Vale of Harmony

Seen from afar, the Vale of Harmony is not particularly picturesque, the lightly wooded land giving way to scatterings of small clearings here and there within which small but comely cottages are built. Natural fields of grass and weed have been usurped to grow grain crops. A few large swashes of land appears to have been burned year before, but has already begun to grow green once more. Otherwise there is little here that differs much from any other moderately prosperous human colony. Aurally however is another matter. A gentle breeze seems to continuously blow in a way nothing short of musical, that echoes and is amplified by the natural rocky bluffs that surround 3/4ths of the vale. The thin but high waterfalls and the gurgling creeks that flow from them add a pleasant white noise to the background. Thunder in the distance rumbles even on the clearest days, storms being funneled away by the surrounding mountainsides. It is this quality which encouraged its inhabitants to settle here.

One that has not been born here is unlikely to ever hear what this natural symphony sounds like from within unless they wish to never leave. There may be harmony within, but it is an enforced harmony, for this Vale is a quarantine for an entire people.

Banner/Colors: A whirling, pinna-like symbol, with two progressively smaller ones at a right angle is the sign of the Vale, and a warning as well. Wherever you see it you know you are approaching the lands infected by the mindsong.

Population: 424; 60% human, 40% okilei

Primary Language: Common and Okilei

Year of Establishment: 3211 YoF

Government
Government: The Vale is a strange mix of anarchy and socialism. Trying to control Okilei and the ohrwurm infected is, as the old expression goes, like trying to herd cats. Each being so strong of self and independent, it is a great undertaking. As such, diplomacy and the like is needed in almost all things, convincing the people to convince themselves. The individuals to do so are usually the most strong-willed of an already strong-willed people. These councilman are known as the Maestro, who literally organize all the personalities and their music into a great orchestra of cooperation. The result appeals to most of the inflicted, enough so that they allow themselves to be part of the Grand Song.

Government Popularity: The Maestro are generally very well received by the rest of the Vale. Those who do not care for their rule tend to simply ignore them. Such individuals are usually not well regarded by their peers, being a discord in the harmony of the vale.

Army and Enemies: Imperial guards verified to be immune to the ohrwurm psychosis and okilei volunteers maintain the quarantine of the Vale, as well as from attacks by those who feel those infected should be sterilized. 40 years ago a small group launched flaming arrows into the vale, beginning a forest fire in an attempt to kill off the diseased.

Defenses: Aside from the guards, there is no easy way to enter the vale without scaling down the steep granite bluffs. Those that do not wish to face the possibility of infection must therefore use ranged weapons, and by the time they have begun an attack the guards are usually aware of their presence.

Fighting Style: The maintainers of the quarantine are normally imperially trained and as such are normally fighters with skills in the crossbow and pole-arm. Otherwise there is little conflict within the vale. A number have developed a sort of Kata in tune to the songs within, or are infected followers of the sublime way, so a number of monk and warblades can also be called upon in an emergency.

Society
Slavery: Except for their domination by their psychosis there exists no slavery in the Vale, and with the often chaotic and strong will of the people those who attempted to enslave another would have little success.

Constabulary: Except for the quarantine guards there is no true police. As a quarantined colony that is sent food and supplies along with being mostly self sufficient to a small area, there is little to steal. Peace and contentment brought about by their conditions calms all but the greatest hostilities. To date there has been no murder and only a rare few violent altercations within the vale. Disagreements are usually settled by a Maestro, or dealt with on a personal level whose results are usually ignored by the aloof community.

Method of Execution: To date only one man has been put to death, after killing his wife and her lover in a jealous rage he admitted to his crimes. By request he was given a crossbow and shot himself in his home, which has been since shunned as a reminder to the people.

Common skills of inhabitants: Skills range far and wide, from the common to the exotic, as the ohrwurm distinguishes little between its hosts, though most tend to have small skills in psionics. However, performance in the way of singing, instrumentals, or other ingenious sound production, is a basic specialization amongst all its people/ Even those they consider the most tone deaf amongst them would be praised in any other city. Many a traveler passing through the region across the Emperor's Highway will make a detour to spend one night on the edges of the civilization, listening to the inhabitants from afar, and usually feeling later justified for doing so.

Clothing: As many different varieties of peoples are brought or flee here styles of clothing vary just as much, though even in such surroundings clothing is often incredibly varied and personalized. In this Vale individualism is rampant in all ways.