Valley of the Black Winds (Aelfpaths of Helca)

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The Valley of Black Winds, also called Blackveil, is a place within the Aelfpaths – on the borderlands of the Wyldpaths (Feywild/Shadowfell). It is a perilous trek through a long, winding, deep mountain valley in which shadows twitch and twist, and the forgotten prayers of all of the souls that have died there echo in the breeze. In between the prayers, said to hold answers about Blackveil, are the whisperings of madness. Any who seek knowledge are as likely to be driven mad as to find what they seek. On top of it is a wind that coalesces into a black, razor edged covering – shredding those who cannot find shelter along the way.

Valley of the Black Winds Materials

Chronicle/Facts of the Locale

Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/availability & Meticulous Record Keeping may improve usability; Any attempt to know more than what's Pervasive will require a reference, source, knowledge, check, or access to someone who can get or provide either of these. Specific Lores may increase the chance of knowing specific elements.

Trivial Outcome / Very Easy Difficulty & Pervasive Knowledge

Information Sources: Mundane Reference | Associated Phenomenology Only | Specific Lore

For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.

Rumors About the Locale
  1. It is thought that Blackveil came about when an army of elves tried to invade the Shadowfell to reclaim a prince of the summer lands stolen by evil magic.
  2. The elves tore down the walls separating the two places, and never sealed it back up successfully. On the Feywild side, an ancient and powerful Treant guards the way – blocking access to the arch in the sky-high wall of poisonous brambles. Its brother guards the gateway on the other side.
  3. The memories adrift on the Black Wind holds dark secrets of elven warriors and mages from times long forgotten.
  4. Those that arrive are usually sent as a banishment. Their punishment is to be consigned to wander its long valley paths, lost in the maze of shadows until they grow old and die, or kill themselves in desperation.
  5. Most begin their journey in the Grove of the Archons, the also known as the watchers of Blackveil. The archons are said to be the spirits of 8 elven lords and ladies that died in saving a great faerie prince that had been exiled to the dark place. Their place is said to be the only safe place from the Black Winds.

Simple Outcome / Easy Difficulty & Common Knowledge

For those native to or long-dwelling in the region, ALL Common Knowledge may be Pervasive.

Rare Knowledge / Very Hard Difficulty

Warning
Obscure/Hidden Knowledge is not generally available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden.
DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT unless a character has the capability to gain such knowledge [through association, organization, or relation] if they do not possess it themselves or the reader intends to participate in scenarios using this material as a PLAYER! GM Narration will typically provide relevant information by check or story.

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic