Barony of Valen

**Ruler**
 **Ruling House**
 **Resident Houses**
 **Seat**
 **Settlements**
* Bardon
 **Beliefs**
 **Founded**

## Culture

The Barony of Valen is comprised mostly of smallfolk - farmers, ranchers, and general tradesmen - with the merchants and the "fancy folk" of the region preferring to keep to its port settlement of Red Harbor. In the valley of Valen, most folk know each other and are generally open to hosting most outsiders in their quaint taverns and inns.

### Religious Beliefs

The smallfolk tend to be pretty superstitious, but even among them such people are a minority. Majority of the region follow the Church of the Holy Light. However, there is a growing trend of "witch hunters" among the smallfolk who seek out those who dabble with dark magic.

### Local Holidays

Every year on the 5th of September, the locals place a candle on the windowsill of the tallest window in their homes to commemorate the burning of Dacre Sarvein's tower and the symbolic end of dark magic corrupting their lands. It is not uncommon for some smallfolk to build straw effigies of Dacre and light them on fire as well.

## Economy & Resources

Traditionally, Valen's economy depended solely on the crops harvested and whatever could be fished from the river. Commerce and trade is relatively new to the region, as Red Harbor was constructed by Dracos Sarvein in 605 K.Y.

## History

### Founding

The Barony of Valen was founded in 570 K.Y. when House Wrynn raised Ser Tycos Sarvein to nobility for his bravery in repelling the Gurubashi reavers in the region. The holdfast of Hamleth was completed in 573 K.Y.

### Expansion

Between 585 K.Y. and 592 K.Y. Dracos Sarvein and subsequently, his son Dacre Sarvein, put considerable effort into establishing the port city of Red Harbor and brokering trade lines with other houses to establish Red Harbor as a trade hub between the southern reaches of the Kingdom of Stormwind and Westfall and Elwynn. Red Harbor became a metropolitan trade hub around 594 K.Y., after Dacre Sarvein brokered key trade deals with several northern houses.

### Corruption and War

Between 625 - 627 K.Y. Dacre Sarvein began meddling with dark magics - turning his constituents into his dark-infused thralls. When Darvesk Sarvein and his brother Vyrenus returned from the 4th War, they organized a revolt against Dacre and his foul magic. Dacre Sarvein is presumed deceased after his thralls felled and his tower in Hamleth burned down.

### Rebellion

After Darvesk claimed the title of Baron of Valen in 628 K.Y., several of the lesser merchant clans that resided within Red Harbor rose up in arms against Darvesk. They claimed that because of Darvesk's use of runic magic, he was no better than Dacre and that Vyrenus should be their rightful liege lord. Vyrenus made no claims to the title and proclaimed his brother as the rightful lord.

Though the rebels laid down their arms and yielded after a few skirmishes, Darvesk captured their leaders and put them to the sword. Their broken bodies were hung along the docks of Red Harbor for all to see, their names and houses stricken from records and burned to the ground - a demonstration of force against those who would dare to take up arms against Darvesk again.

## Settlements

### Bardon

Bardon was the very first settlement in Valen, and is where majority of the farms that produce Valen's harvest are located.

### Creekstowne

Creekstowne is a fishing village that grew when refugees from the Gurubashi troll raids came flocking to the safety of Valen's mountains.

### Red Harbor

Red Harbor is the newest settlement in Valen, and is a hub of trade. It is where the dubbed "fancy folk" of the region tend to live. Most notably, Red Harbor contains the only brothels in the area, and is thus considered by the older folks in the region to be "a city of sin".

### Hamleth

Hamleth is a rather imposing holdfast and has been the home of House Sarvein for generations.

## Houses

House Sarvein is the only noble house of note in the region. They are renown warriors and accomplished diplomats. Several of the Sarveins are also quite adept magi, owing to their Thalassian heritage.