As you tread inland from the red sands of the Haunted Beach on the mountainous continent of Dragonholme, known to the Elves as Norndaeldelos (The Land of Terror), you come upon a deep valley in the mountains.
The path you have followed to this place winds down along a soft decline to the grasses below. Down on the turf, some 500 feet below you, you can see myriad huts and dwellings. Wisps of smoke trail upward from this rag tag village, floating into your nostrels with the scent of cedar and sassafras.
You gaze down and see many figures hurrying about. Many appear to be elves, both light and dark, but some are taller. These stern figures bear the only armament in plain sight, wicked spears and long halberds of blackened steel and hauberks and helms of mithril. The tall ones appear to be both guards and slavedrivers, dressed in raiment of gray, black, and red; making the elves cower as they pass.
Suddenly, a shadow floats over you. You look to the overcast skies and see a large gray dragon fly over. The great wyrm flaps to a peak on the opposite side of the valley, and, with a shrill cry, lands on a cliff.
You shiver, the cry of the dragon and the fearful shapes of the elves making you realize a frightening thing. You have found the hold of one of the Valheru, those beings who even the elven-lords speak of with fear. Though this continent is their realm, you had hoped to find some treasure without crossing the path of the Old Ones.
You stand still for a long moment, expecting at any moment to be see a host of guards come rushing up the narrow path at you.
After what seems a breathless eternity, one lone figure comes over the edge of the path. It is a moredhiliel, a dark elf maiden. Her finely made gray robe,which obviously marks her as a servant of the local Valheru lord, flaps about her as she walks slowly toward you. Stopping only feet away, her glowing white eyes fix on you.
"Vy lurd hash schent ve tu tell shuw dat shuw may enter hish land." she says with a heavy accent in the common tounge. With that, she turns and goes back down the path.
You cast a glance back down the path from whence you came. The Haunted Beach lays only a half mile through the wooded highlands. Your experience there was terrible enough that you won't forget it soon, but that was nothing compared to what you've heard done by an angry Valheru. Taking a ragged breath and adjusting your pack, you...
...Choose your path
Go down into the valley
Go back to the Haunted Beach
