Shrine of Syracuse

Den of Syracuse

As the landscape of the world has changed throughout the millennia, dens of all manner of creatures have come and gone, disappearing into the ever-changing world or reappearing on a whim. Some of the most prominent dens appeared near settlements, becoming monuments and places of near worship depending on what creatures inhabited the den. Eventually, these dens would fall out of favor, many of the creatures within being too dangerous to handle after the days of the Eldritch War, but some families remember the honor that came with the dens, attempting to keep that alive even today.
One of the many lords of the Human Empire coveted the den that fell under his rule. In the small village of Barkest, a hydra den existed, one of a powerful creature that had been blessed by the gods and became an Animal Lord. For the Mistfang family, having the den of Syracuse the Hydra under their power made them highly revered and powerful people. But all such things must come to pass, and the Mistfang family felt they had no others to blame but the Nightbreeze Family for this downfall.
Quarreling turned to conflict, leading to the den being sealed over a century ago. With the power of the mighty hydra lost to the family, the den became nothing more than a shrine to Syracuse, a place where people could worship the hydra and leave offerings on the chance that one day he may return. Much like the hydra den, the truth of the Mistfang family was sealed, buried in history, but all things tend to reappear, even the things most buried have a way of returning when one least expects it.

Architecture

The den changed little throughout history as few dared to go near the home of a hoard of hydras. Above ground, pillars of marble and granite outlined a grand courtyard with vibrant foliage that seemed almost too green amongst the yellows and tans of the Traveler's Grass. The courtyard surrounded a large staircase that entered the den, but only the chosen could enter as the staircase was protected with heavy magic.
The lower levels of the den were expansive, often likened to the way a Dwarven city weaves through the rock to create layers upon layers of rooms and areas. Also carved from marble, the rooms below were punctuated with pillars and statues, many depicting hydras in various stances. Many of the hallways seemed to always lead to the central room that was the most decorated.
This central room boasted a large, decorative alter that was dedicated to Syracuse the Hydra. Essentially a demi-god, the hydra was known for granting those that worshipped him gifts for the right price. The large room was created with this dedication in mind, carvings depicting Syracuse blessing those that gifted him great things while harming those that offered pitiful gifts.

History

For thousands of years, the hydra den in what is now Barkest stood as one of the largest monster dens in all of Vóreios. These dens survived because few were able to quell the monsters and remove them or were able to tame them and harness their power. While powerful creatures, the hydras of the den were tamed by the ruling family of Kestel and became beholden to the whims of the lords there.
Over the millennia, the Mistfang family harnessed the power of the hydras to give their family strength and clout as much as possible. They one day hoped that the power of the hydras would allow them to take over as rulers of the Human Empire but one family stood in their way. The Nightbreeze Family had great magical prowess that would not be easily tempered. The hydras would be a necessary part of the Mistfangs gaining greater power.
The reigning lord of the area heavily opposed the Nightbreeze Family, often causing quarrels between the two. This constant quarreling eventually led to a conflict that swiftly ended 150 years ago. As the conflict came to an end, Alexander Cross was called to seal the den, removing this source of power from the Mistfang family.
This downfall brought the erasure of the Mistfangs from most history, their names changed to Smythe, and their exploits relating to the hydras removed from any source that prying eyes may stumble upon. The family continued forth, a shell of themselves, living with the hope of revenge that may possibly come, but they chose to continue a quiet existence until that day could come.
Eventually the town of Barkest would be built over the old den. In the center of the village, a monument was erected to the hero of the conflict between the Mistfang family and the Nightbreeze Family, although even this person's prominence was erased much like the other history about the Mistfangs and their hydras. Even so, a small shrine was built to Syracuse the Hydra, but few know to whom they pray while at the shrine.

RUINED STRUCTURE
152 EA

Founding Date

Unknown

Type

Shrine

Parent Location

Barkest

Owner

Syracuse the Hydra

Purpose

Once a prolific hydra den held by the Mistfang family of Kestel, the den was sealed over a century ago with strong magic. With the power of the hydras gone, the den became little more than a shrine, somewhat lost to obscurity as the history of the Mistfangs was buried along with all ties to Syracuse the Hydra.

Alterations

Upon the sealing of the den, the courtyard that marked the entrance began to crumble as the magic of the hydras no longer sustained the greenery. The rooms beneath the surface began to crack and crumble during the following century, slowly eroding away enough to fill with water from the nearby river. Rumbling could often be heard from the area as the once great den began to decline.
Within a few decades, the courtyard above the den had entirely crumbled, leaving nothing more than a flat grassy field where it had once stood. With the true nature of the area disappearing to history, a small village, Barkest, was built in the area. Those that remembered the power of the hydra built a simple shrine to Syracuse in the village closest to where the grand stairway had once stood, but that was all that remained of the great den.