The Temple of Kastamir

The Temple of Kastamir is where the Order of Falvor have made their headquarters in Dalzenia. This particular chapter of the Order is led by Master Aelus, who is actually second in command to none other than Rael himself. They chose to congregate in the Temple of Kastamir because of its abandonment and subsequent fear surrounding the place. The Order has taken Triss captive and the party is told that they would be found at the temple. They arrive and are confronted by a seemingly old and homeless man and asks if they are lost. If Arc says “no”, they are then forced into a conflict with the man who reveals himself to be a member of the Order. Once defeated, the party enters and finds Triss tied to an altar. They rescue her and are immediately met by Aelus and the other Order members. He tells them that they want the party to join them in stopping Grand Keeper Ghallus, that he is a menace and wishes to do harm to the world and to Cara. The party doesn’t believe them and Aelus tells them to visit the temple in Solima for proof that he’s evil. Arc says that they’ll never join them, and then are trapped in an underground maze within the tower and must find their way out. Afterwards they return to Faerda and decide that they need to go to Solima to confirm whether or not Aelus was telling the truth.

Purpose / Function

The Temple of Kastamir was built long ago for the purpose of worshiping and serving the Keeper of that time, Grand Keeper Kastamir. There was a hall where the Arvalis could temporarily be held during times when Kastamir stayed in the temple. However, less than 100 years after the death of Kastamir, the temple became abandoned and fell into ruin.
Since it's ruin, the Order of Falvor took up residence and called the temple it's home base. Shortly after, they began to spread rumors that it was haunted and dangerous to keep people away, and also to recruit people brave enough to explore it despite the rumors.

Architecture

The temple itself is large structure with soaring pillars built around it in a circular pattern. At the top of each pillar is a large censer in which fire was burned at one time to light the area. The temple has many domed roofs and windows. The architecture is beautiful, making use of stone arches and walkways. From the surface outside the crater, where one would approach, there is a long stone walkway that leads downwards toward the temple entrance. Before the main entrance, there is a terrace that wraps all the way around the main structure. There are also stone walkways that connect to the terrace on four sides that lead one downwards into the crater. Most of the maze-like walkways have crumbled and fallen into decay. Some say that they once lead to the bottom of the chasm, and others say that it was the stairway that led to the abyss itself.

History

The Temple of Kastamir is an abandoned and ruinous temple built in a crater in the Redgar Highlands. Millennia ago, a meteor crash landed in the highlands and burrowed deep beneath the ground, leaving in its wake a gaping and cavernous hole. The Temple of Kastamir was built inside of it as a tower. Nobody is sure just how deep the tower goes but it is believed to be more than 3 kilometers. At the top of the tower (which is actually a little higher than ground surface level outside the crater), the temple is built. The tower gets wider near the top to accommodate the size of the building. Many myths and legends surround the crater and the temple itself. Since its abandonment, many people claim that the temple is haunted and severely dangerous.

RUINED STRUCTURE
Ancient, unknown date

Alternative Names

Home of the Order, The Tower of Death, The Ruins of Kastamir

Type

Temple / Church

Parent Location

The Redgar Highlands

Owner

Aelus Arutad

Owning Organization

The Order of Falvor