Disorienting Manse of the Elemental Apparition

His green lips cracked in the cold and thick oozed slowly oozed out. Yet Teecs smiled. He walked up and down the line of his crew, inspecting each strap and buckle of their gear. Two months into the search and he was still surprised how stocky they were in their winter gear, not the agile creatures he had gone raiding with. Exposed skin cracked from the unrelenting wind, like cold daggers adding more cuts. Yet they endured their orders, knowing the once vanquished would reward them once they were back in power. Goblins would rule these lands alongside their newfound allies.
“We’ll be in sunny grass soon. We’ll kill the Heldring. Those vile humans that force us here. That don’t let us run free. We’ll escape this cold. Eat their bread. Take their pigs,” their leader roared above the wind as he checked each knot and strap of his small company.
Each had tied the rope around their waist and at the end of line was a much larger goblin with lighter skin. Teecs patted his shoulder. “That revenge you want will soon be yours. Your mother cast you out. Your tribe cast you out. With us, Hel will bless you We’ll find power from the dead here. I read the bones this morning. Great change is coming.”
Teecs gazed down at the leather parchment and look at the area his crew was going to search. Two whole moons they’ve been up here and not even the hint of any worked stone. Did these humans ruins still exist?
With each tied to the one ahead, Teecs lead them through 3 feet of snow, barely able to see above it. Teecs shoveled a path through the snow and once each goblin was 5 yards apart and armed with pickaxes and shovels they begun their cold, hard work. The goblins dug deep into the mountain, chipping away at the ice. As they worked, they soon discovered an area of ice thicker than the rest. They focused their attention here and eventually made a crack wide enough to see through. Tossing down a torch lit up a hidden chamber and the once lost temple.
As the goblins hurried to send a runner, a SNAP fills the air. The rope failed. Half the company tumbles down the mountain, quickly out of site and lost in the snow.
Teecs snarled to himself. “Tell Ianto we found the door! And make it large enough for a human to fit through. They’ll want to be the first to enter their old temple,” Teecs ordered. “I’m going after their bodies.”

Purpose / Function

They cut this mysterious and ancient temple into the Cumorian Mountains from a time before the Hyperborean’s yet stepped foot on Akados. A burial site for those who could only be taken by Hel’s sweet kiss and the infection that follows.
Ancient souls twisted with elemental forces of pestilence and pain. Strong warrior and timid fae alike succumbed to Hel’s power. They became fearsome and more primordial, with each creature’s experiences leading to different powers as they became more twisted. The priests who once ruled here closely guarded their secrets.
It is said that those who delve into the depths of the temple are granted a wish, delivered by the Goddess herself, but it must be asked precisely and accompanied by an appropriate offering.
Contained within are ancient artifacts Hel acquired during the formation of the world, still infused with elemental powers and bestowing luck and protection to those worthy.

Architecture

Within and without, the walls are carved with intricate patterns detailing rites and stories detailing the secrets that Hel gifts to her followers. The mere sight of which can invoke sickness and death to those unable to resist. But those who survive and given greater power, able to serve Hel better.

Defenses

Even when the temple was in daily use, those who entered the Manse became lost for days, wandering countless chambers, corridors, secret passages, and experiencing fell visions from the Goddess.

History

Those born of the Helcynngae Peninsula who fully submit to Hel are filled with a mysterious energy when they enter. This can be both comforting and disorienting. Those brave few who can successfully navigate the Manse will find rooms filled with power and knowledge from those who once ruled the peninsula before the Hyperboreans began their conquest of Akados and before the Foere conquerored the peninsula and brought the Hyperborean deities to the land.

Lich Priest by Felipe Gaona