Khelgardh

Situated around a long, exceedingly deep lake tucked into the steep western flank of the Orocarni (Q. "Red Mountains"), a remnant of the now-lost Inland Sea of Helcar, Helcarth is a mysterious Avari realm. Legends suggest that it constitutes part of ancient Cuiviénen, the old coastal home of the Quendi (see above). Helcarth's Elven overlords live in a beautiful, pastural land characterized waterfalls and streamside parks. A great circular earth-wall surrounds their kingdom. Thus, the Avari remain apart from the Hildor. The three entries into Helcarth all follow long, heavily-guarded channels and passageways.

Only the East-gate, the "Doors of Morning," are kept unlocked. They open toward Moinarlin (Q. "Dear Exalted Mere"), a pool fed by three waterfalls and the birthplace of the river Cuivisîr. The Doors of Morning actually open onto a grass-covered road that winds under the great cataract spills out from Moinarlin. The fall forms a watery arch that gives birth to a virtually perpetual rainbow.

The Cuivisîr is one of three major streams emptying into the great lake of Helkanen. Helkanen is all that remains of the Gaer Helkar. Its cold shores form the core of the Avari's guarded homeland.

Literature

 * the Wild Lands south and East, Gazetteer by Pete Fenlon