routes:
-* The Tarsuun Pass, near Dul-Val, is the most heavily traveled overland route and serves as a major gateway into the vale from southern Terasil.
+* [[Tarsuun Pass]] — The primary overland route into the vale from the south, monitored and ritually sealed during times of political or spiritual unrest.
+* Hollowgate Descent — A branch of the [[Deep Roads]] connecting the vale to [[Minthari]] settlements and external trade routes.
+* The Fractured Wedge — A northeastern corridor of unstable terrain, largely avoided on the surface, but tunneled beneath by Deep Road arteries linking the vale to the [[Astralith Range]].
+|Historical Significance=During the [[Great Erosion]], Sanctuary Vale became a refuge for retreating populations or Orasians.
-* The Hollowgate Descent, a branch of the [[Deep Roads]], connects the vale the [[Minthari]] enclaves.
+Upon arrival of the ascendant spirits to [[Orethil]], the Spirit Varunel—guardian of memory and history—first rooted her domain in the Khargaath Range near modern Djes-Val, shaping the region’s enduring role as a sanctuary of preserved knowledge and ancestral continuity.
-While much travel occurs underground, overland routes remain viable and are used for both trade and ceremonial processions.
+Sanctuary Vale played a defining role in the development of Duranthi culture. According to preserved stone-records, the first permanent settlements arose here during the early days of The Great Migration, shielded by the surrounding mountains. The vale’s defensibility and mineral stability enabled early human lineages—eventually the Duranthi—to cultivate memory-based spiritual practices rooted in ancestral [[attunement]].
-|Cultural Significance=Sanctuary Vale is deeply embedded in Orasian spiritual and cultural identity. It is the site of foundational civic rites, ancestral stone-oath ceremonies, and seasonal harmonic gatherings. Each major settlement within the vale contributes to a specific aspect of Orasian life—governance, craftsmanship, observance, or communication. Pilgrimages from across Terasil often culminate here, especially during resonance cycles aligned with subterranean rhythms.
+|Cultural Significance=Sanctuary Vale is considered the living archive of Duranthi tradition. Every settlement serves a ritual function: from governance in [[Kar-Thal]] to transcription in [[Djes-Val]] and guardianship in [[Dul-Val]]. Pilgrimage and seasonal rituals often trace established echo-paths, with each stone cairn or carved threshold serving as an anchor point in a wider mnemonic landscape. The entire vale is treated as a layered space, recording spiritual, historical, and social continuity in physical form.
-|Climate=Sanctuary Vale has a temperate to sub-alpine climate, heavily influenced by the surrounding mountain ranges. It experiences cool summers and long, mist-laden winters. Precipitation is relatively low but consistent, feeding into a network of subterranean streams that support local agriculture and spiritual practices. The air is mineral-rich, with subtle seismic vibrations regularly observed across the terrain.
+|Climate=The region maintains a temperate to semi-arid climate, influenced by the surrounding elevations. Mist accumulates seasonally in lower basins, and subtle seismic vibrations are commonly noted.
-|Notable features=The terrain of Sanctuary Vale is characterized by a combination of terraced stone fields, mineral springs, exposed strata, and river-carved canyons. Much of the land is partially cultivated through ancient methods of guided erosion and mineral enrichment, practiced by [[Orasian]] stone-tenders.
+|Flora and Fauna=<noautolinks>{{see also|Flora and Fauna of Sanctuary Vale}}</noautolinks>The highland savanna of Sanctuary Vale supports a distinct ecosystem adapted to its mineral-rich soil, mist cycles, and exposed stone formations. Native plants such as Vale Grass and Kire Shrubs mark ground stability and are used in traditional Duranthi fieldwork, while sparse tree species like Pyr and Spring Figs serve both ecological and ceremonial functions. Local fauna include the heavy-plated Slateback Behemoth, often viewed as a symbol of endurance, and Pierrooks—tall, sharp-voiced birds whose calls reflect subtle shifts in air pressure. Smaller life, like the elusive Vale Cats and spiral-burrowing Dust Beetles, are closely observed and often tied to spiritual interpretations of balance, movement, and hidden depth.
+|Notable features=* Kar-Thal – Principal Duranthi city and ceremonial capital.
+* Djes-Val – Highland archive settlement focused on academic stewardship and preserving history.
+* Dul-Val – Ritual threshold settlement safeguarding the Tarsuun Pass.
+* [[Mar-Thal]] – Eastern military-administrative city near the Fractured Wedge.
+|Representation in Media==== '''Art''' ===
+[[File:Artwork_-_Sanctuary_Vale_01.jpg|thumb|Cycle Without Break]]
+Sanctuary Vale has inspired generations of Duranthi stonecarvers, painters, and artisans. Most works focus on the land’s shape and spiritual stillness rather than literal depiction. One of the most widely recognized pieces is the mural series ''[[Cycle Without Break]]'', displayed in Mar-Thal’s outer archive halls. Composed entirely from pigment-infused stone dust, the mural depicts the layers of the vale’s mountains from an internal, subterranean perspective.
-* [[Kar-Thal]], the largest and oldest Orasian city, is located near the eastern rim of the vale, partially embedded in the Citadel Mountains.
+Another notable work is ''[[Sanctum in Pressure]]'', a chiseled triptych in tonal relief found in Dul-Val, carved directly into a living basalt wall. The piece depicts three moments in the vale’s memory: the arrival of the Orasians, the sealing of the Tarsuun Pass, and the echoing silence left after the Great Erosion.
-* Dul-Val nestled in the southern pass where the Khargaath mountains meet the [[Terraces of Mist]], it lies at the southern end of the vale, known for its quarry networks and basalt forges and for protecting the southern pass into the vale.
+=== '''Literature / Poetry''' ===
+The vale features prominently in foundational Duranthi texts, most notably in ''Our Sanctuary: A Duranthi History'' by [[Jek-Karun]], which poetically recounts the creation of the valley by [[Oras]] and the spiritual formation of the Duranthi people within it.
-* Djes-Val is situated along the Khargaath foothills to the north west of Kar-Thal. Due to its secure position its an academic town.
+Short-form poetic inscriptions known as *stone-verses* are common throughout the vale, typically left at echo-hollows or resonance posts. Many are unsigned, passed down through oral and tonal memory. One of the most cited:
-* Mar-Thal is located in the far east of the vale.
+{{quote|“Carve no summit / Sing no end / This hollow holds / What waits to mend.”}}
-The vale also contains several uninhabited zones considered sacred or geologically unstable, including seasonal fissures, stonefall fields, and resonance hollows.
+These verses are preserved by Lorewardens and often recited during Cycle Day observances.
+=== '''Songs''' ===
+While Duranthi music is typically non-lyrical and harmonic in form, several resonance compositions are attributed to Sanctuary Vale. One of the oldest is ''Descent to Hollowflow'', a tonal progression originally performed using mineral chimes suspended in Zarkesh Hollow. It mimics the descending rhythm of a subterranean journey into Sanctuary Vale and is considered a rite of passage for apprentice resonance-keepers.
+Another widely practiced form is the ''Echo-Retreat Cycle''—a communal sequence of tones sung into canyon chambers at dawn. Though subtle and slow, the overlapping harmonics form a kind of auditory map of the vale’s inner resonance fields, varying slightly based on time of year and humidity.
+These artistic traditions serve not only as cultural expression, but as aural and visual extensions of the vale’s memory—reflecting the Duranthi belief that art is not to depict, but to preserve.
+|Map={{#display_map: height=600 |image layers=Terasil_-_Sanctuary_Vale_Map.jpg|geojson=SanctuaryVale}}
+|Bibliography={{BibliographyEntry|Category=history|Title=Our Sanctuary: An [[Orasian]] History}} by Jek-Karun
 }}