Valory Arch

**The Valory Arch** is believed to be the gateway to the Valory. The Valory is a magically-built location created by the Valors.

## Description

Like all the history of the North, the stories about the Valors are cursed. This includes the myth about the Valory Arch, which has become so twisted over time that it is considered to be a fairytale. Stories about the Valory Arch can only be passed down by word of mouth and there are two competing versions of the tale.

### Version One

In one version, the Valory was a magical prison built by the Valors. Magic cannot be destroyed, so the Valors said they created the Valory Arch to lock away any dangerous magical objects of power or foreign captives with magical abilities. They said the Valory was built to protect the North from forces who would wish to destroy it. But the Valors lied. They built the Valory Arch to lock up an abomination that they’d created. No one knows exactly what it is, but it was so terrible that all the Great Houses turned on the Valors and chopped off all their heads. Unfortunately, they did this before the Valors had locked away their horrible creation, so the Great Houses imprisoned it in the Valory and sealed the arch that led to it. Normally arches are locked with blood, but no one wanted to risk the arch being opened so a special lock was created, a prophecy. "The lines of the prophecy work like the ridges and the notches of a key. A number of prophetic lines are strung together by a diviner, and then they are carved into a door or arch. The arch will remain locked until each line of the prophecy has been fulfilled to create the key that will allow the arch to be opened." The arch containing the prophecy was broken into pieces and they were shared amongst the Protectorate, a secret society that vowed to never let the arch reopen.

### Version Two

In the other version of the Valory Arch tale, the Valory is not a prison, but a treasure chest holding the Valors' most powerful magical objects. Some believe this was really why the Valors were killed. According to them, the Great Houses wanted to steal the Valors' magic and treasure. The Wardens, the people who remained loyal to the Valors even after their deaths, locked the arch with the prophecy so that the Valors' powers and treasures would be prevented from falling into the wrong hands.

## The Prophecy

In both versions of the story, the prophecy is the same.

This arch may only be unlocked with a key that has not yet been forged. Conceived in the north, and born in the south, you will know this key, because she will be crowned in rose gold. She will be both peasant and princess, a fugitive wrongly accused, and only her willing blood will open the arch.

## Four Stones

Together the Valory Arch stones possessed great power, when all four stones were together, they were capable of impossible things (like a one ticket back in time). People would kill for those stones.

**Truth Stone** is a golden liquid color. Who ever is wearing it can used it power to reveal the truth, the stone will warm up when activated.

**Youth stone** is a perfect blue. The holder could stay young and live forever.

**Luck Stone** is red.

**Mirth Stone** heal wounds and take away fears.

## References

1. ↑ *Once Upon a Broken Heart*: pages 209-210
2. ↑ *Once Upon a Broken Heart*: pages 211-212
3. ↑ *Once Upon a Broken Heart*: page 382