Pilgrimage in Elanthia

Last Updated:
April 3, 2008
37th day of Lirisa the Archer in the year 390

The following is a pilgrim's guide to the shrines I have visited. This list is not complete. If you have directions to additional shrines, please e-mail zoluren@earthlink.net.

Coming soon: Ranik and Kythryn maps with exact locations.

Zoluren	Therengia	Ilithi	Qi'Reshalia	Forfedhdar
Arthe Dale	Muspar'i	Darkmist Moor	Ratha
The Crossing	North Road	The Gash
Kaerna Village	Riverhaven	Gilen Otso Steppes
Leth Deriel	Rossman's Landing	Jademist River
Northeast Wilds	Therenborough	Steelclaw Clan
Northern Trade Road
Southern Trade Route
Tiger Clan

ZOLUREN

Arthe Dale

The shrine to Glythtide in Arthe Dale

[Arthe Dale, Shrine]
A simple shrine has been erected in the niche of a large stony outcrop. Moonflower vines climb the column, twining their way around the opening, their brilliant white blossoms providing a festive border. A carved figure of Glythtide has been set inside the niche.
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The Crossing

The Crossing's Clerics' Guild Chapel, devoted to Hodierna and Kertigen

[Clerics' Guild, Chapel]
The roof of this small, quaint chapel reaches a steep peak overhead, its beams of blond ash polished to a loving glow. The floor is simply covered with a thin length of burgundy carpet that leads up to a square altar, located against the western wall. A shining window of multi-colored stained glass rises up behind the altar, catching the light to transmute it into a cascading glory of rainbowed light that spills over everything in its path like a gift from the heavens. You also see a stained glass window.
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The shrine of Tamsine's Rest

[Tamsine's Rest]
A shady clump of sicle saplings cluster around a large, moss-encrusted fragment of pink coral. Carved into a hollow in the center of the coral landmark is a crude yet moving image of Tamsine, one of the patron goddesses of the town. Before the simple shrine is a low limestone bench, where the weary traveler might take some rest in the shade, leave offerings of flowers or food, and contemplate matters of the soul and spirit. You also see a low gate and a flat rock.
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The shrine to Kertigen in the Crossing

[Shrine of Kertigen]
The shrine here consists of a small rock garden with several stone benches placed at odd angles for meditation. It is a cool and quiet respite that so delights you that you do not at first notice something most remarkable. The miniature landscapes of tiny mountains and dwarf trees are not of stone and twig, but are actually fashioned out of precious metals and minerals. You also see a jade statue.
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The shrine to Ushnish in the Crossing

[Shrine of Ushnish]
In a dark, fetid alley, hard behind the Viper's Nest Inn, you happen upon a small shrine. Kicking away what appears to be rubbish from around it, you reveal a sculpted granite image of the serpent god Ushnish. Seeing that, you realize with a shudder that it is not rubbish you just pushed aside, but offerings of dead rats, uncured, fresh skins and other offal left by devotees of the viper-headed deity.
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The Ve Aevan Gaenan High Altar

[Ve Aevan Gaenan, The High Altar]
The gentle touch of the sun is caught by the temple's great skylight high overhead, falling in rays of prismatic light upon a large metallic altar poised on this pale granite platform. The varied colors cast down from the domed Eyes of the Thirteen add to the day's brush of illumination, melding softly upon the altar's reflective surface. From this sacred point, the massive chamber sweeps majestically upwards, stairways and benches rising to meet the archways and domes of light that circle above.
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Kaerna Village

Damaris' altar near Kaerna

[Near Kaerna Village, A Dark Grove]
Around you grow trees in a circle so even and perfect they warrant suspicion. In the center of the grove is a deep pool, its surface smooth and glassy, undisturbed by the wind. Peering into it, it takes you a moment to realize that your face is not reflected in the pool and another to realize that neither are the trees. In fact, the only thing that can be seen are stars -- thousands and thousands of endless stars, some of which you know you have never seen in the sky above you. You also see a black obsidian altar with a rough obsidian bowl on it and a dirt path.
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Leth Deriel

The altar at Kilth Aldiyaus

[Kilth Aldiyaus, Prayer Branch]
Vaulted beams are carved into the grain of the wooden walls. Echoes of mumbled prayers and heartfelt supplications are amplified by the room's curvature. In the reverberating din, the names of all the deities mingle, then merge as one. A polished Sana'ati wood altar is surrounded by hooded figures kneeling on the bare floor.
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Northeast Wilds

The shrine to Saemaus in the Handfaster's Glade

[Handfaster's Glade, Shrine to Saemaus]
Soft-scented air fills the glade where patches of blooming tulips splash color against velvety grass tailor-made for bare feet. A lattice arch, covered with the pink blooms of jasmine honeysuckle, embraces and frames a small altar created from a living plant. Benches of polished wood invite couples to stop and bask in the beauty of the area and the warmth of heart's devotion.
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Northern Trade Road

The altar at Misenseor Abbey

[Misenseor Abbey, High Altar Chamber]
Wavering light produced by several glowing braziers offers enough illumination to make out discernible shapes. A series of thirteen stone columns thrusts up from the black marble floor, the tops lost in the inky darkness high above. Arrayed in a sweeping arc, these great columns stand like a ring of guardians, bringing focus to the high altar that rests upon a raised dais. As if tended by unseen servants, this place of power has remained in pristine condition despite the passage of time. You also see an ironbound door.
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The shrine at Eluned's Pool

[Silvery Pool]
Sunlight sparkles over the pool like a thousand tiny gems among the ripples. The cool water laps against your skin in a soothing repetitive rhythm, relaxing your muscles and drawing you out of the shallows. Beneath your feet the pure white sand is smooth and clear of weeds. A lulling, meditative aura settles over the water.
meditate
You close your eyes and begin to meditate on the nature of Eluned, goddess of the seas and water, master of arcane and ancient wisdom, patron of learning and knowledge.
The omnipotent presence of a higher consciousness wells within you as you are consumed with the sensation of other-worldly approval and indulgence.
A blinding light flares dramatically, then winks out of existence, taking with it the last fleeting sparks of your [race] consciousness, and leaving you disoriented, in the form of a simple fish.
A crevice in the rock draws your attention and compels you to explore its shadowy depths. You swim quickly through, only to emerge into another pool.
[Crystal Cavern]
This tiny cavern inside the stone outcropping is alive with the sparkle of a thousand tiny crystals embedded into every facet of rock. The deep, cool waters of the hidden pool surround you, brushing against your skin and lapping at the base of a polished limestone statue of a dolphin emerging from the water. The pleasant echo of dripping water rolls through the cave. You also see some deeper water.
Your simple world explodes into a torrent of color, sound, memories and ideas. As you attempt to absorb so many sensations at once, you almost don't register your body once again changing and reforming into your [race] form.
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Southern Trade Route

The shrine at Hodierna's Solace

[An Ancient Tree]
Brilliant beams of multicolored light stream through irregular stained-glass windows, illuminating the intricate carvings which adorn the walls and dome of this cylindrical living chapel. A single, ornately engraved column grows from the center of the room and rises to meet the delicate arched ceiling. The subtle scent of rich wood and fertile soil heightens your perception of your place in the warm embrace of life. You also see a circular staircase and a fragile-looking book on a simple stand.
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Tiger Clan

The altar to Albreda at Tiger Clan's church

[Tiger Clan Home, Old Church]
Some rows of wooden pews are set before a simple altar. A symbol carved in the shape of a dove rests on a dais, and a quiet peace fills the space in tribute to Albreda's blessing. Candlelight casts a tranquil glow over the walls and pews and gives the space a safe and warm feeling at any hour of the night. You also see Father Karjon who is sitting and a wobbly ladder.
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THERENGIA

Muspar'i

A battered altar construct in Muspar'i, Golden Heights

[Muspar'i, Golden Heights]
Several twisting passages meet in a labyrinthine tangle at the crest of the hill, where a steep cliff drops away into empty darkness, prohibiting further progress to the south. Mournful gusts of wind sweep showers of fine sand across the crumbling remains of buildings lying shrouded in shadows. One ancient stone construct, alone maintaining some semblance of its former glory, stands apart at the edge of the precipice.
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The Temple of Hav'roth, Muspar'i

[Temple of Hav'roth, Altar of Hav'roth]
Sacred icons and ancient gold triptychs adorn the polished sandalwood shelves behind the ruby and gold altar of Hav'roth. Smoky strands of pungent incense drift out of censers placed around the altar to hang lazily in mid-air. Lofty tracery windows climb up the wall behind the iconic stands to the base of the semidome above, letting light flood across the altar.
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North Road

Kuniyo's stone altar at the Forest's Path's End

[Forest, Path's End]
The trees round out the path, ending it with a thick stand of tender maple, spinebrush, and aspen. Bowing silently in homage to the small altar set up at the spot where the path terminates, the trees nod in a gentle breeze, reaffirming their faith to the entity that guards and protects them from harm.
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The shrine of the Huntress in a dark thicket

[Dark Thicket, Shrouded Clearing]
The trees form a loose horseshoe around this dark green clearing, the heavy foliage from the various oaks and ash that grow here weaving a tangled canopy and creating a deep gloom which falls like a shroud over everything. Pushed up against the very center of the "shoe" is a statue of a woman holding a basin in her hands. A faint forest trail leads off from where the grove opens up, slicing neatly through a second growth of trees before vanishing.
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Riverhaven

The shrine of Harawep in Riverhaven

[Temple, Dark Shrine]
A faint whiff of corruption rises from piles of old rotting leaves covering the ground you stand on. The spreading foliage overhead casts deep shadows over the area, and you glance warily into the darkened recesses trying to find some source for the unease you feel. Towering thorn hedges all about you seem to creep closer as you watch. You also see a worm-eaten wooden statue standing astride a dark opening into the ground.
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The shrine to Divyaush in Riverhaven's Temple

[Temple, Shrine]
Strong marble columns stand at the four corners of the shrine supporting an intricate latticework roof covered in flowering vines. A simple marble altar stands at the far end of the shrine before a brilliant tapestry in black and gold. The ground is strewn with fresh rose petals which give off a sweet perfume as you walk. You also see an ash and plaster gazebo that is set off to one side of the garden.
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Rossman's Landing

Berengaria's altar in Rossman's Landing church

[Rossman's Landing, Church]
A stained glass window fills the eastern wall, situated to catch the rising sun. Beneath it, the altar is covered by a grass-green velvet cloth embroidered with images of cows and grain to honor the goddess Berengaria. Sheaves of wheat bound with ribbons decorate the walls of this simple village church.
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Therenborough

Chadatru's Chapel in Theren Keep

[Theren Keep, Chapel]
Sunlight is welcomed into the Chapel of Chadatru by the rainbow colors of a stained glass window set in the eastern wall. A richly embroidered tapestry serves as a backdrop to a polished ash altar carved with the image of a golden lion upon its surface. Simple oak benches have been placed here so the devout can come and observe the first rays of dawn blaze into existence across the face of the window, casting its fiery light across the altar of the god of justice. You also see a fragile-looking book on a small stand, a blue silk curtain, and a marble archway.
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Therenborough's Village Chapel

[Therenborough Chapel, Interior]
The city's tiny chapel is a simple square room furnished with polished oak pews facing a raised altar. The small stained-glass window over the entry door casts a subdued light upon the altar, causing the embroidery on the altar cloth to sparkle with a silky bluish glow. A single brass candlestick rests in the middle of the cloth. You also see a small birch door, a curtained opening, and a marble bier with some stuff on it.
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ILITHI

Darkmist Moor

An ebony altar in a secluded shrine on the Darkmist Moor

[Darkmist Moor, Secluded Shrine]
Shrouded in dark purple mist, a tall ebony altar rises from the overgrown grass. A collection of hideous gargoyles stands sentry in a macabre circle around the shrine, sneering inward at the scarred monolith.
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The Gash

The altar to Berengaria in the Gash

[The Gash, Small Copse]
Strangely, the ravages of day and night, which affect the other parts of The Gash, do not invade this secluded sanctuary. A sense of calm pervades this peaceful thicket. You also see a small stone altar with a small statue on it with a plain origami bird on it.
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Gilen Otso Steppes

Kuniyo's altar in the Prairie Grove, Gilen Otso Steppes

[Gilen Otso Steppes, Prairie Grove]
A gentle breeze whispers through this small space, lightly ruffling the tendrils of the thick emerald green moss that covers the ground like a rich velvet cloak. The canopy of leaves close in protectively above, allowing only a small patch of night sky to be visible. Emerging from the shadows, a masterfully carved totem in the image of an antelope guards a fine-grained ash altar from any peril the darkness may bring. You also see a path.
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Jademist River

The shrine of the Dragon

[Shrine to the Dragon, Central Chamber]
This chamber is carved directly into the stone of the caverns. The walls are a dark green jade, encircling a stained altar that rests in the very center. Statues, shattered and smashed by time and angry mortal hands alike, stand forever frozen in broken dances. Elegant brass sconces still flicker with mystic lights, dim but bright enough to illuminate the area. You also see some tattered silk tapestries, some twisted stone stairs, and a stained jade altar.
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Steelclaw Clan

The chapel in Steelclaw clan

[Steelclaw Clan, Chapel]
Leaded glass windows fill the eastern wall, allowing the first light of day to illuminate the intricate mosaic that covers the chapel floor from wall to wall. At each of the other three cardinal points an altar stands - the southern one formed of living wood, the northern of a roughly hewn slab of basalt and the western carved from bone. Dozens of candles, guttering nubs and brightly burning pillars, adorn each altar yet the surfaces and facings are clean, without wax drip or scorch mark.
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QI'RESHALIA

Ratha

The altar of the dark aspects in Ratha

[A Pine Thicket]
The scent of pine resin and decaying wood permeates this dark stand of trees. The sky is completely blocked from view by the overhanging boughs, and the air is still and suffocating. There is a sense of being watched, by something. You also see a cold metal altar.
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Chadatru's Temple, Ratha

[Chadatru's Temple, Forecourt]
A row of columns frames the tall, broad temple building that rises ahead. This small courtyard consists of white pebbles, various aloe planted along the low walls, and a small altar placed against the western wall. A fountain above the altar spills fresh water over its surface, keeping the altar glistening in the bright light. You also see the temple entrance.
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Damaris' Temple, Ratha

[Damaris' Temple, Altar Hall]
A long narrow hall focuses attention on an altar at the western end. The only ornament is the floor, an image of an elongated panther created from black marble floor tiles set against white shimmering stone. The paws of the panther embrace the altar, and its tail curves around to the door leading outside the temple.
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Everild's Temple, Ratha

[Everild's Temple, Inside the Cave]
The small cave provides a rustic setting for the boar statue, which is made of cold bronze. Although poised as if sleeping, its body is tense and a single open eye appears to watch every movement. You also see a rough stone altar.
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Faenella's Temple, Ratha

[Faenella's Temple, Sanctum]
Smooth, dark wooden walls curve around this tall narrow room. A skylight from above brightens the pale statue of Faenella kneeling before a basin of water placed in the center of the space. One half of the room is strung with golden wires that run from the floor to ceiling, and sound in the chamber vibrates them to a pleasing tone.
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Hodierna's Sanctuary, Ratha

[Temple of Hodierna, Holy Sanctuary]
The main part of the temple is dedicated to the goddess herself. Entering through the arch, the first thing your eyes rest upon is the wall directly opposite the entrance. An awe-inspiring mural of Hodierna, made out of thousands of tiny colored tiles, covers the entire length of the sanctuary. Each tile is carefully placed, detailing the goddess' features, giving her an almost life-like appearance. The altar is made of a pure white marble and polished to a lustrous shine. You also see a carved ivory arch.
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Kertigen's Temple, Ratha

[Kertigen's Temple, Apse]
Although there are no pews for worshippers to rest on, here at the front of the temple are several long wooden benches. A curved railing shaped much like the bow of a ship encloses the altar, protecting and framing it splendidly. You also see a doorway.
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Phelim's Temple, Ratha

[Phelim's Temple, Planetarium]
The domed roof of the temple is closed and the constellations are projected on the ceiling and walls in a splendid display of the heavens. The floor stones are black marble and glisten softly in the dim light, and the dark walls are cool and smooth to the touch. You also see a shimmering moongate, a black marble altar, a doorway, and a cage of nightingales.
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The shrine to Glythtide, Ratha

[Glythtide's Shrine]
The shrine room is shaped like a burrow, all corners rounded and smooth. Mown grasses and meadowsweet stems cover the floor in a fragrant strewing, but the main focus of the shrine remains the statue honoring the god Glythtide. You also see a wall hanging.
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Urrem'tier's Scorpion, Ratha

[Urrem'tier's Temple, Dark Alcove]
Snickering noises echo in the alcove, or maybe it is the unknown breeze that chills the air even colder here than in the outer room. Shadows dance on the walls yet there is no light source visible to cause them. A larger than life onyx scorpion statue stands menacingly in the middle of the room.
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