Nostvale

Nostvale is the centermost village of Valmasia, and historically a chronically unstable location, as the land held comprises the juncture of the east and west. Infamous for being the seat of power of Lord Ro'tro and Empress Eline Sakete, Nostvale has passed through many hands. Relatively recently, Nostvale achieved independance from Danarium once more, and is currently ruled by Hirano family- Or an adoptee thereof. Still recovering from the ravages of the more influential city and Frostvale, many generous donations by the newer generation have aided it along the way to recovery, having recieved generous aid from across Valmasia.

The current holder of the Black Crown of Nostvale is Queen Priscilla Hirano, a drakanite, aided by her husband, King Sishio Hirano.

Population

The population of Nostvale is heavily human. Given the prior presence of the pagan Sacred Knights, most of the population is mildly accepting of those beliefs, with several families still serving the Urayan faith within the city. While rarely publically stated, given the general antipathy of the population towards Frostvale following the Western War, Ryujin worship is subdued, although the recent queen has lessened antipathy towards Drakanites immensely.

Policies trend intensely towards anti-slavery following Biorr and Alpheral's caretaking of the city, despite attempts to bring it back in the more 'humane' and legal form of indentured servantry for offenses put down by Frostvale and Zahilekim and Namarre Sakete. Nostvale has little ties with the east of the moment, with a 'complex' relationship with Danarium as reparations can only go so far in healing the rift, often a controversial topic within Nostvale.

Nostvale is notable for having several occultist rulers in the past- From the madness of Eline Sakete, to the benevolence of Konaa Hirano- Leading to a bucket of mixed feelings on the matter. Nonetheless, until the queen gives an official stance on the occult, the populace of Nostvale is inclined to a wide variety of reactions, but almost never outright hatred towards occultists.

Land

The Black Gate

A defensive structure established by Eline Sakete and Hakim Najeer in the year AC, and reconstructed after the Western War by Namarre and Zahilekim Sakete in AC, this massive magi resistant structure spans the only notable pass from the Sarab down into the Southern Plains. Standing taller than dozens of men, this imposing structure primarily serves these days as an excellent deterrent to smugglers, a well manned post that catches the most impudent of criminals. Trying to make headway through the less utilized crags and crannies of the southwestern ranges of Valmasia is trying and best, and deadly at worst, making passage through the Black Gate the sensible route for anyone without something to hide; And the worst case for an army, but the only practical route.

Made of dark, rune inscribed stone, the bulwarks of the Black Gate attempt to absorb spells angled upwards towards defenders, making it a stolid and tricky locale, an ideal bottleneck. The repeatedly adamantine reinforced steel layers of portculli force would-be attackers through a treacherous shift of lowering and closing metal deathtraps. Whether or not this has been maintained, of course, is a question.