Amorvale
Ruler Owner
The Amorvale is property of The Sanctuary. Clan Hoershal gave the tower of Amotorr and the surrounding lands in the vale to the Sanctuary a century after the Thane, Thingor Gremane dispanded the the Druids and made the Sanctuary the de facto official religion of the Alven Clans and the Clanlands.
The lands belonged to the now lost Clan Caldbeare before that. See The Eye of Ciaran legend (Clan Eaglesham).
Geography
The vale is a difficult-of-access and narrow valley between two tall mountains of the Farside mountains. It is a natural border between Clan Hoershall and Clan Eaglesham's clanlands.
The mountains that tower above the vale are: Ben More to the east and Mount Correl to the west. Clan historians have surmised that the donation of the land to the Sanctuary was, at the time, a political decision - the vale creating a buffer between the two clans. The presence and influence of the Sanctuary indeed meant that the two clans have been at peace for more than a century.
The River Amor runs through the vale. The Amor's spring is located up into The Farside Mountains and its spring is a well-guarded secret of Clan Eaglesham.
The Amor runs into the deep waters of Loch Morgunt to the south after passing through the towns of Benamor, Kinbeath and Killoren to the south (Clan Eaglesham).
Access to the Vale is difficult - the paths to the Amorvale are often snowbound in winter and damaged easily by floods during the thaw. The River Amor is often the only way in and out of the vale but is very dangerous to navigate - rapids and a few waterfalls stop the progress of anyone trying to sail through it. A few enterprising Benamore villagers, often themselves loggers, have made a living guiding travellers through the deathly rapids. They are named the Passers.
Climate
The Vale is known for its harsh winters and short but beautiful summers. The mountain climate is typical of the Farside and Farden moutains: snow lies on the ground for the dark months of the year. Spring arrives late: the thaw lasts a few weeks before the short two summer months when temperatures rise dramatically.
The beautiful hardwood forest of the Lower Vale turns a beautiful brown and gold colours just a few weeks before the onset of winter.
Localised Phenomena
Only in the sheltered lower valleys of Benamore and Mount Correl (the Low Vales can we find a microclimate that keeps the lands snow-free for a few more months. It is what makes Amorvale special and has enabled human occupation in the area for millenia.
Mount Corell is also well-known for its labyrinth of underground caves. Many are still mined for iron and coal, and the other main resource of the vale: silver. However, the mines are long-standing and are now nearly exhausted.
The Vale people rely mainly on the angora goat trade and use the river Amor to float logs towards Loch Morgunt for survival.
Flora and Fauna
Flora
The Vale is known for its beautiful hardwood forests, mainly oaks and beeches. On the lower slopes of the mountains, you can also find groves of the Alven version of the chesnut tree: the Nuttree. With the Hazeltee, they are the only two trees providing readily available nuts in the northern clanlands. The northern clansmen are particularly fond of the nuts from the Nuttree (which is hardier than the Earth version of it).
They make traditional flour and other specialties out of it. The Nutree turns a beautiful pale, luminous golden colour in the autumn and the groves in their shimmering colours are said to be one of the sights of Farden/Farside.
The high alpine meadows of Mount Corell are sought after in the summer (cattle, goats etc.) and are a sight to behold when the alpine flowers are in bloom. Traditionally, flocks and herds are led through narrow and steep paths up the mountains (transhumance - find a new word) to take advantage of the newly grown grass in the High Pastures/Fields.
Fauna
See species mentioned in The Farside Mountains and Farside :
Natural Resources and Economy
Natural resources
As mentioned earlier:
1 Angora wool
2 Logging
3 Cattle, sheep
4 Iron, coal, silver (mining)
5 Nuttree
As part of the economy, the Sanctuary plays a big role. The Sanctuary wealth helps the local economy to thrive, the Seers are especially benevolent towards the local people and help out whenever the communities face difficulties, usually during a harsh winter or when crops fail.
In return, the villagers, farmers and other businesses are keen to maintain good relationships with the Torr (as it is commonly known in Benamor).
The River Amor is an important player in the economy of the Vale. Despite the dangers, most goods from the Vale are carried by the fast-flowing river. What makes the journey worthwhile is that the river becomes navigable just a few miles down the Vale and is a quick way to bring goods to Kinbeath Harbour on Loch Morgunt.
Kinbeath belongs to Clan Eaglesham but the Sanctuary, through political advantage, does not pay fees for the Amorvale goods departing or arriving there.
Villages and People
The main settlement in the Amorvale is the Sanctuary estate named Amotorr or the Torr by the locals. An imposing eagle nest at its core, the Estate comprises the surrounding fertile lands that benefit from the Benamore microclimate.
Benamore village is close by and serves as supplementary workforce. Benamore is also a source of resources for the Seers of the Torr. The villagers and the Sanctuary have mutual beneficial agreements, and both ensures that the harsh life in this remote part of the mountains is as safe and comfortable as possible.
Further up the mountains, can be found a series of small hamlets that also belong to the Sanctuary's lands. The hamlets and small villages are mainly inhabited by loggers and miners. They also serve as a base in the summer for the shepherds and shepherdesses who bring the family cattle and flocks to the High Fields.
Life is harder up the mountain, and coupled with the loss of productivity in the mines, many young people have moved to the Lower Vales to find a more profitable and comfortable life there in the shadow of the Torr.
History
See the introduction of the article and the article about Amotorr History
Secrets
1 The Ouma Caves (see article)
by Ai images (Leonardo)
Type
Valley
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