The Iron Valley

Protected from the world by fortresses seeming as old as the mountains they inhabit, the people of the Iron Valley are a society unified by the knowledge they struggle together against a cold and uncaring world. A land where no Valleyfolk is judged, where no Valleyfolk is left without a home to hold and a task to complete. Where no loss is felt alone. The Iron Valley will live or die by the strength of its parts, no other way.

High in these mountain valleys, behind their walls, the Valleyfolk lived a communal life unchanged for centuries. Their ancient fortress walls split the winding mountain valleys into cultivated Lees, with land parcelled out for farming, industry, life and religion. With a land their own for so long, the Lees of the Iron Valley are well civilised, with centuries old longhouses, drinking halls and farms right next to iron mines and quarries that have been carving away at the mountains for even longer.

The Valleyfolk live in their own history, surrounded by monuments to their forebears. Homes are richly enscribed with the tales of the deeds of any who lived there before and all seek to create honour for their home by having great deeds to leave in the stone to future generations. Public buildings carry the history of Valley carved into their edifices, to the great pride of all who call them theirs. The tales of great heroes can be followed through the places they lived, worked, fought, loved and died.

Reverence for these honoured ancestors is as strong, and for many perhaps even stronger, than any other allegiance. Many families lived for generations in the same homes, tracing their ancestry through the runes left by those who came before. Honouring ancestors through respect of their memory, of the marks they left, of retelling the tales of their achievements, through protecting the homes they left to those to follow them, through aspiring to achieve similar greatness is the greatest ambition for most. To the Valleyfolk, by living and working within the same places as their heroes, they can be closer to them and attempt to emulate the same closeness to the Divine Spheres that they did, improving their own chances at a swift and blessed afterlife.

Boroughs form the centre of life, be that a collection of farmers, a mineful of workers or a fortified gatehouse. Within these boroughs they work together to succeed in their role. Each looks to their duty, seeking to do their best they can. With hard work, devotion to duty, and with each of the folk may gain honour and wealth for themselves and their Borough. In this way the Boroughs are a whole made of many parts. Together the Boroughs are the Realm of the Valley. No Valleyfolk stands alone, even if they stand as one.

The people of the Valley are forthright. They are encouraged to speak up about anything that concerns them, and arguments are common. However once mutually resolved, by wit or by brawn depending on the wishes of those involved and the complex interplay of honour, respect, place and duty, arguments are put aside such that the whole may move as one. Quick to speak out against each other, the folk of the Valley hold no grudges and value loyalty and pragmatism. They feel they are honest and direct, but some consider them obnoxious and rude. The protection of their great fortresses, their long unthreatened occupation of the Valley and their steadfast loyalty lead to pride and arrogance. Trading with other realms and holding no rancor against any who would not threaten their holdings the Valley has been known for the strength of their mercenaries and the fine ore of their many mines. Safe and powerful behind their Fortress walls, sure in the strength of their warriors, the Valleyfolk looked down from on high and have known no other way.

Then the Illsevir came. A wave of silent warriors throwing themselves heedlessly into the valley from the East. The shock of their first attack overwhelmed defenders of a Fortress and they quickly ravaged and conquered the lee it protected. Rallying together the folk of the Valley stood together and pushed to retake ancestral homes now defiled by the invader. The attack was relentless, the numbers seemingly endless and the folk were pushed, back one fortress and lee after another. Every step of the way the Valleyfolk fought back, shield walls were scrambled together, skirmishers harried the enemies flanks and last stands were heralded by the traditional call of “We stand together!”. Unable to believe their losses, the Valleyfolk did not even think of seeking aid. They were too proud to consider it in any case.

It was as Baelags Holdfast fell to the Illsevir, leaving vulnerable the final Lee before the westernmost fortress that the envoys of the Pact of the Last Pine arrived inviting the Folk to a summit. The brash and prideful people of the high places had lost nearly everything. With Illsevir keeping the folk from their ancestral lands pride finally gave way to pragmatism and the Iron Valley went not to offer aid, but to beg it for themselves. They signed the Concord with no other choice. The Valley needs an influx of new blood, of new ways and new allies if they are to rescue their ancestral homes, one bloody siege at a time. Without this, they will be forever cut off from their legends.

See Iron Valley: Tales of the People and Iron Valley Traditions for further reading.

Five Things About The Iron Valley

We are all Valleyfolk, no matter what

The Valley succeeded for so long because of the necessary balance between cooperation and competition between the various boroughs. It doesn't matter if you’re a fighter, a miner, a merchant or anything else. As long as you work towards the whole, you're a part of the whole.

The Valleyfolk are their history, no matter what

The ancestral lands of the Valleyfolk are deeply interwoven with their religion, culture and future. Their history and legends are their culture, something that is deeply important to every Valleyfolk.

Make the hard call, no matter what

Their way of life and their history only exists from a willingness to be pragmatic. There is no sense in hiding from it, there is no sense in fear. A good choice now is better than a great one later.

Make yourself known, no matter what

In a place of such a fine balance, concerns need to be known. Speak your mind, state your purpose and know your place. While their unified front can present a unified wall, it also means that internal disagreements must happen decisively and clearly.

Fight on, no matter what

The people put incredible worth in their history, in their survival and their legend. Don't let that fade or diminish. Leave the tales of the Valley and the peaks of your home greater than when you arrived.

What the Iron Valley Isn't

A monolith

While loyalty is paramount in the collective world of the Valley, they are not all of one mind and goal. Disagreements on the direction of the Realm or even individual boroughs are common, the Valleyfolk just tend towards direct confrontation and towing the line when all is said and done.

Isolationists

While the core of the Iron Valley is high in the mountains, what has once been theirs has spread out into the lands beyond before. Anyone or anywhere can become part of the Valley, provided their will to stand by it.

Entirely Dwarves

The Iron Valley draws a lot of social inspiration from Dwarven stereotypes from fantasy, informing its pride, loyalty and ancestor worship. However they are more complex than a regular fantasy trope. While the Dwarves of Tolkien and other fantasy legends can be a good starting point, it is important to remember that the Valleyfolk are no more greedy than any other folk, they are quite open and friendly to others and draw more from Saxon, Viking and Rohirrim aesthetics than those of the bearded folk.

Why you should play a Valleyfolk

You like playing knives out

A group that stands together, loyal and dedicated to each other appeals to you. The Iron Valley is a well oiled machine of crafters, priests, mages, merchants and warriors, all working towards the cohesive whole.

You like courageous characters and loud roleplay

The Valleyfolk are direct and proud, they will not give up. Their roleplay tends towards loud speeches, war cries and drinking songs, rather than subterfuge or hidden deals.

You want to come from a land of legends and heroic drive

The Iron Valley is a place shrouded in history etched into its walls and people, embrace that and be a part of its future. Its people are hard warriors through and through who take to conflict with axe and shield.

You enjoy rural celebrations and a heartfelt dedication

Not ones for much ceremony, the Valleyfolk are a common people, with common loves. Good food, drink and friends are the most important part of any celebration, along with knowing your tales and history.