Publicly, the Grove stands as a testament to the goodwill of Candlekeep's mages, conceived as a vital central hub to ease travel between Coia's major cities. Its creation came after the devastating Gateway Wars, offering a symbol of unity and renewed connection. However, this widely celebrated origin masks a far darker truth.

The Grove's true genesis is a secret born of profound fear, hidden deep within Candlekeep's history. During their initial explorations into the Void, the founding mages inadvertently tore a small, stable rift in reality within their sanctum. Faced with an unclosable wound in the fabric of existence, they devised an elaborate containment system, cunningly disguised as the tranquil garden known today as the Grove.

The four prominent portals within the Grove are far more than mere doorways. They function as critical magical anchors, siphoning ambient energy from the potent ley lines that connect to Upper Lachus, Aveton, Tetbury, and Coia City. This constant influx of magical power is indispensable, perpetually fueling the containment field that imprisons the volatile rift.

The grand Emerald Doors serve as the final, most powerful seal on this arcane prison, a constant reminder of the peril it contains. Fearing the panic that a revelation of the truth would unleash, the founders chose to present their gilded cage as a benevolent gift. This terrifying secret has been meticulously guarded by the masters of Candlekeep, passed down through generations, ever since.