Changeling Shrines

"What is it?" Marshall asked quietly.
"A changeling shrine," Prosper answered, watching Shou pour a bit of milk into the wooden bowl he'd set on the shrine's table. "They allowed us to enter their territory, and it's polite to give an offering in return."
"The changeling was the kid with the foxes?" Marshall guessed, glancing around for any sign of her. There was none, but there were several foxes sat nearby among the trees, watching with perked, curious ears. "Why milk?"
"They love milk," Prosper laughed.

Purpose / Function

These shrines act as a home base, protection, and offering pedestal for a changeling, sitting in the exact center of their territory. Often they will sleep nearby with their animals, and offerings left at the shrine will be received by the changeling only. Shrines are easily noticeable by almost all other Wildlings, having an effect that draws attention to it. Changelings enjoy sitting inside of the shrine on the small pedestal, bringing them a sense of safety. Those who sit inside of it and are accepted often feel warmth and a feeling of complete protection. It is possible to hide inside of a changeling's shrine, but an offering is expected in return. Changelings cannot touch each others' shrines. They are physically repelled by them within 20 feet. If a changeling is feeling threatened, their shrines will expel any creatures within 20 feet of it away.

Architecture

Changeling shrines are simple, small stone structures with three walls and a roof. One wall is entirely open, with one or two steps leading up to it. The shrines are about 5 feet tall, with a 4 inch high pedestal in the center. They are 2x2 feet in width and length. They're often decorated with small carvings in the walls and roof of the changeling's animal, trees, and flowers. Shrines can be decorated with things like small, natural objects threaded through with a string and hung about the walls and roof, colors made from natural dyes, furs and bones of those they've hunted if they're a carnivore, cups and bowls from offerings, and small toys they've taken a liking to.

Type

Shrine