Path Before

The 'Path Before' is an idealistic, pseudo-heavenly world often described in the religions of ancient Arlain peoples. It is believed to be the mythical place where all conscious life existed prior to being birthed into mortality. It forms part of ancient creation theory, in which life exists before, now, and after in three different realms.

A portal to the Path Before, called Toh Batt Dair, is believed to be located in the Dia-Dia mountains, which is said to have appeared spontaneously and allowed all life, including humans, to 'stubble out' into a mortal realm. This is described as a one-way path; mortal existence cannot go back along the Path Before, and instead must move towards the Path After (death).