Annals of Sôlvân'ârâ: the World Before, and the Fates of Men

This fragment is another selection from among the tales of the fictional realm of Sốlvân'ấrâ, whose prologue is recorded in the historical annal, "Of Gods and Kings: Prologue" (see hub by same title). It recounts the earliest legends of the world before its changing, in the first centuries following its creation. It is a vaguely allusive reference to what was in the beginning, in the prehistory of the myths that are told throughout the story's progression. Watch for more entries from the pages of these histories, if you like this one. Thanks for reading!

Thus was it told of Éldranâs, ancient prophet of Ûndratheln, during the reign of the Khûrashân Empire, in the Second Age of the Middle Kingdoms:

“Of legend, it is said that the fate of Men was not always thus in ages past, upon Sốlvân'ấrâ. There was a time, in the World Before, when mighty men fought victoriously against angry gods who sought to enslave them.. when great kings of men – lords of honor and courage – led brave armies to triumph in battle. The myths of old, and the great stories passed down through history, were lived in those bygone days, when the wars of gods and kings of men, which shaped the world anew, were scribed into the annals of lore, the enduring tales of their deeds told and again to the children of their distant forebears.

In days of yore, the hope of Men was undaunted, the lands of their lofty kingdoms sheltered from the tyranny of vile gods and evil men; for, then was Dalamant lord of all, Divine guardian of the peoples of the world to which he had brought redemption. His power and majesty unequaled, his devoted servants were just and good in those days, freed from fear and hate. So 'twas, that were peace and harmony known to all.

But, Dalamant knew that, though redeemed to life and salvation, his people could never relish true freedom until taken from the ruined wastes of that cradle to their fathers' imprisonment, and, thence, released from its shackles, which everyday reminded them of their bondage. That despair might no more linger a whisper in their hearts, he would fashion unto them a world anew – a promised land of unparalleled beauty, upon whose fair face they should be verily free to indwell and rule sovereign those lands they would one day call home. Then only could they know the matchless joy of molding a life renewed, beyond the shadow of judgment haunting their hopeless past.

One doubt remained however, which Dalamant foreknew: with such unfettered abandon should come the baleful foreboding of evil – whereso given right to reign of their own will, there would be those to lust for power till no end among the paradise world, unto even its very undoing.

This well he knew; but, in his unparagoned wisdom, did Dalamant comprehend that such was the only means whereby to impart enduring justice to his people. And so it was, that he thus fashioned the lands of Sốlvân'ấrâ: hope to the disheartened, rest to the weary, life to the afflicted – this world of the day, our sanctuary.. our beloved home.”

~ The Book of Histories Forgotten