“Come sit a while by the fire while I tell you a tale…”
There is a world where magic is the tool of the monstrous, and bestial howls ring out through the night and it is known as the Hallowed Vales. What do you do when the fires grow low and the shadows grow long? What do you do when the wind howls and the wolf is at the door? These are more than hypotheticals for those in the Hallowed Vale: they are simply a part of life in the Vales. Monstrous Fabelwessen roam the land, ready to prey upon those who do not keep their wits about them. The human denizens of the Vales cling to their superstitions and scour their lore to show them how to survive in this treacherous world. When you live in a place where monsters roam the night, sometimes the only thing you can arm yourself with is a story and a blade. This is exactly what those in the Vales do. Their traditions and superstitions keep them safe, and should those fail, they put their faith in the power of silver.
The Vales themselves are nestled amidst wild and unforgiving wilderness. To the north lies the verdant expanse of the Furchtwald where the trees grow foreboding and strange. To the south, the jagged peaks of the Gaddartoppe mountain range stretch out until the edges meet when the bounds of the twisted forest begins and the two fully encompass the Vales. The region is limited to the three Vales with their walled cities and surrounding sprawling farmlands. The ruins of what was once the fourth Vale lie at the central point between the three Vales. Its remnants stand silent and entirely overgrown with beautiful but thorned roses.
A story worth the telling…
Long, long, ago when all was wild, and humans spent their nights huddled ‘round the fire, the monstrous ruled over all. Life was short and blood ran freely. Days were short, nights were long, and no one was safe from the horrors that roamed the night. This was a time before the safety of the walled cities, before the tales of survival and cunning that we pass down with each new generation of children, and before we turned to face that which inspires fear in us to this very day. What do you mean you don’t fear monsters? Don’t be stupid, child, fear is what keeps you alive. It’s ok to be afraid so long as you don’t let it stop you from doing the things that need to get done. Now where was I? Ah yes, we were a people ruled by fear, disorganized and hopeless. Then one day they appeared, the first Lords. There were six in total: the Clever Sister, the Blessed Fool, the Noble Smith, the Silent Maiden, the Wise Mother, and the Gallant Huntsman. They taught us how to fight back the monsters and they created the settled regions that would come to be known as the Hallowed Vales.
They ruled over and guided the Vales for a century and a day. It is said that the time during their rule was one of peace and prosperity free from the tyranny of nightmarish monsters. Perhaps, it is because of this extended respite that we began to forget the danger. We stopped telling our stories for fear of scaring our children and our children’s children. We let our guards down and our weapons grow dull. We stopped believing the monsters were real. No one expected several within Rozenmuur to ally themselves with the Furchtwald. No one expected them to open the doors to the monsters and invite them in. No one expected Rozenmuur to fall.
No survivors were found in the aftermath of the fall, all that remained was blood on the snow of that cold winter morning. The six Lords were found to have vanished with the rising sun, undoubtedly disgusted by the betrayal that had occurred. They taught us everything we knew, showed us how to survive, and we failed them. Now we had to take that knowledge and learn to survive without them. If you’re looking for a happy ending child, I cannot give you one. Our story as a people continues to be written so long as a single one of us draws breath. So believe in your stories and silver, dear child, and for one day they might just save your life.
The Vales themselves are nestled amidst wild and unforgiving wilderness. To the north lies the verdant expanse of the Furchtwald where the trees grow foreboding and strange. To the south, the jagged peaks of the Gaddartoppe mountain range stretch out until the edges meet when the bounds of the twisted forest begins and the two fully encompass the Vales. The region is limited to the three Vales with their walled cities and surrounding sprawling farmlands. The ruins of what was once the fourth Vale lie at the central point between the three Vales. Its remnants stand silent and entirely overgrown with beautiful but thorned roses.
Those living in the Hallowed Vales generally wear clothing in muted, darker colors, or black made from either fabric or leather. People in the farmlands surrounding the walled cities tend to dress in simple variations of tunics, pants, dresses, and/or skirts. Those living in the walled cities are more likely to wear finer, more elaborate clothing. Red is a taboo color and wearing it is considered to draw the gaze of the supernatural(people with red hair are viewed with suspicion). Clothing worn is from the European Dark Ages to Renaissance periods in cottons and linens. Laces and buttons are appropriate, as are hooks, clasps, ribbons, and leather accessories.
All denizens of the Hallowed Vales wear silver as part of their superstitions, unless they have a very good reason. Silver jewelry is prevalent as silver is said to ward off monsters and everyone wears at least a necklace with a small silver pendant. This does not need to be real silver. Silver metallic coloring is fine. In general, this can take the form of jewelry, clasps, armor, and other trinkets. It does not need to be tagged.
None
Denizens of the Vales have a 5 CP discount on purchasing the first level of the following skills:
Scholarship: Stories and the knowledge they hold are pivotal to life in the Vales and there is an abundance of both for any who seek out stories for a variety of scholastic endeavors. It is common for anyone from the Vales to educate themselves on the stories of their world regardless of if they wish to dedicate their life to such pursuits.
Tinkering: Magic belongs to the monsters, but that does not mean humans are without their ingenuity. The Clever Sister passed on her knowledge of gadgets and traps and many in the Vales prove themselves formidable students of her legacy.
Sword: With Fabelwessen roaming about, people learn from the example of the Gallant Hunter and take up the sword to protect their homes. Some only learn enough to defend themselves in an emergency while others embrace the dangerous opportunity of their world to become Hunters and perhaps even become as skilled as their gallant predecessor.
Advanced Fighting Style: Vicious Marksman: So long as they have a teacher and the required Tinkering 6, those from the Vale may purchase the first level of Vicious Marksman for 15 CP.