General Temple History

When Ilertav defeated Raildon and Shyokro in battle, he created sixteen temples in celebration and, according to the Dutri, created a race to populate them. However, almost nothing is known about this race, and humans found them abandoned and/or ruined. The first temple to be found was Etalz. This became the meeting point and defence for all Paladins. After this, many other temples were discovered and used -- up to a dozen, it was believed.

Then in the year 0, now called The Darkness, Murluron attacked and destroyed many of the temples under the command of Tokjalyo. At that time, numerous temples had surrounding towns, but Murluron unleashed unearthly fire on the areas, rendering the temples abandoned shelters of sacred stone for the taking. After a long battle, Ilertav came down and sealed Murluron, and peace was restored.

Unfortunately, some of the temples have been attacked by humans, such as Vyenri. When Sage Carson discovered Vyenri and wrote up his accounts on his discoveries at the temple, he was cursed and his sight quickly began to wane. He returned to Trelinia with his discoveries, uncaring about his minor oncoming illness, but the other scientists were outraged, and they led a large band of civilians to the temple and destroyed as much of it as they could. Vyenri is now said to be a place of Garukavar. Carson wrote his accounts before he became completely blind and he led a select few dedicated followers northward, where Venzet was founded.

Temple Usage

The current use of the temples varies greatly. Some are places of evil, and some are still supposedly places of good. There are currently no sensible rumours as to exactly who lived in the temples before they were destroyed, as many are now buried or hidden from sight, but it is known that they are mostly chambers of prayer and offering. Nikina is a god of creation and peace, thus disruptive behaviour was not tolerated in these places. Unfortunately, with nobody left to guard many of the temples, some have become such sacreligious sites. This information was read from the walls of Vyenri by Sage Carson, as stated in his account, but this wasn't translated from his recordings until much later on.

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Etalz

In a very dark and verdant forest on North Tasif, just east of Lyte, is a temple called Etalz[J6]. The Paladins -- a band of powerful warriors who fight for Nikina -- reside here, though this is a weak and thin rumour amongst commoners, as officials try to dull this rumour. Upon the founding of the Paladins, Etalz became their headquarters. It was where they would communicate with Nikina himself, recover, plan, defend against The Enemy, and where the best Paladins lived as though it was their home. In 249AL, Templars attacked Etalz and the Paladins within. This battle became known as Battle at Etalz. The Templars survived. Again, during 1171AL, Etalz was attacked, this time by The Guards. The Paladins succeeded again but had to withdraw to a secluded life of secrecy after this.

Etalz is a temple of grey stone bricks. Many years ago, people knew what it looked like: The entrance hall was beyond a small barracks, and it was a high and long room with columns with sconces (one of the main features about Etalz is the presence of sconces, whereas the other temples rely on natural or portable sources of light). Because the temple is heavily covered in foliage, and its perimeter has never been mapped or observed, it is only known that the temple has networks of rooms both to the east and west of the entrance hall, and beyond the hall there are stairs and more rooms leading higher up. It's on this higher level that all of the meeting rooms and larger rooms are.

Vyenri

In a very remote northwest corner of South Ideitess there is another temple called Vyenri[B7]. The only person to have laid eyes on it and lived to provide written accounts is Sage Carson. It is said that evil now breeds in this place. When Carson found the temple on one of his many expeditions, he made many records, but became blind soon after -- supposedly a curse cast on him by the temple itself. He returned to Trelinia with his discoveries, uncaring about his minor oncoming illness, but the other scientists were outraged, and they led a large band of civilians to the temple and destroyed as much of it as they could. Vyenri is now said to be a place of Garukavar. Carson wrote his accounts before he became completely blind and he led a select few dedicated followers northward, where Venzet was founded. Read about Carson's Accounts to get an idea of the temple.

Folass (Volass)

At the north-eastern end of North Ideitess, out in the icy sea, is a large island known to be an icy wasteland called Evealdinn. Here lies Folass[F3], known to be without entrance or exit. Folass and its surrounding grounds are a site for hunters who like to capture animals and release them there, creating set-up hunting expeditions. Despite this, very few venture to this temple and return, though those that do return recall being confronted by a young cloaked Slayer who defends the temple fiercely. His name is Srafel Duom.

Velena

Surrounded by the treacherous Sideways Mountains, on the eastern end of Huirnon, high up on a mountainside, is Velena[K3]. Since it is so high up, nobody can even get near this sky temple anymore. In 4229BD, a select few devote priests and priestesses ventured into the mountains not long after it had been discovered, and they set up a self-sustained environment in the mountains and temple. 167 years later, there was an avalanche in the mountains and the only path to Velena was blocked off and destroyed. It's not known what happened to the people up there, as nobody came out of the mountains afterwards. From certain points in the mountains, it is said that figures can be seen moving in the distant windows of the temple. Some people believe that these figures are Shimteak, and it's believed that the second Supreme Shimteak sighting was in Velena.

Hunnuklad

In the grand city of Duracia, in North Nidonn, there is a temple that is actively used by humans there and also houses the Order of Dualkedor. This burgundy temple is Hunnuklad[N8] and it was discovered in 3802BD. The head of the temple is called the High Priest. The High Priest is currently Prinx Duos, and the first High Priest was Father Duosol. This temple is one of the most famous sites in Nidonn. It is the first main resting place of the first humans to walk on Nidonn, and is arguably the centre and base of Phedailin. If it weren't for their stumbling across this tall and sleek temple, they say the travellers would have perished in the wilderness.

When one enters the door at the top of a large staircase outside, they would find themselves standing in a great hall lined with decorative columns. This hall is now a common room, and there are tables and chairs along the left and right walls, where people eat and talk. In the east wing is a multi-storied library, offices for the higher priests, and storage rooms. In the west wing there are hundreds of dorms where scholars and worshipers live. In the second story, there are chambers used mostly for meditation and prayer, and in the tower in the third story there is the room where Nikina appears upon summoning.

Sefiunas

Amongst the verdant forests and sheer cliffs surrounding Silril Palace there lies an inactive temple called Sefiunas[C9]. This temple, though reduced to a landmark because of the lack of religiousness of The Empire, was once used very occasionally by the first emperors of South Ideitess.

Genxren

In the lush jungles of Jindiara is the Keid town of Shuptalxia, and at the top of the town is the Genxren[G9] temple. Because Buroba is a neutral Odanon and follows neither Garukavar nor Nikina, the temple is simply a place where Keid can worship Buroba himself, as he is indeed a wind spirit. The temple is also where wisemen and wisewomen gather, and it is a Keid tradition to ask wisened elders for advice during difficult times. Not even the Fanorans assault Genxren.

Tlenrian

It is believed there is a temple in the palace of Tlenrian[I1], but this is not proven.