Rock Valley
This is a comprehensive guide to the region of Rock Valley. The region of Rock Valley is located in the southeast of the Republic. It can be accessed through the village of Viron, which is a nearby fishing town.
To reach Rock Valley, follow the visiting caravan drover who stops off and leaves from the Hospice of the Morning Light, headed to provide wares to our troops in Rock Valley. There is also a paid drover who can bring you on demand. Both methods deliver you to the Town of Rock Valley.
Points of Interest
- Directions to Stromheim from Town of Rock Valley (outside east gate): walk ne 19 e 98 ne 12 (to return: walk sw 12 w 98 sw 19 )
Related Texts
For a recounting on Iridine major history with the tribes of Rock Valley, see Journey Rock Valley as written by a kin of Rohm.
(these stories are in chronological order, although no IG dates are attached unless specified)
Peace with the Nehal (Feb 2006)
The Murder of Jalian Triarchus 20 Ereal 246 YR (c. 8 Dec 2007)
The Funeral Of Jalian Triarchus (c. 16 Dec 2007)
The Death Of Olethea (c. 23 Dec 2007)
The Rescue Of Tyrlindax (c. 31 Dec 2007)
The Sack Of Rock Valley (c. 6 Jan 2008)
The Senate Examines A Barbarian (c. 13 Jan 2008)
The Soldiers Of Ereal Return (c. 14 Jan 2008)
Surrounding Barbarian Tribes
There are 3 main tribes surrounding the town of Rock Valley.
# The Aziri Tribe
The Aziri tribe are the most primitive of the 3 main tribes. The Aziri live in the mountains situated in the northeast region of Rock Valley. They 'disappear' during the day and they come out when the sun sets, which makes them quite the fearsome enemies. The Aziri seem to be affiliated with the Nehal since they both share a burial ground which is guarded by sacred fiery hounds and many other odd creatures.
The Aziri tribe fights in groups, just like the Lokeen's do. Their tactics are extremely dangerous. It is also rumored that the Aziri have access to magick, though no proof has been discovered. Many people have claimed the Aziri used tricks against them, which appeared magical when those said tricks were used. Quite a few people who have been victimized by those said tricks are considered as superstitious, so people with superstitious fears should be cautious around the Aziri.
The Aziri mostly use daggers, made of bone, bronze or iron, and some black shields which are sometime decorated. They dress in black clothes only, from head to toe. They also wear various types of bones, hair tassels, teeth and other garments on their clothing.
From information gathered from non-official sources, the Aziri are said to make rituals of various sorts. Some of which may give them strength and willpower. Cannibalism may be one of those. This tribe is definitely mysterious.
# The Lokeen Tribe
The Lokeen tribe has existed for a long time within the Rock Valley region, it is hard to estimate how long they have established themselves there. It is rumored that the Lokeen tribe only exists to cause problems and wars. The Lokeen tribe isn't associated with the other tribes in Rock Valley, both the Aziri and the Nehal seem to dislike the Lokeen due to their thirst for conflicts.
The Lokeen people are generally found in the southern forest near Rock Valley. The majority of them wield two-handed axes, one-handed axes and clubs. They also know how to fight with their fists and feet.
It is hard to tell if the Lokeen all live together in a camp, village or town. They are mostly found when doing raids in the forest, in search of conflicts in order to gain both wealth and pride. The Lokeen have often killed and looted the caravans which were headed from Iridine to Rock Valley in order to cut off the supplies to Rock Valley. I suppose that they do not like the presence of civilized and armed men around them.
The tribe speaks a language that both the Nehal and Aziri seem to be able to understand. It is for sure that the Nehal and Lokeen know each other's languages, that is if they aren't the same. The language is much different than the one spoken in the Parcines territories.
The Lokeen are supposedly causing so many conflicts because they wish to have power and rule over the lands in Rock Valley. Their numbers are unknown, but from personally experience I can honestly estimate their population to easily be of several thousands.
# The Nehal Tribe
The Nehal tribe are known for their fearsome warriors, but they are also the most intellectual barbarians that can be found in Rock Valley. They are currently allied with the Republic, but they are considering war with it due to some struggles and conflicts of various natures.
The Nehal tribe live in the town of Stromheim, situated far east of Rock Valley and set within the mountains. This town is a little smaller than Rock Valley and it is where the Nehal tribe trade with various people. They do not find value in Iridinian currency or share the same mentality, gold is worth practically nothing to them. They use tokens as their currency, they may trade things in order to receive tokens.
This tribe is claims to be the oldest of them all, but such a title is controversial since the Brak'tul also claim the same thing. The Brak'tul are situated leagues away from the Nehal. Little is known about the Brak'tul. The Nehal also appear to be the most civilized tribe of Rock Valley, since only Lokeen's and Aziri's share the territory with them.
The state of Rock Valley relies directly upon the Nehal's choices. If the Nehal tribe decides to battle against Rock Valley, it would most likely be the death of Rock Valley as we know it. The Republic's town with the current armed forces available couldn't fend off the Nehal tribe, they are considered to be too many, strong and intelligent.
Most of the Nehal seem to have a sense of humor, even though most of them are hiding it. The ability to have such a sense of humor shows that they have the ability to be quite intelligent, since they have a fundamental understanding of life. A big part of the Nehal population can speak Iridinian and the common tongue, which the Aziri and Lokeen tribes cannot do from the encounters we have had with them.
It is hard to estimate exactly which weapons the Nehal use, but from the encounters we have had, they use two-handed axes.
The Nehal tribe is currently allied to the Republic, 237th year of the Republic.
History of Rock Valley
This tale is common to all Blackroot tribes.
The first and last chief of all the Blackroot, whose name shall not be mentioned and is known by only the greatest Priests of the Sun Father, drove off the dark from the barbarian lands. When asked, the dark was said to be an era of dark times. In the dark times, storms ravaged the plains and mountains alike. Men were miserable creatures living in huddled holes. The first and last chief, came with the power of the Sun Father, and drove off the dark. Where he strode, the grass grew anew and the first tribes settled.
The first and last chief of all the Blackroot has made the lands possible to be lived on in those darkened times because of the Sun Father, which is a representation of our Ereal.
It is said that the first and last chief of the Blackroot's final resting place is Kenagheim. It is a sacred and holy burial ground for both the Nehal and the Aziri. The Lokeen do not respect it.
More information on the history between Iridine & Rock Valley can be found in Journey Rock Valley.
Points of Interest
Town of Rock Valley
Small community built around a disgraced ex-Senator.
More information about the Town of Rock Valley.
The Fenri'Gifr Ruins
These ruins are situated east of the tall tower, or if you'd prefer, directly south of Stromheim. These ruins were once a cursed place, but they have been blessed by the first and last chief of the Blackroots. The Fenri'Gifr once inhabited these ruins, but were chased out, exterminated.
The place is now mostly safe, baring a few blischa'ag and schtraffeg here and there. Two pictures can be seen in the Fenri'Gifr ruins, one on each side of the podium, on the lower level near the arches. These images bring curious thoughts as to what was this place and who were the Fenri'Gifr people.
#The Resting Place
From the Tower of Heavens, you will have to head a little ways to the southwest, but mostly to the south in order to find this place. It isn't very hard to find, the hole is big enough to be seen from far away.
This place was built a very long time ago, as can be seen from it's design. It's entrance is a simple dug hole, large enough to fit a few people. Just under, there are several tunnels about which few creatures are hiding inside, a proper refuge.
Once you have reached the door on the lower level, you will have problems opening it. It is a door containing a puzzle and in order to achieve this puzzle, you will have to glance at the constellations which have been drawn on the ceiling of the surrounding areas of the lower level. Once you have examined and remembered all of these constellations, you should be able to open the door once you have set them correctly within the puzzle. What lies behind is pure danger and only the adventurous should proceed.
The area beneath the door is filled with leech spiders. Yes, leech spiders, as in spiders that will suck the blood out of you. Does this remind you of this one time you were attacked by a leech snake in the old city? These ones are a lot more vicious and only the adventurous should attempt to go by.
Once you reach the end of this lower level, you will be able to go down to another level which is even more dangerous. Several colored arches will be there and fog will prevent you from seeing which way you should take. If you are observant, you shouldn't have any problems at learning how to prevent being trapped.
Tears can be found in this area.
#The Burial Grounds
These grounds can be found within the Aziri territory, in the mountains to the northeast of the village of Rock Valley. These mountains are renown for being quite dangerous.
Someone lies dead in a sarcophagus inside these burial grounds guarded by hounds, but not your typical hounds. You see, in order to guard a very important person, you will need very capable hounds.
These burial grounds were built by the Aziri. You will find danger and odd creatures here, but little else.
Tears can be found in this area.
#Broken Tower
…
Tears can be found in this area.
Stromheim
This is a very simple village, with people of few professions. It is located by the second mountain to the northeast of Rock Valley.
More information about the Village of Stromheim.