The Nach Lach Daan and the Well of Destiny

Written by Calo Terilo Appia, Bellica-based Chronicler, c. 1550 FD

Dwelling in the heart of the uniquely mysterious Crystalwood in the frozen lands north of Signy’s Divide, the Order of the Nach Lach Daan has guarded what some consider to be one of the most valuable and powerful sites in the world from time immemorial.

Legends say that in the time before men walked the earth, a group of ancient elves traveled from Diath to the cold north at the behest of their gods. There, they found a spring of enchanted waters, which, upon being imbibed, would reveal to the drinker his “ultimate destiny.” Knowing that this power must not fall into irresponsible hands, they founded their order, called the Nach Lach Daan (the name's meaning seems lost to time), and built a monastery around the well, where they might both protect it and contemplate its mysteries. The mysterious wellspring has been known since then as the Well of Destiny.

The order has persisted apparently unbroken from that time. While the original monastery was almost certainly not as vast as it is today, it is safe to assume that the centermost and oldest chambers of the complex date to that archaic time. Over the years, many pilgrims have traveled to the monastery to seek their destiny, to contemplate the mysteries of the world, or even to join the reclusive order of the Nach Lach Daan. Most are turned away. Of the very precious few who are allowed entry into the monastery and later leave, practically none are allowed even to approach the well chamber.

Famously, there is an exception in history commonly known to human lorekeepers. The semi-legendary figure Colliad from pre-signic Anderan history was the champion of a local clan lord in the Cerid Highlands. His lord, inspired by a visit to the Lake of Dreams and by tales of a powerful vision-inducing drink, sent Colliad on a quest to retrieve a jug of the well’s waters. This quest was detailed in many parts by the traditional oral legends of the Cerid and Anderan peoples. The entire tale was codified as The Trials of Colliad, by Weldren, a chronicler under King Logan II of Anderus.

Upon reaching the monastery and completing the trials outlined for him, Colliad was allowed by the monks to enter the chamber of the well. It is said that upon barely glancing into its dark and glassy-still waters, Colliad, by this point in the tale known across the lands as Colliad the Fearless, was struck with an unshakable and immediate sense of dread. So overcome was he that he cowered and scampered away from the well without collecting any of its waters. “…and so laid low before his Fate, he trembles before even knowing. For all know their Fate deep within, but to have it spoken is to break the spell and shatter the bonds of comfort. To know the will of the gods is to rule it, and to rule the will of the gods is the realm only allowed the gods.” More detail can be read in Weldren’s account, but this gives us sufficient insight into the circumstances.

While detailed, Weldren’s account of Colliad’s legend is possibly dubious regarding the nature and historicity of the Well of Destiny. While Colliad’s existence and quest are almost irrefutable, the details surrounding them are questioned by many. Some doubt that Colliad was allowed entry into the chamber, and some even doubt that his quest led him to The Well of Destiny at all. However, to corroborate Weldren’s description of the well, there is another, less famous, account of the well I know of.

In Caius Larius's Princely Lives, written somewhat contemporary to Weldren’s work, a brief mention of the Well is made:

“After the Council of Electors adjourned for the third time with no decision, Prince Sullus, seeking to boost his own influence, sent his Cancellarius, Ilian of Barbolus, on an expedition to the north, to find the so-called Well of Destiny to retrieve a sample of its potent waters. When he had traveled with a coterie for many months, there in the cold lands, he came upon the home of the holy men who guarded it. When they led Ilian to the well, he cowered in fear and retreated to Sullus. While this journey was taking place, the Council of Electors met twice again before reaching a decision. When finally they did choose a candidate, it was Manius Martius Corletus, called Martius the Younger, son of Manius Martius Barbatus. The Martius family were long time rivals of Sullus, and Sullus had campaigned for his own cousin Meliara to become the new Prince. Ilian returned the day after Martius the Younger was chosen. Upon hearing the unfortunate tale of Ilian, Sullus, moved by rage and frustration, had Ilian removed from his court and shamed. Thereupon, Ilian returned to the north lands and dwelt with the holy men.“

While Larius’s mention of the well is quite similar to Weldren’s story, it is much more verifiable. The monks of the Nach Lach Daan keep in their monastery a Book of Names, which records every member of their order from its inception. I myself traveled to the monastery in search of the truth surrounding this mysterious landmark. While I was not allowed to approach the well, I was able to learn that Ilian’s being a member of the order at the time mentioned in Larius’s writing is likely. Considering the veracity of the other circumstances of Larius’s work, there is no reason to doubt its veracity.

This leads back to an important point: the well’s power seems to invoke great emotion in those uninitiated who are allowed into its presence. Whatever the fact behind the well, the truth seems clear: the Well of Destiny is powerful, and even if its accounts are mere legend (which, I argue, they are more than simple legend), what we can learn is that fate is a powerful and fear-inducing motivator, and destiny is not easily understood.