Valley of Visions

Deep within the Glass-Spear Peaks, the towering behemoths of a bygone era, is said to lie a place where one can see things thought impossible. A place where past, present, and future is laid bare. So legend tells, somewhere north-east of Lake Foljeim is the valley in which Azila Ironcliffe led her troops, stumbling about lost and desperate, pounded by an ice storm, losing hope and strength. This valley was covered in a mist that seemed as glass, but colder to the touch than any wind, yet not near as painful to the body. It was as if the storm could not penetrate this fog. So Azila led her men down into the valley, realizing it was better than dying of complete exposure, given that the storm did not seem to penetrate the mist. So tired and desperate was she that she, a dwarf no less, did not question or think to consider that clearly some powerful magic was at work. No such cautious approach was taken, and they made camp, cold, but melting, as they managed to start small fires now that they were not being abused by such a foul and harsh wind. Again none questioned the old dead trees in the valley, convenient as they were.

They ate and warmed up as much as they could, but sleep came over many men quickly. Azila as well, as it should. They'd not really rested for almost three days, trying desperately to get their bearings, likely barely moving at all. However in those mists, as she slept, she was given a great gift. The gift of vision. Not eye sight. But true vision. The gift of prophecy. She moved out of her tent, seemingly muttering one side of a conversation, her eyes sharp, but obviously not fully awake. She traveled almost a kilometer from camp, up a rise and a ridge, to overlook the camp and surrounding area. The mist was receding, the storm raging, yet her eyes were not seeing the storm. She was seeing the future, her future, her road and journey out of the mountains, to link up with her son, to save the assault at the last moment, as the orc host threatened to overwhelm Cormac and his troops. She was shown her future. 

In her time of need, when she was losing her way, stumbling from her path on the flow of time, the Valley of Visions showed itself to her, and the spirits there guided her back. These most blessed spirits are truly benevolent things, for they demanded nothing in return for this boon. Should you feel lost, feel as if you are losing your way, your path, perhaps consider a pilgrimage. One only need to keep heading towards Primordial Peak. The valley will find you, lost one, and help put you right again.

Legend of the Valley of Visions, local story around the Evani Baruntacht.

Summary

This myth is a one that many in the region lend no real thought too, even though it is something some actually know the difference of. Such is the funny way the human, indeed the sapient mind works. We are not the wisest creatures, This myth supposes that it was a place, not so much a presence that aided Azila Ironcliffe, a mystical place called the Valley of Visions. This comes from her description of where the event occured, though in truth the raging ice storm very much did still effect her, as many of her troops that arrived to save Cormac later lost fingers, toes, or even more to frostbite. They were not, nor were they ever, safe from the cold. However what it gets right is the dead trees, seemingly for them to start small fires with. Azila did claim the same.

Where this tale truly diverges however, is the idea of 'benevolent spirits whom ask nothing in return' compared to just 'a presence' and Azila being well recorded as saying 'There is a price to be paid."

The Valley of Visions is often described as wooded valley, somehow thriving within and between solid glacial ice peaks, which in and of itself is not so wild a thought, if it weren't for the fact that no trees grow anywhere within a hundred kilometers of the region in question. However since Azila's time many have attempted the journey, searching for this mythical place. Most have never returned, though a select few have. Of those whom do, most are not the same, they are...changed, and they do claim of have found the Valley, and recieved 'wisdom'.

Historical Basis

Whether or not Azila saw anything is up for debate but we do know that she claimed to have, so that part of the story is historically accurate, as is the larger perspective location, that is the the Glacial Spears. Besides that however, most of a more scholarly background dismiss this tale as a wild one. It is far more believable there is some forgotten powerful....being exacting a toll, a price for its services than something like 'benevolent spirits.'

Spread

Really this myth has spread in thanks due to the cult of personality surrounding one particular bishop of Sir Kartheart's church, that is Bishop Grivoldis Honmullmac Aventarn in Rekarsk's Temple of the Holy Spear. He speaks often in sermon of Matron Saint Azila Ironcliffe and her trials and tribulations, and his re-telling of the events in the Glass-Spear Peaks openly lacks the details about her own many statements of what she experienced, and instead seems to take great...'creative liberities' or would to an outsider. He has been the ranking religious official in Rekarsk, hell in all of the Evani region, for nearly a hundred and thirty years, and is known for being very persuasive. He has done well to ingrain himself and his...'religious views' to the people within the Evani region, as they've been passed all through Rekarsk, and slowly over time have migrated and traveled.

Variations & Mutation

In some ways this is a variant itself, but has also completely seperated, for the legend can be told about any of the other 'supposed' successful pilgrims, and has been in Aventarn's sermons many times.

Cultural Reception

It took over a century of careful work, but this version is culturally accepted within the Evani Baruntacht. This of course explains why at least a dozen new fools attempt the pilgrimage each year. It has gone so far as to, supposedly, attract outside attention. No true investigation yet from the greater institution that is the Kartheart Church, but supposedly that may be coming. Needless to say the story about this place, this Valley of Visions is rather....divisive.

In Literature

Recently the latest batch of the Tales of Valor the basic Kartheartigan Holy book, the one most everyone has in their home, the latest batches printed in the temple at Rekarsk....were altered to include this 'different' interpretation of the 'mythical life' of Matron Saint Azila.

In Art

The temple in Rekarsk draws inspiration from the church in Grakenfjord, where Azila Ironcliffe lays in state, in style at least. But in the finish, there are stark differences. For one she never sees the twisted horror of what....maybe was once a True Dragon, a child of the primordial. It also leaves out the references of a price to be paid, or the implication that her death was that price coming due.

Instead her death is portrayed as an extremely sad loss, but nothing more than a tragic matter of circumstance.

Date of First Recording

1121 SuD

Date of Setting

1121 SuD