Arval Valley.

"We can"t let this valley fall. No matter what happens, we must protect it at all costs. I pity the poor people living there and having to contend all of this shit." None of us ever thought that this region would fall prey to not the Argonites but god knows what unholy force is haunting this valley.
Captain Elrikus Valranar, a captain in the Imperial legions talking about the strategic importance of the Arval valley"

Arval Valley by Allnamesistaken

The Arval Valley is a massive mountain valley located in Northern Elladia, between the Rilvaran Mountains and one of its tributary ranges. Offering breathtaking views of the largest mountains on Elladia, Arval valley is a booming tourist destination and its inhabitants enjoy an incredibly high standard of living, thanks to incredibly efficient administration and the allocation of enormous funds for the development of the region. The inhabitants of this valley are mostly members of indigenous tribes that have integrated into the Imperium and now serve it to the best of their abilities.
The Valley is also one of the most safe locations in the entire Imperium despite the constant threat of cyclopses and trolls who inhabit the mountains and roam the region looking for food. This is mainly due to an effective combination of military tactics and the stationing of an enormous amount of soldiers for making the region more secure. Centuries of fighting against these two foes have allowed the soldiers to develop tactics to effectively counter the troll and cyclops menace. When not engaging them or enforcing security in the region, the soldiers often help roll out development initiatives alongside civilian workers and train civilians in military tactics in the case that the region is invaded by Argonite forces.
For the past few years however arval valley has been facing the nightmarish and sinister threat that seeks to corrupt the world and butcher its inhabitants, with the only difference being that it is especially affected. Numerous attacks by cultists of the "Church of Arkanos" has been reported and they have been seen being aided by strange spirits and supernatural beings. Whilst the Imperial legions are on high alert and doing their best to crack down on the cultists and the nightmarish forces they serve, the attacks keep occuring and terror has gripped the entire region. The most bone chilling thing is that the region is becoming more and more unstable, as signs of an oncoming evil grow ever more present.
It is upto the inhabitants of this valley to protect their homeland and fight for the cause of humanity. They must muster all their strength and not let this sinister foe win over them. For if they lose, then a fate far worser than death awaits the poor souls who survived the initial onslaught.

Geography

Vale of Arval by Alyn Spiller

"It was simply breathtaking. Never before had i ever seen such gigantic mountains dominate the landscape. They felt like silent guardians watching over the inhabitants of this valley. It truly is a wonder that every person would see in their lives."
Maximillian Christiansen, writing about the Arval valley after visiting it for the first time

The Arval valley is a gigantic mountain valley situated between the Rilvaran mountains and one of its tributary ranges. Towering snow capped mountain peaks dominate the landscape, being akin to the gods themselves. Many rivers cut across the valley, fed by the melting of snow and ice in the mountains in winter. Most large settlements in the region are located near these streams and other water bodies as getting drinking water is easier.
The mountains also attract a large number of visitors who often dare to scale the gigantic snow capped peaks and play winter games. Snowboarding, skiing and mountain climbing are the three most popular sports associated with this region, and many people from the southern regions of the Imperium often come to take a look at these gigantic mountains, standing ever so tall and proud.

The Arvalian lakes

Lakes of Arval

"It felt absolutely refreshing to take a bat in those lakes i assume?"
Yes it did! Though i had to be careful because i saw a poor sod getting bit in his nuts by an eel and another by one of those worm like fish. So yeah not so good then.
Well that's one thing i have to watch out for then. But i surely do want to visit there someday. It sounds like a beautiful place.
Maximillian Christiansen, talking with Victoria Elnara Astridsson about the lakes in the Arval valley.

Dotted around the valley are gigantic lakes, which are home to numerous species of aquatic animals. It has been found that these lakes are also filled with crystalline growths like in the Greenglade Forest, which mutate biological matter and give strange properties to the water.
Many fishing villages and towns are located near these lakes, and the locals often also enjoy bathing here. The water from these lakes have been known to heal wounds far more rapidly as well as give more energy when drunk. Additionally, mages find it easier to cast magic after drinking from these lakes. Even then however, special care is taken so that the water is not wasted and ruined by overconsumption. The water is home to many aquatic creatures like Slaggerfish, which are somewhat of a fish-worm hybrid and lake serpents, which are giant serpentine creatures that lurk at the bottom of the largest lakes.

Fauna & Flora

"So, did you see the lake serpents?"
Yes on that too. They were beautiful and majestic. I had to observe from a distance though as they are known for attacking humans sometimes even when unprovoked."
Well when we go there, we will hunt one together. Lets see what those damned skinny snakes can do to us two."
Maximillian and Victoria, talking about the lake serpents of the Arval valley.

The Arval valley has a diverse variety of wildlife, ranging from deer, musk oxen and Arvalian wolves to the majestic Dragons themselves. The waters are home to the famous but equally dreaded Lake serpents, who are capable of using magical abilities such as elemental breaths, psychic magic etc. These serpents are part of the draconid family, which are related to the Dragons of Elladia and this may explain their potent magical prowess and their ability to transform their surroundings to a limited extent.
On land however, two enemies irritate humans the most. The brutal and sluggish cyclops tribes and the smaller but more intelligent and cunning trolls. Both these tribes are for the most part warring against each other but they sometimes put aside their differences when humans become too strong for either of them to individually surmount. Frequent raids by trolls and cyclopses have forced the humans to raise more legions from the native population as the Imperium urgently needed its reserve forces to counter a major Argonite offensive. These legions, being centered around hit and run tactics would eventually become the Silvanian legion, and evolve into a devastating breed of skirmishers and light cavalry supplemented by their use of nature magic.

Life in the Valley for an ordinary citizen

For an ordinary citizen in the Arval valley, life was a beautiful and peaceful experience. To have breathtaking sights of the worlds largest mountains in your own backyard as well as unprecedented peace and security and high standards of living was a heavenly gift indeed. Most of the population who lived in the rural areas practiced farming and livestock rearing in their spare time.
The urban centres were mostly filled with people working in the administration or creative industry as well as soldiers and other military professions. Transportation was very well developed thanks to a cleverly designed network of roads and highways as well as bridges over chasms and rivers, allowing fairly rapid transportation across the region. This helped a lot in administrating the valley and moving goods.
For an average citizen living in the rural areas, the day would begin quite early as they woke up and went for a morning walk. After returning from their walk, they usually took breakfast before starting their work or going to school if they were enrolled into one. At midday, they would take a break and usually rest or have some entertainment before setting for their work again. At sunset, their work would end and most people would return home to hang out with their family members and friends and tell stories till it was bedtime, after which they would go to sleep. The average citizen in the urban areas followed pretty much the same routine except that they had higher working hours in return for higher salaries and lived in a more cosmoplitan environment
Since the beginning of the corruption however, the lives of the ordinary citizen have changed drastically. What was the most peaceful region on Elladia became one of the most nightmarish to live in. Many if not all of the citizens underwent conscription or at least some degree of military training so as to bolster the security of the valley. Soldiers often guarded residential areas and taught their inhabitants how to fight and survive. For them, a new and sinister foe awaits. One that is far beyond their comprehension, which will take more than just weapons to defeat.

Life in the valley for a soldier

For a soldier, a posting in the Arvall valley was a gift from the gods. It was an extremely peaceful region, away from the horrifying battlefields where Argonites and Humans regularly fought. Soldiers would mostly do patrol duty or help out in civilian initiatives such as constructing bridges, wells, setting up recruitment and training centres for those willing to join in the armed forces and such things like that. The soldiers often socialised with the civilians, sharing their own stories and telling them their experiences in the military. This bond between the soldiers and civilians is what made the valley a peaceful place to live, as the commonfolk knew that their security would instantly vanish without the legions of the Imperium to guard them

Type

Valley

Included Organizations

• Kingdom of Arvallia

Owning Organization

The Sanguine Imperium