Valewyr, the Cloudwoad Abundant
To discuss the geography of Valewyr, though there are two other regions worth discussing and highlighting, one must first embrace the fact that one such as me can only offer a brief overview. Much briefer than previous entries because well, the nation of Valewyr happens to also be the largest continuous ecological climate on Valerick. The Valeyri Shelf is truly massive, majestic, and ancient. Though it is a mountain range by any other name, do not confuse the image your brain creates with the likes of peaks and jagged mountain tops of younger ranges like those on Durol. No much like the Sauri range on Wyriel, the Valeyri Shelf is ancient, having been around, very likely, well before the Sundering and still here long after. Its rocky exterior shows this in its erosion pattern, the roundness and wear of its peaks and plateaus. The clouded forests that dominate its valleys and lower altitudes, creeping ever higher, the overgrowth seeming century after century more determined to consume the mountains themselves, is no less ancient. In some regions and valleys it is estimated the oldest and mightiest of the trees are likely two or three centuries old, perhaps even older. These forests grow slowly, the timber from these genjico trees and others of the same family, a unique family, growing slowly, their timber stiff and powerful, their bark almost as armor. These verdant cloud forests offer a unique mixed biome, alpine yet warm, humid, almost jungle like conditions can be found often in the valleys, giving way to cooler, almost temperate zones at higher altitudes.
As one might expect this unique and massive biome is a natural wonder, home to a varied and unique ecosystem not found anywhere else on Valerick. Some of the species, or close cousins, can be found elsewhere of course, but many are the unique flora and fauna that call the mist laden and tangled forests home. I am far from qualified, however I will at least attempt to briefly introduce you to the unique geography, to give you some semblance of an idea what to expect from this region of the world and its geographical quirks.
Geography
Valewyr is an empire built on the back of sky travel and travel at altitude. Her major roadways and rail-lines even show this. They are routed and plotted to travel along the cliffs and mountains as much as possible, descending only to the necessary distances to have bridges be feasible. This is for efficency, for most every settlement of size is built at altitude, to be closer to the sun. Though many do live within the misted forests and amongst the rivers and tributaries of those valleys, that is rural country, small villages and towns, none large enough to justify rail yards or sky-ports themselves and though local road systems connect them, as do the nations waterways, they are less heavily traveled and thus less heavily patrolled, and maintained.
The Valeyri Shelf is such a vast and unique geographical feature, and it heavily effects every day life. Upon the peaks and larger cities, they are all built with massive feeder aqueduct systems and reservoirs to collect rainwater, and melt runoff from the peaks of those areas where such things are still applicable like at the northern rim, and they have man-made runoff channels and tunnels to feed it down the mountains into the river systems that feed very specifically the regions around them where there are the most people, settlements and villages below. Terrace farming is done both individually and at scale and heavy is the presence of magic as well, due to the sheer volume of and regularity of manna gem deposits within the Shelf itself.
The rainy season here lasts a few months on end, drenching the landscape in what most would call winter, and this has direct environmental effects to the south, the topography affecting air currents in such a way that means clouds do not move far enough whilst full enough to rain on what has become the Great Bala except for an exceedingly short window of time each year when what is known as the Southwestern Sidewinder currents occur, a brief window, usually no more than two months, where the natural air currents of the region and continent are heavily disrupted by cool twisting currents of high speed and force that twist across it from the northeast, not entirely unlike a sidewinder. Most otherwise it rains at least once to twice a week in the Shelf, regardless where you are, and in the four month rainy season it's at least daily showers, and the mist will be ever thick, condensing and feeding water to the plant life from its sheer density.
The Valeyri Shelf is such a vast and unique geographical feature, and it heavily effects every day life. Upon the peaks and larger cities, they are all built with massive feeder aqueduct systems and reservoirs to collect rainwater, and melt runoff from the peaks of those areas where such things are still applicable like at the northern rim, and they have man-made runoff channels and tunnels to feed it down the mountains into the river systems that feed very specifically the regions around them where there are the most people, settlements and villages below. Terrace farming is done both individually and at scale and heavy is the presence of magic as well, due to the sheer volume of and regularity of manna gem deposits within the Shelf itself.
The rainy season here lasts a few months on end, drenching the landscape in what most would call winter, and this has direct environmental effects to the south, the topography affecting air currents in such a way that means clouds do not move far enough whilst full enough to rain on what has become the Great Bala except for an exceedingly short window of time each year when what is known as the Southwestern Sidewinder currents occur, a brief window, usually no more than two months, where the natural air currents of the region and continent are heavily disrupted by cool twisting currents of high speed and force that twist across it from the northeast, not entirely unlike a sidewinder. Most otherwise it rains at least once to twice a week in the Shelf, regardless where you are, and in the four month rainy season it's at least daily showers, and the mist will be ever thick, condensing and feeding water to the plant life from its sheer density.
Maps
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Valewyr, the Sun-Kissed Empire
Alternative Name(s)
Valeyri Shelf
Type
Mountain Range
Owning Organization
I absolutely adore the opening of your post—it vividly paints the landscape, and I feel like I’m my own traveler, gently exploring Valewyr. I really love the detail about the rain and aqueduct systems; it makes the infrastructure feel lived-in and realistic. The descriptions of the Valeyri Shelf, the twin rivers, and the Scaled Mist Ridges bring the geography to life, highlighting both the beauty and the danger of the region. The way you contrast the verdant forests with the toxic, overgrown bandlands is especially striking. Wonderful work—it really makes the world feel immersive and tangible.
Thank you so much for these kind words <3 I'm really happy with how this turned out and makes me happy you enjoyed it :D