DESCRIPTION

The Realm of Paradise (alt. The Realm of Eternity) is one of the six "barrier realms" created by Daivik, and the only one remaining after the End of Time. This realm was created mainly to reward the Archangels for their service in the War of Ancients. It is populated almost entirely by living things that died in other realms.

Nobody is certain what qualifies a being to enter this realm upon their death in another. At a time, it was thought that only the best of men were brought here, as a reward for their integrity, bravery, compassion, intelligence, or greatness. Given the number of bandits, swindlers, thieves, and corrupt officials present in the realm, however, this is no longer the running theory. Some believe, instead, that the selection process is entirely random. Others think it has less to do with positive or negative qualities, but rather ability. It is true that many in this realm are remarkable -- either remarkably good, remarkably bad, or remarkably in between the two. Whatever the requirements, however, there is something for every inhabitant lucky, or unlucky, enough to gain entry.

Despite the name, Paradise exists only for a small few. One’s existence here is only eternal if he escapes every dagger, every flame, every arrow, or every poison levied his way. Death still exists here and, because nobody dies of natural causes, it is a far more valuable commodity than in other realms -- and a commodity it is. Mercenaries, assassins, bandits, and hunters are some of the most frequently employed professionals in the whole realm. When death is in low supply, it is in high demand.

Why Daivik chose to let them die a second time is the subject of much conjecture. Locht, one of the most famous religious historians in the Realm of Paradise, famously argued:

GEOGRAPHY

The realm is split into seven regions:

• Ophielian Forest - A temperate rainforest with large patches of old growth trees.
• Eden - Largely savanna
• Bikuro Mountains - A rocky mountain range
• Cliftreach - A sheer desert cliff
• Sahal - A sandy desert
• Issvangr - Glaciers
• Schig Swamps - Swamps

Each region has a substantially different ecosystem and terrain. Every region has at least one main city; a couple of regions have multiple. Passing between regions can be challenging in some cases. For example, the only way to get to Eden from the Ophielian Forest is through a gate controlled by the very strict high elves of Enan Aethel (or, illegally, through the underground root system near Cyenarion).

Due to the differences in ecosystems, each region has some unique resources that are often highly desired in the other regions. For example, Cliftwrought is a highly-desired metal found only in the cliffs of Cliftreach and is the source of one of the realm's bloodiest conflicts outside of the War of Eden -- the Wrought War.

In addition to the seven regions is a sort of subregion, which lies north of Eternal, encircled by impenetrable walls and a massive gate: the Garden of Eden. This place has been the site of many important events in the realm. In recent times, its most significant role was as the target of Talion's force during The War of Eden.