Ciliniadd

Thousands of crystals, no-- millions! Stacked high into pointed spires, arching up to enclose the most brilliant garden! Oh, but... the voices. The songs!

— a new visitor to the Ciliniadd

To the northwest of Melaeden in the verdant reaches of Galasthin lies a sacred place in elven religion. Looked after by the adherents of House Al'turia, Ciliniadd is a garden of ancient flora from worlds long past. Its trees stretch higher than few on Istralar would manage naturally, its flowers blossom with crystalline petals, and the air is sweet with foreign nectars.

Geography

Ciliniadd is not overly large: it stretches across a relatively small area, containing only small cliffs and a crystal-clear lake of white glowing liquid. The bizarre flowers climb walls and cliffs alike, swathing the ground in a multicoloured blanket of nature, as spire-tall trees grant the area some measure of shade. It is an isolated ecosystem of its own, needing no input from water or rain, perhaps granting some insight into the climate of previous elven worlds.
Due to its different nature the grove is kept isolated. This is accomplished through two means: an immense wall of crystal that completely encircles it, and a magical bubble of protection maintained by House Al'turia and the adherents of the elven goddess Yuelral. The crystals seem to be alive in some way as they fluctuate in size and possess an odd manner of motion; they also function as breathing filtration systems that prevent corruption of either Ciliniadd or the outside world by the elements unfamiliar to one another.
The terrain around Ciliniadd is thickly forested with tall pines, granting the grove some protection from spying elements.

History

The gardens of Ciliniadd have been a constant in elven culture for millennia - ever since they first arrived upon Istralar, even. House Al'turia and House Qu'athari of Galasthin, according to numerous journals and scribings kept within Galasthin, were responsible for bringing the garden across from their prior homes - the many seedlings having being shielded and encouraged by artifacts sacred to the Houses (much like the Sceptre of Aetharis is to House Ae'tharis). There is record of outside assistance by other elves, but the names and faces of these past heroes have been lost to the sands of time.
They have not, contrary to popular belief, had a perfect existence. The crystal walls have been broken and the garden burnt, drow blood has corrupted otherwise pure flowers, and uncooperative outsiders regularly damage the place whilst attempting to get in. It is only due to divine blessings and the power granted by the House artifacts that Ciliniadd has been healed; were it left to chance, or were foul fates to befall it too often, the grove would be lost forever.

Tourism

Only our own can be trusted to preserve our spectres of home - and even then, not all may be welcome.

Access to Ciliniadd is exclusive to those with elven blood. Drow are completely forbidden, but half-elves are permitted after significant checks have been carried out. Elven visitors must undergo checks, too, to be certain their motives are pure - but these are solely focused on the person, and not potential taint that might linger in their blood.

Flower by Saffu

Alternative Name(s)

the Grove of Origins, the Gardens of Ciliniadd, the Elvenheart

Type

Grove

Owning Organization

Galasthin