The Emerald Vale is a small territory in the deep forests east of Ruthland near the coast which is home to the last remaining city of the elven empire, which was largely broken by human expansion from the south. This city, the name of which is generally considered to be unpronounceable by humans, sits within the depths of the forest, and is ruled over by Queen Taraniel. Taraniel, who is old even by the standards of elves, is considered to be among the strongest individual mages in the world. It's difficult to quantify who is actually the strongest, given the innate differences in approach and specialty. But Taraniel sits in the same weight class as Silence, the god-king of Provaskin, the Taken who once governed the north before vanishing in times long past, the Esparian archmage Pluvius Sterakson, and a handful of beings such as elder vampires, dragons, and the like.

In short, she is no one to trifle with, and her protection is largely why the Emerald Vale still stands. It's an isolated place, where very few humans are welcome. Those who return report a city of uncanny beauty, architecture that blends seamlessly into the forest, and hostile, almost alien inhabitants.