Vuca'val
A valley near the western end of the Riko'sala Mountains.
Geography
The valley sits between tall mountains of dark, dense rock. A stream runs through it and forms small lakes here and there.
Localized Phenomena
Ground is the dominant Elemental current, closely followed by Lava. Seismic activity is moderately high on the western edge of the mountain range. Quakes and volcanic eruptions tend to be fairly mild, but frequent enough to discourage people from venturing too far into the mountains.
Climate
The mountains shield the valley from extreme weather, and temperatures remain rather mild throughout the year.
Strong rainfalls in autumn or early spring lead to minor floods around the lakes.
Fauna & Flora
Vegetation is thriving in the valley, thanks to the fresh water and the minerals from the occasional volcanic outbreak. Wild sheep feed on the lush grass and herbs, birds of all kinds nest in the ancient trees, and countless small rodents scurry through the undergrowth.
Natural Resources
The damp, mineral-rich soil is well-suited for agriculture. Around the stream and lakes, the ground is rich in clay that can be used for building. The water itself carries various metals down from the mountains.
History
The valley was mostly untouched by people before the Talma'kabi, a tribe of Steppe Elves, decided to settle there in the year 1164. Isolated from the rest of the kingdom, they built their own idea of a civilization there.
The Northern Forest Elves tried to claim the fertile valley several times, but always ended up retreating because the geography made it easy to defend from within. Eventually, they lost interest because the secluded location was unattractive to their own settlers, anyway.
However, when the Purity Law took effect, this led many mixed-species families to seek shelter with the Talma'kabi.
When word got out that the tribe welcomed these refugees with open arms, the King became determined to wipe this "stain on the Elven heritage" from the map. In the summer of 1382, the royal army attacked with unprecedented force, overwhelming the tribe's warriors and leaving nobody alive inside the valley.
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