Frostsvale
On maps of West Jirithkae, Jademouth valley is given little note. It is an out of the way patch of wilderness within the Great Pelian Mountains without any villages, farms, mines, or significant resources.
To the valehunters however, this sheltered forest valley is Frostsvale, the most sacred place on the continent and the place from which the order of demon hunters took their name. Here, they commemorate their fallen comrades and welcome new apprentices into their ranks.
Geography
The valley is almost entirely devoid of trees, with only a few scattered at the bases of the hills on either side. The peaks of the Great Pelian Mountains can be seen rising up above Frostsvale, sheltering it from the rest of the world. The Jade river flows down from the mountains and out of the valley, giving the area its official name.
The entire valley appears untouched and serene. However, with close examination the signs of valehunter monuments can be spotted among the foliage.
The Valehunters' Grotto
Just beneath the surface of the valley is a small network of interconnected caverns used as a meeting place and ritual site by the valehunters. Some of the hollowed rooms were formed naturally, while others were carved out later.
The Starry Circle
The Starry Circle is the largest cavern in the grotto and is used for the most important rituals and meetings. The center of the domed ceiling opens up to the sky, allowing natural light to pour in. The floor and walls are covered in detailed stone mosaics depicting the constellations at the height of summer.
The Fallen Blackwood
The Fallen Blackwood is a lone tree planted at the center of the valley surrounded by a ring of small stones. It stands above a small chamber in the hidden grotto below where a list of deceased hunters is carved into the rock.
To the valehunters, this sacred tree symbolizes the cycle of death and birth. Whenever the tree dies, a young sapling is planted in its place, symbolizing a new generation of hunters that will always rise to continue the work of those who have passed on.
The first Fallen Blackwood was planted by the hunters to honor those that had died during the battle of Frostsvale. The tree has been diligently tended and replaced by generations of valehunters for hundreds of years.
The Void Spires
Scattered throughout the valley are large shards of black rock. Although one of these rocks may appear to be obsidian at first glance, closer examination reveals a slight web of white lines that pulse rhythmically across its surface. They also emit a faint whispering sound, like a far off breeze. No tool or weapon has ever been able to scratch the void spires.
These rocks are said to have been formed when the Abyss was released into the valley by the demon Frost hundreds of years ago.
The Solstice Gathering
Valehunters spend most of their lives working in master-apprentice pairs while traveling across the continent. They rarely come into contact with one another except for once a year during the summer solstice.
Three days before the solstice, valehunters from across Pela will gather at Frostsvale. Senior hunters will meet in the Starry Circle to discuss any important events or demonic threats. Meanwhile, new apprentices will complete the commencement ritual and officially be imitated into the order.
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