The Lesser Circles of Stone

Scattered throughout Ganwelor are other circles of stone, similar but not identical to the Zaladdria Thalladrimm. Their origins are from ancient times, even in days before the onset of the first Shadow Age.

When the Twelve first arrived at Ganwelor, there was an epoch of a star age in which they did nothing but contemplate. To many, 'nothing but contemplate' suggests profound unproductivity. However, to the Twelve, who are far more than mere stone—their megalithic structure being a mere projection into the physical dimension of what they really are— that age of contemplation was as significant as any works undertaken since. Their thoughts are deeper than men's even as the deepest ocean is deeper than a flowing brook. With such depth, there is a universe to explore that even all the ages combined could not satisfy.

Scattered throughout Ganwelor are 
other circles of stone

At some time in the distant past, after the advent of men and the Eldhammar, it seems these lesser stones were built, though their origins are steeped in mystery. The ostensible wansering beer merchant, Jangel Lampstone, explains to Thengolis their origin of the lesser stones The Star Stone:

‘Remember,’ said Jangel, ‘the Twelve long ago scattered through the lands of the world copies, reflections and echoes of themselves in the form of other stone circles—no one rightly knows how they did it, it was so long ago. Some think they got men to build them for them in some way, but no one knows for sure...anyway, having these lesser circles scattered throughout the lands meant they could exercise their dominion more readily throughout the world. Just as there were twelve Cellador Stones that encircled the one true stone and which increased its power, so there are other circles of stone, with the one in Cornburn residing right at the centre of a greater circle if you like. Thakragg wanted to silence all mention of these circles of stone as he also wanted to silence all mention of the original, and he sought to wipe out all favorable reference to the Twelve. So any mention of these hidden places, he tried to silence so that the Twelve would eventually be forgotten in order that all ruling power might eventually fall to him without hindrance. His motivation is power and to rule absolutely even if it means misery for all under him. Power is his only motivation now and the fact that we have already found the third [of the lesser circles], must enrage him greatly.’

Thengolis must locate the other circles of stone

 

In The Star Stone, Thengolis must navigate his way across Ganwelor and locate the other circles of stone, these ancient ruins with their mystical ability to channel the deepest thoughts of the Twelve. With the loss of the Theleia Stone, only by doing this can the faint echoes of the Twelve be discerned enabling him to draw ever closer to the Theleia Stone and restore it to the centre of the Zaladdria Thalladrimm.