Vael's Rest
Vael's Rest is a humble yet sacred settlement nestled in the highland shadows of the Allerdale Mountains in the central and most northern parts of Scaelor. Though modest in size, it bears immense historical and spiritual significance across the kingdom, for it is here that Vaelthoryx the Unyielding, the legendary Platinum Dragon, met his end and was laid to rest. The town’s identity is deeply entwined with his legacy, shaping its architecture, religion, politics, and purpose.
Government
Vael’s Rest is governed by a Triune Council, consisting of:
- High Warden Elyna Thorne, a former knight of the Crimson Order stationed to protect the tomb and town.
- Abbot Ruvin Glaemer, spiritual leader of the Church of the Platinum Flame.
- Magister Hesk Orlin, appointed by the Electorate to ensure the town aligns with Scaeloran law and economic policy.
Though technically under the Crown’s authority, Vael’s Rest is granted wide autonomy, particularly in spiritual and cultural matters. The Triune Council must reach a majority vote for any major action, often leading to passionate debates but stable outcomes.
Assets
Scale & Sheath: General goods store run by Tilla Redforge, who carries everything from rope and rations to minor alchemical wares.
The Winged Coin: A small bank and trading post for coin exchange and bounty board services.
Vellum & Vine: A cozy herbalist and scroll shop, managed by Maelis Vint, who also sells minor healing potions and beginner spell scrolls.
Griffin’s Tack: A stable and outfitter that rents and sells basic mounts, run by Old Brannick, a retired caravan leader.
Inns and Taverns
- The Saviours Shadow: The more popular and lively inn, run by the widow Serra Dren, known for its warm hearth, bard performances, and friendly rates. Locals and travelers alike gather here.
- The Argent Bough: A quieter, upscale inn catering to pilgrims, minor nobles, and officials. Run by the polite and austere Vareth Solan.
Guilds and Factions
- The Church of the Platinum Flame: A powerful, yet relativly isolated religous group dedicated to the worship of Vaelthoryx the Unyielding, whom they view as the offspring of Bahamut himself.
- The Sable Smiths: Local blacksmiths known for dragon-scale motifs and high-quality gear. They craft starter gear and offer repairs to adventurers.
- The Pilgrim's Guild: Manages housing, guidance, and protection for travelers visiting the Mausoleum. Offers light jobs and bounties.
- The Ember Scholars: A loosely organized order of lorekeepers and arcanists studying dragon history, often seeking relics or hiring protection.
History
Founded centuries after the Battle of Shimmerpeak, Vael’s Rest began as a pilgrim encampment built near the glittering mausoleum of Vaelthoryx, a grand tomb carved from silver-veined stone and lined with glyphs of warding and reverence. Over time, devout followers, historians, and opportunists alike settled in the area, growing the camp into a thriving village. The Second Founding cemented Vael’s Rest as a protectorate of the Crown and a Civic Sanctuary maintained by the Church of the Platinum Flame.
Though far from the heart of Scaelor, the town serves as a spiritual waypoint and holds symbolic importance for those loyal to the ideals of harmony between dragonkind and mortals. Today, it balances reverence with practicality, functioning as both a frontier town and a site of pilgrimage.
Points of interest
- The Mausoleum of Vaelthoryx: A towering silver-and-stone structure that emits a faint hum of ancient magic. It is heavily warded and rarely accessible, except during holy days.
- The Ember Circle: A stone amphitheater where dragon lore is shared and oral histories performed. Occasionally hosts festivals.
- The Path of Wings: A long pilgrim’s trail marked with dragon-shaped waystones. Travelers often walk it barefoot as a rite of humility.
- The Old Watchtower: A relic from the Draconic Empire, now a museum and lookout post.
Maps
-
Vael's Rest
Comments