The Pillar of the Departed
This structure serves as both a place of worship and a defensive bastion. It is built from heavy stone blocks that have been meticulously white-washed, standing in sharp contrast to its dark, reinforced slate roof. The interior is a singular, wide hall with a high ceiling supported by thick timber beams. Natural light filters through high-set slit windows, supplemented by the warm glow of hanging iron lanterns. At the far end of the hall, a massive stone altar sits before a central supporting column that bears a large, stylized skull painted in a vivid, iron-heavy red pigment.
The Pillar of the Departed
The air is cool and smells of linseed oil and clean stone. There is a palpable sense of gravity and quiet discipline that commands visitors to lower their voices.
This structure serves as both a place of worship and a defensive bastion. It is built from heavy stone blocks that have been meticulously white-washed, standing in sharp contrast to its dark, reinforced slate roof. The interior is a singular, wide hall with a high ceiling supported by thick timber beams. Natural light filters through high-set slit windows, supplemented by the warm glow of hanging iron lanterns. At the far end of the hall, a massive stone altar sits before a central supporting column that bears a large, stylized skull painted in a vivid, iron-heavy red pigment.
He is a man of few words who values practical action over theological debate. He speaks with a gravelly voice and carries himself with the posture of a veteran soldier.
History
Divine Services
The temple specializes in the Rite of the Final Vigil, a ceremony that prevents a corpse from being raised as undead for one year. At level 5, players can commission the priests to cast Lesser Restoration or Speak with Dead for a donation of 100 gold pieces plus material costs.
The Vault of Remembrance
Located behind the red column is a heavy iron grate leading to the Vault of Remembrance. This area contains the names of every soldier who has died in service to the region recorded on brass plates. It is said that praying among these names can grant a warrior a temporary boon of d4 to their next initiative roll.
Sacred Armory
Unlike most shrines, this temple maintains a small collection of silvered weapons and holy water flasks. These are not for sale but may be issued to groups who are actively hunting monsters that threaten the sanctity of the local graves.
Denizens
He is a man of few words who values practical action over theological debate. He speaks with a gravelly voice and carries himself with the posture of a veteran soldier.
A calm, pale woman who manages the lower crypts and possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of local genealogy and funerary traditions.
A burly monk who oversees the temple's physical security and trains initiates in the use of the mace and shield.
Rumors & Plot Hooks
- 1.The red paint on the central column never fades and is said to be mixed with the blood of an ancient hero.
- 2.Hidden tunnels beneath the altar connect to a secret network used by the local resistance during the last occupation.
- 3.On nights of a new moon, the lanterns flicker in patterns that reveal the names of those destined to die that month.
Classified Entry
The stylized red skull is actually a magical warding sigil. If the temple is breached by undead, the Abbot can speak a command word to cause the column to emit a pulse of radiant energy that functions as a high-level Turn Undead effect.
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