Vale of the Shattering: Investigating the Trail  

Yes, there is indeed a group of tough Gnolls that spawn after you discover the vale. Thankfully I had my Call to Quenos up, since as an 11 warlock I had very little chance of getting past them.

Doing this quest right now, and Dworn Soulforge is indeed at the tent between the steppes griffon tower and the waterfall towards blackburrow (-1931, -14, 752)

Also, I was almost ganked by a rather large heroic mob that spawned just outside the entrance to the vale after I had gone up the trail...at least 6 or 8 gnolls level 15 I believe, I think one may have been a named. Not sure if it was this exact quest that triggered them, I did not have any other quests nearby, nor pertaining to gnolls. Any adventurers should watch out for that coming back out from the vale and look around the corner carefully. I did this as a level 14 crusader, and my adept I demonstration of faith did me very well as a ran through them.

don't know about the other servers, but in Permafrost the actual location of the vale is -2,259; -13.94; -43.98. those other directions had me waaaaaaay off, tho I did find the gravesite of Motte near there :-)

Loc of Vale: (-2280, 50)

Loc of Keep: (-2135, 400)