Bloodstone Valley
The fertile valley land of Bloodstone has gone by many names. When it was simply "Bloodstone Pass" and no settlements dotted its wilderness, the Dwarves of the Hall of the Hammerhanded used the valley for accessing the world of the Elves of Rawlinswood and the Men of Narfell (should they need them). Several centuries later starting in 820 DR it slowly grew into a busy trade route linking the fledgling nation of Damara and the wilderness of Vaasa. At some point in the 1050's the settlement that would one day become the City of Bloodstone was established by Humans, and shortly thereafter the Dwarves of the Halls of the Hammerhanded mysteriously disappeared.
As travel and trade grew between the nations of Damara and Vaasa, and the obvious wealth of the various mines under construction became clear, the strategic importance of the pass increased. Damara marched to the west ridge of the pass with its well organized labor force and trained army and constructed the fortresses and walls collectively called Vaasa Gate in 1219. From 1220 to 1250 the Damaran people established the town of Virdin (named after King Tjovis Virdin, Iejir's father), built the village and hospital at Raker's and assisted the Halflings of the valley with the improvement and semi-fortification of their city called Waukeshire. As a final measure of security and safety King Tjovis Virdin ordered the construction of a second fortress and walls at the east ridge along the Terror Falls in 1250 which became Damara Gate. Finally, the area was formally made a Barony of Damara, and entrusted to House Tranth.
From that day forward Bloodstone was (and still is) the single greatest source of wealth of the nation of Damara. Explorers and miners flocked to the area to make a good living. A large Mayoral Fort was erected in the center of the newly christened City of Bloodstone. As adventurers began locating and clearing perilous sites near the city, it became less dangerous to live in the area. In addition to the aforementioned, the Valley now benefited from the bountiful Bloodstone Mines and the huge catches fishermen were taking out of Lake Midai. It didn't take long for the valley to fill in with farmers willing to work the fertile land and craftspersons eager to build the tools they needed. The area thrived and productivity increased, with the riches flowing easily back into Damara. For a century Bloodstone Valley was the greatest jewel in the Damaran crown.
As trade continued with Vaasa, the obvious wealth and benefit to living in the valley (and being Damaran) became apparent to the Barbarian tribes of the Black Steppes, the enigmatic Warlocks of Telos, and yet fouler denizens. But the fortresses and walls of Vaasa Gate stood in the way of any conquest. Finally by 1340 or so, the hungry eyes of the self-crowned Witch King of Vaasa landed on the valley, and so it would be 25 years (and 2 wars) of pain and misery in Bloodstone. Once Zhengyi was killed on the slopes of the Tempest Cliffs north of the City of Bloodstone, the wars finally ended and people slowly went back to their lives.
The post war period has seen a number of new changes to the valley. The Halls of the Hammerhanded have been reopened and the Dwarves are returning to their ancestral home. The battlefield structures at the crossroads along the western road to Vaasa Gate have been converted into a town square and now Battlecross flourishes with farmers instead of soldiers. The Bloodstone Mines have completely reopened and the town of Virdin has never been more vibrant. A new settlement called Breaking Bluff has been built near the dangerous Iron Timber forest featuring a new strange type of mine. Its proximity to the Iron Timber has increased contact with the Wood Elves and Centaurs who dwell within it.
Distantly, the Houses of Damara demand more diverse and interesting riches from the Valley. The current Mayor of Bloodstone, Simquat Vlethe, fancies himself a dashing noble. In truth he may only be an influential man of great personal wealth, but it is said that he has Queen Virdin's ear and her complete trust, and why is that?
People of Bloodstone
The population of Bloodstone Valley consists primarily of Damaran Humans with a strong count of Halflings, and a good number of Hammerhanded Dwarves (returning to their Hall). In addition there are reclusive Wood Elves (in Iron Timber). Members of many other races also call Bloodstone Valley home, but not in great enough numbers to report. A Day in Bloodstone
Farmers, miners and craftspersons make up the bulk of the residents of the Valley. There are enough diverse workers and tradecrafts established again that the City and Valley of Bloodstone could operate completely independently if need be. The winters make fresh food a bit of a challenge, but the lake provides additional food stuffs year round and harvests that come off the land in the summers are substantial and usually last almost the entire cold season.
What Are The Troubles?
Undead are an ongoing problem. The Valley has seen over a dozen major battles and while efforts have been made to clear away the bodies they frequently rise, having absorbed latent necrotic magical energy from the surrounding areas. There is banditry - a number of gangs made up of disenfranchised citizens or adventurers, ex-soldiers, or Vaasan refugees exist and operate in the Valley. The diverse terrain offers many places to hide and there are small towers, fort ruins and abandoned camps that are easily repurposed into hideouts. For the Dwarves, their mission to completely clear away the scourge infesting their retaken hall is not yet complete. For the Halflings, the battles continue with the remaining pockets of Vaasan survivors that infest the valleys that reach north into the Galenas. Recently, a strange storm magic emanating from the Tower of the Sage has drawn the attention of locals and the repercussions of the event are not yet fully understood. Major Settlements
The population of Bloodstone Valley consists primarily of Damaran Humans with a strong count of Halflings, and a good number of Hammerhanded Dwarves (returning to their Hall). In addition there are reclusive Wood Elves (in Iron Timber). Members of many other races also call Bloodstone Valley home, but not in great enough numbers to report. A Day in Bloodstone
Farmers, miners and craftspersons make up the bulk of the residents of the Valley. There are enough diverse workers and tradecrafts established again that the City and Valley of Bloodstone could operate completely independently if need be. The winters make fresh food a bit of a challenge, but the lake provides additional food stuffs year round and harvests that come off the land in the summers are substantial and usually last almost the entire cold season.
Undead are an ongoing problem. The Valley has seen over a dozen major battles and while efforts have been made to clear away the bodies they frequently rise, having absorbed latent necrotic magical energy from the surrounding areas. There is banditry - a number of gangs made up of disenfranchised citizens or adventurers, ex-soldiers, or Vaasan refugees exist and operate in the Valley. The diverse terrain offers many places to hide and there are small towers, fort ruins and abandoned camps that are easily repurposed into hideouts. For the Dwarves, their mission to completely clear away the scourge infesting their retaken hall is not yet complete. For the Halflings, the battles continue with the remaining pockets of Vaasan survivors that infest the valleys that reach north into the Galenas. Recently, a strange storm magic emanating from the Tower of the Sage has drawn the attention of locals and the repercussions of the event are not yet fully understood. Major Settlements
- City of Bloodstone
- Battlecross
- Breaking Bluff
- Raker's (the hospital at)
- Virdin
- Waukeshire
- The Fjord (of Bloodstone)
- Hammerhanded Hall
- The Lost Citadel
- Tempest Cliffs
- Terror Falls (at Damara Gate)
- Tower of the Sage
Natural Resources
- Bloodstones
- Silver
Alternative Name(s)
Bloodstone Pass
Type
Valley
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
