Gates of Leems

Along the eastern edge of Lyr'Lowain's domain, sitting at the entrance to Long Night Pass, are the time-worn but venerable walls and gates of Leems. Stretching for over a hundred miles, these decrepit stones were once a mighty fortification, powerful and seemingly eternal in their make. The signature of many different artisans and masons are evident throughout the continuous structure, and the mark of different eras of building can be seen simply be walking its length. In some places the wall once towered over the landscape, higher than even the ancient trees of Lyr'Lowain. In other places, the wall is more a series of monoliths and large boulders, at one time enchanted with strong defensive magics. Watch towers, hidden doors, secret tunnels, and confusing architecture whose origins are lost to history are dispersed across its length, and everywhere can be seen the scars of the many events which may have lead to the Gates of Leems's eventual undoing.

While much of what is known about this great wall was lost during the Bartering, there are some stories about its origin and history. The first is of the name Leems. An old elven word, no longer used in the modern tongue, whose meaning is often debated. There are three interpretations, all of which cast a different light on the nature of the gates. First, Leems is said to be the original name of the forests of Lyr'Lowain. This has less to do with the linguistic history of the word. A simple explanation for Leems, and one many elves consider innocent enough. The second interpretation is as a precursor to the word "Leimas," which in elven means "a show of strength" or "to intimidate." This is the widely accepted origin for the name of Leems, as it not only fits linguistically but also applies to what the elven people consider what the wall must once have seemed to all who beheld it.

The third interpretation is one few consider due to the dire implications. There are ancient writings inscribed on old stones throughout the forest that use the word "Leem"  to refer to a dire and evil force within the forest -- one responsible for terrible deeds in darker times.

It is this interpretation, however, the captures the imaginations of the elves, and unfortunately there is evidence for its validity. While the walls and gates of Leems could no longer defend against in invasion of slow-moving cattle, much less a hostile force, the elves of Lyr'Lowain still walk its battlements and, in some places, keep its gates in good repair. In so doing, it is evident that the turrets and defensive points of strength do not face towards the east and Long Night Pass, but rather are focused inward, towards the forest. 

This has lead to scholars and historians attempting to understand what about the forest was once considered so dangerous as to need to keep it contained, if indeed the walls were meant for such a purpose. Along the (now) inner walls of Leems, hundreds and hundreds of statues cluster around the passable portions of the walls. These statues depict many different peoples --  dwarves, elves, humans, halflings and more -- in various occupations, playing out various scenes. Near one gate, there is a scene of a council meeting, beautifully rendered in stone. Near another, children playing a ball and hoop game. For most of Lyr'Lowain's history, these depictions were considered to be the remains of side projects from the artisans who built the wall -- additions to their work to exemplify their greatness.

However, these scenes do not use the same stone as was used for the walls, and many are now considering these artistic renditions to not be art at all, but rather the remains of some malevolent force that once caused the need for such a wall to be built in the first place.