# The Cradle > [!info] Quick Facts > | | | > |---|---| > | **Continent** | [[Continent - Q'Shar\|Q'Shar]] | > | **Status** | Total isolation (1,000+ years) | > | **Exclusion Zone** | 30km (enforced by lethal means) | > | **Known Information** | Almost nothing | > | **Defense** | Impenetrable psychic barriers + golden light weapon | > [!map] View on Map > [Open Interactive Map →](https://hawksrepos.github.io/elvensong-map/?location=The%20Cradle) > [!quote] > *"A Golden Throne..."* — The last words of Visid Khair before his death ## Overview The Cradle represents the **ultimate enigma** in the world of Gryth, an island whose commitment to isolationism surpasses even the protected borders of High Vel'Nora. It has repelled practically every attempt at contact for over a thousand years, resulting in a **complete absence** of historical records, cultural understanding, or even a local name. ## The Name The moniker "The Cradle" was given by passing pirates a millennium ago, who witnessed **strands of effervescent light** rising from the heart of the island into the night sky and found it evocative of some celestial nursery. Before its isolation, the island was of no significance—counted amongst the Callista islands and archipelagos as unfit for most inhabitants, ruled only by flora and fauna. ## What Little Is Known ### The Death of Visid Khair The only fragment of knowledge regarding the island's interior was bought at a horrific price by **Visid Khair**, a rogue and powerful high sorcerer of Lenasia. In a reckless attempt to bypass the psychic barriers that all magic users knew to be impenetrable, he performed a scrying ritual that pushed his mind to its absolute limits. After falling catatonic, he momentarily regained consciousness, managing to utter three strained words to his scribe: > **"A... Golden... Throne"** Then his brain and organs liquified and his eyes were incinerated in a burst of chaotic red flame. His story became legendary amongst arcane institutions, spurring magical laws around scrying magic use. ## Defenses The Cradle does not rely solely on its magical wards (arguably the most formidable in the world). Unlike Glaszar, Ludland, or High Vel'Nora, the island employs a **violent physical response** to intruders. ### The 30km Exclusion Zone - Enforced by **lethal means** - Any approach results in destruction ### The Golden Light > [!danger] Lethal Defense > When a party of pirate warlocks once breached the initial magical wards, their sister crew watched from a distance as: > > > A ray of golden light descended like crashing thunder, enveloping the horizon in a golden ethereal flame. Accompanied by a cry resembling a screaming banshee, the explosion utterly obliterated the vessel and everyone on board in an instant. ## The Mystery The Cradle remains a **total mystery** to all beyond its shores: - Whether peasant, illuminated knowledge seeker, or all-powerful king - None have laid eyes on the island's secrets and lived to tell the tale - No records exist of what civilization (if any) dwells there - The source of its power is completely unknown ## Connections - [[Continents/Continent - Q'Shar|Q'Shar]] - Parent continent - Lenasia - Origin of Visid Khair - Callista islands - Former classification --- ## Gallery ![[0_1_1.jpeg]] ![[0_3_3.jpeg]] ![[0_3_2.jpeg]]