Sanctuary Vale’s landscape, though shaped by stone and guided erosion, supports a distinctive range of plant and animal life adapted to its highland savanna conditions. Rather than abundance, the vale is marked by endurance and adaptation—species that thrive in mineral-rich soils, shifting mist, and exposed strata. Many of these organisms are tied to Orasian practices of observation, cultivation, and spiritual balance.
Flora
Vale Grass – A low-growing, dry-season grass with thin, sun-flecked blades. It turns deep grey during nightfall and forms spiral growths around stone outcrops. Its presence often marks ground stability and is used to determine safe encampment zones.
Kire ShrubsKire Shrubs – Tough, gnarled shrubs that calcify in their upper branches during dry cycles. Their deep roots extract trace minerals, and their bark is harvested sparingly for tonics and salves.
Pyr TreesPyr Trees – Rare, tall trees with narrow trunks and shallow canopies. Their upper branches catch wind currents and creak in patterned rhythms. Pyr wood is brittle but used ceremonially in rite torches or signal posts.
Spring Fig TreesSpring Fig Trees – These trees grow along mineral springs and exposed fissure mouths. Their pale fruit is high in condensed sugars, and their leaves reflect faint light. Some consider them markers of memory or ancestral presence when found alone in stone-clearings.
Fauna
A Slateback BehemothSlateback Behemoth – A massive, slow-moving beast with an armored hide resembling the rocky terrain of Terasil. These creatures are peaceful but fiercely territorial when provoked.
PierrooksPierrooks – Long-legged birds with tapered beaks and thin, high-crested feathers. Their calls shift subtly with air pressure, making them natural weather indicators. They often nest near Pyr Trees or ledge hollows.
Vale CatVale Cats – Slender, silent predators with pale coats and long limbs. Their claws curve inward, aiding in climbing and silent movement.
Dust BeatleDust Beatles – Small, spiral-shelled insects that burrow into dry stone and detritus. Their tunnel patterns are sometimes copied by engineers and ritual carvers for efficient airflow or drainage. Seen as omens of hidden depth.
