Character: Mercy may be granted to all, but mercy may not rob justice. Those who failed in life may still enter the Mount, but only if they are willing to bear the punishment for the crimes they have committed. Justice must be served.

Power: The Vale of Sorrows is presided over by the Throne Archon Uriel, a mysterious and rarely seen individual. Descriptions of him vary; some claim he is a dark and terrible figure, full of the wrath of the Mount, while others describe him as sorrowful and tired. There's probably some truth to both versions, depending on the circumstances behind the meeting.

Description: The Vale of Sorrows is unusual, being a planar pathway with a specific location in the Outer Planes. It is a dark and shadowy canyon, nestled in the crags of Lunia. The only entrance is two vast gates of heavy iron, and these gates may be found on any Plane by those who seek the Vale. The entrance is manned by two Sword Archons, who challenge all who come before them. Any wo demand or request entrance may pass the Swords, but they are warned that failure withing the Vale means that the way will be forever barred to them.

One peculiar feature of the gates is the nature of the Sword Archon challenge. No matter how many individuals reach the gate together, each is alone when he confronts the Swords and enters the Vale. The decision to walk the Vale of Sorrows is a personal one, and the Vale itself seeks to ensure that only those who truely desire it may do so.

Within the gates, the Vale of Sorrows grows dark. The only light comes from dark flames, burning cold throughout the realm. The sounds of weeping and lamenting are heard echoing throughout the canyon. Visitors are forced to grope along narrow trails, clinging to the stone walls to avoid falling into the river of dark and bitter water at the bottom. Each trail leads to a place of punishment, and the visitors are led along the trail to the one that will best serve them. Progress along the trails is through a series of punishments, each calculated to cleanes the penitent of one crime or imperfection. At the end of the trails, straddling the exit into Lunia, is the Fortress of Surcease. Here the cleansed and purified penitent may rest from his ordeal before begining his journey into the Mount.

Although the punishments are strict and often harsh, no penitent is held against his will. Any who choose to do so may leave at any time, and are escorted from the Vale by the Archonswho serve there. When they leave they are returned to the Plane they left from, and may never return to the Vale again. The gates will not open a second time for that person.

Militia: The Vale of Sorrows has no militia to speak of. No militia is really required, as the only beings who come there are those who seek purification from their sins. Archons serve in the canyon, dark and sorrowful beings who perform their duties faithfully but long for the day they will no longer be needed.

Services: The Vale has only one service. Those who have betrayed the requirements of Law and Good may travel there to atone, whether they are mortal, Petitioner, or Planeborn. It is open to any who need what it offers.

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