The Valley of the Unseen

It is said that deep in the mountains of the Scarrus Peaks lies a picturesque settlement of innocence and naivety, known by many as the Valley of the Unseen. The buildings are small and homely, each with a gorgeous garden of plants many think to be extinct. The inhabitants of this settlement often seem to be in a daze, with small, content smiles on their faces as they wander about their day in blissful ignorance. They are small in stature, with plain clothes and simple hairstyles. These creatures are known as the elusive Teppywigs. During the Great Dividing, the Teppywigs sought to protect themselves from the destructive power of war by separating themselves off from the rest of the world with cursed druidic magic in a deal with the Trolls of Gor’reg who they now know as gods.

To the Teppywigs, the Dividing Wars aren’t yet over. They live in fear of the outside world finding them, bringing bloodshed and ruin, so most never want to leave the valley. The few that do are shunned as insane and told never to come back should they make it out, exiling them to the world beyond. The cursed druidic magic of the Trolls of Gor’reg makes it just as hard then to leave the valley as it is to enter because of this. On the odd occasion that someone makes it past the valley’s defenses, the Teppywigs are an incredibly friendly people who welcome them with open arms but don’t ever want them to leave, using a kind of malicious kindness to attempt to get the individual to stay. This is not born from ill-wishes but from this fear of the outside world and need to keep their existence a secret. However, a Teppywig will rarely ever raise a weapon against someone trying to leave, they simply hold faith that the magic of the boundary will not let them go and that it is up to the gods to decide where their fates fall.

The Trolls of Gor’reg perpetuate the fear of the world beyond, as the Teppywigs are a vital resource to them, making a regenerative serum out of their healing hearts. The indoctrination of the people of the valley has led to them believing that the Trolls are gods, calling them the Shepherds of the Valley, though they know themselves as the Vella Kanni. The Teppywig leader, known as Father, presides over the valley, overseeing the daily dealings of his flock. He must do as the Trolls command, by sending those he deems worthy on the Pilgrimage of the Chosen. The title of Chosen is an honour, and many families clamour to have one of their own picked. The Chosen are taken to the mountains via the Sacred Path where, as Father repeats over the years, they “become one with the gods”. Those sent are revered as saints, and any insult to their memory is met with the ire of the whole valley.

The Teppywigs have several towns and villages nestled here in the valley, each giving something important to the survival of their people and their lifestyles. The village of Stumpwood lies the closest to the area’s border, just over the river from the Wickend Wode, providing an abundance of roots for the region and boars for pack training. The town of Berry lies to the North of the area, getting its rather simple name from the surrounding berry fields which the Teppywigs use as a major source of food, harvesting them as others harvest wheat or vegetables. To the South by the Weeping Waters lies the town of Lilleby, considered the saddest place to live due to the cries for help that echo across the waters whenever someone tries to cross them into or out of the area. Leaving then the capital of the valley, Trespeti, a city upon a lone hill in the valley and starting point for the monthly Pilgrimage of the Chosen.

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Art made by mr_png