Uniana (prime)/Vaalorian Coastline Myth

Presented at Wyvern Wednesdays under the topic of "Myths, Stories and Conspiracy Theories" on 01/19/5122

As we get closer to the completion of the Ta’Vaalor docks, I have taken it upon myself to learn more about the climate and topography of the Vaalorian coastline. I consider it my responsibility as the Chief Navigator of Captain Anduin’s fleet to be as prepared as possible for the opportunity to traverse these eastern coastlines with greater frequency.

One recurring theme is the treacherous nature of the rumored pervasive fog that sometimes appears with little or no warning. At times, the fog seems almost transcendental, coming in at odd times day and night. Those who could see the edge of the mist often characterize it as having well-defined boundaries.

This anomaly has mythos rooted in the ancient times and is perhaps a lead into the disdain House Vaalor feels for Charl.

Some years after Garsnik had led Aradhul to the lush, fertile land which is now Ta’Vaalor, the prolific house continued their expansion. The winding path of the Mistydeep eventually took them towards other waterways that ran out to the sea.

The coastline was rugged and craggy, but not completely unwelcoming. The waters off the coast of the Vaalorian lands are generally quite mild in both temperature and churn. Though the further out one goes you are more likely to come across storms as the cooler currents from the northern city-states meet the warmer waters from the south.

When reports came back to the King of the potent vantage point on the coastline he immediately ordered the surveyors dispatched. About a week into their work they came across a giant walrus with vicious tusks that were so burnished in the afternoon light they appeared like gold. The creature seemed more than irritated at their presence and charged at them. But just before impact the walrus paused and barked at them in a thunderous voice, “there is nothing for you here, children of Golden Wyvern. The sea is not yours to conqueror. The ocean does not operate under your whim.”

The surveyors reported the sighting but some of their commanding officers dismissed it. Others claimed it was the work of the Ardenai. While the assumption at the time was that the northeastern coast of Elanthia was managed mostly by the bustling port in Ta’Loenthra, the northern Ardenai villages had begun establishing themselves as a threat.

There were even rumors that they had rangers aboard their ships that communed and bonded with marine creatures and so the presence of a questionable walrus most certainly seemed like the clever work of the Ardenai coast dwellers, eager to dissuade another elven house from establishing a coastal presence.

Some even warned that it was a mascot of Charl, bitter that the wyverns served the Vaalorians, guarded and guided them. That he was angry at the drakes and their faulty guidance that led to the death of his wife during the Great War.

The fable suggests that Vaalor built a minor seawall and coastal fortress. However, in the coming years it proved to operate at a huge loss. Constantly the area was plagued with a blanketing fog that diminished visibility to mere yards. Ships went missing and those who did return reported an inability to navigate once amid the fog. Beyond just issues with navigation, they shared a malaise that permeated the fog once within, confusing their sense of direction and even the details about where the ship was originally bound.

Efforts were considered to construct a magical lighthouse using a hybrid of anti-magic metals and other building materials with powerful arcane properties. The concept is that the lighthouse would simultaneously empower the light it produced while reducing the magic that hung among the mist.

However, no such building was ever constructed or at least there is no record of it. With Ashrim proving the dominant presence on the elven seas and perhaps even the threat of attack from the northern Ardenai skirmishes the Vaalor abandon the coast save for smaller, less grand but still fortified outposts and ports along the borders.

Much of the tale is probably based in fable and folklore, but as we draw closer to the opening of the Vaalorian docks, one can reason that we will discover if there is any truth to such stories.