The Eye of the Warfather

Near the Eastern tip of modern day Visgar (the largest island in the Vildr held Kaldrold Archipelago), in the Klor Capital of Bjornden, stands a mighty structure that serves as both proving ground for warriors seeking glory, and place of worship for the most revered of Vikir Monumentals, Kaldrenn Doomcleaver. While the structure serves as a temple for the most part, receiving patronage from soldiers (both leaving on and returning from skirmishes), warriors who are competing in the near future and the usual priests and attendants that worship here, it also acts as a combat arena, where disputes of honour and law are settled, bouts of entertainment are held, and contests of rule are officiated.
It's not uncommon for leadership in the holds to be decided through trials of combat, and any Jarl is within their right to challenge for the Brumal Crown, as well as the seat of Wild King/Queen of Kaldrold that comes with it. Most contests of rule are held in their respective Capital, but disputes over the Brumal Crown are only ever held in The Eye, as the presence of the Warfather is deemed necessary in determining such outcomes.
In earlier centuries, when Kaldrold was a single landmass instead of an Archipelago, the title of Wild King held much more authority, as distance has emboldened Jarls who call the other islands home, and so contests for the crown have decreased in frequency over the last two centuries. But The Eye of the Warfather, so named for it's iris-like design carved into the bloodstained stone floor, still sees plenty of clashes, and though many shrines to Kaldrenn exist across the Archipelago, few are held in as high regard as this temple-turned-coliseum.

Purpose / Function

The Eye of the Warfather purpose is two-fold. First and foremost it exists and a temple to Kaldrenn Doomcleaver, known as the Warfather, and is attended by priests, clerics and the odd paladin. These acts of worship tend to congregate in the outer ring of the structure, and folks who worship here might include soldiers and their families (praying for a safe journey, or thanking the Monumentals for their safe return), Warriors who are set to compete in the near future, and folks praying for safety in times of strife. It's second function is as an arena for combat. These contests can be to the death, such as disputes over matters of law an honour, for sport or entertainment, or (in the most extreme cases) over matters of rule. It is here, and only here, that the title of Wild King (and the Brumal Crown) can be contested, as the presence of the Warfather is deemed necessary in such important matters.

Alterations

Over the years, different Wild Kings have brought changes to the furnishings of The Eye, generally featuring drapery and decorations that are evocative of the clan from which the current Wild King hails. Otherwise, there have been very few alterations made over the years. A particularly law-minded Wild King commissioned shrines to Dömn, goddess of law and discipline inside the structure itself, while followers of Van Fridr (brother Monumental to the Warfather, and lord of destruction) have defaced the statues of Kaldrenn by painting their upper heads with red paint, or in some of the worst cases, actual blood. These changes have long since been rectified, or moved to more appropriate locations.

Architecture

The Eye of the Warfather is a coliseum-style structure built from rough-hewn grey stone, with a multi-level corridor encircling the sacred battleground at the structures centre. The battleground itself consists of a flat stone floor, made of the same material as the walls, however this place of combat features an Iris-like pattern carved into it, giving the temple/arena it's name. This cold stone floor has grown heavily stained with the blood of combatants. There are banners and other various drapery that adorn the temple, though these often change alongside possession of the Vildr's Brumal Crown, featuring the appropriate colours and symbols associated with the clan from which the current Wild King hails.

Alternative Names

War-Shrine, the Bloody Eye of Visgar

Type

Temple / Religious complex