Arda Creation Mythos

The beginning

Table of Contents

The Beginning

Oh, who can say, for who was there,
When all things came into the air?
And who can know? Who was around
When all was made, and their forms were found?

Before the great cities of yore, and before the breath of the first elf. Before the great forests of green, and before the grand mountains of gray. Before the sun and moon, and before the stars that shine and glisten in the distant realms above. Before the Heavens who protect us from on high, and even before the Primordial Lords who forged the land and wrapped it in the veil of sky and sea. Before Arda and before the gods, there was nothing. No cities existed for want of life. The forests were naught saplings, the mountains not yet dust. No sun, moon or stars glittered, for no day or night existed for want of infinity. No land, sea, and sky of any world was carved into existence for fair gods to wreath in their grace and splendor. Before Arda and before the gods, there was nothing. Then they awoke. The void, the empty infinity thus came to be more. Manifold and diverse beings of spirit, of power, of elements, of life, of death, of good, and of evil awoke. They saw the vastness of barren space before them, and despaired. The beings looked out, and each spoke their turn of the new world before them. "It is too bare," the Primordials decried "and we have no home". The beings nodded in agreement. "It is too dark and too somber," many lamented "and we have no light or life to cherish". The beings nodded in agreement. Many more spoke their piece, and each knew what they needed to do, departing deep into the space before them, until one last being remained that hid among the black and void. "It is perfect," the Shadow smiled "and it is all mine".

The Shadow hid amidst the void.

The Primordials

So did the beings of yore seek out their corner of the multiverse. The four Primordial Lords met. They all agreed to build their home together. The Fire said, "We can have no home without a light to shine upon it, so I will be it." The Fire forged the sun, beaming forth heat and light into space. The Earth said "We can have no home without a frame, so I will craft it." The Earth made the land from specks of dust, creating the tallest mountains and the deepest valleys. The Water said, "We can have no home without a connection, so I will create it." The Water deluged the frame, creating the rivers, seas, rains, and lakes, connecting the lands of the frame together The Air said, "We can have no home without a repose, so I will relieve it." The Air delicately crafted the breezes and clouds to shelter their new home in comfort. Together, they were proud.

The Heavens

The Heavens were not always the deity we knew today, but was born of the hopes and feelings of those beings arrayed that day. Following their meeting, they stood together. They saw the Primordials and other beings leave, and wondered. "What can we do? Each of us are too weak alone to build a home." one spoke "But many hands make light work," they spoke in unison "we could do more". Each spoke, and committed a part of themselves - love, warmth, life, hope, light, wisdom, harmony, color, music, abundance, and many more came together. They were no longer alone. The beings were gone; the Heavens were born.

The beings merged, the Heavens formed.

Unity

As the four Primordial Lords perfected the artistry of their home, and were visited by the Heavens. "How beautiful!" The Heavens cried. The Primordials beamed, confident in their work. "It is Arda." "Can we offer a gift?" The Heavens asked The Primordials were intrigued, and nodded. Thus the Heavens gave the gift of life to Arda. First it planted the green grasses, tall trees, golden grains, and magnificent flowers. The Primordials looked on, impressed at the art of the Heavens. The Heavens then gave the birds of the skies, the fish of the sea, and the beasts of the land. The Primordials could only gaze in wonder as their art became a masterpiece. "How beautiful," The Primordials cried "how could we do even more?" The Heavens beamed, confident in their work. "It is Arda." The Heavens stooped once more, and placed elves upon the land. The rest was history.