Shyrta's Gate (Sheer-Tah's)

Within the great marshes of the north lies the statue of a giant serpent. It's head rests in a graveyard with a slab of marble before it. Coils are said to lie deep within the earth, with arcs of it's massive body able to be found around the graveyard and marsh. It's tail emerges from the ground near the head, coiled around the pedestal. That is of course... if you can find it.

Purpose / Function

The monument is a place of worship for the people of the Rainbow Marshes. Upon it's great pedestal, offerings of foods, wines, and finery are left in hopes that the great Rainbow Serpent would deliver them to their loved ones or enjoy them itself as thanks for keeping the dead imprisoned within his belly. When someone dies they are cremated and their remains placed upon the pedestal with their possessions to be consumed by Shyrta in the dark of the night.

Alterations

The monument is repainted every few years with repairs being done as often as necessary.

Architecture

This monument is constructed of various types of stone. Each scale is hand carved and painted or lacquered by an artisan to be seated or replaced as needed. The eyes are highly polished bismuth seated into the eye sockets. The pedestal that rests in front of the great serpent is a slab of Infused Marble that sparkle every color of the rainbow.

History

This statue of the great serpent of the dead has been around for as long as the people of the marshes remember. It is said that the statue is the great serpent himself, slumbering each night in a stone form. After the first The Ten Year Storm, political unrest and fighting struck the nation as resources became scarce in the after math. The monument was lost between war and extreme flooding, though the peoples of the marsh believe Shyrta awoke to see his children fighting and fled to find a more peaceful place to rest. One day, when they are once again worthy, he will reappear.

Tourism

People from around the marshes pilgrimaged to this statue to leave offerings to their deceased loved ones or make prayers to Shyrta. Curiosity drew the inquisitive to see the statue, but their access to this monument was limited. After severe winter storms and political unrest dislodged the people of the marshes, the desire to find this lost monument to once again honor the dead and their keeper now drives visitor's.

Type

Monument / Statue, Large