Temple of the Elders

The Temple of the Elders is the spiritual and intellectual heart of the Kingdom of Theresia. It serves as a repository of knowledge both forbidden and mundane of the The Lost Gods, a training ground for divine warriors, and a hub for expeditions into the unknown. The Temple is ruled by the High Prelate and his council of advisors, a group of high priests, scholars, and nobles who direct the Temple’s efforts to restore the gods.

The Temple rewards those who uncover lost knowledge about the gods, the The Divine War or The Scarring. Gold, land, titles, and divine blessings are bestowed upon those who bring back artifacts, texts, or witnesses from the age before the Scarring. This has made Theresia a magnet for adventurers, scholars, and mercenaries, all seeking fortune, glory, or redemption.

Beliefs and Mission

The Temple stands as a beacon of defiance against the dominance of The Primal Forces, clinging to the belief that the Lost Gods are not gone forever—but can be restored. Unlike the rest of Morea, which has accepted the Primal Forces as the new divine order, Theresia rejects this fate. Its clergy, scholars, and nobles are united in a singular, obsessive goal: to uncover the truth of the Scarring and bring the Lost Gods back to the world.

Theresia’s faith is built on three core tenets:

1. The Gods Can Return. The Scarring was not an annihilation but a transformation—the gods were scattered, not destroyed.
2. The Primal Forces Are Temporary. The Primal Forces are placeholders, maintaining balance until the true gods reclaim their thrones.
3. The Veil Holds the Key. The Veil, the shadowy realm between life and death, is where the remnants of the gods linger. By piercing the Veil, they can commune with the gods.

To achieve this, the Temple uses the Primal Forces—not as objects of worship, but as tools. Clerics of Creation heal the sick, while followers of Destruction enforce justice, but always with the understanding that these forces are means to an end. The ultimate aim is to restore the old pantheon and reclaim the divine order that once ruled Morea.

Affiliations and Power Structures

House Findael and the Nobility

The royal House Findael, the most powerful noble family in the Scattered Isles. Along with other like-minded noble houses, provides funding, political protection, and manpower to the Temple’s cause. Many noble families see the restoration of the gods as a way to reclaim lost prestige and as an alternative to the Prophet Mori's theory of the Primal Forces.

Some noble houses go further, sending their offspring to serve as Clerics or Paladins of the Elders—holy warriors dedicated to the Lost Gods. These nobles are trained in both divine magic and martial prowess, acting as enforcers of the Temple’s will and explorers of forgotten truths.

Some whisper that the nobles even go so far to support and fund fanatical organisations such as the The Eldar Shadows.

Expeditions and Discoveries

The Temple funds and organizes expeditions across Morea and beyond, searching for clues to the gods’ fate. These expeditions delve into:

Ruins of the Age of Wonders. Ancient temples, libraries, and cities where the gods were once worshipped.

The Veil. Through dangerous rituals, explorers attempt to pierce the Veil and commune with the remnants of the gods.

Forgotten Cults. Secretive groups that still worship the Lost Gods, often holding hidden knowledge about their fate.

Relics of the Pantheon. Artifacts tied to the gods, such as the God-King’s Crown, the Queen’s Tear, or the Fool’s Mask, which may hold the key to their restoration.

Notable Expeditions

The Excavation of Old Theras. A team of scholars and warriors ventures into the ruins and catacombs of the Old Theras, seeking answers from the dead.

The Veilwalkers’ Pilgrimage. A group of mystics attempts to cross into the Veil, risking madness or possession to speak with the gods.

The Hunt for the Sage’s Book. Adventurers seek a legendary artifact said to contain writing of the truth about the Divine War and the Scarring, hidden in a lost library.

The Clerics and Paladins of the Elders

The Temple’s holy warriors are known as the Clerics and Paladins of the Elders. They are trained in both divine magic and combat, serving as protectors of the faith and seekers of lost truths.

Clerics of the Elders

Divine Scholars. Clerics study ancient texts, perform rituals, and commune with the Veil, seeking fragments of the gods’ power.

Healers and Guides. They tend to the sick and injured, using the power of Creation, but always with the goal of restoring the old pantheon.

Keepers of Lore. Clerics act as archivists and teachers, preserving the knowledge of the Lost Gods and passing it to the next generation.

Paladins of the Elders

Divine Warriors. Paladins are elite fighters, blessed with the remnants of the gods’ power. They enforce the Temple’s will and protect its secrets.

Seekers of Truth. Paladins lead expeditions into dangerous territories, reclaiming relics and battling those who would suppress the truth.

Defenders of the Faith. They stand against the Empire’s inquisitors, The Eldar Shadows’ fanatics, and the heretical cults that seek to exploit the gods’ absence.

Conflict with the Empire

Theresia’s mission puts it in direct conflict with The Empire of Mori, which sees the restoration of the Lost Gods as a threat to its authority. The Empire enforces the worship of the Primal Forces and suppresses heretical beliefs, making Theresia’s work dangerous and clandestine.

The Emperor’s Response

Inquisitors. The Empire sends agents to infiltrate and sabotage the Temple’s expeditions, seeking to destroy relics and execute heretics.

Propaganda. The Empire spreads lies about The Temple, painting them as fools chasing ghosts or dangerous zealots who would doom the world.

Military Pressure. The Empire threatens war if Theresia’s activities grow too bold, forcing the kingdom to operate in secrecy.

Theresia’s Defiance

Despite the Empire’s efforts, Theresia persists. Its nobles, clergy, and warriors believe that the truth is worth any cost. They hide their activities behind legitimate trade, diplomacy, and scholarship, using their influence to shield their true goals.

Roleplaying the Temple of the Elders

For Players

A Noble’s Heir. Your family has sent you to serve as a Cleric of the Elders, but do you truly believe in the cause, or are you just following orders?

A Veilwalker. You’ve glimpsed the other side and heard the gods’ whispers. But the Veil has marked you—are you still sane?

A Relic Hunter. You seek artifacts of the Lost Gods, but the Empire is on your trail. Will you sell your discoveries or risk everything to keep them?

For Game Masters

The Lost Library. The players uncover a hidden archive containing the truth of the Scarring, but the Empire’s forces are closing in. Do they flee, fight, or bargain?

A False Prophet. A charismatic figure claims to speak for Athor, but their teachings are twisted. Will the players expose them or follow their lead?

The Veil’s Call. One of the players begins dreaming of the Fool, Thilius, who offers them a bargain. What will they sacrifice for power?

"The gods are not gone. They wait. And we will bring them back."

Motto of the Temple of the Elders

Structure

1. High Prelate
2. High Priest
3. Priest
4. Warden
5. Laity

They Wait and Will Return

Type

Religious, Organised Religion

Alternative Names

The Temple

Demonym

Templars

Leader Title

High Prelate

Deities

• Athor
• Emura
• Laelith
• Palea
• Reathor
• Thalin
• Thilius
• Ulric

Location

Theras City

Related Ethnicities

• Theresian