Journal of Galthir the Cartographer

Entry 39 - Javerdus

(Annotated map based on an image provided by Mainframe, developers of Pax Dei)

Entry 39 - Javerdus

It has been a while since I last did a detailed survey of a home valley. I finished the Grand Tours of the Four Provinces, I've explored a few wolf caves, but after detailing Kerys' home valleys, I had other concerns. Still, I've always intended to explore in detail a home valley of one of the other provinces. I'll start with Javerdus in Inis Gallia, as it was requested by a fellow scholar - Ceridwen. After that I might visit Ardbog in Merrie, as the gentle Havok mentioned I had missed a few points in my quick tour. After that? I'm not sure.

I still want to explore the various wolf caves in Kerys, to provide rough maps, and a roster of their denizens, but that is proving more difficult than I'd like. Wolves in packs larger that I can deal with by myself, as well as small mobs of Lost Souls. And while I can flee - I've had lots of practice - that doesn't map the cave complex. Frustrating. But it's one of the few areas that haven't been recorded properly, and I'm already seeing some common signs. Details that indicate that these may be less caves, and more buried ruins. Or more likely something in-between.

Likewise, the detailed surveys of other valleys has always been on my mind, but performing large numbers of them in a row, as I and Grimyr did in Kerys is exhausting. So no matter what, I'll be hopping around.

So Javerdus. It's the northern one of the eastern pair of home valleys in Inis Gallia. Javerdus is bordered on the south by Langres, on the west by the Afon Gallia River Valley, to the northwest by the North Border Moors of Inis Gallia, and to the east by the ... GROAN ... not the Western Borderlands, the EASTERN Borderlands. I still can't tell my left from my right it seems. Sigh.

Internally, Javerdus can be divided into three regions, one shrouded highland region to the west, then a northeast and southeast region, each surrounding a large pond. The local Scions probably call each of these a lake, despite the fact that neither has an inflow or outflow. The general plan is to start in the western highlands, then proceed counter-clockwise. This will place me in a good position to complete the touring circle.

I can tell by my notes that I was exhausted when I finished my tour of Inis Gallia. Which is why I didn't push as hard for the other provinces. I mean, my original entry's narration ends in Langres, and is only a few bare sentences long there. I don't discuss my travels in Javerdus at all. That will be corrected now.

Javerdus is richer than I remembered, though given my state of exhaustion when I last passed through, I suppose that isn't saying much for my memory. However, there's a small village immediately northwest and downhill of the Shrine that I don't remember, as well as a mansion on the shores of Lake Javerdus with a built path leading to the road. As I follow the road west, I can see a number of large buildings along the northern shores of Lake Javerdus, made of stone and half-timber (I think). I will have a closer look at the end of my survey.

Near the intersection of the Javerdus Road and the Central Javerdus Road is a small maze of a hilltop village. Not to far from there is the first of the holy stones I encounter on my survey (excluding the Javerdus Petra Dei itself, of course). North of the North Moor Stone I see a keep of towers, but it is, again, something I'll inspect more closely during my survey of the Lake Javerdus Shores. For now, I only view it at a distance.

My first attempt to travel into the Western Highlands is a failure; though the cart track I follow from the central road looks promising, it dead-ends at an Inquisitor encampment after it passes a small quarry. So I backtrack, and travel south. As I travel, I'm struck by Javerdus' unusual terrain. Most home valleys are a bowl - a rim of higher hills surrounding a lowland area. Javerdus is not. There's the Western Moors, but they aren't noticeably higher (or lower) than the eastern portions. It's more than they are cloven from the eastern regions by the valley which holds the Central Javerdus Road.

I eventually reach another track, this one obviously leading up into the Western Moors, and at the end, I find the Western Moors Stone. North and downhill of the holy stone is the Javerdus Shrouded Forest. Beware of the Lost Souls lurking in the ruins of this shrouded forest. They are extremely aggressive and hostile. One chased me all the way back to the central road, passing the holy stone, before giving up!

Heading southward from the shrouded forest, past the holy stone, into the rest of the Javerdus Moors, I encounter a small obstacle. Unusually for them, the Inquisitors have built one of their encampments across the very track I'm following. I'll see if I can thread the needle, but I'm not hopeful given their increased hostility.

My hopes were rewarded! Because the track essentially runs along the side of a hill, I'm actually out of sight of the many Inquisitors, despite how close they are otherwise. It is enough to keep me safe. Just beyond the guardian camp, the track forks. One brack leads to a ruined tower, claimed by the Inquisition, and a small gathering workcamp far from the Inquisitors.

Past that, and deeper into the moors themselves, the track leads past an Inquisition keep, with guards placed closer to the road than I would like. North of that keep is a larger one, still mostly intact. Beyond that, the track continues into the Shrouded Forest to end at the larger remains of a ruined keep, now claimed by the Lost Souls. West of the smaller keep, at the summit of a steep hill is another ruined tower, also claimed by the Inquisition. South of the intersection, standing over a small loop in the track is another ruined tower. The main track now leads past it, further south and down into Langres, ending at the Langres North Forest Stone.

After that I return back into Javerdus, and continue following the Central Javerdus Road south, where it meets a cart track, coming from Langres. It does, joining, or continuing a cobbled road. I vaguely remember this stretch of my past explorations, and my "notes" are exactly as information-filled as I despaired of. Which is to say none at all. No names, not even the tracks. My memory, as incomplete as it is, is actually more informative. If - if - I remember correctly, the road leads to the first time I encountered one of the few high bridges I've encountered in my travels. It does. So that road will be the Langres Highbridge Road, and this continuing track, the Langres Highbridge Track.

Having established that, I return to the road in Javerdus, following it further east and south. After it passes a small tarn, it makes a sharp turn back north. The turn is sharp enough I am tempted to give this section its own name, but it ends quickly enough at the Bear Lake Stone, so it remains merely a part of the greater Central Javerdus Road. A small cart track meets it at the point of the turn, leading down into Langres at the western border of its pale moors, ending at the Langres Pale Moor Stone. The cart track leads past a ruined tower with the thickest walls I've even seen.

Having seen enough, I return to Javerdus, and the Bear Lake Stone, then head east along the southern shores of Bear Lake. I pass a trail leading farther east into the hills while I continue following the track. Which ends at a small quarry. There is also a trail leading south from the quarry. It enters on the far side of the Langres Pale Moors, creeping along the side of the border hills, past another large ruined tower claimed by Lost Souls, before venturing down into the moors proper, to also end at the Langres Pale Moors Stone. Carefully, I return to Javerdus.

Javerdus and Langres are more connected than many neighboring valleys that I've seen. It's enough to make me think that they might have been one valley before the Final Flood. But I didn't visit until after that, so unless I encounter an elder from Inis Gallia who lived through that Flood as some of have, I doubt I will ever know.

Once back in Javerdus, I follow that trail I passed on my way to the small quarry. It leads me to a wolf cave, which at least at first glance, seems similar to the Dolavon and Aven caves. There is also a cart track leading to the summit of the mountains above the cave, where I find an Inquisition camp. Which poses the recurring question - how did the Inquisition get their carts to their camp? It is well travelled enough to leave permanent marks on the ground, but the trail isn't wide enough or stable enough to support a cart, and the idea of carts emerging from that narrow cave entrance (and the steep and narrow tunnels I know are deeper in) is laughable. I wish I know the answer, but for now, all I can do, is return to the Bear Lake Stone.

The shores of Bear Lake are home to large numbers of villas and mansions, spaced a regular distance apart from each other. I head north, returning to the Javerdus Shrine, ready to begin the final segment of my survey. So instead of heading west on the Javerdus Road, I turn the other way. The first curious thing I note is a set of stairs that appear to lead nowhere, just down a tall cliff, and ultimately I suppose to the southern shore of Lake Javerdus. Very curious. A quick investigation reveals that the stairs have been named the "Don't Die Stairs". Which makes me laugh. I applaud the Scion who built these stairs, both for their sense of humor, and their civic sense. I hope many people use them.

Continuing along the road, I have yet to descend to the lake shores when I encounter a trail leading north and west. I follow it and it leads up, and up into the border hills. And at a sharp turn I encounter a well-sculpted entrance. A beast's toothy maw, ready to devour me - or at least guarding the passage. Well done. Glowing eyes and all. Which is fitting, since the trail quickly leads into the Eastern (darn it) Badlands of Inis Gallia. Which I have no desire to explore right now. Back to safety I go, pausing to view the Beast's Treasures.

Back down to the Javerdus Road, which apparently encircles Lake Javerdus. At the eastern end of the Lake is the largest castle city I've seen since the glory days of the Golden City of Retz before the Final Flood. And so lit that it almost appears to be made of torches than walls. Like the Beast, this sprawling edifice guards a trail into the Eastern Badlands.

Another unusual feature - Lake Javerdus is sunken at the bottom of steep cliffs. It is actually the largest tarn I've seen. Most lakes and ponds have a gentle, almost level, approach. Not Lake Javerdus. Those "Don't Die" stairs make more sense now. The Javerdus Road continues around. Near a cart track to a workcamp, is another holy stone. Obviously, the Lake Javerdus Stone.

Beyond that, I encounter a town at the western end of Lake Javerdus, thriving under the watchful presence of a large keep. I'm told by a local, one Ceridwen that this is the town of Tenarath and the keep is Blackfang Keep. Nothing as massive as the Castle at the other end, but certainly one of the more impressive keeps I've seen. And that brings me back around to the North Moors Stone, completing my survey of Javerdus. Now, to complete the Touring Circle. From the map, this should be a simple cross trek through the northern end of the Afon Gallia River Valley. I won't be visiting Lake Gallia, the headwaters of Afon Gallia, passing north of them.

However, I am descending so much, hundreds, if not thousands of meters, that I can see Lake Gallia in all its glory for most of my descent. The map, and what I can see through the haze of distance also suggest that I have found the Ancient City of Gallia. Nor do I suspect I am the first; given its location between Javerdus and Atigny, I suspect it was found not long after the Final Flood's waters receded. As always, a key location, easy to defend, and a Holy Stone in the center.

From there, it's a simple to connect back to the beginning of my travels through Inis Gallia. I also saw an intriguing mark on the rescued map. And across from the High Gallian Tarn, I find the High Gallian Triskelion, and some astounding views down the entirety of the Afon Gallia River Valley. And that brings my travels to an end, for now.

REFERENCE 21: Javerdus

Internally, Javerdus can be divided into three regions, one shrouded highland region to the west, then a northeast and southeast region, each surrounding a large pond.

The Javerdus Moors: The western portion of Javerdus, with a shrouded forest in its northern half, and a juniper moor in the south.

The Lake Javerdus Shores: The region surrounding Lake Javerdus. Including the Javerdus Shrine.

The Bear Shores: The region surrounding Bear Lake, south of, and lower than, the Javerdus Shrine.

Holy Stones ==============

Javerdus Stone: The home stone of the Javerdus Valley, another circular shrine. The shrine is located in a small pocket with steep hills surrounding it.

Javerdus North Moors Stone (Petra Rhostir Gogledd Javerdus): The holy stone on the Central Javerdus Road, west of Lake Javerdus in the central North Juniper Moors.

Javerdus Western Moors Stone (Petra Rhostir Gorllewin): The holy stone in the Western Moors.

Langres North Forest Stone (Petra Coedwig Gogledd Langres): The holy stone in the northwestern forest of Langres.

Langres Pale Moor Stone (Petra Rhostir Gwll Javerdus): The holy stone in the eastern pale moors of Langres. It is silent.

Bear Lake Stone (Petra Pwll Artos): A holy stone at the southeastern end of the Central Javerdus Road and its intersection with the Bear Lake Track.

Lake Javerdus Stone: A holy stone along the northern border of Lake Javerdus.

Paths ==============

===== Roads

Javerdus Road: A cobbled road that passes by the Javerdus Shrine on its northern side and encircles Lake Javerdus.

Central Javerdus Road: A cobbled road that runs through the Javerdus Rift.

Langres Highbridge Road: A cobbled road in Langres, and the primary route into Javerdus.

Gallian Headlands Road: A cobbled road leading westward and DOWN from the North Moors Stone. Ends when it exits the cleft leading into the Afon Gallia Headlands.

===== Tracks

Western Moors Track: A cart track that leads to the Western Moors Stone.

Javerdus-Langres Forest Track: A cart track leading from the Inquisitor occupied moors of Javerdus south into Langres.

Langres Highbridge Track: A cart track that leads into central Javerdus from Langres.

Langres-Javerdus Moors Track: A cart track from the western edge of Langres Pale Moors into Javerdus, connecting to the Central Javerdus Road at its sharp bend.

Bear Lake Track: A cart track that bends around Bear Lake on its southern and western sides. It ends at the Javerdus Shrine.

===== Trails

The Cross-border Moors Trail: A trail that leads from the hawthorn moors of Javerdus into the Pale Moors of Langres, ending at the Langres Pale Moor Stone.

The Javerdus Wolf Trail: A trail that leads from the eastern portion of the Bear Lake Track to a wolf cave.

The Beast's Trail: A trail that leads east from the Javerdus Road into the Gallian Cursed Roacklands.

The Defended Trail: A trail that leads through a passage through the massive castle in Javerdus into the Gallian Cursed Rocklands.

===== Bridges

Natural Features ==============

==== Biomes

Javerdus North Juniper Moors: The juniper moors in the center of Javerus' northern border, just west of Lake Javerdus.

Javerdus Shrouded Forest: The northern portion of the Javerdus Moors.

==== Water Features

Lake Javerdus (Llyn Javerdus): The large pond north of the Javerdus Shrine, with three north-pointing bays. It looks like a slightly mishapen carpenter's plane.

Bear Lake (Pwll Artos): The large pond south of the Javerdus Shrine, roughly shaped like the side view of a bear.

Boot Lake (Pwll Esgid): A long pond, shaped somewhat like a thigh-high boot, seen without the heel.

Seed Pond: A small pond, just north of the Apothecary's Pond, shaped like a seed.

Apothecary's Pond: A pond near the Javerdus-Langres border, near the Central Javerdus Road, shaped like a mortar and pestle.

Meadowgoose Tarn: A small pond nestled against the mountain border of Javerdus and Langres, beside the southern portion of the Central Javerdus Road.

==== Hills, Mountains, and other Features of Interest

The Javerdus Rift: The central rift valley of Javerdus, separating the western and eastern halves.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Afon Gallian River Valley and the Gallian North Border Moors

The Afon Headlands: The northernmost portion of the Afon Gallia Valley. It contains both the smallish Llyn Gallia, and is the source of the Afon Gallia. Borders Atigny, Jura, and Javerdus.

The High Gallian Moors: The stone juniper moors north of the Afon Headlands, nestling in a deep mountain valley defined by the Northern Rim Mountains, and the two Merovingian Peaks,

Holy Stones ==============

Gallian City Stone: A holy stone at the center of the Ancient City of Gallia.

Roads, Tracks, and Trails ==============

===== Roads

The North Gallia Road: A paved road that crosses the northern portion of the Wild Borders, or at least that's what I suspect. Only a portion was travelled. The western end connects to the gate between Inis Gallia and Merrie Provinces.

The Afon Gallia Road: A paved road whose northern end connects to the North Gallia Road. How far along the Afon Gallia it travels is unknown. The Gallian City Road connects before the Afon Gallia Road has reached the river floor.

The Gallian City Road: A paved road that connects the Ancient City of Gallia to the Afon Gallia Road.

Javerdus Wildlands Road: A cobbled road that connects to the Gallian Headlands Road shortly after it leaves Javerdus. The Wildlands road leads north.

===== Tracks

East Headlands Track: A cart track that leads north from the end of the Gallian Headlands Road, crossing the below the base of the Ancient City of Gallia, ending on the Gallian City Road.

===== Trails

===== Bridges

Natural Features ==============

==== Biomes

The Western Descending Moors: The hawthorn moors that descend along the western side of the Merovingian Peaks to the Afon Headlands.

==== Water Features

High Gallian Tarn: The large pond in the High Gallian Moors.

==== Hills, Mountains, and other Features of Interest

Merovingian Peaks: Two large peaks just north of the Afon Headlands.

The Javerdus Headlands Cleft: The cleft that connects the Home Valley of Javerdus to the Afon Headlands, filled with an evergreen forest.

The Ancient City of Gallia: A city of Ancient Ruins. Overlooks Llyn Gallia, nestled against the southern slopes of the Merovingian Peaks.

The High Gallian Triskelion: A great stone circle in the form a a spiraling triskelion. Located in the High Gallian Moors.