The Crystal Dragon

In days long gone a Dragon came
from crystal it was made
In size it even put mountains to shame
causing many to envy or to hate
By her grace our valley was blessed
but the jealous Dragons devised a plan
They made killing her their quest
and shortened her lifespan
Her body broke into a million shards
across the valley we call home
But the largest crystals would remain our guards
and protect each and every Gnome

— Crystal Dragon myth as told by the Raitin

The Crystal Valley

Open full size

The Myth

The most common creation myth about the Crystal Valley is that of the Crystal Dragon. This is also the myth that is included in the faith of the Raitin people who currently inhabit the region.
According to the myth the valley in its current condition was formed when a gigantic Crystal Dragon fell to the ground, creating the Cloud Crater in the process. The explosion of the impact caused many shards to spread across the valley. The largest of which would become known as the Sovereigns.
The Raitin consider the Crystal Dragon as the protector of the valley and to some degree still alive through the crystals and the Sovereigns. According to them the Crystal Dragon, which they call Erandishi, was killed by dragons who grew jealous of the newly arrived Crystal Dragon who was revered by the people of the valley. They flocked together and attacked Erandishi. The battle was fierce but in the end Erandishi could not withstand them.

Crystal Dragon by Guild Wars 2, Aurene art

The Crystal Valley

Open full size

The Sovereigns

The Sovereigns are the largest of the crystals spread throughout the region. According to the myth the spirit of Erandishi still lives on inside these crystals. They are said to keep Dragons away from the region but how they are doing this is unknown. True or not the Raitin living in the region consider the Sovereigns as a place of worship.
Each of the Sovereings has a large temple near it and in some cases even a settlement. The Raitin priests even claim that Erandashi talks to them through the crystals.

Opinion of Dragons

The Raitin often use this myth as a reason to explain their hate for Dragons in general since according to them they killed the protector of the Crystal Valley. Regardless of the truth Dragons are not allowed to enter the valley. The only Dragons present in the valley are the captured Raitin Dragons.

Historical Basis

Origin

From historical records it is verified that Dragons are one of the first inhabitants of the valley. Historians believe that at some point a calamity created the Cloud Crater and caused the valley to be known in its current form. No records speak of any Dragons in the valley after this event.

Calamity

What the true cause of the calamity was is still unknown. Some theorize that it is at least similar to Magicfall, the origin of which is unknown as well. Even the timeframe is largely unknown but it is assumed that it must have taken place shortly before the Dragon and Dragonborn migrations to the south and east.

A Dragon made out of glowing crystal must have been quite a sight to behold. I don't see why any of my kind would kill such a thing of beauty. There are enough records in the Keepers library of myths that all too conveniently reinforce political views. I think this myth is no different.

— High Sage Syronikir

Further Reading