The Sacred Valley

There weren't always dragons in the valley. When humans first arrived centuries ago, there were gods. Beings of unbelievable beauty, whose skin shimmered in the moonlight, whose eyes glinted as the stars, and whose voices rang out as choruses that caused all of creation to dance. Such splendor and power were theirs that none could think to behold them or enter their graces. And yet it came to be that as humans spread across the world, over hill and dale, across verdant fields and swift rivers, that they wandered into the Valley of the Gods.

They were filled with wonder as they gazed upon the clear streams that flowed from the heights of the mountains to the Lake of Glass, which so elegantly mirrored all that it saw. Around the lake were verdant fields and a vast forest with high boughs and innumerable denizens of unimaginable kinds. The fields were full of flowers red and orange and yellow, while hidden glades were filled with flowers of purple, pink, blue and white. Bushes and trees stood all around bearing great bounties of fruit. Tantalizing apples, peaches, pears, cherries, and so much more. Twinkles of light danced beneath the trees, showing blue and green and yellow. The lights played with the rabbits and deer as they ran between the trees, and the trees themselves joined in the dancing, swaying back and forth as the wind whispered sweet melodies in their ears. All the world seemed to sing and dance, and slowly they began to realize that a low harmony swept softly along the grass, grasping at their feet. Such an enchanting beauty there was in this harmony as it spread up their legs and into the rest of their bodies, that they quickly found themselves intoxicated with mirth. They dropped their weapons to join the dancing, but as their weapons clattered to the stones, the world fell silent.

None had ever entered the Valley of the Gods armed for war. The taint of their weapons and hearts so quickly disturbed all that was good, and they found the wrath of the gods. How they could dare to enter the valley in such a manner was beyond the gods' comprehension. In their wrath, they descended upon the humans with no thought of mercy. Just before they smote the defilers though, they were struck with pity for such foolish and helpless beings. Their wrath was stayed, but only on the promise that humans never enter the valley again, lest their pitiful species be destroyed. So it was that the humans left the valley in shame, and returned to their wars. Quickly the valley was left in the past as their ambitions guided them elsewhere.

In the centuries that followed, humanity prospered. Human kingdoms spread across the land surrounding the valley, and life continued. Great castles were erected with elegantly carved stones on their bastions and above their gates, and their halls were lined with great tables whose seats were never empty. Cities of stone grew around these elegant castles, constantly bustling with thousands of bodies. Strong walls and towers were built in the defense of the homes they loved so dearly. Green fields were filled with fine homes and countless livestock, and farms covered the land. In high towers beneath the stars, they learned the hidden powers of the world for themselves, becoming masters of every mystery. Humanity had earned its greatness.

Ever an ambitious people, human borders continued to spread and collide. Wars continually broke out, between each other, with elves, dwarves, and orcs, whoever had what they needed. They became great conquerors, always vying for more and finding the strength of arms to sate their appetites. The human dominion quickly became the great power of the world, taking power over elves and dwarves with ease. They found mercy in their hearts for these pitiful people, as the gods had once done for them, and all found a place within the empire which continued to grow with nothing to stop it.

Humans are driven by greed and desire though. As they spread across the land building their grand cities, they marred the beauty already set before them. Their elegantly carved stones of the walls do not tell of the scar in the mountains from which they were taken, nor do their fine tables tell of the forests laid bare to make them. The green fields of their lands do not tell of the blood that so often drench them, and their slaves do not tell the stories of their ancestors. Humans live out their miserable lives behind a mask of decadence as they constantly search for more, trying to fulfill an insatiable desire.

When the earth began to quake and the mountains trembled, their hearts were filled with wonder and fear, but curiosity was the chief. So often humans are conquered by their curiosity and justified by their hubris. What was in the valley?