Haunted Isilendor
Valley of Despair
Geography & Origins
The Valley of Despair is possibly the most haunted area of Isilendor. It was discovered by mortals thousands of years ago, during the excavation and development of Delvheim. This valley is located in the far, northern mountains of Delvheim. Many don't visit this region due to the presence and energy emanating from the valley which seems to wither everything nearby. Plants don't grow above it, animals avoid it and even in the hottest summers it feels cold and dark.
Tenebria, Lord of Night and Death, is said to have created the Valley when he was banished from the pantheon and imprisoned on the land of Isilendor. He buried himself in a fortress in the mountains, though his power seeped into the earth, turning the ground into obsidian, shrouding the area in a deep misery. The energy radiating from Tenebria's despair caused the people of Delvheim to be riddled with nightmares, and unexpected deaths seemed to occur more frequently near the valley. It was avoided for many years, though curious adventurers were often lost to the depths.
To this day, the Valley of Despair is unmapped and barely understood. The land changes, creatures of the dark seem to spawn there, it reeks of death and sorrow and warps the mind just to be near it. Some believe the Valley is part of Tenebria's realm; The Hidden, leaking out into the mortal world.
Tenebria, Lord of Night and Death, is said to have created the Valley when he was banished from the pantheon and imprisoned on the land of Isilendor. He buried himself in a fortress in the mountains, though his power seeped into the earth, turning the ground into obsidian, shrouding the area in a deep misery. The energy radiating from Tenebria's despair caused the people of Delvheim to be riddled with nightmares, and unexpected deaths seemed to occur more frequently near the valley. It was avoided for many years, though curious adventurers were often lost to the depths.
To this day, the Valley of Despair is unmapped and barely understood. The land changes, creatures of the dark seem to spawn there, it reeks of death and sorrow and warps the mind just to be near it. Some believe the Valley is part of Tenebria's realm; The Hidden, leaking out into the mortal world.
Magic of the Valley
Spirits and nightmares come to life in the valley. Visitors experience waking nightmares, warped thoughts and contradicting sensations. Here are a few more examples of what people witness in the valley:
- Hot and Cold - the valley plays on the senses and people don't know whether they are hot or cold or both.
- Shadow Paranoia - so called because people recall seeing the shadows move or watch them.
- Magic Suppression - the condensed dark magic seems to create issues for arcanists and diviners
- Corrupted Ideology - there are those who have emerged from the valley crippled with new fears, accusing their wives of infidelity, murdering those they think have betrayed them.
Creatures of the Valley
Beasts and beings of darkness are born in the Valley of Despair. Rare beings such as liches and vampires were created in the valley. Hellhounds, Cat Siths and giant spiders prowl through the chasm.
Celebrate Tenebria's Halloween Festival
and win pumpkins!
You can even visit the Valley of Despair and dance with darkness...
For more detailed sources of information, see the following links:
Book: The Valley of Despair
Book: Deities of Isilendor
Book: Delvheim: Over and Under
Isilendor Atlas Book
Book: The Valley of Despair
Book: Deities of Isilendor
Book: Delvheim: Over and Under
Isilendor Atlas Book
