OVERVIEW
Halfway up a new flight of marble stairs, the Temple of
Pharika stands covered with ivy and surrounded by plants
and herbs of all kinds. Only one row of columns surrounds
the temple, and its entrance is covered by three silky curtains
through which emanate vapors and incense of all kinds. The
interior, always in semi-darkness, is
inhabited by the priests of the goddess, quietly attending their work of healing and experimentation. No one knows how many rare and exotic plants may exist in the deeper levels of the temple, and many claim that a jellyfish dwells deep in
the complex as high priestess, revealing the secrets of the goddess
to those who prove their loyalty. Here the faithful come
to ask for cures for the most varied illnesses, in exchange for
sacrifices and services of all kinds. Some also come to pray
for death, sickness or plague for their enemies. These often
require even harsher payments.
Location Description
Outside
As you ascend further on the Sacred Way, the Temple of Pharika Apemia gradually comes into view, a sanctuary harmoniously entwined with nature. The temple, dedicated to the goddess of healing and poisons, is shrouded in a lush tapestry of ivy, surrounded by a rich variety of plants and herbs, each with its own mysterious properties.
The temple is encircled by a single row of columns, blending the man-made with the natural. Its entrance, veiled by three silky curtains, emanates an alluring mix of vapors and incense, hinting at the ancient and arcane knowledge housed within. Pilgrims and seekers of Pharika's wisdom quietly gather, their hushed tones conveying both hope and trepidation.
Inside
Passing through the incense-laden curtains, you enter the semi-darkness of the temple's interior. The dim light filtering through the foliage casts gentle, shifting patterns across the walls and floor, creating an ambiance of seclusion and contemplation.
Inside, the priestesses of Pharika move silently among the shadows, engaged in their sacred work of healing and experimentation. The air is cool and heavy with the scent of incense and a myriad of herbs, evoking a sense of ancient rituals and hidden knowledge.
The deeper levels of the temple, rumored to house rare and exotic plants, remain shrouded in mystery, accessible only to those who have proven their loyalty to the goddess. The presence of the high priestess, a mysterious creature both revered and feared, is felt rather than seen, by the quiet devotion of the priestesses and the reserved obedience of all others inside the temple.
Here, the faithful come seeking cures for various ailments, offering sacrifices and services in return. The temple also attracts those with darker desires, seeking Pharika's blessings of death or disease upon their enemies, often at a steep and severe cost. In the Temple of Pharika Apemia, the line between healing and harm is as thin and delicate as the incense smoke drifting through its hallowed halls.
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