Finding Our Temple

North of the port town of Rucesion lies the Isle of Dawn; a narrow island stretching from the glistening marble city like a great shadow onto the sea. The defining characteristic of this verdant stretch of land isn't its magnificent forests or its unique collection of wildlife, but the massive decaying castle that looms in judgement over the Aisling city -- Castle Dubhaim, which, even in it's eviscerated state still rivals even the stout walls of Loures.

Within, find hoards of fearsome dark beings; this is where the Dubhaimid find respite in our world of light. Those who brave the halls are lucky to leave with their lives, and, should they maintain their wits, perhaps a good tale to spin at the local tavern. There are a few, yet, who have found a home hidden among the rubble and wreckage. Obscured from sight and invisible to all but those who seek it is the Shrine of Sgrios; His holy temple.

While there are many paths to bring you home, none are obvious and even stalwart worshipers can find it difficult to navigate the halls of this wretched castle after a few deochs abroad. While we value our privacy and dwell intentionally in this obfuscated dungeon, we also welcome those who seek knowledge and empowerment through decay, and as such will welcome any respectful and open mind to join us at the dark altar for enlightening conversation and worship.

Do you seek us? There are a number of paths to our shrine, yet a spell of protection ensures you only walk the one that matches your abilities; for we do not wish to see our young worshipers felled by the powerful claws of a Gargoyle Fiend, nor do we wish to see the helpless pupa slaughtered by those who cleave their life as one swat away a gnat.

-Castle Dubhaim-

The first layer of  misdirection comes with finding the castle itself. Many modern Aislings fail to notice the overgrown path that leads north from Rucesion and to a great stone bridge; a common stopping point for mundane children, daring each other to cross the ancient structure and face the wrath of the dark ones. Those brave enough to cross will find themselves in a veritable paradise; lush greenery giving way on gentle, winding paths to the gates of a massive dark structure. This ominious structure stands as an enigmatic stronghold of the Dubhaimid.

Enter the courtyard and marvel at the beauty contained therein -- a vast lobby paved in polished marble and dotted with spring-fed reflecting pools. This construction clashes violently with the older masonry of the castle walls. In the 40's when a massive snowstorm decimated the coastal towns, a great rebuilding effort was assembled. It was during this time that worshipers of Sgrios, involved in the reconstruction, siphoned away willpower and materials to mend the damaged exterior of the castle.

It is a place of spiritual power and reflection, though this atmopshere does not extend past the threshold, as you will discover should you find the bravery to continue further.

-Dubhaim Castle West-

The Dubhaimid tend to use the Western wing of the castle as a nursery and as such it is rich with young beings, still malleable and unformed. Though those Cruels who tend the infant creatures are fiercely protective and dangerous, this is the gentlest approach and as such is reserved for Aislings in their second circle -- those between the insights of 11 and 40.

Finding our temple from the West is simple: Once inside the castle, take the first room on the left hand side of the great hall. This cavernous room, hewn of thick granite, hides the entrance to our temple. This chamber, which is intentionally well lit, is your beacon to His side. What better place to hide the temple of shadows than behind the crimson light? Find the torch along the left side of the west all and walk directly into the flame. Rather than finding your body engulfed, you will find that you are thus welcomed into the hall of our Lord. Congratulations, friend, your faith is paid back in kind.

((The entrance to Dubhaim Castle West is (12,27) from the courtyard. Enter the temple from Dubhaim Castle West 1-1 (2,18) ))

-Dubhaim Castle East-

 

Brave explorers will find that the diminutive structures visible from the courtyard are but misleading towers meant to mislead and perplex intruders, for once you have entered the castle you are met with ever-winding corridors and spacious chambers. Most of Castle Dubhaim is subterranean, built in such a vexing grade that one does not realize they are descending into the black unknown until they have lost themselves hopelessly in the darkness.

Reserved for aislings of their third circle; from insight 41 until your 70th. No longer does one enter the castle into a safe hallway of choice, but you are plunged into chaos from the start. This path is degrees more dangerous than Dubhaim Castle West, and Gargoyles are known to stalk the myriad of chambers in hunt of their favorite prey - unprepared aislings.

Luckily one need not probe further than the first chamber if they seek entrance to the Sgrios shrine -- there is a corridor hidden deviously behind the rubble alone the western wall, right before the doorway to the next chamber. I urge our more fragile followers to take a deep breath and dash from the entrance across the chamber into the sanctuary of our temple.

((The entrance to Dubhaim Castle West is (25,32) from the courtyard. Enter the temple from Dubhaim Castle East 1-1 (2,11). Do not enter the doorway, but aim for the rubble. ))

-Dubhaim Castle North-

Tucked quietly into the Northeast corner of the courtyard, overlooking the celestial scrying pool used by mystic oracles of our faith to decode messages from our holy guides in the stars lies Dubhaim Castle North, the deadliest path of the monster den. Those who enter here will find no quarter from the fierce Gargoyle Fiends that beat their wings against the stagnant air as they stalk intruders from chamber to chamber.

As most of the aisling population has moved into mastery of their path, it should be no surprise that this is the most active entrance to the castle, being reserved for those 5th circle and all those above and beyond, ranging from insight 80 to mastery and even through to Medenian paths. As with Dubhaim Castle East, the shrine entrance is located behind a mountain of rubble; seek the path quickly and do not allow yourself to get surrounded by the eager servants of darkness.

((The entrance to Dubhaim Castle North is (34,11) from the courtyard. Enter the temple from Dubhaim Castle North 1-1 (2,11). The door is in the rubble, not the obvious door to the west.))

-The Shrine of Sgrios

Once shrouded in mystery and myth, our temple has decided that the only path to understanding comes from an open and welcome faith. Welcome to the Shrine of Sgrios -- what may appear to you as a festering dungeon beneath a hostile ruin is our holy temple and, assuming you are willing to show respect and reverance to our faith, you are a welcome guest. Masses are held for all aislings, not only those in our trinity and it is not uncommon to find some of Temuair's sharpest minds discussing philosophy in hushed tones before our altar.

I hope this guide has helped you explore a temple that once felt locked behind a veil of intruige and that you find the same solace in His embrace that we of the temple do. Should you be looking for initiation, consult our temple register and reach out to one of our active clergy. Aislings seeking access to the realm beyond death might seek a consultation with our temple assistant Greim who has mastery of a dark magic that can bridge the divide.