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Verinant Valley

Taniya
During the late spring/early summer it is fairly cool, not getting much warmer than 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit while the rest of the year can easily reach the negative 40's during midday.
Description:
Verinant Valley resides in a mountain only accessible through a passageway within a large bear den on the farther northern reach of the valley that leads to a maze of cavern tunnels, as well as a hidden entrance located elsewhere within the tunnel system. The few that manage to find the den or hidden entrance still find themselves challenged to make their way through the tunnels to one of the few correct exits into the valley. Each tunnel looks the same, with the floors being submerged in ice cold water that goes up to the knees in the deepest areas, while barely reaching ankle deep in the shallowest. With some small spaces of dry floor, there are points in the tunnels where the water is so still it eerily reflects the low hanging ceiling. The safest exit into the valley leads out to an overhand that has a view of the entire valley as well as the wide river that runs through it. Deer and fox are the only prey in the area besides the fish in the river, being the only animals to find their way through the caverns, they find safety in the valley and seldom leave. The trees are thick and tall, making it difficult to see the ground from above or the sky from below. Fog sets in near the ground during autumn and into early spring, giving the area an eerie and haunted feeling. At both ends of the valley, there are open meadows, part of them having been obviously used for farmland while the rest holds wild herbs and plants growing plentifully. An old cabin resides higher above the entrance into the valley, barn perched to its right and both looking like they’d collapse at any point in time, as if it’d barely stand against someone poking it, much less harsh winds and snow.
Landmarks:
  • Dyret’s Cave- A large cave opening marked by the presence of a just as large boulder, it stands as both the den of the massive resident bear and the only outside entrance to the caverns that lead into the valley. Suspiciously, the large boulder seems to be frequently moved regardless of whether there have been recent visitors to the valley.
  • The Whistling Caverns-Seemingly a winding maze of cavernous tunnels, it serves as a difficult passage for even the most seasoned travelers. With frigid water that has to be walked through and seemingly identical passageways, the quiet whistling of air traveling through only serves to give an eerie feeling alongside the darkness. When one finally makes it through the caverns successfully it comes with relief to see fresh sky and proper wind, while offering dread when it comes time to traverse back through to leave the valley.
  • Serene River- A wide, isolated river that bisects the valley, it is home to a large number of fish that have managed to arrive in the waterway one way or another. While it appears to be slow and an easy crossing, there are parts where it is deep enough with just enough of a current to sweep unsuspecting travelers off their feet or worse:under the surface and towards the bottom.
  • Rickety Homestead- On a large ridge, almost directly above the exit into the valley, rests an old cabin and barn that appear worse for wear. While seemingly ready to collapse at any moment, those who have dared to explore inside the structures have found evidence of someone seeming to be residing there. During the worst winter weather, some still find it to somehow be safe enough to seek shelter despite the groaning of old wood seeming to threaten to give way under the pressure.
Lore:
  • The open entrance is an old bear cave with bones and skulls to match animals and people alike, while the entrance in the caves is blocked by a large boulder only Dyret, a Dire, or a small group of Tokotas could move. Once you make it past the caverns, you come onto a ledge with a path down to the valley; a large expanse of grassland with a river and a vast forest. If you manage to explore the area without getting caught, there is a small cabin on the top of a ledge with an old barn sitting far off to its right. The cabin still looks in use and seems to hardly be able to stay up.
  • It was said Verinant was close to the spirits. Be it the holy or the cursed, it was thought he would communicate with them. Until he summoned a most dastardly demonic spirit who cursed him and all his true descendants to live within the valley alone.
  • It is rumored a young girl now possesses the land under the curse Verinant was given. Bound to the land and its inhabitants it is said that she will lead travelers astray when coming too close to the cave entrance while Dyretbjorn guards the entrance.
  • Large, hostile protected bear within the area, illegal to kill. Avoid and travel with caution.
  • A story of the valley states that planes and helicopters looking for the valley that few have stumbled upon have attempted to fly over into it, but the spirits hold such strong control over the area that they blind mortal's sight of the area to keep it safe.


  • Original location inspiration by Onykssaifavild
    Location art by USERNAME