The Encyclopedia of Sanctum

Opal Vale

"They exit onto a long balcony overlooking a charming courtyard garden in what seems to be a small castle of sorts, fortified walls and towers encircling the fort in full. Beyond the castle lies a stunning verdant valley protected by the snow capped mountains of the Aithos, and a large waterfall cascades down a far off cliff into the richness of the forest below. A chilly breeze permeates the entire vale and it makes Alizarin shiver."

- Crimson Assassin, "Defeat The Past"

Opal Vale was a magical realm existing both inside and outside of Sanctum, created by the god Eristar in the early Fourth Age. The realm was in all the mountains of the world, and its entrance could be placed anywhere in any mountain from where a river flowed. Opal Vale not only was the second home of Eristar and their close companions, but also acted as a pivotal base for many political happenings in the turbulent Fourth Age.

Opal Vale, home of The New Moon

History

A Magical And Peaceful World

It was estimated to be around the year 50 of the Fourth Age when Eristar created Opal Vale, but at this time it was known just as Eristar's Realm or the Vale of Eristar. Ruling from Valeon, then known as the Kingdom of Eristar, they were seeking a place of spiritual retreat as well as a location to store knowledge of the old world, as well as some vitanien shards for safekeeping. Eristar placed the first entrance point of their realm in the Rym Ateran mountains just north of Nightlight Country, exactly where the River Silkmoon flowed out from it. It was a simple realm, looking identical to the mountain valleys of the Ateran and they began further construction. A small resort called Duir Eriston was built in the center of the valley where Eristar would meditate. On the western slopes of the valley, three towers were raised to safeguard vitanien shards. On the eastern slopes, a great underground archive was made to store lore of Sanctum's history and cultures. Two paths led out of the vale on opposite sides, and exited into the lands on either side of the mountain. A single river led out of the vale on one side and had to link to a natural river in the overworld. This was the only rule of placing the vale.

The realm was used infrequently and when Eristar ventured north to Aestagia by the third century, they would plant the valley in the Rym Aithos as a research outpost, though the folk of the flowers welcomed them into their settlements with open arms.

In Fo.A. 310, Eristar formally founded the Empire of Asteria and placed the realm in a mountain pass close to the capital of Gladiolus. In Fo.A. 580, Eristar would marry Opal and they would often travel to the vale to be with each other in private. His magical world became their world, and Eristar renamed it Opal's Valley, or Opal Vale, in dedication to their love. Opal would spend much of her time here out of the limelight, tending to the valley and growing many gardens.

It was nine years later when the Asterian capital of Gladiolus was razed and the command moved away to Aermont. Opal Vale was moved to the Rym Ateran again and in a state of reformation, Eristar formally announced their realm to the public, specially his sentries. From here, Opal Vale was trafficked by sentries from all around the Empire as their temporary base between all realms, and many new castles and even settlements arose within the valley. This time saw the construction of The Houses of The Sentrium and the castle used by the New Moon in later days, the home of sentries and government officials and embassies. There was a small town called Demilune nestled in the Mian Forest where the families of the said inhabitants could dwell. And high above the great falls stood a colossal statue depicting their king and emperor. Opal still lived in the valley and silently hated what had become to her serene world, keeping inside Duir Eriston and letting no one else in but her lover.