Vale of Bones

The Vale of Bones (Ardail as-Shador in Dwarfish, Dalaiim sa Rkonoglu in Orcish) is a small geographical region corresponding to the gorge separating the Red Mountains from the Somarian Peaks. It is the main point of entry into Central Venail from Western Venail and the Southern Realms. This makes it strategically of capital importance and the location of many battles across history. It is one of the most important trade routes on the continent and has become prosperous following the Southern-Northern War of 1103. Today it is controlled by Aranwaën and its Dwarven allies. 
Its strategic significance has led many great powers to attempt to assert control over the Vale. During the Old Age, a large Somarian fortress was built. It was briefly captured by the Elves in the seventh century OA but was rapidly abandoned. Following this, no power was able to establish a permanent presence until the Hosaq Invasions of the Southern Realms, when a new, smaller fort was built. This fort was sacked by the Orcs during the First Orcish War, after which it was ruled by various local robber barons until the Second Orcish War, when the Hosaq fort was destroyed. In 1119, a fort was built by the	Kingdom of Doriniem, but it was abandoned during the First Wine War against Aranwaën. In 1140, Aranwaën seized the area and built a new, larger fortress on the ruins of the Somarian one. A settlement was also founded on the eastern end of the valley named Varagaine.