Overview: The Garden of Secrets

The Garden of Secrets is a hundred-acre tract of land, situated somewhere to the west in the continent of Kebiras. Much like the rumors say, it is surrounded by towering ranges of dark stone, so tall that they blot out the sun for the major part of the day. There is a valley hidden within, embowered by a forest of lofty firs, its dim and dank understory littered with lifeless tangles of toppled trees. The trudge through these woodlands is perilous, not only because of the unseen drops and slippery rises in the terrain, but also due to a population of treacherous predators, most of which are completely alien to the fauna of Althanas.

Yet upon reaching one of the clearings leading to its heart, one would notice a strange gleam to the air about, tinting the leaves overhead with a soft shade of greenish blue. With every step further, the glow becomes brighter, so much brighter in fact that the dawn seems to break on a strange, new world. Beyond can be seen a vast heathland of dull greens and luminescent purples, sloping upward in static ripples, climbing low crags and gradual hills. Tranquil lakes lie motionless near the treelines, spotting the area like inkstains of ethereal blue, whereas great ruins sit opposite. Great arches stand against the whittling of time, though many colums have fallen, lying broken within the courtyard of a dilapidated castle. In some places, ancient etchings have resisted erosion and can still be seen sparkling with the color of magic.

At the heart of this garden of mysteries, one may find a structure most intriguing. Hexagonal columns of basalt rise like stairways, interlocking and spiralling high amidst a fog of unnatural clouds. Within this silvern mist lies the structure's crest, as flat as a mesa's save for the unfathomable crater in its center, as dark and deep as a botomless abyss - should one attempt to delve its depths, one would surely never return. Far above it and half-concealed behind the clouds shines a great corona of soft turquoise: though its nature and true function is unknown, it is without a doubt the source of the unnatural light that illuminates the Garden of Secrets.

Lastly, in each of these locations can be found a multitude of portals to countless other worlds and planes. They all vary in shapes and sizes, some like great, swirling rings of heatless fire, others like sparkling pools of opalescent water. One may even find slashes of darkness, bubbling inside a grimy wall, or spheres of light that flash upon a touch and whisk away all those nearby. It is through these that many have arrived, and through these that most will eventually leave.

• The purpose of the Garden of Secrets (sub-forum) is to give all participants a chance to write with each other outside of the Tournament itself. Using the characters you registered for the event, you may write about events prior to your arrival in the Garden of Secrets (the in-character gathering place), events happening within the garden itself, or events happening in any world your character walked into, using the portals located inside the Garden.
• You do not have to be a participant of the Tournament of Champions to write in the Garden of Secrets (sub-forum). Characters registered solely for writing in the Garden are more than welcome.

• The Ruins Area is a makeshift location for temporary lodgings, furnished with all of the odds and ends a person needing rest may require (including the necessities of possible non-humanoid invitees).

• It is also in the Ruins Area that one can seek healing, in between Rounds.

• You are at a liberty to create new areas within the Garden of Secrets (the in-character gathering place), to suit your purposes.

• None of the members of the Cabal can be found, prior to start of Round 1 (exceptions might be made for the start of the Trial Round).