The Shield
Shrine of the Water Progenitors
Location Type: Sacred Site and Nomadic Waypoint
Population: None (serves as a temporary gathering point for northern nomadic tribes)
Notable Features: The Shield Shrine, The Tide Pools, The Sacred Amphitheatre, The Windblown Campgrounds, The Coastal Monoliths
Alignment: Neutral Good
Overview
Perched on a rocky coastal bluff overlooking the vast ocean, The Shield is a massive shrine dedicated to the collective progenitors of water: Thalvyr, Hedron, Liyai. This sacred site is a waypoint for northern nomadic tribes, who come here to honour the progenitors, offer tributes, and seek blessings for their travels.
The site itself has no permanent population, but its surrounding campground bears the marks of countless generations of nomadic visitors. Well-trodden paths, flattened clearings, and crude stone firepits speak to its role as a gathering place for nomads and spiritual seekers. The shrine’s striking architecture, carved into the cliffside, features a unique blend of natural rock formations and intricately sculpted depictions of the progenitors.
Features of The Shield
The Shield Shrine
The centrepiece of the site, the shrine is a monumental structure built into the cliff itself, shaped like a colossal seashell partially buried in the rock. Inside are intricate carvings of the water progenitors in serene poses, their likenesses illuminated by natural light filtered through translucent crystals embedded in the walls. The shrine echoes with the sounds of the ocean, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
The Tide Pools
At the base of the cliff, accessible by winding paths, lie a series of tide pools filled with crystal-clear water. These pools are believed to be blessed by the progenitors, and nomads often collect water here to carry with them on their journeys. Some pools are rumoured to have healing properties, while others are said to show visions of the future.
The Sacred Amphitheatre
Carved into the natural rock near the shrine, this open-air amphitheatre serves as a gathering place for ceremonies, storytelling, and communal worship. It faces the ocean, allowing participants to feel the sea breeze and hear the crashing waves as they honour the progenitors.
The Windblown Campgrounds
Surrounding the shrine are expansive campgrounds where nomadic tribes set up temporary homes. The ground is packed flat from centuries of use, dotted with stone firepits and wind shelters. Though primitive, the site has an air of welcoming permanence.
The Coastal Monoliths
Scattered along the coastline are towering stone pillars, carved by nature and reinforced by artisans of the past. These monoliths are adorned with runes and symbols representing the progenitors, serving as both markers for approaching visitors and guardians of the sacred site.
Cultural Significance
For the northern nomadic tribes, The Shield is more than a shrine; it is a place of cultural and spiritual unity. Tribes who might otherwise never cross paths gather here to share stories, exchange goods, and reaffirm their shared reverence for the progenitors. The site’s connection to the progenitors of water also makes it a place of ritual cleansing and renewal.
The Progenitors’ Blessing
"Carried by the Waters"
Visitors to The Shield often collect water from the tide pools, believing it to carry the progenitors’ blessings for safe travels and good fortune.
The Coastal Monoliths
"Guardians of the Shore"
The monoliths stand resolute against the ocean’s fury, their ancient runes invoking the progenitors’ protection. Many of the visiting tribes are actually island nomads from the fractured archipelago to the north, often seeking refuge when pirates decide to turn their eyes away from the Empire and onto them.