Temple of Kraa'thom
Chelu-kaan holy site inside Port Shimmerly.
General Description
The property on which the Temple is built is surrounded by a perimeter of closely planted redwood trees that obscure the view of the compound. A short walk down a wide path past two 50’ stone obelisks leads to an area enclosed behind a set of redwoods in a line. There are four buildings, a tower dedicated to Chelor and a Chronometer (see below). A low covered walk spans between Chelor's Tower (to the West) and the Chronometer (to the East). Looking North through the covered walk, you can see the River Asherton. To the East, through a small grove of trees, there is a small hut (Kraa'thom's Cup).The Chronometer
The East side of the covered walk opens onto a large (140’ diameter) circular patio. The patio is made of two concentric circular plates, each moving clockwise at different, but both very slow, rates. The outer circle depicts the astrological calendar intricately and stylistically depicted, and the center circle is a 24-hour clock. The eastern edge of the circle is covered by a half-shell of tinted glass, swirling oil-spill designs throughout. Due East, a harmless prismatic plane stretches from the top of the 40’ shell to the ground, where it marks the position of the giant clock. The North and South edges of the circle open into open-air buildings 3 &. The Chronometer bears the important distinction of being the only large project that Avatars of Kraa’thom and Chelor worked together on. It is rumored to predict the Chelor Dun and events that precipitate it, but no one can really agree on this.Kraa'thom's Cup
One must go through Temple grounds to get to this location, through a wooded path. A simple stone hut with a mug carved into the outside wall, with thatched roof and smoking chimney. Full of fragrant steam. Mili-bohn touches the faces to recognize them and decide if she wants to let them in. Inside: a large circular table, stone rising from the floor in a ring around the table for seating. Fireplace, large cauldron from which she works. She divines things by tasting splattered tea from her cauldron and creates powerful teas with divine magical properties.Chelor's Tower
At the west side of the walk, tall circular stonework walls enclose an open-air cylindrical cenote. This is the only area in the Temple dedicated to Chelor. The walls rise about 40 feet, and have geometric holes punched out of it near the top. On windy days, the wind blows through these holes such that a low, haunting note is played. They say this is the pitch of Chelor’s cries that come from the caves below. A narrow archway wrapped vines allows entrance into the space. The floor inside is packed earth and stone,, with moss sporadically growing in the center and growing more readily at the edges of the walls and the floors. Inside, the walls are adorned with stylized Elven runes and text. The text describes the attributes of Chelor, rather dryly. There are also several signatures carved into the rock with a fluid ease, as if it was as easy to carve their name as to write it. In the center of the room (20’ from the entrance) is a 20’ circular-ish hole. Vines and mosses snake down the walls of the cylindrical cenote to a pool of green, cloudy water. The scent of honeysuckle mixed with an organic rotting fills the air. The cenote is 50’ deep at high tide, and 80’ deep at low tide.Architecture
History
This particular location has long been a spiritual hotspot for the Chelu-kaan. Chelor's Hole, the narrow cenote inside the tower, is the deepest known cenote in the cave system. As such, for Chelorans, it represents a gateway to Chelor himself.
Its location near the river Krenos made it an ideal spot for worship of Kraa'thom as well. It was designated as a holy space for both religious groups.
Because of its religious significance, it was also chosen as the spot where the major project of the Chronometer should be. When Baron Iverfort began settling Port Shimmerly, keeping the Temple sacred and under Chelu-kaan control was high on the priority list during negotiations.
Other Structures
1: Southeast. One story workshop with lathe, forge, etc.2: Northeast. Two stories. Living quarters, guest quarters, and toilet.
3: Southwest. One story reflection, prayer, and worship space. A modest altar of Kraa’thom. Low benches and pillows around the perimeter. A small storage space.
4: Northwest. A library and study building. Ground floor is devoted to religious texts and also has the most study space. The first floor is dedicated to local fauna and flora. The second floor is generally closed to the public, and used mostly for transcriptions.
The rooftop is an observatory with an intense scope. There is also a decent-sized one-story section that houses various artifacts and is protected by a powerful ward. Covered Walk
Between the buildings, the primary religious and holy spaces are connected by a covered walk; the curved roof is made of redwood slats, and is covered in vines with dark green leaves and small yellow flowers. Obelisks
The two stone obelisks in front of the temple present the story of the Kraa’thom and Chelor pictorally, almost like a totem pole. The one to the east represents Kraa’thom, and the one on the west represents Chelor.
Founding Date
~1500 years before current
Parent Location
Related Ethnicities
Characters in Location
Related Report (Primary Locations)
Related Report (Secondary Locations)
Comments