While originally named for the golden opportunities that the vale granted, the Golden Vale has taken its name for the golden touch of the Goldhammer. The deity who carved some of the first people from the materials of these planes.
The
Golden Vale contains miles of tallgrass plains, rolling hills, and fertile farmlands. It is the central region in the
Ossalimarian Empire. It is surrounded on all sides with
Grendial Heights and the
Moorbound Peaks to the north,
Carenvale Fields to the west, the
Marros Valley to the south just beyond
Myr's Ridge and the Mayvel Pass leading to
The Marreach in the east.
Description
During the Age of Restoration, the Golden Vale is a varied terrain filled with tallgrass plains and rolling hills. Near the north of the region is the large Flarian Lake and in the east there are a set of rolling hills that make access to
The Marreach difficult. The land in the area is very fertile and the region is the primary agricultural producer of the
Ossalimarian Empire. Thanks to a warmer climate along the south-western part of the region, there have also been a number of vineyards and orchards producing a wide variety of wines and fruits.
| Terrain |
Plains
Hills
Forests (some) |
| Fauna |
|
| Plane |
Material Plane (Nonvyrox) |
| Continent |
Ossalimar |
| Points of Interest |
|
Points of Interest
Grantour
Read More: Grantour
The capital of the
Ossalimarian Empire, Grantour is a city of spectacle towards the Empire. Fuelled by the agricultural prowess of the various districts of the city, it seems to have been formed across the largest hill among the region. Some believe that mages in fact made the hill nearly a mountain to make a defensive position for the capital upon which the royal family sits.
Skorage
Read More: Skorage
Known as the religious capital of the
Ossalimarian Empire, Skorage is sometimes called "Little
Sovmora" for its use of architecture similar to that of the city itself. In time, it has made its own name as being a place for religious warriors and clerics to learn more about the Empire-approved deities and the ancient
Dual Idols, all of whom are the only religious figures allowed in the city.
Onerage
Read More: Onerage
On the outskirts of the Golden Vale, Onerage was originally founded to supply a nearby quarry, which is the primary source of building stones in the Empire. This town then became flourishing as people discovered the several metals and minerals that were deep within the quarry's depths. Many people flocked to the region in an attempt to make their fortune. As a result, the town has the largest metal refinery in the entire Empire.
Longvale
Read More: Longvale
A smaller town in the south of the Golden Vale, Longvale is known for several vineyards that surround the main central area of the town. It is warmer in the south of the Golden Vale, leading many in Longvale to have houses made of a beautiful clay brick made from the local river. The clay bricks seem to help keep houses warmer during the cold season and colder during the warm season. The river runs directly through the village and stems from a nearby spring.
Longvale Tillage
Based around the spring from which the river that passes through Longvale, the tillage is a large agricultural producer in the region, mostly feeding the major cities in the more northern parts of the region. Thanks to the climate, the tillage seems to be able to grow several different types of grains and more diverse crops than most of the Empire. As a result, several of those with green thumbs are requested to travel to the tillage to ensure that the crops grow successfully.
The Unsealable Tomb
Based off the road between
Skorage and
Grantour is a seemingly random doorway in a small hill. This is the marking of an ancient tomb for one known as the Spellstringer. Its design is older than most historians are aware of. Many believe that this was created before, or very early during
The Shatter. Yet somehow it still stands. As recently as 752 AR, it has been discovered that the tomb is connected with the ruins of the ancient
Arvadian flying city of Temadomo, which somhow wrapped around the tomb in its crash.
Society
The Golden Vale has religious significance for many people in
Ossalimar, particularly due to one of the ancient ancestries creation myth. It is supposed that
Lyr'ian and
Djanrol used the deposits of clay all the way throughout the Golden Vale to form one of the original ancestries that led to the founding of the
Grassfolk and
Humans.
Notable People
| Name |
Pronouns |
Description |
| Leivan Ossalimar |
He/Him |
Human King of the Ossalimarian Empire. Leading into the twilight of his years, King Leivan Ossalimar has always resided within the Golden Vale and its central power of the Empire. For over 100 years, he has seen several major events and the Empire's potential fall. He's ever cautious, but also filled with elements of hate towards those who have long been enemies of the Empire. |
| Lord Cara'loth Moorelane |
He/Him |
Air Elementra Archmage of Antiquities with the Veritas Convention. Living for longer than King Leivan Ossalimar, Cara'loth has been a constant advisor to the Empire on all things history and magic. He uses his influence to achieve his own means over the course of centuries, though these goals are unclear. |
| Temyana Gristlehook |
She/Her |
Firbolg druid who resides in the Golden Vale, traversing across it looking to help and encourage as much wildlife to grow as possible. She was born in the Carrow Swamp, but has found her purpose under Mandra to help those in need around the Vale. |
| Tondrik Marr |
He/They |
Centaur Herdmaster. For the last decade, Tondrik has led a herd of centaur who traverse the Golden Vale hunting game and divining the stars. Especially during the days of summer, Tondrik leads the Centaurs in revelry and divine rituals to celebrate the different Leyline Spirits of the lands. |
Notable Factions
Veritas Convention
Read More: Veritas Convention
While they are extremely prominent across the
Ossalimarian Empire, the Veritas Convention are based in and extremely prominent in the Golden Vale due to their link with
Grantour. There are lower members of the Convention are known to traverse the Vale gathering materials and learning more about the lands around the Vale.
Obsidian Forge
Read More: Grand Archive of the Obsidian Forge
As with many regions around the world, the
Obsidian Forge have learning outposts in the two cities of the Golden Vale. But in
Grantour, they act as the main opposing force against the political influence and malice of the
Veritas Convention. They recruit those who could be enticed by the Convention in the Golden Vale.
Archani Conclave
Read More: Archani Conclave
Since 731 AR, the Archani Conclave have tried to open libraries throughout the Golden Vale, finally being allowed to do so upon petitioning the King. These libraries have started to develop scholars throughout the Vale who are looking to share information that is not purely Empire propaganda. This has led many of the members to be sought out by those who wish to push the Empire in the direction they want it to go.
The Pickers
Thanks to the infrastructure of the Empire, most travelers follow the main roads and pathways. However, this has led to a pattern of predictability, particularly for those who are looking to gain a bit of gold from the pockets of those who can afford it. The Pickers has become a known collective of different bandits who hail down carriages, stop wagons, and run cons, in aim to pick the coin from their marks pocket. While members of the Crownsguard have attempted to thwart the collective, they have seemed to stay anonymous, for now.
Thundersteel Herd
Named for the noise of their armor clattering and hooves stamping against the ground, the Thundersteel Herd is a collective of Centaurs known for travelling the Golden Vale seeking out places of natural beauty, hunting game, and divining the stars. Over the years they have found a natural affinity to the Leyline Spirits. Many people have found that the Herd are a kindly group that help guide those who are seeking something from the natural world, or directions back to civilization.
Rubellian Sykers
Residing hidden in a set of ruins from the time of the Bornassi, the Rubellian Sykers are a collective of blood magic users using the ruins to slowly train the magical potential of its followers. While they once were numerous in a dedicated settlement, raids from strange creatures and
Crownsguard have left the Sykers devastated and lacking numbers. Since 747 AR, blood magic has been prohibited from being taught in the
Ossalimarian Empire, leading the Sykers to hide further that before, but allowing those with skill to flourish.
Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2025
Answering: "
The place of origin of a people in your world"
All work is copyright Owen Davies 2025, all rights reserved.
Sounds like a beautiful area. I am most curious about the tomb and the ruins of the flying city.
Explore Etrea | Summer Camp 2025
I'm exploring it now in my RPG Campaign!