Valley of Broken Dreams
Nulvayahar is a condition unique to elves and half-elves; those without elvish blood are neither victims nor carriers. Its cause and transmission remain unknown. Only faith magic can halt its progression. Sages speculate that it is not a physical disease, but an affliction of the spirit, a state between possession and insanity. Highly contagious among elves, it has obliterated entire communities. The name, derived from an ancient elvish dialect, translates to "broken dreams," a poetic description of its symptoms. A stricken elf suffers increasing memory loss, punctuated by episodes of intense mental fixation on their moments of greatest regret (which are not among the memories lost). When victims emerge from these fits of distress and melancholy, they describe them as terrible nightmares, reliving their life's greatest errors, paralyzed and unable to act.
Construction of Castle Calden, situated on the westernmost ridge of Shepherd's Valley, began in 7876 by the Dwarven Calendar. Duke Berault of Thazia commissioned its construction for strategic reasons, protecting the southern border from the Xerith Empire, and as a testament to the love and beauty of his late wife and daughter, who had succumbed to a mysterious affliction several winters prior. The castle was completed nearly twenty years later, a remarkably swift construction for such a grand and powerful fortress. To achieve this, Duke Berault enlisted the aid of elvish mages from the west, necessitating regular meetings and a treaty with their king, Illaran. King Illaran, renowned for his wisdom and believed to be blessed by Shiandria herself, worked closely with the Duke. During this time, many elvish merchants, mages, warriors, and craftsmen settled in the area, forging strong bonds. A particularly strong bond developed between Duke Berault's grandson, Clarrik Berault, who was said to resemble his mother, and King Illaran's daughter, Llamiryl Syllen. Their romance was accepted by both families, and there was even talk of a permanent alliance between the elvish kingdom and Thazia, a member of the Alliance of Dawn Lords.
Both King Illaran and Duke Berault supported the marriage of Clarrik and Llamiryl. Nobles and diplomats from across the Dawn Lands attended the grand wedding, and the newlyweds appeared genuinely happy. However, their happiness was short-lived. Princess Llamiryl became pregnant with twins, named Almar and Flinar. Ten months into the pregnancy, Llamiryl was stricken with Nulvayahar, a particularly cruel and potent bout, leading some to whisper of magical malevolence. Despite the best efforts of Duke Clarrik and both kings, Llamiryl and her twin sons died in childbirth. Two days after the castle's completion, in 7896 DC, during the month of Hrafnir, Duke Clarrik, overwhelmed by grief, threw himself from the highest point of Castle Calden. King Illaran and his people returned west in sorrow. Duke Berault sent his court back to Thazia, choosing to remain in the castle, growing increasingly distant and distraught until his death five years later. Before his death, he renamed the valley "Valley of Broken Dreams." It is said that his ghost still wanders Castle Calden, lost in confusion and sorrow. His line ended, and his lands and titles passed to his younger brother.
In 8205 DC the “War of the Breaking of the Wall” spread out past the border. In one fateful battle the Xerith Empire and its Vanguardian allies attacked the Valley of Broken Dreams, in order to control the road leading to the Dawn lands port cities. An alliance of Dwarves, Elves, and Dawn Landers defended the valley.
During the Battle of the Valley of Broken Dreams, good King Martok was slain while valiantly fighting an army of Minotours. His son Prince Volstag, along with traveling companions Ursagor and Aryellas were present at the fight but were unable to stop his fateful charge. The crown, and his mount a faithful Battle Boar, then fell to his son Volstag.
Construction of Castle Calden, situated on the westernmost ridge of Shepherd's Valley, began in 7876 by the Dwarven Calendar. Duke Berault of Thazia commissioned its construction for strategic reasons, protecting the southern border from the Xerith Empire, and as a testament to the love and beauty of his late wife and daughter, who had succumbed to a mysterious affliction several winters prior. The castle was completed nearly twenty years later, a remarkably swift construction for such a grand and powerful fortress. To achieve this, Duke Berault enlisted the aid of elvish mages from the west, necessitating regular meetings and a treaty with their king, Illaran. King Illaran, renowned for his wisdom and believed to be blessed by Shiandria herself, worked closely with the Duke. During this time, many elvish merchants, mages, warriors, and craftsmen settled in the area, forging strong bonds. A particularly strong bond developed between Duke Berault's grandson, Clarrik Berault, who was said to resemble his mother, and King Illaran's daughter, Llamiryl Syllen. Their romance was accepted by both families, and there was even talk of a permanent alliance between the elvish kingdom and Thazia, a member of the Alliance of Dawn Lords.
Both King Illaran and Duke Berault supported the marriage of Clarrik and Llamiryl. Nobles and diplomats from across the Dawn Lands attended the grand wedding, and the newlyweds appeared genuinely happy. However, their happiness was short-lived. Princess Llamiryl became pregnant with twins, named Almar and Flinar. Ten months into the pregnancy, Llamiryl was stricken with Nulvayahar, a particularly cruel and potent bout, leading some to whisper of magical malevolence. Despite the best efforts of Duke Clarrik and both kings, Llamiryl and her twin sons died in childbirth. Two days after the castle's completion, in 7896 DC, during the month of Hrafnir, Duke Clarrik, overwhelmed by grief, threw himself from the highest point of Castle Calden. King Illaran and his people returned west in sorrow. Duke Berault sent his court back to Thazia, choosing to remain in the castle, growing increasingly distant and distraught until his death five years later. Before his death, he renamed the valley "Valley of Broken Dreams." It is said that his ghost still wanders Castle Calden, lost in confusion and sorrow. His line ended, and his lands and titles passed to his younger brother.
In 8205 DC the “War of the Breaking of the Wall” spread out past the border. In one fateful battle the Xerith Empire and its Vanguardian allies attacked the Valley of Broken Dreams, in order to control the road leading to the Dawn lands port cities. An alliance of Dwarves, Elves, and Dawn Landers defended the valley.
During the Battle of the Valley of Broken Dreams, good King Martok was slain while valiantly fighting an army of Minotours. His son Prince Volstag, along with traveling companions Ursagor and Aryellas were present at the fight but were unable to stop his fateful charge. The crown, and his mount a faithful Battle Boar, then fell to his son Volstag.
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