SHRINE OF THE SAGE

 


Hook: The basin spreads out before you, bathed in morning light as you exit the narrow canyon. A sparkling tarn laughs in the sunlight beneath you. Your world is confined to the basin. The Sage's Mount looms up ahead, a lone monolith of imposing limestone crags leading to a massive, rime-covered peak turned gold by the rising sun. Mist clings to the lake in lazy drifting tendrils. The isle on the other side of the tarn is a forest-choked exile. A finger of jagged stone emerges from its trees like a knife point.

That's where the shrine lay... No cloud in the sky... You squint hard under your raised hand at the imposing visage of The Sage ahead of you. Looking down, again, to the water, and the proud evergreens clustered in loose packs around the pebble- and rock-strewn landscape, you're surprised by the sudden comfort of your sword's pommel pressing firmly into your palm... You know yourself... Something is amiss. The trees nearest you are dark, thick growth... A disturbance rustles the firs far ahead, but, you see nothing... Not many birds up here... It's then you hear a splash coming from the surface of the lake. Your absent-minded musing is shifted to the water where ripples echo out from whatever broke the lake's surface out near the middle... What seemed idyllic is now beginning to seem threatening... You furrow your brow in resignation and pull the sword you carry at your waist from its sheath... Your companion draws her bow, you feel her tension behind you as she speaks your name, then adds, 'It's the Isle... We have come far to find it... The scroll says there are guardians, but, nothing more... What we face here is unknown to me...'

Details: The Isle of the Sage is a gray marble structure built into the rocks of the Isle of the Sage. It's ancient, built by mountain gnomes many ages past, during a time right after the gods walked upon Aelŵydir... It is a dangerous place, visited by pilgrims from all over Keltika. Though the other gods are represented, The Sage is the primary deity honoured, here... It was claimed the place was built under his direction. It is a place where one goes to have questions answered, maybe more. It's better if there is a priest with any comers, but, it is not necessary. It is said if one spends time sleeping in the shrine, leaves an offering, and burns special incense sacred to the god in question, one will receive visions in regard to their quest or question. The place is old, however, and protected by threats best left to the imagination.

Any person of any temperament may visit the shrine, but, if one should stray from the path, they may find themselves at risk. There is a procedure here, and it must be followed to the letter. Or the things that dwell in the trees will do their best to carry off any offenders to be eaten in the safety of the woods... Anyone who falls outside the boat while on the lake will be attacked by the lake guardian. It is taboo to defile the shrine. Doing so also incurs the wrath of the guardians... One should be careful, here... Though it is known to be a good place to receive answers, it is also a good place as any to be cursed or blessed by the gods for whatever reason seems fitting to them. The ways of the gods are strange and their decisions based on things no mortal is meant to see...

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