THE MEETINGS OF THE FOUR PILLARS
For countless ages, the Pillars filled the void and expanded in search of one another. Light and Silence met first. Constellations were born of their union; on the far side of eternity, Sound met Shadow, and water began to flood the world.
The remaining encounters completed creation: Light touched Sound and then Shadow; Sound reached Silence; finally, Silence joined Shadow. The Qiellör emerged from these six meetings. Stars, seas, Sun, Moon, life and death appeared within this story, together with Destiny, Time, Virtue, Dreams, Purity and Chance.
ARNA
STARS · SKIES · DESTINY
The names of Arna+
- Bretarn · King of the Stars
- Taëvdan · Celestial Glory
- Orlotëi · Supreme Destiny
Drië, Light, and Aikos, Silence, were the first Pillars to touch. Thousands of lights sprang up in the vastness and gathered into constellations. Arna appeared with those stars, bringing the Destiny of all. His birth marks the first event of creation in the history of the Qiellör.
Arna is known through the Aspects of Stars, Skies and Destiny. Bretarn is King of the Stars; Taëvdan, Celestial Glory; Orlotëi, Supreme Destiny. Learning is associated with his domain. Tëimur’s stories credit him with teaching mortals to place Essence within objects so that they could defend themselves. He is also said to have planted the Salinmol, the tree around which Anariel was built.
IMI
WINDS · SEAS · TIME
The names of Imi+
- Renindur · Echo of the Winds
- Arlierme · Sovereign of the Seas
- Cegörimi · Weaver of Time
Tingol, Sound, found Vari, Shadow, on the far side of eternity. Their union stirred reality, and waters welled up to flood the world. From that meeting came the Seas and Imi. With his birth, Time began to flow.
His three Aspects are Winds, Seas and Time. Renindur is Echo of the Winds; Arlierme, Sovereign of the Seas; Cegörimi, Weaver of Time. Navigation is associated with Imi, joining knowledge of the paths across water with knowledge of the winds.
AIQË
SUN · MOUNTAINS · VIRTUE
The names of Aiqë+
- Issaiqë · Lord of the Sun
- Qölluftë · Justice of the Mountains
- Kulnliël · Golden Virtue
When Drië shone upon Tingol, the void filled with golden light and the sound of their encounter. Aiqë was born from this union of Light and Sound. His presence brought Virtue, which he would guard and call forth in all.
The Sun, Mountains and Virtue form his Aspects. Issaiqë is Lord of the Sun; Qölluftë, Justice of the Mountains; Kulnliël, Golden Virtue. The Forge is associated with Aiqë. In Alulil’s stories to Anariel’s students, he also walks among mortals, visits taverns and fairs, and joins their wagers. He seeks virtue where someone does what is right, believing no one is watching.
ELËNE
MOON · FORESTS · DREAMS
The names of Elëne+
- Cellëne · Maiden of the Moon
- Iernaviell · Patron of the Forests
- Enarlia · Sovereign of Dreams
After Aiqë’s birth, Light withdrew and was enveloped by Shadow. Silver light rose from the meeting of Drië and Vari, accompanied by the peace of the new Celestial. Elëne took form and brought Dreams into creation. She is called the Three-Faced Qiellör, appearing as a child, a young woman and an elder, like the phases of the moon. Ancient accounts say she lived in Einmaröt, tending its creatures and plants.
Her Aspects are Moon, Forests and Dreams. The Elenimë revere her as Cellëne, Maiden of the Moon. Iernaviell, Patron of the Forests, and Enarlia, Sovereign of Dreams, name her other Aspects. The Hunt is associated with her domain.
ELU
LIFE · SEASONS · PURITY
The names of Elu+
- Leduvelu · Fullness of Life
- Laularsi · Song of the Seasons
- Menerinë · Perfection of Purity
Tingol rang out as he touched Aikos. A pulsing sound crossed the vastness and announced something that had not existed: Life. Elu was born from this encounter between Sound and Silence, bringing Purity into the world.
Life, Seasons and Purity are his three Aspects. Leduvelu means Fullness of Life; Laularsi, Song of the Seasons; Menerinë, Perfection of Purity. The Harvest is associated with Elu and belongs to his domain.
ASUR
DEATH · DESERT · CHANCE
The names of Asur+
- Helasur · Toll of Death
- Embrekë · Protector of the Desert
- Harrilkur · Lady of Chance
Aikos and Vari were the last Pillars to meet. When Silence touched Shadow, creation was complete and eternal rest became known. Asur was born so that all might find repose, carrying the secrets of Chance.
Death, Desert and Chance form her Aspects. Helasur is Toll of Death; Embrekë, Protector of the Desert; Harrilkur, Lady of Chance. War is associated with Asur. Her presence closes the story of the six primordial encounters.