Ostókoiláda

The Polema Region of Valoreign covers a vast portion of the continent, spanning from Diamákti (The Diamond Shore) in the east, to the Krýaéras Mountains that line the western edge of the mainland, and at the centre of it all sits Ostókoiláda, known to outsiders as The Valley of Bones. This unforgiving wasteland of sand and rock has seen many a battle, as the City-States of the region hold themselves as the most skilled warriors of Valoreign, and as such they find themselves squabbling over power often (usually resulting in skirmishes to settle disputes over the title of Exalted Warlord).
Almost as if reflecting it's bloody history, the sand of the valley is a deep reddish brown, and the jagged stones that break through the desert-like surface are stripped of all colour, appearing bone white (hence the name that outsiders have given the area). Part of the reason it has seen so much battle (beyond being the most central location in the region) is that there's no risk to settlements or precious resources. Polemos natives may crave a good fight, but war is rarely personal between them, and it would only leave them vulnerable to the forces in their neighbouring regions if collateral damage was a constant threat. Ostókoiláda also offers a rather defensible location for those familiar with the area, meaning foreign invaders are pushed toward it wherever possible. On such occasions, a confederacy of troops from the various City-States of Polemos are sent from their home armies to defend this territory, where smaller numbers are beneficial, thanks to low visibility from constant sandstorms and difficult troop movement through the sands making guerrilla style hit and run tactics most useful.
The Valley of Bones is probably most well known, in Polemos culture at least, as the site where the first Exalted Warlord was crowned over a ten day event of combat, celebration and prayer. This celebration has become an annual tradition, where tribes make the pilgrimage to Ostókoiláda take part in competitions and feasts in honour of their ancestors, or to challenge for the honour of becoming the next Exalted Warlord.

Geography

Ostókoiláda sits low in the centre of the Valoreign mainland, and takes the form of a desolate wasteland with reddish brown sand, and bone-white rocky protrusions sticking out from beneath the desert-like landscape. The so-called Valley of Bones is subject to regular sandstorms, and the layout of the area appears to change with every visit.

Fauna & Flora

Flora found in the area is rare, but not entirely unheard of. Olive trees skirt it's borders, though few survive very far into the valley itself, and travellers have spoken of white lilies that sprout from the sand itself. There is also a moderate scattering of shrubberies that have adapted to arid climates. Fauna tends to steer clear of Ostókoiláda, but skilled hunters can find rabbits, snakes and scorpions within it's shifting sands, and small game birds such as quail can be seen flying overhead.

Natural Resources

Ostókoiláda is known for two things: bloody sand and bone-white stone, and neither of these are incredibly useful to the people of Polemos.

Alternative Name(s)

The Valley of Bone

Type

Valley