Temple of Sengard

"It wasn't hard to see the temple was ancient. Vines climbed along its walls in a way they likely would've not been allowed to in its days of glory. It was built of brown stone, and the colour seemed to blend in with the scenery, making it look like sand had simply risen and formed the building there.

"At the entrance there were statues on the both side, ones that Ilia immediately recognised as Sengard's sevebteeb gods. Above the entrance in an alcove sat in a smaller scale the divine messenger hawk, who seemed to be watching everyone who would walk the path to the temple with big, observant eyes."

- Princess Ilia and her companions' arrival to the temple

Temple of Sengard is located in Central Lemena, in the area of the former nation of Sengard. Surrounded by desert sands and wilderness for days in all directions, it's been seemingly abandoned for hunders of years, but every now and then small groups of adventurers and heroes find their way there, either by coincidence or led there by the tales that promise answers to those who might be the representatives of the legendary Three Words.

Only those meant to be there face the high priest, who will welcome them and lead them to the Sunset Corridor, which in turn leads only the chosen to their mentors in their own demiplanes. Others cannot enter, nor can they even find the dark path that changes for all who would walk it. Occasionally, the priest tests the visitors' resolve by taking on a form of a beast and facing them in battle.

The temple is surrounded by high walls, and while it is possible that the view that greeted those who entered was a green garden, it has since been taken over by the sands, only the pillars on the both sides of the path marking the way to the front door. The statues surrounding the temple have been smoothed, cracked, and bleached by the centuries in the elements, but can still be recognisible to those who know the Sengardian gods.

History

Built as the first and largest temple as a place of worship for Sengard' s many gods and divines, its completion is often considered marking the beginning of the deeply religious Sengard. Its high priest had as much power as the country's ruler, sometimes even more so, as their opinions could sway the rulers' decisions. There are many stories about what has happened in the temple, but one of the most known is that of a priest that came to the temple from a distant land. He was exhausted by his journey and couldn't even stand up, so the priests of the temple carried him in and tended to him. The stranger slept for five days, and after that he walked around the temple like a ghost, almost as if he couldn't see anyone, like his soul had escaped and he was looking for it without a destination.

The priests were confused and worried, but the high priest told them to let the stranger wander, for all look for something, and if they were meant to know what this man had lost, then so be it.

One day, the stranger approached a pupil, asking to see the sun, and he was led to the garden where his searching resumed. Only the high priest knew to take him to the Sunset Corridor, where the strangers entered. It took two days, but he returned with a prophecy that promised that the Three Words would save them from destruction.

The legend has since inspired many aspiring adventurers, many groups of threes believing that their duty is to save a country, or the world. They have sought out the temple in hopes that it will confirm them their duties and offer them guidance on their journey ahead.

Type

Temple / Church