This is yet another story-within-a-story from the annals of Sôlvân'ârâ, telling the legend of the "Paradise Lands," created in former days of the world. See my other hubs for more tales from this series, if you like this one. Thanks for reading!

'So spake Ûthrấndh, high magnate of Ấrkhûndấr, city of the far eastern river valleys, during the last days of the Greater Kingdom of Men:

“It is told among those few who remain of the ancient immortal blood of the Kel'Drâkkhár, who yet live to remember such things, that, in the stories of old, the world was a far different place than we who now live therein; what is now beheld is but a shadow of a visage of the glory that was.

In those days, it is said that the magic of the Elves of Ëlûnador was an art of surpassing beauty, a marvel renowned the world throughout; for, this was in the time before the Fabric of the lifeworld was unwoven through the Unbinding of the spirits of chaos to unleash havoc upon mortals – when once thus ere, the vital forces of the mortal realms Sôlvân'ârâ were in balance, and the divine perfection of its loveliness prevailed in harmony with its peoples.

Before the powerful First Magi – the fabled Patriarchs – learned the secrets of the Unbinding, this power was unknown to the world; once the Magic-Callers appeared, and began unraveling the life-spirits from the world for their vain pursuits, the fair elves sought the knowledge of the stars to master the wonders of the natural cosmos, and harness its understanding unto the channeling of mystical energies into their lands, for the creation of their majestic cities, and artifices of unimaginable splendor.

Their many wondrous works so enhanced the beauty of the world, that the strength of its life-force was magnified so as to endure the ages thenceforth. Their arts sustained the glory and harmony of the young world in the days of the Starwrought magics, and all the world was in awe of the confounding wisdom and radiance of the elves.

So it was also with the First Age of Men upon Sôlvân'ârâ. Unto them were honor and valor the greatest of virtues. With noble courage and might they ruled their lands, and the peoples of their upright kingdoms knew goodness, contentment, and peace. Guardians of the world's realms, men were the light of its salvation and prosperity. For their valiant reign, none knew true fear in all the lands of the Öðé.

Before the unbinding of the world, the Elder Kings were just, ruling their peoples with dignity, until embracing the corruption that them befell, when the Crown Kingdoms came to ruin at the hands of the Demonlords, and the Fallen Crowned, after the collapse of the Great Crown Kingdom, at the rise of Välemôn the Dominarch, and the tyranny of Víôndôr, blight of all Sôlvân'ârâ for ages to pass.

There yet remain but two oases in the vast wasteland that is much of the world in its diminished form: a fertile garden of unblemished paradise in each the east and west reaches of its lands, though few live who remember beyond what veils they lay hidden. The work of no mortal, the Paradises East and West, or “Vœlǽrë-Aerû'” and “-Nôkh,” as they are called in Old Drâkkhán, were fashioned by the Masters of the Spirit Lords – avatars of Sôlvân'ârâ's creator himself, long ago. So was it ordained by Dalamant, One Who Was: through them who may be found wise, diligent, and of great courage, might the world be blessed in the union of divine authority and mortal virtue.

To the western mountains was endowed a wooded peak of unequaled majesty, looking over the snow-peaked range and high lake-lands of the coast, down to the quiet seaside villages of the plains stretching below the veiling mists enshrouding that pristine summit. Therein were set the “Stones of Grä'ûm (supernatural power)” – shards of shimmering rock, infused with the capacity to craft things of such unrivaled masterly grandeur as to display without doubt the sheer might of the mountains' Great Artisan.

Deep in the northeaster evergreens was made a wildwood glade among the shaded Aspen groves, of elsewhere unseen brilliant verdure, a vision of unbridled beauty, at once becalming and captivating any who should take refuge within its enchanting shrine. Upon its pathless, ivied soils lay the “Aël'nhâ (breath of beauty) Blooms” – florid blossoms of myriad vibrant shades, bestowed with divine inspiration to envision and express passions of supernal loveliness into creation, so as to entrance the hearts of gods, and pale the nymphs to blushing envy – a very glimpse of the World of Old, as the one Dalamant alone ever beheld.

The Paradise Lands, and the Blood of the Untainted

Yet, with such wondrous blessing has always fallen the menacing portent of a curse; for, where Dalamant begat these lands that all may freely enter unto their blessing of his beloved world, so also might any be unfettered to use their unfathomable powers for terrible ill. Once only has such horror ever come to pass in this way, and its unspeakable tragedy is among the darkest of days in the annals of Sôlvân'ârâ's history.

But the shadow that fell upon the world during the fall of the Crown Kingdoms in the corruption of men and elves was not cast upon all; for, there was yet one small realm which never came to the ruinous demise of its counterparts the rest of the world over, and its lands and people were kept from the taint that entered the many regions of the Öðé. But, though they are long ago mysteriously vanished from the mortal expanse, their blood still flows in the veins of their descendants, who inherited their glory unspoiled. None know whence came they, nor of those who bear through the ages their pure lineage; but there are yet those wise and vigilant who know their signs, and remember that they still walk among us.”

~ The Book of Forgotten Lore