Amid the freezing climate, towering peaks, and countless perils of the inscrutable Vasir Mountains, humanity takes its first bold step into the unknown. The end result of many weeks of arduous exploration beginning on Saekos 16th, 996 A.HE., Shalie sits hundreds of miles into previously uncharted terrain, the first successful attempt at a deep colony in the snowbound expanse. This historic expedition was carried out in joint by a platoon of elite warriors gathered under Houses Aevum, Kailen, and Krenzis. Together, they charted the largest and most comprehensive map of the mountains to date—a map that continues to evolve as they journey deeper into the endless peaks, always returning back to Shaile as the sole sanctuary in the unforgiving frontier.

As a commercial venture, Shaile has proven a moderate success for the participating houses, so far yielding a relatively consistent supply of mana crystals. Presently, a majority of these crystals are harvested from tree-like crystalline formations they have been discovered in areas not too far from the settlement. Their origins and nature remain a mystery, but no two are alike, each varying in size and detail greatly. While most appear sporadically in dense forests, a handful of small groves have been discovered where these glass-like trees cluster together, standing in eerie, otherworldly silence.

The success of Shaile has sparked increased interest in the Vasir Mountains, particularly among adventurers drawn by the promise of wealth and the allure of strange new lifeforms discovered deeper in the range. However, few possess what is needed to contend with the natural forces present high into these peaks, and even fewer dare to challenge them alone. While Shaile selectively recruits adventurers who seek gain a much needed advantage in this harsh frontier, it has deliberately avoided direct partnership with the Adventurers Guild. Operations in the small town remain tightly regulated, both to safeguard the lives of prospective adventurers and the commercial interests of its founders.