‘The Land of the Gods’, was lost around 300 years ago to the Fomorians. Its location is unknown and there are few historical depictions of it - its existence relegated to myth and song. Paradise is a place mortals refer to as “heaven”: a place where one could meet with the Souls of the dead - at least they could, before it was lost.
The absence of Paradise has prevented Souls from going into eternal rest: thus is the existence of the Great Natu Tree, said to be the last of its kind. The tree, serving as a Phylactery for souls that have nowhere to go, holds them until the day Paradise is found.
The fables paint Paradise as an island, a supernatural realm of everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance, and joy. The inhabitants would feast on the Meals of Natu, which granted immortality.
The land does not appear on any maps of the Skysea and it has been the divine mission of Solar Scions for hundreds of years to find and retake it from the Fomorians, but all expeditions to the fabled land have been fruitless. Amiel Tenebris, was the closest Solar Scions to finding Paradise. He set out to a location in the South Sky Sea to investigate but has been missing for ten years.
In the current age, the quest for Paradise is a desperate necessity. The souls contained within the Great Natu Tree grow restless, their energy causing the ancient tree to wither and corrupt the land around it. Without Paradise, the tree will eventually fail, releasing a torrent of unbound souls into the world, a cataclysm that could plunge the realm into darkness and chaos.
Due to the events of the Soul Shepherds at the Well of Souls during the Fomorian Invasion of Astraloftum, the sickened Great Natu Tree was saved. The Corrupted Souls overflowing within the tree’s Well of Souls were absorbed by the phylactery known as ‘Dark Silas’, to further protect the phylactery, ‘Dark Silas’ husk’ was placed in Temporal Stasis by Carter Moonwing. The husk remains in the now empty Well of Souls for the Promised Day. This has however, caused unforeseen consequences, the Souls now trapped in Temporal Stasis means they cannot be communed with by the people of Astraloftum, causing many to worry why they can’t communicate with their ancestors anymore through the tree.
Landmarks of Paradise
The Sacred Perch. At the pinnacle of Paradise rests the most exalted thrones, a sacred window that gazes upon the boundless expanse of the skies. To connect to the boundary is to draw upon the power of the gods who sit atop these thrones. Ever since the Titan God War, they have remained vacant, awaiting the arrival of new masters.
Lost Vestiges of Creation. Forged in the dawn of creation, these abandoned relics, concepts, and principles remain forever stranded. Each carries the weight to rewrite the laws of the skies, a visible testament to the trial and error weaved into the act of creation itself.
Seven Heavens of Nirvana. The divine promised land holds seven heavens, each granting equal peace to all souls within. Those who would bring their wishes before their gods must first pass through seven sacred veils. Will is the foundation of the world, and thus the path shall not open to those without proper resolve.
Stairs of Reverence. Dare not lift your gaze, for to behold the heavenly glory midway is akin to being scorched by holy radiance. Those who ascend must keep their eyes downcast and reflect upon each step taken. This is both an act of veneration and the proper bearing of one who seeks divine favor.
Wall of Flesh?