Shrouded Vale | |
---|---|
Type | Cave |
Continent | Tamriel |
Province | Valenwood |
Region | Greenshade |
Appears in | ESO |
The Shrouded Vale is a cavern found in the region of Greenshade, in Valenwood. The Vale was named after Shrouded Hollow,[1] a village within the Vale that entered into a pact with the Wilderking. Every one hundred years or so, a caretaker is left alone to provide for the Fading Tree. In return, the Wilderking provides a safe haven for Shrouded Hollow, causing the village to disappear, only coming back to choose a new caretaker.[2]
When the village disappears, it is transported to an unknown place referred to as the forest realm.[3] This realm is described as a place totally unlike Valenwood, without hunger or suffering, where the denizens of Shrouded Hollow live peacefully and without fear.[4] Even the light in this place is different in comparison to Tamriel, which the inhabitants of the Vale refer to as the "mundane world".[5]
HistoryEdit
Like various other natural caverns in Tamriel, the Shrouded Vale is theorized to have once served as a capillary for the living body of Nirn, and once pulsed with the living essence of the Aedra who created it.[6]
It is unknown when Shrouded Hollow was established, when their pact was formed, or how many caretakers there have been for the Fading Tree. One of the two known caretakers, Henodras, started his role in 2E 482.[2] Sometime during his service, the Lhurgash Clan of Wood Orcs inhabited the southern valley, near the cave's south entrance. After one hundred years of service, Shrouded Hollow returned to the cave to choose a new caretaker. The Fading Tree chose the young Erunor to be the new caretaker. However, the Lhurgash Clan proved to be a threat to the community and, following the choosing ceremony, the Lhurgash invaded the Shrouded Vale. A wandering traveler helped the villagers of Shrouded Hollow during the assault and slew the Lhurgash War-Captain. Following the attack, Erunor was given a dire choice: to stay with his pregnant wife and return to the village's hidden paradise, or to remain in Tamriel as the caretaker of the Fading Tree. It is unknown what he chose; regardless, Shrouded Hollow disappeared from the cave.[7]