Oakenstone | The Valley of Mist
INTRODUCTION
Oakenstone is a mountainous region in the northern regions of Elmguard, sharing a southeastern border with Glacias, a western border with Casesburn, and separated from Illemana by the Straits of Stone.
THE VALLEY OF MIST
This large expanse gives Oakenstone its title. Dating back to the Second Age, this was where civilization first emerged. Rich with resources, the deepest corners of the Valley of Mist were excavated by men for its physical value.
THE ELDRITCH WAR
In the Second Age, during an expedition in the Valley of Mist, a strange portal was uncovered, which spewed otherworldly creatures. They were referred to as the Eldritch - beings of the Otherworld. These beings were fast and mighty, and they quickly overpowered Man, despite their strong weaponry and advanced Magic. In a hopeless battle against Cextornyx, the Lord of the Otherworld, Oakenstone was the first to fall. The war was eventually won when the Seven Sages struck back united, but remnants of the war lay behind in the tunnels beneath Oakenstone - corrupted temple ruins and crumbling corridors forever fallen to waste. The Valley of Mist was never renovated, in fear of aggravating the spirits lost within.
The deepest corners of the caves beneath the Valley of Mist were completely overtaken by an Eldritch Growth.
The Ruined Temple of the Valley of Mist
THE SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary is a network of underground forests with trees with beautiful violet leaves. Of the entire Valley corrupted by the Eldritch, the Sanctuary stood relatively unharmed. It symbolized hope and peace in the darkest days of the Eldritch War. In their expedition in Oakenstone Valley, the Seven Sages drew strength from the Sanctuary Tree.
The Sanctuary Tree basking in the light from a crack in the caves - standing strong against the Eldritch Corruption.
House of Elements
The House of Elements was the laboratory in which the Elements of the Sages were first pieced together and studied. The upper half of the Elemental Rings Diagram was inscribed into its floor for reference.
PEAKs OF OAKENSTONE
East from the Valley of Mist are mountains greater than those anywhere else in Elmguard. With great mountains come great caves - large, open caverns howling with highland winds. Populated by hardy folk resistant to the cold climate and thin air, these highlands see few travelers, save those who visit the rebuilt Temple of Oakenstone - a replica of the temple buried in the Valley of Mist so long ago ravaged by the Eldritch.
REBUILT OAKENSTONE TEMPLE
This temple houses an artifact - Oakenstone’s Diamond, a massive crystal brimming with raw power that protects the people of the highlands. The ceremonial promotion of an Auror of Terra, First Class to Master of Terra takes place before this Diamond, as a tribute to Oakenstone to obtain his blessing. Some say that this blessing alone is half of the power of a Master of Terra.