Temple of the Veiled Night
The Temple of the Veiled Night is the central place of worship for Krorone’s followers, embodying the five aspects of her divinity. Shaped like a pentagon, each wall is dedicated to a different sect, illustrating their unique interpretations of the goddess with additional rooms beyond for worship. Shadows cling to its halls, where whispers of prayers blend with the quiet hum of rituals carried out in her name. A large stained-glass structure above the temple has been woven into the trees to refract the light and darken the insides of the temple.
"In the embrace of night, all shadows find their place. The blade, the cry, the whisper, the healer’s touch, and the lover’s sigh—each serves the Dark Lady in their own way. None are greater, none are lesser, for in her veil, all are equal. We do not seek to silence one another, for the night has room for every voice… even those spoken in secrecy."
Purpose / Function
The temple was built to provide a neutral ground where all of Krorone’s followers can worship without conflict and to sanctify the darkness, ensuring that it is seen as a force of both comfort and power.
Each section of the pentagon is uniquely decorated and labeled with entrances leading further into places of worship:
- Faith of the Moon Keeper: The grandest of the sections, this hall is adorned with lunar symbols, intricate constellations, and an ethereal pool that perfectly reflects the phases of the moon. The light here is dim, but a soft, silver glow emanates from enchanted runes, creating a sense of serenity and cosmic alignment.
- The Nightborn (Healing and Restoration): This section is a sanctuary of quiet rest, its walls lined with soft, dark fabrics that absorb sound, allowing visitors to pray and seek guidance undisturbed. Those who enter often leave feeling lighter, as if the burden of pain has been lifted by Krorone’s unseen hand. The scent of night-blooming flowers and gentle incense lingers, calming the spirit and easing troubled minds. It is here that midwives and undertakers also offer their services, ensuring that both new life and the departed are guided safely through the darkness.
- The Hollowborn (Pain and Grief): A place of solemn meditation, where figures draped in black veils kneel in deep reflection. The walls bear etched prayers of sorrow, some ancient and unreadable, others newly carved by those seeking solace. At times, wails of grief echo through the chamber, yet no one hushes them—for Krorone allows her faithful to process their pain and suffering in her embrace. No sorrow is too heavy, and no guilt is too great to be unworthy of the Dark Lady’s presence. Mourners leave locks of hair, trinkets of lost loved ones, or handwritten secrets they dare not share with the living.
- The Shadowsworn (Thieves and Assassins) : A room of near-complete darkness, where only the faintest flickers of blue and purple light illuminate the surroundings. Here, the air is thick with secrecy, and the scent of oiled steel and bitter herbs lingers in the air. The walls are adorned with various coins, blades, and vials, left as tithes to the Mistress of Night, offered in hopes that her veil will shield them in their deeds. Some of these items bear the names of those who have made significant offerings—etched into the metal in elegant but foreboding script. Thieves, mercenaries, and assassins frequent this chamber, either alone or in hushed groups, offering whispered prayers for stealth, secrecy, and survival.
- The Veiled Consorts (Passion and Fertility): A place of beauty, secrecy, and indulgence, where thick, luxurious drapery of deep purples and blacks cascade from the ceiling, creating a chamber that is at once opulent and intimate. The air is thick with incense and perfume, its scent ever-changing, reflecting the desires of those who breathe it in. Some say the very fabric of this place responds to its visitors, creating an atmosphere of warmth, comfort, or temptation based on their innermost wishes. This is Krorone’s domain as the patron of passion, secrecy, and fertility—where lovers find sanctuary, where unspoken desires are made manifest, and where secrets are shared that must never reach the light.
The interior of the shadowsworn hall.
Architecture
The interior is a pentagonal design with each of the five sides of the temple is dedicated to one of Krorone’s primary sects and interpretations, with murals, carvings, or shrines reflecting their beliefs. A massive circular skylight, covered in veined obsidian glass, allows only the faintest traces of moonlight to seep through. The temple is otherwise dimly lit with cold blue or purple lanterns. At the heart of the temple, where the five walls meet, an altar stands in perpetual shadow, no light ever touching its surface.
History
The temple was constructed during an era when the Faith of the Moon Keeper was still in its beginnings but was already seeking out dominance across the Nocturnis Territory. To unify the faith under one roof, a sacred design was conceived—a structure that honored all aspects of Krorone, ensuring no one interpretation held absolute authority. Over centuries, it has served as a place of worship, refuge, and clandestine gatherings, evolving into a holy site for those who seek the comfort of the dark. Over the years, the temple expanded outwards containing a massive cemetery for those loyal followers who have perished throughout the years.
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